Lowering a Ninja 250

Hi All, I am a newbie, 5'3" and just purchased my first bike, a Ninja 250. I am having the dealership lower the bike with dog bone links so I can flat foot it. Here's my question: I've been reading a lot on the internet about how you also need to lower the front end if you use lowering links. However, when I told this to the dealership, the salesman said he talked to the manufacturer (Kawasaki) and was told that the front end of the 250 cannot be lowered. The Kawasaki "specialist" in their service dept. said the same thing. So...has anyone had just the rear of a 250 Ninja lowered and if so, how's the riding experience? Any issues with handling? Thanks a bunch!

:welcome: I'm not sure abotu the little ninja but that may be the case if the top tripple is more like a top cap. As in the fork tubes are stopped with tripple "topping" them. There are alot of 250 owners here.. maybe one of them can bless us with a pic of the top.

:iagree: :welcome: :twfrox:

:welcome: :idk: somebody on here will prob. be able to help.

I am the same height and I didn't need to lower my Ninja 250. You will be able to touch the ground just fine for what you need to do (Example: backing the bike up) I would consider leaving it alone. :wink: Does this picture help? http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a269/medfrog/bikedash.jpg *I don't think you are able to adjust the front forks to match the back if you lower it.

Just like 500. You can see that there is no way for the forks to rise above the tripples due to the risers. So no adjusty in the front... unless you strapped it down... which I don't suggest either.

:welcome: !! I am a newbie also around here, but thought I'd still drop by and say welcome! You will get your problem worked out somehow on here =) I'd help ya but I own a zx-14 and a yamaha r6 and I'm also 6'0 so I dont have to worry about ever lowering my bikes. Take care and hope to see you around :hug: :cheers:

ok I just lowered my wife's....first I just changed out the dog bones....that was it...the front was fine and it didn't change the handling that signifacantly(sp?) as for the front...no you can't adjust them...they have the top cap triple tree and you are unable to slide them through..you could have the shocks shortened...but I would just lower the back and leave them alone.. now also depending upon how low you are going you might also look in to shortening your kick stand. My wife's was only lowered about 2" so I didn't touch the stand. It still works alright but any lower then that I would modify it.

Thank you! That is just the kind of assurance I was looking for. I am glad your wife's Ninja is handling fine. Now I just wish the dealership would hurry up and complete the job. The links are on back order; it's a beautiful day in Baltimore and I want to RIDE NOW!! AAAGGGHHHHHH!!

i think its funny that you lowered a 250 :D, i thought they were made one size fits all... you should be fine though, unless you feel uncomfortable or feel the bike doesnt handle properly you'll have to just accept the fact the Kaw engineers didnt keep you in mind. I CAN flatfoot my cbr but i hardly do... i like to keep my nuts out of my throat.

i think its funny that you lowered a 250 :D, i thought they were made one size fits all... you should be fine though, unless you feel uncomfortable or feel the bike doesnt handle properly you'll have to just accept the fact the Kaw engineers didnt keep you in mind. I CAN flatfoot my cbr but i hardly do... i like to keep my nuts out of my throat. dont be silly, every person is different!!! I am only 5'2" but I could flatfoot my 250 with no problem and a lil air clearance to boot and I can also touch just fine on my Gsxr...but my friend who is the same height as I am had to have her 250 lowered, the differences in people...I am all leg, she is not, so even tho we are the same height, we are shaped differently and have to adjust our rides accordingly! Either way, everyone has given you good advice, good luck with the new ride and keep us posted!

I am all leg :drool:

:drool: silly boys... a whole post and thats all you got out of it! :lol:

If you can tippy toe it, do that instead. Lowering just the back is dumb as hell.

silly boys... a whole post and thats all you got out of it! :lol: I try my best to concentrate on the important stuff in life. :idk:

I know, I know, different forums have discussed the issue of lowering and alledgedly it's bad. But, some folks have done it with no problem. That's why I initiated this thread; to see how the riding experience was with just the rear lowered. And thanks Rae, even though I am 5'3", I can only tiptoe. As a newbie, I would feel a lot safer and more confident if I could have my feet flat on the ground. As I gain experience, I may ask the dealership to raise it again to stock height. And I am considering getting a Corbin seat which is supposed to lower seat height about an inch.

