Quick Noob Question, when do our 250's motors tend to give?

00v_Lucky · March 28th, 2009, 09:14 PM

I am guessing it is around 30-50k? I am just curious and would like to know for later purchases if I do plan on buying used.

Do the life spans differ from different CC classes?

Like many of my other questions I have a funny feeling there has been a previous thread on this. Oh well.

M-Oorb · March 28th, 2009, 09:18 PM

give meaning...like stop working?

Alex · March 28th, 2009, 09:18 PM

Actually I don't remember a thread on this, you're safe.

It seems they are good for 40k - 50k miles. At that point it's not that they'll immediately break and leave you stranded, but it's likely that the tolerances have gotten wide enough that the motor is likely down a few ponies compared to a newer motor. But people can find an almost new motor/tranny combo for just a few hundred $ at most, so if you can get a deal on labor or have the time and inclination to DIY, it's often more economical to just pop in a new(ish) motor rather than a motor rebuild on a worn 250 mill.

00v_Lucky · March 28th, 2009, 09:23 PM

ah, thanks alex. and by anychance would do you know what the usual miles a 600 or 1000cc class bikes can take?

M-Oorb · March 28th, 2009, 09:23 PM

wow thats its...40-50k? For some reason I thought the motors would last a little longer...I knew not nearly as long as a car but I was hoping more than that?

sometimesido · March 28th, 2009, 09:27 PM

maybe if you kept it under 6k rpm?

Apex · March 28th, 2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00v_Lucky

ah, thanks alex. and by anychance would do you know what the usual miles a 600 or 1000cc class bikes can take?

Ours don't last long because of the RPM's you pull while riding.

My co-worker has over 150k on his CBR900RR, and it is still running great. They cruise, doing 70mph, at less than half of the RPM's of the 250. It really boils down to how you ride.

Apex · March 28th, 2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M-Oorb

wow thats its...40-50k? For some reason I thought the motors would last a little longer...I knew not nearly as long as a car but I was hoping more than that?

Cruising at 70mph, you are turning around 9kRPM. Designed to run at that level or not, it won't last that long.

M-Oorb · March 28th, 2009, 09:34 PM

Well then Im a little more happy...I'm hardly sustaining those kinda speeds on my bike so hopefully itll last longer

Alex · March 28th, 2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M-Oorb

wow thats its...40-50k? For some reason I thought the motors would last a little longer...I knew not nearly as long as a car but I was hoping more than that?

I'm sure someone will pipe up that they've taken their stock ninja 250 to 150k miles with no issues, but I have a feeling their motor would be significantly down on power at that point if it were strapped to a dyno.

Yes, larger motors that spin a bit slower and are generally used at a lower level of their performance capability tend to have a longer lifetime. But a top-flight 600cc or 1000cc race-rep right now isn't guaranteed to last 100k miles either. Their motors are designed for absolute performance and lightness, not for extended lifetimes. Such a very small percentage of those bikes make it to 20k, let alone 100k+, that the design brief for their powertrains isn't that they should last forever. If they do, they probably could have been made lighter and more powerful.

If you want a bike motor that will last forever, find one that is understressed, both in design and in usage, and maintain it properly. Plenty of Gold Wings have been taken hundreds of thousands of miles, as well as BMW boxers.

kkim · March 28th, 2009, 09:37 PM

Keep in mind what Alex gave was an average. You can have engines that go twice that figure or some that will only go half.

Take care of yer' engines.... as in oil changes.

M-Oorb · March 28th, 2009, 09:46 PM

I think Kelly work for the oil companies

jkkk

TnNinjaGirl · March 29th, 2009, 06:10 AM

If I did the math right...

If you cruise at 10,000 rpm (which is around 70mph in 6th gear, I think)
for 1 hour (which is not an everyday occurance, but not out of the question)
your motor will turn 600,000 times.

10,000rpm X 60 min = 600,000

Over a 50k lifetime, that's alot of slinging pistons.

TrueFaith · March 29th, 2009, 07:21 AM

Why worry about it? Your bike will probably be on it's 3rd owner and you'll be riding a nice new R1 or ZX-6R by then.

