Lol, Thanks but I'll pass ;P

Well my advice to you would be to wait it out. They announced the new ninja just 3 days after I brought mine and it was kinda depressing. If you invest in a new bike then you can rest easy for at least 2-3 years before they bring in any further changes. But since its the ninja we're talking about the waiting period will definitely be more than a month. maybe even a year possibly. They haven't even launched the 2012 650 here and its been out for quite some time now.

Can anyone let me know what is the procedure to clean the radiator which has full of muck?

Can some1 tell me about the 3rd service and also what all things they will be looking after ... I need to change the brake pads too .... Estimated cost pls .. tks

Do not pressure wash the radiator as it will bend the fins. Use a tooth brush to clean the fins while splashing water into it through a hose. You mush splash water into the radiator whenever you clean it with the tooth brush to avoid damage to the fins.

Apart from the normal servicing procedures like oil and oil filter change, air filter cleaning etc, 3rd service includes valve clearance, vaccum synchronization etc but our pbks are hardly doing these things. Cost is around 5k to 7 k. Call your pbk to know the exact cost.

Tks Mahesh i would do that ... just wanted to know from the guys here and then i can qs them if they try to play around ... also wanted to change the brake pads ... neways ... tks a lot

Thanx for the tip bro.

My 3rd servicing costed me 7.5K along with the brake pad change(Front and rear) and normal oil changes. They don't fiddle wih the valve clearances and all unless there is a problem. But I had the glass cover of my speedometer assembly changed too which was around 2.5K with labour. So, I guess it will not cost you more than 5K.

@ Bnay


For Brake pads 2800 for both rear and front including taxes
oil filter 333+taxes
If your bike do not have any serious issue and if you are planning to change the brake pads it should not exceed 5k including engine oil price.

can any one suggest me best aftermarket air filter for Ninja 250r ....... by changing air filter will it effect my bikes performance .... will it increase low end acceleration .... and my bike is due to second service ...... so what should i look into...

^^ K&Ns are the only ones I have in mind suitable for the Ninja 250R. I found them available on PlanetDSG and another website (not sure). Both were priced around 5000Rs.
I'm not sure what amount of difference it would create in the performance at low rpm, but the reason I was willing to get it installed was it's long mileage (life time). They say you wouldn't have to change the filter ever again. I was really impressed by that comment.

Hello

Sorry to have bumped this thread without owning a ninja.
This is my first post in this thread, I request all the ninja owners to help me with the purchase of this bike. I need to know some very basic insights about the things to look out for while buying a used Ninja 250R.
As all of you guys own this bike, please help me with as many details as you can.

I've seen 2 of the bikes personally so far, considering a used Ninja solely because I have a budget of CBR but I want a Ninja to quench my 250cc thirst.

There was a green 2010 model I saw, the asking price was sky high and non negotiable, the bike looked clean and was run 8k kms, tires were stock and the owner claimed to have done 3 services from the ASC.
Both the disk brakes were slightly worn out, maybe due to a delay in changing the pads.
I didn't ride it as I told him that I'll look into it only if the price is negotiable, and I'll visit him again if I am seriously considering his bike for the purchase.

I saw a black one yesterday itself, again 2010 and was run almost 16k kms, the bike looked very abused and dirty, quite a lot of scratches on the tank, an el-cheapo after market black exhaust and the owner claimed that he had never dropped the bike and his dog scratched the tank. Although I could see scrapped bar ends and break/gear levers.
Besides there was loads of rust on the exhaust pipe all the way till the end can, the fairings were shiny though, maybe would have changed it, and had a cheap opaque black windscreen too.
He has put the KTM duke rear tire at the back.
Not to mention that the disk brakes had a lot of worn pad scratches on it.
I couldn't test ride that bike, because he couldn't find a spare key, and his friend had taken the original one by mistake, he insisted that I wait for a while until his friend arrives with the key, to test ride it. As I didn't have that much of time, I left. BTW I can pay him a visit any time again to test ride this bike
The asking price is still slightly over my budget but maybe I can negotiate and bring it down.
Besides he had done only 2 services from the ASC and the remaining from his local trusted mech...
But I am really not wanting to buy it as the initial impression was not so good.

