Ninja 250 Owners or anyone with experience with these bikes

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PioneerUrban · Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:21 pm

Hi all!

Just a quick observation and a question for anyone that has a Ninja 250 or has owned one.

I've noticed that when I apply my front brakes, that my bike wants to take a serious nosedive.

I read somewhere that others have taken the fork springs from the Ninja 500's and put them in the forks of their 250's.

Also, others have taken the shock from the 500 and put it on the 250. I reckon that this gives the 250 better feeling in the suspension?

Thanks!

Septimus · #2 Unread post by **Septimus** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 3:33 pm

I've never heard of that happening because the 500's forks aren't that great either. I know there are a few things you can do about it but I haven't got round to looking into it. I'd check ninja250.org and ex-500.com for specific information -- I think you're on the right track, I just don't know about taking parts from a 500 specifically.

JC Viper · #3 Unread post by **JC Viper** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 5:09 pm

Maybe you should change the fork oil to something heavier and look into shocks from Progressive if any are available for the low end ninja. I don't think you want to swap parts with the Ninja 500 since they're both on the budget end of the spectrum meaning their suspensions are probably both on the soft side.

The fork oil change did make a difference for my Vulcan 500 which has a bigger problem with front end dive compared to the Ninja 500.

ngsalvo · #4 Unread post by **ngsalvo** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 5:24 pm

I don't reckon it's all that common. Nobody I have met who has a ninja 250 has spoken of this, and it certainly didn't happen with me the few times I have ridden a ninja 250.

If it's doing it to a dangerous degree, then I doubt that the makers of the ninja are going to be happy with it, hence it would not be rolled out.

Have someone look at it. It may be more an issue with your rear break not lowering the rear end enough on application, or it could be that the front is in need of adjusting. Swapping suspension with another bike ought to be the last thing you try; your bike should work and be safe to ride, or simply not registered. The fact that you have purchased a bike says that at some point all things worked well enough. If this problem is causing you great concern for your safety, it will probably be enough to cause someone else (who is able to fix it) concern also.

Just to reiterate, this is not a hugely common problem. These bikes are not made with a diving front end suspension.

Veda · #5 Unread post by **Veda** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 12:43 am

It actually is something talked about on the ninja 250 boards fairly often. Yes, the front end dives some, but it shouldn't take a "serious dive" like you say. I can only notice it at <5 mph like moving it around my driveway. Beyond that I never feel it.

Do you feel if you are breaking at speed?

dbrann11 · #6 Unread post by **dbrann11** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 4:49 am

What I've noticed is if you are breaking correctly the nose dive isn't that bad. My 05 nose dives pretty significantly if i happen to grab too much front brake though. Did that day 1, and i'm tall so thoughts of flight came to mind. Now that i'm used to the bike and a little more practiced I don't have any issues.

PioneerUrban · Sun Aug 19, 2007 11:23 am

Thanks for the replies!

I'm going to take it into the shop tomorrow for a new front tire and to get it serviced. I'll ask the mech about the nosedive.

I reckon it's not really that bad. Like dbrann11 mentioned. If I grab to much front brake, then I really notice it.

PioneerUrban · Wed Aug 22, 2007 1:18 pm

I got my bike back today from the shop. WOW! $391 worth of work! (New front tire, complete service including valve adjustment, oil change, front and rear brakes, etc...)

It definately runs better and I'm glad that I had the work done, now I know that it's safe to ride.

I completely forgot to ask about the nose dive while braking. I was too excited about having it back and being able to get out on the road.

tanitatt · #9 Unread post by **tanitatt** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:44 am

The weakest point on the 250 is it's suspension. Nose diving under heavy braking is something you either live with or pay big money to fix. Cheapest solution is to take the springs out of an ex500 and put them in the 250, better, but the 500 is not really that good either.

The best way to deal with it is to get new RACETECH springs with a K constant that best fits your weight couple with a cartridge emulator and you're golden. It's expensive ... looking at close to 300 in parts.

But it's worth it ... especially if you like twisty roads or trackdays.

The rear suspension can also be fixed, but here, it's best to just go with an EX500 rear shock.

check out the FAQ at www.ninja250.com for tonnes of great info on your bike.