Ninja 250 Highway Driving/Top Speed?

[nyczs2k]

I'm 165 lbs. With my mods, on flat ground my ninja tops out the speedometer.

[caliente103]

200lbs I top out @ 110mph with Mods on NJ Pike
Posted via Mobile Device

[kkim]

Originally Posted by nyczs2k

I'm 165 lbs. With my mods, on flat ground my ninja tops out the speedometer.

Originally Posted by caliente103

200lbs I top out @ 110mph with Mods on NJ Pike
Posted via Mobile Device

what mods would that be?

[Cab305]

Im 172 lbs at 5'8"
and I broke my first motorcycle ton, 2 weeks ago.
<----- The same day as that picture over there. ATGATT'ed back up before Hwy.

Trying to stay up with liter bikes in traffic. Topped it at about 105@11,000rpm Full tuck, nuts somewhere in my abdomen.

[nyczs2k]

Originally Posted by kkim

what mods would that be?

My mods = Full Yoshimura Exhaust, K&N Pod Filters, Dynojet Jet Kit, Double Bubble WS, and other minor mods. But, most importantly a perfect HARD break in on my bike when it was brand new. My speedometer is 5 mph off though.

[kkim]

Originally Posted by nyczs2k

My speedometer is 5 mph off though.

so what was your actual speed?

I highly doubt your mods would make it a super ninjette able to reach 120mph.

[nyczs2k]

Originally Posted by kkim

so what was your actual speed?

I highly doubt your mods would make it a super ninjette able to reach 120mph.

lol...i wish my ninja went 120...I would say my real top speed is close to 110mph.

[Racer x]

In June at Maxton NC my top speed was 112.4mph in one mile. Given a 10% speedo error that is about 123 on the clock.

[kkim]

Originally Posted by nyczs2k

With my mods, on flat ground my ninja tops out the speedometer.

Originally Posted by nyczs2k

My speedometer is 5 mph off though.

Originally Posted by nyczs2k

lol...i wish my ninja went 120...I would say my real top speed is close to 110mph.

My speedo tops out at 125... with a 5mph error, as you stated, that should make your bike doing 120 if you maxed out your speedo.

Racer-X's highly modified 250 has done 112, as he stated.

Sorry, I doubt your top speed is even close to 110.

[Racer x]

With the stock gearing 14/45 the engine would have to turn 13500 (at the revlimiter )to go 108.87mph.

Going 109 can happen down a hill with a tail wind and given enough distance.Gearing is the first thing to change. The problem is the wind resistance at 100 holds the engine at just over 12000 rpm .Changing gears will make the bike go faster But at some point the rpms drops below a cretin power level then the bike goes slower.

[nyczs2k]

Originally Posted by kkim

My speedo tops out at 125... with a 5mph error, as you stated, that should make your bike doing 120 if you maxed out your speedo.

Racer-X's highly modified 250 has done 112, as he stated.

Sorry, I doubt your top speed is even close to 110.

I'll try to take a picture of my speedometer. I'm not trying to lie about a ninja 250's top speed. Sorry for being sarcastic.

[kkim]

Sam,

if you can, use GPS as it's proven to be a reliable way to determine speed.

hope you take no offense from my posts, either... just trying to keep it real.

[Cuongism]

http://m.sportrider.com/features/146...50r/index.html

Above article will show what mods are done to reach the land speed record (cut down tank, different compression ratio for carbs, no air pods, removal of mirrors, signals, etc).
It seems Racer X beat that record of 111.30 by a mile to 112 mph this year. I honestly can't imagine your bike reaching 110 either to be honest. Their modded bikes only get like 20 mpg as well.

[Racer x]

The little ninja that went to Maxton has gone 117 on a record I set at 109 mph in April .They also went 119 on nitrous. These bikes are very specialized for racing the mile .
But given enough room like 2 miles and a tail wind or down hill grade. A slightly modified Ninja could hit 113mph and that would pin the speedo.

Gps is good but a timing slip is the only thing that counts . Or maybe a speeding ticket

It is amazing how hard it is to get REAL speed improvements over stock .

[nyczs2k]

Yeah, I wasn't trying to start anything. I really respect all of you on this forum and appreciate those who put hold it together. I can't argue with you guys as I see you have more knowledge about the 250 for sure. I guess I got a ninja with a speedometer that is really off. I will try to use a GPS to figure out the real speed lol

Btw, is there anyway to get the speedometer to read more accurately?

