September 3rd, 2015, 05:48 AM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Angelo
Location: Toronto, ON
Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 10
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2010 Ninja 250R - What gear should I be in - city driving
Hi everyone,
First time rider and newb question here. In my area the speed limit averages from 40-70km/h. Now what gear should I be in when I'm cruising in this speeds. I went out for a ride yesterday and found myself usually in 6th gear. What gear should I typically be on going at these speeds and what rpm should I somewhat be at? The reason for being in 6th gear is because I feel like the rpms were to high and sounded like I needed to shift. I mean is it normal to cruiser at a higher rpm since the redline is way higher than a car? lol ...if this makes any sense, any help/suggestions/opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! |
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September 3rd, 2015, 06:09 AM | #2 | |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
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The Ninjette loves to revs, hence the power band is up. At highway speeds it's about 8~9k and very comfortable there.
Depending on the type of riding your doing, depends on the rpm range, if your just cruising along, then lower RPMs are fine. In a urban/city/traffic you want it to be up a bit, so you'll be able to get out of trouble quickly, and have the bike be more responsive. Cruising for hours at high RPMs won't hurt the bike. I rode mine 700 miles in a day, and all interstate speeds, about 80 mph, and getting above 50 mpg. You need to stop thinking it's a car, and embrace your inner motorcycle child. I suggest you take the MSF course in your area http://www.msf-campus.org/ Good luck canuck, and here's my standard greeting, Quote:
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September 3rd, 2015, 06:14 AM | #3 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Tom
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250, 2019 Harley Ultra Classic, 2001 Suzuki SV650 Posts: A lot.
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40 KPH is only 25 MPH, That's a little slow for 6th gear for me. I would probably be in 4th. Generally anything about 40 mph (65 KPH) I'm in 6th gear.
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September 3rd, 2015, 06:18 AM | #4 | |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
Your best bet is to experiment with different gears, and RPMs, and see for yourself.
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violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
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September 3rd, 2015, 06:19 AM | #5 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Angelo
Location: Toronto, ON
Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 10
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Quote:
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September 3rd, 2015, 06:22 AM | #6 |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
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Good, I'm sure you'll be in for nice surprise, and be careful.
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violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
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September 3rd, 2015, 08:49 AM | #7 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Kevin
Location: Portland, OR
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At 25mph I'd be in second gear. Generally I keep it at or above 6k RPMs with few exceptions.
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September 3rd, 2015, 09:25 AM | #8 |
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What gear should you be in?
All of it. All the time. Hey, you asked.....
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September 3rd, 2015, 09:31 AM | #9 |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
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Well said sir.
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violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
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September 4th, 2015, 02:11 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mike
Location: Toronto
Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): none yet Posts: 21
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http://www.msgroup.org/Tip.aspx?Num=094&Set=073-108
So ~5K might be a good range for the Ninja ? Also there's this to play with : http://www.gearingcommander.com/ |
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September 7th, 2015, 07:33 AM | #11 |
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It is entirely possible to overthink this.
Listen to your bike with your ears and your body. If you feel or hear it lugging, or if it feels gutless and won't pull, downshift to a lower gear. If you're bouncing off the rev limiter, upshift to a higher gear. FYI the bike makes its best power above 8,000-9,000 rpm.
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I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem. Last futzed with by adouglas; September 8th, 2015 at 04:25 AM. Reason: Got "downshift" and "upshift" backwards because from time to time I'm an idiot. |
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September 7th, 2015, 07:46 AM | #12 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Greg
Location: San Antonio
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There are 2 ways to get out of trouble, brake or accelerate. You won't be doing much accelerating in 6th gear at 30mph
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September 7th, 2015, 10:07 AM | #13 |
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/moved to riding skills
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September 7th, 2015, 10:48 AM | #14 |
chaos theory
Name: Scott
Location: Detroit
Join Date: Jul 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250r SE ; 2007 ZZR600 Posts: 123
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I would definitely be in 2nd gear, maybe pop it into 3rd if you're cruising that speed for a long distance. I really think an aftermarket exhaust is helpful in determining which gear feels/sounds best at different speeds. With out it, it sounded like i was revving the engine too high & I wanted to go to the next gear too soon.
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December 18th, 2015, 06:48 PM | #15 |
Raden Rider
Name: Rhys
Location: Bali,Indonesia
Join Date: Sep 2015 Motorcycle(s): ninja 250R 2010 Posts: 43
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hey mate we are all different on where we change gears, keep in mind road condition & traffic condition. I'll tell you the range i change gears at and i live in bali a small island with a fair a mount of traffic and anything over a 250 cc is useless because there only 1 or 2 road to open up on, i only be in 6th gear a few time maybe 10 time in the past 2 years i been driving the bike.
1st - 2nd change at 6-7 rmps 2nd- 3dr rpms 7-8 rpms 3rd-4th 9-10 rpms 4th -5th 10-11 rpms 5th-6th 10-11rpms keep in mind for me this is what i find i get the best out of my 250 ninja (2011) for my for the area i driving in,(check out sj bali on youtube, to get an idea of the area im driving in). this is a range so if i want to drive faster i change in the top parts of this range if im not into much of a rush but still dont ant to cruz i change some where at mid-high range. if im just chill ill change around mid, mid low int this range if im in traffics i change low - mid low range some ninijetter may even tell me this is wrong but i know this i what work best for me, so you just really need to find what work best for you in your area, and really get a fell for the bike she will let you know.
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Island style Bro |
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