Glad to see u making more videos. Totally agree with you about working on motorcycles. I started with no tools and no experience working on bikes a year ago, and here I am today doing all the maintanence on my bike. Thank you again for all your videos, they've been a HUGE part of reinventing motorcycling for me.
I was dj and doing all in clubs. Lights sound systems etc. I carshed my Tesla, bought it from insurance company and fixed in 3 weeks. Guess where I work now. ;) Don't be afraid to fix your stuff. It is good feeling when you fix it yourself.
My handle bars did the same thing. Someone backed into mine while it was parked and bent the right side so much that it hit the fuel tank. By the way, I just restored my bike after it had been sitting for a year and a half and your videos have been very helpful. I think a comprehensive carburetor removal/cleaning video would be popular.
My brother in law is a mechanic and he had me put automatic transmission fluid into my gas tank to flush the carbs. It worked like a charm. Not giving advice just throwing this out there as something that worked for me.
you my friend get a like from me, I like your style, and I resonate a lot. I remember when I was being told I couldn't get my endorsement, or I can't do all the mechanical work myself. or I can't do this, or I can't do that. Guess what, I went out and did it, and now I own 2 amazing bikes (one being a 2002 ninja ex250) And I absolutely wouldn't have wanted to learn any other way. I love this stuff and will always be very passionate about it. Take care.
Salaam (peace), I really like the Fact that you don’t try to constantly put down your 250. Many guys do these reviews on 125 mL or 250 mL and they constantly compare them to bigger bikes. The reality is if 125 mL and 250 mL small displacement bikes performed on the level of 600cc/ 750 cc bikes then there would be no need to buy a 600 cc or a 750 cc bike!!! A lot of those guys who make these comments are obsessed with speed. If they cannot get there in two seconds then the bike is supposedly slow and no good for the highway. In reality they drive the track bikes at 1:301:40 and up. But once you hit 140 on the highway if a police officer pulls you over he can take your license because he will say that you are trying to commit suicide. So if a motorcycle can do 70 to 80 mph; The bike is adequate to go on the freeway at least in the right lane if you don’t have too much passing power. There was a guy who mentioned that he traveled from Canada to Mexico and he was on a Honda rebel 250. He was touring so he said his average speed was about 45 mph. He said that he did get on the highway and do some 70 mph runs but that was not his main objective. You will get a lot of clowns to tell you all you have to have 600 mL to ride on the highway to go on a long journey. Yeah if you want to get there in two days!!!! In Europe a man and his friends took a 2000 mile journey on bikes that were fitted with 110 mL motors only modification was oil cooler!!! Engines ran perfectly and the average speed was 45 mph!!!! Oil was changed twice during the journey. Valves were reset after the 2000 mile run. So if you can take a 2000 mile journey on 110 mL engine what are these crazy people talking you need 600 cc. I agree with you hundred percent that you buy what you can afford. If you need it to perform a little better or take a journey you make some modifications. There are so many unfortunate hopeless people who feel the only way to get from point a to point B mostly out of disappointment is to get a bigger displacement bike. This is not the answer for several reasons; But we know the answers all too well. Once again congratulations with your 41,000 miles and many happy returns!!!!!
Thanks for the comments. I now have 52,000 miles on my bike. I drive on the 5 freeway where the flow of traffic is 88 mph. My bike keeps up with no problem.
My 2005 ninja 250 scared me before with a siren noise...i never knew it was the speedo cable so thanks. It did it like 3 times then stopped but it happened at 45mph or higher and caught me off guard lol. It fixed itself i guess.
For the throttle grip issue. Replace it with a new pack. I had the same issue. Fitted a yamaha r3 grip which cost me 3$ and it fitted just fine. The grip is not as soft as the OEM grip but now throttle is precise. And may last me 30k miles as for OEM. It use to last me 20k miles.
Subbed, I lost my 250 by being rear ended. But this bike is awesome and will buy another for the commute. More fun than my 650 because you can open her up (in town)!
I've thought about getting a Ninja 650, but since this bike runs good, I don't want to spend an extra $200 per month just to go faster. True, you can really open this bike up.
The valves on every bike I've owned have never been out of adjustment. Triumph Dayton 955 30k, triumph speed triple 1050 17k, triumph 675 Daytona 13k, Kawasaki Z1000 20k, Aprilia RSV1000 Mille 30k, Triumph 900 tiger 20k, 2 Benelli Tornados 900 13k/20k, plus around 10 other bikes that I bothered checking. Nearly all of them had no service history.
