Pod filters and all that

[woody_5755]

Hey, i know this is probably going to be a stupid question, but i'm thinking bout doing a fair bit of work on my 09 ninja 250r (as i'm going to be riding it for at least the next three years while i'm at uni and have already put 16000k's on it since september last year so i ride it a fair bit) anyway. i was just wondering about good brands for pod filters and exhaust systems and what else would be a good idea to upgrade while i'm doing all the work? (i have a friend who is bike mechanically savvy and is going to teach how to do most upgrades, but was more looking for others opinions on what is good as well) feedback would be very appreciated, cheers.

[jules_1972]

What is your ultimate goal with the upgrades??

Fuel economy?

Power??

Noise???

[woody_5755]

mostly power, noise would be an added bonus, response time in acceleration would be great too.

[jules_1972]

I would leave it standard....

You wont get a huge amount of gains in power or acceleration.
Save the $$$, change the gearing....

[g0zer]

is your ninja fuel injected or carby?

if its carby then you will need to retune definately main jet and needle position and possibly pilot as well

the carbs are tuned for the vacuum generated by the air getting sucked into the motor through that airbox

fuel is sucked up by that vacuum, if you reduce the vacuum with pods at the same time you increase the amount of oxygen the motor sucks in you reduce the amount of fuel that is being sucked up by vacuum

the airbox also prevents water from getting sucked into your motor and killing spark in the rain

[woody_5755]

ok, thanks for the feedback, a few people have said there woudln't be much change. i know this is probably a stupid/annoying question but how would changing the gearing affect the bike? (pretty much all labour done on the bike will cost a single carton of beer, so just be parts)

[woody_5755]

If the work happens then the bike will be dynoed at the end definately.

[Rich]

Jules is right...

Maybe re-gear it and just ride it...

If you look at gains from an exhaust and intake mods they will be a percentage of the stock power...

And 10% of fuck all is fuck all...

[woody_5755]

mmm, i'm getting that feeling that your right about the tiny amounts of power increases, that is the general consesus

[g0zer]

If the work happens then the bike will be dynoed at the end definately.

so long as the bike is properly re-tuned for the mods its no problemo.

exhaust doesnt make that much difference to carburation but intake mods yes.

edit: re the gains

i think you will find it difficult to beat kawasaki's engineering dept ability to tune the motor they have designed balancing power with economy and range.

if you want real horsepower gains from kawasaki's product tear it to pieces and blueprint it, what you are talking about is just re-tuning it.

[woody_5755]

a bit of the underlying reason behind wanting to do the work is also because i've been riding with my actual license for almost 6 months now and i really want to start learning the mechanical side of it all, because when i do get my big bike, it is going to be something like a duc 1098s and if thats the case personally i see it as essential to know a hell of a lot more than "the key goes in and you turn it and it starts....."

[Rich]

Well a 1098 is no ninja...

Trust me doing valve clearances on a Jap bike are nothing like doing them on a Duke...

[woody_5755]

yeah, i do get that, just right now, i couldn't tell you which valves belonged to which bike....

[g0zer]

hahaha

if you want a crash course bike mechanic 101, pull your ninja completely to pieces and try putting it back together again

[woody_5755]

haha, i would, but i think i'd get withdrawls from not bieng able to ride it for the 6 months it takes to put it back together....

[g0zer]

thats the idea, not being able to ride motivates you

if you want to work on bikes from the ground up, takes a sizeable tool investment. the way most people learn is get a shop manual and take charge of servicing.

over time you will find you need to do certain jobs, some you will have tools to take on. others you can afford to buy the tools you need, and others are better to hand over to the pro's.

[woody_5755]

haha true, thanks guys for the feedback. much appreciated.

[MattstaZX10r]

>Wait till the chain is stuffed , change gearing ie +2R
>Invest in good rubber
>Set the suspension up as best you can for you.
>Practise / track days
>Take pleasure in rounding up inept litre bike riders on your 2fiddy
>Invest in good riding gear ie leathers etc ... ie save the pennies on the 2fiddy , buy the good gear for the future ride.


Most of all learn and enjoy - spending a shitload of money to acheive MAYBE a 10% gain is pretty pointless ....in hindsight (and they sound stupid!!)

[woody_5755]

mmm, the gear is definately a good idea. thanks

[Rich]

Spending money on improving your riding is the best money spent...

It makes you safer, more confident and its an improvement you keep for life and take from bike to bike...