What RPMs do you cruise at?

RNrider · October 30th, 2011, 08:01 AM

just wondering.... =) I'm new to riding and not sure what the "norm" is for my kawi ninja 250r

gfloyd2002 · October 30th, 2011, 08:31 AM

In before someone says: "Redline, BABY!"

6 or 7k. Depends on what is coming up on the road and what the speed limit is. If I need to do 60 or 70, then 8k, only because that is what you have to do in 6th to get there.

. Goal is to have ready access to powerband up above 7k, so I hang out just where I've got good acceleration waiting for me. If I'm on curvy road and having fun, I'll probably run at 8 into corners, more on the way out before shifting back to get back to 8kish.

JeffM · October 30th, 2011, 08:34 AM

Floyd you beat me to the punch.

Like Floyd says, it depends: Always above 7000. 7-9 thousand if I want to stretch gas mileage in town and I feel like loafing along. Most of the time 9000. On the freeway against a stiff headwind - 10,000 to almost red-line.

Ride safe.

Jeff

Liist · October 30th, 2011, 11:17 AM

Damn, I cruise at way too low of an RPM, especially coming straight from a car that has a lazy automatic transmission.

Do I get worse mileage for cruising at lower than 7K RPM. I usually put it in sixth gear if traffic is at least 35 mph.

Jono · October 30th, 2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liist

Damn, I cruise at way too low of an RPM, especially coming straight from a car that has a lazy automatic transmission.

Do I get worse mileage for cruising at lower than 7K RPM. I usually put it in sixth gear if traffic is at least 35 mph.

You get the best mileage when the rpms are low. Think about it. Higher rpms equal more gas being sucked into the engine. Lower rpms less gas being used.

But like someone mentioned you will want to be close to the powerband in case you need to get out of the way of something or someone.

I just cruise somewhere above 6k and below 9k.

Scattcatt · October 30th, 2011, 11:40 AM

Lol! I'm way off when I normally ride then! I pretty much have the bike in 6th gear ALL the time, even in 25 mph zones! I just do it for the fuel economy here in town. Outside of town I'll let her scream, but most of the time, I just have it in 6th regardless of speed or rpm

alex.s · October 30th, 2011, 12:02 PM

10.5krpm. on both bikes

setasai · October 30th, 2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

You get the best mileage when the rpms are low. Think about it. Higher rpms equal more gas being sucked into the engine. Lower rpms less gas being used.

But like someone mentioned you will want to be close to the powerband in case you need to get out of the way of something or someone.

I just cruise somewhere above 6k and below 9k.

Most of the time that is true. One occasion that I can think of that isnt true is if you are going uphill and you are in 6th trying to maintain speed. You will subconciously give more throttle hence use more gas, but speed will not increase efficiently since you are falling out of the powerband. In that situation you would be saving gas by downshifting instead.

To answer the OP: At whatever RPM you want. Every RPM has its time and place. Low RPMs have their advantages of being gas saving, quiet, lower vibrations. Higher RPMs are useful for being in the powerband, hence better acceleration, easier to overtake, and faster/harder engine braking. Mix and match your RPMs to your riding style and you'll find the 250 is an amazingly versatile and still very very fast bike.

Boom King · October 30th, 2011, 12:39 PM

Whichever RPM is appropriate for my speed and road conditions but never below 6K.

ally99 · October 30th, 2011, 03:46 PM

I cruise between 6-9 (usually around 7) because I like to have power available if/when I need it. The higher your RPMs, the crappier gas mileage you get, so that's the downside.

etiainen · October 30th, 2011, 04:02 PM

6th gear unless I'm going slow or in the twisties. I usually downshift into 4th for overtaking at 60mph. On the highway my rpms are anywhere from 7-11k.

LoD575 · October 30th, 2011, 05:10 PM

7-9k for me normally.

RNrider · October 30th, 2011, 07:29 PM

Thanks for all the input! Super helpful! I ride mostly in an urban area, I find myself at 8-9K most of the time, but will probably try to keep it around 6-7K for improved gas mileage and to have that extra room in case I need to quickly accelerates to get out of a jam

gfloyd - based on your description, do you find yourself accelerating into corners/turns?

Liist · October 30th, 2011, 09:32 PM

I seem to cruise at a way lower RPM compared to the norm until I hit the higher speed limits.

Doesn't the break-in period require the bike to go no higher than 4K RPM? How did you guys do it?

Jiggles · October 30th, 2011, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liist

I seem to cruise at a way lower RPM compared to the norm until I hit the higher speed limits.

Doesn't the break-in period require the bike to go no higher than 4K RPM? How did you guys do it?

During my break in period, my bike stayed under 4k for nearly 3 seconds.

