I hate these mirrors: Difference between revisions

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You have mirrors on your bicycle, right? You don't? Think of riding your motorcycle in the same way. Turn your head and save your life.

Not being able to see behind you is a common complaint, especially from those new to the Ninjette, but some long-time riders ~~will~~ say that the stock 250 mirrors are better than on other bikes. If you're trying to see behind you as well as you can in a car, you're bound to be disappointed.

Not being able to see behind you is a common complaint, especially from those new to the Ninjette, but some long-time riders say that the stock 250 mirrors are better than on other bikes. If you're trying to see behind you as well as you can in a car, you're bound to be disappointed.

There are some tweaks you can do to your Ninja to improve rearward visibility; these are listed below. ~~In reality, though, the simplest fix is~~ to ~~tuck in your elbows~~ and ~~turn your head. That's why~~ you ~~have a neck~~. Motorcycle mirrors should never be completely trusted.

There are some tweaks you can do to your Ninja to improve rearward visibility; these are listed below. Just remember to also turn and look before you change lanes. Motorcycle mirrors should never be completely trusted.

==Droopies==

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==Bar-end mirrors==

These mirrors will give you more visibility to the rear. ~~[http://www.emgo.com/main_layout.html Emgo~~ mirrors~~] (available at nearly any bike shop)~~ are ~~ridiculously cheap and are very reliable. If~~ you ~~prefer the curved glass type~~, go with the ~~[http://www~~.parkeryamaha.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=24966 Ken Sean] or the even pricier [http://www.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/product~pf_id~4760659~section_dept_id~1170244~terrain_dept_id~1185730~cat_dept_id~1426257~product_dept_id~1426257~mfr_name~Napoleon~selection_Path~4.asp Napoleon mirrors]. (Search online or see a ~~dealer.) [http://www.classicpartsltd.com/classicmotorcyclemirrors.htm Halcyon] also makes a pricey bar-end mirror for the cafe racer crowd. All~~ of ~~these mirrors fold~~ up ~~for easy maneuvering in tight spaces~~.

These mirrors will give you more visibility to the rear. The main advantages to bar-end mirrors are that you don't need to move around to look in them, and even with flat glass they give an unobstructed view of what is behind and to the side of you. Another advantage is that you can turn your bars while you're stopped and get a better view of what's coming up from behind.

~~The main advantage to~~ bar-end mirrors ~~is that you do not need~~ to ~~move your body or your head to glance at them~~, and ~~even with flat glass they give an unobstructed view of what is behind and to~~ the ~~side of you~~. ~~Another advantage is~~ that ~~you can turn~~ your ~~bars while you're stopped and get a better view of what's coming up from behind~~.

There are different kinds of bar-end mirrors. Some replace the stock bar ends, some are designed to fit around bar ends, and some bolt through the bar ends into the bars. Try to get a mirror that will preserve your bar-ends, as they are there to reduce handlebar vibration.

~~====Installation====~~

Many models of bar end mirrors are made for a universal fit. For these, it's usually necessary to remove or grind off the part that fits into the bars in order to save your bar ends. Then just add a longer bolt and screw them into the bars as normal. Some have curved glass, while others have flat. Some of the more expensive ones may fold up for maneuvering in tight spaces. If this is a concern, check first.

~~The Ken Sean brand bar end mirror, part number 920030, is $17.95 each. It looks a lot like the Napoleon and mounts the same way. Cut off the piece that is intended~~ to go inside the bar and grind smooth. Use the Kawasaki supplied bar end minus the stupid soft phillips screw. The bolt that comes with the mirrors is a perfect fit. It goes through the mirror and the bar weight into the stock threaded boss inside the bars, so it's a simple bolt-on.

====Companies to look at====

~~====Types of bar-end mirrors====~~

*[http://www.emgo.com/main_layout.html Emgo] Available at nearly any bike shop. Ridiculously cheap and reliable.

~~There are different kinds of bar-end mirrors~~. ~~Some replace the stock bar ends~~, ~~some are designed to fit around bar ends, and some use the bolt used to hold bar ends onto non-hollow bars (meaning, they don't work for~~ aftermarket ~~bars). Try to get a mirror that will preserve your bar-ends, as they are there to reduce handlebar vibration~~.

*[http://www.bikemaster.com/bmstrv2.nsf/home?openform Bikemaster] Like Emgo, sold at shops. A major player in aftermarket parts & accessories.

*[http://www.constructorsrg.com/mirrors/index.html CRG] ~~makes very nice billet~~ mirrors~~. They're kind of~~ expensive but ~~are~~ much better-made than ~~the ones~~ that look the same on eBay.

*[http://www.constructorsrg.com/mirrors/index.html CRG] Billet mirrors that are expensive but much better-made than those that look the same on eBay.

