New bike in the stable...
 

An 03 Ninja 250 with 7700 miles, service records and not a scratch, for a song!
Gearing is +1 on the counter with a stock rear, which still feels VERY short.
Can't wait for that tag office to open now so I can get some data!!!!

Congrats! Post some photos of it if you can.


Jay

Will do. Looks like you have one as well. Very excited about this project, been waiting over a year to find a real clean one!

First tank gave 73.3 mpg.

What kind of average speed? That is already 10% higher than the best I ever got with my 09 Ninja250.

It was 0% highway so I figure the average was 45 or so.

Wow! Off to a great start there!

New windshield, 2"+ taller, new sprockets 15/42 and new non-oring chain.
New links as well to raise the rear 1". Bike feels more balanced but SERIOUSLY needs an aftermarket shock and some fork work.

The new gearing makes it feel like a motorcycle now instead of a scooter.
Might go one tooth less in the rear just to make the bike run an even 10 mph per 1k rpm in top gear.

On the second tank now and it does include some highway which the first tank didn't.
Sort of expect less mpg due to the huge load highway running puts on it.

New windshield is nice, a little smoother in some ways.
This thing coast's VERY well! Much better than the barn door that my KLX is!

2nd tank just under 73 mpg. Put 50 miles on this tank before adding the taller windshield, and another 45 or so at 75 mph on the highway with the 15/45 sprockets, then installed the 15/42 sprockets and new non o-ring chain. The fast highway running negated the benefits I might have seen from the new mods, but still a good result as I ended with 240 miles on this tank with a lot of 65+ mph traveling. It does it pretty easily even being a NO torque 250!

I actually really like it and am considering another.

any plans for aeromods?

Full streamlining is the plan, but other mods coming first so I don't have to keep removing the bodywork. Those include exhaust mods (while trying to retain the quietest exhaust possible) and intake mods, which is going to be a conversion from dual carb to single carb.

The bike will also be put on a diet! (So I won't have to, of course.)

Wow! That is a major commitment. Might as well add a long intake runner as well. Too bad we can't get someone to design a fuel economy cam for the Ninjette since there are literally thousands of them around being sold really cheap.

From what I've read the 1st gen had a 'too' long runner anyway, but will have to see how much room I have. Going with an FCR, not sure what size but it will be around what is stock (30mm).

Upon putting an FCR on my KLX my mileage went from 38-52 mpg, power came up dramatically and throttle response is mental, and this was with the FCR being too rich...

Have since tuned that one to give economy at small throttle and big power when you NEED it.

I think the increase in intake velocity/volume with going to a single carb will net a pretty good gain in mpg and torque at the same time, although I am pretty sure a set of dual FCR's would do the same, but the single seems more logical for keeping intake velocity high at lower revs.

Pod to valve runner lengths would need to be 16-18" for solo runners and 5,000 rpm peak.
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Might as well go with the Ecotrons dual channel FI kit if you are going to change the intake.
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Kawasaki Ninja 250r Fuel Injection Conversion Kit - Small Engine EFI Conversion kit | fuel injection kits
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Saw that FI kit the other day but I like simple. Give me gravity feed petcock and a slide carb any day.

On another note, I changed the oil out today and installed an oil temp gauge. Took out the Amsoil 10w40 and put in Delvac 15w40. Shifting is MUCH better!
Oil temps got up to 183F and stabilized there. Was thinking of Rotella 10w30 but might install an oil pressure gauge first just to make sure. Manual specifies 50 psi at 4k rpm's.

Never thought I could like a small bike so much!

I run Motul 5W30 in my CBR.

Does your manual spec that weight oil?

spec is 10W30 conventinal. This is Motul double ester synth minimum loss oil. $15 per liter but I only need 1.4 liters and the interval is speced at 8,000 miles. Chep performance upgrade.

BHarvey, Congrats on getting your Ninja 250. They are great little bikes and a lot of fun to ride. Keep us posted as you play with the carburation.

No problem Vic.