June 2nd, 2013, 07:47 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Kevin
Location: SWMO/SEKS
Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Vulcan 500 Posts: 44
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Well I never owned a ninjette but.....
Well I had planned on buying a ninjette, but ended up buying a "cruiser" instead.
The reason I put cruiser in quotes is because I got a 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 500, so the engine is basically a Ninja 500 engine slightly detuned. It has 18k miles, and runs great. Only thing it needs is a new chain which I'm going to order this week. Pics: So I may not be on a Ninja, but I'll still be around. Hope I'm still welcome here :P |
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June 2nd, 2013, 08:10 PM | #2 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jason
Location: Norfolk, VA
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.
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Cool bike
What makes this motor detuned? Could it be the cam or ignition?
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June 2nd, 2013, 08:12 PM | #3 |
antiant
Name: antiant
Location: Cali
Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): None Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Oct '14
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I'm curious, what made you go this route? Did you just like the feel of this bike? Btw, congrats!
P.S. - Change your user info details |
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June 2nd, 2013, 08:17 PM | #4 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Hansveer
Location: Bombay, India
Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r - Track whore, Ninja 300 - SOLD, KTM RC390 - Orange Hulk, Ducati 899 Panigale - Red Devil. Posts: A lot.
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Congrats on your new ride!!!
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June 2nd, 2013, 08:23 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Kevin
Location: SWMO/SEKS
Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Vulcan 500 Posts: 44
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I believe the cam is different, but I'm not completely sure.
I decided to go this route because of the high prices everyone in my area is charging for a ninja, even a pre-gen. And I like the way it rides. I picked this up for $1600 which I thought was a steal, all of the miles are commuting from the previous owners house to work and back. And it was a single owner bike. And the lowest price for a ninja around here was 2k for one that was beat to death... |
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June 2nd, 2013, 08:24 PM | #6 |
Venom Sponsored
Name: Jon
Location: Waco, TX
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R x2 (his & hers), 05 Honda CRF250R Posts: 223
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Congrats! Looks good!
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Venom RC | Atomik RC | FTW RC | Caster Racing USA | Avid Bearings |
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June 3rd, 2013, 08:37 PM | #7 |
Certifiable nontundrum
Name: Harper
Location: NC Milkshake stand
Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16
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Sweet lookin ride, can't beat it for the price
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June 3rd, 2013, 08:59 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: -
Location: -
Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): - Posts: 591
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Good buy. Wow those are some expensive prices for used Ninjas!
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June 6th, 2013, 02:26 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Mark
Location: Portland
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): Cheap Italian Suit. Otherwise known as Dew Kitty Posts: A lot.
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Nice bike!
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June 6th, 2013, 11:38 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Kevin
Location: SWMO/SEKS
Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Vulcan 500 Posts: 44
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Thanks everyone. Replaced the left turn signal today. Also replace the original chain with a D.i.D X ring chain. Rides much better with the new chain (old one was binding some).
Now that I've changed the signal and chain I plan to take her first thing next week to get her inspected and tagged. Can't wait to be on the road |
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June 6th, 2013, 11:40 PM | #11 |
Are you sure about that?
Name: That's "Sir" to you!
Location: Chorleywood (Nr. London)
Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R-F16, Versys KLE650 CAF Posts: 418
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It looks to be in really beautiful condition. Enjoy the riding.
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June 7th, 2013, 04:04 AM | #12 |
Fighting Texas Aggie '05
Name: Neil
Location: Hutto, TX
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 ZX6R, '08 Versys, '09 250R Track, '93 F2/F3 Track Posts: A lot.
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bike looks good, i think it would be kinda cool to do the minimalist bobber/rod thing on that bike given the powerplant
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June 7th, 2013, 09:19 AM | #13 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Kevin
Location: SWMO/SEKS
Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Vulcan 500 Posts: 44
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Quote:
For now the only time in the garage I plan to have with her is just general maintenance |
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June 7th, 2013, 09:26 AM | #14 |
sail away
Name: Jon
Location: San Jose
Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): gixxer (sold), ninjette (upgrade!) Posts: 964
Blog Entries: 8
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wow. I should sell my bike in Missouri/Kansas area.
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Unregistered found this post helpful. Track Day Preparation Checklist 1. Financial 2. Mental 3. Physical 4. Gear / Bike |
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June 7th, 2013, 01:55 PM | #15 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Kevin
Location: SWMO/SEKS
Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Vulcan 500 Posts: 44
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Most of them are young guys who want to take advantage of the riding season. Everyone is tailoring the 250 ads to the "newbies" and ten naming up the price. I haven't seen one that hasn't been abused or dropped or something advertised yet. One guy is asking 3500 for a 2010 250 with scratched left fairings where he dropped it.
To many squids in my area. :P |
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June 7th, 2013, 02:32 PM | #16 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Tom
Location: Dayton, OH
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 '09 Boulevard C50. '08 250r(TOTALED BY DEER) Posts: 467
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Looks good.
I love my cruiser and Ninja, in different ways. If I had to choose only one though, it would be the Ninja.
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CHEERS!!! |
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June 10th, 2013, 01:14 AM | #17 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Murphey
Location: Eastern Washington
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Honda 919, 2004 Ninja 500R NAKED Posts: A lot.
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Sweet bike! Always wanted to ride one! The 500 is a great engine, take care of her and she'll treat you real good! Just FYI for those curious, the cams in the en500 are less revvy/more torquey than the ninja 500, not sure about other changes such as jetting and timing, but some guys have swapped in en500 and 454ltd cams into their ninjas with minimal effort.