*[http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/tpl/product.jsp?store=Main&catId=115&leafCatId=11508&skuId=391929&productId=p391929&mmyId= Cipa] ~~makes a~~ teardrop-shaped mirror that's a little out of the ordinary.

*[http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/tpl/product.jsp?store=Main&catId=115&leafCatId=11508&skuId=391929&productId=p391929&mmyId= Cipa] A teardrop-shaped mirror that's a little out of the ordinary.

*[http://www.rkexcelamerica.com/street_ken_sean.html Ken Sean] ~~mirrors are affordable~~ and widely available.

*[http://www.rkexcelamerica.com/street_ken_sean.html Ken Sean] Affordable and widely available.

*[http://www.motostrano.com/nabarendmi.html Napoleon] May not be available due to distribution problems.

*[http://www.classicpartsltd.com/classicmotorcyclemirrors.htm Halcyon] Pricey, for the cafe racer crowd.

*[http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-parts/mirrors-grips-handlebars.htm webBikeWorld] has links to dozens of mirror manufacturers.

*eBay often has many dealers selling bar end mirrors. These may come without a brand name (many of them are distributed by Emgo) but the price is right.

===="Ebay" mirrors====

eBay often has many dealers selling bar end mirrors. These may come without a brand name (many of them are distributed by Emgo) but the price is right. These are shown below. They are available at dozens of places on eBay (just search 'bar end mirror') or from [http://www.d2moto.com/p-5498-universal-honda-kawasaki-suzuki-yamaha-black-billet-motorcycle-bar-end-mirrors-street.aspx D2MOTO], among others.

[[image:806379.jpg|150px]]

[[image:806380.jpg|150px]]

They look like this:

[[image:5498.jpg|110px]]

To install, remove the silver insert and put a longer stainless steel bolt in. These are shown with 14 oz [[Removing & replacing bar ends|HVMP bar ends]]. They also work just fine with the stock bar ends.

[[image:DSCN3065.JPG.jpg|150px]]

This is not the highest quality product, but it's a very economical way to get better visibility and a different look for the front of your bike. The hardware can rust and parts can snap off if you're overly aggressive while tightening (see picture above).

If you're going with bar end mirrors, you'll probably want to remove your stock mirrors. You can get block off plates to cover the holes left in the fairing. Search eBay for 'Ninja 250 block off'. Ebay vendors come and go, but one that has had them is called [http://stores.ebay.com/Motorcycle-and-Sport-Bike-Parts Billet Sport Bike Parts].

[[image:806381.jpg|150px]]

==Standard handlebar-mounted mirror option==

The 'body' mounted mirrors of the Ninja are a bit forward of mirrors that would be mounted in the more traditional handlebar mount method.

The 'body' mounted mirrors of the Ninja are a bit forward of mirrors that would be mounted in the more traditional handlebar mount method. Bar-mounted mirrors are further back and make it easier to get a little more of a view behind you without necessarily going wider. They are also easier to make wider without having to resort to fabricating or other more drastic methods.

~~Traditional bar~~-mounted mirrors are further back and make it easier to get a little more of a view behind you without necessarily going wider. They are also easier to make wider without having to resort to fabricating or other more drastic methods~~. They might not look as good as body mounted mirrors, but if you are more interested in function than appearance they may be worth considering~~.

If you want to put your mirrors on the bars there are plenty of options. Later 250's have mounts on the brake and clutch perches for mirrors. Most have at least the one on the clutch side. Handlebar-mount mirrors are available from [http://emgo.com/main_layout.html EMGO] (~~see a local shop~~) and nearly every parts house on the web.

If you want to put your mirrors on the bars there are plenty of options. Later 250's have mounts on the brake and clutch perches for mirrors. Most have at least the one on the clutch side. Handlebar-mount mirrors are available from [http://emgo.com/main_layout.html EMGO] & [http://www.bikemaster.com/bmstrv2.nsf/home?openform Bikemaster] (both sell through shops) and nearly every parts house on the web. Download the Emgo Filter-Mirror Catalog pdf or look at the Bikemaster site and see all the different styles of mirrors you can get.

Shown below is a 2007 EX250 with mirrors from a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_KLR650 Kawasaki KLR]. Many different mirrors will work on the bike, but this is a known application. These KLR mirrors give a lot better rear view than the stock ones.

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Line 129:

You can definitely widen the mirror positioning with extensions and get a better view behind you, without wasting huge amounts of mirror 'real estate' on your elbows. If you do any lane splitting though, widened positioning may be noticeable. Also, the unique nature of the body-mounted mirrors makes widening hardware less simple than tweaking standard mirrors or exploring alternatives.

If you want to try to make your own extensions, you can take a look at this [[Toolmaker's mirror extensions|not-exactly-a-how-to]] for some ideas. You're gonna need some tools...

