Ninja 250 Mods.
So I just bought a 2012 Ninja 250R, and I am new to riding. I was wondering if it would be worth the time and money to make any modifications the the 250 such as exhaust,..etc?
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If you plan on keeping it for a period of time, then go for it. Make it your own. If you plan on selling it in the next year, keep it stock. You'll never get the money out that you'd put into it.jrock2192 said:So I just bought a 2012 Ninja 250R, and I am new to riding. I was wondering if it would be worth the time and money to make any modifications the the 250 such as exhaust,..etc?
:thumb::thumb:If you plan on keeping it for a period of time, then go for it. Make it your own. If you plan on selling it in the next year, keep it stock. You'll never get the money out that you'd put into it.
Can of worms closed....LOL
The first questions you may want to ask yourself is...So I just bought a 2012 Ninja 250R, and I am new to riding. I was wondering if it would be worth the time and money to make any modifications the the 250 such as exhaust,..etc?
"What do you want out of the bike?"
"How much are you willing to spend chasing torque and HP on an engine as small as a 250?"
'Is the bike used for commuting or racing?"
"Are you willing to trade good gas mileage for crappy gas mileage and unnecessary extra maintenance and work?"
If you are a a budget minded owner and looking for a little extra pep, keep the bike rideable and easy to maintain with out breaking the bank, there are a few things you can do.
First, is arm your self with some knowledge read all that you can and then consider doing a mod that will enhance your safety.
How Constant Velocity Carburetors Work
http://www.motorcycleproject.com/mot...bs_work_v3.swf
Motorcycle Carburetor Theory 101
http://www.motorcyclecarbs.com/carbs101.pdf
Pipe Jetting (A Must Read)
http://www.motorcycleproject.com/mot...s-jetting.html
Carburetor Jet Tech
http://www.motorcycleproject.com/mot...et_tech_v3.swf
These few improvements are easy to do, don't cost a lot and will make the bike respond and ride a little better.
1. Shim the needles with (2) two 3mm washers and remove the snorkel. Shims and a little bit more fuel to the 1/4-3/4 throttle range, a little more fuel results in better throttle response-(simple, don't complicate it)(If you have a slip on exhaust removal of the kleen air system is optional if you don't mind the popping.)
2. Replace the stock air filter with;
WIX- P/N: 49721
UNI Air Filter- P/N: NU-2303 or
Pipercross Performance Air Filter- P/N: MXP166 (highly recommended)
4. Leave the airbox in. There is no real need to replace it with pod filters unless you like unnecessary work & spending more time tuning than riding. The exact same or similar results you get with pods you can get with the stock airbox and full exhaust system
3. Install Iridium Spark Plugs-either NGK Iridium CR8EIX or The Denso Iridium IU24
4. Run 87 octane gas, it make more power. Use ethanol free if you can get it.
5. Run full synthetic oil
6. Change your sprocket set up to 15/43, it offers the best balance of acceleration and top speed.
7. If you got a couple hundred dollars, you can change your engine timing. the BRT i-DTIS offers the second most significant gains to HP and torque as far as add ons go. The first is the full exhaust.
8. Learn to ride better by practicing and reading some good motorcycling tips and advice
Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely need to learn more of the mechanic aspects of my bike before I can modify some of these things. But I just don't know how long I will keep the 250 before I move on to a bigger bike.The first questions you may want to ask yourself is...
"What do you want out of the bike?"
"How much are you willing to spend chasing torque and HP on an engine as small as a 250?"
'Is the bike used for commuting or racing?"
"Are you willing to trade good gas mileage for crappy gas mileage and unnecessary extra maintenance and work?"
If you are a a budget minded owner and looking for a little extra pep, keep the bike rideable and easy to maintain with out breaking the bank, there are a few things you can do.
First, is arm your self with some knowledge read all that you can and then consider doing a mod that will enhance your safety.
