The best mpg

egb1108 · June 10th, 2011, 11:22 AM

so do you all find you get better gas mileage from kawasaki's suggested 3.5K RPM shifting or in the 6-7K RPM shifting?

bob706 · June 10th, 2011, 11:40 AM

5-6K results in best mileage for me, though it's not as fun as 12k shifts.

wtfh4xx · June 10th, 2011, 12:59 PM

3.5K shifting... lol.
How would you ever hit 60? :P

TXJ · June 10th, 2011, 01:13 PM

Now you know how they got their claimed 60+mpg figures. In the real world though, off of a closed circuit where people will run you over because your speed is equivalent of a elderly lady in a power wheelchair, I wouldn't worry too much about losing 4 or 5 mpg and shifting at a higher rpm. Be safe and have fun. Getting a extra tank of fuel once or twice a month is a fair trade off for fun riding IMO.

maxwellca21 · June 10th, 2011, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXJ

Now you know how they got their claimed 60+mpg figures. In the real world though, off of a closed circuit where people will run you over because your speed is equivalent of a elderly lady in a power wheelchair, I wouldn't worry too much about losing 4 or 5 mpg and shifting at a higher rpm. Be safe and have fun. Getting a extra tank of fuel once or twice a month is a fair trade off for fun riding IMO.

agree...i only get ~45 mpg on my fiddy. I dont care too much about gas mileage when im having fun.

FrugalNinja250 · June 10th, 2011, 02:14 PM

Couple of sample copy and pastes from my bike's maintenance log:

03.11.11 25,741.3 Refuel, 64.7 mpg
03.17.11 25,947.0 Refuel, 65.8 mpg
03.24.11 26,243.0 Refuel, 62.8 mpg
04.02.11 26,658.9 Refuel, 63.6 mpg
04.06.11 26,844.0 Refuel, 63.4 mpg
*****************
05.19.11 29,266.5 Refuel, 63.95
05.30.11 Refuel, 64.09
06.03.11 29,852.5 Refuel, 64.16
06.08.11 29,996.7 Refuel, 64.52
*****************

Average across those samples: 64.1 mpg. Average riding style is 75+ on the highways about 80% of the time, the remainder at 35-45 stop and go in town. We run 10% ethanol. Bike is a 2006, only drivetrain mods are a 15T front sprocket (stock original rear) and Kenda K671 tires. I typically shift around 5-6K unless getting on the freeway, then I shift around 7-9K. I don't dog it or flog it, I just aim to go slightly faster than traffic at all times. I rarely go over 75% throttle, no reason to since I don't want to get arrested nor do I want to smack into the cars in front of me.

p4174w · June 10th, 2011, 02:24 PM

I've only gone through four tanks since getting my Ninja (totally stock), but I keep track of the mileage on an app on my phone. All my fill ups have been over 60mpg

alex.s · June 10th, 2011, 02:35 PM

kawi suggested 3.5? where? i don't see that in my manual... does the bike move at 3.5k rpm?

setasai · June 10th, 2011, 03:19 PM

Pregens seem to always get ~10mpg more than my newgen at ~50mpg +/- 2mpg so far.

egb1108 · June 10th, 2011, 03:57 PM

the manual doesn't say what rpm's to shift, but it does give the suggested speeds to shift at which put it at shifting around 3.5k rpm

Klink · June 10th, 2011, 04:32 PM

I just finished my second tank of fuel and I am averaging around 62 mpg. I usually shift around 7,000 to 8,000 rpm.

On the same note wouldn't shifting at 3,500 rpm tend to get the bike loaded up and full of carbon and then result in even worse fuel economy?

kkim · June 10th, 2011, 06:09 PM

the best mpg can be achieved by not starting the bike and walking everywhere. you can get an infinite number of miles per gallon this way.

scotty · June 10th, 2011, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

the best mpg can be achieved by not starting the bike and walking everywhere. you can get an infinite number of miles per gallon this way.

Yes, but for us who RIDE our bikes.

Have you hit the 3k mile mark yet??

kkim · June 10th, 2011, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty

Yes, but for us who RIDE our bikes.

