Seven Small Bike Performance Hacks For Kawasaki Ninja 250
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- čas přidán 30. 07. 2024
- The initial goal was to show that a rider could pretty much have as much fun on a small low powered bike as they could on a big 1000cc bike on weekend range rides. Normally a BMW S1000RR rider, for me it was big shift to downsize to the smaller Ninja 250, particular in light of its super low horsepower (some 28 hp).
So we implemented some performance hacks to make sure we could get the most out of the bike. We did not worry about power, we focused on the two main areas that most riders should focus on first when setting their bikes up:
(a) rider attachment to the bike, and
(b) handling of the bike.
The result was a fun, great handling small bike that performed very well given its low cost and low horsepower.
Now go easy on me when you watch this, remember there's a zillion people out there riding little bikes like this one who might just get some good ideas out of this :-)
Specific products used on the bike included SC Project exhausts, Eazi-Grip tank grips, and Metzeler tyres. - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Absolute best Ninja 250 performance hacks I've seen...too bad you don't have a shop in my neighborhood. 😎👍
Cheers mate, gotta make the most of these little bikes.
Hacks or not. The Ninja 250 is a fun bike to ride. And the non-abs will definitely keep your skills in tune.
I've been riding like so for 5 months now, mind you it's my first bike, I can't even imagine how abs feels like on a bike.
@@mariozavala93 same here bro I think I’ve been riding 5 months or so, carborated non abs sport bike💀😭😂 super fun though I love this bike
Been using non abs… :) its challenging esp on wet conditions.
I just bought a 2009 kawasaki 250r and this video gave me some ideas thank you I will sub for sure 👌 Bike Life 💖
Good on ya mate, have fun
How u likin it? Ive had mine for abt 2-3 years now
I have the same bike - while I didn't do all the hacks, the first thing I did was change the exhaust - louder and lighter!
@@marcp108 yessir, mine fortunatley came with an aftermarket exhaust bc i bought it from craigslist
Good list. I wouldnt budge from a 130 rear tyre if your riding it hard and leaning even if the 140s look better they dont handle as good.
A sprocket change wouldnt hurt depending on what you are looking for out of the bike
Nice vid 👍🏽
thanks mate
I bought one as a stablemate for my through bread Aprilia RSV 1000 Mille. I go on the 250 ninja for commutes and 50 mile short trips.
When I get on the Aprilia it gives me a massive wow factor into how much torque it has. It's like night and day between them. But I love the kawasaki as it's so easy to ride slow and traveling at legal speeds is pure joy. I've noticed previous owner fitted a 43 rear sprocket.
Probably why it wouldn't pull a greasy stick out of dog's bum bum hole from a standing start. But at least it's not reviving it's nuts off at 60mph. If a bike ever needed a 7th gear for cruising this is it.
Just bought a 250 ninja and having the exact same issue. Going 60-80kmph even the whole bikes vibrating and reving loads. Pretty disappointed.
The 250 is a commuter for sure, I played with this one for a couple of months as an experiment and then sold it, Im sticking to the big bores
@@Kingro619 I'm fitting gel grips and I'm looking at a gel insert for the seat. But yeah, I have that too. It's a small high revving twin, I wouldn't have it as an only bike. It was built in Thailand under licence for kawasaki. Feels cheap, and after striping it down it is.
It's a decent little bike that needs a few things to make it a pleasurable experience.
i am thinking of doing the same to mine.
nice video mate
cheers mate
Carbonfiber wheels are available for the Ninja 300, 250, and Yamaha R3! When I found this out, I was over the moon excited. Think of the handling and fuel savings of these little bikes, with those light wheels.
wow, can only imagine how much difference this would make, weight is a key on these
Just to add, the rear shock on mine is trashed with rust and can't be adjusted, so I have bought a YSS shock from Italy for £80 including post. Definitely a great improvement. Kawasaki are known for rock hard suspension. I bought a cheap £45 Chinese silencer off fleeBay and that sounds great, comes with springs too. Very easy to fit.
Thats awesome. The standard OEM shocks on these things are pretty basic, if I was serious about setting one of these things up I'd be definitely getting new suspension.