Typically I am in the 9-12k range unless I am low on gas then I'll drop it down a bit.

akima · October 31st, 2011, 08:13 AM

If I'm just casually riding around on 40MPH roads, then I will often keep the revs at ~5K to conserve fuel. If the roads are busy and more dangerous or if I feel like some spirited riding I'll keep the revs ~6K so I have the ability to quickly accelerate.

Riding on the motorway I'm in 6 gear, so my revs are whatever my revs need to be. From reading on this forum I get the impression that there is no harm in maintaining sustained high revs. I just keep the needle out of the red area.

Lil_Green_Demon · November 4th, 2011, 01:54 PM

I always kick into 6th gear. Just stay attentive.

Felipe the Ant · November 4th, 2011, 02:50 PM

Around 5k, I'm light. In higher gears it lugs around 5 so I'm up near 6

Ytse Frobozz · November 4th, 2011, 07:52 PM

If I'm burbling along in traffic or whatever I could be at 5k or even down to 4k. If I'm feeling bad-ass I'll have it around 7 or 8k. I've noticed that if I've been on the highway for a while, I get used to the engine screaming at 10k+ RPM, and when I pull off the highway, putting about at 4 or 5k just doesn't sound right.

cuong-nutz · November 4th, 2011, 08:04 PM

I cruise at 11k+. I do a lot of freeway commuting.

RNrider · November 4th, 2011, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuong-nutz

I cruise at 11k+. I do a lot of freeway commuting.

My daily commuting is mostly on main roads, but not freeways. I think I'm going to tryout the freeways pretty soon. Nervous, but excited at the same time! I've finally gotten all my protective gear to feel safe (riding boots, protective jacket, pants, helmet).

On a 250r, do you find yourself at 11K in 6th gear? How many mph are you going at that rate?

cuong-nutz · November 4th, 2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

10.5krpm. on both bikes

Sounds about right. That's like 75-80 mph.

alex.s · November 5th, 2011, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuong-nutz

Sounds about right. That's like 75-80 mph.

10.5k on an fzr 600 is about 130 in 6th

gfloyd2002 · November 9th, 2011, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RNrider

My daily commuting is mostly on main roads, but not freeways. I think I'm going to tryout the freeways pretty soon. Nervous, but excited at the same time! I've finally gotten all my protective gear to feel safe (riding boots, protective jacket, pants, helmet).

On a 250r, do you find yourself at 11K in 6th gear? How many mph are you going at that rate?

The Ninjette Speed Calculator says you'll be doing about 93 indicated, 86.5 actual. Though I think the calculator is set up for an old gen, it should be close.

Whiskey · November 14th, 2011, 03:05 PM

Keep it about 7 - 9k, at that range you'll be able to wind on if you have to & rolling off will give a decent amount of engine braking. the bike becomes good fun above 8.5k.

looking at the site it appears that the carbed models rev higher than the FIs, I'd rarely have the bike over 11k, unless I have just dropped a gear to overtake. motorway cruising would be about 10 - 10.5k in 6th

October 30th, 2011, 08:01 AM	#1
RNrider ninjette.org member Name: Steph Location: Los Angeles, CA Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 21	What RPMs do you cruise at? just wondering.... =) I'm new to riding and not sure what the "norm" is for my kawi ninja 250r

October 30th, 2011, 08:31 AM	#2
gfloyd2002 User Title Free Since '12 Name: Floyd Location: Barbados Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 13 MOTM - Feb '12	In before someone says: "Redline, BABY!" 6 or 7k. Depends on what is coming up on the road and what the speed limit is. If I need to do 60 or 70, then 8k, only because that is what you have to do in 6th to get there. . Goal is to have ready access to powerband up above 7k, so I hang out just where I've got good acceleration waiting for me. If I'm on curvy road and having fun, I'll probably run at 8 into corners, more on the way out before shifting back to get back to 8kish. __________________________________________________ "Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without improvement, are roads of genius." — William Blake

October 30th, 2011, 08:34 AM	#3
JeffM Mr. 988 Name: Jeff Location: Sandy, Utah Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	Floyd you beat me to the punch. Like Floyd says, it depends: Always above 7000. 7-9 thousand if I want to stretch gas mileage in town and I feel like loafing along. Most of the time 9000. On the freeway against a stiff headwind - 10,000 to almost red-line. Ride safe. Jeff __________________________________________________ "I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life, the way I want to" - Jimi Hendrix Cancer

October 30th, 2011, 11:40 AM	#6
Scattcatt ninjette.org sage Name: Zach Location: Michigan Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, 2003 Honda CBR600RR Posts: 721 Blog Entries: 1	Lol! I'm way off when I normally ride then! I pretty much have the bike in 6th gear ALL the time, even in 25 mph zones! I just do it for the fuel economy here in town. Outside of town I'll let her scream, but most of the time, I just have it in 6th regardless of speed or rpm __________________________________________________ ATGATT

October 30th, 2011, 12:02 PM	#7
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	10.5krpm. on both bikes __________________________________________________

October 30th, 2011, 11:17 AM	#4
Liist ninjette.org guru Name: David Location: Florida Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 357	Damn, I cruise at way too low of an RPM, especially coming straight from a car that has a lazy automatic transmission. Do I get worse mileage for cruising at lower than 7K RPM. I usually put it in sixth gear if traffic is at least 35 mph.