If you want to try to make your own extensions, you can take a look at this [[Toolmaker's mirror extensions|not-exactly-a-how-to]] for some ideas. [[Toolmaker's mirror extensions v3|Version 3]] is a little more refined. You're gonna need some tools...

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 You have mirrors on your bicycle, right? You don't? Think of riding your motorcycle in the same way. Turn your head and save your life.
-Not being able to see behind you is a common complaint, especially from those new to the Ninjette, but some long-time riders will say that the stock 250 mirrors are better than on other bikes. If you're trying to see behind you as well as you can in a car, you're bound to be disappointed.
+Not being able to see behind you is a common complaint, especially from those new to the Ninjette, but some long-time riders say that the stock 250 mirrors are better than on other bikes. If you're trying to see behind you as well as you can in a car, you're bound to be disappointed.
-There are some tweaks you can do to your Ninja to improve rearward visibility; these are listed below. In reality, though, the simplest fix is to tuck in your elbows and turn your head. That's why you have a neck. Motorcycle mirrors should never be completely trusted.
+There are some tweaks you can do to your Ninja to improve rearward visibility; these are listed below. Just remember to also turn and look before you change lanes. Motorcycle mirrors should never be completely trusted.
 ==Droopies==
@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 ==Bar-end mirrors==
-These mirrors will give you more visibility to the rear. [http://www.emgo.com/main_layout.html Emgo mirrors] (available at nearly any bike shop) are ridiculously cheap and are very reliable. If you prefer the curved glass type, go with the [http://www.parkeryamaha.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=24966 Ken Sean] or the even pricier [http://www.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/product~pf_id~4760659~section_dept_id~1170244~terrain_dept_id~1185730~cat_dept_id~1426257~product_dept_id~1426257~mfr_name~Napoleon~selection_Path~4.asp  Napoleon mirrors]. (Search online or see a dealer.) [http://www.classicpartsltd.com/classicmotorcyclemirrors.htm  Halcyon] also makes a pricey bar-end mirror for the cafe racer crowd. All of these mirrors fold up for easy maneuvering in tight spaces.
+These mirrors will give you more visibility to the rear. The main advantages to bar-end mirrors are that you don't need to move around to look in them, and even with flat glass they give an unobstructed view of what is behind and to the side of you. Another advantage is that you can turn your bars while you're stopped and get a better view of what's coming up from behind.
-The main advantage to bar-end mirrors is that you do not need to move your body or your head to glance at them, and even with flat glass they give an unobstructed view of what is behind and to the side of you. Another advantage is that you can turn your bars while you're stopped and get a better view of what's coming up from behind.
+There are different kinds of bar-end mirrors. Some replace the stock bar ends, some are designed to fit around bar ends, and some bolt through the bar ends into the bars. Try to get a mirror that will preserve your bar-ends, as they are there to reduce handlebar vibration.
-====Installation====
+Many models of bar end mirrors are made for a universal fit. For these, it's usually necessary to remove or grind off the part that fits into the bars in order to save your bar ends. Then just add a longer bolt and screw them into the bars as normal. Some have curved glass, while others have flat. Some of the more expensive ones may fold up for maneuvering in tight spaces. If this is a concern, check first.
-The Ken Sean brand bar end mirror, part number 920030, is $17.95 each. It looks a lot like the Napoleon and mounts the same way. Cut off the piece that is intended to go inside the bar and grind smooth. Use the Kawasaki supplied bar end minus the stupid soft phillips screw. The bolt that comes with the mirrors is a perfect fit. It goes through the mirror and the bar weight into the stock threaded boss inside the bars, so it's a simple bolt-on.
+====Companies to look at====
-====Types of bar-end mirrors====
+*[http://www.emgo.com/main_layout.html Emgo] Available at nearly any bike shop. Ridiculously cheap and reliable.
-There are different kinds of bar-end mirrors. Some replace the stock bar ends, some are designed to fit around bar ends, and some use the bolt used to hold bar ends onto non-hollow bars (meaning, they don't work for aftermarket bars). Try to get a mirror that will preserve your bar-ends, as they are there to reduce handlebar vibration.
+*[http://www.bikemaster.com/bmstrv2.nsf/home?openform Bikemaster] Like Emgo, sold at shops. A major player in aftermarket parts & accessories.
-*[http://www.constructorsrg.com/mirrors/index.html CRG] makes very nice billet mirrors. They're kind of expensive but are much better-made than the ones that look the same on eBay.
+*[http://www.constructorsrg.com/mirrors/index.html CRG] Billet mirrors that are expensive but much better-made than those that look the same on eBay.
-*[http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/tpl/product.jsp?store=Main&catId=115&leafCatId=11508&skuId=391929&productId=p391929&mmyId= Cipa] makes a teardrop-shaped mirror that's a little out of the ordinary.
