AU model has different gearing? Why?

CZroe · March 24th, 2012, 05:55 AM

I noticed this while perusing the service manual:

Quote:

Drive Train
Primary Reduction System:
Type Gear
Reduction Tatio 3.087 (71/23)
Clutch Type Wet multi disc
Transmission:
Type 6-speed, constant mesh, return shift
Gear Ratios:
1st 2.600 (39/15)
2nd 1.789 (34/19)
3rd 1.409 (31/22)
4th 1.160 (29/25)
5th 1.000 (27/27)
6th 0.893 (25/28)
Final Drive System:
Type Chain drive
Reduction Ratio 3.214 (45/14) (AU) 3.071 (43/14)
Overall Drive Ratio 8.859 @Top gear (AU) 8.466 @Top gear
...
Specifications are subject to change without notice, and may not apply to every country.
AU: Australia Model

Instead of 14:45, the gear ratio is 14:43 for the Australian model. Why? Another tooth down back there and it'd be like including a 15T front sprocket in the first place.

DaBlue1 · March 24th, 2012, 06:25 AM

Average elevation may have something to do with it. The U.S. average elevation is 2500 ft and Austalia's is 1,082 ft.

CZroe · March 24th, 2012, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

Average elevation may have something to do with it. The U.S. average elevation is 2500 ft and Austalia's is 1,082 ft.

Interesting theory but, in the same section, it mentions understandable specification differences for many other regions and countries (exhaust, for example) but no other with differing sprocket gear ratio. Is AU's elevation really so different from every other place it's sold? Strange.

choneofakind · March 24th, 2012, 12:40 PM

Is it because the AU model is FI and that makes more torque? what about the UK or EU version?

kavo · March 24th, 2012, 01:19 PM

AU model is carb

Boom King · March 24th, 2012, 02:17 PM

Having different gear ratios in cars for different regions is something manufacturers have been doing for a while so I'm not surprised to see it with motorcycles. The US and Canadian version of the 250R gets the same gear ratio while the AU, EU and UK versions are the same. I assume the reason behind the differences is most likely traditional market preferences and needs.

choneofakind · March 24th, 2012, 05:41 PM

Regardless of the reason that the AU bikes have 14/43 gears, if I were in AU, I would be swapping to 14/45 or 14/47 pronto

DaBlue1 · March 24th, 2012, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trixter

I am more interested in fuel economy and top speed over how fast I can get to some arbitrary speed that is below top speed. Their gearing gives them more of that compared to acceleration from a stop.

Tortoise and hare

Not to mention that they sell less E10 gas than the U.S. does. That may give them a little boost as well.

Motofool · March 24th, 2012, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CZroe

Instead of 14:45, the gear ratio is 14:43 for the Australian model. Why?.......

Anything to do with riding among kangaroos'?

.

loz944 · May 10th, 2012, 06:26 PM

Thailand spec has the same 14/43 and it is FI

alex.s · May 10th, 2012, 06:30 PM

AU has no hills. think of it as the "florida edition"

GiGs · May 12th, 2012, 07:24 AM

AU Ninja owner here ....

As kavo correctly said AU model bikes are carbed....

Quote:

My initial thought is because this is sold largely as a beginner bike (or at least heavily marketed that way)

This is bang on perfect...

Quote:

is it because beginner licenses have restrictions

Yes...one of the restrictions is that the bike must be on the LAM's list (Learner Approved Motorcycle List)

I can't tell you the real reason why the gearing is different (top secret)...but it does involve kangaroos...

Aufitt · March 18th, 2013, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Regardless of the reason that the AU bikes have 14/43 gears, if I were in AU, I would be swapping to 14/45 or 14/47 pronto

Glad I found this thread,
I'd read on here that 45 is standard not realizing that our Au bikes are geared too high from factory (could be strict emission/noise laws)

Bought Ninja 250 race bike,
did two track days on it,
struggles to pull its 14/43 gearing,
Local bike shop listed 43 as standard in the aftermarket catalogue
Couldn't work out why.
Ordered 45, hopefully its better or I'll try a 47.

ninja250r81 · March 19th, 2013, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

Not to mention that they sell less E10 gas than the U.S. does. That may give them a little boost as well.

fuel system is not ethanol friendly (says in 2012 manual)

carbs are tuned with different jets

im going to a 15t front sprocket to outrun kangaroos and drop bears

it pulls 14 - 43 gearing very well and have toped out a fair few times cruising the bush roads. why going to 15t

AUSSIE IS CARBY
AUSSIE IS CARBY
AUSSIE IS CARBY
AUSSIE IS CARBY
AUSSIE IS CARBY
AUSSIE IS CARBY

Aufitt · March 19th, 2013, 01:02 AM

Bet its a slug with a 15T front.

tubarney · March 19th, 2013, 02:56 AM

Gigs is correct. its not because of emissions. We have 1 less catalytic converter. Nor hills. we have plenty, ever heard of the blue mountains.

