Ninja 250

[gfloyd2002]

You probably operated under different riding conditions, or purchased gas from a different station that was higher quality regardless of octane, because higher octane doesn't result in higher gas mileage.

This is because fuel quality has nothing to do with the octane rating. The octane rating is merely a measure of the tendency of gasoline to resist self-igniting using isooctane as the reference benchmark (pinging). So a gasoline with an octane rating of 87 will be equavelent in self-ignition resistance to a mixture of 87% octane and 13% heptane. But a higher octane rating does not equate to more energy in the fuel, cleaner burning, or inherently more performance. It just means higher resistance to self-ignition. And if you aren't self-igniting, you are already getting full efficiency from the fuel. Put another way, all you need is a high enough octane to keep your engine from pinging. The ninjette is designed for 87 and doesn't ping with 87 octane. While putting in 91 or 93 doesn't hurt anything (except your wallet), it isn't doing your engine any good.

Here is a good video explaining it: Explaining Octane Ratings and Motorcycles.

[doogiepooch]

Originally Posted by YJake

I heard these bikes were meant to run on 87 but my average MPG with 93 was around 58mpg and now that I'm using 87 it dropped to about 53mpg.

It's the little things.

-Jake

Same type riding on both types? Operating off nothing but the figures you gave it supports you running premium, you will save $1.40 per tank running premium. But I typed this while gfloyd2002 was typing his response so I didn't see his before I'd submitted mine. I like his answer better.

Based on 4.8 gallon tank
Based on today's national average fuel costs of:
$3.80 for regular x 4.8 gal = $18.24, 4.8 gal x 53 mpg = 254.4, $18.24 / 254.4 = $0.07169811 per mile
$4.09 for premium x 4.8 gal = $19.632, 4.8 gal x 57 mpg = 278.4, $19.632 / 278.4 = $0.07051724 per mile

[amishmotorscoot]

I happened on this motorcycle about two weeks ago, 2006 with 886 miles, the first owner bought it for his wife, she did not take to motorcycles so it sat, the second owner had done some regular maintenance through the years, then bought it for himself, he put about 200 miles on it, but decide he already had too many bikes. I was looking for a motorcycle that had been around for a long time, gets good mpg and would favor my 28" inseam. This seems to fit the bill perfectly AND it is fun! to ride! It's getting its first valve adjust at present and looks to be a terrific commuter and all around great motorcycle. (pic is anemic as I took it with the iPad, about as poor a camera as ever made).

[YJake]

I run the same commute every day, 5 days a week, so the riding conditions have been fairly similar. I log them on Fuelly as well.

-Jake

[100mpg]

144.3333333333333 miles per year. Amazing.

Good luck with it, don't tell me the price it is better I don't want to hear the super deal you got!


and BTW, the Razr maxx has a great phone!

Originally Posted by amishmotorscoot

I happened on this motorcycle about two weeks ago, 2006 with 886 miles, the first owner bought it for his wife, she did not take to motorcycles so it sat, the second owner had done some regular maintenance through the years, then bought it for himself, he put about 200 miles on it, but decide he already had too many bikes. I was looking for a motorcycle that had been around for a long time, gets good mpg and would favor my 28" inseam. This seems to fit the bill perfectly AND it is fun! to ride! It's getting its first valve adjust at present and looks to be a terrific commuter and all around great motorcycle. (pic is anemic as I took it with the iPad, about as poor a camera as ever made).

[facetjoint]

Originally Posted by amishmotorscoot

I happened on this motorcycle about two weeks ago, 2006 with 886 miles, the first owner bought it for his wife, she did not take to motorcycles so it sat, the second owner had done some regular maintenance through the years, then bought it for himself, he put about 200 miles on it, but decide he already had too many bikes. I was looking for a motorcycle that had been around for a long time, gets good mpg and would favor my 28" inseam. This seems to fit the bill perfectly AND it is fun! to ride! It's getting its first valve adjust at present and looks to be a terrific commuter and all around great motorcycle. (pic is anemic as I took it with the iPad, about as poor a camera as ever made).

Are you doing any suspension modifications to favor you 28" inseam? Like lowering the bike?

Thanks

[mikesova]

Originally Posted by facetjoint

Are you doing any suspension modifications to favor you 28" inseam? Like lowering the bike?

Thanks

You shouldn't need to lower an ex250 with a 28" inseam. I have a 28"-30" inseam and I can easily flat foot it.

[amishmotorscoot]

Originally Posted by mikesova

You shouldn't need to lower an ex250 with a 28" inseam. I have a 28"-30" inseam and I can easily flat foot it.

I don't think I'lll need to touch the suspension to affect seat height, I may shave the seat a bit just to narrow it some near the front of the seat. But I'll ride it for awhile before I mess with it. It's a different feel than my old NX so I want to get used to the more forward leaning perch before I mess with it. My commute is only 25-30 miles round trip, but with sunnier weather approaching, I hope to get some longer weekend rides soon.

Regards,
Tim

[andr3w]

Finally found the Ninja 250 thread! Didn't think it existed...

Anyways, I just found this site about a year ago and I am loving it!
Last year I stupidly traded my Kawasaki KLR250 for a 2007 Ninja 250, not that there is anything wrong with the lil Ninja, I love riding it! I just wish I had kept the little KLR because now I cant find another..

The Ninja came with a Givi top box and a custom diamond plate mount for it. But now I am wanting a way to mount some side bags/ammo cans/etc for more storage.
So, here is what the mount looks like.








It is bolted to the grab bar, and has braces running down the sides to the passenger foot pegs. Do you think it's feasible to bolt some ammo cans or such bags to the side of the diamond plate and to the brace? The mount is sturdy as hell. Doesn't wobble or bounce at all. I am just wondering about the forces exerted by bags on the side and the total combined weight...

Let the comments fly and long live the lil ninja!

P.S. No flaming allowed about the mess of a garage. Its been a long winter.

[Cat0020]

Looks to me you've added more semi-perminent weight in mounting rack than you can carry in that topcase.
Nice effort to fabricate stuff, tough..

[andr3w]

I didn't fabricate it, the previous owner did. The whole mount doesn't weigh that much, it's aluminum diamond plate, not steel.
Is there another way that the top box can be mounted in a less cumbersome way? There aren't a whole lot of options available for the two-fiddys...

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk

[gfloyd2002]

There is a forum on Ninja 250 cargo space at Ninjette.org. The forum includes a couple of DIYs for hardlocking saddlebag mounts and a couple for top boxes. Easiest mounting system seems to be using the FastRack luggage rack. Not sure how sturdy that would be for a heavier top box -- I've seen it used with soft tail bags.

[bjorn240]

I use the SW-Motech aluminum rack and a Givi E45 (suitcase-sized) top box on my Concours 250. Looks like a dog, but works fine. For side bags, I think you're on the right track with connecting to the passenger footpegs, but I'd use tubular steel and a welder.

[Domiken]

Hey guys,

Does anyone have a K&N filter on the bike? The airbox on the Ninja has come off from the carbs and I cant get them on for the life of me (dont know what the hell is going on in there), the bike has a really slow get off since they came off (its a few millimeters off touching the airbox) so I was thinking of ripping the whole thing out and just adding the dual 2 into 1 K&N filter but wanted your thoughts on it before purchasing.

[bjorn240]

Don't do it. Figure out what's going on with the stock airbox and put it back on.