What is the best mod you have done on your Ninjette?

[greenaero]

I'm interested in what our community thinks is the best modification they have made to our near- perfect little motos. One of the things I like a lot about our Ninjettes are its flexibility and adaptability for different motorcycling environments.

I'll start: Installing taller gearing so that the Ninjette doesn't have to rev at 10k to keep up with freeway traffic. I run 15/37 gearing on my 2005 and it revs at ~6500rpm @ 70 mph. I run 15/33 sprockets on 1999 streamliner for 5900 rpm @70 mph.

Merry XMas and Happy Holidays

[JohnnyBravo]

AreaP exhaust an tuner would be at the top of the list, but them again there is no bad mod... Only bad modders

[NevadaWolf]

Right now, the single most important mod has been the handlebar risers

Despite holding my fingers and my elbows loose, I was suffering from numb hands and a painful wrist within a short time on every ride. Wasn't until a friend critiqued my riding by saying "Rise the handlebars and lower the pegs and it'll be more comfortable," that motivated me to get them.

One small inch upward and the pain is gone.

And yes, those little blocks outrank my heated gear.

[alex.s]

good tires

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

Right now, the single most important mod has been the handlebar risers

Despite holding my fingers and my elbows loose, I was suffering from numb hands and a painful wrist within a short time on every ride. Wasn't until a friend critiqued my riding by saying "Rise the handlebars and lower the pegs and it'll be more comfortable," that motivated me to get them.

One small inch upward and the pain is gone.

And yes, those little blocks outrank my heated gear.

Are you forgetting your Scottoiler?

My best modification has been making my 2007 naked.

[Racer x]

SI started modifying my bike early in 2008. The gearing change was the best over all money invested for outcome.
I wanted performance so the full Yoshimura exhaust proved to be the best. Most power I got and a baffel that is easy to remove.

As for fun the Koso RX2 dash. I did it first and the DIY on new ninja had 18k views and koso made the plug and play kit. The only plug and play kit they make.
The dash is fantastic.

Everything else I did to my bike had to do with land speed racing . But gears exhaust and the dash top my list.
Then it Brt tis ignition system. But from there it gets more money for less improvement.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by Motofool

Are you forgetting your Scottoiler?

Nope, not forgetting the oiler, the LEDs, the headlight, the windscreen, the stainless steel brakelines, the dash, the new tires, the new sprockets, the USBs and 12volt, the adjustable levers, the heated gear and handlebar mitts, the flush mounts, the hugger, the rear cowling, the 300 exhaust, or the tail bob (that the PO made).

The question was what's the best. A simple mod that made riding pain free trumps all performance or farkle mods.

[BoBO]

For me,
Tires & brakes.

[allanoue]

brakes

[chrly]

I reversed teh shift pattern to incorporate GP style shifting. I have used it on all my bikes ever since I was active in local drag racing and now it just seems natural...

[MrAtom]

Originally Posted by greenaero

Installing taller gearing so that the Ninjette doesn't have to rev at 10k to keep up with freeway traffic. I run 15/37 gearing on my 2005 and it revs at ~6500rpm @ 70 mph. I run 15/33 sprockets on 1999 streamliner for 5900 rpm @70 mph.

Dang. You must slip the crap out of your clutch when starting out. I have the stock gearing and I slip my clutch a lot anyway, so I'm interested in this. How often do you have to replace it with such a tall gearing?

[cuong-nutz]

Best mod was rearsets. The knee hitting the tank lip was annoying.

[Hero Danny]

Shorty levers.... One of the cheapest mods you can do. Makes pulling in the clutch and braking so much easier and even is safer since you only use 2 fingers to brake and run less of a chance of locking up the front...

For ~$30 and 30 minutes install that anyone even with no mechanical experience.

I will install them on literally every single bike I ever buy

[greenaero]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

Dang. You must slip the crap out of your clutch when starting out. I have the stock gearing and I slip my clutch a lot anyway, so I'm interested in this. How often do you have to replace it with such a tall gearing?

