First Ninja 250r Oddities

[Pogotron]

Hey Folks,

My first bike arrived today. A lovely red 2011 Ninja 250 for $6395. What a beaut! Got it from Kim Britton Kawasaki in Rockingham, and I couldn't be happier with the service.

Now, as a beginner, I'm noticing a number of oddities that I can't help feel are just... wrong. I don't want to take the bike back because I'm keen to get down and dirty myself with a trusty motorcycle mechanics book I'm reading. These are the issues I'm experiencing:

1. The tank arrived almost empty. At least, that's what the gauge reads. Is that standard dealership treatment? I started to fuel up, but as I poured in the juice, it started flooding out the bottom. Not all of it, mind you - just what went in. What could this mean?

2. The exhaust seems to be doing its job, but occasionally, water will spurt out from underneath the lower silver rim. There is an opening there no doubt. Is that normal?

3. The throttle takes a long time to close, sometimes even not at all. Is it possible my engine is running lean after all? Do I need to check the throttle cables?

I've used the bike to a minimum today because these issues have me a little concerned. Any help at all would be much appreciated, folks. =]

[Desmo]

1. Don't expect a dealer to give you anything for free. Check your rego, I bet it's only for 3 months as well.
2. Condensation from the combustion process leaking out at the lowest open point, do not worry.
3. If your throttle isn't closing properly, take it back to the dealership ASAP and get them to adjust/lube the cables.

[kryten2001]

1. The tank arrived almost empty. At least, that's what the gauge reads. Is that standard dealership treatment? I started to fuel up, but as I poured in the juice, it started flooding out the bottom. Not all of it, mind you - just what went in. What could this mean?

Fark!

Do these things still have reserve taps on them (or am I showing my age?)..

If so, could be the main feed pipe has come off..

[Stoneville]

Don't stuff around take it straight back, ring them to let them know of the problems first thing Monday morning and arrange to get it back to them ASAP

[Pogotron]

Many thanks for the tips, guys. I was starting to wonder if the fuel tap mightn't be off all the way, but I'm going to take your advice and call Mr. Britton first thing Monday. =]

[Panda]

The advantages of buying new, Warenty!. Milk it for all its worth my friend

[g0zer]

Many thanks for the tips, guys. I was starting to wonder if the fuel tap mightn't be off all the way, but I'm going to take your advice and call Mr. Britton first thing Monday. =]

fuel tap position isnt important to stop fuel pouring out the bottom of the bike

[D.J]

sounds like it was going out the breather??

[Pogotron]

The advantages of buying new, Warenty!. Milk it for all its worth my friend

Right on. I'll be waving my warranty like a flag.

I can't wait to hear the diagnosis next week. I've heard tales of Ninjas with punctured fuel tanks, too. That would certainly explain the leaking at a specific capacity.

[NMBRPL8]

Many thanks for the tips, guys. I was starting to wonder if the fuel tap mightn't be off all the way, but I'm going to take your advice and call Mr. Britton first thing Monday. =]

The mechanic has now heard/read of your problem, ring monday. Mr. Britton might not be the best person to deal with directly, try Scott Sims on the service desk instead. Thats not me but thats the man who can/will get a time and speak to kawasaki tech services as well if there has been an issue with a new bike. But do call, cry warranty, explain to him the drama and arrange to bring the bike in. The exhaust does indeed have a small hole there to allow the water to run out, otherwise it would sit inside and rust through from the inside out. A sticky throttle is not good and needs to be addressed, and fuel leaks are certainly not a good thing and will need to be sorted!

As an FYI yes they do still have an on/off tap, but it is only acessible if you take off one of the side panels and turn it with a screwdriver, its there more as a maintainence aid than for the rider in general. The handy fuel gauge on the dash tells you when you need fuel rather than hitting reserve and switching over.

[Paraletic]

firstly congratulation on the purchase. Most fun you can have with your pants on!

however it does sound like they havent given it a good check over, and that is not acceptable. what else havent they checked (i do recomend causing a bit of a fuss) are your brakes tight, axels done up properly, chain sag set, fluids correct ect. ask to see the checklist which should have been ticked and signed by the mechanic when inspecting, or at least a job report of what was carried out in the pre-delivery inspection.

