March 5th, 2009, 04:13 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Thomas
Location: Traverse City, MI
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): None Yet Posts: 183
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Newbie Questions: Please Answer
OK, finally got warm enough to take my bike out for the first ride.
Realize, the bike is BRAND NEW. It had 2 miles on it. Also realize my former bikes were a Buell XB9S and an HD Sportster 1200, so much, much larger. It took FOREVER to warm up. At least 20 minutes before I could rev it without stalling. Been a long time since I had something with a new carb, normal? The first 3 gears seem to be pointless. That is they rev out before you get to 10mph. Normal? Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I knew I was buying a smaller bike, I'm just curious if this is what everyone experiences. Now, having said all of that, I love that I can actually walk the bike around and not feel like its going to crush me. AND it is by far the coolest looking bike I have owned.
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March 5th, 2009, 04:32 PM | #2 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Joe
Location: Buffalo NY
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250 "Wasabi", 82 Yamaha xj650j Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
It doesnt go fast in first. second isnt used by me much. third starts to get pretty fun after break-in with-in higher revs. It is really nice to not worry so much about the weight of the bike. It's easy to catch if you start to feel her going down. I caught it standing still at about 45 degrees once in a parking lot. I wasn't focusing. Following break in to the t is up to u. After that don't bog the motor down too much though. You'll notice pretty soon that this bike hates to be loved and loves to be hated. HP's in the uppers. Have fun on your new nimble sexy machine. And Welcome |
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March 5th, 2009, 05:25 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Thomas
Location: Traverse City, MI
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): None Yet Posts: 183
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Didn't I see some discussion on the break-in period here? I can't find the thread. Can anyone point it out for me?
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March 5th, 2009, 06:19 PM | #4 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Joe
Location: Buffalo NY
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250 "Wasabi", 82 Yamaha xj650j Posts: A lot.
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Yeah theres hundreds of em. It's up to you in the end. Do you plan on having the bike along time?... then take it easy the first 600 miles. Do you want to get the most performance?....then drive it like it's already broken in. It's what they narrow down to.
Last futzed with by Buffalony; March 5th, 2009 at 07:19 PM. |
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March 5th, 2009, 06:35 PM | #5 | |
Live Life
Name: Don
Location: Lincoln, NE
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Green SE Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
I wouldn't totally agree with Buffalony on his "Do you plan on having the bike along time?... then take it easy the first 600 miles. Do you want to get the most performance?....then drive it like it's already broken in." comment. Just about every site and every thread basically says the first 100 miles and first few rides are the key. Vary the RPM, use engine braking to flush the cylinder walls down, don't keep a constant throttle for long periods (e.g.; no 100 mile road trips on the interstate yet) and don't try out the red line yet. Some say to change the oil and filter at 50-100 miles to get rid of any metallic particles that may be there from the initial break in/mfg process. There are several threads on oil changes that will give you what most consider to be the better oils and filters. On the first three gears reving out before you get to 10 mph can you give us more details. What RPM are you at when you think you are rev'd out?
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March 5th, 2009, 06:43 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: David
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R in Green! (Sold) Now 2011 Triumph Daytona 675 SE Posts: 564
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These bikes do run lean from the factory. I suggest you see the DIY on how to shim the needles, this will give more fuel, allow the bike to warm up faster.
With the gearing, I can do the maximum legal speed in this country in 3rd (100kph) But first is a little short. you can always change the gearing if you feel so strongly. |
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March 5th, 2009, 06:54 PM | #7 | |
Ramen Rider
Name: Gary
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 BMW R1200R, 08 Honda VFR800A (sold), 09 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
i am just about to hit 1,000 miles, so lately i have been opening it up slightly more and more. i didn't follow the break-in strictly under 4000 rpms, but i did try to take it easy and not go "more than i needed to". 16 more miles and no more holding back. it actually is a really fun bike to ride. if you hold each gear until about at least 9,000 rpms, it accelerates pretty well. edit: +1 on the shimming. you should get better low end response and the bike should warm up faster. |
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March 5th, 2009, 07:23 PM | #8 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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Thomas,
How cold is it there? The colder the temp, the denser the air, the leaner the mixture. It will take longer than when ambient warm for the engine to come up to normal operating temps and the choke will have to stay on longer to get there. Shimming will help the engine run a bit richer at idle, warming up the bike quicker. I felt the same about the lower gears when I first started riding the bike. I still think the bike is geared a bit low, but it seems fine in the higher gears, well matched to the engine's power output. If it bothers you, you can gear it up a tooth in the CS sprocket. |
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March 5th, 2009, 07:51 PM | #9 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Purspeed
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: 469
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Quote:
Ride it hard for 500 miles. Change the oil, clean the oil screen. Use only NON-synthetic oil for the first 5000 miles. First 30 miles is critical to proper break-in.
