2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX500

hey guys. Im new to these forums but i've been lookin for some decent sports bike forums for a while and i think i've found my place.

Anyway, I got my bike last summer, brand new, financed it. It was left over inventory, 2006 Ninja EX500 and i've only gotten 600 miles into it, so its still in its break in period. I just got into bikes so i dont know much about them. The dealer that i went to wants to charge me an arm and a leg for a regular maintenance check up that i want to do to it so i was wondering if anyone here that has the same or similar model bike can give me any tips about it or bike tips in general.

Also, i love my bike but i do realize its a smaller engine. Im not gonna upgrade to a bigger one tho, i fell in love with it and the way it rides. However i do want to upgrade the exhaust pipes on it to make it at least sound a little more ballsy, and run a little better. I been lookin around and even checked with the dealer but i dont have many options for this bike, because of its smaller engine size i guess. So if anyone here knows a place or a site that i can get some better help with i'd appreciate it.

btw, live to ride, ride to live 4ever  

Snoop around online for forums specific to your bike haha believe me they have em! If not your exact model then one that is really close to it IE: ninja 250 forums because most users of the forums I have found have had other models of the same brand and either have the info you want or know where to direct you for it!

Good luck & be safe!  

that bike has been around for a long time, so there must be a lot of aftermarket parts for it.
just try google and you're bound to discover all sorts of stuff!  

hey i got the same bike a great site for it is
www.ex-500.com u can find what u need on there. however no matter what u do to it ur not going to get more power. changing the exhaust will sound better and maybe lose a little weight but thats it check out the site. pat  

I too own a Ninja 500,2006. That's b.s. ,you certainly can get more power from an ex500. I'm using an ignition advancer,carbs are running 140 keihin jets with lift holes drilled and air/fuel open 3 turns,stock needles and springs, D&D slipon pipes ,Uni filter and Fog's airbox mod. This thing rips. I don't get into dynos but it has a lot more power across the rev range than it came with.Don't waste your time on a jet kit, it'll never run clean again.These bikes always end up with flat spots between 5 and 7k rpm's.And one more thing ,don't try pod filters cause it won't run for sh#@,your bike needs the negative pressure of the airbox to suck fuel out of the jets. And yes, ex500.com is a good place for info.Anything written by a guy named FOG (fast old guy)you can trust,o.k.  

I just bought a 06 ex500 ninja like yesterday, I put a muzzy exhaust on it, you have to grind the fairings a bit but it sounds pretty good  

like yesterday, or yesterday? they're two different days i think.  

full exhaust? rejet that ***  

Yeah, look into some Sarachu slip-ons for your 500, they're great and unlike many full systems (that wont give you any more power) you won't have to lose your center stand.
I have a lil '95 and the two best mods were Pirelli Sport Demon tires (still bias ply but with soft compound) and heavier springs from Race Tech for the front. I cranked the rear shock all the way down as well. With the new rubber and stiffer suspension it was like a whole new rig!
Rubber side down!