How to lower ninja 250?

[lilmzsunshiiine]

I have a 2010 Ninja 250 and I think if I can lower it about two inches it could be pretty beneficial. My dad would be helping me, but he's not quite sure how on this kind of bike. Like shocks or something? Any suggestions? Anything helps, thanks

 

[Papi]

Ask here: http://www.ninjette.org/index2.php




.

 

[aciurczak]

Some decent links and pics on how to lower a Ninja 250 here:

http://www.ninjette.org/wiki/Lowering

edit: Thx, Steve!

 

[lilmzsunshiiine]

Just signed up, read a few posts, and purchased a kit. Thanks guys

 

[ElectricPrunes]

I wouldn't lower it until you take it to somebody who can fit the suspension to you and make sure you're lowering it for the right reasons. You're messing with a lot of things you might not want to mess with.

 

[ALANRIDER7]

I wouldn't lower it until you take it to somebody who can fit the suspension to you and make sure you're lowering it for the right reasons. You're messing with a lot of things you might not want to mess with.

Some people don't realize that the amount of ground clearance lost can be an accident waiting to happen. If you hit a dip in a corner while leaned over, you can be on your head in the blink of an eye.

 

[ST Guy]

Some people don't realize that the amount of ground clearance lost can be an accident waiting to happen. If you hit a dip in a corner while leaned over, you can be on your head in the blink of an eye.

And ALWAYS start with the seat first. Messing with the suspension should only be a last resort. And you MUST fully understand the ramifications of doing so.

 

[oaklandish]

Every thread about lowering a bike is always going to be full of people saying lowering the bike is bad for handling and clearance and whatever else they can think of but from my own personal experience of buying a couple lowered bikes, lowering friends bikes and knowing other people with lowered bikes I can say it does nothing negative and you gain more confidence and mobility. Also when lowering the center of gravity you can cut corners harder. Again, this is my personal experience... I'd say go for it. Everyone I know who has done it enjoys their bike more. I've lowered a couple ninja 2fiddys for clients and they loved it. I think it's better to be able to flat foot it for slower maneuvering than not... I've seen countless people drop their bike on the SF FNR because they can't reach the ground on a hill

 

[Junkie]

You're really saying you can "cut corners harder" on a lowered bike? Never had ground clearance issues?

 

[ALANRIDER7]

Every thread about lowering a bike is always going to be full of people saying lowering the bike is bad for handling and clearance and whatever else they can think of but from my own personal experience of buying a couple lowered bikes, lowering friends bikes and knowing other people with lowered bikes I can say it does nothing negative and you gain more confidence and mobility. Also when lowering the center of gravity you can cut corners harder. Again, this is my personal experience... I'd say go for it. Everyone I know who has done it enjoys their bike more. I've lowered a couple ninja 2fiddys for clients and they loved it. I think it's better to be able to flat foot it for slower maneuvering than not... I've seen countless people drop their bike on the SF FNR because they can't reach the ground on a hill

Classic. The internet engineers strike again.

Take a good look at the rocket scientist in the picture. Just try and tell me this rider isn't begging to crash. The belly pan/exhaust is basically touching down and yet his lowered suspension still has quite a bit of travel left. Do the math. If he hits a dip, he high-centers and goes down. Duh.

Nevermind- this is fucking pointless. Good luck, dude.

 

[aciurczak]

Everything within reason. A stock Ninja 250 has plenty of ground clearance. Lowered an inch or two, it still has plenty of ground clearance for a newer rider. Yes - it is more likely to scrape under certain circumstances. But it still would have much more available lean angle than anything Harley is selling for that same shorter rider, and BARF doesn't get all up in arms when someone comes home with one of those. Oh wait, BARF does.

Be careful though, as the kits allow the bike to be dropped much further than would be wise. If you do take the roaring toyz kit all the way down to 4" in the back, the rear wheel will rub into the undertail on hard bumps, and eventually cause some significant damage. The practical limit is 2" at either end of the bike, and running the preload a bit stiffer than stock in the rear is a good idea on a lowered ninjette.

