Bad gas mileage and when should I get my 250 looked over at the shop

zainejack · May 25th, 2012, 02:17 PM

Hey just I'm curious what you guys on here think. I bought a 2011 250 from a guy about 2 months ago it's I'm great condition other than a little fairing damage on the left side from the previous owner dropping it at a very low speed in his gravel driveway. Anyways back to the actual reason for this post. When I bought the bike from him it had 2,600 miles on it since then I've put about 1,400 miles on it changed the oil right after I got it because it was nearly empty and pitch black. My problem is I'm only averaging right at about 190 miles to a tank of gas and I don't care if I'm redlining in every gear I shoul be getting much better mileage than that. I'm thinking air filter could do that trick along with some sea foam what do you guys think??? Also when do you think I should get some engine maintenance/carbs rejetted and things of at nature this is my first bike and I'm not really familiar with when to get service done so I need answers thanks.

NJ Ninjette · May 25th, 2012, 02:21 PM

Just asking, is the gauge showing empty or is the tank empty taking 4 gallons on fill up?

zainejack · May 25th, 2012, 02:24 PM

Oh no the gauge is perfectly functional I know this because I tried to stretch it after it hit E and ended up waiting for my fiancé and a gas can to come to the rescue haha. I'm just curious as to why I'm only averaging about 40mpg I got this because of the amazing gas mileage well I mean among other exciting and adrenaline pumping things haha. Regardless if I wanted 40mpg I would of just got a civic ya know

nakedhunter · May 25th, 2012, 02:57 PM

Probably should have got the civic then...
Yeah 40 mpg is a bit low but the new-gens don't seem to get the mpg the pre-gens did.
My 2009 averages about 48 mpg, my old 1992 was getting right around 60 mpg all the way up until last year when I dumped her for the new one.
I keep tight tabs on my mpg using fuelly.com. You can see several 2011's from 59 mpg to 28 mpg.
I think it depends on how you ride it.
http://www.fuelly.com/motorcycle/kawasaki/ninja%20250r

But I still think the ninjettes are much more fun on the road over any civic.

zainejack · May 25th, 2012, 03:06 PM

I mean as long as its average then Im fine I was just concerned that something was wrong with the bike I think changing my airfikterandcsome good ole sea foam will show me some results tho. Well at least I hope so but if anyone else has any suggestions I would to hear what you got to say thanks a lot for everyone who has responded tho!!!

xSean13 · May 25th, 2012, 03:11 PM

I think it also depends on what type of riding you do, such as interstate/highway vs. city riding with lots of stop & go's.

Seananniganss · May 25th, 2012, 03:59 PM

I just posted not too long ago about my mileage being crappy. I seem to be getting right around 40 mpg also. So I'd love to hear how the air filter and sea foam work out for you. The mileage for me seems to get especially bad on the freeway.

EthioKnight · May 25th, 2012, 05:09 PM

Unless your air filter is totally clogged in sh!t ('scuse moi french

), cleaning/replacing it will not guarantee a dramatic solution to your problem. It's a good thing to clean your air filter for general maintenance and upkeep but don't get your hopes up too much. As to running SeaFoam, that stuff works and I religiously put some in my gas tank every two weeks or so...sorta like vitamin supplements for my baby

... to keep the carbs nice, clean and gunk free. Good luck with both and I hope you see the results you're hoping for.
I'd check the petcock for proper functioning (they're know to leak) also check the fuel lines for integrity.

NathanUc · May 25th, 2012, 05:18 PM

Just depends on a lot of things. I get as low as 40mpg a lot of times but can get it up to 70 easily if I try. Riding style and weight have a lot to do it your mileage.

zainejack · May 25th, 2012, 05:18 PM

Thanks for all the advice man and like I said i'm new to bikes could you explain exactly what petcock is haha excuse my squidness haha
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Alex · May 26th, 2012, 12:36 PM

Relevant thread:

Gas Mileage- Is your a Sipper or iz it Sooopazz, yo!!

