Pre-Gen Ninjas Rule, 104 MPG

greenaero · February 4th, 2012, 07:04 PM

Hi All, I bought my 1999 NInja EX @250 in 12/11 and started modifying it to compete in fuel economy competitions. I wanted a used water-cooled 250cc bike with record of good fuel economy. The little Ninja looked to be the most likely candidate.
My bike was a salvage yard survivor but ran well, had good tires and had only minor cosmetic damage. I got it titled, serviced it and ran a baseline. Stock it deliver 59 mpg to 72 mpg. Not great but not bad either. I started streamling the bike and got 78 mpg. I bumped up the gearing to 15/41 and today got a tankfill reading of 104 mpg!!!

Even after owning larger , faster bikes I find the ninjette a lot of fun to ride. It also has the potential to be a winner in fuel economy competitions. For more info on my efforts check out my thread in the General Section
all the best , GA

Alex · February 4th, 2012, 07:42 PM

Nice!

TonyKZ1 · February 8th, 2012, 03:39 PM

Wow! 104mpg that's great!
Tony

alex.s · February 8th, 2012, 04:44 PM

wow 100mpg what rpm does that thing cruise at?

greenaero · February 8th, 2012, 06:18 PM

Thanks ! My ninjette with the 15/41 gearing runs 6000 to 6500 rpms at cruising speeds of 65 to 70 mph.

CynicalC · February 9th, 2012, 12:13 AM

Pretty cool for what it is, but I have to say it looks absolutely hideous; and I mean that in the nicest way possible.

How does it handle in the twisted with all that added aero?

greenaero · February 9th, 2012, 05:59 AM

Yeah, good looks are not its strong point. I'm suprised my bike hasn't been nominated for the ugliest bikes thread

Twisties are not too bad, I can move my body side to side well, not much front to back. In addition , I run higher tire inflation pressures so their grip is not optimal. Still all in all, fine for "spirited riding.

"A" · February 9th, 2012, 09:54 AM

I'd imagine a overhead cover would offer better aerodynamics and safer than an extended windshield that reaches just beow your helmet.

Maybe your next version would be similar to:

cuz · February 9th, 2012, 04:57 PM

WOW !! congrats man

CynicalC · February 10th, 2012, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "A"

I'd imagine a overhead cover would offer better aerodynamics and safer than an extended windshield that reaches just beow your helmet.

Maybe your next version would be similar to:

How does that start and stop? Does it have little training wheels that pop out?

greenaero · February 10th, 2012, 10:14 AM

Fully enclosed streamlininers as pictured are the best for reducing air drag and weather protection but present other challenges with greater sidewind deflection sensitivity , interior heat buildup, complexity and expense. Very interesting vehicles, too bad no major manufacturer has started making them. It would be a very challenging project for home garage hobbyist like myself.

February 4th, 2012, 07:04 PM	#1
greenaero Motorcycle Hypermiler Name: Vic Location: Livermore CA Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 1999 & 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250R's Posts: A lot.	Pre-Gen Ninjas Rule, 104 MPG Hi All, I bought my 1999 NInja EX @250 in 12/11 and started modifying it to compete in fuel economy competitions. I wanted a used water-cooled 250cc bike with record of good fuel economy. The little Ninja looked to be the most likely candidate. My bike was a salvage yard survivor but ran well, had good tires and had only minor cosmetic damage. I got it titled, serviced it and ran a baseline. Stock it deliver 59 mpg to 72 mpg. Not great but not bad either. I started streamling the bike and got 78 mpg. I bumped up the gearing to 15/41 and today got a tankfill reading of 104 mpg!!! Even after owning larger , faster bikes I find the ninjette a lot of fun to ride. It also has the potential to be a winner in fuel economy competitions. For more info on my efforts check out my thread in the General Section all the best , GA

February 4th, 2012, 07:42 PM	#2
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	Nice! __________________________________________________ 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)

February 8th, 2012, 03:39 PM	#3
TonyKZ1 ninjette.org member Name: Anthony Location: Marble Hill, MO Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 1975 Kawasaki KZ400D (Sold), 1989 Kawasaki Ninja 250 (sold), 1997 Yamaha XJ600s Seca II Posts: 231	Wow! 104mpg that's great! Tony __________________________________________________ 1997 Yamaha Seca II - mostly stock, Racetech upgraded forks, FZ6R rear shock, Oxford Heated Grips, Barkbusters Blizzard Handguards, a Scottoiler vSystem chain oiler. My Mileage Tracker Page.

February 8th, 2012, 04:44 PM	#4
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	wow 100mpg what rpm does that thing cruise at? __________________________________________________

February 9th, 2012, 12:13 AM	#6
CynicalC ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Colin Location: Bay Area Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): '96 EX250 Posts: A lot.	Pretty cool for what it is, but I have to say it looks absolutely hideous; and I mean that in the nicest way possible. How does it handle in the twisted with all that added aero? __________________________________________________ Ç¥ñï©ª\| ßÿ Ñâ7µ®é. Äñt¡~§º¢Ïä\| ßý Çhøî©è.

February 8th, 2012, 06:18 PM	#5
greenaero Motorcycle Hypermiler Name: Vic Location: Livermore CA Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 1999 & 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250R's Posts: A lot.	Thanks ! My ninjette with the 15/41 gearing runs 6000 to 6500 rpms at cruising speeds of 65 to 70 mph.

February 9th, 2012, 05:59 AM	#7
greenaero Motorcycle Hypermiler Name: Vic Location: Livermore CA Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 1999 & 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250R's Posts: A lot.	Yeah, good looks are not its strong point. I'm suprised my bike hasn't been nominated for the ugliest bikes thread Twisties are not too bad, I can move my body side to side well, not much front to back. In addition , I run higher tire inflation pressures so their grip is not optimal. Still all in all, fine for "spirited riding.

February 9th, 2012, 09:54 AM	#8
"A" vampire Name: A Location: IT Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.	I'd imagine a overhead cover would offer better aerodynamics and safer than an extended windshield that reaches just beow your helmet. Maybe your next version would be similar to:

February 9th, 2012, 04:57 PM	#9
cuz cuz Name: Israel Location: Houston (me) Galveston Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 09 ninja 250r Posts: A lot.	WOW !! congrats man __________________________________________________ THE GOOD LIFE

February 10th, 2012, 10:14 AM	#11
greenaero Motorcycle Hypermiler Name: Vic Location: Livermore CA Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 1999 & 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250R's Posts: A lot.	Fully enclosed streamlininers as pictured are the best for reducing air drag and weather protection but present other challenges with greater sidewind deflection sensitivity , interior heat buildup, complexity and expense. Very interesting vehicles, too bad no major manufacturer has started making them. It would be a very challenging project for home garage hobbyist like myself.

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