 

[ST Guy]

Lowered an inch or two, it still has plenty of ground clearance for a newer rider.

What people always forget is that while it might be fine for normal riding, a lowered bike gives up that extra margin for emergency maneuvers that might save a life. An unmodified bike would likely have the lean angle to make that emergency evasive manuever and the rider might have to clean their shorts but they'll be safe. A lowered bike will most likely bottom out and crash because of the lowered suspension.

 

[aciurczak]

Sometimes it's more useful to talk in specifics rather than generalities. Example of generalities: A lowered bike has less ground clearance, and therefore less maximum lean angle. Example of specifics: A Ninja 250, lowered a moderate amount, remains a very narrow and very flickable bike with more lean angle available than many other bikes on the road.

 

[Ol' Gravy Leg]

I propone saving the money and just lowering the tire pressures to 5-10 psi.

Classic. The internet engineers strike again.

Take a good look at the rocket scientist in the picture. Just try and tell me this rider isn't begging to crash. The belly pan/exhaust is basically touching down and yet his lowered suspension still has quite a bit of travel left. Do the math. If he hits a dip, he high-centers and goes down. Duh.

Nevermind- this is fucking pointless. Good luck, dude.

There are so many things about that image worthy of cringe.

I want to see the "after" shot.

 

[elskipador]

i've lowered several bikes over the years & never had a problem with "handling", in fact, for drag racing its actually desirable...... lowering the bike a little bit will slow the steering, but for the street its manageable. if you start doing trackdays & twisty riding you're probably better off with shaving the seat.

 

[Ol' Gravy Leg]

i've lowered several bikes over the years & never had a problem with "handling", in fact, for drag racing its actually desirable...... lowering the bike a little bit will slow the steering, but for the street its manageable. if you start doing trackdays & twisty riding you're probably better off with shaving the seat.

Dragster two-fiddy.

 

[aciurczak]

Dragster two-fiddy.

 

[ALANRIDER7]

You guys aren't even considering the problems you're creating. The internet is telling people that they can just bolt things on and it will automatically work fine. Not the case at all. There are quite a few things that can be affected in a negative way. Lack of proper cornering clearance for the worst case scenario is a real problem. The front wheel/fender can easily crash into the lower triple and/or radiator when it bottoms. The rear wheel can rip into the underside of the rear fender when it bottoms out. The sidestand will no longer work as it should- a stiff breeze can tip a bike over quite easily. Chain tension changes need to be addressed when the swingarm angle changes. Nevermind the ways in which you're changing chassis dimensions that can affect stability, speed wobbles, handling and turning.

 

[lilmzsunshiiine]

Everything within reason. A stock Ninja 250 has plenty of ground clearance. Lowered an inch or two, it still has plenty of ground clearance for a newer rider. Yes - it is more likely to scrape under certain circumstances. But it still would have much more available lean angle than anything Harley is selling for that same shorter rider, and BARF doesn't get all up in arms when someone comes home with one of those. Oh wait, BARF does.

Be careful though, as the kits allow the bike to be dropped much further than would be wise. If you do take the roaring toyz kit all the way down to 4" in the back, the rear wheel will rub into the undertail on hard bumps, and eventually cause some significant damage. The practical limit is 2" at either end of the bike, and running the preload a bit stiffer than stock in the rear is a good idea on a lowered ninjette.

Thanks. Yeah at first I thought maybe two inches but I'm thinking now probably only an inch. I can reach the ground fine without it lowered, but when it is about an inch lower it feels much better.

I'm still looking into the pros and cons of lowering my bike, thanks for all the input everyone!

 

[ALANRIDER7]

Thanks. Yeah at first I thought maybe two inches but I'm thinking now probably only an inch. I can reach the ground fine without it lowered, but when it is about an inch lower it feels much better.

I'm still looking into the pros and cons of lowering my bike, thanks for all the input everyone!

Consider shaving the seat foam first.