The 15/33 gearing on the streamliner is pretty radical but works fine on moving from a stop on level ground up to slight inclines. I have encountered a situation where the incline was too tall to start off and ended up going downhill and then doing a 180 to get going up the steep hill.
I've never replaced a clutch and have around 21K miles with the super tall gearing. Ninjettes ARE TOUGH!!!

[Hero Danny]

Originally Posted by chrly

I reversed teh shift pattern to incorporate GP style shifting. I have used it on all my bikes ever since I was active in local drag racing and now it just seems natural...

I've been toying with the idea of changing mine. Maybe some day

[MrAtom]

Originally Posted by greenaero

The 15/33 gearing on the streamliner is pretty radical but works fine on moving from a stop on level ground up to slight inclines. I have encountered a situation where the incline was too tall to start off and ended up going downhill and then doing a 180 to get going up the steep hill.
I've never replaced a clutch and have around 21K miles with the super tall gearing. Ninjettes ARE TOUGH!!!

I always think people are a bit too paranoid about slipping the clutch on a motorcycle anyway. I had mine improperly adjusted and I thought I burned it when I gave it a ton of throttle and saw no power and some smoke (I think it was condensation). I was just curious as to how it would hold up in a situation like yours.

[worker1]

Originally Posted by cuong-nutz

Best mod was rearsets. The knee hitting the tank lip was annoying.

Rearsets were my best mod for the same reason.

[LittleRedNinjette]

+1 on the rearsets. Made a world of difference for comfort for me. Saddlebags are a close 2nd.

[subxero]

for as many mods as I have I would think one would stand out more than the rest but it's tough to pick just one. They are all an improvement IMO but none of which I couldn't live with out.

Thing I like the most... probably clip-ons, I couldn't stand the OEM bars, they just seemed way to close and goofy IDK? but I ride so much dirt bike, it was probably something I just wasn't use to. So that is more of a preference thing than "best"

Most noticeable, probably sprocket swaps, best though? meh... I was happy with stock.

Maybe rear fender mod, the stock one is just hideous, cosmetically it makes the bike look so much better hacking that low rear reflector off, or just getting a elim kit either way. I think that might be one of the bests

I guess I'm vein

[JasonJ]

So far... it is a tail bag.. it's nice to be able to carry more stuff.

Of course, for the spring I have a front sprocket swap planned, as well as saddle bags, reinstall full farings, new taller windscreen, and wider, better mirrors.. so we'll see then.

[subxero]

I don't do much night time riding but if I did I have a feeling bulb upgrade would be very high on my list as "best mod" not really a mod but still a good change. Stock bulbs are terrible

[Ghostt]

Swapping out the engine, with an ARC reactor, a nice DIY project, here's the blueprints to try is yourselves.

[Ghostt]

But seriously, here is my list to date, you pick one,

Work performed 1998 Kawasaki Ninja 250, aka ZX-2R, aka SERENITY:

Cut and set sag front fork springs(Ninja 500 1st generation, modified rate is now .85kg/mm )*

Replace fork oil 15wt synthetic*

Install new fork seals and dust caps(All Ballz)

Replace rear shock(ZX600C)*

Replace shock oil 15wt synthetic*

Change gears +1/-2 (JT SPROCKETS)

Rebuild/tune carbs, adjust idle mixture*

K&N air filter*

New brake pads F&R(EBC extreme HH)

Wave front rotor*

Used OEM rear rotor*

DIY OEM seat modified(gel/foam insert, Custom Seat Creation cover solo line cf silver/cf metal, & heated seat kit)*

Extra heavy bar ends(Schoolie's 3"/19oz)*

Heated grips w/ foam covers*

Touring windscreen(7 JuRock 18" 73%tint & aggressive flip)*

Shorter bar risers(ZX600c lower about 1 1/2")*

Bridgestone BT-45s 130/90/16 & 100/90/16 w/ Dynabeads

DIY OEM rims natural finish

Stainless steel allen head fasteners *

Stainless steel braided brake lines(Venhill USA)

