The results are in...

[The Atomic Ass]

Tinkerbill: I wish I could use a pump-less coolant heater, but it would never work. The Ninja's cooling system is setup in such a way that I could never get a low-lying coolant line that entered the block. I'd be heating up the radiator first, no matter if I attached to the exhaust or return lines.

As for battery capacity, I solved that issue. My mother's Cadillac is out of commission, (though not due to any issues with the car itself), and has been for some time. The battery had gone flat, so I brought it home from where the car is being stored, to put it on the charger and recondition it. It only holds 12.34V after resting overnight, but it provides ample power that my headlight dips almost unnoticeably when the vest goes on. I'm going to try with the alternator disconnected today to see if it will hold voltage for a significant drive, and if it does, I'll leave it off for the next tank, and just charge at home.

It's funny looking, with that big battery strapped to the passenger seat. (it's about 100AH capacity, WIDE standard car battery.)

[MadisonMPG]

What is your job? (that you can't bike)

I know I am going to start biking to school, and I love the idea.

[The Atomic Ass]

Originally Posted by MadisonMPG

What is your job? (that you can't bike)

Unloading trucks by hand at the local Kohls. Now if I was in school, sitting on my Ass all day long, maybe...

[Swiftbow]

Do you know what temp the t-stat is opening for the 250Ninja? Kawasaki tends to use low temperature (160F) t-stats. If it's a low temperature, looking to mod to a higher temp will help the efficiency as well as motor longevity.

I also would think one of the silicone stick-on oil pan heaters would fit on the bottom of the 250? I saw one 125watt heater advertised at 2.5" x 4".

Doug

[MadisonMPG]

Originally Posted by The Atomic Ass

Unloading trucks by hand at the local Kohls. Now if I was in school, sitting on my Ass all day long, maybe...

haha

Only if it was that easy. I have culinary and landscaping, two odly demanding classes at the end of the day.

[The Atomic Ass]

Originally Posted by Swiftbow

Do you know what temp the t-stat is opening for the 250Ninja? Kawasaki tends to use low temperature (160F) t-stats. If it's a low temperature, looking to mod to a higher temp will help the efficiency as well as motor longevity.

I also would think one of the silicone stick-on oil pan heaters would fit on the bottom of the 250? I saw one 125watt heater advertised at 2.5" x 4".

Doug

I may have to look into that. The radiator is blocked, but I wonder if the cold coolant flowing through is having an effect.

And I don't think that there are flat surfaces that large on the underside of the Ninja engine. I will check, though.

[Swiftbow]

Blocking the radiator will help but it won't be as effective as a warmer stat. When riding the bike in cold temps, does the temp needle ever get to the ~half-way pt? If not, it is likely a 160F stat.

I'll also be surprised if one of the smaller oil pan heaters wouldn't fit on the the base of the engine.

Doug

[The Atomic Ass]

Originally Posted by Swiftbow

Blocking the radiator will help but it won't be as effective as a warmer stat. When riding the bike in cold temps, does the temp needle ever get to the ~half-way pt? If not, it is likely a 160F stat.

I'll also be surprised if one of the smaller oil pan heaters wouldn't fit on the the base of the engine.

Doug

Without the radiator fully blocked, the needle never rises above the first notch above cold.

[Swiftbow]

Pretty much confirms a 160f t-stat. Blocking the radiator was a good idea. There's some good information about this problem with KLR650's and a mod to a bypass and hotter stat that I believe will prove interesting: Thermo-Bob™ Testing Results / History

Doug

[The Atomic Ass]

I don't suppose you happen to know what size T-stat the Ninja uses, do you?