Modified VS stock: comparisons: gas mileage/performance

[TheDuck]

So I went out for a ride with a friend of mine this week. He's got a brand new 2009, and I was riding my 2008.

Some of you may know that I've ripped out the airbox and replaced with pod filters, rejetted the bike, raised the needle jets, installed an AreaP exhaust and installed a 15/41 sprocket config.

We both filled up at the same station, and went on the same ride, after 188 miles, HE RAN OUT OF GAS on the interstate, lol. (We managed to get it started by leaning the bike over a bit and pulling the choke, which got him sputtering about another mile to the next gas station.) I still had about 1/8th tank to go so I didn't even think to stop for gas yet, in fact I am still running on that same tankful now.

A few other things to ponder:

1. He is about 5'10" and 110lbs and can fit his whole body behind the windscreen, lol.

I am 6'3" and about 250lbs, I sit up way higher into the windstream and my shoulders are about as wide as the mirrors with my gear on, thus having much more wind resistance.


2. I have a tendency to flog the throttle a lot, wheelies and lots of other crazy things wringing that little 250's neck.

He is a brand new rider and is much more conservative, carefully using only as much throttle as he feels comfortable with.

Even though those two things are greatly in his favor, I still got better gas mileage.



One other thing I noticed is that when I went out for a ride with a bunch of other stock 250s (old and new gen) that my bike was considerably faster, both in accelleration and top end. When they were all maxed out I could still pull past them in 5th gear and then upshift to 6th as necessary.

So do these mods work? YES!

It was nice to see that my mods had in fact made that great a real-world difference, without having to spend time (re)tuning for numbers on a dyno.

Its still no 600, but if you want to piss off your other friends also on Ninja250s go ahead and drop a few hundred bucks and tweak your bike out!

[tjkamper]

To me is sounds like you have a green bike from all that Kelly has been telling us. If your bike isn't green, then maybe they mixed up the fairings at the factory.

[Snake]

Thanks for your advice TheDuck. My next major mod will be an area p & filter pods when it comes out for the pregens in late August.

[TheDuck]

Originally Posted by tjkamper

To me is sounds like you have a green bike from all that Kelly has been telling us. If your bike isn't green, then maybe they mixed up the fairings at the factory.

Actually, its blue. The green bikes are repainted blue ones.

[randomwalk101]

Ducky,
what's your jet settings?

[TheDuck]

Originally Posted by randomwalk101

Ducky,
what's your jet settings?

Offhand I don't remember, I posted it someplace else on here though. It was a yaer ago the last time I messed with it. I think I have 115s or 117s Kawi parts in there, and I raised the needles 3 washers. I am at sea level.

[bob706]

If the other guy is getting 40mpg and driving conservately then he needs to take his bike in for a check up. I'm 6' and 215lbs getting 57mpg almost all the time with no performance mods. Your friend should be getting mid 60's with his weight alone.

[Cedilla]

Im about 5'10 145lbs completely stock bike. The best gas mileage I have come up with is 53mpg, I would expect better from this bike. I probably spend 60 or 70 percent of my time riding at above 70mph, I take off from every stop WFO unless there are cars in front of me, I can see why my mileage is so bad, but there are bikes with much more displacement that can get comparable mileage.

[ScorpionNinja]

i get 65-68 MPG on avg now a days! 100% stock. highway at 70-75 mph, and city 55-60 mph. if i go for a cruise up north in michigan, sticking to 55mph back roads,enjoying the farm houses, old rusty classic cars/trucks for Sale along the roads.... i get 72-74.5 MPG! thats the best ive squeezed outta my Nate! im 5' 9" 167 lbs. stock windscreen also... still (will be getting a PUIG red/blk soon)

i dont see how your getting more mpg then him, without his bikes carbs being gummed up or sumin'. Poor gas in that tank of his, sitting around all winter w/0 Stabble in it? As far as mods go, yo thats great you got a tad bit more top speed,etc vs us stockers. IMO other then cosmo mods on my bike, im staying stock for engine and such. If i want a fast bike and wider tires (150s arent as wide and cool looking like 180-190s) ill get a ZX6R or ZX10R for my next bike, and the money ill have saved from wasting on Nate, will make a nice lil down payment on my next bigger Ninja!

[Momaru]

Interesting. I get 45-52mpg on the highways with mods (area P, dyno 100, can't remember where the needles are) but I tend to go a 'little' faster than necessary (ask Noche). Riding somewhat conservatively in town and backroads, I average 54~60mpg.
Being 5'9" and 140lbs I 'd thought this was hella better than my cage, but after seeing numbers, I'm starting to wonder if my carbs are a tidbit gummed.

