Kawasaki Ninja 500R - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This motor is 60HP, about 31ftlb torque. I think most stock quad motors in this size range (400-500cc) are < 40hp so this one has a little "extra kick". I think maybe the Yamaha Banshee 350 is about like riding this bike. As I think the Banshee has 60HP also, however the banshee HP is only in the power band this Ninja motor has a little better low end torque (This Ninja motor is 4 stroke) and is therefore more "rideable" for riding trails etc, but still this Ninja motor lacks low end torque of most 400-500cc quads but will surely pass them up around 60mph as this quad will run 100mph+, it is geared a little high... LOL. A sprocket change is likely gonna be in order during the rebuild, but we may keep the sprocket setup that is on it now, just for high speed giggles from time to time we might put it back on.

 

Oh, and as for the GSXR600 motor, well, that would be SICK. It has 125hp. Problem is that it comes on all at once at a really high RPM whereas motors like this Ninja 500R motor has a lower and smoother torque curve, translates that it will ride more like a regular quad 4 stroke motor, the GSXR600 motor would be like riding a Banshee with mega HP, very "peaky" HP and you would have to know when the power was about to come on or it would cause the quad to leave you behind if you aren't holding on tight.... but anyway, if you could ride a GSXR600 you can ride a quad with a GSXR600 motor on it, if not would take some getting used too... would be a badass conversion for sure. I see some high HP quads on here with N2O systems etc on them, ask those guys how they "hang on" to those quads, probably with a death grip.... I know this little 500 Ninja/LT230S bike makes me hang on a little bit as the power starts to come on in each gear. It would be much worse if you were a "lightweight" rider, I am 6' about 280lbs so it aint so powerful with my bigass sitting on it, but with a 120-180 pound rider it would be wild...

 

im pretty big also 6`4 around 200 ive ridden both a 750 and 600 gsxr and they both were very quick the 750 had more midrange. I thought the project could be done for fairly cheap, the mods to make it fit are substantial, plus the idea of fuel inj is pretty ill.do you know how hard it is to make everything work, was a donor bike used for parts.

 

Keep in mind someone else did the motor swap on this bike before we got it. Not sure how hard it would be. On this bike they had a donor bike (Ninja 500R) for sure, they cut the lower center of the quad frame away, cut the lower center of the Ninja frame away, welded it into the quad frame, then re-attached the foot pegs, ghetto rigged the shifter etc. This little stubby 230S bike is really NOT big enough to do such a motor swap on, I would recommend starting with a longer quad first, this one really needs the frame lengthened 2 inches. We already extended the swingarm 4" and that helps the ride, but to make the water cooling and all fit really need a little more room in front of the engine, so a 2 inch stretch there would be real nice. The oil pan hangs down really low on this bike too so we are having to build a skid plate for it to protect it. You have to be sure when installing the new motor to line up the sprokets properly from engine sproket to swingarm sproket. Need to make sure the engine fits WITH the gas tank installed on the bike so you can put all the plastics back on it. Then you will need to use the donor bike exhaust or build a whole new exhaust.

 

ball joints are easy to replace the bottom just use the bolt to drive joint out you loosen it slightly hit it till bolt bottoms out then loosen again mine were factory ones and they came out fairly easy

 

I'm putting an 04 GXSR 750 in an 86 LT 250r. I cut the lower frame rails and built a sub-frame that bolts to the foot peg holes in the rear and a cross bar I welded in the front. I can unbolt the sub-frame to drop the engine if needed. I trimed the frame in front of the engine untill the GSXR radiator fit in there, then added some x suports to strenghten the frame. I used some 90* PCV pipe to make intake runners for the throttle bodies. They sit right above the starter. I used cone style short air filters. All that is left to do is install a fuel system. I have a high pressure fuel pump with a built in regulator to get the 45 psi needed. I gutted the petcock and the tank fit without hitting the engine. I used Z400 hubs in the rear and Vinson 4/110 rims with 25" extreme haulers.

 

Sounds like fun. Got any pics? Would love to see the progress on it.

 

I haven't taken any pic's of it, I know I should be taking them. I only work on it when the shop is slow wich isn't much lately.

 

Been a little while since I been here! I had to make the thread magically appear again as it had gone beyond the age limit or something.

Did SOME work on the bike. Gonna take new pics tomorrow, will post some here. Got new glossy black front fenders, new hood, a stock gas tank, new lower ball joints, new radiator fan, got the new battery box welded in, and made room for the radiator. My friend got some new rear tires for his 400EX so we put his old ones on this bike, they are worn out, but better than the crap tires that were on it. About to order new rear fender, and a seat cover, and the upper ball joints. Before long will have it running again, but then going to take it back apart to sandblast and paint everything so it will look nice. It's a combo of black paint, green paint, and rusty metal right now. Will do my best to get those pics posted tomorrow.

 

Good job,that motor looks like it belongs there.