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"This is my Ninja. There are many like it, but this one is mine..." ~ Purspeed (ca. Nov, 2008) |
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March 6th, 2009, 04:52 AM | #10 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Thomas
Location: Traverse City, MI
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): None Yet Posts: 183
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I found an article that said to ride it "hard" for about 20 miles to seat the rings then change the oil, so I think I will follow that then go a bit easier on it.
It is a totally different animal than my former bikes and I'm not used to hearing it wind out so fast. I never tached above 5000 yesterday, so I realize it has a way to go before it tops out. From what you guys have said, everything sounds normal so far. Warmer weather today, so maybe it won't be so cold-blooded. I love that the bike is so light and has such a small turning radius. No more 12 point turns for me!!!
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March 6th, 2009, 01:48 PM | #11 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Joe
Location: Buffalo NY
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250 "Wasabi", 82 Yamaha xj650j Posts: A lot.
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I was just saying thats roughly what they come down to. I didn't want to get into What I think is the proper break in procedure. That would just be a can of worms.
I Think metal flakes in the oil arent completely a bad thing when the bike is fresh out of the crate. Something to do with getting embedded into the cylinder walls. For me I'd say oil change at 300 600 1000 then switch to synth at 1500 |
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March 6th, 2009, 02:27 PM | #12 |
Live Life
Name: Don
Location: Lincoln, NE
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Green SE Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
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Joe - please help me understand why you think this is so and what's your basis. Just curious.
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March 6th, 2009, 04:38 PM | #13 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Trista
Location: Ontario, Canada
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 EX650R Green Kawasaki ninja Posts: 120
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The first time I started my bike it was 8 celsius out. I had to keep the choke on for quite a while and every time I tried to turn it down the bike started to die. The bike was warmed up for about 20 minutes and I still couldn't turn the choke all the way down. My husband actually had to take it out for me the first time because I was afraid that it was going to die on the highway on me. Today it was 17 celsius, no problem once it warmed up. Good luck.
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March 6th, 2009, 04:41 PM | #14 |
ninjette.org dude
Name: 1 guess :-)
Location: SF Bay Area
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Hi Trista!
There's really no need to make sure that the choke is all the way off before you start riding. The bike warms up much quicker when the engine is under a little bit of load anyway. Once the engine's running, feel free to start riding down the road (not at redline), and you can take the choke down gradually, but likely all the way off within a minute or two at most, even in cold weather.
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March 6th, 2009, 10:37 PM | #15 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Trista
Location: Ontario, Canada
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 EX650R Green Kawasaki ninja Posts: 120
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Good to know, thanks.
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March 7th, 2009, 08:33 AM | #16 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Joe
Location: Buffalo NY
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250 "Wasabi", 82 Yamaha xj650j Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
Noobs shouldnt freak out at the sight of metal in their oil. You don't want too much to get embedded into the cylinder walls(Cylinder glazing). Cylinder glazing is more likely to happen when the motor is still fresh. Cylinders are finished with a crosshatch/scrape pattern which acts like a file to allow the rings to wear the also help to retain some oil. The rings quickly use up this surface well under the first 100 miles of a new bore. Cylinder wall glazing is more likely to happen during this "fresh period" if driven too lightly. So maybe a oil change at 100 would be something you'd want to do! On another note deceleration is often overlooked during break in. The engine vacuum created during deceleration sucks oil and metal from wear off the cylinder walls to keep the rings from wearing prematurely. Deceleration can be a major contributor in the prevention of cylinder wall glazing. Seizure is a possibility if driven too hard. It's ok to drive above the rpm suggested for break-in but prolonged operation and at hi-temps should be avoided. Use of synthetic too early in an engines life is an obvious no no. |
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March 7th, 2009, 10:17 AM | #17 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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sorry, this noob does. Metal bits in your oil is not good. The best thing to do is minimize the time those bits are floating around in there by flushing them out by changing your oil frequently during the break in period of your engine. The oil filter is supposed to filter all those bits out.
Also, you don't want any of that embedded in your cylinder walls.... that will cause scoring of the lining. While I did not break in my engine strictly to this procedure, he brings up a lot of good points in the break in method... http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm |
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March 7th, 2009, 10:46 AM | #18 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Thomas
Location: Traverse City, MI
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): None Yet Posts: 183
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Well, I got it out again yesterday and did about 8 miles of quick ups and engine breaking. I have a super strong neodymium magnet on the filter cover to grab any metal that makes its way down there and I intend to change to oil when I get to 20 miles or so.