Shorty adjustable levers*

High performance clutch springs(KG)

Integrated led battery charge / standby indicator(GAMMATRONIX)

LED clock*

HID headlight 55w/5K (DDM Tuning)

Replaced all other bulbs with CREE LEDs*

DIY integrated tail light kit w/ clear lens

DIY rear fender elimination*

DIY licence plate mount(LEDs to illuminate the plate/red CREE LEDs tied into brake light)*

Flush mount front indicators w/duel color Cree LEDs(amber/white)*

Maintenance free gel battery

VisiStop intelligent brake light modulator IBF9 (Comagination)

Compact air horn*

2007 OEM fairings silver(OEM graphics deleted)

Genuine imitation carbon fiber wrap misc parts w/ non-visible clear coat.

Reflective custom decals ZX-2R silver (MaximuSS)

Reflective custom decal NINJA red(taillight lens)*

Reflective rim tape silver*

Electronic turn indicator relay*

Replace front side reflectors with smoke flush mount turn indicators LEDs*

DIY rearview camera system(PYLE)

DIY oil cooler*

Strip paint off grab handle, bare aluminum alloy & installed feelers*

Universal Rear View Side Mirror Rain Board Sun Visor Shade Shield, DIY genuine imitation carbon fiber wrap with non- visible clear coat applied.*

DIY Blue tint mirrors

Black allen button heads for windscreen

Reflective silver graphic on windscreen "SERENITY"

Swing arm plugs from a 2008 & up Ninja 250, painted aluminum.

Michelangelo key enhancement.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1006527...IDXyZXyoe2m0QE

All work, upgrades, modifications, etc... done by yours truly.

[spacemonkey]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

Right now, the single most important mod has been the handlebar risers

Despite holding my fingers and my elbows loose, I was suffering from numb hands and a painful wrist within a short time on every ride. Wasn't until a friend critiqued my riding by saying "Rise the handlebars and lower the pegs and it'll be more comfortable," that motivated me to get them.

One small inch upward and the pain is gone.

And yes, those little blocks outrank my heated gear.

Hey I have that same problem with my wrists and hands cramping up and hurting due to an injury from an auto accident. What handlebar risers did you use?

[Ghostt]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

Right now, the single most important mod has been the handlebar risers

Despite holding my fingers and my elbows loose, I was suffering from numb hands and a painful wrist within a short time on every ride. Wasn't until a friend critiqued my riding by saying "Rise the handlebars and lower the pegs and it'll be more comfortable," that motivated me to get them.

One small inch upward and the pain is gone.

And yes, those little blocks outrank my heated gear.

Which method did you use to lower your footpegs?

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by spacemonkey

Hey I have that same problem with my wrists and hands cramping up and hurting due to an injury from an auto accident. What handlebar risers did you use?

RoaringToyz, just the blocks. I added them on top of the triple tree and then added the handlebars back on. I did not lower the front by pushing the forks through, just raised the bars.

Originally Posted by Ghostt

Which method did you use to lower your footpegs?

Haven't yet. Really looking at Cycle Pirates 360* Adjustable mounts as then I can move the pegs around to find my comfort spot.

[fry1024]

Auxiliary headlights.

[cbinker]

rear sets.

[Ghostt]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

RoaringToyz, just the blocks. I added them on top of the triple tree and then added the handlebars back on. I did not lower the front by pushing the forks through, just raised the bars.



Haven't yet. Really looking at Cycle Pirates 360* Adjustable mounts as then I can move the pegs around to find my comfort spot.

I see you own a 2012, too bad if you owned an 88~07, the footpegs from Kawasaki Versys are a direct replacement, and they offer those in lowered versions. A seller on eBay "KNIGHT DESIGNS LLC" offers these(http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...610758&alt=web), along with other models, for other bikes, I would drop him an email he might be able to help.

Link:

http://www.knightdesignllc.com
http://www.knightdesignllc.com/Contact.html


FYI below is the interchange list of all models that use the same front foot rest as the 88~07 model.

