October 30th, 2011, 08:01 AM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Steph
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 21
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What RPMs do you cruise at?
just wondering.... =) I'm new to riding and not sure what the "norm" is for my kawi ninja 250r
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October 30th, 2011, 08:31 AM | #2 |
User Title Free Since '12
Name: Floyd
Location: Barbados
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In before someone says: "Redline, BABY!"
6 or 7k. Depends on what is coming up on the road and what the speed limit is. If I need to do 60 or 70, then 8k, only because that is what you have to do in 6th to get there. . Goal is to have ready access to powerband up above 7k, so I hang out just where I've got good acceleration waiting for me. If I'm on curvy road and having fun, I'll probably run at 8 into corners, more on the way out before shifting back to get back to 8kish.
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October 30th, 2011, 08:34 AM | #3 |
Mr. 988
Name: Jeff
Location: Sandy, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot.
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Floyd you beat me to the punch.
Like Floyd says, it depends: Always above 7000. 7-9 thousand if I want to stretch gas mileage in town and I feel like loafing along. Most of the time 9000. On the freeway against a stiff headwind - 10,000 to almost red-line. Ride safe. Jeff
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October 30th, 2011, 11:17 AM | #4 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: David
Location: Florida
Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 357
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Damn, I cruise at way too low of an RPM, especially coming straight from a car that has a lazy automatic transmission.
Do I get worse mileage for cruising at lower than 7K RPM. I usually put it in sixth gear if traffic is at least 35 mph. |
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October 30th, 2011, 11:23 AM | #5 | |
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Quote:
But like someone mentioned you will want to be close to the powerband in case you need to get out of the way of something or someone. I just cruise somewhere above 6k and below 9k. |
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October 30th, 2011, 11:40 AM | #6 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Zach
Location: Michigan
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Lol! I'm way off when I normally ride then! I pretty much have the bike in 6th gear ALL the time, even in 25 mph zones! I just do it for the fuel economy here in town. Outside of town I'll let her scream, but most of the time, I just have it in 6th regardless of speed or rpm
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October 30th, 2011, 12:12 PM | #8 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Brian
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Quote:
To answer the OP: At whatever RPM you want. Every RPM has its time and place. Low RPMs have their advantages of being gas saving, quiet, lower vibrations. Higher RPMs are useful for being in the powerband, hence better acceleration, easier to overtake, and faster/harder engine braking. Mix and match your RPMs to your riding style and you'll find the 250 is an amazingly versatile and still very very fast bike. |
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October 30th, 2011, 12:39 PM | #9 |
So, where's the reverse?
Name: Anson
Location: Ontario, Canada
Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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Whichever RPM is appropriate for my speed and road conditions but never below 6K.
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October 30th, 2011, 03:46 PM | #10 |
Ninja chick
Name: Allyson
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I cruise between 6-9 (usually around 7) because I like to have power available if/when I need it. The higher your RPMs, the crappier gas mileage you get, so that's the downside.
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October 30th, 2011, 04:02 PM | #11 |
CBR250R Traitor
Name: Jon
Location: Greater Philadelphia Area
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6th gear unless I'm going slow or in the twisties. I usually downshift into 4th for overtaking at 60mph. On the highway my rpms are anywhere from 7-11k.
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October 30th, 2011, 05:10 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Steve
Location: Valdosta GA, US
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7-9k for me normally.
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October 30th, 2011, 07:29 PM | #13 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Steph
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 21
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Thanks for all the input! Super helpful! I ride mostly in an urban area, I find myself at 8-9K most of the time, but will probably try to keep it around 6-7K for improved gas mileage and to have that extra room in case I need to quickly accelerates to get out of a jam
gfloyd - based on your description, do you find yourself accelerating into corners/turns? |
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October 30th, 2011, 09:32 PM | #14 |
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Name: David
Location: Florida
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I seem to cruise at a way lower RPM compared to the norm until I hit the higher speed limits.
Doesn't the break-in period require the bike to go no higher than 4K RPM? How did you guys do it? |
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October 30th, 2011, 09:48 PM | #15 | |
Jigglin' your Jiglets
Name: Sean
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Quote:
Typically I am in the 9-12k range unless I am low on gas then I'll drop it down a bit.
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October 31st, 2011, 08:13 AM | #16 |
Nooblet
Name: Akima
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If I'm just casually riding around on 40MPH roads, then I will often keep the revs at ~5K to conserve fuel. If the roads are busy and more dangerous or if I feel like some spirited riding I'll keep the revs ~6K so I have the ability to quickly accelerate.
Riding on the motorway I'm in 6 gear, so my revs are whatever my revs need to be. From reading on this forum I get the impression that there is no harm in maintaining sustained high revs. I just keep the needle out of the red area. |
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November 4th, 2011, 01:54 PM | #17 |
Winging It In Life
Name: Umar
Location: SoCal
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I always kick into 6th gear. Just stay attentive.
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November 4th, 2011, 02:50 PM | #18 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R SE GREEN! Posts: 562
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Around 5k, I'm light. In higher gears it lugs around 5 so I'm up near 6
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November 4th, 2011, 07:52 PM | #19 |
Not dead yet!
Name: Rob
Location: Marlborough MA
Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 315
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If I'm burbling along in traffic or whatever I could be at 5k or even down to 4k. If I'm feeling bad-ass I'll have it around 7 or 8k. I've noticed that if I've been on the highway for a while, I get used to the engine screaming at 10k+ RPM, and when I pull off the highway, putting about at 4 or 5k just doesn't sound right.
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November 4th, 2011, 08:04 PM | #20 |
RIP Alex
Name: Cuong
Location: Houston, TX
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I cruise at 11k+. I do a lot of freeway commuting.
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November 4th, 2011, 08:43 PM | #21 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Steph
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 21
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My daily commuting is mostly on main roads, but not freeways. I think I'm going to tryout the freeways pretty soon. Nervous, but excited at the same time! I've finally gotten all my protective gear to feel safe (riding boots, protective jacket, pants, helmet).
On a 250r, do you find yourself at 11K in 6th gear? How many mph are you going at that rate? |
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November 4th, 2011, 10:13 PM | #22 |
RIP Alex
Name: Cuong
Location: Houston, TX
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot.
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Sounds about right. That's like 75-80 mph.
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November 9th, 2011, 02:58 AM | #24 | |
User Title Free Since '12
Name: Floyd
Location: Barbados
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Quote:
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November 14th, 2011, 03:05 PM | #25 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Morgan
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Keep it about 7 - 9k, at that range you'll be able to wind on if you have to & rolling off will give a decent amount of engine braking. the bike becomes good fun above 8.5k.
looking at the site it appears that the carbed models rev higher than the FIs, I'd rarely have the bike over 11k, unless I have just dropped a gear to overtake. motorway cruising would be about 10 - 10.5k in 6th |
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