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June 11th, 2013, 10:47 PM | #18 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Kevin
Location: SWMO/SEKS
Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Vulcan 500 Posts: 44
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Quote:
Here's the actual statistical differences: Vulcan 500: HP: 46 @ 8k Torque: 33 ft/lbs @ 6k Top Speed: Approx. 105-110 Redline (no tach though): approx 9k Ninja 500r HP: 59hp @ 9.5k Torque: 30 ft/lbs @ 8k Top Speed: Approx. 130 (from what I can find) Redline: 11k So the difference in the engine isn't huge. Can't wait for Thursday... Will update then |
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June 12th, 2013, 05:03 PM | #19 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Murphey
Location: Eastern Washington
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Honda 919, 2004 Ninja 500R NAKED Posts: A lot.
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Lol theres no way a ninja 500 is going to hit 130. 115 actual is more like it, maybe 120. I've had mine to 127 indicated and that was pretty much all she had. Where are the hp figures from? The ninja will be around 60hp at the crank, 50 at the wheel but 46 crank seems low for the vulcan.
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June 12th, 2013, 05:08 PM | #20 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Weezy
Location: Massachusetts
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Posts: 169
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Nice bike, EF5.0. My dad at one point had both the Ninja 500R and the Vulcan 500. Got to ride both back to back several times. The Ninja is a lot faster and handles way better. I scraped hard parts on the Vulcan in the first fast corner I took (I'm used to riding my FZ6). But, the Vulcan is very comfortable. You will enjoy it for what it is, I'm sure. If you ever do get on a true sports bike, the handling will amaze you.
And, yeah, the Ninja 500 is not going to hit 130 MPH. Maybe indicated speed, but the true top speed probably isn't more than about 110-115 MPH. |
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June 12th, 2013, 11:52 PM | #21 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Kevin
Location: SWMO/SEKS
Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Vulcan 500 Posts: 44
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Wasn't trying to get the top speed wrong on the Ninja, its just what I could find. HP was from a comparison I found through Google haha so take it with a grain of salt.
I'm not to worried bout stats really. I just went to ride and get some experience under my belt. Today (Thursday) is hopefully the day. Getting it inspected and tagged hopefully! Everyone say a prayer for me! I'll post up tonight with an update. |
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June 13th, 2013, 02:19 AM | #22 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Tim
Location: Jay, Maine
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): '06 Vulcan V2K Classic LT, '03 Vulcan 800 Classic, '00/'89 Ninja 250, '73 Honda ST90 Posts: 45
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June 13th, 2013, 03:46 PM | #23 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Kevin
Location: SWMO/SEKS
Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Vulcan 500 Posts: 44
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Well I got her inspected, insured and tagged today! Then made a 30 miles drive back to my college campus (living here for the summer). I'll be heading back to my parents tomorrow for the weekend so another 30 miles back tomorrow.
Rode well on the way to campus. Took a state two lane highway, 55mph speed limit. Not to much traffic. Nice easy ride. Only thing I need to get use to is my wrist position for throttle while cruising. Happy to be on the road, hope to stay on the road for a long time! |
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June 15th, 2013, 02:05 AM | #24 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Murphey
Location: Eastern Washington
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Honda 919, 2004 Ninja 500R NAKED Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
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June 15th, 2013, 12:42 PM | #25 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Kevin
Location: SWMO/SEKS
Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Vulcan 500 Posts: 44
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Quote:
Not sure on the learning curve. My plan is to probably buy a sports bike once I feel confident enough to do so, and when I get this one paid off :P I'm sure there will be a leaning curve when switching. I love it. I've ridden a total of 100 miles so far haha so still a lot of time to go before I can comment on the bike itself in depth. One thing I have noticed is cruising at 55-60 (two lane highway) seems like its still high in the rpm, which is good since its a revvy engine, but just feels different. I'm sure I'll get use to it. Just did my oil change today, Castrol gtx (conv.) and Purolator filter. Also it rained after I finished the oil change so I cleaned and relubed the chin. |
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June 26th, 2013, 01:15 PM | #26 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Kevin
Location: SWMO/SEKS
Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Vulcan 500 Posts: 44
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So I have a question for everyone. I know this will sound silly since I just started riding but I want some opinions.
I'm thinking about riding the remainder of this season with my Vulcan and enjoying it (this part won't change). My question is: at the end of this riding season, should I consider trying to straight trade it (or trade it plus cash on their side) for a 250 or 500 Ninja. I'm in love with this Vulcan, but I really want to ride a sport bike... and I'm not looking to jump up to anything bigger than a 500 for now. I just wondered if it would be worth it. I'm basically just riding for fun and to save gas. I don't mind "downgrading" to a 250 because my focus is not speed its just having fun and good mpgs, and going to an EX500 wouldn't be a big switch it would basically just be changing ergo's. If I tried for a 250 I would prefer it to be '08+ Anyone have thoughts/opinions on this? Does anyone even think someone would be interested? |
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June 28th, 2013, 05:28 PM | #27 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Murphey
Location: Eastern Washington
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Honda 919, 2004 Ninja 500R NAKED Posts: A lot.
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If it would make you happier and you would enjoy the bike more and it wouldn't bother you financially, I say go for it. It's an awesome thing to be able to ride the bike that you really want and not one you got because it's what you could get.
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June 28th, 2013, 10:22 PM | #28 |
#squid
Name: nickypoo
Location: Five Guys
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jul '16
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Nice color!
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