I have done a valve clearance inspection on this bike about seven times, and five out of seven times they had to be adjusted. I guess it just depends on the bike.
Great review. I just watched your series on Valve Adjustment. Will attempt that myself in a couple of weeks. Thanks a lot!!! Any vid on changing brake fluid some time?
Thanks! I would like to do a comprehensive video on rebuilding brakes and changing brake fluid, but I don't think I will have time. There are so many different ways to do it. The big question you will need to address is what kind of tool you will use. I use a Mityvac that you can get at AutoZone or O'Reilly's for about $35. It seems to work fine. The problem is it doesn't come with a case. If you buy one at Cycle Gear, their pump comes with a case and the pump is only about $40.
Be aware that the tubes that come with the kits often don't fit even with the tool that they come with, so you'll probably need to go to a hardware store to get extra tubes.
Finished adjusting 5/8 valves this weekend at 8k miles. It was a great time working/watching your vids/reading the service manual. Also changed oil, coolant, and brake fluids. I fall in love with my bike all over again. Thank you so so much!!!
27:45 “a guy … showed how to replace a headlight bulb … camera angles were poor and … lighting was poor … but just seeing what they’re doing is a huge help” On the flip side, the 1st one of those EX250J/K headlight videos on RUclips with notoriously bad visibility actually ruined things for a lot of people. The bulbs each have/need an adapter piece that lets them fit the headlight assembly. The comments were flooded with people who deliberately threw it away because the video literally told them to. It isn’t very obvious because it fits on the bulb base, hiding the original terminals while presenting two terminals of its own. Unless you notice that the base is slightly longer, it just looks like a normal bulb. I believe I was the first to point out the error and he acknowledged it but he didn’t want to give up any views for being first. Unfortunately, he left the video up without even pinning a comment. Not very confidence-inspiring. :(
Send me the link to that video. I’m not sure if it’s the same one that I watched. I too was puzzled by that connector. But I eventually realized I could pull it off and connect it to the new bulb.
@@ninja250motorcyclemaintena7 I don’t know if it’s still up since RUclips routinely sets old neglected videos to Private unless you answer questions about them. I couldn’t find it but I did find one that neglected to mention the adapter until he edited the description. I don’t think it’s the one because it does not have my comments anywhere and he never tells you to “take this out and throw it away” like the one I recall. If it is the same one, he probably used RUclips Studio to remove portions and cleaned up the comments… which is something he should’ve done years earlier before causing so much trouble!
California is weird. They call an Emissions Test a “Smog Check” which makes people think that vehicles emit smog and that the emissions equipment captures smog. It’s only “smog” after sunlight breaks things down which combine with nitrates in the atmosphere to form particulates.
I have an open mind, but I honestly don’t think that emissions stuff does anything except make the bike $500 more expensive, which is difficult for people on a budget.
how do u know when u need to do a valve adjustment ? i know u give a mile reading , but i just purchased a 250 2010 ninja and i don't know the service history or whether its been done before or not its got 15500kms or 9000 miles. is there a way to know it needs doing other than mile readings?
Good question. The answer is no. You could ask the person you bought the bike from, but often times riders don't even know what a valve adjustment is. If I were you, I would assume that it was not done. I sent my bike to a mechanic once and paid him to do it, but I found a lot of evidence that he didn't actually do it. If you enjoy working on your bike, and are willing to do the work, perform the valve adjustment yourself. As long as you have common sense and are careful, you can do it. But if you don't enjoy getting your hands dirty and don't have the time, I would recommend strongly against doing it yourself because the work is pretty intense. Take it to a mechanic.
@@ninja250motorcyclemaintena7 So you took it too a mechanic and he didn't do it, and if we can't do it, you are recommending that we ask a mechanic to do it too. 😳
*HEY GUYS, I NEED SOME HELP!* I changed my oil and oil filter yesterday on my 2011 kawasaki ninja 250 and when I went to tight the filter cover and oil filter mounting bolt, I broke the filter cover.. It's in pieces and I've been searching all over to get a replacement but where's a good place to order one? Or could I use another oil filter cover at maybe a local hardware or bike shop??
Glad to see u making more videos. Totally agree with you about working on motorcycles. I started with no tools and no experience working on bikes a year ago, and here I am today doing all the maintanence on my bike. Thank you again for all your videos, they've been a HUGE part of reinventing motorcycling for me.
Awesome!
