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I was at the Kawasaki dealership a couple days ago and noticed that the Ninja650R mirrors look like they attach to the fairing the same way the EX-500. They are over an inch longer and I thought they might help me see around my shoulders. Anyone know if they will fit without modification? Thanks for your reply.
 

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I just got a set of those mirror extenders. I haven't installed them yet since I'm doing engine work on my bike right now, but I can at least vouch for twistedthrottle.com being a legit site and getting the parts out to me quickly--I ordered them this past Friday and got them on Tuesday with their regular shipping.
 

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hollywood said:
I got even smaller mirrors than stock. I never use them anyway, I always
turn my head, to avoid that whole "blind spot" thing.
I try to keep stock of cars around me so that I can swerve into the next lane quickly without looking in an emergency, so wider mirrors would help me. Also - it is helpful to see behind you so that the first thing that tells you you are about to get hit from behind is NOT "screeeeech"! (That was supposed to be someone locking up their wheels. :p)
 

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MaximX said:
hollywood said:
I got even smaller mirrors than stock. I never use them anyway, I always
turn my head, to avoid that whole "blind spot" thing.
I try to keep stock of cars around me so that I can swerve into the next lane quickly without looking in an emergency, so wider mirrors would help me. Also - it is helpful to see behind you so that the first thing that tells you you are about to get hit from behind is NOT "screeeeech"! (That was supposed to be someone locking up their wheels. :p)
I think it's more of an Errrrrrrr! Or it some cases a Woo Woo! :D

I often hear the "Screeeech" when watching reruns of Saved by the Bell.
 

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I know what you guys mean about the mirrors but you may find that a couple of details and a little time might cure your problem. If not, you've been given some hardware options. Another is to use the old ZX-6R mirrors. Even the newer ones might fit. I know that the '03 '04 have the same pattern because I actually used the rubber pad and plate from under the EX-500 mirrors in the mounting of my race fairing on my ZX-6. Same pattern, bolts right in, afforded a nice rubber mount.

Before you assume you need them though, consider these two things. One is your jacket. If it's loose fitting in the sleeves it can bellow out and obscure a big part of the sightline right where you need it most. Your jacket should fit snug on the sleeves. Not restrictive tight but not blousy either. If you aren't using a proper jacket you might be better off all of the way around to invest in that instead of mirrors.

Another thing is how you are focusing them. This may sound wierd but give it a try. Adjust them outward, to cover a lot of the lane next to you and just getting the view directly behind you in the inside edge. Any more inward and you just get a better view of your arm, anyway. ;) Do both mirrors and get used to checking both for your direct rear view but you'll see much more in them, including a better view of the lane next to you, a very handy thing to have anyway. If your jacket sleeves are snug and you have the mirrors adjusted as described, you may find they're just fine.

Hope that helps.
 

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hollywood said:
To see something like that you would have constantly stare in the mirrors,and
most likely you'll end up in the back of somebody's car. You should be carefull
with that.
I don't keep my focus in the mirrors all of the time. But I glance in my mirrors every few seconds and I memorize where cars are around me ALL the time. That way, when someone swerves in my lane, I know that the lane next to me is empty, and I swerve into that lane. It also helps me know how fast I can stop. If someone is tailgating me, then I will swerve around a car as opposed to slamming on my brakes.
 

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MaximX said:
I don't keep my focus in the mirrors all of the time. But I glance in my mirrors every few seconds and I memorize where cars are around me ALL the time.
Same here. I've done this since I started driving, it's definitely good in an emergency to know whats behind you, rather than having to look.
 

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Here is a good tip: When at a light pull in at an angle to better see cars coming behind you plus gives you and exit if need be!
 

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turning the mirrors upsidedown and remounting them seems to work for me.
 

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Kcrunch1 said:
turning the mirrors upsidedown and remounting them seems to work for me.
Are you referring to the stock ex500 mirrors or the Ninja 650 mirrors?
 

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The stock ex500 mirrors. You can also buy short shelving brackets at the hardware store and mount the mirrors to them. It will extend the mirrors up and out about 3 inches. It's not pretty but it works. I also mounted the zx6r mirrors to the brackets and I could see everything behind me and the next lanes easily. Very nice view, however it's butt ugly-tacky looking and the zx6r mirrors stick out 5 to 6 inches beyond the end of your handlebars which makes splitting lanes very hard. But damn you could really see everything behind and to the sides of you. Remember that's that butt ugly shelve bracket the cost $2.00 and the zx6r mirrors. Here is a picture of the butt ugly shelve bracket and ex500 mirrors.

[attachment deleted by admin]
 

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'dad' has it spot on! i've got stock mirrors on all my vehicles, and i've never ever had a blind spot. on the bikes, the mirrors are adjusted to see mostly the lanes by me, and just the inside edges see behind me. if i need to see more behind me i move to the side just a little bit. in my car, the side view mirrors are adjusted to see to the sides, and the REARVIEW mirror (the one on the windshield) is adjusted to see behind me. i can't stand it - every car i see has the SIDE VIEW mirrors adjusted to see behind the car. why ON EARTH would you have all 3 mirrors adjusted to see the SAME THING!?!? when you NEED to see to the sides.

guess what my pet peeve is... hee hee ;D
 

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Getting a clear side view with minimal blind spots is no problem in most cars or on the EX. The tendency is to focus the mirror so there's always a reference point (the car, or you on the bike), but that just steals valuable viewing area. Focus the mirrors out a bit so you're not visible (just keep in mind the smallest size of the target that'll matter - a bike or car).

What gets me is the utter lack of rear view on the bike. I hate not knowing what's behind me. That's harder to work around with the stock mirrors... :(
 
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