It is because of the laws in Australia. This motorcycle is marketed for a learner rider. it is called lams. Someone who is new to riding. Hence they lower the gearing to give a more useable first gear and easy take off.

choneofakind · March 19th, 2013, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aufitt

Glad I found this thread,
I'd read on here that 45 is standard not realizing that our Au bikes are geared too high from factory (could be strict emission/noise laws)

Bought Ninja 250 race bike,
did two track days on it,
struggles to pull its 14/43 gearing,
Local bike shop listed 43 as standard in the aftermarket catalogue
Couldn't work out why.
Ordered 45, hopefully its better or I'll try a 47.

14/45 should work well. I know the stock gearing here is a good compromise for all around riding. It's just not great for highways. I loved 14/47 for twisty stuff because it had lots of pep, but it was just a bit to revvy for my commuting/non-aggressive riding. Now I'm 15/45 which is better for commuting, and as long as I enter turns high in the rpm's, it still does fine on turns. I'll likely go back to 14/45 for track days.

I hope you like your bike more after gearing changes.

tubarney · March 19th, 2013, 07:01 AM

14/45 drops your speed by about 7km in each gear my friend. I have changed from 14/43 to 14/45.

You get 54 km in first a bit under 75 km in second. 3rd only goes to 103 km and fourth goes to about 125km.

Instead of 60,80,110,138.

Changing gear at 13k

Hope this helps.

choneofakind · March 19th, 2013, 07:09 AM

Well, yeah. ^^

But he said he's looking for more pull, not higher speed. To me, I read that as wanting quicker roll-on to blast out of turns. Besides, these bikes are horsepower limited to right around 100 mph anyways.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aufitt

Bet its a slug with a 15T front.

You'd be surprised. I thought it would be too. It definitely is compared to 14/47, but the trade-off is you can pull for longer. So if you ride a lot of long sweepers, 15/45 will let you pull the whole way past apex. The trade off is that for tight back roads you need to enter turns at really high rpm's to get the pull you want. Really the only place you notice the tall gearing is when you do roll-ons and expect it to move.

Now the guys who run 15/42 for fuel economy, idk how they do that.

15/45 is as high as I'll ever go

tubarney · March 19th, 2013, 07:23 AM

I wasn't referring to you chris. I know you know whats going on.

The notice in take off and acceleration is quite noticeable with the 14/45 compared to 14/43. The bike doesn't seem to want to bog as much when taking off and the revs don't drop nearly as much when shifting between 1st and 2nd.

Aufitt · March 19th, 2013, 08:49 AM

Ive got a long uphill out of a 4th gear corner where it sits and bogs, want to click 5th sooner,

My qstars tells me Im only getting up to 127.14kph in 5th at my braking point
my cbr was getting 132kph with -1 front.
But the Ninja is over 1 second faster laptime already as its faster on the more flowing part of the track.
I'll get the 47 as well and try both at Easter as its tuning saturday/race sunday.

cheers choneofakind, I like riding 250's and the ninja has its strengths over the cbr,
mainly in having a wider rev range to play with,
may as well make the best of it.
(and grow a set and just ride that little bit harder as I get familiar with it)

DaBlue1 · March 19th, 2013, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Now the guys who run 15/42 for fuel economy, idk how they do that.

Downshift!

Aufitt · March 19th, 2013, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubarney

It is because of the laws in Australia. This motorcycle is marketed for a learner rider. it is called lams. Someone who is new to riding. Hence they lower the gearing to give a more useable first gear and easy take off.

If we have a 43 and USA has 45-
USA has lower(shorter) gearing.

choneofakind · March 19th, 2013, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

Downshift!

Joshorilla · March 19th, 2013, 04:58 PM

This is interesting, I was thinking about performance mods for my bike, since I have a UK spec bike, of which I assume to be the same as french and german giving the manual's languages, I must have a 43 tooth rear sprocket, given the speed limit here is a strict 35mph tops and the landscape is mainly hills and valleys, I am probably better to upgrade to a 45 tooh rear sprocket for more torque as i'll never reach anywhere near top speed, and if I did choose to go to the UK or france touring i'd still be capable on the motorways.

ninja250r81 · March 20th, 2013, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubarney

Gigs is correct. its not because of emissions. We have 1 less catalytic converter. Nor hills. we have plenty, ever heard of the blue mountains.

It is because of the laws in Australia. This motorcycle is marketed for a learner rider. it is called lams. Someone who is new to riding. Hence they lower the gearing to give a more useable first gear and easy take off.

i have 2 cats.

one in the y section at the front, and one in the muffler.