You're back!!!! Thank you for all the work on this bike! You're a true legend
I was dj and doing all in clubs. Lights sound systems etc. I carshed my Tesla, bought it from insurance company and fixed in 3 weeks. Guess where I work now. ;) Don't be afraid to fix your stuff. It is good feeling when you fix it yourself.
Mate u r really helping guys like me , who wants to buy ninja , but scary about the cost and reliability.
Thanks
Thanks for the positive feedback!
Wow what an amazing place to ride! Great channel! TY
My handle bars did the same thing. Someone backed into mine while it was parked and bent the right side so much that it hit the fuel tank.
By the way, I just restored my bike after it had been sitting for a year and a half and your videos have been very helpful. I think a comprehensive carburetor removal/cleaning video would be popular.
My brother in law is a mechanic and he had me put automatic transmission fluid into my gas tank to flush the carbs. It worked like a charm. Not giving advice just throwing this out there as something that worked for me.
you my friend get a like from me, I like your style, and I resonate a lot. I remember when I was being told I couldn't get my endorsement, or I can't do all the mechanical work myself. or I can't do this, or I can't do that. Guess what, I went out and did it, and now I own 2 amazing bikes (one being a 2002 ninja ex250) And I absolutely wouldn't have wanted to learn any other way. I love this stuff and will always be very passionate about it. Take care.
Thanks for the kind words.
Salaam (peace),
I really like the Fact that you don’t try to constantly put down your 250. Many guys do these reviews on 125 mL or 250 mL and they constantly compare them to bigger bikes. The reality is if 125 mL and 250 mL small displacement bikes performed on the level of 600cc/ 750 cc bikes then there would be no need to buy a 600 cc or a 750 cc bike!!! A lot of those guys who make these comments are obsessed with speed. If they cannot get there in two seconds then the bike is supposedly slow and no good for the highway. In reality they drive the track bikes at 1:30 1:40 and up. But once you hit 140 on the highway if a police officer pulls you over he can take your license because he will say that you are trying to commit suicide. So if a motorcycle can do 70 to 80 mph; The bike is adequate to go on the freeway at least in the right lane if you don’t have too much passing power.
There was a guy who mentioned that he traveled from Canada to Mexico and he was on a Honda rebel 250. He was touring so he said his average speed was about 45 mph. He said that he did get on the highway and do some 70 mph runs but that was not his main objective. You will get a lot of clowns to tell you all you have to have 600 mL to ride on the highway to go on a long journey. Yeah if you want to get there in two days!!!! In Europe a man and his friends took a 2000 mile journey on bikes that were fitted with 110 mL motors only modification was oil cooler!!! Engines ran perfectly and the average speed was 45 mph!!!! Oil was changed twice during the journey. Valves were reset after the 2000 mile run. So if you can take a 2000 mile journey on 110 mL engine what are these crazy people talking you need 600 cc. I agree with you hundred percent that you buy what you can afford. If you need it to perform a little better or take a journey you make some modifications. There are so many unfortunate hopeless people who feel the only way to get from point a to point B mostly out of disappointment is to get a bigger displacement bike. This is not the answer for several reasons; But we know the answers all too well. Once again congratulations with your 41,000 miles and many happy returns!!!!!
Thanks for the comments. I now have 52,000 miles on my bike. I drive on the 5 freeway where the flow of traffic is 88 mph. My bike keeps up with no problem.
My 2005 ninja 250 scared me before with a siren noise...i never knew it was the speedo cable so thanks. It did it like 3 times then stopped but it happened at 45mph or higher and caught me off guard lol. It fixed itself i guess.
3 in One oil - RV slide lubricant in the blue can. Works amazing on throttle cables and clutch cables.
For the throttle grip issue. Replace it with a new pack. I had the same issue. Fitted a yamaha r3 grip which cost me 3$ and it fitted just fine. The grip is not as soft as the OEM grip but now throttle is precise. And may last me 30k miles as for OEM. It use to last me 20k miles.
Thanks! I may try that.
Subbed, I lost my 250 by being rear ended. But this bike is awesome and will buy another for the commute. More fun than my 650 because you can open her up (in town)!
I've thought about getting a Ninja 650, but since this bike runs good, I don't want to spend an extra $200 per month just to go faster. True, you can really open this bike up.
The valves on every bike I've owned have never been out of adjustment. Triumph
Dayton 955 30k, triumph speed triple 1050 17k, triumph 675 Daytona 13k, Kawasaki Z1000 20k, Aprilia RSV1000 Mille 30k, Triumph 900 tiger 20k, 2 Benelli Tornados 900 13k/20k, plus around 10 other bikes that I bothered checking.