1. you should be able to fill your tank right to the very top, only time fuel should 'leak' onto the ground is if you over fill it into the surrounding rim. yes normal to have empty tank when new, unless its part of the deal.
2. shouldnt be anything wrong with the exhaust, just get it hot and it should go away.
3. its EFI yeah? most likley a cable issue or a sticking throttle. Make them sort it out.

considering situation, you should EXPECT a loan bike till yours is fixed.

(these are my views, as i work in a service industry it shits me to tears when lazy people do a half arsed job just because it wasnt the biggest, best, most expensive model, if that was the case)

[NMBRPL8]

All sounds good in theory there. Thing is, the bikes come in 90% assembled, quality checked and built on Kawasaki's (so called) 'human error proof system' assembly line. As such, the mechanics here aren't the ones who install the brakes, axle nut, set chain sag etc. And unlike the car industry PD system there is not a pre delivery checklist sheet. We assemble the remaining parts of the bike out of the crate (windscreen, fill and charge battery) give the bike a going over, make sure everything works, blatantly disregard the 'oil filled' sticker and fill the oil up to the proper level (always come in at least 200ml low), fuel the bike, air the tyres, make sure everything works, adjust cables and levers, and then it goes to sit on the showroom floor.

Having worked in the car trade too, i know what you mean with pre delivery check sheet, an exhaustive list of checks and proceedures to carry out on a new car from kicking the tyres to setting the clock and radio station presets etc etc etc. Have yet to come across anything like that in the bike industry, the quality checks and tests are carried out on the assembly line and the bikes come with a QC sticker on the crate, other than that its a case of us doing the last 10% Bad service is a huge pet peeve of mine too, to the point that when i get going about it my wife will leave the room rather than hear me rant about it lol so as far as 'lazy people do a half arsed job just because it wasnt the biggest, best, most expensive model' you can forget about that one in this case, thanks very much. No the 2011 ninja is not fuel injected, it has a pair of good old fashioned carbies. As far as the fuel tank issue it sounds very strange and look forward to finding out what the issue there is and correcting it.

On a side not for new players, no you SHOULDNT 'fill your tank right to the very top' you should stop a bit before the top. Otherwise, when your running through those nice twisty roads down madora way, your fuel is going to splash up around the filler cap, which are not sealed and fuel tight, and it can splash up through onto your paintwork. No biggie really, but have you ever seen a 10/15 year old bike with peeling paint around the fuel filler? Not due to bad paint jobs. Due to people filling the tank right to the very top and constantly having fuel sitting on the paintwork, only takes a small chip to let it get under the paint and start lifting it.

[Paraletic]

well , i learnt something new today. but i still stick to my point. unfortunately we as consumers, drive prices down, and 1 easy way for the dealer to keep his profit margin is to not allow the time it takes to fully check a new bike (the way i would expect). (hate the game, not the player)

i actually work in the Earthmoving industry, for a large dealer, its always a bit shit when you need to drive out to site to tighten a loose hose on a brand new machine cos it was not checked by the workshop.

oh and i didnt mean fill RIGHT to the top, i think the recommendation is 1" below the neck.

[milesiles]

Shouldn't fill fuel to the top as the lid is not watertight? What stops the water getting in?

Always easy to blame workshop. Workshop could spend days rechecking other people's work. Then what, your gonna have somebody check that work? It's counterproductive. Sometimes you have to let the small things ride, that being said, fuel leaks and a sticking throttle is dangerous. Sounds like this is already as good as sorted if the mechanic there knows about it and is happy to help.

[NMBRPL8]

Shouldn't fill fuel to the top as the lid is not watertight? What stops the water getting in?

Always easy to blame workshop. Workshop could spend days rechecking other people's work. Then what, your gonna have somebody check that work? It's counterproductive. Sometimes you have to let the small things ride, that being said, fuel leaks and a sticking throttle is dangerous. Sounds like this is already as good as sorted if the mechanic there knows about it and is happy to help.

Open up your fuel filler cap and check out the setup. there is a lip inside, with the filler cap closed any water getting past the cap collects in the lip, and runs out through the hole you will find in that lip. there is a hose/pipe connected to that which runs through the inside of the tank, and out the bottom, down to drain with all your other drain and vent hoses.