I know, I know, different forums have discussed the issue of lowering and alledgedly it's bad. But, some folks have done it with no problem. That's why I initiated this thread; to see how the riding experience was with just the rear lowered. And thanks Rae, even though I am 5'3", I can only tiptoe. As a newbie, I would feel a lot safer and more confident if I could have my feet flat on the ground. As I gain experience, I may ask the dealership to raise it again to stock height. And I am considering getting a Corbin seat which is supposed to lower seat height about an inch. It really depends on the bike as to how bad the lowering may affect it...and as a new rider, you arent going to notice the difference in handling. When you move up to a bigger bike you will, but for now, you do what ya gotta do so you can be on two wheels!! I had the same issue with my CBR RR (the bike after my 250), it was just too tall and without being able to put my feet down I was never comfortable. We lowered it 1.5 inches and since I didnt know really how it felt before it was lowered I had no problems with the handling!! As I become a better rider, I am more comfortable with just one leg or set of toes touching, but that is something that comes with time and experience. Post of pics of the new baby (bike) when you get them!

I just wanted to say hello and welcome a another 250 rider!! I don't have the same problem with my ninja, I'm 5'5 and a quarter. But anyways, good luck and be safe. Enjoy!!!

I had to lower my finacee's Ninja 250. She is only 5'1". It dropped the bike about two inches but it still handled pretty well. I slid the forks up just a bit too. I picked up a lowering link from newenough.com, it only took 20-30 minutes to do. http://www.newenoughhp.com/parts/cosmetic_chrome/diamond_powersports/billet_aluminum_motorcycle_lowering_link.html Instead of lowering, have you thought about shaving some foam off the seat?

:welcome: Congrats on the new ride silly boys... a whole post and thats all you got out of it! :lol: Yep, that's us. What did you expect? :wink:

have you tried shaving the seat? That could prolly get you pass all this mess. All you need is a staple gun and some clippers.

Shave the seat and give yourself a sore butt!

That sounds really painful for long rides OUCH! If you do that, remember,,,put good padding down on the seat!

Shave the seat and give yourself a sore butt! there is some type of foam you can purchase same foam used in those racers seat. I forgot what it is called but it is lower than the stock seat :dthumb:

there is some type of foam you can purchase same foam used in those racers seat. I forgot what it is called but it is lower than the stock seat :dthumb: If you can remember what this stuff is called, please let me know! I'd like to get a little for putting on my seat during long rides.:dthumb:

If you can remember what this stuff is called, please let me know! I'd like to get a little for putting on my seat during long rides.:dthumb: It's called a closed cell neoprene 1/2 thick pad Here are some pics from a guy that did them on GSB http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/6547/cimg2617oa1.jpg http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/6047/cimg2619nz7.jpg http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/4231/cimg2620af7.jpg http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/4231/cimg2623io2.jpg

That stuff will still suck.

Thanx for the info, but it still looks tough. I am looking for something with MASSIVE padding on it for the long rides. I will give it a try and keep looking though for something even more padded...yeah i'm picky..sowwy!

That's what I'm saying... I got the wife a new seat. Mustang Seats makes some of the best seats on the market. Its a great seat... only about 4 times more padding than the stock seat. Stock: http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l311/cjclark69/Sportster/Seat/Mustang001.jpg Mustang http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l311/cjclark69/Sportster/Seat/Mustang010.jpg http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l311/cjclark69/Sportster/Seat/Mustang005.jpg A world of difference!!!

I'm pretty late in posting a reply but I am all for lowering. Just be prepared to make kickstand adjustments! I lowered my rear (fully adjustable links), and loosened up my rear shock. The bike feels so much more a part of me now. However, I had to raise it back up (left the shock loose) because it stands too tall (if it stands at all). I see no need to lower the lower front.

Now that looks very comfty! I wish I could have a seat like that for my stunt bike....oh wow,,,just looking at that makes my butt all happy hehe:wink: