April 18th, 2012, 11:18 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: bud
Location: Michigan
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Clastic and 2003 Kawasaki Concours Posts: 36
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Ninja EX250-F climbing mountain?
Hi everyone. I have not yet rode a Ninja 250. I hope to buy a 2004 to 2006 EX250-F in the near future. When I was 15 and learning to drive I was with my family driving about a 1960 Chevy wagon, small motor stick shift. I tried to climb this very steep mountain in 2nd gear. Big mistake. I ruined the clutch trying to get going. A sign I passed said to drive in low gear which I didn't do.
I hope to visit this same mountain with my wife on my Ninja EX250-F after I get it. My question is, how many RPM's should I have in 1st gear at the bottom of this mountain to make it to the top and not hurt the engine? There is a good chance the bike will be over loaded with us and gear. Thanks so much for your help. Ride safe my friends. |
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April 19th, 2012, 05:51 AM | #2 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Charlie
Location: Wylie, TX
Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R Posts: 317
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April 19th, 2012, 07:19 AM | #3 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Whodat
Location: Ware Is.,MA
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot.
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1st gear, 15000rpm works for me!
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If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough! |
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April 19th, 2012, 09:34 PM | #4 |
ninjette.org member
Name: bud
Location: Michigan
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Clastic and 2003 Kawasaki Concours Posts: 36
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Charlie, I'm hoping to have Ninja 500 shocks on the back of my Ninja 250. That should solve the overloaded problem. I'd much rather take the bike than my car. Can you give me a good 1ST gear RPM to make this climb? I'll watch the temperature gauge while I make the climb. From the top of this mountain you can see Isle Royal on a clear day. I've seen it. Please help with my 1ST gear RPM question. Thanks.
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April 19th, 2012, 10:28 PM | #5 |
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Are we talking paved roads or wooded gravel/dirt trails here?
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April 20th, 2012, 05:44 AM | #6 |
ninjette.org member
Name: bud
Location: Michigan
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Clastic and 2003 Kawasaki Concours Posts: 36
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Sorry
The road is a very good black topped road.
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April 20th, 2012, 06:39 AM | #7 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Charlie
Location: Wylie, TX
Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R Posts: 317
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Use whatever gear that puts you at the speed you want to go. There is no set RPM to use for any situation. During the climb, upshift around 10,000 and keep upshifting until the bike stops accelerating. If it starts slowing down, downshift.
Just to let you know, it's not the shocks I'm worried about. Riding an overloaded bike is unsafe from every perspective. It's not just a suspension issue. All bikes have a weight limit. In your case, it's around 340 lbs. |
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April 20th, 2012, 07:01 AM | #8 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: NJ
Location: Westchester, NY
Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2011 250R (Sold); 2012 Vulcan 900; 2009 Harley Iron 883; 2004 SV650s; and a bunch of others over the years... Posts: 470
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Cbdallas is correct. Not sure anyone will be able to give you a more specific answer because there are so many variables. For reference, I have a steep grade hill to climb on my way home everyday. This hill begins immediately after a hairpin right turn so I am beginning with no momentum. With my 165lbs frame and 30lbs of gear and load I generally make the first half of my ascent in first and I have to take first gear to 10k rpm in order to shift into 2nd. If I shift before then I will bog in second. I have a 15t front sprocket so my low end power is lower than stock. I also have shimmed 2 washers. This is a pretty short climb though about 1/8 mile. Hope that helps. Good luck.
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April 20th, 2012, 07:01 AM | #9 |
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He's right. The other issue with overloading the bike by carrying a passenger is that so much of that weight is on the back wheel. Motorcycles are most stable when their weight is in between the wheels.
As for RPM's while climbing, just treat it like you're riding twisties. Keep it above 8,000 and be ready to downshift when you need more. |
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April 20th, 2012, 09:53 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org member
Name: bud
Location: Michigan
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Clastic and 2003 Kawasaki Concours Posts: 36
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I weigh 220 pounds and my wife weighs 110 pounds. About 2/3 of weight will be on both tires. The hill is about one mile high with the first half being very steep. Good chance I'll have stock gears in my Ninja 250. I'll take your advice and keep my RPM's between 8,000 and 8,500. Thanks much for your help. Ride safe my friend.