M-Oorb · March 29th, 2009, 07:45 AM

Well I can't speak for anyone else but I planned on keeping my ninjette till it died. I figure the bike will be worth more money to me when I plan on upgrading than whatever any price someone will offer IMO

TrueFaith · March 29th, 2009, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M-Oorb

Well I can't speak for anyone else but I planned on keeping my ninjette till it died. I figure the bike will be worth more money to me when I plan on upgrading than whatever any price someone will offer IMO

Yeah, that's what a lot of bike owners say when they get their first bike, but it rarely works out that way. That only works if you never again pick up a motorcycling magazine or watch any commercials for new models.

TnNinjaGirl · March 29th, 2009, 10:12 AM

It helps when you have people gawking over the one you have though.

Sailariel · March 29th, 2009, 11:59 AM

It really has a lot to do with how you ride. My first bike was a 56 NSU 250cc single cylinder. It had 70,000 miles on it when I sold it. My R-60 BMW had well over 100,000 miles and was still going strong when I sold it---complete with sidecar. I run Shell Rotella Synthetic 5W40 and use WIX filters. Oil changes are scheduled every 3,000 miles. Least expensive place to buy Rotella oils is Wal-Mart.

M-Oorb · March 29th, 2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFaith

Yeah, that's what a lot of bike owners say when they get their first bike, but it rarely works out that way. That only works if you never again pick up a motorcycling magazine or watch any commercials for new models.

I'm not saying Im gunna wait until my ninjette decides to fade away that I'd then get another bike, that probably wont happen. In a couple years when I plan on getting a new bike hopefully my 250 will still be around. What I am saying is that at that time I probably wouldn't sell my ninjette because the value will probably drop to somewhere in the high 1000's because of age and mileage and the bike is such a blast to drive that it's just simply worth more to me than that money. And for the since the insurance on these little bikes are so inexpensive...especially down here in florida...keeping it really wont cost me that much. I planned on doing that with my first car...a 1999 civic when I just go my new car last week but due to the cost of just keeping the car insured it wont be worth it unfortunatly

Verus Cidere · March 29th, 2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M-Oorb

I'm not saying Im gunna wait until my ninjette decides to fade away that I'd then get another bike, that probably wont happen. In a couple years when I plan on getting a new bike hopefully my 250 will still be around.

I agree. I do want to get another, probably bigger, bike in the future, but I'd like to keep Fury around too. I'd like to have at least 2 bikes all the time (once I get my next one of course) to be sure I have transportation if one has a problem. I'm really hoping Fury lasts a little longer than 50k miles. This being my first bike though, she probably won't last as long as I'm hoping. What with my lack of mechanical skills/knowledge.

sometimesido · March 29th, 2009, 06:32 PM

two motorcycles and a scooter....
my dream...

TrueFaith · March 29th, 2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M-Oorb

I'm not saying Im gunna wait until my ninjette decides to fade away that I'd then get another bike, that probably wont happen. In a couple years when I plan on getting a new bike hopefully my 250 will still be around. What I am saying is that at that time I probably wouldn't sell my ninjette because the value will probably drop to somewhere in the high 1000's because of age and mileage and the bike is such a blast to drive that it's just simply worth more to me than that money. And for the since the insurance on these little bikes are so inexpensive...especially down here in florida...keeping it really wont cost me that much. I planned on doing that with my first car...a 1999 civic when I just go my new car last week but due to the cost of just keeping the car insured it wont be worth it unfortunatly

Well there is one other scenario. Your Ninja could also "morph" into a nice track bike after you get those new road wheels.

M-Oorb · March 29th, 2009, 09:12 PM

Haha...actually that is exactly what I would do

Broom · March 30th, 2009, 07:09 PM

Then you can count by hours instead

Posted via Mobile Device

March 28th, 2009, 09:14 PM	#1
00v_Lucky ninjette.org sage Name: Howard Location: Cypress, So. Cal. Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Candy Thunder Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 618	Quick Noob Question, when do our 250's motors tend to give? I am guessing it is around 30-50k? I am just curious and would like to know for later purchases if I do plan on buying used. Do the life spans differ from different CC classes? Like many of my other questions I have a funny feeling there has been a previous thread on this. Oh well.