In NSW, holders of learner and provisional motorcycle licences are not permitted to ride a motorcycle with an engine capacity exceeding 660ml or a power to weight ratio exceeding 150 kilowatts per tonne and which do not appear on the Approved motorcycles for novice riders list.

nothing about or to do with lower or higher gearing

March 24th, 2012, 01:19 PM	#5
kavo ninjette.org member Name: Mitch Location: Brisbane, AU Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250 Racer Posts: 95	AU model is carb __________________________________________________ #77

May 10th, 2012, 06:26 PM	#10
loz944 ninjette.org guru Name: Laurence Location: Bangbuathong Thailand Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Green 2012 Ninja 250SE and a Yamaha fino scooter (my wife's really) Posts: 355	Thailand spec has the same 14/43 and it is FI __________________________________________________ Be safe ride smart .....a dumb rider is a dead rider

May 10th, 2012, 06:30 PM	#11
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	AU has no hills. think of it as the "florida edition" __________________________________________________

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March 24th, 2012, 06:25 AM	#2
DaBlue1 Long Time Rider Name: Blue Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Average elevation may have something to do with it. The U.S. average elevation is 2500 ft and Austalia's is 1,082 ft.

March 24th, 2012, 12:40 PM	#4
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Is it because the AU model is FI and that makes more torque? what about the UK or EU version?

March 24th, 2012, 02:17 PM	#6
Boom King So, where's the reverse? Name: Anson Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Having different gear ratios in cars for different regions is something manufacturers have been doing for a while so I'm not surprised to see it with motorcycles. The US and Canadian version of the 250R gets the same gear ratio while the AU, EU and UK versions are the same. I assume the reason behind the differences is most likely traditional market preferences and needs.

March 24th, 2012, 05:41 PM	#7
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Regardless of the reason that the AU bikes have 14/43 gears, if I were in AU, I would be swapping to 14/45 or 14/47 pronto

March 19th, 2013, 01:02 AM	#15
Aufitt The A Team Name: Aufitt Location: Western Australia Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): Z50, CB125, RZ500, MC22, R3. Posts: 394	Bet its a slug with a 15T front.

March 19th, 2013, 02:56 AM	#16
tubarney ninjette.org sage Name: Brad Location: Sydney Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r 2010 SE Posts: 573	Gigs is correct. its not because of emissions. We have 1 less catalytic converter. Nor hills. we have plenty, ever heard of the blue mountains. It is because of the laws in Australia. This motorcycle is marketed for a learner rider. it is called lams. Someone who is new to riding. Hence they lower the gearing to give a more useable first gear and easy take off.

March 19th, 2013, 07:01 AM	#18
tubarney ninjette.org sage Name: Brad Location: Sydney Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r 2010 SE Posts: 573	14/45 drops your speed by about 7km in each gear my friend. I have changed from 14/43 to 14/45. You get 54 km in first a bit under 75 km in second. 3rd only goes to 103 km and fourth goes to about 125km. Instead of 60,80,110,138. Changing gear at 13k Hope this helps.

March 19th, 2013, 07:23 AM	#20
tubarney ninjette.org sage Name: Brad Location: Sydney Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r 2010 SE Posts: 573	I wasn't referring to you chris. I know you know whats going on. The notice in take off and acceleration is quite noticeable with the 14/45 compared to 14/43. The bike doesn't seem to want to bog as much when taking off and the revs don't drop nearly as much when shifting between 1st and 2nd.

March 19th, 2013, 08:49 AM	#21
Aufitt The A Team Name: Aufitt Location: Western Australia Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): Z50, CB125, RZ500, MC22, R3. Posts: 394	Ive got a long uphill out of a 4th gear corner where it sits and bogs, want to click 5th sooner, My qstars tells me Im only getting up to 127.14kph in 5th at my braking point my cbr was getting 132kph with -1 front. But the Ninja is over 1 second faster laptime already as its faster on the more flowing part of the track. I'll get the 47 as well and try both at Easter as its tuning saturday/race sunday. cheers choneofakind, I like riding 250's and the ninja has its strengths over the cbr, mainly in having a wider rev range to play with, may as well make the best of it. (and grow a set and just ride that little bit harder as I get familiar with it)

March 19th, 2013, 04:58 PM	#25
Joshorilla Bass Master General Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 24	This is interesting, I was thinking about performance mods for my bike, since I have a UK spec bike, of which I assume to be the same as french and german giving the manual's languages, I must have a 43 tooth rear sprocket, given the speed limit here is a strict 35mph tops and the landscape is mainly hills and valleys, I am probably better to upgrade to a 45 tooh rear sprocket for more torque as i'll never reach anywhere near top speed, and if I did choose to go to the UK or france touring i'd still be capable on the motorways.