YSS is not from Italy, I think its chinesse or Taiwan
@@TheBikeStig you may not read this, or even have the bike anymore. But the late 80's ZX600c air shock fits with very little modification onto the new gen ninja 250. If you can find one in a junk yard somewhere, it's what a lot of the guys were upgrading to back in the day. you can change the oil in them to the weight you want, as well as adjust damping with air pressure. A modern adjustable shock also works great though. The stock ninja 250 rear spring, the lowest preload setting was actually correct for i believe a 250 pound rider. They were notoriously stiff, so changing that out makes a world of difference. Another next step to do along with that is fork springs with the correct preload for the (now shorter) spring travel, and the rider weight. Sonic Springs has calculators for that and are the go to brand. And dialing in the fork oil viscosity/volume to go along with that (which is far more critical than playing with fancy damping adjusters and emulators and all that), so you can get the absolute most out of your fork travel. Those two things really button down the 250r's handling and make it a monster in the twisties.
@@northernninja3321 hey mate, I read it, thanks for the tips my friend
@@TheBikeStig always happy to share! Great video. Many people just want to talk about power adders, that's not how you make these bikes fun or fast. You totally nailed it, every item mentioned would be on my list of top recommendations!
Got a 250 arriving in July ( 1994 model). Looking at improvements. Thanks G uk.
Enjoy mate, always a fun bike on twists
Hi. what’s your opinion about adding modules like a rapid bike EVO? My bike it is the 250 SL and I change the exhaust filter and the EVO.
I don't know enough about these things to advise you Jorge. But the reality is if there is a horsepower increase, it will only be small and I don't believe it will make a lot of different. I'm a big proponent of removing weight, getting the brakes to work really well, and getting suspension to work properly to be honest, there's so many gains to be had there.
I love this I don’t know if I can get one from you
no mate, I don't actually deal in bikes, I just ride em and set them up
I'm trying to figure out how to get my buddys lowered 250 back to stock height. Doesn't look like the forks were slid up thru the trees... I wonder did they put different fork springs in?
without looking at the bike I can't really answer that Eric, might need to talk to a local bike guy
I took the shock out my zzr250 but the swing arm didn't drop or move upwards when I took the bolt out the linkage. I took the bike off the centre stand and it collapsed now the swing arm moves have I damaged the bike or was it seized after standing for 2 years
That sucks. Sounds like it was stuck in position after 2 years of standing.
Would you suggest not to replace the OEM handlebars with clip ons unless you also adjust the rake? I was looking at changing mine to clip ons for a better body position but I'm not familiar with dogbone lowering links or how to install them?
Super easy to install the lowering link on these, instructions come with the item. my main problem when I fitted clip ons was there is not much room on top of the forks to hold the clip ons properly and because I could not get anything to extend the top of the fork tubes, I let the tube come up through the triple claim and then lowered the rear to make sure the rake was not excessive. That was my reasoning mate.
Hey! To everyone who attached to this significant model of kawasaki Ninja from 2024!
Wish to share with u some experience about slight modifications that gonna improve the bike without big rebuilds or impact to engine dll.
Exhaust - yoshimura TRC USA fullsytem, best sound for this bike no debates and great performance. While installing lock the air hose that goes from breather to filter box with the old spark plug. can Carbs- install yoshimura twin-carbs if u find em, or use original with MJ-PJ 100-40 size, K&N or any other double open filter then. But, don't forget to calibrate butterfly mechanism well and mixture settings.
Clutch- Daytona kevlar clutch plates and racing springs. Cheaper then original but gives great performance and long lasting.
Oil- Shell advance (AX-7) 10-40W or Motul 5100
Radiator- B-Pro or VND big radiator( or anything that u have in ur aftermarket, can use smth from old GSX i live in SE Asia so here is many aftermarket options, but everything from "big bikes" is pricey, even tho already trashed). Can install small-sized oil 5-8 raw oil cooler under the radiator. Replacing oil line that goes by cyl. head. Original radiator ok too if sensor functioning right.
Tires- With original swing arm and rims max size or tires is 120/60-17 or 120/70-17 front and max 160/60-17 rear. ER-6 rims great choice for oversized tires and looks same, max size then 180/55-17 for rear tire. But probaly have to remove drive-chain cover. Don't forget to upgrade sprockets if u significantly up the tire size!
Electrical/Ignition - While installing LED-turn lights put jumper with extension socket from each t.light line with bulb lamp and keep it under fairing. Its gonna make turn-lights flash slowly.
RPM unlimiter quite useless, this bike works just fine with original electrical compts. Brisk/BOSCH/Daytona iridium spark plugs is going to be enough.
Changing headlamp bulbs keep at least 1 yellow for foggy weather.
Anything else about brakes and levers is up to you, functional and cosmetics is a bit different but still can be important, so choose carefully and don't drive reckless this bike still can go over 170 km/h which is more than enough to turn anyone into a crabby-patty.
p.s. if u lucky u can find pro-arm ( mono swing arm) with wheel set specially made for this bike and FI version. brand name "Power"
My ninja 250r i change the ninja 300 crankshaft + nassert beet cam + full system exhaust. Before i get 29HP after upgrade 46,8 HP.