October 30th, 2011, 12:39 PM	#9
Boom King So, where's the reverse? Name: Anson Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Whichever RPM is appropriate for my speed and road conditions but never below 6K.

October 30th, 2011, 03:46 PM	#10
ally99 Ninja chick Name: Allyson Location: Athens, GA Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 4 MOTM - Dec '13, Feb '15	I cruise between 6-9 (usually around 7) because I like to have power available if/when I need it. The higher your RPMs, the crappier gas mileage you get, so that's the downside. __________________________________________________ Sometimes it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination. ~Drake Check out my Appalachian Trail journal, 2015! Postwhores are COOL! ~Allyson

October 30th, 2011, 04:02 PM	#11
etiainen CBR250R Traitor Name: Jon Location: Greater Philadelphia Area Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Red CBR250R 2009 Ninja 250r SE(With 2008 Fairings)(sold) Posts: 924	6th gear unless I'm going slow or in the twisties. I usually downshift into 4th for overtaking at 60mph. On the highway my rpms are anywhere from 7-11k.

October 30th, 2011, 05:10 PM	#12
LoD575 ninjette.org sage Name: Steve Location: Valdosta GA, US Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 2006 Ninja ZX6R-636 Posts: 661	7-9k for me normally.

October 30th, 2011, 07:29 PM	#13
RNrider ninjette.org member Name: Steph Location: Los Angeles, CA Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 21	Thanks for all the input! Super helpful! I ride mostly in an urban area, I find myself at 8-9K most of the time, but will probably try to keep it around 6-7K for improved gas mileage and to have that extra room in case I need to quickly accelerates to get out of a jam gfloyd - based on your description, do you find yourself accelerating into corners/turns?

October 30th, 2011, 09:32 PM	#14
Liist ninjette.org guru Name: David Location: Florida Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 357	I seem to cruise at a way lower RPM compared to the norm until I hit the higher speed limits. Doesn't the break-in period require the bike to go no higher than 4K RPM? How did you guys do it?

October 31st, 2011, 08:13 AM	#16
akima Nooblet Name: Akima Location: England Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '13	If I'm just casually riding around on 40MPH roads, then I will often keep the revs at ~5K to conserve fuel. If the roads are busy and more dangerous or if I feel like some spirited riding I'll keep the revs ~6K so I have the ability to quickly accelerate. Riding on the motorway I'm in 6 gear, so my revs are whatever my revs need to be. From reading on this forum I get the impression that there is no harm in maintaining sustained high revs. I just keep the needle out of the red area.

November 4th, 2011, 01:54 PM	#17
Lil_Green_Demon Winging It In Life Name: Umar Location: SoCal Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R; 2011 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.	I always kick into 6th gear. Just stay attentive. __________________________________________________ 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250R (Bought - Apr 22, 2011; Sold - Feb 17, 2015) 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R (Bought - May 01, 2017; Current)

November 4th, 2011, 02:50 PM	#18
Felipe the Ant ninjette.org sage Name: . Location: . Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R SE GREEN! Posts: 562	Around 5k, I'm light. In higher gears it lugs around 5 so I'm up near 6

November 4th, 2011, 07:52 PM	#19
Ytse Frobozz Not dead yet! Name: Rob Location: Marlborough MA Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 315	If I'm burbling along in traffic or whatever I could be at 5k or even down to 4k. If I'm feeling bad-ass I'll have it around 7 or 8k. I've noticed that if I've been on the highway for a while, I get used to the engine screaming at 10k+ RPM, and when I pull off the highway, putting about at 4 or 5k just doesn't sound right.

November 4th, 2011, 08:04 PM	#20
cuong-nutz RIP Alex Name: Cuong Location: Houston, TX Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 2	I cruise at 11k+. I do a lot of freeway commuting. __________________________________________________ HalfFast Racing Team Serving Greater Houston Area Riders:WFO Riders MotoHouston HPC CMRA Ride Smart Fastline Lone Star Track Days

November 14th, 2011, 03:05 PM	#25
Whiskey ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Morgan Location: A city twinned with Kawasaki Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, 2010 STR 675 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	Keep it about 7 - 9k, at that range you'll be able to wind on if you have to & rolling off will give a decent amount of engine braking. the bike becomes good fun above 8.5k. looking at the site it appears that the carbed models rev higher than the FIs, I'd rarely have the bike over 11k, unless I have just dropped a gear to overtake. motorway cruising would be about 10 - 10.5k in 6th

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