My Ninja Runs Fine

[tapdiggy]

The needles are unshimmed; the jets are stock; the factory exhaust is still in place. Yet, inconceivably, my bike is still super fun to ride. Is there anyone else out there who likes the way a stock Ninja runs? I can't imagine I am the only one.

[Grn99Kawi]

I loved my Ninja that was as well.. but then again I sold it and moved to another bike for longer range highway riding..

[Alex]

[silver_bullet]

I took the two-brothers off my '09, needles arn't shimmed, I will have a 15T front sprocket on as soon as I take thr bike out, but I like the way it rides just fine. I didn't buy it to be super fast and prove that it can perform just as well as a 600. I bought it to ride for me.

[tapdiggy]

Ah; some vindication. Was feeling a bit the minority around the forum.

[ninja250]

Nothing wrong with the stock bike.
Nothing wrong with a lil personalization either. Hehe
It's uncommon to find a used motorcycle for sale that the owner didn't personalize in some way, be it cosmetically or mechanically.
When I first got it my initial impression was it had plenty of power for it's displacement.. but I don't know much about 250 motors really. I guess the two stroke go faster but then you have to mix.

Most people never even see ninja forums or even think about modding theirs I think. Just people with computers who are slightly more interested in their bikes than most. Or so it would seem..

[tapdiggy]

Originally Posted by ninja250

Nothing wrong with a lil personalization either. Hehe

Absolutely true.

[Snake]

The motor on my bike is totaly stock and I am satisfied with it for now.

[captlombardi]

the idle adjustment screws and stock carb jet setup made my bike pretty finicky all the time. using the choke killed it. also it fell off REALLY noticeably at 11k. much better now

[Sailariel]

Originally Posted by tapdiggy

The needles are unshimmed; the jets are stock; the factory exhaust is still in place. Yet, inconceivably, my bike is still super fun to ride. Is there anyone else out there who likes the way a stock Ninja runs? I can't imagine I am the only one.

Truong, Mine is stock and runs great. The only changes I made are a ZG Touring Windscreen and the addition of fog lights (lots of fog here on the coast) The Ninja is a great, well engineered, fun bike. Kawasaki did its homework.

[tapdiggy]

Originally Posted by Sailariel

The only changes I made are a ZG Touring Windscreen and the addition of fog lights (lots of fog here on the coast) The Ninja is a great, well engineered, fun bike. Kawasaki did its homework.

Ya, that fog you talk about is a nuisance when you ride through it for a while. And +1 on Kawi thinking the design through (the newgen's fairing is a bit complicated though)

[sharky nrk]

Constant improvement is really important to me and my hobbies, whatever they are. The car, the motorcycles, the bicycles, doesn't matter; I have to be tinkering. Improvement is in the eye of the beholder as well - but it is necessary to have a goal for your improvements; to know exactly what your wanting to change and why your wanting to change it. Doesn't mean anything was "wrong" with the initial object.

[Samer]

Mine is also completely stock and I'm generally pleased with it. The only thing I'm considering is clip-ons, I'm 6"1' and I think I'd prefer a more forward leaning riding position. I've never ridden another bike yet though.

[bob706]

+1 for stock

[bdavison]

Im running stock too....got no reason to mess with success. It runs fine as it is.

The thing about tweaking the bike is you cant just do one thing. Everything you do, changes something else...so you pretty much have to do it all or none. Its not worth the trouble or expense to get a couple of extra HP(if that) IMHO.

The only upgrade I can see myself doing is perhaps playing around with sprocket sizes, to get the RPM's down at interstate speeds...but really I dont even need that.


Now as far as other types of upgrades....sure, Id like some new rearsets, maybe some clipons, and a steering damper.

[Cedilla]

I would like a new exhaust and I think my bike needs the needles shimmed. Also I would like a db windshield too.

Mine is stock, and its still a blast to ride it, but the only reason its not modded is because I am hurting for cash.

[silver_bullet]

I guess mine isn't 100 percent stock, but nothing to make it go faster. I have a Puig DB coming and it has frame sliders along with the sprocket sitting under my bed.

[backinthesaddleagain]

100% stock except for new rear tire. No issues regarding carburation.

[tapdiggy]

Originally Posted by silver_bullet

I guess mine isn't 100 percent stock, but nothing to make it go faster. I have a Puig DB coming and it has frame sliders along with the sprocket sitting under my bed.

Well if we are gonna talk modifying the looks, then I'm a hypocrite. My Ninja is nearly naked up front besides the front fender and the bit below the radiator. But making do after a crash isn't quite the same, huh?

[karlosdajackal]

I have no choke no needles no jets or any of that stuff. Put the key in, wait for the FI light to go out, hit start.