Really! Thats fantastic, huge gains.
Could you explain better pleaSe
no way it was worth the money unless you had the stuff laying around?
Hello, could you tell me how I can modify the rear of my kawasaki 250? I want to remove the fender, but there is a hole under the taillight! Tell me what to do, your bike looks perfect without the fender.
I am not the right person to advise as this is not my skill set, what I can tell you is the rear of this particular bike is actually standard for that model
What size tires would are you running? I was thinking of putting 110/60/17 front and 140/60/17 for best performance feel
I can't remember now mate, it was sold some time ago
So when I was drunk I ordered a 38 tooth rear as well as a 42. I'm in love with the 42, but with an r-0990 k&n intake and a cheap open muffler, what sized jets would u think would work for the 38.
ordered it drunk .. that's hilarious :-), re your question about jets I have no idea what size you need and haven't owned a carby for years. I can tell you that you need to take it for a ride, check plugs and if they are carboned up go smaller jets size, if they are white and look like they're getting hot go larger, thats what we all did back in the day until they looked slightly grey.
You only ordered a pair of rear cogs after beers, I ended up with the whole bike after being only bidder on an eBay Ninja 250r. It ended up being a a great bike, my favourite, still have it. I no longer "drink and bid".
Im planing to buy 2010 ninja 250 full black. Thanks for the advice.
cheers mate
@@TheBikeStig thanks buddy. Im buying. BAJAJ DOMINAR 400. As well.
@@MAVERICKRIDER41 Awesome, much better size versus 250 ... over here in australia the 250 is a bit too underpowered so the 1000s are much more popular.
@@TheBikeStig nicee
@@TheBikeStig bro do you have insta?
That windscreen looks definitely not stock, anyone know the model of it?
It was fitted to the bike when I bought it, I thought it was a stock one
North Queensland? Is that anywhere near Brown Town
I have no idea where that is
You can increase the cc capacity of the Ninja 250r motorbike to make the motorbike even faster,because in my country many people do that 😅
I just bought a 2012 250 ninja and was wanting to put a wider tire on my back as well what size did yall go with I have a new 180/70/17 or 180/60/17 something like that would that work on my stock 17 rim? tires sizes might be different I live in the states
One of your issues is you have a 250 and you are putting on a tyre that takes more power to turn / drive than the current one. If the goal is aesthetics then go for it. If the goal is increased track and lean angle grip, stick with the standard size as it was designed for the bike ... take a look at Moto3 bikes and you won't see 180 wide tyres on any of those as they are not needed.
How did you get the fork tubes protrude more for the clip ons?
yep, this was the main problem. I actually purchased a Dog Bone Rear Lowering Link on eBay and lowered the entire bike, it was the only way I could get the forks higher without radically changing the rake at the front. It worked pretty well. Cost me $54 AUD if my memory serves me.
What road was the clips taken? I'm in Brisbane and have trouble finding nice roads to ride thanks
North Queensland mate, there's some great rides down there in the north coast hinterland or south past Beechmont over the border. Heavy traffic and heavily policed is the main problem down there.
@@TheBikeStig thanks. Also is it easier to lean more on a smaller or bigger bike? I'm 130kg and ride a ninja 250. I've been getting more lean when I practise and with better body positioning I got my knee down a few times. However sometimes at this much lean it feels very unstable (more than what I think it should) its just a stock ninja 250 with a 140 rear tyre. Will it be more stable/better if I weighed less and/or had a bigger bike? Thanks
@@jonzx6145 yes mate, 130kg on a ninja 250 isn't the optimum combination. Even the 1000cc sports bikes are set up for riders of around 80-85kg. Being heavier, you'll compress the suspension a lot, yes you'll get your knee down easier, but the suspension is not operating in its sweet spot which is the middle 1/3 of its travel hence the feeling of instability. The springs will be too soft too. A suspension expert would change the springs immediately if you wanted to get good handling out of that bike.
@@TheBikeStig thanks for the reply, appreciate it. Do you have a rough idea of the price to get some springs fit to my weight on the ninja 250? Thanks alot
@@jonzx6145 No idea mate, fortunately I am 78kg so have never really had to change them.
Did you change the fork springs, add emulators or anything. Did you do anything with the shock? I just got myself the same bike that I'm race prepping. Cheers
Re the forks, I simply replaced the caps with a preload adjuster. Nothing on the rear. If I was going to actually put something like this on track I'd definitely change the suspension as it's fairly basic in standard trim.
