June 27th, 2012, 07:43 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Unspecified
Location: nowhere
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): None Posts: 18
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High revving ninja, kept at low rpms?
I guess this is somewhat of the same post I tried in another forum. I got my bike and joined a couple, but now can't decide where to stay. But besides being a little whorish as a result of getting my bike, I have some serious thoughts.
So I've been riding my little Ninja every hour I get after work and before nightfall and have gotten quite comfortable on it (mostly at speeds up to 35mph so far - I'm taking it slow). I am developing my riding style and I quite enjoy it, but have a few questions whether they are frowned upon. I've seen a lot of back and fourth on it elsewhere and wondered what this community thought. I'm practicing mostly in residential neighborhoods so to keep the noise down I shift at around 5k rpm and let the bike cruise at around 4k rpm. I know this is below the peak power, but is there anything wrong, as in damaging, with this? We hear about the redline but what about the other side of the spectrum? Side Note: Also, I've gotten into the habit of downshifting to slow down a lot. I blip throttle and regulate the clutch to get smooth downshifts when I need to slow down. It helps me keep track of the gears and I feel like I have way more control over the bike - but I barely touch the break until I'm ready to stop. The bike is pretty old and I don't want to shorten the life of the clutch even more (I hear Ninja's can go for a long time well maintained, but most that I've seen around don't have 17k miles like mine). I realize regardless of whether this damages the clutch I should tap my brakes to warn the people behind me; I'm working on it. |
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June 27th, 2012, 07:57 PM | #2 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Pshyk
Location: Fairbanks,AK
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012-250R Posts: 202
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i dont see why it would be a bad thing to keep the rpms low...
maybe if youre in like 6th gear and going 20mph that might cause a little stress on the engine but im not sure... |
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June 27th, 2012, 07:58 PM | #3 |
never enough
Name: josh
Location: michigan
Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): Blue 2010 ninja 250R Posts: 277
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running low RPM's is fine.
but you should atleast put pressure on the brake so it will light up your taillight to warn other cars.
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June 27th, 2012, 08:40 PM | #4 |
#squid
Name: nickypoo
Location: Five Guys
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jul '16
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Not a two stroke...so it shouldn't. But like you said...keep pressure on rear or front brake so that you're keeping others aware...and make sure you actually practice braking as well. Emergency braking too. Get like a plastic bottle...brake as fast as you can so you stop quickly, then place the bottle there...and try to stop before it. Measure the distance, and compare to others... there are better techniques out there though lol!
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June 28th, 2012, 09:14 AM | #5 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Charlie
Location: Wylie, TX
Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R Posts: 317
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It's been said on other forums that riding around at low RPMs can cause carbon buildup on the exhaust valves, but I'm not sure how much truth there is to that since even at 6K, the valves are traveling quite fast.
Carbon buildup aside, just make sure you're not lugging the engine. If you're experiencing any 'bucking' or shaking during acceleration, kick down a gear, as this is very bad for the bottom end...worse, in fact than riding around at high rpms. |
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June 29th, 2012, 09:25 AM | #6 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Mark
Location: Portland
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): Cheap Italian Suit. Otherwise known as Dew Kitty Posts: A lot.
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I ride at low rpms regularly, with occasional forays above 8 to 10k to kick loose any potential carbon buildup. As someone who is relatively new on a bike I like the lower power in the lower rpm range. I feel like the bike won't get away from me if I make a throttle input mistake. I think when (if) I upgrade to a Street Triple I will use this method to get used to it!
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June 29th, 2012, 03:53 PM | #7 |
wat
Name: wat
Location: tustin/long beach
Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much.
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4k is about the minimum. below that and it starts to lug. as long as its not lugging you are fine.
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June 29th, 2012, 03:59 PM | #8 | |
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
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Quote:
Keep in mind that brakes are much cheaper than engines, so you may want to consider using more brakes along with engine braking. Like you stated, people behind you need to see your brake light come on, so using your brakes to stop is a good thing.
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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 |
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June 30th, 2012, 07:57 AM | #9 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Unspecified
Location: nowhere
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): None Posts: 18
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Thanks for the input guys. I'm working on using my brakes more, but I'm still doing some engine braking. It's way more fun
And since I'm getting more comfortable on the bike I'm starting to rev it higher. Riding a motorcycle alone is fun, but I'm learning the awesomeness of the Ninja! |
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June 30th, 2012, 08:24 AM | #10 | |
"scandal!"
Name: Adan
Location: Somewhere
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 250R(Crashed 2/26/2014), 09 ER6n Posts: 660
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Quote:
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June 30th, 2012, 09:13 AM | #11 | |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
Location: Florida
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16
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Quote:
You should educate yourself to always keep the proper gear, which will load the engine in the range of 6K to 10K, regardless the velocity of the bike (except when coming to a stop). What you are doing is not incorrect; however, in order to survive street traffic, you will need to learn some skills beyond basic operation of the bike. If you have not done so yet, I would recommend you to take the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) course. Best!
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July 3rd, 2012, 01:36 AM | #12 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Domagoj
Location: Rijeka, Croatia
Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r 2009 Posts: 396
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Quote:
Keeping it between 4-6k is completely reasonable in normal city driving. Everything else is basically a waste of fuel, excess noise and heat production. You do not need peek power to accelerate slightly better than an average car, or to move at 30 mph. And you do not need to ride agressively between traffic lights because it will not save time at all, it just increases the chances of something going wrong. High rpm engines are NOT durable engines, whatever we may like to think. Ninjette with 20k miles has probably less than 800 engine work hours, probably in 2 years or more. Compare that to marine diesels, which do those hours every 2 months, and work at peak power almost all the time. |
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