Nearly all of them had no service history.
I have done a valve clearance inspection on this bike about seven times, and five out of seven times they had to be adjusted. I guess it just depends on the bike.
Great review. I just watched your series on Valve Adjustment. Will attempt that myself in a couple of weeks. Thanks a lot!!! Any vid on changing brake fluid some time?
Thanks! I would like to do a comprehensive video on rebuilding brakes and changing brake fluid, but I don't think I will have time. There are so many different ways to do it. The big question you will need to address is what kind of tool you will use. I use a Mityvac that you can get at AutoZone or O'Reilly's for about $35. It seems to work fine. The problem is it doesn't come with a case. If you buy one at Cycle Gear, their pump comes with a case and the pump is only about $40.
Be aware that the tubes that come with the kits often don't fit even with the tool that they come with, so you'll probably need to go to a hardware store to get extra tubes.
Finished adjusting 5/8 valves this weekend at 8k miles. It was a great time working/watching your vids/reading the service manual. Also changed oil, coolant, and brake fluids. I fall in love with my bike all over again.
Thank you so so much!!!
Nice!
Nice view!
27:45 “a guy … showed how to replace a headlight bulb … camera angles were poor and … lighting was poor … but just seeing what they’re doing is a huge help” On the flip side, the 1st one of those EX250J/K headlight videos on RUclips with notoriously bad visibility actually ruined things for a lot of people.
The bulbs each have/need an adapter piece that lets them fit the headlight assembly. The comments were flooded with people who deliberately threw it away because the video literally told them to.
It isn’t very obvious because it fits on the bulb base, hiding the original terminals while presenting two terminals of its own. Unless you notice that the base is slightly longer, it just looks like a normal bulb.
I believe I was the first to point out the error and he acknowledged it but he didn’t want to give up any views for being first. Unfortunately, he left the video up without even pinning a comment. Not very confidence-inspiring. :(
Send me the link to that video. I’m not sure if it’s the same one that I watched. I too was puzzled by that connector. But I eventually realized I could pull it off and connect it to the new bulb.
@@ninja250motorcyclemaintena7 I don’t know if it’s still up since RUclips routinely sets old neglected videos to Private unless you answer questions about them. I couldn’t find it but I did find one that neglected to mention the adapter until he edited the description. I don’t think it’s the one because it does not have my comments anywhere and he never tells you to “take this out and throw it away” like the one I recall. If it is the same one, he probably used RUclips Studio to remove portions and cleaned up the comments… which is something he should’ve done years earlier before causing so much trouble!
California is weird. They call an Emissions Test a “Smog Check” which makes people think that vehicles emit smog and that the emissions equipment captures smog. It’s only “smog” after sunlight breaks things down which combine with nitrates in the atmosphere to form particulates.
I have an open mind, but I honestly don’t think that emissions stuff does anything except make the bike $500 more expensive, which is difficult for people on a budget.
@@ninja250motorcyclemaintena7 LOL! Probably right. :)
Cali is weird
Youre supposed to put the cover on before the bike gets wet lol. Good info though appreciate the review
how do u know when u need to do a valve adjustment ? i know u give a mile reading , but i just purchased a 250 2010 ninja and i don't know the service history or whether its been done before or not its got 15500kms or 9000 miles. is there a way to know it needs doing other than mile readings?
Good question. The answer is no. You could ask the person you bought the bike from, but often times riders don't even know what a valve adjustment is. If I were you, I would assume that it was not done. I sent my bike to a mechanic once and paid him to do it, but I found a lot of evidence that he didn't actually do it. If you enjoy working on your bike, and are willing to do the work, perform the valve adjustment yourself. As long as you have common sense and are careful, you can do it. But if you don't enjoy getting your hands dirty and don't have the time, I would recommend strongly against doing it yourself because the work is pretty intense. Take it to a mechanic.
@@ninja250motorcyclemaintena7 So you took it too a mechanic and he didn't do it, and if we can't do it, you are recommending that we ask a mechanic to do it too. 😳
*HEY GUYS, I NEED SOME HELP!*
I changed my oil and oil filter yesterday on my 2011 kawasaki ninja 250 and when I went to tight the filter cover and oil filter mounting bolt, I broke the filter cover.. It's in pieces and I've been searching all over to get a replacement but where's a good place to order one? Or could I use another oil filter cover at maybe a local hardware or bike shop??
Just change my grip throttle .no problem now