Low & Slow's Ninja 250 project

[greenjoe]

L&S, shipped the sprocket today via US Mail, should be there first of next week. Hope it will help in some way, just collecting dust here.

[FXSTi]

Originally Posted by greenjoe

L&S, shipped the sprocket today via US Mail, should be there first of next week. Hope it will help in some way, just collecting dust here.

I like that you are willing to help others. Thanks for being you.

Kirk

[low&slow]

Thanks GreenJoe! You are the man! I'll do my best to make you proud. I'll let you know when it gets here.
Many thanks L&S

[low&slow]

Both of the sprockets arrived in this evening's mail! I need to finish testing the current aero mods and then I'll install both sprockets to see if the little Ninja will pull the 15/33 combination. If not, I'll go with 15/45 for a while. I'll post the test mpg shortly.
Thanks again GreenJoe , you are awesome !!!

[greenjoe]

Wow, that got there fast, I figured next week. I can't wait to hear the results. I like to go to the extreme gearing first and work my way back up, it's just the way I've always done it. I still like the 14/33 set-up. Your project has modivated me to pull the 125 ninja on the lift today and started on some body mods, so the thanks is to you L&S. Have fun testing, and again, can't wait to hear about it.

[low&slow]

Yes , the sprocket got here pretty quick. Many thanks GreenJoe! I'm glad you're going to start work on your Ninzuki.

I filled the tank today and the result was 59.3 mpg. Disappointing. I may do one more fillup to get a better perspective on the aero mods. I added a bit longer tail and some panels over the rear wheel.

Once I get the sprockets on I should see some significant gains.
all the best L& S

[low&slow]

I did another test run today before installing the taller gearing and the results are.... 74.6 mpg. So at least some improvement over the stock Ninja configuration with the aero mods. I'm going to install taller gearing and will go with a 15T front/ 41T rear combo for now. After some discussion with Alan Smith I decided to try the 41T rear first before going with the extremely tall 33t sprocket that Greenjoe sent me. I feel very optiimistic as the Ninja feels very short-geared, easily pulling 6 th gear at 35 mph.

[low&slow]

I rode the bike today with the 15/41 gearing ( vs 14/45 stock ) today and it is much improved. I can confirm that the rpms are now down to ~6000 at 60 rpm. The bike still accelerates very well and actually it can handle even taller gearing. I'm using Alan Smith's spare rear sprocket right now and he also has a 39 tooth rear he offered to let me use. He is currently running a 37 tooth rear right now. I also have the 33 tooth rear that GreenJoe sent me . I'll run this setup for a bit and test it. I'll post the results shiortly.
all the best L&S

[HHOTDI]

I am very excited to have found this thread and you guys here following Craig Vetter's Challenges. I too have been corresponding with him and his wife about their events and an encouraged to see one coming to the Northwest this year in June. I too am putting a bike together to run in the June Challenge, dunno how far I will get but will certainly be there! Best of luck to you guys, hope to see you all there. Mike :{)

[low&slow]

Hi Mike, I'm glad you are enjoying my project and are going to be competing in the 2012 Vetter motorcycle fuel economy challenge. I'll be going to the Northwest event and look forward to meeting you. What kind of bike are you going to run?
I hope to get the Ninja 250 over 100 mpg pretty soon so that I will be more competitive in the 2012 Vetter Challenges. Alan Smith's Ninja 250 is currently undergoing a lot of mods and will very likely surpass his best of 116 mpg.
all the best , L&S