next »

[ShadesOfGray]

Welcome!

Be sure to swing by the wiki when it comes time to start doing some maintenance:
http://www.ex-500.com/wiki

Recommended Modifications:
1. Replace or modify the stock front turn signals. In stock configuration they have a metal backing plate which will punch a nice little hole in your fairing if/when you drop your bike. You can remove these backing plates (remove the fasteners for the front fairing, remove the mirrors, pull the fairing forward and down, and reach down inside with a screwdriver), or replace the blinkers altogether with some aftermarket units.
http://ex-500.com/wiki/index.php/Removing_Metal_Backing_Plates_From_Stock_Front_Turn_Signals

2. Install an inline fuel filter. Most bikes have them. This one doesn't. It needs one. You can get one for $3, and install it in ~30-45 minutes:
http://www.ex-500.com/wiki/index.php/Fuel_Filter_Installation

3. One common problem on this bike is that the speedometer cable has a tendency to work itself lose. This is the black cable that runs from the gauge cluster to the center of the hub of the front wheel. Secure it into place by putting some blue Loctite thread locker on the threads where it screws into the gauge cluster.

Friendly Hints:
1. The stock battery is 'conventional', meaning that it is unsealed and requires routine maintenance. Check the levels and specific gravity once a month or so if you want it to last. (Some aftermarket batteries are sealed, and will require no maintenance. If it has removable cell caps, it is "conventional." If it's sealed, it's...... sealed.)
http://www.ex-500.com/wiki/index.php/Battery_Maintenance

2. When you're ready for some night riding you will likely find that your headlight isn't illuminating much of anything. This is because it is not properly aimed. Aim it!
http://www.ex-500.com/wiki/index.php/Headlight_Adjustment_and_Maintenance

3. The drive chain also requires regular maintenance if you want it to last. Every 400 miles or so it should be cleaned and lubricated, and every 600 miles the tension should be adjusted.
http://www.ex-500.com/wiki/index.php/Chain_maintenance

4. The most common problem that leaves motorcycles on the side of the road is broken clutch cable, caused overwhelmingly by lack of maintenance. Lubricate it every now and then (once or twice a season maybe) to keep it squeaky clean:
http://www.ex-500.com/wiki/index.php/Clutch_Cable_Maintenance

5. Check your tire pressures regularly because if they get to being way off, your handling will suffer.
   Front: 29-33 psi
   Rear: 33-36 psi
In general, higher tire pressures mean better tire life but less traction. Lower tire pressures will increase traction to a point, but also increase tire wear.

6. New tires are slippery! For the first 50 or 100 miles, take it nice and easy until the new tires are
scrubbed in.

7. T-CLOCS. Every time you get on the bike. This quick safety checklist will ensure that your bike is ready for the ride. It will save you a whole lot of heartbreak and money.
http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/T-CLOCSInspectionChecklist.pdf

Purchase a manual (Clymers is my favorite), and learn to love it. Print out a copy of the maintenance schedule and put it over your desk. And ride safe!   

[ShadesOfGray]

Sticky? 

[TantalizedMind]

I have been wondering a lot about those subjuects. Thanks Gray!!

+1 Sticky

[Royson]

Ask and ye shall receive

[ratchet]

shades... you should amend your post to also include something like the following (IMHO):

One common issue that most riders will eventually have is their spedometer cable coming off (you'll notice your speedo will stop working, and you may have the cable dragging behind you)...

to fix: simply re-attatch the cable's threaded fitting to the gauge cluster with some blue (medium strength) loctite.

[MoreDogThenMan]

first thing that went wrong with my bike was the speedo falling out
"Hey buddy, you got something dragging!!"
    What the hell is that??

[Shalabi]

that looks like waaaay too much labor to install an un-needed fuel filter.

[dragknee]

lol

[adefiniteproduct]

first thing that went wrong with my bike was the speedo falling out
"Hey buddy, you got something dragging!!"
    What the hell is that??

I was so puzzled by that cable dragging that I almost ran off the road. :-/

[Melissa500ex]

Thank you! Now I feel silly asking a question I did about the turn signal metal backing on my new bike.  Oh well, live and learn.  Thanks for the info!

[ratchet]

never feel silly asking a question... it's how we learn.

besides... if you need to ask... there's likely someone else that's thinking the same thing

[MoreDogThenMan]

Funnest part about being a noob is learning :]
Never feel silly, I've asked the most basic of questions... like BASIC.
I walked straight up to a harley fella and asked where my oil cap is on MY bike.  Random dude was very nice, totally tattoo'd and long beard.
Most folks are just stoked that you ride a bike rather than a cage, ask away!

