Kawisaki Ninja 250R discussion

[cat0020]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

I'm thinking the bike was dropped hard.

Dropped hard or at speed might have snapped the clutch lever or with lots of scratch marks, bent as mine more than likely dropped in driveway or parking lot speed.

I'm always on the lookout for good deals, that's why they call me el Cheapo.

[Project84]

How in the world did you manage 80mpg out of it last tank?! I ride mine very mixed, sometimes out at full tilt, other times just slow cruising and I've averaged 60mpg mostly so far.

What do you weigh?

How is the ride at 40 psi?

How much seafoam did you put in the gas tank?

What RPM are you shifting?

What RPM are you cruising?

Do you downshift to slow down or do you just clutch it and use the brakes?

Are you killing the engine ever? At redlights or while in traffic?


Thanks

[cat0020]

[QUOTE=Project84;151864]How in the world did you manage 80mpg out of it last tank?! I ride mine very mixed, sometimes out at full tilt, other times just slow cruising and I've averaged 60mpg mostly so far.

What do you weigh?

I weigh about 150 lb. with full riding gear, including helmet.

How is the ride at 40 psi?

Ride decent, I can't tell if it is any more harsh than regular tire pressure, soft suspension could have made up the difference.

How much seafoam did you put in the gas tank?

about 1 full oz. and another 1/2 oz. in crank case, changed the oil to Mobil 1 after riding 60 miles with SeaFoam in crank case.

What RPM are you shifting?

Between 7-8000 rpm, only when passing cars I would rev up above 10k

What RPM are you cruising?

Cruising at below 6000 rpm

Do you downshift to slow down or do you just clutch it and use the brakes?

No downshift, no clutch, only let engine to act as brake until bout 3-4000 rpm then use brakes.

Are you killing the engine ever? At redlights or while in traffic?

No so much, only if there is heavy traffic and I won't be able to get through the light after the first change, I turn the engine off, walk the bike towards as the traffic inches forward. I keep my chain lubricated, make sure the brake rotors do not drag so much.

[Project84]

Inspiring.

I'm probably 210lbs w/ gear on.

Keep my chain lubed and clean as well. I'm going to try some seafoam next tank of gas and after I fill up with fresh gas I'll be changing oil. I just bought some Rotella T6 Full Syn 5w-40 and a wix filter.

[Jim T.]

Good find! 3.2k miles its not even broken in yet.

Jim

Originally Posted by cat0020

Picked this one up on Tuesday for under $500.
05 Ninja 250, little over 3200 mi. with busted front fender, bent clutch lever, ripped seat, bald rear tire, small dent on tank/exhaust, small crack on tail fairing, been sitting for a while and stumbles to start, would not stay idle...
I truck it home, drain tank, put in fresh fuel mixed with Seafoam, 1/2 hours later it idles & runs like a champ... I already put over 160 miles on it with the bald rear tire..

[Project84]

cat0020 - Do you do your own motorcycle maintenance?

I've learned that these bikes need the valves adjusted at 6k mile and I'm cresting 7k miles on mine now. Maybe because I'm aware of this now, but it seems like I'm hearing more engine noise than normal, especially at 7-8k rpm.

I have the info printed out as well as info on syncing the carbs. Any tips?

Great site for how-to and info:
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Main_Page

[cat0020]

Originally Posted by Project84

cat0020 - Do you do your own motorcycle maintenance?

Most of the time, yes. I buy used bikes that I like, fix them up, ride them and turn them around.

I've learned that these bikes need the valves adjusted at 6k mile and I'm cresting 7k miles on mine now. Maybe because I'm aware of this now, but it seems like I'm hearing more engine noise than normal, especially at 7-8k rpm.

AFAIK, the Ninja 250's valves tend to get tight when they go out of adjustment. louder volve noise at around 7-8000 rpm is quite normal, I'd be worried when the valves get quiet.

I have the info printed out as well as info on syncing the carbs. Any tips?

I'm used to using Twimax for carb sync on BMW Boxer twins, pretty straightforward job.

Great site for how-to and info:
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Main_Page

Thanks

[Project84]

Thanks!

What about the homeade tool for syncing carbs? Any experience?

I was planning on making one like this:
http://faq.ninja250.org/images/thumb...by_bottles.jpg

Or doing this at the very least...
http://faq.ninja250.org/images/thumb...bing_setup.jpg

It's supposed to rain all week/weekend, so maybe I'll tackle all this sometimes in the next few days.

I'm guessing the valve adjustment, sync carbs, and oil change will take about 4 or 5 hours total?

[cat0020]

Originally Posted by Project84

What about the homeade tool for syncing carbs? Any experience?

I was planning on making one like this:
http://faq.ninja250.org/images/thumb...by_bottles.jpg

Or doing this at the very least...
http://faq.ninja250.org/images/thumb...bing_setup.jpg

It's supposed to rain all week/weekend, so maybe I'll tackle all this sometimes in the next few days.

I'm guessing the valve adjustment, sync carbs, and oil change will take about 4 or 5 hours total?

No experience with homemade carb sync tool... looks easy enough, but whether it be sensitive enough maybe the determining factor.

I usually avoid carb/engine tuning work in foul weather, I want to test ride while/after tuning, make sure I did the work proper and not have to find out when the weather is nice and I've planned to be riding. But that's just me...

I've put over 1000 miles on my Ninja since June 3rd, yesterday I rode 190 miles, 40 of which was on a 4-lane highway; engine was sustained above 10,000 rpm for a good while.. had no proplem keeping up with drivers who are willing to loose their licenses.

[Project84]

Highway riding is not much fun!! Your mileage is blowing mine away man... I gotta figure out what I'm doing. For starters, I'm not thinking "fuel economy" when I'm riding... that may be a good place to start. I also weigh about 60 lbs more than you.

I did 30 miles on the highway Saturday afternoon to a marina where my g/f was working. 70mph on the speedo (they say they're 10mph inaccurate on the high side, so more like 60ish mph) was 8,500 rpm I believe? Speed limit is 70mph on the highway around here so I was putting along. After hanging at the marina, I rode back roads another 10 miles south.

Sunday morning I had the whole 40 mile commute north on the highway. I ran about 10-11k rpm the whole way, leaning one elbow on the tank and being thankful for the earplugs I remembered to bring. I know mileage is taking a big hit once you get up to 70-80mph but that's what is required to flow with traffic around here.

Maybe my next tank I'll really focus on FE.