/thread moved to new-gen tech

DaBlue1 · May 26th, 2012, 01:13 PM

Many factors can affect mpg; altitude, temp, humidity, wind, tire pressure, speed, weight, gearing, long warm up periods, fuel quality and overall tuning of the bike. The avg Ninja 250 can get 220-240 miles to a tank riding conservatively with an occasional red line sprint here and there. Once you go past half throttle, your mpg will take a hit.

From what it sounds like is that the previous owners may have been a little neglectful as far as maintenance goes. If the oil was neglected, the air filter probably was too. If the bike has been down there's a small chance that there may be some oil in the airbox and your filter may be a little dirty.. Depending on how the bike was / is stored, fuel quality could be an issue as well as an effectively running carb.

Seafoam or Star Tron Fuel Treatment can help with a fuel and /or carb issue. I prefer the later. The best stuff I've used so far.

zainejack · May 26th, 2012, 02:53 PM

Ok thanks a lot for the advice I bought it with 2600 miles on it and just hit 4000 today so i'm thinking at about 5000 ilk take it into my local cycle world and get the carbs checked and pretty much jay a once over on the engine replace the Sparks and all that jazz but i'm thinking some sea foam and air filter will be my first two steps and then I'll go from there
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May 25th, 2012, 02:17 PM	#1
zainejack love my ninja!!! Name: Zaine Location: virginia beach Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2011 black Ninja 250 (sold) 2011 special edition Ninja 250 (sold) 2003 Ninja 636 (current) Posts: 45	Bad gas mileage and when should I get my 250 looked over at the shop Hey just I'm curious what you guys on here think. I bought a 2011 250 from a guy about 2 months ago it's I'm great condition other than a little fairing damage on the left side from the previous owner dropping it at a very low speed in his gravel driveway. Anyways back to the actual reason for this post. When I bought the bike from him it had 2,600 miles on it since then I've put about 1,400 miles on it changed the oil right after I got it because it was nearly empty and pitch black. My problem is I'm only averaging right at about 190 miles to a tank of gas and I don't care if I'm redlining in every gear I shoul be getting much better mileage than that. I'm thinking air filter could do that trick along with some sea foam what do you guys think??? Also when do you think I should get some engine maintenance/carbs rejetted and things of at nature this is my first bike and I'm not really familiar with when to get service done so I need answers thanks.

May 25th, 2012, 05:18 PM	#9
NathanUc B-Town Ninja Name: Nathan Location: Bloomington, IN Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): Black 2013 Ninja ZX6R ABS Posts: 609 Blog Entries: 3	Just depends on a lot of things. I get as low as 40mpg a lot of times but can get it up to 70 easily if I try. Riding style and weight have a lot to do it your mileage. __________________________________________________ Downgraded to a 2013 636. Previous owner of a 2010 250r --------------------------------- My moto-vlog YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/bloomingtonninja

May 26th, 2012, 12:36 PM	#11
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Relevant thread: Gas Mileage- Is your a Sipper or iz it Sooopazz, yo!! /thread moved to new-gen tech __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

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May 25th, 2012, 02:21 PM	#2
NJ Ninjette ninjette.org member Name: Joe Location: NJ Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R, 2007 Husky TE 250, 2002 KTM EXC 250r Posts: 217	Just asking, is the gauge showing empty or is the tank empty taking 4 gallons on fill up?

May 25th, 2012, 02:24 PM	#3
zainejack love my ninja!!! Name: Zaine Location: virginia beach Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2011 black Ninja 250 (sold) 2011 special edition Ninja 250 (sold) 2003 Ninja 636 (current) Posts: 45	Oh no the gauge is perfectly functional I know this because I tried to stretch it after it hit E and ended up waiting for my fiancé and a gas can to come to the rescue haha. I'm just curious as to why I'm only averaging about 40mpg I got this because of the amazing gas mileage well I mean among other exciting and adrenaline pumping things haha. Regardless if I wanted 40mpg I would of just got a civic ya know