How Constant Velocity Carburetors Work
http://www.motorcycleproject.com/mot...bs_work_v3.swf
Motorcycle Carburetor Theory 101
http://www.motorcyclecarbs.com/carbs101.pdf
Pipe Jetting (A Must Read)
http://www.motorcycleproject.com/mot...s-jetting.html
Carburetor Jet Tech
http://www.motorcycleproject.com/mot...et_tech_v3.swf
These few improvements are easy to do, don't cost a lot and will make the bike respond and ride a little better.
1. Shim the needles with (2) two 3mm washers and remove the snorkel. Shims and a little bit more fuel to the 1/4-3/4 throttle range, a little more fuel results in better throttle response-(simple, don't complicate it)(If you have a slip on exhaust removal of the kleen air system is optional if you don't mind the popping.)
2. Replace the stock air filter with;
WIX- P/N: 49721
UNI Air Filter- P/N: NU-2303 or
Pipercross Performance Air Filter- P/N: MXP166 (highly recommended)
4. Leave the airbox in. There is no real need to replace it with pod filters unless you like unnecessary work & spending more time tuning than riding. The exact same or similar results you get with pods you can get with the stock airbox and full exhaust system
3. Install Iridium Spark Plugs-either NGK Iridium CR8EIX or The Denso Iridium IU24
4. Run 87 octane gas, it make more power. Use ethanol free if you can get it.
5. Run full synthetic oil
6. Change your sprocket set up to 15/43, it offers the best balance of acceleration and top speed.
7. If you got a couple hundred dollars, you can change your engine timing. the BRT i-DTIS offers the second most significant gains to HP and torque as far as add ons go. The first is the full exhaust.
8. Learn to ride better by practicing and reading some good motorcycling tips and advice
I'm looking at a 250 right now, but depending on how it feels, I may have it a year before upgrading, to give myself time to gain experience upon the skills I learned in MSF. I plan to go from the 250 to a 600 or 650 sometime next year or so depending how it goes.Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely need to learn more of the mechanic aspects of my bike before I can modify some of these things. But I just don't know how long I will keep the 250 before I move on to a bigger bike.
Well from what I can tell the whole 6 miles i've put on my bike, it seems like a perfect beginner bike. Though I have yet to take it on the highway, I feel it has enough get up and go. But to get up and go on it you have to crank it real good.I'm looking at a 250 right now, but depending on how it feels, I may have it a year before upgrading, to give myself time to gain experience upon the skills I learned in MSF. I plan to go from the 250 to a 600 or 650 sometime next year or so depending how it goes.
I'm just worried the '07 250 won't suffice for frequent driving at 75MPH for long periods of time. I fear the 250 will die.Well from what I can tell the whole 6 miles i've put on my bike, it seems like a perfect beginner bike. Though I have yet to take it on the highway, I feel it has enough get up and go. But to get up and go on it you have to crank it real good.
Yeah I'm kind of worried about that as well. I can't remember what my RPMs were when I was at 70 on a back road (won't do that again for a while) the other day, but I think they were kinda high. Then again it wasn't redlined so......I'm just worried the '07 250 won't suffice for frequent driving at 75MPH for long periods of time. I fear the 250 will die.
Have no fear, the 250 engine has been around for over 20 years with bugger all issues over the years. There is a rider on here (Yoursailor05)who uses the 250 for Ironbutt riding. If you don't know what this is, the minimum ride to qualify is 1000miles in 24hrs. He has completed this numerous times with ease. I believe he has about 30,000miles on his bike now.I'm just worried the '07 250 won't suffice for frequent driving at 75MPH for long periods of time. I fear the 250 will die.
There is another member (Spooph) who was trying to get 100,000 miles on his bike. Last time he checked in, he had over 40,000miles clicked up.
There is one thing I plan to do if I get this '07 250, I'm breaking out the hair dryer and goo gone and taking those stupid flame decals off the bike so I can be happy with an all black bike. It won't do anything for performance, but I just hate those freaking decals!Have no fear, the 250 engine has been around for over 20 years with bugger all issues over the years. There is a rider on here (Yoursailor05)who uses the 250 for Ironbutt riding. If you don't know what this is, the minimum ride to qualify is 1000miles in 24hrs. He has completed this numerous times with ease. I believe he has about 30,000miles on his bike now.
