Downgrading from a Yamaha R6....opinions wanted

[devmasa]

Hello all,
I recently moved and now need to commute ~45 mile round trip.This is in Los Angeles and for those who are in Los Angeles know how horrible this commute can be from the west side to San Fernando valley during rush hour.I currently own a 2007 Yamaha R6 and don't find it suitable for commuting at all.
I used to have a 2007 ninja 250 (my first bike) and really liked it but found it very underpowered while looking for that quick acceleration needed to pass cars on the freeway
I would like an honest opinion of all 250 owners about getting a 250 as a daily commuter .I am also looking for other motorcycle options where I need enough power for the freeway as well as being nimble and light enough to lane split.
Your opinions are highly appreciated

[TrueFader]

honestly the bike is great all around, you can gear the top end a little higher for more comfortable freeway commuting rpms but i think in 6th at 9k i'm at like 80 mph and just entering the good powerband so it works for me, my commute is about half yours though so you might look into a little more power like an sv650 or so. they have a more standard riding position and bigger range of speed. work well for weekend fun riding or track use as well.

[Snake]

You allready have previous experience on a Ninja 250 and since you are looking at this as a 'downgrade" than your mind is allreaady made up and nothing we can say will change your mind. Take a look back at your past experience with the bike and decide from there. Ask yourself: was it comfortable, did it have enough power for me?

[bob706]

A Ninja 650r or a fz-6r would be a good choice

[want1sobad]

99.9% of my riding is commuting approximately 20 miles (one way) on the freeway at speeds between 70-80 mph. i find my new-gen ninja does everything i need it to do. throw on an area p exhaust and a jet kit, and you're looking at a 15-20% increase in power and torque. should get the job done - all while providing 45-50mpg

[devmasa]

Originally Posted by TrueFader

honestly the bike is great all around, you can gear the top end a little higher for more comfortable freeway commuting rpms but i think in 6th at 9k i'm at like 80 mph and just entering the good powerband so it works for me, my commute is about half yours though so you might look into a little more power like an sv650 or so. they have a more standard riding position and bigger range of speed. work well for weekend fun riding or track use as well.

Speed is not too big of an issue.I ride pretty easy...never going above 75 mph.
Its the acceleration that I was not too comfortable with.I am looking at the sv650 too.I want a bike with more upright riding position and that gives good gas mileage.
I think the sv650 still has a leaning riding position.

Originally Posted by Snake

You already have previous experience on a Ninja 250 and since you are looking at this as a 'downgrade" than your mind is already made up and nothing we can say will change your mind. Take a look back at your past experience with the bike and decide from there. Ask yourself: was it comfortable, did it have enough power for me?

I dont mean mean "downgrade" in a bad way.I was just referring to a downgrade on the engine ccs and motorcycle insurance
The thing I loved about the ninja is that I felt more comfortable as I could flatfoot the bike.The riding position was more upright ..so less stress on my wrists (I have a sensitive wrist from an old accident).
As for the power..yes it was a little lacking

Originally Posted by bob706

A Ninja 650r or a fz-6r would be a good choice

Definitely looking at the 650r.I am also looking at the Kawasaki Versys.

Originally Posted by want1sobad

99.9% of my riding is commuting approximately 20 miles (one way) on the freeway at speeds between 70-80 mph. i find my new-gen ninja does everything i need it to do. throw on an area p exhaust and a jet kit, and you're looking at a 15-20% increase in power and torque. should get the job done - all while providing 45-50mpg

Thanks for the info

[devmasa]

So here are a list of things I remember that I didn't like on my 2007 ninja 250:
1) Lacks quick power/acceleration needed to pass cars on the freeway.
2) On my previous ninja I felt a lot of "sway" from other cars passing me.(I don't feel this on my R6)
3) Bike vibrates a lot at high speeds.
4) Thinner tires pick up freeway surface imperfections (deeper than usual grooves,uneven roads,potholes etc) quickly.This was a big concern for me on Los Angeles freeways at high speeds.
5) This might sound silly...but car drivers usually don't notice/hear a ninja 250 in the freeway commotion. I have a pretty loud pipe on my R6 and cars notice me/make some room for me when I am lane splitting.

Please feel free to correct me on these since these are the things I remember on my 250 as a noob's first motorcycle experience.
Has Kawasaki made significant changes to the 2008+ 250s ( other than the cosmetic stuff) that is an improvement over the pre-2008 models?

[Havok]

I think a 650r is what you are looking for tbh. It will have the power you need and the more upright position.

I commute on the 710 on my 250 and ride the 91 and 405 all the time and dont have issues but dont feel the need to pass to much.

[scotty]

If you are worried about the 250 getting up to speed, I would recommend doing some work to the carb. Even shimming them will help with the bike to pick up speed. All that would cost would be around a $1 and an hour of your time.

If you dont like the vibration of the bike, upgrade the front sproket to a 15 tooth. That will lower the RPM's on the highway.

Dosnt matter what bike your on, other drivers wont see you.

Ive never had any problems with my thin tires..