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April 20th, 2012, 10:06 PM | #11 |
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Get it in the fun zone around 10k!!
8k is just a good idea for where you're going to want to downshift. |
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April 22nd, 2012, 04:58 AM | #12 |
User Title Free Since '12
Name: Floyd
Location: Barbados
Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot.
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Bud,
Welcome to the site, I haven't yet said hello. There are a few things that can help with your question: Ninja 250 Speed Calculator will tell you how fast you will travel at each gear for each RPM. How much weight and the grade of the road will of course be a factor that is hard to say. But the calculator will give you a baseline at least. You might also want to take a look at the dyno chart below, which is for pre-2008 ninjette. As you'll see, peak HP hits at 10,500 RPM and peak torque around 9000. No need to rev that high, but you will see the steepness of the HP curve - you have to be above 7k pretty much. Also, I wanted to second the minor warning you've seen in this thread. I love my ninjette, but it isn't the best gear and passenger hauler out there. Many people have done it - some have ridden in Iron Butt rallies, some have done international touring - but it isn't the most natural fit. It will take some effort and time to make it work, and it will never be a highway cruiser loaded up with gear and a passenger above about 70 mph. That said, there are some good (and inexpensive) fixes to help adapt the bike to this purpose, just know you are going to be fighting the HP . . .
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April 22nd, 2012, 08:58 AM | #13 |
Motorcycle Hypermiler
Name: Vic
Location: Livermore CA
Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 1999 & 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250R's Posts: A lot.
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I agree with the others; the Ninja 250 is not the best tool for 2-up touring. Why not just use your V-Star or your Concourse? Just because something can be done doesn't mean its a good idea. the strengths of the Ninja 250 are its handling and resposiveness ( and fuel economy ) with a solo rider. Good luck and ride safe.
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April 22nd, 2012, 09:19 AM | #14 |
Always.
Name: Alex
Location: Calgary, AB
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, '05 GSX-R600 Posts: A lot.
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It doesn't matter, if it's climbing and it's going, then whatever makes it go.
If your just revving and NOT moving....then its time to stop or your motor might get bum raped
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April 22nd, 2012, 08:15 PM | #15 | |
Long Time Rider
Name: Blue
Location: Charlotte, NC
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
My weight; 225-230 fully geared My bike gearing; 15/41 Avg speed on this grade road; approx 60 mph Depending on your bike's set up, speed limit and the grade at which the road you're traveling on is, 2 up may be tasking the bike right at it's max load capacity and usable HP. If you can, I would try it alone first. Keep in mind there will be a lot of factors that can come in to play such as, wind ( that's a killa) temp, humidity, altitude and avg travel, which will determine how the bike performs. |
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April 26th, 2012, 12:57 AM | #16 |
ninjette.org member
Name: bud
Location: Michigan
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Clastic and 2003 Kawasaki Concours Posts: 36
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I'll take your advice Blue and climb it alone first. The bike will not have any gear on it. If I do good I'll climb it with my wife with me. Thanks much for your help. Ride safe.
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April 28th, 2012, 07:48 PM | #17 |
ninjette.org member
Name: bud
Location: Michigan
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Clastic and 2003 Kawasaki Concours Posts: 36
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Vic, my V-Star 1100 is the first cruiser I have ever owned. When I bought it I thought I could use it for a long distance cruiser, but I was wrong. It is fine for short rides, 50 to 150 miles. The wind tires a person quickly. No good easy fix for it. My Concourse is great fun to ride and I have it set up for long trips with a 52L Givi box on the back. No problem with bike loaded and my wife and I on it. It corners like it's on rails. The problem is at my age, almost 68, the bike is just to much bike for me. I want a lighter motorcycle that is easy to handle. I'm quite sure the Ninja 250 is the right bike for me. Thanks for your reply. Ride safe.
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