@@TheBikeStig thanks for the reply. Yeah I'm setting up a 250 for track riding, I've gone a few times on a gsx650f but I'd like to learn good technique before jumping on a big bike.
@@AutomotiveAllStars time to do a california superbike school course mate, it's the perfect foundation for racing
@@TheBikeStig yeah I've been looking into that.
Mark Aitchison has been coaching me at QR and Morgan Park in the meantime.
The mental barriers are what seems to be holding me back, need less "thinking" and more "sending" maybe.
@@AutomotiveAllStars worth doing mate, it's such a good structure and focus is on drilling so you end up thinking less, not sure if you've seen the new guy in Moto2 Joe Roberts, he's a recent graduate of the CSS coaching system.
The lowering of the bike, both the front and rear is a mistake, as the kickstand mount will ground out around lefties.
I don't own the bike any more but I can tell you I never had an issue with this.
any issue with peg scrape?
nope, my riding style is to reduce lean angle as much as I can and the shorter wheelbase of these little bikes helps with having less lean angle for a given speed and corner as compared to longer wheelbase bikes. That said, I never took this on the track and pushed it as hard as I could, I spend my time on 1000s
Gonna take this 1 or Ninja 250SL tho
How about that new Ninja 250 ... I think it's coming out in a 4-cylinder configuration ... could be a very cool small bike
@@TheBikeStig oh yeah zx25r ive seen it myself. My god its so wonderful i told you. Tok bad i cant afford it yet but someday
Funny that in Brazil the ninja 250R has two cilinder, fuel Injection and 33hp
Interesting, I just checked on wikipedia where they talk about the model history. As expected, there's been a lot of changes over the years so I cant help but wonder if the model you are talking about is simply a newer one. It was interesting to learn they've been around since 1983, amazing.
I just bought a ninja 250 and when I go even like 60-80kmph it feels like its going to fall apart. Super shaker and a lot of noises coming from it..
Unsure of what exactly the issue is
I think you need someone to take a look at that bike, doesn't sound normal mate
The Bike Stig got it sorted at a mechanics. Service and new front tire sorted it. Thanks for the reply though appreciate it.
The Bike Stig yeah cheap insurance and good to learn on though I’ve found. Sometimes wish it had a bit for kick for overtaking etc but has managed pretty well since getting it checked.
Any idea of when you’d “know” you’re ready to move up to a more powerful bike?
@@Kingro619 once you can comfortably handle the bike through any and all corners + handle the slow speed manoeuvres is when you should be experienced enough to upgrade to a faster bike
@@Kingro619 At least 6 months to a year. Experience is everything on today's roads.
No gear changes?
No, nothing changed on this one, it was simply an experiment on the small bike not a serious look to get the most out of it
got the braided brake lines and shorty lever's lol
exhaust chang is the biggest weight saver.
1:23 what clip-on is that?
I bought a set on eBay, if you search for - Adjustable Handle Bars Clip-On Set Gray Fit 2008-2012 KAWASAKI Ninja 250R EX250 - you'll see the same ones. It came with fork tops which didn't fit so I never used those.
@@TheBikeStig thanks mate
@@TheBikeStig would it be possible to do this mod on the 07 version ? hate the stock handlebars.
@@kenshi600 mate I could not tell you, I am not that familiar with the various models, I'd be doing some googling as well as checking for clip on options on amazon and eBay to kick things off
I looked through your videos and didn't find anything about other bike brands only bmw
yep that's correct, we'll slowly start to bring in other brands but at the moment chose to focus on something we know a lot about
I want to buy one but I want fuel injection, don't want any carb struggling
I want one of those 250 4 cylinder race bikes they make
Ninbu 😘 Punyaku udah full mod. pake ban 190.
Sangat keren, bertaruh 190 ban itu membuat perbedaan
The best performance mod I ever did was losing 50lbs off my fat ass.
you are so right mate, I tell everyone the cheapest performance upgrade is to drop off the fat. cheers
Seven "Performance Hacks" only one that has to do with engine performance lol....which is what people were looking for I'm sure! Oof! I bet if I search performance hacks for dodge charger they don't talk about changing the seats out very often or the pedals lol...what a click bait approach.
thats ridiculous ... performance isn't just about engines mate, especially on bikes, I have zero interest in click bait and have never done it.
Or you can just get a 650 🤷🏼♂️
or a 636 just a little different in price and power its just death if your never rode before hahah
agree totally :) ... hence the other bike is an S1000RR