[greg737]

Originally Posted by drsketch

What is funny about people complaining about ninja 250 acceleration, is it still accelerates much faster than probably most of the cars they drive and are on the road...

There you go, speaking the truth.

We don't need any input from "realist / a**holes" when we're imagining ourselves mixing it up on the nation's highways with squadrons of marauding Lamborghinis and Ferraris.


While we're indulging in "personal mythology" we might as well imagine a scene inside the OP's local Kawasaki dealership...... "Sorry, Sir. We can't sell you this little 250." "Why? Because your penis is simply too enormous. It's against the law. Let me show you some of our Liter-bikes instead."

[Reswob]

Originally Posted by drsketch

What is funny about people complaining about ninja 250 acceleration, is it still accelerates much faster than probably most of the cars they drive and are on the road...

Almost 8 seconds 0-60, so... nope, pretty slow. About the same as my over 2.5-ton Grand Cherokee.


To the OP, coming from an R6 you will be disappointed with the power around town, but once you're in the powerband (i.e. doing 80 on the highway) it's pretty good.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by drsketch

naw I think you got that wrong, its about 5.5 seconds.

The road tests for the new version have placed it between 7 and 8 seconds, but you're right, the road tests for the pregens sometimes had it as under 6. I think that the older reports seem a little optimistic, and the newer ones are a little pessimistic, but it's hard to say. It depends greatly on the size of the individual strapped onto the bike anyway. If we do try and time it ourselves, it's key to remember that the speedo on many of our bikes probably has to read 65 mph before we're truly at 60 mph.

[devmasa]

Easy guys...no need to defend the accelerating credibility of the 250.I am well aware of it.And I find it to be plenty enough on the freeways. I am just talking about the situations when you need that extra power to get away from that stupid cager when he is dangerously cutting into your lane.
As a new rider I found that power lacking. Or probably I didn't have enough riding experience then and relied on the extra power to makeup for it.

[illrational]

i can get to sixty in six seconds easy

[devmasa]

Originally Posted by greg737

While we're indulging in "personal mythology" we might as well imagine a scene inside the OP's local Kawasaki dealership...... "Sorry, Sir. We can't sell you this little 250." "Why? Because your penis is simply too enormous. It's against the law. Let me show you some of our Liter-bikes instead."

"personal mythology" ..now thats a new one.
And BTW the salesperson did actually say that.....I still ended up buying the 250 as my first motorcycle

Realistic opinions are welcome,smartass comments from people who have no clue about reckless L.A. drivers are not

[Flashmonkey]

Street Triple.

LOL and don't be surprised at people defending the 250....remember what site you're on. But if you're looking to maximize gas mileage and overrall costs then the 250 is your choice hands down. It may even allow you to keep the R6 as a weekend bike.

But if you can only have one bike to do it all...Street Triple.

[kkim]

sounds like you are looking for more throttle response than a stock bike provides. There are ways to mod a 250 so the power below redline actually becomes usable. It will never be a 600 SS, but it will out accelerate the majority of cars on the road today, but will require more time for evasive moves than the R6 you are used to. If you can live with that difference, I think you will really love the 250 if you enjoy riding twisty roads on the weekends.

[dubojr1]

I own a liter bike and have tons more fun on my 250! My

[devmasa]

"throttle response" ...thats it...exactly the term I was looking for.
Is not acceleration that I was referring to...its throttle response.

kkim..what kind of improvements can be done to the 250 to improve its throttle response?

[devmasa]

Originally Posted by dubojr1

I own a liter bike and have tons more fun on my 250! My

Exactly the reason I want a 250...just considering all options before I use the 250 as a daily commuter

[kkim]

Originally Posted by devmasa

"throttle response" ...thats it...exactly the term I was looking for.
Is not acceleration that I was referring to...its throttle response.

kkim..what kind of improvements can be done to the 250 to improve its throttle response?

lol... don't get me started. How deep are your pockets?

Honestly, add on power can be had for a few dollars or thousands.

The usual things one does with any emissions strangled vehicle. Open up the intake and exhaust and jet accordingly. All these are well documented here w/ DIYs and only ends when your wallet goes empty or the desire for more power/torque is satiated.

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5586

[ninjabrewer]

I ride mine daily as a commuter, about 34 miles each way, 2 freeways with moving traffic and freeway that slows to a crawl. I have also rode it in socal while I was there last summer and didn't have problems on the freeways, found it real easy to lane split, and had no problems staying with traffic, although I did have to downshift a few times to gets some "kick".

nb

[Reswob]

Originally Posted by drsketch

naw I think you got that wrong, its about 5.5 seconds.

Top 3 reviews/reports on Google agreed 7.7something. Even if it's 7.00, that's a far cry from 'accelerates faster than most cars on the road'.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Reswob

Top 3 reviews/reports on Google agreed 7.7something. Even if it's 7.00, that's a far cry from 'accelerates faster than most cars on the road'.

