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Login to post Forums » Sprockets » Morphing the Ninja 250

Jan. 26, 2012 11:01 p.m. CarKid1989 Dork

The Ninja 250, the Miata of the motorcycle world. Best starter bike, best bang for the buck (to a degree), best bike for females, short folk, noobs, experienced riders and there are trillions of them out there.
They also can be picked up for dirt cheap.

I am in my head, with the help of the internet, and avidrider.com, building up some things you can do with the Ninja 250 that are not the normal sportbike/beginner bike/ squid style.

I came up with two ideas (cafe & dualsport-ish)but would like to focus on one in particular--the dual sport.

Essentially, i would be looking to throw on some dirtbike forks, different swing arm or shock to give it some height. Probably throw on some dirtbike handlebars and maybe some protection for any spills. Lastly add some dual sport tires

It would be a small streetable bike that you can take on any road that you may come across in your travels. Its not a totally serious all out offroad bike but it would be enough to explore a bit and see whats out there. Adventure

Im looking at Ninjas at the moment as well ...see if i can get one cheap. Hard to build something if you dont have the base in front of you. At the same time i just finshed the Saturn Stage One, going to school full time and working almost full time, AND planning a GIANT life/career shift so its gonna have to be a killer deal to jump on it.

Last one is not a 250cc

Its been done before but i wanna try it haha

Tell me not to do it or that it sucks or something haha
Jan. 26, 2012 11:05 p.m. Osterkraut SuperDork

1) I think you want Advrider.com, not avidrider.com. 2) Will you pick something and stick with it, goddammit?
Jan. 27, 2012 12:24 a.m. rotard HalfDork

There are probably better little bikes to start with if this is your goal. I'd be looking at the some of the little enduros.
Jan. 27, 2012 12:39 a.m. skierd Dork

The only issue I'd have with starting with a ninja 250 for a rat dual sport build is most of them aren't rat-bike priced if they're in decent mechanical shape. For the $2000-3000 a decent example costs you could just get a DR650 or a KLR.

Part of me really likes the idea of hearing that motor screaming at 12-14k rpm down a dusty dirt road/trail/goat path while up on the pegs too though.
Jan. 27, 2012 1:00 a.m. Appleseed SuperDork
Jan. 27, 2012 5:46 a.m. CarKid1989 Dork

Osterkraut wrote:

2) Will you pick something and stick with it, goddammit?

Easier said then done. I wana do everything! Try everything, build everything, i wanna do it all. Hard to zone in on one
Jan. 27, 2012 7:59 a.m. Osterkraut SuperDork

CarKid1989 wrote:

Osterkraut wrote:

2) Will you pick something and stick with it, goddammit?

Easier said then done. I wana do everything! Try everything, build everything, i wanna do it all. Hard to zone in on one

Once I realized the choice was a bunch of unfinished projects or an enjoyable product, the choice was easy! A couple of years ago I came up with a personal rule: one project at a time. It's been hugely helpful. And it would cut down on "CarKid" threads.
Jan. 27, 2012 8:15 a.m. Gasoline Reader

I have been wanting to build a 250.
Jan. 27, 2012 8:52 a.m. 44Dwarf Dork

Swing...
Jan. 27, 2012 9:25 a.m. CarKid1989 Dork

Osterkraut wrote:

CarKid1989 wrote:

Osterkraut wrote:

2) Will you pick something and stick with it, goddammit?

Easier said then done. I wana do everything! Try everything, build everything, i wanna do it all. Hard to zone in on one

Once I realized the choice was a bunch of unfinished projects or an enjoyable product, the choice was easy! A couple of years ago I came up with a personal rule: one project at a time. It's been hugely helpful. And it would cut down on "CarKid" threads.

If thats the issue i can stop posting those.

I do finish one project at a time as well. However when looking for a new one, i usually have two or three ideas and i reserch and weend out ones until i end up with one.

Im down to two ideas at the moment so i guess im doing alright.

Just tryin to keep busy, learn new things, do new stuff and enjoy the motorsport/gearhead life haha
Jan. 27, 2012 9:25 a.m. CarKid1989 Dork

Appleseed wrote:

Any info on this one? Cant find anything on it
Jan. 27, 2012 9:40 a.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

^^^ seen it on EX-500.com when I owned mine.
Jan. 27, 2012 10:25 a.m. Osterkraut SuperDork

CarKid1989 wrote:

Appleseed wrote:

Any info on this one? Cant find anything on it

While that looks cool, no way I'd do anything rougher than a commute on that subframe.
Jan. 27, 2012 10:27 a.m. Osterkraut SuperDork

CarKid1989 wrote:

Appleseed wrote:

Any info on this one? Cant find anything on it

While that looks cool, no way I'd do anything rougher than a commute on that subframe.
Jan. 27, 2012 1:33 p.m. Appleseed SuperDork

Found it on the Googles looking up 250 Ninja streetfighters. I didn't find any info either.
Jan. 27, 2012 1:47 p.m. Gasoline Reader
Jan. 27, 2012 2:22 p.m. Xceler8x SuperDork

Why not just start with a Kaw Enduro bike?
Jan. 27, 2012 7:57 p.m. patgizz SuperDork

you are just like me.

you are working on something, and you decide you want to do X next, then XX after that, then Y, Z, and MLCVXII after that. i have projects in my head to keep me busy for years.

the difference is i go out and buy everything on impulse, you post on the forum and make an informed decision after you have gone through everything in your head.

but anyway, i will keep an eye out for you.
Jan. 27, 2012 8:02 p.m. fritzsch Reader

dude i think that would be pretty sweet. i dig the first one out of the three.
and man dont stop just do it all
Jan. 27, 2012 8:05 p.m. fritzsch Reader

Gasoline wrote:

Do you know anything more about this?
Jan. 28, 2012 8:33 a.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

The silver/red framed Ninja 650 has a pretty cool build story on ADV
Jan. 28, 2012 9:41 a.m. Graefin10 Dork

fritzsch wrote:

Gasoline wrote:

Do you know anything more about this?

It's probably based on the Yamaha TW 200.
Jan. 29, 2012 1:10 a.m. TuffWork Reader

I think it would be easier to start with a dirtbike and bring it back down to more streetable territory than anything else. Although a lot bigger undertaking, I have a friend that turned a 450f honda into a full on stunt bike. Street legal and all. The point is I think it might be a lot more simple to go from dirtbike to an easily streetable bike that can do both. Than from a bike that can't do both at all to start with (being the street bike) and try to make it dirtable. However, that also depends on your state laws and how good you are with making connections that can make paperwork a little "easier". Better yet. Start with a small enduro and modify to suit.
Jan. 29, 2012 7:11 a.m. HappyAndy HalfDork

Appleseed wrote:

I'd rock that! it looks like a hypermotard for poor people (with creativity & talent)

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