There is another member (Spooph) who was trying to get 100,000 miles on his bike. Last time he checked in, he had over 40,000miles clicked up.
I hated the Ninja decals on my 650...
so took them off mine....
Ninja is such a weird name....
so took them off mine....
Ninja is such a weird name....
I have a 2009 with over 22,000 miles. I ride the hwys and interstate often @ 70+ mph with no issues. If you follow the tips in this thread, you'll have no problems either. BTW check out the Ride Report Section, you'll find many Ninja 250 Owners putting in some distance and miles on these bikes. Especially this one- http://www.newninja.com/forums/f136/the-dragon-trip-planning-turned-ride-report-6065.htmlHave no fear, the 250 engine has been around for over 20 years with bugger all issues over the years. There is a rider on here (Yoursailor05)who uses the 250 for Ironbutt riding. If you don't know what this is, the minimum ride to qualify is 1000miles in 24hrs. He has completed this numerous times with ease. I believe he has about 30,000miles on his bike now.
There is another member (Spooph) who was trying to get 100,000 miles on his bike. Last time he checked in, he had over 40,000miles clicked up.
Is the 250 comfortable on long rides?I have a 2009 with over 22,000 miles. I ride the hwys and interstate often @ 70+ mph with no issues. If you follow the tips in this thread, you'll have no problems either. BTW check out the Ride Report Section, you'll find many Ninja 250 Owners putting in some distance and miles on these bikes. Especially this one- http://www.newninja.com/forums/f136/the-dragon-trip-planning-turned-ride-report-6065.html
You'll have to make it comfortable. Seat cushion or better seat is a must have. Better grips can reduce vibrations a little. Bigger tires smooth out the ride and provide better stability. Taller windscreens raise the airflow and gives you a little more to tuck behind. A Tank Bag can be rested upon instead of the tank. Changing seating position (sliding forward or back) helps a whole lot.Is the 250 comfortable on long rides?
True.......You'll have to make it comfortable. Seat cushion or better seat is a must have. Better grips can reduce vibrations a little. Bigger tires smooth out the ride and provide better stability. Taller windscreens raise the airflow and gives you a little more to tuck behind. A Tank Bag can be rested upon instead of the tank. Changing seating position (sliding forward or back) helps a whole lot.
Long rides I have a cheapo atv seat cushion i use.....
actually have it connected to my throw on saddles.....
It sure helps.....
I know the pilot road 3 tire in rear sure helped.....
need one now up front.....
I tried raising my shield, but it made the bike zig n zag more on windy days so moved it back down.......
Maybe the 250/300 is diff?
Every couple hours just give ur ass a break......:thumb::thumb:
I think the longest I'll ever ride is 300 miles back home on a Thursday and back on sunday. Though those Iron butt (?) Rides look interesting but being military I hardly have time to ride that far.True.......
Long rides I have a cheapo atv seat cushion i use.....
actually have it connected to my throw on saddles.....
It sure helps.....
I know the pilot road 3 tire in rear sure helped.....
need one now up front.....
I tried raising my shield, but it made the bike zig n zag more on windy days so moved it back down.......
Maybe the 250/300 is diff?
Every couple hours just give ur ass a break......:thumb::thumb:
Though those Iron butt (?) Rides look interesting but being a student I hardly have the money to ride that far.I think the longest I'll ever ride is 300 miles back home on a Thursday and back on sunday. Though those Iron butt (?) Rides look interesting but being military I hardly have time to ride that far.
Yeah money would be a stopper for me as well. I'll just be happy when ACTUAL spring weather gets to Kansas so I can ride. I need to get some good riding gear for the colder weather. Any sugestions?Though those Iron butt (?) Rides look interesting but being a student I hardly have the money to ride that far.
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