Thanks.

[capt_bugaloo]

An interesting reference:
http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/features/200806ninja.pdf

These guys are very experienced riders and reviewers, and the fastest speed they could get out of a stock 250r was 95.5 mph.

Take a look at some of the performance stats on the last page of the review:
0 to 60 MPH in 7.72 seconds, the quarter-mile in 15.6 seconds, and the actual speed at an indicated 65 mph was only 59.6 mph.

When I see folks claiming that they got 110+ mph from a stock bike, it makes me wonder how that's possible. Even with an aftermarket exhaust and jetting, I can't see a 250 making more than 105 to 110 mph - the power just isn't there to push the bike that fast.

[kkim]

Originally Posted by nyczs2k

Btw, is there anyway to get the speedometer to read more accurately?

Thanks.

find out the error by GPS or other means, then make mental calculations to your speedo reading. we have a mechanical drive speedometer (off the front wheel) and to my knowledge, there is no one currently making a unit to adjust the readings. besides, each bike's error seems to differ from the next. your speedo could very well be off more than others.

the error "norm" is about 10% high.

[nyczs2k]

Originally Posted by kkim

find out the error by GPS or other means, then make mental calculations to your speedo reading. we have a mechanical drive speedometer (off the front wheel) and to my knowledge, there is no one currently making a unit to adjust the readings. besides, each bike's error seems to differ from the next. your speedo could very well be off more than others.

the error "norm" is about 10% high.

I just read a thread related to this and I still don't know why Kawasaki manufacturers allow this.

I knew my speedometer was off, but I didn't think it was that bad. I tested for actual speed with one of the traffic speed radars used around my area and the radar read 28mph when my speedometer read 35. But, I think that the radar was not reading my speed correctly either.

Anyway my bike is over 20mph off on the speedo at top speed. I've done some tests and my speedometer reads more inaccurate as the speed increases. How did my bike even get put on the market with this huge of an error? I just bought this bike brand new 2 months ago too

I always wondered why everyone was going soooo fast on the highway lolz

[edbro]

Originally Posted by nyczs2k

I just read a thread related to this and I still don't know why Kawasaki manufacturers allow this.

I knew my speedometer was off, but I didn't think it was that bad. I tested for actual speed with one of the traffic speed radars used around my area and the radar read 28mph when my speedometer read 35. But, I think that the radar was not reading my speed correctly either.

Anyway my bike is over 20mph off on the speedo at top speed. I've done some tests and my speedometer reads more inaccurate as the speed increases. How did my bike even get put on the market with this huge of an error? I just bought this bike brand new 2 months ago too

I always wondered why everyone was going soooo fast on the highway lolz

All bikes overestimate your speed (cars too probably). Anyways, it is better they overestimate than underestimate, you wouldn't want to think you passed a cop doing 80 when you're actually going 85. Bring a GPS along with you and you'll know your actual speed.

[almost40]

I have touched 125 on my speedo once. There was a 40+ mph tail wind and a very slight downgrade. I was running a 41t on the rear and my bike was prepped for the track at the time. (no mirriors, turnsignals, tail light etc etc.) To achieve anything over 105 mph very close attention must be paid to ALOT of things. Aero and weight are more important than horsepower. (you gota have that too) If your not making over 30 hp on the dyno youll never hit 105 mph. (true speed) My bike makes slighty over 30 hp at the wheel, add to that the 41T rear,(a must to hit 125 on the speedo) my jockey like stature and weight <--(IMPORTANT) a tight fitting no flapping set of leathers along with a 40+ mph tail wind and a SLIGHT downgrade and cool dry tempatures and its possible to hit 125 indicated. The real speed is probably closer to 112-114mph but hey its great to see the needle at 125.

Btw I have never seen better than an indicated 118mph on a flat road with the winds less the 10 mph and the temp above 65. The warmer it gets she slower it goes.

[Alex]

Wiki entry: Why is my speedometer reading faster than I'm really going?