+*[http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/tpl/product.jsp?store=Main&catId=115&leafCatId=11508&skuId=391929&productId=p391929&mmyId= Cipa] A teardrop-shaped mirror that's a little out of the ordinary.
-*[http://www.rkexcelamerica.com/street_ken_sean.html Ken Sean] mirrors are affordable and widely available.
+*[http://www.rkexcelamerica.com/street_ken_sean.html Ken Sean] Affordable and widely available.
+*[http://www.motostrano.com/nabarendmi.html Napoleon] May not be available due to distribution problems.
+*[http://www.classicpartsltd.com/classicmotorcyclemirrors.htm  Halcyon] Pricey, for the cafe racer crowd.
 *[http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-parts/mirrors-grips-handlebars.htm webBikeWorld] has links to dozens of mirror manufacturers.
-*eBay often has many dealers selling bar end mirrors. These may come without a brand name (many of them are distributed by Emgo) but the price is right.
+===="Ebay" mirrors====
+eBay often has many dealers selling bar end mirrors. These may come without a brand name (many of them are distributed by Emgo) but the price is right. These are shown below. They are available at dozens of places on eBay (just search 'bar end mirror') or from [http://www.d2moto.com/p-5498-universal-honda-kawasaki-suzuki-yamaha-black-billet-motorcycle-bar-end-mirrors-street.aspx D2MOTO], among others.
+[[image:806379.jpg|150px]]
+[[image:806380.jpg|150px]]
+They look like this:
+[[image:5498.jpg|110px]]
+To install, remove the silver insert and put a longer stainless steel bolt in. These are shown with 14 oz [[Removing & replacing bar ends|HVMP bar ends]]. They also work just fine with the stock bar ends.
+[[image:DSCN3065.JPG.jpg|150px]]
+This is not the highest quality product, but it's a very economical way to get better visibility and a different look for the front of your bike. The hardware can rust and parts can snap off if you're overly aggressive while tightening (see picture above).
+If you're going with bar end mirrors, you'll probably want to remove your stock mirrors. You can get block off plates to cover the holes left in the fairing. Search eBay for 'Ninja 250 block off'. Ebay vendors come and go, but one that has had them is called [http://stores.ebay.com/Motorcycle-and-Sport-Bike-Parts Billet Sport Bike Parts].
+[[image:806381.jpg|150px]]
 ==Standard handlebar-mounted mirror option==
-The 'body' mounted mirrors of the Ninja are a bit forward of mirrors that would be mounted in the more traditional handlebar mount method.
+The 'body' mounted mirrors of the Ninja are a bit forward of mirrors that would be mounted in the more traditional handlebar mount method. Bar-mounted mirrors are further back and make it easier to get a little more of a view behind you without necessarily going wider. They are also easier to make wider without having to resort to fabricating or other more drastic methods.
-Traditional bar-mounted mirrors are further back and make it easier to get a little more of a view behind you without necessarily going wider. They are also easier to make wider without having to resort to fabricating or other more drastic methods. They might not look as good as body mounted mirrors, but if you are more interested in function than appearance they may be worth considering.
-If you want to put your mirrors on the bars there are plenty of options. Later 250's have mounts on the brake and clutch perches for mirrors. Most have at least the one on the clutch side. Handlebar-mount mirrors are available from [http://emgo.com/main_layout.html EMGO] (see a local shop) and nearly every parts house on the web.
+If you want to put your mirrors on the bars there are plenty of options. Later 250's have mounts on the brake and clutch perches for mirrors. Most have at least the one on the clutch side. Handlebar-mount mirrors are available from [http://emgo.com/main_layout.html EMGO] & [http://www.bikemaster.com/bmstrv2.nsf/home?openform Bikemaster] (both sell through shops) and nearly every parts house on the web. Download the Emgo Filter-Mirror Catalog pdf or look at the Bikemaster site and see all the different styles of mirrors you can get.
 Shown below is a 2007 EX250 with mirrors from a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_KLR650 Kawasaki KLR]. Many different mirrors will work on the bike, but this is a known application. These KLR mirrors give a lot better rear view than the stock ones.
@@ Line 108: / Line 129: @@
 You can definitely widen the mirror positioning with extensions and get a better view behind you, without wasting huge amounts of mirror 'real estate' on your elbows. If you do any lane splitting though, widened positioning may be noticeable. Also, the unique nature of the body-mounted mirrors makes widening hardware less simple than tweaking standard mirrors or exploring alternatives.
-If you want to try to make your own extensions, you can take a look at this [[Toolmaker's mirror extensions|not-exactly-a-how-to]] for some ideas. You're gonna need some tools...
+If you want to try to make your own extensions, you can take a look at this [[Toolmaker's mirror extensions|not-exactly-a-how-to]] for some ideas. [[Toolmaker's mirror extensions v3|Version 3]] is a little more refined. You're gonna need some tools...