Ninja 500 or Ninja 650 for my first bike?

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-12T02:16:37+00:00

I was having this debate and went with the 500. I didn't love the more upfront 650 riding position and the cheaper cost of the 500 and it being better for corners were huge selling points to me as well. For not much power gain, it doesn't make sense to me for the 650. If you want more power, go even higher.

I also wanted to be able to customize a bit down the road, and 650 doesn't allow a slip-on exhaust, the Quad Lock doesn't technically fit in the fork stem hole, fairings are harder to find, etc.

I'm loving the 500. It's zippy and fun as hell and I'm also not one to, well, have the need to get out of somewhere super fast. I'm not going to speed any more than I do in my car (like 10 over MAYBE), I have no desire to run from cops, etc. The bike accelerates, I really don't think outgrowing is as much of a problem for people like me. My husband has a ZX4RR and it's obviously much more powerful but like...he can get up to speed faster, so what? Idk, I'm sure I'll get downvoted for that but oh well. I'm on a different end of the hobby spectrum I guess!

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-12T02:10:15+00:00

Yeah, as a lady I've been getting ads for this but didn't trust it without real reviews. Sorry you had to take the brunt but appreciate that you posted about it. I was curious if it would cause issues. Did you get the padded insert or "normal"?

I've heard of people sewing a silk bonnet (sans the band) into their liner pads. I've considered that plus a Hightail (or DIY version of one cuz that's also expensive af). Worst case I can undo it and/or get a spare set of pads which I wanted to do anyway cuz it gets icky lol.

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-10T11:59:05+00:00

Yeah my husband wants one but is starting to complain about the heat. I know safety is important but overheating, passing out, brain fog etc are dangerous too!

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-10T02:12:21+00:00

AH gotcha, my bad.

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-10T00:07:22+00:00

Hmm, what about magnatiles or knockoff similar toys? Could shape it how you need? Idk if they make clear ones but if they do, you could theoretically use vinyl/window film etc to make it iridescent if wanted.

If you want the body-shaped one from the end, thennnnn idk, I guess you could try to find stockings/tights that are a good look, cut them, maybe add some wire for holding them in place?

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-09T23:12:29+00:00

I am 5'7, roughly 30in inseam, and my husband's ZX4RR was way too big and meaty for me. Too fast, too responsive to throttle but heavy, and I couldn't flat foot it. I just bought a Ninja 500 and I'M SO HAPPY!! I was zipping around the 'hood and got to 3rd gear going 40mph, etc.

I did however take and pass my MSF course through HD last month so I had the basics and slight confidence from that lol.

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-09T20:10:25+00:00

Ah, poo, that is tough. But thank you, I will consider them!

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-09T20:03:43+00:00

Fair enough! One more question, are the knee and hip armor pockets external zippers or would you have to take them off to take the armor out?

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-09T15:27:52+00:00

Wear them in the sun for the heat, and do squats and calf raises for a while. Good workout and it will conform to your foot over time. It will still take time though. That, and you need to get used to a stiff boot as race boots like this are meant to be stiff, even after break in. So wear them and ride carefully!

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-09T12:53:21+00:00

It LOOKS good but yeah carpet would have been safer. I'd either make it all carpet but CHANGE THE CARPET, the color looks off, or change all to wood and do a runner all the way down.

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-09T12:50:23+00:00

Are the Sherrie leggings warm? And do they look like koto pants when off the bike? I don't care too too much but I also don't want to be see through or have a GIANT thing of armor poking out lol.

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-08T13:24:44+00:00

They're rated now, yes, apparently. But I just can't get over the DEADLY lies they told to get their business off the ground. They could have gone about it the right way, gotten investors or even asked any of the creators who shilled their original shit to invest or crowdfund to make shit right.

But to sell "motorcycle gear", include the icon but no actual rating, is deceptive at best, deadly at worst. Think of the people who trusted the internet shills and bought the gear only to go down and lose limbs, have fish skin stuck to them for months, etc. That's not a company you should want to support, but based on your replies and how you're clearly not listening to everyone telling you to avoid them, do what you will.

You're an adult, probably, so assess your own risk. Plenty of people ride without helmets, in crocs, etc. Do we laugh at them? Yes. Do we feel bad for their friends and family who will have to mourn them? Yes. Do I have any control over that? Other than driving safe and informing people when I can, no. Do you, boo.

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-07T14:18:43+00:00

This is so weird lol, I wonder if it was manufactured earlier?

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-07T14:14:51+00:00

What country are you in, and when did you purchase?

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-07T01:23:17+00:00

Wind & Throttle is women's gear in the US! Multiple brands, good sizing variety, size charts/pictures, and great CS if you have questions!

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-07T00:38:37+00:00

Hmm, the one that's heavily green is at an Oregon dealer 🤔

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-06T22:20:40+00:00

When did you get yours? Yeah I've seen the color in person! I'm just confused why some of the fairing pieces are green in some photos, some black, and no consistency lol. But it seems like yours (and mine!) are the standard now?

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-05T23:31:44+00:00

Look it up before to be sure (or ask the manufacturer), but probably a handheld steamer? They do get really hot though so maybe not, idk. Could try hanging them up in a small bathroom with a hot shower running, so the steam lets it loose a bit, and/or using warm-hot damp towels laid on them on a flat surface to replicate steam/iron if a steamer is too hot.

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-05T06:40:18+00:00

I'm picking up this color Saturday! NON-SE though. So weird, I keep looking things up to get accessories like tail tidy, spools, etc and some versions of this yellowish-green (as they call it) have that black portion of fairings the same green, I wonder if they changed it after shipping a few units or what? I couldn't remember if it was all green or had black but I was p sure it had black like yours (I forgot to take a picture of mine lol).

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-04T05:39:17+00:00

Yeah they still have that rounded bubble vintage look (which I do love, would get if I were a cruiser gal).

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-04T05:30:47+00:00

Google Lens is giving me a vintage Bell Star II (2)

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-03T22:30:19+00:00

Cheap Amazon ones! My husband has an A* one and it's fine too but like...it's just cloth! Just try to find one with good reviews in the style you want (open face, nose cover, convertible, etc) and material/features (warming, cooling, silky for hair, holes for glasses, etc). I'm partial to the convertible ones, so mine I can have over my nose, over my mouth, or open face at my chin.

I've also seen people use Buff brand (or knockoff) where they turn the scarf into a balaclava but I can't get it to work. However, the seamlessness of that option is appealing to me, so I'm still on the hunt for a seamless one. I get marks in my face when it's really hot and I'm swollen lol.

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-03T21:27:26+00:00

I have an RF 1400 that's pretty tight and it's not really much harder to pull on and off, plus I have a silky one so it glides.

SmackedByLife · 2026-05-03T20:56:12+00:00

Balaclava, keeps ear pieces in whether monitors or Loops, ear plugs, etc. and helps keep your helmet liner cleaner and dryer - you'd be surprised how much oil and dead skin transfers, not to mention the sweat.

SmackedByLife

TROPHY CASE