Have you hit the 3k mile mark yet??

that wasn't his question. my bike's fuel consumption has been superb with it sitting unused in the garage.

scotty · June 10th, 2011, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

that wasn't his question. my bike's fuel consumption has been superb with it sitting unused in the garage.

The bike shouldn't be sitting in the garage all the time. It's made to move.

But yes, when it's sitting, thats when you get the best fuel consumption..well kinda. It isn't using any.

kamikaze · June 10th, 2011, 07:33 PM

over 16000km i've averaged 48mpg, and that's riding it like i stole it. Through the week I'm usually a little over 50, and on the weekends in the twisties i'm anywhere from 40-45.

I don't think I've ever seen 60mpg, maybe the first week during break in, but that's about it.

clintalmighty · June 10th, 2011, 08:45 PM

Shifting at 3.5k?

could you even go over 40 mph?

I get about 60 mpg, riding pretty spirited, shifting between 6-10k pending on my mood. Smiles per gallon is why you buy a motorcycle anyway

00NissanNinja · June 10th, 2011, 08:57 PM

I get about 55mpg when riding really aggressive (like on the track). Otherwise I get over 60mpg riding normally and shifting at about 7,000rpm.

Fly'in Ninja · June 10th, 2011, 10:01 PM

The best mpg that I can get is 62-68mpg while cruising around 70-75mph. I shift around 5-6k. Did the sprocket change(15F 42R) and a Scorpion slip on exhaust.

ally99 · June 11th, 2011, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clintalmighty

Smiles per gallon is why you buy a motorcycle anyway

Smiles per gallon. I like that!

bluesinorbit · June 11th, 2011, 04:02 AM

You guys get some amazing mpg. My stock bike is new and it gets a little over 40 mpg if I'm lucky. I guess I ride rough, but even trying to keep the throttle and the RPM down, I get 45 mpg at the most.

glock_19 · June 11th, 2011, 06:43 AM

Who knows, I ride it like I stole it.

Shift at 10,000-12,000 rpm when accelerating and 9,000 rpm while cruising.

maxwellca21 · June 11th, 2011, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

the best mpg can be achieved by not starting the bike and walking everywhere. you can get an infinite number of miles per gallon this way.

Fact: gasoline do evaporate at room temperature. Therefore, even with your bike sitting around, you still losing gas at approximately ~0.0000001 gallon/day.

postie1686 · June 11th, 2011, 12:36 PM

i get about 66 on ave with mine. get up to speed quick but take it easy at that point. i am up 1 tooth in the front on mine wich i like. dropped the rpms a little so the bike is not screeming at 75 mph

slolane · June 11th, 2011, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly'in Ninja

The best mpg that I can get is 62-68mpg while cruising around 70-75mph. I shift around 5-6k. Did the sprocket change(15F 42R) and a Scorpion slip on exhaust.

I get the same mpg's with a similar setup: 15/42 with full yosh and jetted. Probably the biggest difference is the gearing. My best was 67mpg and it has never been below 60mpg.

dwolson2 · August 30th, 2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slolane

I get the same mpg's with a similar setup: 15/42 with full yosh and jetted. Probably the biggest difference is the gearing. My best was 67mpg and it has never been below 60mpg.

I am thinking about doing this same set up(well any slip on would be fine) Are you washer jetted or actually jetted? did you remove the snorkel?

Bosgarage57 · August 31st, 2011, 05:27 AM

My pregen has gotten: 66,65,71,71,(this is about when I changed rear sprocket) 70,70,(this is when I put the full area P exhaust on) 73,68,69, and 75 on fillups. I use an app. my gf's pregen has gotten: 67, 65, and 68.

I usually shift early, between 5 and 6, sometimes in town I'll go up to 10-11k if I'm playing. This is 1/2 city driving and 1/2 55mph highway.

I wonder why the newgens get much less.

bob706 · August 31st, 2011, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bosgarage57

I wonder why the newgens get much less.

The engine is tuned differently and pregens are not as heavy would be my guess.