As I haven't test ridden any of the bikes yet, and believe that maybe next time while I pay a visit to someone would definitely do that, I would love to know from you guys the details to look out for to ensure that I get a bike in reasonably good condition to avoid headaches later on.
I am getting nice bikes, but the asking price is way too high.
Also please let me know weather or not the high price for a decent bike is justified in any sense? In layman's terms if the bike is not taken that high level of care and just used with regular oil changes, would it mean that it would or already may have damaged the bike in any way ?
Is it advisable to wait for a while and increase my budget almost 50~60k more of a bike that looks more cleaner or shiny even though its as old as other ones ones?
I don't mind a bike that's scratched or slightly rusted at some areas or weather its black, green, pink or even purple as long as it runs and feels great, not to mention keeps me away from day to day drama or small niggles.
It would be a great help if all of you here try to help me with basic insights that I should look out for while seeing, or even test riding the bike, also what should be a justified price range for a 09/10/11 bike.

Another thing worth mentioning is that quite a handful of bikes are offered with after market exhausts like two bros or akrapovic, and most of them also have frame sliders and fender eliminator kits installed, so weather of not the excess price is worth it, considering that down the line I would want these goodies too?

PS: I've never ridden a Ninja before, so any initial impressions that should or shouldn't bother me is expected to be highlighted too.

Awaiting expert opinions and healthy discussions.
Thanks a lot in advance.

i am planning to a 6500kms trip come november for 22days wanted to know if i have to change oil midway will be using 300v 15w-50

Well mate, with regards to buying a used bike, I wouldn't be of much help, but since its the Ninja 250 we are talking about, I can add my two cents to to this matter in order to give you an insight as to what you will be getting into.

In my personal opinion, I would definitely suggest you test ride the ninja before you buy the bike, but ONLY if you are planning to buy the bike. The reason I say this is because once you ride the Ninja there is a chance that your heart might be set on it and buying any other bike would leave you wanting. In regards to the whole "Ninja" experience, that ride you take will most definitely alter your perspective on the current biking scene in India and might also help remove any inhibitions that you might have towards purchasing one yourself.

I'm no expert but I would advice to seriously consider what lies ahead if you do happen to buy the bike.

Service and spares
• This bike costs just as much as an entry level hatchback, but the service and spares costs more than what you pay for a premium one.
• The bike uses premium fuel and this will definitely burn a hole through your wallet especially considering the current trend in rising fuel prices.
• Availability of spares are a bit of a concern just as it is for the availability of ninja service centers.

Other concerns
• A plus point in someways but an annoyance in other, even though the bike is over three years old, majority of the people are not yet aware of the existence of such a bike. Hence leaving it parked somewhere is quite dangerous since people will just keep fiddling with it and there have been cases here on xbhp itself where some poor chap's ninja was dropped while parked. leaving his tank dented and faring scratched or so. Whenever I leave my bike somewhere I always find someone on it, so i always have to keep it in my line of sight. But buying the black bike will pretty much resolve this though.
• The Daytime Running Lights or DRL is really handy when it comes to safety, but then again you will find it extremely frustrating since more than 80% of the people on the road will be signaling you to turn off the lights. Oh and in my personal experience, I'm a constant target for police officers and traffic cams because of the same.
• Premium fuel availability is another issue I've been facing. So what I do is I never let my bike run on reserve if i can help it. Having no fuel gauge makes this even more difficult but the 4 liter reserve is a saviour.
• Ride comfort is in the negative. If you are planning to own this baby, I would suggest you invest in some good quality gloves. Its a stiff ride and your entire upper body weight will be channeled to your hands which makes long rides a bit of a hassle. Stay away from bad roads unless you wanna end up bedridden.
• The bike catches wind when doing high speeds, but this really isn't much of an issue really.
• The front mud guard is useless as the mud just keeps clogging up the radiator center and as for the rear its pretty much after market parts that will have to handle the mud problem there.