Yep, sucks things like this getting through and shaking the trust in a product, but how many levels of redundancy can anyone put in place... Will get it sorted though

[milesiles]

Open up your fuel filler cap and check out the setup. there is a lip inside, with the filler cap closed any water getting past the cap collects in the lip, and runs out through the hole you will find in that lip. there is a hose/pipe connected to that which runs through the inside of the tank, and out the bottom, down to drain with all your other drain and vent hoses.

Um yeah, exactly my point. So fuel coming out should be dealt with the same way. Out the drain, not onto the paint work.


Glad this will be resolved easily.

[NMBRPL8]

Yes, the majority of fuel splashing up will find its way out through the drain. But fill your tank to the top, then rock the bike side to side and tell me you don't get *some* fuel out the side of the tank. Better yet look at some 15 year old bikes who's owners do fill to the very top. It only takes a chip or scratch for the fuel to get onto and under your paint. No it wont happen the first time, or the second or maybe even the hundredth. But it can and does, and for the sake of 5 kms or so worth of petrol if that? There are a swag of other reasons, that probably wont come into play for many years, but again can and do. But a common one is for guys to be bitching about 'cheap ass paint jobs' and 'crap import bikes' for paint lifting around the filler cap. filling right to the top causes this. Scratching around the filler neck when using a big bunch of keys to unlock it for filling also provides handy scratches for it to get into.

But I wont tell you what to do with your bike, I was just noting what is recommended, I believe even in the owners manual, but the choice remains yours, as it always has and will.

[Dirty]

cheap paints will always lift when they get fuel on them, as they aren't chemically resistant.
The only paints that normally resist fuel are enamels and two part paints

[NMBRPL8]

Good choice of words, resist fuel, not fuel proof talking over long periods of time, bit of a cumulative effect. A cheap paint job would bubble if petrol looked at it the wrong way, especially the newer ethanol blends. And history teaches us that red is the hardest colour to keep pristine too, in terms of long run fading etc. But then it might be no concern at all, being a 250cc, in 12 months you will have a big bike instead

[Pogotron]

I don't think my bike needs to go back anymore. I hate sounding like a n00b, but I'm concluding that the issues I've reported have in fact been due to errors of my own.

1. Random amounts of fuel pouring out the bottom was a result of me fueling up with a bucket, and accidentally splashing a little through the drain holes in the neck.

2. Water out the bottom of the exhaust is good clean condensation. Thanks, Desmo. Makes perfect sense.

3. The throttle closing slowly is gradually going away with each ride. If I push the throttle closed firmly, the RPM settles back down. I've been reading more about choking and warming up correctly, and with my knowledge in practice, my throttle is now closing as it should 80% of the time. I suspect this is because the bike is still factory fresh and needs breaking in, and the cables might need some tweaking/lubing as folks have suggested.

Here's the real greenhorn part, and you pros are gonna love this. On my first ride around the neighbourhood, my engine was struggling constantly. I figured this had to do with the other issues I perceived, furthering my conclusion that my first bike needed to go back. On my first ride at night, however, I made an embarrassing yet exciting discovery - my nerves combined with my car-driving brain have had me squidging the rear brake without realizing. Lifting my foot completely, the Ninja suddenly feels like a real bike, and rockets up those hills without breaking a sweat. Hahah, this is why I don't yet succumb to the temptation of hitting the highways just yet. I'm off to my first lesson with Ted here in Mandurah tomorrow. Elite in Perth was great, but the drive three times a week was a bitch.

With my secret nightly rides, I've been improving my confidence level and skills with much pride and satisfaction. I'm stopping at junctures perfectly, tightening my u-turns around the cul-de-sacs, and my gear shifts are smoothing up real nicely. God it feels good have a closer relationship with my bike. After some disheartening struggles and frustrations in the beginning, soaring through the midnight air and developing trust with my first Ninja has been a wonderful reminder why I got biking in the first place.

Thanks for your tips, everybody! I've been browsing PSB and taking notes for months before making the jump, and I'm finding excellent advice and tips from the pros everyday. =]