New 05 V-Strom sibling to the Ninjette

sprale · August 22nd, 2010, 10:45 AM

Here it is:

I picked it up with the intention of building a sidecar rig to take the kids on longer rides, and maybe doing the Dalton someday...

It has 20k miles, is in really good shape, and picked it up for less than I paid for the Ninjette new! I just need a new rear tire, chain and sprockets and it'll be ready for adventures! It's the 1000, 98hp is a world away from the little Ninja.

I'm definitely keeping the Ninjette for urban commuting, probably until it's completely toasted.

bob706 · August 22nd, 2010, 10:59 AM

Congrats! Nice looking bike

Snake · August 22nd, 2010, 12:24 PM

Congatulations on the new bike. Looks like fun.

backinthesaddleagain · August 23rd, 2010, 01:15 PM

cool, best of luck

camaroz1985 · August 24th, 2010, 07:49 AM

Nice bike. I thought about the Strom 650 when I was looking for a bike, but found the Versys to be a better fit to the riding I do, and to me.

sprale · September 3rd, 2010, 09:24 AM

I finally got all my parts in this week, I'll be working on it this weekend and start riding it daily next week. I have lots I want to do to it, but am trying to limit myself to only necessities until after I get the sidecar; the most expensive farkle on my list.

It's a tourer/adventurer, though the Ninjette will likely stay my commuter mostly. Here's close to what I'm going to be building:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=445014

camaroz1985 · September 3rd, 2010, 11:29 AM

Awesome. My gf expressed her interest in side cars recently. I might have to pick up a rig at some point.

sprale · September 3rd, 2010, 11:50 AM

Always liked the ADV set, but even Ewan and Charlie can't get me on a GS. They're nice, but I just don't want to spend that much time and money maintaining a bike. Japanese bikes usually leave something to be desired in the appearance area, but they just run forever. I prefer smaller bikes usually, but I wanted at least one big enough to tote the kids around and maybe do some distance riding as well. I also live by "don't ride a bike you can't pick up when it falls." Even more relevant since I generally ride alone. Nothing like dropping a 450# bike alone on an isolated dirt road...

camaroz1985 · September 7th, 2010, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaroz1985

Awesome. My gf expressed her interest in side cars recently. I might have to pick up a rig at some point.

Found this on ADVRider

He did it for about $800. I really don't need another project....

sprale · October 21st, 2010, 11:26 AM

Now that I've been riding the Vee daily for a few months, I have a hard time getting back on the Ninjette. It feels so little and light, but those are positive aspects in certain conditions. I finally got my spare seat covered with a gel pad, makes a good bit of difference. If feels in comparison to the Vee like it's powered not by petrol, but by a small box filled with a dozen irate honey bees. I will say that the transmissions is like butter compared the the Vee. It has a very utilitarian clunk when hitting low gears either way.

The Vee is just awesome. It's a sport-touring tractor. Gobs of torque at the flick of the wrist. Nice upright riding position, though I never thought the Ninjette was really very tucked. I transferred all the luggage over to the Vee and it just feels ready to go anywhere and do anything. It's heavy to be sure, but smooths out ruts and rocks off the tarmac. I still intend to add a third wheel eventually, but I'm enjoying the power for now. Maybe I'll swap the Ninjette for a Wee with all the heavy-duty bits for off-road adventures...

highpsiguy · October 21st, 2010, 11:32 AM

I had a red 650 V-strom. Great bike on and off road. It was totalled when my truck was hit - which threw Vstrom out of bed when I was transporting it. Ended up eventually replacing it with a new Versys. I would buy another Vstrom. Can't imagine why you would need a 1000 after riding the 650, but I think both are nice. I actually enjoy the lil 250 Ninja most of all, but I do miss having off-road capability of the Vstrom,Versys,and KLR 650 I had.

sprale · October 21st, 2010, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highpsiguy

Can't imagine why you would need a 1000 after riding the 650, but I think both are nice.

Having the extra power when adding twice the weight make a big difference. A loaded sidecar can be a heavy rig! The Ninjette gets good mileage, up to 80mpg once. The Vee is sitting around 40mpg now with the lower gearing.

I'd still like a Wee in addition to the Vee, one of each please!

August 22nd, 2010, 10:45 AM	#1
sprale Dead-thread Necromancer! Name: Levon Location: Central Texas Join Date: Sep 2008 Motorcycle(s): K5 V-Strom Posts: 144 Blog Entries: 3	New 05 V-Strom sibling to the Ninjette Here it is: I picked it up with the intention of building a sidecar rig to take the kids on longer rides, and maybe doing the Dalton someday... It has 20k miles, is in really good shape, and picked it up for less than I paid for the Ninjette new! I just need a new rear tire, chain and sprockets and it'll be ready for adventures! It's the 1000, 98hp is a world away from the little Ninja. I'm definitely keeping the Ninjette for urban commuting, probably until it's completely toasted. __________________________________________________ Dead-thread Necromancer! 2007 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 ZG250 Quarter-Concours commuter Gone 2005 Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 Big Black Vee future hack?