MotoED · August 31st, 2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clintalmighty

Smiles per gallon is why you buy a motorcycle anyway

+1000

JLinde1339 · August 31st, 2011, 11:46 AM

+1 to that. I don't bother with mpg at this point. All I know is I can get just as far on my bike off a tank of gas as I can on my cage. I'm just putting 9 gallons less in my bike when I fill up.
Posted via Mobile Device

June 10th, 2011, 11:22 AM	#1
egb1108 ninjette.org member Name: Eli Location: Augusta, Ga Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Pearl White/ Ebony SE Posts: 18	The best mpg so do you all find you get better gas mileage from kawasaki's suggested 3.5K RPM shifting or in the 6-7K RPM shifting? __________________________________________________ "dream as if you'll live forever; live as if you'll die today" - James Dean

June 10th, 2011, 12:59 PM	#3
wtfh4xx Opinionated individual :) Name: SecretNinjaMan Location: Nor Cal Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninjette Special Edition (red/black) Posts: 342	3.5K shifting... lol. How would you ever hit 60? :P __________________________________________________ Yoshi slip on, shimmed 2 washers, zip tie throttle mod, pre-load #2, snorkel delete 2010 SE 250R! Miles in the saddle: 1000

June 10th, 2011, 02:35 PM	#8
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	kawi suggested 3.5? where? i don't see that in my manual... does the bike move at 3.5k rpm? __________________________________________________

June 10th, 2011, 03:57 PM	#10
egb1108 ninjette.org member Name: Eli Location: Augusta, Ga Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Pearl White/ Ebony SE Posts: 18	the manual doesn't say what rpm's to shift, but it does give the suggested speeds to shift at which put it at shifting around 3.5k rpm __________________________________________________ "dream as if you'll live forever; live as if you'll die today" - James Dean

June 10th, 2011, 04:32 PM	#11
Klink ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Panama City Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: 10	Shifting I just finished my second tank of fuel and I am averaging around 62 mpg. I usually shift around 7,000 to 8,000 rpm. On the same note wouldn't shifting at 3,500 rpm tend to get the bike loaded up and full of carbon and then result in even worse fuel economy?

June 10th, 2011, 11:40 AM	#2
bob706 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Mary Esther, FL Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.	5-6K results in best mileage for me, though it's not as fun as 12k shifts.

June 10th, 2011, 01:13 PM	#4
TXJ Cranky Old Fart Name: TXJ Location: TX Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 08 DRZ400SM Posts: 189	Now you know how they got their claimed 60+mpg figures. In the real world though, off of a closed circuit where people will run you over because your speed is equivalent of a elderly lady in a power wheelchair, I wouldn't worry too much about losing 4 or 5 mpg and shifting at a higher rpm. Be safe and have fun. Getting a extra tank of fuel once or twice a month is a fair trade off for fun riding IMO.

June 10th, 2011, 02:14 PM	#6
FrugalNinja250 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Frugal Location: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): Several Posts: A lot.	Couple of sample copy and pastes from my bike's maintenance log: 03.11.11 25,741.3 Refuel, 64.7 mpg 03.17.11 25,947.0 Refuel, 65.8 mpg 03.24.11 26,243.0 Refuel, 62.8 mpg 04.02.11 26,658.9 Refuel, 63.6 mpg 04.06.11 26,844.0 Refuel, 63.4 mpg *************** 05.19.11 29,266.5 Refuel, 63.95 05.30.11 Refuel, 64.09 06.03.11 29,852.5 Refuel, 64.16 06.08.11 29,996.7 Refuel, 64.52 *************** Average across those samples: 64.1 mpg. Average riding style is 75+ on the highways about 80% of the time, the remainder at 35-45 stop and go in town. We run 10% ethanol. Bike is a 2006, only drivetrain mods are a 15T front sprocket (stock original rear) and Kenda K671 tires. I typically shift around 5-6K unless getting on the freeway, then I shift around 7-9K. I don't dog it or flog it, I just aim to go slightly faster than traffic at all times. I rarely go over 75% throttle, no reason to since I don't want to get arrested nor do I want to smack into the cars in front of me.