But nuf about all the cons,.. Now let me tell you what makes this just one fantastic machine to have.

First off, let me tell you this mate; be it the price, service hassles or even the little annoying things that might keep you away from a bike like this, if there is the presence of passion for biking within you, it will eventually win you over when it comes to the baby ninja. Absolutely nothing else will matter as much when compared to what you get to experience with such an engineering marvel like this bike. Let me assure you mate, I've been very skeptical about this bike even before its launch. I've read and heard hundreds of people talk about how different and lovable this bike is compared to the rest and about how deep a mark is left on you even if you end up parting ways with it at some point, for something bigger. I've wondered how such a puny little bike can provide someone with such an experience that we'd usually expect from higher capacity bikes. Boy was i in for a surprise!

I'm pretty sure that all the Ninja owners would agree with me when I say, this bike has an unique character which is not so evident in any of the other bikes that are normally sold here. Once you ride it, you will, fall head over heals for it. The handling and braking is just simply superb and even though its just a 250 cc bike its still got that big bike feel to it. The seating position is also pretty good since it doesn't really put much strain on your back as long as you are riding solo. This bike really does love you back! Its just amazing... It responds extremely well to your every move. Its sharp, precise and deadly in its own way.The bike starts screaming once you pass the mid range and its just so addictive that I just stay in the high revs as much as I can lol. And it never puts you through more than what you can handle which is really great especially if you are new to the sport biking scene. And when taking corners, this bike can really lay down just sticking to the road like it was glued on to it. Moreover, every time I look at the bike it just keeps calling out to me to take it for a ride XD, hence be it rain or shine, hartal or heavy traffic.... Nothing stops me once the urge sets in. I was never like this with any of the other bikes though, even on the TBTS, which is like one of the most comfortable bikes I've ever ridden, I'd just feel lazy about going out at all. But with the ninja, every journey is an adventure and as you get to familiarize yourself with the bike, it just keeps on surprising you even more. I can honestly say this bike is the only decision that I can never really regret.

So everything basically comes down to what you would want from a bike.
If you are a passionate biker, you wanna enter the sport biking experience and if you can financially afford to maintain & run this bike, then there needs no looking back.
But if you want something that will not strain your pockets too much with pretty much low running costs, yet provides more comfort and has almost similar performance as the ninja, with just little sacrifices having to be made in the sportiness dept and the looks, then it would be wise to go on for a CBR which basically makes a lot of sense since you will be getting a brand new bike!.



On another note
Guys, I'm thinking of taking a ride from Trivandrum to Bangalore pretty soon. Which would be the best route for me to take? And any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Hadn't really had a chance to ride my bike after my Leh trip. She was there lying idle - only used for 4-5 kms every weekend so that battery is not down.
I had removed the fairing for a clean up and saw a red deposit on the sides of the engine case - looks like the Oil had froze\clogged.. Had a mini heart attack!
Will be taking her to PBK on tuesday.Most probably will have to ask Dad to give me my share of family property if there is any serious damage - due to the kms ran with this stuff inside.

Guidance needed on electrical fittings

Guys.

I just stripped out the bike faring to install a cigaret lighter unit and I just noticed that the coolant level in my ninja is at the Minimum.

The bike just came in from service about a 2 weeks back from Khevraj - i think they might have missed out on checking the level of coolent ( i wonder why)

So, should i fill it up to max ( as marked) or let it be at minimum?

Would someone help me out on this.

Also, if anyone has installed a cigaret lighter unit in the bike, can you send me a pic of the location. I want to install it near the Speedometer.

Also installing a fuse box near the speedometer & planning to connecting all body lightings and fittings from there.

Anyone done any such stuff and guide me?

Thx