September 3rd, 2010, 09:24 AM	#6
sprale Dead-thread Necromancer! Name: Levon Location: Central Texas Join Date: Sep 2008 Motorcycle(s): K5 V-Strom Posts: 144 Blog Entries: 3	I finally got all my parts in this week, I'll be working on it this weekend and start riding it daily next week. I have lots I want to do to it, but am trying to limit myself to only necessities until after I get the sidecar; the most expensive farkle on my list. It's a tourer/adventurer, though the Ninjette will likely stay my commuter mostly. Here's close to what I'm going to be building: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=445014 __________________________________________________ Dead-thread Necromancer! 2007 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 ZG250 Quarter-Concours commuter Gone 2005 Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 Big Black Vee future hack?

September 3rd, 2010, 11:50 AM	#8
sprale Dead-thread Necromancer! Name: Levon Location: Central Texas Join Date: Sep 2008 Motorcycle(s): K5 V-Strom Posts: 144 Blog Entries: 3	Always liked the ADV set, but even Ewan and Charlie can't get me on a GS. They're nice, but I just don't want to spend that much time and money maintaining a bike. Japanese bikes usually leave something to be desired in the appearance area, but they just run forever. I prefer smaller bikes usually, but I wanted at least one big enough to tote the kids around and maybe do some distance riding as well. I also live by "don't ride a bike you can't pick up when it falls." Even more relevant since I generally ride alone. Nothing like dropping a 450# bike alone on an isolated dirt road... __________________________________________________ Dead-thread Necromancer! 2007 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 ZG250 Quarter-Concours commuter Gone 2005 Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 Big Black Vee future hack?

October 21st, 2010, 11:26 AM	#10
sprale Dead-thread Necromancer! Name: Levon Location: Central Texas Join Date: Sep 2008 Motorcycle(s): K5 V-Strom Posts: 144 Blog Entries: 3	Now that I've been riding the Vee daily for a few months, I have a hard time getting back on the Ninjette. It feels so little and light, but those are positive aspects in certain conditions. I finally got my spare seat covered with a gel pad, makes a good bit of difference. If feels in comparison to the Vee like it's powered not by petrol, but by a small box filled with a dozen irate honey bees. I will say that the transmissions is like butter compared the the Vee. It has a very utilitarian clunk when hitting low gears either way. The Vee is just awesome. It's a sport-touring tractor. Gobs of torque at the flick of the wrist. Nice upright riding position, though I never thought the Ninjette was really very tucked. I transferred all the luggage over to the Vee and it just feels ready to go anywhere and do anything. It's heavy to be sure, but smooths out ruts and rocks off the tarmac. I still intend to add a third wheel eventually, but I'm enjoying the power for now. Maybe I'll swap the Ninjette for a Wee with all the heavy-duty bits for off-road adventures... __________________________________________________ Dead-thread Necromancer! 2007 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 ZG250 Quarter-Concours commuter Gone 2005 Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 Big Black Vee future hack?

October 21st, 2010, 11:32 AM	#11
highpsiguy ninjette.org guru Name: Kevin Location: Athens Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1981 Honda Cx500 Custom, 2002 Ninja 250 Posts: 289 Blog Entries: 1	I had a red 650 V-strom. Great bike on and off road. It was totalled when my truck was hit - which threw Vstrom out of bed when I was transporting it. Ended up eventually replacing it with a new Versys. I would buy another Vstrom. Can't imagine why you would need a 1000 after riding the 650, but I think both are nice. I actually enjoy the lil 250 Ninja most of all, but I do miss having off-road capability of the Vstrom,Versys,and KLR 650 I had. __________________________________________________ "Rudeness is a weak persons attempt at strength."

August 22nd, 2010, 10:59 AM	#2
bob706 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Mary Esther, FL Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.	Congrats! Nice looking bike

August 22nd, 2010, 12:24 PM	#3
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Congatulations on the new bike. Looks like fun.

August 23rd, 2010, 01:15 PM	#4
backinthesaddleagain ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Greg Location: Rhode Island Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.	cool, best of luck

August 24th, 2010, 07:49 AM	#5
camaroz1985 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Ryan Location: Carlisle, PA Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 WR250R, 2006 Ural Raven (Sold), 2009 Versys Green (Sold), 2008 Ninja 250R Green (Sold) Posts: A lot.	Nice bike. I thought about the Strom 650 when I was looking for a bike, but found the Versys to be a better fit to the riding I do, and to me.

September 3rd, 2010, 11:29 AM	#7
camaroz1985 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Ryan Location: Carlisle, PA Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 WR250R, 2006 Ural Raven (Sold), 2009 Versys Green (Sold), 2008 Ninja 250R Green (Sold) Posts: A lot.	Awesome. My gf expressed her interest in side cars recently. I might have to pick up a rig at some point.

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