1980 ltd550 vs. newer ninja 250r

I actually like the look of that bike. It's weird but I joined this forum cuz this where I seen the most people with 550 bobbers. I guess that's not the case. Maybe I should find a bobber forum

No accounting for taste. :whistle:
Steve

It's got the muffler wired on. :sick:
Steve

Sharkman wrote: I actually like the look of that bike. It's weird but I joined this forum cuz this where I seen the most people with 550 bobbers. I guess that's not the case. Maybe I should find a bobber forum

Maybe, but here's something to consider -

You mentioned this is your first bike. Since you've never even owned a bike do you seriously believe you are qualified to modify a bike? Do you thoroughly understand the dynamics of a bike's suspension, braking, handling, etc. and how changes to one component affect other components? No offense intended, but I seriously doubt it since you seem not to have much experience with bikes. That's fine; no one is born with that experience. However, most guys who modify bikes without a well thought out plan and a true understanding of motorcycle systems end up with junk that they very quickly try to sell to someone who also knows very little about bikes.

Assuming you actually plan to ride a bike would it not make more sense to learn how to ride and how to maintain a bike before trying to make changes that will affect how the bike runs, handles, brakes etc.? You may not know it, but simply performing routine maintenance on a bike can be enough of a challenge for any beginner. Modifying a bike without a proper understanding of how everything affects everything else can not only lead to a bike that no longer has much value, it can also lead to a bike that may injure the rider.

On the other hand, if rather than ride a motorcycle you simply want to tinker with one that doesn't run and tell your friends of the great changes you're making to your machine, have at it. There are plenty of folks who seem to enjoy doing just that. Ed

There are some that bob their bikes and there are more that actually make them better than new. I like my old Z1 but if I had another, I'd switch to modern parts and have a canyon diver too. :woohoo:
Steve

swest wrote: Just don't do this :ohmy: . Please.
Steve

Yes, don't get rear ended. :laugh:

I weigh just shy of 220 in street clothes. I rode my wife's Ninja 250 several times and enjoyed the heck out of it. It can teach you about the importance of momentum and smoothness in the twisties. It will not outrun a 550 in a straight line, but wit practice, you could surprise a lot of folks in the curves. The challenge on either bike will be getting the suspension properly set up for someone your size. Both were built with a 150lb rider in mind.

P.S. Bob away. It is your bike. If you don't like it, you won't ride it. There are several bobsters around here, but they do get an awful lot of grief. If you can put up with it, then there is a great deal of experience to tap into here, otherwise, you may want to look for a more bobber-friendly place. No matter what you do to it, please be sure not to compromise safety. Motorcycling is risky enough on its best day.

Good Fortune!

She's been wearing high heels too long. :lol: Cute. :whistle:
Steve

Patton wrote:

Good Fortune!

You're welcome. Finding the white handlebar grips was the hardest part. :laugh: Ed

Don't worry about the bobber haters... For the longest time no one cared about the Japanese 4 cylinder's from the 70's and 80's. Apart from a few exceptions like the early Z1's, Z1-R, ELR"s and so forth, they were seen as disposable bikes to be ridden and then discarded. They had no used value and were everywhere. Decades of "project bikes" have taken their toll and it seems like the café racers and bobbers outnumber the OEM factory bikes by a wide margin. I haven't been on this site for that long, maybe 8 years or so, and I've seen a lot of new guys with perfectly nice bikes cut them up, and leave them unfinished.

So the advice to a new guy is always, "hold on a minute, why don't you ride some before you start cutting away on the bike" Its not a knock on you, or your bike but just some words from experience. It's your bike and you can do what ever you want with it. If you want help with aftermarket parts and fabrication there are lots of guys here that can help out. We are happy to have new people join in the discussions, and share their projects.