[sharky nrk]

I would have to say tires as well but that is almost a "cheat" answer as no m/c is any good with crap tires lol.

[wardie]

I bought my new Ninja out of the crate in June of this year and put about 7500 miles on her through October.

Here's a copuple of mods I did that really helped.

1) 15/41 gearing..I do a lot of distance riding and cutting the RPM down at 70-75 mph enhanced the rideability and the gas mileage was always around 70mpg.

2) Zero Gravity Sport Touring windshield

3) Aerostitch throttle lock cost like $21 works as good as a $160 throttlemeister

4) Corbin seat

5) replaced rear seat with a plate that is bolted to frame and mounted a 32Liter top case for traveling

6) Wired in a Battery Tender Plug so I could charge and maintain my battery and plug in my Gerbing Electric jacket and pants

7) Bought a pair of electric glove liners to replace my bulky Gerbings. They are made by Powerlet and the cool thing is that there is absolutely no wires When electric is applied to the glove material it heats up! Electronic controller with 5 settings. Coming back in 37 degree weather never had the gloves turned up higher than setting 3 .

8) Garmin Nuvi with lifetime maps and traffic alerts, and they actually alert you to traffic jams! You can buy them through Garmin refurbished like $99 with a warranty.

Took my Ninja on a 2700 mile trip from Ohio to Barber motorsports Park in Alabama then to Daytona and back to ohio using everything and couldn't of asked more from the mods or the bike. Wardie

PS I took my time heat cycling and breaking in the motor and just did the 7500 mile inspection and found all valves were within spec. Just sayin' take care of things and your bike will outlast you Wardie

[jenkem]

Suspension upgrades. I swapped the rear shock for that of a 300's and put some racetech emulators and sonic springs into the forks.
Not nearly as necessary for the newer bikes but the pregens really need it.

[Kevin1956]

Best mod? Luggage. You can't have enough. Tank bag, rack and topcase, and two different tail/seat bags to suit my needs.

[Daks]

Paint job and rounded out windshield.

Other than that and tires, my boy is stock. And yet there isn't a single other ninjette out there quite like him.

Something about painting something makes it so much more your own.

[MrAtom]

Mine's raised a little. I didn't do it, PO did (And the dude was like a foot and a half shorter than me, too). I'm on the fence about it. It's a little more comfortable than the one I sat on at the MSF (I used a nighthawk 250, but sat on their ninjette because I was curious), but it has a higher center of gravity as a result, which means less stability. Comfort has never been an issue to me, though. I think I might put it back to stock, but I'm afraid it might actually make a difference when riding all day.

[MrAtom]

Originally Posted by Daks

Other than that and tires, my boy is stock.

I like how you consider your bike masculine. For most people, they're girls

[ratlab]

raising the rear 1/2 inch-tires,ohlins rear and race tech front.but the best was stage 2 dynojet and leo vince full system.woke it up.

[Daks]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

I like how you consider your bike masculine. For most people, they're girls

Cars are female, bikes are male.

You get in a car and you get on a bike.

Dudes get weird about it but I say there's nothing wrong with being a little bikecurious

[Ghostt]

Originally Posted by Daks

Cars are female, bikes are male.

You get in a car and you get on a bike.

Dudes get weird about it but I say there's nothing wrong with being a little bikecurious

Okay, let's see if I follow, you want into a female, and get on a male?

Did I miss anything?

[choneofakind]

Best mod. Hmm. I started out with bicycle experience and driving a manual transmission, but the bike was super wobbly.

Fast forward to this summer, I rode (and crashed) in my first I level track day and made more huge improvement throughout the two days I rode.


So I'm going to say that the biggest modification I've made to my ninjette involved mileage and pilot coaching, not any physical change to the bike. If I had to pick a physical modification to the vehicle, I'd pick tires. A set of tires transforms the bike into whatever the rider desires, whether it's track carving corner hugging stickies, or long wearing touring tires that shed water like RainX, tires are IMHO, the biggest single thing you can do to the bike.