I'm 5'9" & weight 175.

I sent a couple more inquiring emails to some dealers, trying to stay around 100 miles or so from where i live. I'm going to make a couple more calls & make some visits to some dealers this weekend.

Thanks Everybody

 

Thanks, its just a slip on. the full system was not readily availble when bought it and I didnt feel like waiting. I mostly wanted it to not sound like a scooter, I wasnt really trying to gain any hp, so the full system isnt really worth it to me anyways.

Yes I painted it myself, I finally just got done with all the wetsanding and buffing. it turned out alot better than I though it would.

 

No offense intended, but the 500R won't feel much different or do anything the 250R can't do, except go about 15 mph faster and a little more bottom end torque. I have rode both and went with a 250 because that little bit extra the 500 gave did not warrant the extra cost, insurance or mpg hit. IF, and it's a big IF, they were to redesign the 500 like they did the 250, then I think I might make the change just because of cosmetics - the new 250 looks awesome.

scootertrog

 

Ditto. My thoughts exactly. [8D]

 

All i will add is , its more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow!

 

There's a lot to love about the 250. Very light, tossable bike and ideal for a commuter. My only gripe is engine RPM at 70mph. I don't think they make grips thick and soft enough to squelch the vibrations you get from 9000 rpms screaming between your legs. I keep hearing that the engine will happily wind that high all day long, but it's hard to listen to without wondering when a connecting rod isgoing to give up.

Can anyone testify to engine RPM on a 500R at 70mph? I would think it'd have to be a bit more relaxed.

 

What's the70 mph RPMon a 250R with the 15tooth front gear?

 

Someone here (or possibly another Kaw forum) said it drops rpm by about 1K @ 60mph.

 

It will drop it about 600 RPMs just the same if you add a 42 tooth rear instead of a 15 tooth front. adding a 15 tooth adds rotating mass, adding a 42 tooth rear takes away alot of rotating mass. the jt steel 42 tooth weighs about half as much as the stock one.

Also, since youre complaining about vibration, I'm guessing your running conventional oil. change out the rear sprocket to a 42 or 41 tooth and switch to full synthetic MOTORCYCLE oil (not synthetic car oil) and your vibration should dissapear. my bike runs the smoothest at 9K RPMS at around 80MPH on the spedo

 

I don't think you can really compare the smoothness of an '08 engine to that of an '07. Aren't they completely different engines?

I ran conventional and syn in my 94 and it made no difference in vibration. It only served to make my brand new clutch into an on/off switch. But I do have 2 quarts of Mobil1 Racing waiting for my next OCI. I'm actually a big fan of syn oil but have been running conventional during break-in.

Thanks for the sprocket info. Don't you have to buy a shorter chain when you put on a smaller rear sprocket? I was hoping to avoid that extra expense considering the bike only has 800 miles on it. I was under the impression that the factory chain could be used with a larger front sprocket, but I haven't confirmed that yet.