The Yeager's 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Technical Information

 

Statistics

Fuel Consumption

• All fuel consumption data is based on riding individually with little or no luggage.
• Worst fill-up: 40.39 MPG (Ninjette Summer 50CC Quest 75 to 80 MPH Interstate travel climbing into the high Southern California desert with a 20 to 30 MPH side winds). Best fill -up: 79.6 MPG (Changing of the Colors wedding ride from Mena, Arkansas to New Boston, Texas riding at a steady 60 MPH with a group of fellow CMA riders on a calm, cool fall evening. See Ride Report: October 21, 2006 in The Ninjette Journal 2006). On November 5th, 2006 during a group ride a fuel fill-up indicated 84.59 MPG.  The 84.59 should be considered a fluke as the fill-up was less than a tank full.
• Highway Fuel Consumption:
  • Extended 70 MPH travel will yield 67 to 72 MPG.
  • Relaxed farm road cruising at 55 MPH will yield 75 to 79 MPG.
• City Fuel Consumption:
  • Undetermined as the bike is not used for short trips.
• Wind speed and direction make a significant difference in fuel consumption indicating that aerodynamics are a factor.
• Northeast Texas offers little change in elevation so much of my travel does not involve hills.
• Typical for daily commute: 67 to 73 MPG.
• Typical routine for the Commerce to Trenton commute:
  • Walk Ninjette out of its garage.
  • Start the Ninjette and warm up the engine for about 30 seconds or longer if it is cold out.
  • Pull out of driveway, after 0.5 miles of in-town travel with two stop signs I turn left on to Texas State Highway 11.
  • 60 MPH for about 1 mile.
  • 70 MPH for 14 miles.
  • 60 MPH for 1 mile through Wolfe City, Texas-- no stop signs.
  • 70 MPH for 5 miles then stop at four way stop in Bailey, Texas and turn left on Texas Highway 78.
  • 60 MPH for 6 miles then merge right (yield, no stop sign) on to US 69 in Leonard, Texas.
  • 45 MPH then 65 MPH until out of town then 70 MPH for 3 miles.
  • 60 MPH for 2 mile while entering Trenton, Texas.
  • Turn left on to Texas Farm to Market Road 815.
  • 1 mile of in-town travel with two stop signs then pull into school.
  • Park and cover the Ninjette.
  • Note 1: I drive at or slightly below the speed limit with an indicated speed adequate to compensate for the known speedometer error.
  • Note 2: I accelerate slowly and shift at 5,000 to 7,000 RPM.
  • Note 3: I use 87 octane unleaded gasoline.
  • Note 4: I have a choice of routes I can take to work. The primary route is 32 miles on lightly traveled state highways with mostly a 70 MPH speed limit. The others are 35 to 39 mile lengths on little traveled farm-to-market roads with lots of turns and a speed limit of 55 MPH. There are more intersections, stops, and school zones on the slower routes as I am actually going through towns and not bypassing them. Often, if time allows, I take the fast way to the office and one of the slower, twistier routes home when I have the time to enjoy the ride. During November 7th through 11th, 2005 I decided to see what the Ninjette would do if I really tried to get good fuel mileage. I aired both tires to 34 PSI and left the house early enough to take the slower 35 mile route to work. I kept the MPH at an indicated 55 to 60 MPH and accelerated slowly and smoothly while keeping the RPMs at or below 6,000. The results: I hit reserve at 299 miles and got 78.35 MPG for the week of commuting.
  • Note 5: I am running a 15:41 final drive, have a Zero Gravity Double Bubble windscreen, run just under the tire manufacturer's maximum recommended tire pressure, and tend to do a partial tuck at or close to 70 MPH.
  • Note 6: I wear full gear fitted and adjusted so that it is tight enough to not flap yet loose enough to be comfortable. I am roughly 140 lbs and 5'10" tall.
• The 4.8 gallon fuel tank allows a range of about 270 miles before reserve and a "safe" maximum of about 320 miles under typical riding conditions.

General Description and Condition

• General condition and appearance: clean and well-maintained
• Body: original Galaxy Silver with Galaxy Silver belly pan, excellent condition

Maintenance

• Extended Warranty Discussion
• Ninjette Maintenance Log Introductory Remarks
• The Ninjette Maintenance Log
• The Ninjette is cleaned after every ride and before being put up with one or more of Meguiar's and/or Honda's line of cleaners, waxes, detailers, and polishes as appropriate.
• I do not ride in the rain or if the roads are wet if I can possibly help it.
• When I am not riding, the 250R is kept covered in a garage at home or under a cover at work.

Detailed Modifications List

• Engine and Drive Train
  • 15/41 Final Drive (I live in the country so it is all about highway riding and MPG.)
  • Inline Fuel Filter
  • Chain Guard Extension
  • K&N Air Cleaner
• Suspension, Wheels, and Tires
  • World Vintage Motorcycle Sales Company Fork Gaiters
  • Front Tire: Bridgestone Battlax BT-45F 100/90H16
  • Rear Tire: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon 130/90HB16
• Body
  • Factory Galaxy Silver with Galaxy Silver belly pan (Ninja sticker removed)
  • Lockhart Phillips 1/2 tank bra
  • Zero Gravity Double Bubble windscreen
  • One inch BikeMaster adhesive convex spot "eyeball" mirrors mounted on stock rearview mirrors
  • Modified Competition Werkes Rear Fender Elimination Kit
  • Front fender mud flap
  • Rhino Lined rear grab handle by Rhino Linings of McKinney
  • Custom Seat Creations Tri-color seat cover
  • Extra saddle with modifications (Tail Trunk Saddle Project)
  • RAM mount on handlebar for Palm/EMTAC bluetooth GPS
• Electrical/Lighting
  • "Triple" brake and tail lights with Signal Dynamics Corporation brake/tail Red LED conversion
  • Lockhart Phillips Short Stalk II Rear Turn Signals
  • Signal Dynamics Corporation Diamond Star Headlight Modulator
  • Signal Dynamics Corporation Back Off XP Brake Light Module with emergency rear flasher circuit
  • Signal Dynamics Corporation Classic Black LED License Plate Frame
  • Signal Dynamics Corporation Classic Red LED accent lighting
  • Asian Signals (Keith in Asia) Flush Mount Front Turn Signals in Galaxy Silver
  • Asian Signals (Keith in Asia) DRL Circuit with over-ride switch
  • Two 12 volt power outlets

 

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The Yeager's 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250

 

 

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