Turning my Ninja 650 into a Sport Touring machine

[Antjag]

650 Adv

Great thread. I've been looking for more information on working up my 08 to a better sport tour / light adv ride as well.

Any pointers for side racks? The only ones I can seem to come across are the SW-Motec on Twisted Throttle. The ones you found in Canada look nice and solid.

Also, has anyone came across or recommend a tire that works nicely for commuting and dirt roads?

I'm super newbie so if I'm way off here I apologize in advance.

 

[flying_hun]

I had a Versys, the 650r is far more fun to ride. With a few mods just as comfy as the Versys.

Please elaborate. That's contrary to what I've read elsewhere.

As someone with over 70K miles on two Versys, I've always thought the vibe complaints about the 650 motor were a little overdone, but then again, I've owned bikes that actually shake.

Here's a tip; the motor is smoother at 4K than 3K, and smoother at 5K than 4K. Let it rev. It smooths out, and it's more fun.

On the luggage front, I have always had a tankbag. Every day. I run a top case because my wife likes having a backrest, and they're better than side cases for lane splitting. When I need more luggage space, I've used Ortlieb throw-over panniers. They work great, and are truly waterproof.

Here they are on my UK bike.

 

[Cincinnatus]

Great thread. I've been looking for more information on working up my 08 to a better sport tour / light adv ride as well.

Any pointers for side racks? The only ones I can seem to come across are the SW-Motec on Twisted Throttle. The ones you found in Canada look nice and solid.

Also, has anyone came across or recommend a tire that works nicely for commuting and dirt roads?

I'm super newbie so if I'm way off here I apologize in advance.

Here is all I'm working with so far. The picture is from a camping ride, and found this patch of light snow on a dirt trail. And yes I went down here. Ha!

OMG. Sorry, but how much weight did you have in your silver topcase, to include the weight of the topcase, that far back on your tail?? I don't have the math, but by putting any weight (anything over 5 lbs??) and anything that can provide aerodynamic drag or resistance (sidewinds, etc.) is going to seriously disrupt your bike's center of gravity (COG). :shocker

 

[lolibater]

This thread needs more pics. How much were the lower foot pegs? I have looked into it but I am waiting until my naked ninja 650 is my commuter bike.

I'll have to shoot a picture when I get home.

For all you other pic posters, I envy your 2011 - bikes. Bags were so easy to mount on those ones, and exhaust was easier too. I'm happy to finally have the ability to carry hard bags though.

 

[lolibater]

Looks like a member on here is willing to part ways with his V35 cases for a nice discount. I'll be picking those up this weekend. They're the kawi green though, so I'll have to paint, dip, or wrap it to black, red, or faux carbon. Thoughts?

 

[FreeRyde]

Please elaborate. That's contrary to what I've read elsewhere.

The few 650r's I've ridden had a bit more punch than the Versys. Slap a set of renthals on there and it is mucho comfy. (For guys my size )

But the Versys will always have a place in my heart.

 

[Junkie]

I would expect the suspension on the Versys to work a bit better, I know they're upside down and I think I remember one being undamped and the other a cartridge... still probably better than the damping rod forks on the other versions.

 

[SFSV650]

Can you tell me more about that rear shock?
Price, where you got it, what kind of difference it's made?

Also, because pic thread:

A pair of yellow dry bags from REI and some compression straps made for a lightweight, sharp looking weekender. Kept the torrential rain off our sleeping bags too. :thumbup

 

[lolibater]

Yeah I'll shot some pics and post suspension details when I get home tomorrow. I'll have to adjust it for the bags anyways.

 

[lolibater]

Nitron Sport Shock. Has rebound adjustment and preload. Just cranked it up a full turn to compensate for the bags. Ordered directly through Catalyst Reaction. I think they got it from Nitron UK, but there is now a Nitron USA location in Ohio I think, which makes the pricing way better now.

Seeing how wide the new bags are.