[ShadesOfGray]

Yeah, everyone has to start somewhere. Guess how I learned that my battery was conventional: it dried out and died. 

[dragknee]

never feel silly asking a question... it's how we learn.

besides... if you need to ask... there's likely someone else that's thinking the same thing

exactly. asking questions is not an admittance of ignorance. it is an attack on it.

[nuts]

words of wisdom from fellow ninja riders. it don't get any better. thanks guys.

[padgman]

Do the rear signals have backing plates that need to be removed? Or just the front?
thanks, padgman

[Blind2Society]

it's too bad i didnt know bout this site when i got my bike. i have no fuel filter, couldn't figure out what was wrong with the speedo,

haven't checked the B+, couldn't see anythin at night and have already punched a hole in the fairing with the turn signal:'(

(the hole was for the best though cuz now im going fighter style )

guess ya live and ya learn

[Blind2Society]

Do the rear signals have backing plates that need to be removed? Or just the front?
thanks, padgman

doesn't matter i dont think, there not attached to anythin thats gonna get hurt. besides my sister dropped my bike pretty good. the front was scratched the turn signal put a hole in it, the brake pedal was bent in and the headlight and cluster bracket was bent bad but the tail was still sittin pretty

[usmcsun]

Welcome!

Be sure to swing by the wiki when it comes time to start doing some maintenance:
http://www.ex-500.com/wiki

There are 3 'recommended' modifications for new riders on Ninja 500R's:
1. Replace or modify the stock front turn signals. In stock configuration they have a metal backing plate which will punch a nice little hole in your fairing if/when you drop your bike. You can remove these backing plates (remove the fasteners for the front fairing, pull it forward and down, and reach down inside with a screwdriver), or replace the blinkers altogether with some aftermarket units.
2. Install an inline fuel filter. Most bikes have them. This one doesn't. It needs one. You can get one for $3, and install it in ~30-45 minutes:
http://www.ex-500.com/wiki/index.php/Fuel_Filter_Installation
3. One common problem on this bike is that the speedometer cable has a tendency to work itself lose. This is the black cable that runs from the gauge cluster to the center of the hub of the front wheel. Secure it into place by putting some blue Loctite thread locker on the threads where it screws into the gauge cluster.

Also, a couple of friendly hints:
1. The battery is 'conventional', meaning that it is unsealed and requires routine maintenance. Check the levels and specific gravity once a month or so if you want it to last.
http://www.ex-500.com/wiki/index.php/Battery_Maintenance
2. When you're ready for some night riding you will likely find that your headlight isn't illuminating much of anything. This is because it is not properly aimed. Aim it!
http://www.ex-500.com/wiki/index.php/Headlight_Adjustment_and_Maintenance
3. The drive chain also requires regular maintenance if you want it to last. Every 400 miles or so it should be cleaned and lubricated, and every 600 miles the tension should be adjusted.
http://www.ex-500.com/wiki/index.php/Chain_maintenance
4. The most common problem that leaves motorcycles on the side of the road is broken clutch cable, caused overwhelmingly by lack of maintenance. Lubricate it every now and then (once or twice a season maybe) to keep it squeaky clean:
http://www.ex-500.com/wiki/index.php/Clutch_Cable_Maintenance
5. Check your tire pressures regularly because if they get to being way off, your handling will suffer.

Purchase a manual (Clymers is my favorite), and learn to love it. Print out a copy of the maintenance schedule and put it over your desk. And ride safe!

Hey, I have never worked on any of my bikes and cars, but now with the business slow and more time on my hands, I thought I would give a try with changing oil on my bike as a start. Do you know any step by step, or with picture instructions on changing oil for the 500R? By the way, I printed your entire email and put in my motorcycle file so as to use as future reference.

[ratchet]

It's all in the wiki 

http://www.ex-500.com/wiki/index.php/Performing_an_Oil_Change

[flowrida02]

Awesome Info THANX

[ratchet]

Another point that was brought up in a forum post is that if/when you get new tires put on your bike, they will be slippery.

You should go easy on them for the first while, while the outer coating is scrubbed off (say the first 100kms).

So, if you get new tires: be careful.

[wmcott]

Hats off to you-  The NEW tire issue is very important...  Not to many people mention it...  Thanks!

[5.elements]

with the new tire issue, you get the same thing with new brakes...  100 mile+ break in on them. 

[njd2389]

Another point that was brought up in a forum post is that if/when you get new tires put on your bike, they will be slippery.

You should go easy on them for the first while, while the outer coating is scrubbed off (say the first 100kms).

So, if you get new tires: be careful.

I think if you watch any youtube video of people dropping their bikes as they're rolling away from the dealership, you'll see why it's so easy to slip on new tires.