Scuba Steve's Ninja 250

scubaru · July 13th, 2013, 08:54 PM

Always like to do a build thread for projects of mine, here is for my Pre-Gen

Purchased my 2005 Ninja 250 may 21st this year with 780 miles!

As of today (July 13th) I have 1680 miles, I caught the ride bug

So far the only mods I've done are simply cosmetic, I didn't buy a 250 to try and build a power monster, just don't want it looking like a scooter.

Green LED Backlights on White Faces

Green LEDs- $6
White Faces- $15

Today's mod was the Rear Fender Delete

Custom Bracket (Material)- $5
Rear Turn Signals- $13
LED License Plate Lights- $10

Outside of front Flush Mounts I need to find what else is in the works. Might be doing a headlight projector with HIDs and some accent green LEDs

Rollingmenace · July 13th, 2013, 09:20 PM

Looking good... How do the needles contrast the white background ... Maybe paint the tips
With orange model paint.... I was considering doing something like that with mine

choneofakind · July 14th, 2013, 08:04 AM

I approve so far. We've already chatted on projectors, and the orange on the needles helps a ton (check out mine).

Get rid of those nasty tires once you start feeling where they're lacking. Also, you'd be surprised what a difference a little change in the suspension will do for you as well. (springs mainly)

Also, there's some really cheap/easy things you can do with the intake/jetting that help a touch. Again, don't do those until you start noticing issues.

quarterliter · July 14th, 2013, 12:25 PM

Chone beat me too that. Those tires blow...mine had 280 miles on them and I swapped them out the MT75s I have now are sooo much better.

jkv45 · July 14th, 2013, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quarterliter

Chone beat me too that. Those tires blow...mine had 280 miles on them and I swapped them out the MT75s I have now are sooo much better.

+1 on the tires. Those are junk (and not safe IMO) at this point.

scubaru · July 14th, 2013, 07:06 PM

What's bad about them?

Losing grip in turns or braking? Some failure? Too soft or too hard?

How much would I be looking at for let's say the MT75's ($80 rear/$60 front) plus mount and balance? Or other recommended tires.

Thanks for the heads up guys!

choneofakind · July 14th, 2013, 07:15 PM

Well, not to bias your thoughts when you ride but...

They don't warm up particularly quickly. They feel vague when leaned over. They don't have a ton of overall grip. They follow tar snakes in the road. They don't turn in very quickly, nor do they hold a line very well. They're slick in the rain.

Do the stock tires work? sure. Can you drag knee with them? sure. (not that I would ever try) But there's better options for sporty riding and there's better options for touring.

A new set of tires, a little suspension tuning, and a little jetting tweaking can make this feel like a whole new bike. But like I said, don't make a ton of changes until you've grown enough as a rider to know where your machine shines/lacks. That will give you the best idea of what has made 'improvement' to your bike that works with how you ride.

quarterliter · July 14th, 2013, 08:48 PM

They are vague...and basically junk when bring new. I put 20 scary miles on my tires before I swapped them out for the pirellis. They should be the first mod to your bike. The MT75s cost me a little over 200 front rear and install+balancing. The mt75s are one of the cheaper tires but the diablo scooters are good according to chone and plenty people use them. Tires and gearing.

jkv45 · July 15th, 2013, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scubaru

What's bad about them?

Losing grip in turns or braking? Some failure? Too soft or too hard?

How much would I be looking at for let's say the MT75's ($80 rear/$60 front) plus mount and balance? Or other recommended tires.

Thanks for the heads up guys!

Even IF they were decent when new, they are way past their prime by now (8 years +/-) - tread depth doesn't matter.

Tires dry-up and lose grip as they age, and when you really need good traction - like moderate cornering or emergency stopping - they aren't going to deliver.

Any used cycle tire over 4 years old isn't up to the level of traction it gave when new and should be replaced IMO.

vince_2149 · July 16th, 2013, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Get rid of those nasty tires once you start feeling where they're lacking. Also, you'd be surprised what a difference a little change in the suspension will do for you as well. (springs mainly)

I highly agree with this. On my old '07 I threw some Pirelli Diablo tires on the wheels and an 08 rear shock and man did that really help the handling of the bike. The front end was still lacking a bit, but I never got around to addressing that.

July 13th, 2013, 08:54 PM	#1
scubaru ninjette.org member Name: Steve Location: Hanover, PA Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 35	Scuba Steve's Ninja 250 Always like to do a build thread for projects of mine, here is for my Pre-Gen Purchased my 2005 Ninja 250 may 21st this year with 780 miles! As of today (July 13th) I have 1680 miles, I caught the ride bug So far the only mods I've done are simply cosmetic, I didn't buy a 250 to try and build a power monster, just don't want it looking like a scooter. Green LED Backlights on White Faces Green LEDs- $6 White Faces- $15 Today's mod was the Rear Fender Delete Custom Bracket (Material)- $5 Rear Turn Signals- $13 LED License Plate Lights- $10 Outside of front Flush Mounts I need to find what else is in the works. Might be doing a headlight projector with HIDs and some accent green LEDs

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July 13th, 2013, 09:20 PM	#2
Rollingmenace ninjette.org member Name: Zach Location: Colorado Springs Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 96 Ninja 250EX , 87 CBR 1000, 86 TRX 260R, 86 KXT 250, 84 ATC 200X, 82 ATC 250R (w/CR480) Posts: 134	Looking good... How do the needles contrast the white background ... Maybe paint the tips With orange model paint.... I was considering doing something like that with mine

July 14th, 2013, 08:04 AM	#3
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	I approve so far. We've already chatted on projectors, and the orange on the needles helps a ton (check out mine). Get rid of those nasty tires once you start feeling where they're lacking. Also, you'd be surprised what a difference a little change in the suspension will do for you as well. (springs mainly) Also, there's some really cheap/easy things you can do with the intake/jetting that help a touch. Again, don't do those until you start noticing issues.

July 14th, 2013, 12:25 PM	#4
quarterliter ninjette.org guru Name: Kevin Location: Madison Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250 Posts: 465	Chone beat me too that. Those tires blow...mine had 280 miles on them and I swapped them out the MT75s I have now are sooo much better.

July 14th, 2013, 07:06 PM	#6
scubaru ninjette.org member Name: Steve Location: Hanover, PA Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 35	What's bad about them? Losing grip in turns or braking? Some failure? Too soft or too hard? How much would I be looking at for let's say the MT75's ($80 rear/$60 front) plus mount and balance? Or other recommended tires. Thanks for the heads up guys!

July 14th, 2013, 07:15 PM	#7
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Well, not to bias your thoughts when you ride but... They don't warm up particularly quickly. They feel vague when leaned over. They don't have a ton of overall grip. They follow tar snakes in the road. They don't turn in very quickly, nor do they hold a line very well. They're slick in the rain. Do the stock tires work? sure. Can you drag knee with them? sure. (not that I would ever try) But there's better options for sporty riding and there's better options for touring. A new set of tires, a little suspension tuning, and a little jetting tweaking can make this feel like a whole new bike. But like I said, don't make a ton of changes until you've grown enough as a rider to know where your machine shines/lacks. That will give you the best idea of what has made 'improvement' to your bike that works with how you ride.

July 14th, 2013, 08:48 PM	#8
quarterliter ninjette.org guru Name: Kevin Location: Madison Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250 Posts: 465	They are vague...and basically junk when bring new. I put 20 scary miles on my tires before I swapped them out for the pirellis. They should be the first mod to your bike. The MT75s cost me a little over 200 front rear and install+balancing. The mt75s are one of the cheaper tires but the diablo scooters are good according to chone and plenty people use them. Tires and gearing.