The Life of Your 250

[ilovejesus]

Just curious. How many miles would you be able to get out of a 08+ 250 before having to change the engine? And how many miles does your ninja have right now?

[Alex]

No reason a well-maintained engine won't go 50k or more without major work. Some related threads:

High Mileage Ninjettes

How many miles are on your bike

250R Mileage Check!!

[Snake]

I now have 25,000 miles on my bike with no major problems.

[Whiskey]

I've about 21k on mine with no major work needed, the new gen bikes are detuned (by about 17.5% from the old model) to meet current EU fourth reich power limits for learners & riders with licences for less than 2 years

Oil & filter done every 3500, air filter cleaned & re oiled at the same time, on it's 4th set of brake pads up front, 3rd on the back, 3rd set of tyres (Bt 45s this time around), 2nd chain, original steel sprockets are still in good condition probably from the chain oiler on the bike, valve clearences were checked & still in spec.

[headshrink]

I agree with the above. I changed my engine at around 21K, but only because I broke it being compulsive.

[Bill N]

Originally Posted by ilovejesus

Just curious. How many miles would you be able to get out of a 08+ 250 before having to change the engine? And how many miles does your ninja have right now?

If properly maintained, not abused or raced, I see no reason why the engine couldn't do 100,000 plus miles. I keep bikes for a long time so I care for them and get my money's worth plus enjoyment knowing them inside and out.
Bill

[Sailariel]

The Ninja 250, taken care of, should do 100,000 miles+ These are solid well designed engines.

[lgk]

Originally Posted by Sailariel

The Ninja 250, taken care of, should do 100,000 miles+ These are solid well designed engines.

i'm going to test this see you in 5 years.

[Sailariel]

I put 130,000 miles on a 1956 NSU 250, and it was not nearly the bike the 250 Ninja is.

[lgk]

Originally Posted by Whiskey

I've about 21k on mine with no major work needed, the new gen bikes are detuned (by about 17.5% from the old model) to meet current EU fourth reich power limits for learners & riders with licences for less than 2 years

Oil & filter done every 3500, air filter cleaned & re oiled at the same time, on it's 4th set of brake pads up front, 3rd on the back, 3rd set of tyres (Bt 45s this time around), 2nd chain, original steel sprockets are still in good condition probably from the chain oiler on the bike, valve clearences were checked & still in spec.

what did they do to detune it?

is it just a more conservative cam and more restrictive air box or more complex?

[Alex]

Differences between generations detailed in this thread:

Iron Ninjas!! Battle of the 250s!

I don't know that that 17.5% would apply to; that sounds much higher than I'd have said. The new-gens are down 1 - 2 peak rwhp from the pre-gens, which is more like 7% or 8% at most. The new-gens have somewhat more torque in the midrange, and are down in the upper ranges. Less compression, more restrictive intake/exhaust.

[toua70]

#1. I love Jesus too
#2. Kawasaki builds good engines so I plan to get mine to 100,000 miles!! woot! I've read in forums of older ninja 250s doing over 100k so I don't see why the new gens aren't capable of achieving the same goal. I do ride pretty aggressively but I do maintenance regularly (oil change, oil filter each time i change oil, sparks, air filter) im due for a valve adjustment soon though.

[patw]

The only thing that failed on mine was the cam chain tensioner at 20k km. I replaced it before it caused any real damage, and the engine sounds perfect again. I'm sure the engine life would have been less if I didn't do it.

[Sailariel]

The key to an engine's long life is to stay on top of regular oil and filter changes. The new Synthetic oils do a great job. I used Rotella T-6 and K&N Filters. When I traded the Ninja in with 12000 miles on the clock, everything was within spec. Also be aware that Ninjas don't like to run under 7000RPM.

[Bill N]

Originally Posted by Sailariel

The key to an engine's long life is to stay on top of regular oil and filter changes. The new Synthetic oils do a great job. I used Rotella T-6 and K&N Filters. When I traded the Ninja in with 12000 miles on the clock, everything was within spec. Also be aware that Ninjas don't like to run under 7000RPM.

Alex,
What makes you say that? My 08 humms like a happy child in the sub 7000 range. Other bikes like my 1100 Guzzi definitly has a zone where the bike lugs at lower RPM. The Ninjette seems happy in a broad RPM range well below 7000.
Bill

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by Alex

Differences between generations detailed in this thread:

Iron Ninjas!! Battle of the 250s!

I don't know that that 17.5% would apply to; that sounds much higher than I'd have said. The new-gens are down 1 - 2 peak rwhp from the pre-gens, which is more like 7% or 8% at most. The new-gens have somewhat more torque in the midrange, and are down in the upper ranges. Less compression, more restrictive intake/exhaust.

Pre gen is widely quoted as 40bhp (at least by insurers over here), new gen is 33 (to comply with EU licencing regs which say 33 is legal for learners & people who have their licence less than 2 years thanks to the safety nazis) both measured at the crank, with essentially the same twin cyl 249cc, matching bore & stroke engine it's putting out 7 less bhp due to airflow restrictions & lower compression.

7 is 17.5% of 40

Originally Posted by Sailariel

The key to an engine's long life is to stay on top of regular oil and filter changes. The new Synthetic oils do a great job. I used Rotella T-6 and K&N Filters. When I traded the Ninja in with 12000 miles on the clock, everything was within spec. Also be aware that Ninjas don't like to run under 7000RPM.

That seems a bit high to still be lugging, below 5500 or so it'll be unhappy, 6k is fine & 8-10.5 is fun

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by Whiskey

Pre gen is widely quoted as 40bhp

uhhhhhh........ maybe the 4 cylinder 250.

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by alex.s

uhhhhhh........ maybe the 4 cylinder 250.

Given that it's from the Irish insurance companies (all 4 of them) it could well be...

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Whiskey

Pre gen is widely quoted as 40bhp (at least by insurers over here)

I think the insurers are a little optimistic. Even the pre-gen service manual states 38 PS for the 1986/1987 model (post link), while the rev limit and timing was cut back during the pre-gen's run afterwards. The rear-wheel dyno differences from the later pre-gens and the 2008+ bikes are 1 or 2 hp apart.