May 25th, 2012, 02:57 PM	#4
nakedhunter ninjette.org member Name: Naked Location: Colorado Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R (RED) Posts: 59	Probably should have got the civic then... Yeah 40 mpg is a bit low but the new-gens don't seem to get the mpg the pre-gens did. My 2009 averages about 48 mpg, my old 1992 was getting right around 60 mpg all the way up until last year when I dumped her for the new one. I keep tight tabs on my mpg using fuelly.com. You can see several 2011's from 59 mpg to 28 mpg. I think it depends on how you ride it. http://www.fuelly.com/motorcycle/kawasaki/ninja%20250r But I still think the ninjettes are much more fun on the road over any civic.

May 25th, 2012, 03:06 PM	#5
zainejack love my ninja!!! Name: Zaine Location: virginia beach Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2011 black Ninja 250 (sold) 2011 special edition Ninja 250 (sold) 2003 Ninja 636 (current) Posts: 45	I mean as long as its average then Im fine I was just concerned that something was wrong with the bike I think changing my airfikterandcsome good ole sea foam will show me some results tho. Well at least I hope so but if anyone else has any suggestions I would to hear what you got to say thanks a lot for everyone who has responded tho!!!

May 25th, 2012, 03:11 PM	#6
xSean13 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Middle TN Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r (sold) / '03 CBR 600RR Posts: A lot.	I think it also depends on what type of riding you do, such as interstate/highway vs. city riding with lots of stop & go's.

May 25th, 2012, 03:59 PM	#7
Seananniganss ninjette.org member Name: Sean Location: SoCal Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): Triumph Daytona 675 Posts: 26	I just posted not too long ago about my mileage being crappy. I seem to be getting right around 40 mpg also. So I'd love to hear how the air filter and sea foam work out for you. The mileage for me seems to get especially bad on the freeway.

May 25th, 2012, 05:09 PM	#8
EthioKnight Super Noob Name: Alex Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, '84 Honda Spree 50cc Posts: A lot.	Unless your air filter is totally clogged in sh!t ('scuse moi french ), cleaning/replacing it will not guarantee a dramatic solution to your problem. It's a good thing to clean your air filter for general maintenance and upkeep but don't get your hopes up too much. As to running SeaFoam, that stuff works and I religiously put some in my gas tank every two weeks or so...sorta like vitamin supplements for my baby ... to keep the carbs nice, clean and gunk free. Good luck with both and I hope you see the results you're hoping for. I'd check the petcock for proper functioning (they're know to leak) also check the fuel lines for integrity.

May 26th, 2012, 01:13 PM	#12
DaBlue1 Long Time Rider Name: Blue Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Many factors can affect mpg; altitude, temp, humidity, wind, tire pressure, speed, weight, gearing, long warm up periods, fuel quality and overall tuning of the bike. The avg Ninja 250 can get 220-240 miles to a tank riding conservatively with an occasional red line sprint here and there. Once you go past half throttle, your mpg will take a hit. From what it sounds like is that the previous owners may have been a little neglectful as far as maintenance goes. If the oil was neglected, the air filter probably was too. If the bike has been down there's a small chance that there may be some oil in the airbox and your filter may be a little dirty.. Depending on how the bike was / is stored, fuel quality could be an issue as well as an effectively running carb. Seafoam or Star Tron Fuel Treatment can help with a fuel and /or carb issue. I prefer the later. The best stuff I've used so far.

May 26th, 2012, 02:53 PM	#13
zainejack love my ninja!!! Name: Zaine Location: virginia beach Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2011 black Ninja 250 (sold) 2011 special edition Ninja 250 (sold) 2003 Ninja 636 (current) Posts: 45	Ok thanks a lot for the advice I bought it with 2600 miles on it and just hit 4000 today so i'm thinking at about 5000 ilk take it into my local cycle world and get the carbs checked and pretty much jay a once over on the engine replace the Sparks and all that jazz but i'm thinking some sea foam and air filter will be my first two steps and then I'll go from there Posted via Mobile Device