Terrible gas mileage?

supahamster · July 15th, 2010, 01:15 PM

I picked up a '09 Ninja 250 three weeks ago for my commute to work (32 miles each way), errands, and for recreational riding (~300mi per weekend avg) and already put about 2,500 miles on her.

I got this bike over the GS500 and SV650 because of the mileage that's supposed to get (61 mpg). I've been keeping a log of my fill-ups and I've been averaging about 45 mpg for freeway miles and 38 mpg for spirited canyon drives. Is this normal for the Ninjette?

Here are some factors that I think might be affecting it:
- CA emissions bike (something to do with the EVAP)
- I'm 5'11" and weigh 190lbs
- Wind friction (since I sit mostly upright)
- Yoshi CF exhaust (although not jetted)
- I run slightly high viscosity oil (Shell Rotella T 15w-40)

At ~45 mpg, I'm considering to purchase another bike (probably the GS500). Any thoughts?

kkim · July 15th, 2010, 01:24 PM

how do you know a jet kit has not been installed?

how does the bike run?

Alex · July 15th, 2010, 01:31 PM

Hi Sam -

A large poll thread on this is up and running here:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13536

I'll close this general poll in this thread, but will keep the thread open to discuss your particular bike.

supahamster · July 15th, 2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

how do you know a jet kit has not been installed?

how does the bike run?

The dealership tech said there was not jet kit installed (although I should double check). The bike runs pretty well IMO. It might be running a tad rich since I hear some backfire when I let off the throttle sometimes. Maybe I can remove the snorkel or add a pod filters to lean it up a bit more?

I've been scouring over the boards and it looks like some other people are report comparable mpg numbers.

supahamster · July 15th, 2010, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Hi Sam -

A large poll thread on this is up and running here:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13536

I'll close this general poll in this thread, but will keep the thread open to discuss your particular bike.

Thanks for the heads up... looks like there's some good info on there as well

kkim · July 15th, 2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supahamster

The dealership tech said there was not jet kit installed (although I should double check). The bike runs pretty well IMO. It might be running a tad rich since I hear some backfire when I let off the throttle sometimes. Maybe I can remove the snorkel or add a pod filters to lean it up a bit more?

I've been scouring over the boards and it looks like some other people are report comparable mpg numbers.

the backfiring is from a too lean condition at idle/small throttle openings due to the aftermarket can and the Kleen system. remove the Kleen system and the backfiring will be cured.

I would not remove the snorkel if your bike does not have a jet kit/shimmed needles. Removing the snorkel, in addition to the can you have on, will lean out your mixture even more if our jetting is indeed stock.

If your bike does have stock jetting (yes, you should check), I would recommend you shim the needles to take advantage of that can... right now it's mostly a noise maker.

check your air filter and see if it's dirty.

Alex · July 15th, 2010, 02:27 PM

I feel like the forum librarian today, but I'll move this over to tech section for the new-gens. To make things easy, I'll leave a link here for a week as well so people don't lose the thread.

/moved to tech section

supahamster · July 15th, 2010, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

the backfiring is from a too lean condition at idle/small throttle openings due to the aftermarket can and the Kleen system. remove the Kleen system and the backfiring will be cured.

I would not remove the snorkel if your bike does not have a jet kit/shimmed needles. Removing the snorkel, in addition to the can you have on, will lean out your mixture even more if our jetting is indeed stock.

If your bike does have stock jetting (yes, you should check), I would recommend you shim the needles to take advantage of that can... right now it's mostly a noise maker.

check your air filter and see if it's dirty.

thanks for the tips! i think i'll try removing the Kleen system (although I kinda do like that backfire letting off the throttle

). i'll definitely check to see if the bike's been jetted and check if my air filter's still good. i think i'll eventually pick up a jet kit when i have time to do the install.

would any of this still affect fuel efficiency?

kkim · July 15th, 2010, 03:22 PM

a dirty air filter definitely will.

a jet kit will use more fuel than stock jets, which are selected lean to pass emissions standards.

headshrink · July 15th, 2010, 09:16 PM

For what it's worth, I am averaging 45mpg right now.

Spirited..... of course (slightly subdued after receiving first ticket last month)!

50% highway
stock exhaust and airbox/filter (snorkel removed)
In process of finalizing re-jet (settled on #100 main).

I dropped to 45 mpg when I got the jet kit (maybe 48 once).
Before that I was getting ALMOST 50 mpg (with 3 washers under ea. needle).
IIRC, I may have gotten almost 55 mpg, when new (prior to shim).