June 10th, 2011, 02:24 PM	#7
p4174w nooblet Name: P Location: Chicago Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 1994 ex250 Posts: 47	I've only gone through four tanks since getting my Ninja (totally stock), but I keep track of the mileage on an app on my phone. All my fill ups have been over 60mpg

June 10th, 2011, 03:19 PM	#9
setasai ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Brian Location: Detroit, MI Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.	Pregens seem to always get ~10mpg more than my newgen at ~50mpg +/- 2mpg so far.

June 10th, 2011, 06:09 PM	#12
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	the best mpg can be achieved by not starting the bike and walking everywhere. you can get an infinite number of miles per gallon this way.

June 10th, 2011, 07:33 PM	#16
kamikaze ex-ninjette.org guru :o Name: Trevor Location: Barrie, Ontario Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2003 SV1000 S Posts: 475	over 16000km i've averaged 48mpg, and that's riding it like i stole it. Through the week I'm usually a little over 50, and on the weekends in the twisties i'm anywhere from 40-45. I don't think I've ever seen 60mpg, maybe the first week during break in, but that's about it.

June 10th, 2011, 08:45 PM	#17
clintalmighty ninjette.org member Name: Clint Location: Texas Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r 2009 Honda CBR600RR Posts: 178	Shifting at 3.5k? could you even go over 40 mph? I get about 60 mpg, riding pretty spirited, shifting between 6-10k pending on my mood. Smiles per gallon is why you buy a motorcycle anyway

June 10th, 2011, 08:57 PM	#18
00NissanNinja I hate driving... Name: S Location: SW Ohio Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 13 Triumph Street Triple R, 09 Ninja 250r (Sold 4/20/12) Posts: A lot.	I get about 55mpg when riding really aggressive (like on the track). Otherwise I get over 60mpg riding normally and shifting at about 7,000rpm. __________________________________________________ 09 ninja 2fiddy SE Driving slow things fast

June 10th, 2011, 10:01 PM	#19
Fly'in Ninja ninjette.org guru Name: Al Location: Bay Area Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): C-250R-ST Posts: 287	The best mpg that I can get is 62-68mpg while cruising around 70-75mph. I shift around 5-6k. Did the sprocket change(15F 42R) and a Scorpion slip on exhaust.

June 11th, 2011, 04:02 AM	#21
bluesinorbit ninjette.org member Name: Joon Location: Orange County, CA Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R Posts: 164	You guys get some amazing mpg. My stock bike is new and it gets a little over 40 mpg if I'm lucky. I guess I ride rough, but even trying to keep the throttle and the RPM down, I get 45 mpg at the most.

June 11th, 2011, 06:43 AM	#22
glock_19 ninjette.org member Name: Joe Location: Washington, D.C. Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R Green SE Posts: 34	Who knows, I ride it like I stole it. Shift at 10,000-12,000 rpm when accelerating and 9,000 rpm while cruising.

June 11th, 2011, 12:36 PM	#24
postie1686 ninjette.org member Name: Brian Location: Cottage Grove Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): kawasaki ninja 250r Posts: 66	i get about 66 on ave with mine. get up to speed quick but take it easy at that point. i am up 1 tooth in the front on mine wich i like. dropped the rpms a little so the bike is not screeming at 75 mph __________________________________________________ blue is better!

August 31st, 2011, 05:27 AM	#27
Bosgarage57 ninjette.org sage Name: Luke Location: Sevierville, TN Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 Buell Uly, 05 VStar 1100 Posts: 577	My pregen has gotten: 66,65,71,71,(this is about when I changed rear sprocket) 70,70,(this is when I put the full area P exhaust on) 73,68,69, and 75 on fillups. I use an app. my gf's pregen has gotten: 67, 65, and 68. I usually shift early, between 5 and 6, sometimes in town I'll go up to 10-11k if I'm playing. This is 1/2 city driving and 1/2 55mph highway. I wonder why the newgens get much less.

August 31st, 2011, 11:46 AM	#30
JLinde1339 Fighterer in Training Name: Joshua Location: Schenectady, NY Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250R Posts: 316	+1 to that. I don't bother with mpg at this point. All I know is I can get just as far on my bike off a tank of gas as I can on my cage. I'm just putting 9 gallons less in my bike when I fill up. Posted via Mobile Device

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