3501 miles, 13 states, 2 motorcycles, 1 weekend

[AngryFlagman]

Did you ever have an issue with a tank bag covering the gas cap? I think mine may be causing vacuum lock. I get a slight smell of gas from the cap when its locked down. Dont know if its supposed to vent like that or not. I took it for a ride up to my local BMW dealer to check on my K12 ( they've now had it for 2 months). The Ninja started leaking gas into the crank case. The culprit was the petcock. Seems to run fine but still get gas fumes from the cap.

[vvtheduckvv]

@AngryFlagman I don't use a tankbag, but my buddy with the red bike does but hasn't ever mentioned a problem. He did have a bad petcock, though. Without vacuum the thing still trickled fuel. It was replaced under warranty. Mine has been great!

[HJClinton4]

Im new to motorcycles, did you only change the rear sprocket? What is your recommendation on an aftermarket exhaust? Slip on or full system? I like your can, wish I could find it in red! You have been very helpful, and I think I am going to make the sprocket change! 100mph is just fine for me. Im 30, so two wheel motion is desired over speed!

[vvtheduckvv]

@HJClinton4 I changed both sprockets, front and rear. What exhaust you get depends on what you want. If you want performance get a full system, I have an AreaP and really like it. If you just want to change the sound and save some money then just change out the can.

Glad I've been able to help you! Post some vids of you on that thing! :)

[HJClinton4]

How has the new sprocket effected in town riding? I'm thinking of changing the sprocket instead of getting a bigger cc bike, but I heard the new sprocket maxes out your top speed to 80mph and drastically reduces acceleration in lower gears.

[vvtheduckvv]

@HJClinton4 With stock sprockets I maxed at 100mph. With 15/41 I max out at 117mph indicated. No more tapping the rev limiter with more revs to spare! But how fast do you really need to go?

Around town the bike is MUCH quieter as it doesn't scream at 7000rpms at 45mph anymore.

[vvtheduckvv]

@HJClinton4 Low gear accelleration is BETTER! Kawasaki uncessarily geared the 250 like a tractor... it screams and just doesn't go anywhere, but it would probably pull a truck out of a ditch just fine if you got enough traction. I get the jump ahead of my friends on their 250s and get even further ahead when they are shifting into second and I'm still haven't revved out 1st yet, and I weigh twice as much as my friend on the red bike!

[misoellie]

oh how cool! that's exciting, and what beautiful scenery!

[HJClinton4]

I have a red 2008 250, and would love to do saomething like this, but I don't have any riding friends yet. Only been riding since Dec. Already put 5K on the bike. Did you stay in a hotel? Was most of this highway miles? What was your average rpm? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm really thinking about doind a long trip on the Ninja!

[vvtheduckvv]

@HJClinton4 I had a total freakin blast! This was the favorite vacation getaway of my life... and cheap too!  We stayed in some hotels, and with friends along the way. We kept up a very grueling pace riding up to 20 hours a day so this isn't for the weak or inexperienced. Most was highway, yes, though several hundred miles were seeing familiar places I grew up in NJ and around Deals Gap. I run 15/41 sprockets, so multiply MPH x 100 and you get my approximate RPM.

70mph x 100 = 7000RPM