2008 Ninja 250R PLEASE READ!!!!

[ArmyScott]

First off let me say one thing, this was not the bike I wanted. I had a 2003 GSX-R 600 all picked out and everything. But I got to talking to my dad about it and he go to talking to his friends about it and decided I would die on it, lol. So we went out and bought this lil 250R. And I was very suprised with the power it has and how well you can handel the bike. I thought that when I got this bike I would be bored with it in a matter of no time, but I wake up every morning excited that I get to ride it. But I have a couple of questions, and keep in mind that it is still under warrenty.

Should I do any upgrading to this bike, such as an exhaust or something like that to make it sound better.

I want to be able to be going down the interstate at 80-90ish mph without being at or around 9-11thousand rpms. Is there anyway to make the rpms be at 7-8 rpms going 80-90 mph.

I have a girlfriend and she wants to ride with me. Is this a good bike for that, or is it too small. And if she can ride on it with me, give me some tips on how I should ride with her on it and what she should and shouldnt do while riding.

And for now thats about it, this is my first bike and so far ive been very happy with it. I would also love some feedback on this topic. Thanks!!!

[Kawasaki ZX600r]

The interstate is made to go 70 around here so??? As far as running a high RPM it is made for it. I don't know what it runs but... And for two up, there is alot of people on here that ride two up on them and never have a problem. If you get tired of it run it up here and I will trade you my 88' CBR600 for it.

[Kawasaki ZX600r]

Also, you can re gear it to lower the RPM, but you will loose power doing so.

[V2K_CCTX]

the bike is designed to operate at any speed as long as its below the redline....and two up should be no prob, as many v-twins can barely find 45hp

[CheeseHeadNinja]

Ninja 250 is a great starter bike, and your dad made a good choice starting you on that. Every new rider wants a gixxer, but remember, gixxers are for squids

As far as going 80-90 at high RPM, if you're in 6th gear then there really isnt a way to lower those rpm (other than getting a smaller rear sprocket, which i don't recommend).

I'd also advise you to get at least a couple thousand miles under your belt before riding two-up.

[ArmyScott]

Wow, i only posted that an hour ago and got alot or replies, thanks guy

[NCDave]

Don't worry about spending money on the sound or performance. it won't be worth it. if you really want to, go ahead, but it won't make any big difference.

You can install a larger sproket in back, or smaller in front to lower RPMs. this will help with the top end some, but remember that it effects all the gears across the rpm range. usually the front is replaced with 1 tooth + or -, and the rear by 2 teeth. Again, not something I would recommend as the change won't be so dramatic that it will change the bike on the high end THAT much.

Honestly, just leave it alone and enjoy it. You're not missing a thing by not doing the mods.

As for two-up, start out slowly. Take very short trips to allow your girl to get the feel and get comfortable, and also to give yourself time to get familiar with having someone on the back. The bike will handle the two of you, but in time, if you find that the two of you really enjoy it and ride a lot, you can move up to something bigger.

[eidian]

I saw a Two Brothers exhaust at Cycle Gear this past weekend and it looked beefy! But in-the-end, keep the 250R stock. It just got an amazing work-over and face lift...why mess with it's perfection? Remember, it's a small parallel-twin so it's never gonna have that sound that I know you want--your next bigger bike that you purchase in a couple of years will have that sound. Another reason to not swap-out the exhaust is because the bike is carburated; it's a little more difficult to get the bike to run right with all of the jetting and what not (albeit if it can be done right, it would be cheaper to do than doing it to the FI equavilent).

The high rev's is just part of the bike's character. If you want to cruise going 90 mph while the tach says 7k, you need to get a litre bike.

Definitely get accustomed to your bike before you decide to ride two-up. I have over 15k miles under my belt in less than two years time and I'm on my second bike--but I still will not ride with a passenger. That's just me though, I'm paranoid and I feel that I don't have the experience to take on the responsibility of having a passenger with me on the bike.

Welcome to the forum and ride the hell out of that 250R! It's an awesome bike!

[ervins]

Originally Posted by CheeseHeadNinja

Ninja 250 is a great starter bike, and your dad made a good choice starting you on that. Every new rider wants a gixxer, but remember, gixxers are for squids

As far as going 80-90 at high RPM, if you're in 6th gear then there really isnt a way to lower those rpm (other than getting a smaller rear sprocket, which i don't recommend).

I'd also advise you to get at least a couple thousand miles under your belt before riding two-up.

+1...Two up with little experience is a big no no. Two up on it? How heavy are you and your girl...I would not be going through a fast interstate two up if both of you are over 300+lbs. Back roads yest...Highway no. As far as going faster without the buzz...Tough luck you bought a bike with less HP. As far as modding that bike...Forget that. a few thousand miles and that bike will be in someone else's hands.

[ArmyScott]

Yea, I will be trading it in in a couple of months anyways to get someting bigger. Not to sure what though. And I am going to take the BRC here soon, mainly to make my dad happy and military gets it free(woot). And I weigh like 140 and she weight like 120 or something like that(hope she doesnt read that and say"120, i only weight 116.5, u calling me fat, lol). But I do love this little bike and my dad rode it the other day and he says its more fun to ride then his 1980 someting 750 Honda Saber. But I guess if I mess with it any it will be a waste of time and money. And Eidian's right, it will never sound the way I want it too. Thanks guys

[NCDave]

Hah! I knew there was a reason I liked your dad! I used to have an 82 V45 Sabre. What a wonderful engine!

I can't believe you just called your girlfriend fat!!!