I don't know... it seems the only people who get in the 60+ range drive totally stock bikes at very low speeds, and don't use a lot of higher RPMs... that's my assumption. You may see in some of the discussions listed above, that 35 mpg has even been reported. Honestly, my guess is if you had the GS500 or SV650, you would probably loose a little more, but not a ton.... their engines won't have to work as hard.

supahamster · July 15th, 2010, 09:23 PM

thanks for all the responses! ironically i hit 50+ mpg for the first time today

i think i'll just pick up an sv650 for my commute and keep the ninja for weekend canyon carving =) commuting in the ninja has been okay, but i'm guessing the wind resistance and the low gearing ratio (i'm constantly at around 10-11k rpm) is attributing to the low mpg. with an sv650, i'd be cruising at a reasonable range

headshrink · July 15th, 2010, 09:33 PM

While you're at it, could you pick up a 650r for me too

Mine (250r) is for commuting too, and have had noooo issues or problems with it as far as ride-ability. But, I have nothing to compare it to. If you have the means to get another bike, why not... Shoot, sometimes I think even having another 250r would be nice so I don't have to plan maintenance soooo carefully with work and life schedules.

July 15th, 2010, 01:31 PM	#3
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	Hi Sam - A large poll thread on this is up and running here: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13536 I'll close this general poll in this thread, but will keep the thread open to discuss your particular bike. __________________________________________________ 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)

July 15th, 2010, 02:27 PM	#7
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	I feel like the forum librarian today, but I'll move this over to tech section for the new-gens. To make things easy, I'll leave a link here for a week as well so people don't lose the thread. /moved to tech section __________________________________________________ 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)

July 15th, 2010, 09:23 PM	#11
supahamster Born-again rider Name: Sam Location: Oakland, CA Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 12	thanks for all the responses! ironically i hit 50+ mpg for the first time today i think i'll just pick up an sv650 for my commute and keep the ninja for weekend canyon carving =) commuting in the ninja has been okay, but i'm guessing the wind resistance and the low gearing ratio (i'm constantly at around 10-11k rpm) is attributing to the low mpg. with an sv650, i'd be cruising at a reasonable range __________________________________________________ Living life, one corner at a time

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July 15th, 2010, 01:15 PM	#1
supahamster Born-again rider Name: Sam Location: Oakland, CA Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 12	Terrible gas mileage? I picked up a '09 Ninja 250 three weeks ago for my commute to work (32 miles each way), errands, and for recreational riding (~300mi per weekend avg) and already put about 2,500 miles on her. I got this bike over the GS500 and SV650 because of the mileage that's supposed to get (61 mpg). I've been keeping a log of my fill-ups and I've been averaging about 45 mpg for freeway miles and 38 mpg for spirited canyon drives. Is this normal for the Ninjette? Here are some factors that I think might be affecting it: - CA emissions bike (something to do with the EVAP) - I'm 5'11" and weigh 190lbs - Wind friction (since I sit mostly upright) - Yoshi CF exhaust (although not jetted) - I run slightly high viscosity oil (Shell Rotella T 15w-40) At ~45 mpg, I'm considering to purchase another bike (probably the GS500). Any thoughts?

July 15th, 2010, 01:24 PM	#2
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	how do you know a jet kit has not been installed? how does the bike run?

July 15th, 2010, 03:22 PM	#9
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	a dirty air filter definitely will. a jet kit will use more fuel than stock jets, which are selected lean to pass emissions standards.

July 15th, 2010, 09:16 PM	#10
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	For what it's worth, I am averaging 45mpg right now. Spirited..... of course (slightly subdued after receiving first ticket last month)! 50% highway stock exhaust and airbox/filter (snorkel removed) In process of finalizing re-jet (settled on #100 main). I dropped to 45 mpg when I got the jet kit (maybe 48 once). Before that I was getting ALMOST 50 mpg (with 3 washers under ea. needle). IIRC, I may have gotten almost 55 mpg, when new (prior to shim). I don't know... it seems the only people who get in the 60+ range drive totally stock bikes at very low speeds, and don't use a lot of higher RPMs... that's my assumption. You may see in some of the discussions listed above, that 35 mpg has even been reported. Honestly, my guess is if you had the GS500 or SV650, you would probably loose a little more, but not a ton.... their engines won't have to work as hard.

July 15th, 2010, 09:33 PM	#12
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	While you're at it, could you pick up a 650r for me too Mine (250r) is for commuting too, and have had noooo issues or problems with it as far as ride-ability. But, I have nothing to compare it to. If you have the means to get another bike, why not... Shoot, sometimes I think even having another 250r would be nice so I don't have to plan maintenance soooo carefully with work and life schedules.