How does the ninja fair through the winter?

JohntheNinja · October 8th, 2015, 02:27 AM

Bought a 2008 ninja 250r at the start of summer. Only had 9000 miles on it and was in a lovely condition so it obviously had not been through a winter. I rode my yamaha ybr 125 for 5 years all year round and it did not corrode too much. Just required fresh paint on the exhaust every year.

Bottom line: So what I'm wondering is if the ninja paint job will fade and will the underneath and engine suffer through the winter? Bare in mind I will wash it down after every ride. And in the North East of England, winter isn't terrible, just gets frosty and roads have salt on them constantly.

Cheers lads and lasses!

motoman · October 8th, 2015, 04:49 AM

I have never rode mine thew any of our Canadian winters but it should do fine make sure you have tires that have better grip in cold temps. Wash it to get rid of the salt I am always to freaked out at hitting some black ice to try winter riding. You being from England I assume yours is fuel injection so letting it warm up is not as big of a problem like our carb models

cbinker · October 11th, 2015, 01:08 PM

not likely to have any more issues then your previous bike.

csmith12 · October 11th, 2015, 01:14 PM

It should fair well overall. The paint is known to fade a little if left exposed to the sun year round for consecutive seasons in a row, just like any other automotive paint will (nothing special). While the lil ninja's are not rust buckets, you can expect rust to start to develop in the obvious places if left sitting in salt and road grime. You chain will fare the worst of the winter month, extra maintenance required.

misfitsailor · October 11th, 2015, 10:07 PM

The stock thermostat is very cold, and in cold weather can prevent the engine from warming up properly. The ThermoBob setup allows fast warm-ups and even coolant temps throughout the system. Before the ThermoBob I had to use the choke at times during winter rides, as the engine temp range would vary by as much as 60 degrees. Now the coolant varies only by 2 to 5 degrees after warm up, year round.

spooph · October 12th, 2015, 09:55 AM

They're fine in the winter... Attached is a pic of my bike going through 3 really rough winters in Colorado as I used to ride year round. The paint still looks almost new - just gotta wipe it down and keep it clean.

October 8th, 2015, 02:27 AM	#1
JohntheNinja ninjette.org newbie Name: John Location: Newcastle Join Date: Oct 2015 Motorcycle(s): Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 4	How does the ninja fair through the winter? Bought a 2008 ninja 250r at the start of summer. Only had 9000 miles on it and was in a lovely condition so it obviously had not been through a winter. I rode my yamaha ybr 125 for 5 years all year round and it did not corrode too much. Just required fresh paint on the exhaust every year. Bottom line: So what I'm wondering is if the ninja paint job will fade and will the underneath and engine suffer through the winter? Bare in mind I will wash it down after every ride. And in the North East of England, winter isn't terrible, just gets frosty and roads have salt on them constantly. Cheers lads and lasses!

October 11th, 2015, 01:08 PM	#3
cbinker Track Clown Name: Chris Location: Kingman, AZ Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '15	not likely to have any more issues then your previous bike. __________________________________________________ TEAM ALFALFA www.apexassassins.com

October 11th, 2015, 01:14 PM	#4
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	It should fair well overall. The paint is known to fade a little if left exposed to the sun year round for consecutive seasons in a row, just like any other automotive paint will (nothing special). While the lil ninja's are not rust buckets, you can expect rust to start to develop in the obvious places if left sitting in salt and road grime. You chain will fare the worst of the winter month, extra maintenance required. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

October 11th, 2015, 10:07 PM	#5
misfitsailor Ninjette Jockey Name: Tim Location: Stockton, Ca Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R, Harley Davidson Heritage Softail, 2 Honda Monkeys, Polini & GRC mini GP Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 3	The stock thermostat is very cold, and in cold weather can prevent the engine from warming up properly. The ThermoBob setup allows fast warm-ups and even coolant temps throughout the system. Before the ThermoBob I had to use the choke at times during winter rides, as the engine temp range would vary by as much as 60 degrees. Now the coolant varies only by 2 to 5 degrees after warm up, year round. __________________________________________________ For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?.

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October 8th, 2015, 04:49 AM	#2
motoman ninjette.org member Name: derrick Location: ontario canada Join Date: Sep 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 ninja Posts: 32	I have never rode mine thew any of our Canadian winters but it should do fine make sure you have tires that have better grip in cold temps. Wash it to get rid of the salt I am always to freaked out at hitting some black ice to try winter riding. You being from England I assume yours is fuel injection so letting it warm up is not as big of a problem like our carb models