[Racer x]

Originally Posted by almost40

I have touched 125 on my speedo once. There was a 40+ mph tail wind and a very slight downgrade. I was running a 41t on the rear and my bike was prepped for the track at the time. (no mirriors, turnsignals, tail light etc etc.) To achieve anything over 105 mph very close attention must be paid to ALOT of things. Aero and weight are more important than horsepower. (you gota have that too) If your not making over 30 hp on the dyno youll never hit 105 mph. (true speed) My bike makes slighty over 30 hp at the wheel, add to that the 41T rear,(a must to hit 125 on the speedo) my jockey like stature and weight <--(IMPORTANT) a tight fitting no flapping set of leathers along with a 40+ mph tail wind and a SLIGHT downgrade and cool dry tempatures and its possible to hit 125 indicated. The real speed is probably closer to 112-114mph but hey its great to see the needle at 125.

Btw I have never seen better than an indicated 118mph on a flat road with the winds less the 10 mph and the temp above 65. The warmer it gets she slower it goes.

This is the truth . All I do is race this bike or work on it to chase land speed recoreds. Tight clothing, rider position all that is absolutely critical. But a wind gust will give 6 mph or take 6 away .
I am 6 feet tall and weigh 200 lb. getting a personal best of 112.4 at maxton was very nice since it was over 100 deg and the humidity was off the chart. Sept will be cool and October will be better.I cant wait,.

117 all motor and 119 with nitrous is the top speed to beat on a 250 ninja. 119 plus the 10% speedo error that is 131 on the speedo

if you want an accurate speedo get a Koso Dash .It is programmable to the millimeter.

[Cab305]

This sucks.... you mean my 105 wasn't even 100mph. Im sad now.

[CC Cowboy]

I don't understand this fascination with top speed. The posted top speed limits on the nation's highways are 70MPH. Why would anyone want to go faster. That would be breaking the law and is punishable with a fine and points on your license. I find this very risky.

[almost40]

Every mph you can eek out on a 3000 + foot straight at the track is GOLDEN

[almost40]

Originally Posted by Racer x

This is the truth . All I do is race this bike or work on it to chase land speed recoreds. Tight clothing, rider position all that is absolutely critical. But a wind gust will give 6 mph or take 6 away .
I am 6 feet tall and weigh 200 lb. getting a personal best of 112.4 at maxton was very nice since it was over 100 deg and the humidity was off the chart. Sept will be cool and October will be better.I cant wait,.

117 all motor and 119 with nitrous is the top speed to beat on a 250 ninja. 119 plus the 10% speedo error that is 131 on the speedo

if you want an accurate speedo get a Koso Dash .It is programmable to the millimeter.

Ill bet a guy weighing over 50 lbs less than you could eek out a few more MPH..... HINT HINT Just kidding lol

Did you find that moving to the back of the seat and arching your back up a bit helped create smoother windflow over the tail? do you think this will help or hurt?? I was curious about this and have tried a few different variations of the "top speed tuck" and cant really figure out which is best due to all the changing variables from day to day.

[WindMeUp]

Bone stock, GPS verified?

[almost40]

108 by the GPS. was reading 118-119 on the speedo.
STOCK----NOT!!

[WindMeUp]

Originally Posted by almost40

108 by the GPS. was reading 118-119 on the speedo.
STOCK----NOT!!

No...I want to know what a bone stock 250R can do, not a pumped one

[Racer x]

For starters I don't have a seat. And I cut 6 inch off the top of the tank .and custom rear fairing to fill in behind the seat and covers for my hands. I am getting another tank made that is very narrow. To get my knees inside the fairing .I have cut the top off the fairings to get inside the bike .

I have custom made rear sets with Buell XB foot pegs to lower my feet and move them back.

Up front I have woodcraft clip ons and that are below the triple tree. No front brakes and a custom narrow 1999 xz12 front fender. The windshield is stretched back to touch my helmet and smooth out the air going over my front end

the front is down about 4 inch and the rear is down about 3.75

I have spent three years working on my tuck . going 112 in the heat was proof that something is working.

this photo is from June I still had the seat. I have had all summer to get my rear end down in line with the rear fairing.

[almost40]

The pic is almost exactly what i was trying to describe. Did you shorten the bars in the cip-ons to get your hands in?? I like the skirt on the tail probably keeps the swirling aft under control. Im positive you have done all you can do to the motor. Did you break 35 hp all motor? Last question and you dont have to tell if you dont want too. (top speed secrets and all)How thick or should i say thin of a head gasket? and how much did you shave the head?
Thanks and good luck, Hope you break the record soon.