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It's not worth doing if you aren't completely stressed out about it. |
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March 7th, 2009, 10:53 AM | #19 |
IC2(SW)
Name: Kerry
Location: Pensacola
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.
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Doesnt a lean motor run hotter, than a rich one
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March 7th, 2009, 10:55 AM | #20 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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March 7th, 2009, 11:22 AM | #21 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Purspeed
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: 469
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Quote:
Metal in oil is bad. But, a cool head will help a rider/mechanic diagnose the condition. On a fresh engine, metal in the oil/oil screen is very typical, but it is not good. It should be removed (via oil change/new oil filter/cleaning of the oil screen) and then the bike should be ridden and given a fresh oil change again. This process will give you some insight as to what's going on in your engine.
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"This is my Ninja. There are many like it, but this one is mine..." ~ Purspeed (ca. Nov, 2008) |
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March 13th, 2009, 08:49 PM | #22 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Sherry
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 Black Ninja 250r Posts: 18
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I never had issues with mine during break in.
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March 13th, 2009, 10:23 PM | #23 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Michael
Location: Southern NM
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '91 Honda CBR600 F2 Posts: A lot.
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Really quick question from an owner of an earlier generation ninjette: Is it normal for the choke on the ninjettes to screw with you? Mine changes where it needs to be to keep a specific RPM. I've been told (again, correct me if I'm wrong on this since I have been about several other things recently) that when you choke it, it should hold at about the engine speed of idle (which, according to the research I've done on the 2nd gen ninjettes ['88 - '07] is between 1300 and 1800 RPM). Generally if it's even slightly cold (never gets very cold around here) it'll hold there on full choke for about 10 seconds. It then jumps to around 3000 RPM. I then have to play around with the choke to find the right place to keep it at what I've been told is the proper RPM for warm-up. I have a friend who's ridden bikes for over 40 years that was confused by this. He rides touring bikes though, so there's probably a difference. His bikes all had engines 5 times the size of mine or more, and I've heard the smaller the engine, the more cold blooded. A little help on this issue?
Also, I tend to hear a slight, high-pitched, grinding/whining sound around 6k RPM while riding. I'm a major noob to both biking and mechanics. Is that bad? What can I do to fix it if anything? |
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March 13th, 2009, 10:29 PM | #24 | |
Ramen Rider
Name: Gary
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 BMW R1200R, 08 Honda VFR800A (sold), 09 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
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March 13th, 2009, 10:33 PM | #25 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Michael
Location: Southern NM
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '91 Honda CBR600 F2 Posts: A lot.
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No, it sounds almost like something's grinding in my transmission. It only happens around 6k RPM but it doesn't seem to matter which gear I'm in. Don't get me wrong, it's not like when someone tries to start their car and it's allready going (A sound I HATE to hear). It's not very loud or obvious. It's just starting to worry me. Like I said, I'm a major noob to this and I don't want to destroy my engine by not knowing what's going on for too long.
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March 13th, 2009, 11:21 PM | #26 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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when's the last time the oil has been changed, if ever? you might want to start there if it's been awhile.
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March 14th, 2009, 12:24 AM | #27 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Michael
Location: Southern NM
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '91 Honda CBR600 F2 Posts: A lot.
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Yeah, I'll probably do that. Now that I think of it it's been far too long. I think the last one was at around 2500 miles when I got her tuned up. I'm at almost 5k miles! Changing the oil tomorrow if I get the chance!!
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March 14th, 2009, 12:35 AM | #28 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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I'm not saying that it will fix your problem, but it's a start. See if it makes any difference in the sound.
Follow the oil change DIY and be sure to accurately fill the oil level in the sight glass. |
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March 14th, 2009, 10:37 PM | #29 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Joe
Location: Buffalo NY
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250 "Wasabi", 82 Yamaha xj650j Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
There are ALOT of break in procedures on the net. I said I didnt want to open a can of worms here. oil changes every 100 miles would be complete overkill |
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March 15th, 2009, 12:59 PM | #30 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Ryan
Location: San Francisco
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Top speed in the gears is, roughly...
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March 15th, 2009, 04:09 PM | #31 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Thomas
Location: Traverse City, MI
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): None Yet Posts: 183
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That's funny you mentioned the gas tank hiss. I topped mine off last week and when I got it out in the sun today it was wheezing. My bike is horribly cold blooded still and I have to wait at least 10 minutes before I can ride it. As for noises, I'm not used to the high wind so I'm hearing a lot of stuff I'm not familiar with. Like a new house that creaks at night. Scary, but normal.
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