March 28th, 2009, 09:18 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	Actually I don't remember a thread on this, you're safe. It seems they are good for 40k - 50k miles. At that point it's not that they'll immediately break and leave you stranded, but it's likely that the tolerances have gotten wide enough that the motor is likely down a few ponies compared to a newer motor. But people can find an almost new motor/tranny combo for just a few hundred $ at most, so if you can get a deal on labor or have the time and inclination to DIY, it's often more economical to just pop in a new(ish) motor rather than a motor rebuild on a worn 250 mill. __________________________________________________ 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)

March 28th, 2009, 09:27 PM	#6
sometimesido ninjette.org sage Name: Chris Location: Norcross, GA Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2006 250R Posts: 772 Blog Entries: 14	maybe if you kept it under 6k rpm? __________________________________________________ my flickr™

March 29th, 2009, 06:32 PM	#21
sometimesido ninjette.org sage Name: Chris Location: Norcross, GA Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2006 250R Posts: 772 Blog Entries: 14	two motorcycles and a scooter.... my dream... __________________________________________________ my flickr™

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March 28th, 2009, 09:18 PM	#2
M-Oorb ninjette.org sage Name: Matt Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914	give meaning...like stop working?

March 28th, 2009, 09:23 PM	#4
00v_Lucky ninjette.org sage Name: Howard Location: Cypress, So. Cal. Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Candy Thunder Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 618	ah, thanks alex. and by anychance would do you know what the usual miles a 600 or 1000cc class bikes can take?

March 28th, 2009, 09:34 PM	#9
M-Oorb ninjette.org sage Name: Matt Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914	Well then Im a little more happy...I'm hardly sustaining those kinda speeds on my bike so hopefully itll last longer

March 28th, 2009, 09:37 PM	#11
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	Keep in mind what Alex gave was an average. You can have engines that go twice that figure or some that will only go half. Take care of yer' engines.... as in oil changes.

March 28th, 2009, 09:46 PM	#12
M-Oorb ninjette.org sage Name: Matt Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914	I think Kelly work for the oil companies jkkk

March 29th, 2009, 06:10 AM	#13
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	If I did the math right... If you cruise at 10,000 rpm (which is around 70mph in 6th gear, I think) for 1 hour (which is not an everyday occurance, but not out of the question) your motor will turn 600,000 times. 10,000rpm X 60 min = 600,000 Over a 50k lifetime, that's alot of slinging pistons.

March 29th, 2009, 07:21 AM	#14
TrueFaith ninjette.org sage Name: Wayne Location: Brookfield, MA Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Honda CBR250R Posts: 585	Why worry about it? Your bike will probably be on it's 3rd owner and you'll be riding a nice new R1 or ZX-6R by then.

March 29th, 2009, 07:45 AM	#15
M-Oorb ninjette.org sage Name: Matt Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914	Well I can't speak for anyone else but I planned on keeping my ninjette till it died. I figure the bike will be worth more money to me when I plan on upgrading than whatever any price someone will offer IMO

March 29th, 2009, 10:12 AM	#17
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	It helps when you have people gawking over the one you have though.

March 29th, 2009, 11:59 AM	#18
Sailariel ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Alex Location: Belfast, ME Join Date: Jul 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Honda NT-700-V, formerly, Green 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	It really has a lot to do with how you ride. My first bike was a 56 NSU 250cc single cylinder. It had 70,000 miles on it when I sold it. My R-60 BMW had well over 100,000 miles and was still going strong when I sold it---complete with sidecar. I run Shell Rotella Synthetic 5W40 and use WIX filters. Oil changes are scheduled every 3,000 miles. Least expensive place to buy Rotella oils is Wal-Mart.

March 29th, 2009, 09:12 PM	#23
M-Oorb ninjette.org sage Name: Matt Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914	Haha...actually that is exactly what I would do

March 30th, 2009, 07:09 PM	#24
Broom Track Junkie Name: Jon Location: Dallas Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r Track Bike, DR350 commuter, KDX220 woods bike Posts: 602	Then you can count by hours instead Posted via Mobile Device