[nyczs2k]

I just found out my sensor for the speedometer was faulty! If it were not for this thread I would probably never discover this lol. Good thing I'm still under warranty too

[Racer x]

Originally Posted by almost40

The pic is almost exactly what i was trying to describe. Did you shorten the bars in the cip-ons to get your hands in?? I like the skirt on the tail probably keeps the swirling aft under control. Im positive you have done all you can do to the motor. Did you break 35 hp all motor? Last question and you dont have to tell if you dont want too. (top speed secrets and all)How thick or should i say thin of a head gasket? and how much did you shave the head?
Thanks and good luck, Hope you break the record soon.

My thumds are ten inches apart . I cant get lower so Now I am trying to get thin.

I got 34 hp on my best dyno run . And about a hundred with 33.8 .33.6.33.9 up get the idea. I think you need head work and larger intake valves to get more..

I just use stock head gaskets . I cut the block not the head . Cutting the head goes into the combustion chamber .Cutting the block .010 thou. Is half the amount your allowed to cut from the head under normal service.But cutting the block just makes a flats surface to bolt the head to.

Once you cut the head or block you will need to adjust the cam timing to compensate for the shorter distance from cam to crank.

Thanks for the encouragement. I have broken 6 records so far . But I want the fastest speed and I am a bit away from that yet.

Check out my blog I have the latest photos and results there . Sorry for the thread Jaclk

[Samer]

Rider weight being a significant factor for top speed is a myth that will not die. The impact of rider weight on top speed is very low. For a large volume person who cannot tuck in all the way, that would be a different story. For two people who can fully tuck, one muscular and one super skinny, you wouldn't notice a difference in top speed between the two.

[Racer x]

Originally Posted by Samer

Rider weight being a significant factor for top speed is a myth that will not die. The impact of rider weight on top speed is very low. For a large volume person who cannot tuck in all the way, that would be a different story. For two people who can fully tuck, one muscular and one super skinny, you wouldn't notice a difference in top speed between the two.

This is 100 percent true .

The problem in MY case is. It takes a my 500 lb +/-30 hp bike/rider combo more than a mile to reach its top speed. I know this because if I hold the throttle past the finish line trap.I record a higher speed on my data logger than the time slip. So IF I could accelerate faster I would get up to speed faster If I had less total mass .Then I would reach a higher speed in a mile .But not the higher theoretical speed that the bike could reach given more distance.

[Darkspy72]

So, I'm reporting inline with a few other peopler here. Stock 250r 2012. I'm 210 lb, and my brother is like 130, with a stock 2011. We both top out at about 90, 92 on a good day. Tail wind, downhill, it can hit 95. How come we can't get the speed everyone else seems to?

(since this thread is old I'm going to double post this on another one)

[thomason2wheels]

Originally Posted by EngrNewf

That's what I was wondering. If I want to keep my breaks in to go around a turn that spirals downhill I want to know what gear I should be in instead of pulling in the clutch and hoping for the best when I need gas. And Breaking before the turn is done but when you're going down hill well, you don't have much of a choice then to break through it as well.

The engine is happiest when the revs match the load or road conditions. Lower gears and higher revs for more hill climbing power or more acceleration like for passing. Higher gears and lower revs for steady speed cruising. The engine will lug under 3k rpms under load, turn into a hand grenade if taken beyond redline for long...neither is good for the engine. Ride accordingly. :-)

[MotoXGirl]

I've gone 103MPH on my 250. I usually ride about 75MPH on the highways, cause I don't want to go anymore to get a ticket.

[Yakaru]

I'm a tiny thing @ 100 lbs, but I can run at ~85MPH at 11k RPMs when I go between Vegas and LA on weekends; this is with stock sprockets -- from what I've read swapping my front out will lose about 1k RPMs at the same speed.

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by Yakaru

I'm a tiny thing @ 100 lbs, but I can run at ~85MPH at 11k RPMs when I go between Vegas and LA on weekends; this is with stock sprockets -- from what I've read swapping my front out will lose about 1k RPMs at the same speed.

You'll also feel a bit less power

And holy **** you are half of me