[ervins]

Originally Posted by ArmyScott

Yea, I will be trading it in in a couple of months anyways to get someting bigger. Not to sure what though. And I am going to take the BRC here soon, mainly to make my dad happy and military gets it free(woot). And I weigh like 140 and she weight like 120 or something like that(hope she doesnt read that and say"120, i only weight 116.5, u calling me fat, lol). But I do love this little bike and my dad rode it the other day and he says its more fun to ride then his 1980 someting 750 Honda Saber. But I guess if I mess with it any it will be a waste of time and money. And Eidian's right, it will never sound the way I want it too. Thanks guys

Smart move...Get your miles under your belt and then get a bike you can ride two up on...If you can maybe keep the bike but if that stops you from getting a 6R, then sell that thing stat!

[MN_Smurf]

Originally Posted by NCDave

You can install a larger sproket in back, or smaller in front to lower RPMs. this will help with the top end some, but remember that it effects all the gears across the rpm range. usually the front is replaced with 1 tooth + or -, and the rear by 2 teeth. Again, not something I would recommend as the change won't be so dramatic that it will change the bike on the high end THAT much.

Wrong way around Dave....to drop RPM's at a given speed, you need to go up on the front and down on the back. Common combinations on the older body style are to go from a 14T to a 15T on the front (a 16T is available, but it won't fit under the guard) and change the rear 45T to a 42T or 44T. Just doing the front sprocket makes quite a difference....almost 1000 rpm drop at 70mph on my Ninjette. That being said, I don't know what the stock gearing is on the '08...check with the guys over at Ninja 250 Riders Club :: Profiles....they could tell probably give you some guidance....

[love2ride]

Changing the gearing on the 250 does not change much as far as performance, since there isnt much to begin with.

I run a 15T front and 44T rear on an 06. Stock gearing on the 88-07's is 14T/42T.

I commute on the interstate for a 100 mile round trip. Speeds here are usually in the 80's+. I have NO problem accelerating with or passing. The bike has more power than peopke think it has, especially those that have never ridden one.

You are going to hear that it cant get out of its own way, a lot. They have never ridden one, or they dont ride.

[NCDave]

Originally Posted by MN_Smurf

Wrong way around Dave....to drop RPM's at a given speed, you need to go up on the front and down on the back. Common combinations on the older body style are to go from a 14T to a 15T on the front (a 16T is available, but it won't fit under the guard) and change the rear 45T to a 42T or 44T. Just doing the front sprocket makes quite a difference....almost 1000 rpm drop at 70mph on my Ninjette. That being said, I don't know what the stock gearing is on the '08...check with the guys over at Ninja 250 Riders Club :: Profiles....they could tell probably give you some guidance....

I stand corrected!!! That's why I've never done it on mine! In fact, I prefer shafts!!!!!

[MN_Smurf]

Originally Posted by love2ride

Stock gearing on the 88-07's is 14T/42T.

Sometime in the early 90's, the stock gearing was changed to 14T/45T.....

[ArmyScott]

Originally Posted by NCDave

Hah! I knew there was a reason I liked your dad! I used to have an 82 V45 Sabre. What a wonderful engine!

I can't believe you just called your girlfriend fat!!!

I didnt call my girl fat, lol. But yea he bought the bike about 2-3 yrs ago and rode it for a lil bit and then traded it for an AR-15. Now hes going to trade back so we can ride toghther.

[xeon]

To lower the cruising RPMs, the popular mod on the older 250 was to go +1 on the front sprocket. Very quick, cheap and easy to do.

You can ride two up on the bike, but it is a small bike. Of more concern would be the fact that you are a new rider. If you do take on a passenger, just keep in mind that you don't stop as fast, accelerate as fast, your suspension is more loaded, weight is distributed different, etc. You also want to go over some things with your passengers about riding and basic communications... don't assume they know what to do or how to ride. That is a whole other thread though.

[maximum_babe]

Heya Scott.. Congrats on your new 250
Since i am an rather experienced pillion rider ( on many types of bikes and diff riders) I can tell u that the 250 will carry both of u with no probs. I went pillion on a twisties ride with a friend who weighs a heck lot more than u, (i'm 110lbs) on my zzr250.
However, it worries me that u plan on hitting the freeways at 80mph? WHY???? Even if u are a skilled biker, u never know which idiot out there is going to miss seeing u. Pls... reconsider.
Anyway.. my usual note.... PLEASE make sure you and your gf are well geared up for ALL rides. Sh!t happens...
It just happened to a friend of mine who borrowed my bike yesterday. Thank goodness i insisted he borrow another friend's riding gear.
Needless to say, it saved his face and knees big time. My bike however.. is not looking pretty at the moment.
Pls pls pls... gear up always. We like you looking the way u are now... intact!

[ArmyScott]

Originally Posted by maximum_babe

Heya Scott.. Congrats on your new 250
Since i am an rather experienced pillion rider ( on many types of bikes and diff riders) I can tell u that the 250 will carry both of u with no probs. I went pillion on a twisties ride with a friend who weighs a heck lot more than u, (i'm 110lbs) on my zzr250.
However, it worries me that u plan on hitting the freeways at 80mph? WHY???? Even if u are a skilled biker, u never know which idiot out there is going to miss seeing u. Pls... reconsider.
Anyway.. my usual note.... PLEASE make sure you and your gf are well geared up for ALL rides. Sh!t happens...
It just happened to a friend of mine who borrowed my bike yesterday. Thank goodness i insisted he borrow another friend's riding gear.
Needless to say, it saved his face and knees big time. My bike however.. is not looking pretty at the moment.
Pls pls pls... gear up always. We like you looking the way u are now... intact!

Well the speed limits around here are around 65-75 and everybody goes 70-80, plus slow = boring, lol. But yea I am always geared up, expect for the pants. I got the helmet jacket and gloves, guess i prolly need some riding boots too. And I told my girl that she will have to buy all the gear before i will let her on it, and ill prolly have her drive it before she rides on it too so she can have a feeling of what its like.