Going in for my 7500mi maint next week (a little late @ 7810, but wasn't expecting a big ride yesterday) so will have valves, etc checked too. Also gonna try some Seafoam in the next tank.

[kkim]

this is poll of what others have been getting...
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13536

[bob706]

Too bad the poll doesn't distinguish between mod/no mod and driving habits. It would be interesting to see what combinations would yield the best mpg.

[CANTFUNCTION]

Originally Posted by Cedilla

Im about 5'10 145lbs completely stock bike. The best gas mileage I have come up with is 53mpg, I would expect better from this bike. I probably spend 60 or 70 percent of my time riding at above 70mph, I take off from every stop WFO unless there are cars in front of me, I can see why my mileage is so bad, but there are bikes with much more displacement that can get comparable mileage.

Originally Posted by bob706

Too bad the poll doesn't distinguish between mod/no mod and driving habits. It would be interesting to see what combinations would yield the best mpg.

Sean
I'm about 5'10 155lbs and I would say my riding habits are similar to Cedilla. I like to keep my rpms up high about 8K to 10K. Mods are AREA P exhaust and has been rejetted with snorkel removed. As for my mileage I'm getting between 57mpg to 59mpg.

[AnarchoMoltov]

I was getting 230 miles and there would still be a gallon +/- still left in the tank.. all I had was an Area P exhaust.....

[noche_caliente]

Originally Posted by Momaru

Interesting. I get 45-52mpg on the highways with mods (area P, dyno 100, can't remember where the needles are) but I tend to go a 'little' faster than necessary (ask Noche). Riding somewhat conservatively in town and backroads, I average 54~60mpg.
Being 5'9" and 140lbs I 'd thought this was hella better than my cage, but after seeing numbers, I'm starting to wonder if my carbs are a tidbit gummed.

Going in for my 7500mi maint next week (a little late @ 7810, but wasn't expecting a big ride yesterday) so will have valves, etc checked too. Also gonna try some Seafoam in the next tank.

teee heee - I got 77.3 this weekend!

[AnarchoMoltov]

Originally Posted by Momaru

Interesting. I get 45-52mpg on the highways with mods (area P, dyno 100, can't remember where the needles are) but I tend to go a 'little' faster than necessary (ask Noche). Riding somewhat conservatively in town and backroads, I average 54~60mpg.
Being 5'9" and 140lbs I 'd thought this was hella better than my cage, but after seeing numbers, I'm starting to wonder if my carbs are a tidbit gummed.

Going in for my 7500mi maint next week (a little late @ 7810, but wasn't expecting a big ride yesterday) so will have valves, etc checked too. Also gonna try some Seafoam in the next tank.

how much does that 7500 mile service run???

[M-Oorb]

When I last checked I had 3 washers, full area p, 15T front sprocket, and on full highway miles...cruisin at like 70, I pulled 64 mpg in blistering hot florida summer weather
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[shift_6]

why am i only getting 45-55mpg on every tank?! =[
5'8"
180lbs

[M-Oorb]

all depends on your riding. Are you shifting at 11,000 rpm a lot, are you doing all around town riding? Are you calculating your mpg correctly haha

[shift_6]

my "cruising" speeds are 75-85, gotta love NYC drivers on the highway

i guess considering i do wring out the bike often, i really shouldn't complain about 45-55mpg

[M-Oorb]

NYC drivers on the highway make me

NJ drivers in the city make me

Florida drivers just suck at everything

[cifex]

Having been riding the bike for a while, you probably fill your tank all the way until a little spills over into the splash guard to be consistent. Your friend probably just jabbed the nozzle in there like a cheap date until his auto shutoff prematurely ruined the fun. I bet he put in about a gallon or more less than you.

[ScorpionNinja]

Originally Posted by cifex

Having been riding the bike for a while, you probably fill your tank all the way until a little spills over into the splash guard to be consistent. Your friend probably just jabbed the nozzle in there like a cheap date until his auto shutoff prematurely ruined the fun. I bet he put in about a gallon or more less than you.

yea ive overfilled mine up b4! (due to looking at the Pumps numbers trying to squeeze in that last 35 cents i pre-paid for!!!

that extra gas that makes it over the splash guard... will peel away that Clearcoat, the next morning you look! (for the gas-tank's sake) i opened the cap, covered the hole with a precut peice of cardboard, then carefully peeled away the flaking clear coat in the splash guard) Did this in case during a futrue fill up, a GUST of WIND blows the flaky clear coat into the TANK!

[ninjabrewer]

Originally Posted by cifex

Your friend probably just jabbed the nozzle in there like a cheap date until his auto shutoff prematurely ruined the fun.