It runs great.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Originally Posted by karlosdajackal

I have no choke no needles no jets or any of that stuff. Put the key in, wait for the FI light to go out, hit start.

It runs great.

nice

[rockNroll]

Mine ran so bad on the way home from the dealer that I almost turned around and took it back. Raising the needles and drilling the slides made it alot better, though throttle response is nothing close to what I'm used to. I consider the needle raising a necessity on my particular bike. Rear sets were also necessary as the stock foot pegs are waaay too low and scrape far before the fun begins. Clip ons were semi-necessary as these were to make the bike fit me better but I could ride it without them. Hacking the kick stand mount was necessary because grinding it into the tarmac really sucked. Better tires were necessary because I had no confidence in the originals and confidence is important. Although I don't consider them necessary, I been thinkin on a jet kit and exhaust system as there's a system that has really caught my eye and I've yet to see any pics of this system on anyone's bike. These would be my first "do it just cos I want it" mods.

[Talonne]

Frame sliders are the only things I've added to my bike so far.

It takes a hell of a long time to warm up, but I can live with that. I don't have the mechanical aptitude nor guts to take my carbs apart and make modifications.

[BSNinja250]

My Ninja is 100% stock. I even still have to rear fender even though it is hideous.

[Slabrocks]

another all stock here. ill probably cut the rear fender when it gets warmer.

[min nin]

I bought mine because it is a 250. 70 MPG is great. It's plenty fast, and it is everything I expected.

Oh and quiet too.

Terry

[patw]

Stock here as well (minus the velcro). I'd love to fix that low end hesitation it has when cold, but I commute all summer with the bike (174km/day), so the fuel economy is pretty important.

[Sailariel]

Mine is stock except for some cosmetic changes. I did cut off about two inches of the rear fender to give it better lines--a complete bob was out. I do plan, however, to change my front sprocket to a 15T. It fits in better for the way I ride. I may mess around with sprockets some more, but that is all the modifying I plan. Cosmetics is another story altogether.

[MKlein3004]

i have shimmed carbs and snorkel removed, but besides that it is stock. I did notice the bike was smoother and started up better after i did these free mods and i am happy with it. I am like the person above, the only reason i don't have mods is because of cash and because i need more seat time than i need go fast parts.

[DarkNinja52]

Stock except for proton flush mounts as of last week. ZG DB to be installed tomorrow! I love the way it runs stock, although I really have nothing to compare it to as this is my first bike. I feel as if I owe it to myself, and the bike, to atleast shim the needles and see how it feels. I always feel as if I'm missing out on something, but if the bike runs fine now, idk if i should mess with it. But I guess I can always undo the shimming, I just don't want it to be a waste of time. I also feel that at the very least, I will be learning a lot by modding the bike, whether it be for the improvement of the bike or even if it ends up being a waste. Almost somewhat conflicted but I'll never know unless I try I suppose, I just don't want to ruin a good thing because of curiosity. I suppose there are many ways to look at it, but in the end I guess it comes down to my personal preference, but if I choose to not mod, I'll feel as if I missed out on a good learning experience.. Seems as if I'm over thinking it... I definitely love the way the bike runs now.. I think at this point I'm just getting all my thoughts out, I'm sure someone somewhere will say "that's almost exactly what I was thinking", I'm also sure someone will say "this kid is a jackass" but I can live with that. In conclusion, I love my ninja 250!!

[Sailariel]

AJ, Well put. I think you have your act together.

[Nickds7]

100% Stock Wanted to do a few mods, but never got around to it. The bike runs fine stock. The lean low end was easy for me to get used too, so I never cared enough.

Sadly I'm not riding my bike atm. I might not ever get back on, as I am buying a new car and the bike might have to go. I will cry when the day comes.

[backinthesaddleagain]

I have replaced the air that came in my tires with air from my local hess station. I was happily surprised to see the air was free. Truth be told after years of working on dirtbikes and cars, and working all week I just want to do the pre-ride inspection (air, lights, leaks, fasteners, brakes, and chain) and head down the road. Removing the plastic on the left side to get to the headlight bulb was enough of a pain with those little plastic rivits and sliding the body work apart. Yes I know its not a big deal, and KKim's DIY was a great help. I am just getting older and crankier - and this winter cold and rain stinks. Actually after doing one headlight bulb replacement by removing the side fairing I can now do it without removing the fairing.

[tapdiggy]

I am sooo flip-flopping: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=37098

[Davidb1986]

I have a rear seat cowl, Monster energy graphics, frame sliders and I want a louder exhaust other than that mines gonna stay stock. I really don't want to do anyhting to make it go faster.