7 Seconds.....Stock

[kkim]

http://www.albeedigital.com/supercou...0-60times.html

[Zombiphone]

I think a more accurate statement is "accelerates faster than most DRIVERS on the road"

I live in the San Fernando Valley and I've been commuting throughout it's traffic on a 250 for the last year and a half. I've had many a stint on the 405, 101/134/210, 118 never had issues at freeway speeds in bumper to bumper, moderate, or wide open traffic. Off the line at a stop light it takes NO EFFORT AT ALL to out react and out accelerate 99.99999% of the craptastic, unattentive drivers- and it's easy to stay out of trouble riding ahead of traffic.

If you honestly think it'd be too slow for you're riding style though, then yeah, I'd sit on an SV650/Ninja 650/FZ6 and see what you like. But it's technically more than capable of commuting in the most questionable of traffic situations. For me, it's the perfect commuter (And a super fun track bike ) and I've never had difficulty getting myself out of trouble, but I'm used to/enjoy riding a slow bike so YMMV.

Originally Posted by greg737

There you go, speaking the truth.

We don't need any input from "realist / a**holes" when we're imagining ourselves mixing it up on the nation's highways with squadrons of marauding Lamborghinis and Ferraris.


While we're indulging in "personal mythology" we might as well imagine a scene inside the OP's local Kawasaki dealership...... "Sorry, Sir. We can't sell you this little 250." "Why? Because your penis is simply too enormous. It's against the law. Let me show you some of our Liter-bikes instead."

You, sir, rock my world

[tjkamper]

The 250 is a great bike and it can move plenty fast to get you out of trouble and even into some. You can ride the bike for hours on end at over 80MPH. But if you believe that it did not have enough acceleration or speed for you, then you will never be happy with it.
If you decide to get the 250, be sure that your not just throwing you money into a bike that you will be bored with in a week.

[devmasa]

Originally Posted by tjkamper

The 250 is a great bike and it can move plenty fast to get you out of trouble and even into some. You can ride the bike for hours on end at over 80MPH. But if you believe that it did not have enough acceleration or speed for you, then you will never be happy with it.
If you decide to get the 250, be sure that your not just throwing you money into a bike that you will be bored with in a week.

Thanks for the info.
btw I read your thread about the long ride..really impressive!

[50sGrl]

Originally Posted by bob706

A Ninja 650r or a fz-6r would be a good choice

+1 on the Yamaha FZ6R. I upgraded from the 250 and I love it. It has a comfortable slightly upright position and the seat is good. There is plenty of power if you need it but without the overpowering feeling of the R6.

[sombo]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the pre-gens out accelerate the new-gens especially at highway speeds. I'm just sayin......

And with the pre-gen, you could slip on a 2-1 exhaust and rejet it for good overall power. That's what a previous owner did with mine and I never have issues out accelerating 99% of the highway idiots.

[dubojr1]

Originally Posted by sombo

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the pre-gens out accelerate the new-gens especially at highway speeds. I'm just sayin......

And with the pre-gen, you could slip on a 2-1 exhaust and rejet it for good overall power. That's what a previous owner did with mine and I never have issues out accelerating 99% of the highway idiots.

I'd love to take that challenge

Anyone use the pocket dyno for the iPhone? http://www.pocketdyno.com/

[almost40]

With a few bucks and a couple hours with hand tools. ANY new-gen can be made into a 15 second 1/4 mile screamer. (mid-upper 14's if your of the lighter variety.) That is faster than ALOT of cars.

[rockNroll]

If you get the 250 black version it won't be as much of a downgrade from an R6 as opposed to the other colors available. Just sayin.

[Blackwidow]

this thread makes me sad....why would going to a 250 be a downgrade? in your post you said the 250 has better mileage, and since its lighter it provides better control on manuvers...in my opinon, that it itself is an upgrade.

[devmasa]

Originally Posted by Blackwidow

this thread makes me sad....why would going to a 250 be a downgrade? in your post you said the 250 has better mileage, and since its lighter it provides better control on manuvers...in my opinon, that it itself is an upgrade.

I really meant "Downsize" not downgrade.

[devmasa]

about the FZ6...doesn't it have the same engine as the R6?...If yes then it wont be great on gas mileage

[scotty]

Originally Posted by devmasa

about the FZ6...doesn't it have the same engine as the R6?...If yes then it wont be great on gas mileage

Yes, thats correct. I compair that FZ6 to the ninja 650R. Its more of a sit up rite bike. Its a nice bike though!

[Flashmonkey]

Originally Posted by devmasa

about the FZ6...doesn't it have the same engine as the R6?...If yes then it wont be great on gas mileage

Detuned I believe...which usually means a different cam or fuel map or something.

For what it's worth I preferred commuting on my Ninja 250 as opposed to my current ride and never really noticed an acceleration issue on the freeway...especially in traffic seeing as how you're crawling most of the time.

[devmasa]

I think the 650R still claims to give 55 mpg
nothing beats the 60-65 mpg of the ninja though
...on that note what is the real world mpg that your 250 is giving?

[dubojr1]

Originally Posted by devmasa

...on that note what is the real world mpg that your 250 is giving?

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...ghlight=sipper