Side view w/o covers.

Before plasti dip.

During plasti dip. Should be dry by 3pm. Then I'll reassemble and shoot better pics.

Used carbon fiber vinyl to cover the Versys logos.

 

[lolibater]

All done.

 

[RightCoastBias]

If I recall correctly, Nitron USA is in Utah.

 

[lolibater]

Ah yes, that's correct. Sorry, it has been a while since I've ordered. I think this ran me about $800 but I'm not 100% sure on that either.

 

[lolibater]

Just took a nice 3 day touring ride down to Santa Cruz. Had the bags fully packed and my gf on the back. The Nitron rear suspension had a perfect amount of adjustment needed to accommodate all that extra weight in the back. The bike actually felt better with her and the bags on the back than it does when it's just me by myself.

I also added some MondoMoto fork lights and a Kaoko cruise control both of which came in handy on the trip. I didn't get to use the cruise that much, but I know it will be very useful for my trip down to Malibu at the end of the month.

All in all, this bike has become a great sport tourer for me.

 

[flying_hun]

Thanks for the update on the usefulness of your improvements to that bike. Good platform to build on. :thumbup

 

[RightCoastBias]

Just took a nice 3 day touring ride down to Santa Cruz. Had the bags fully packed and my gf on the back. The Nitron rear suspension had a perfect amount of adjustment needed to accommodate all that extra weight in the back. The bike actually felt better with her and the bags on the back than it does when it's just me by myself.

I also added some MondoMoto fork lights and a Kaoko cruise control both of which came in handy on the trip. I didn't get to use the cruise that much, but I know it will be very useful for my trip down to Malibu at the end of the month.

All in all, this bike has become a great sport tourer for me.

Extra weight over the rear is often liked, I know I like it. If ya know what I mean...

 

[louemc]

Just took a nice 3 day touring ride down to Santa Cruz. Had the bags fully packed and my gf on the back. The Nitron rear suspension had a perfect amount of adjustment needed to accommodate all that extra weight in the back. The bike actually felt better with her and the bags on the back than it does when it's just me by myself.

I also added some MondoMoto fork lights and a Kaoko cruise control both of which came in handy on the trip. I didn't get to use the cruise that much, but I know it will be very useful for my trip down to Malibu at the end of the month.

All in all, this bike has become a great sport tourer for me.

Looks Great, and how you think, sounds great...:thumbup

You may decide on different things, as the touring grows... But.. That's the way things progress... You're lookin great, now. :thumbup

 

[lolibater]

Thanks guys I'm really happy with how it turned out. The big test will be at the end of the month covering 1000+ miles in 3 days. I wish I had actually picked up the Versys when I was in the market for a new bike, but at that time I was attracted to the sportier look of the Ninja 650.

With how light of a bike this is vs some of the dedicated touring bikes that are like 600lbs+, I think it's fitting me pretty well.

Next up for me is to pick up a 600cc+ super sport for track and weekend riding. Then I can finally put some risers with stock bars on the 650 and have it be even more comfortble.

One thing I am struggling with is the comfort of the pillion seat. My gf is worried for the upcoming trip. I think the longest she's been on is about 100 miles, and we will be doing 400 miles on the longest day. Anything that we can (safely) place on top of the pillion seat to make it more comfortable for long distances? We tried the Corbin seat in the rear, but we were not confident in the way it attached so we went back to stock for that. Open to hearing what you guys might think.

 

[1sicv8]

I have never tried them... but I hear great things about the beaded seat covers...

other than that, just make sure she wears comfortable, breathable clothing and under garments.

 

[flying_hun]

I have never tried them... but I hear great things about the beaded seat covers...

other than that, just make sure she wears comfortable, breathable clothing and under garments.

Good advice.

All the solutions - bike shorts, beaded covers, sheepskin covers, Airhawks, aftermarket seats - work differently for different folks. You'll have to experiment.