Reducing weight on a track bike - Revision history

IanJ at 00:57, 7 November 2010

2010-11-07T00:57:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:57, 6 November 2010
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	[[Category:Track Days]]		[[Category:Track Days]]
			==Reducing Curb Weight==

	It's actually fairly easy to cut weight off the Ninja 250, as long as it's only going to be used for track days or racing.		It's actually fairly easy to cut weight off the Ninja 250, as long as it's only going to be used for track days or racing.

IanJ: /* Optional items */

2010-11-07T00:55:56Z

Optional items

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:55, 6 November 2010
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	====Intake====		====Intake====

	The stock airbox weighs about 2.9 lbs. A set of Uni 4" filters (installation of which is detailed [http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Which_aftermarket_air_filters_fit_the_Ninja_250%3F here]) and a little crankcase ventilation filter weigh about .5 lbs. It's only a 2.4 lb savings, but pulling that much off the bike is not to be scoffed at, particularly in competitive riding.		The stock airbox weighs about 2.9 lbs. A set of Uni 4" filters (installation of which is detailed [http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Which_aftermarket_air_filters_fit_the_Ninja_250%3F here]) and a little crankcase ventilation filter weigh about .5 lbs. It's only a 2.4 lb savings, but pulling that much off the bike is not to be scoffed at, particularly in competitive riding. As with installing a Muzzy below, changing the intake means you must adjust your [[I want to improve my carburetor jetting\|jetting]].

	====Exhaust====		====Exhaust====
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	Naturally, swapping in a Muzzy will require [[I want to improve my carburetor jetting\|rejetting]]. The stock jetting is almost too lean to start with.		Naturally, swapping in a Muzzy will require [[I want to improve my carburetor jetting\|rejetting]]. The stock jetting is almost too lean to start with.

			Other aftermarket exhaust systems (all of which use two cannisters, leaving the stock headers intact) may or may not reduce weight. Check with the manufacturer. If their cans are lighter than 6.75 lbs (the weight of one stock exhaust can), you'll see an improvement in curb weight.

	====Bodywork====		====Bodywork====

IanJ: /* Optional items */

2010-11-07T00:52:49Z

Optional items

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:52, 6 November 2010
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	==Optional items==		==Optional items==

			====Intake====

			The stock airbox weighs about 2.9 lbs. A set of Uni 4" filters (installation of which is detailed [http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Which_aftermarket_air_filters_fit_the_Ninja_250%3F here]) and a little crankcase ventilation filter weigh about .5 lbs. It's only a 2.4 lb savings, but pulling that much off the bike is not to be scoffed at, particularly in competitive riding.

	====Exhaust====		====Exhaust====

Bokonon at 00:07, 4 November 2010

2010-11-04T00:07:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:07, 3 November 2010
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	Weight savings so far: 21.5 lbs		Weight savings so far: 21.5 lbs


	==Optional items==		==Optional items==

Bokonon at 00:06, 4 November 2010

2010-11-04T00:06:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:06, 3 November 2010
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	====Exhaust====		====Exhaust====

	Removing the stock exhaust and replacing it with a [http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Muzzy_Exhaust Muzzy system] will save you some weight:		Removing the stock exhaust and replacing it with a [http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Muzzy_Exhaust Muzzy system] will save you some weight. The stock system (as removed from a 2005) weighs about 18.75 lbs. A used Muzzy (which may be missing some packing, and is therefore probably a bit lighter than a new system) weighs 7.25 lbs. This is a savings of 11.5 lbs.

			Naturally, swapping in a Muzzy will require [[I want to improve my carburetor jetting\|rejetting]]. The stock jetting is almost too lean to start with.
	The stock system (as removed from a 2005) weighs about 18.75 lbs. A used Muzzy (which may be missing some packing, and is therefore probably a bit lighter than a new system) weighs 7.25 lbs. This is a savings of 11.5 lbs.

	Naturally, swapping in a Muzzy will require rejetting. The stock jetting is almost too lean to start with.

	====Bodywork====		====Bodywork====

IanJ: /* Exhaust */

2010-11-03T15:30:39Z

Exhaust

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:30, 3 November 2010
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	The stock system (as removed from a 2005) weighs about 18.75 lbs. A used Muzzy (which may be missing some packing, and is therefore probably a bit lighter than a new system) weighs 7.25 lbs. This is a savings of 11.5 lbs.		The stock system (as removed from a 2005) weighs about 18.75 lbs. A used Muzzy (which may be missing some packing, and is therefore probably a bit lighter than a new system) weighs 7.25 lbs. This is a savings of 11.5 lbs.

			Naturally, swapping in a Muzzy will require rejetting. The stock jetting is almost too lean to start with.

	====Bodywork====		====Bodywork====

IanJ: /* Exhaust */

2010-11-03T15:29:12Z

Exhaust

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:29, 3 November 2010
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	====Exhaust====		====Exhaust====

	Removing the stock exhaust and replacing it with a ~~Muzzy system will save you~~ [http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Muzzy_Exhaust ~~at least 9~~ lbs].		Removing the stock exhaust and replacing it with a [http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Muzzy_Exhaust Muzzy system] will save you some weight:


			The stock system (as removed from a 2005) weighs about 18.75 lbs. A used Muzzy (which may be missing some packing, and is therefore probably a bit lighter than a new system) weighs 7.25 lbs. This is a savings of 11.5 lbs.

	====Bodywork====		====Bodywork====

Bokonon at 05:44, 12 September 2010

2010-09-12T05:44:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:44, 12 September 2010
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	*2x Side fairings: 1.75 lbs		*2x Side fairings: 1.75 lbs

	[[image:track-ex250.jpg\|~~350px~~]]		[[image:track-ex250.jpg\|270px]]
	[[image:naked-ex250.jpg\|~~350px~~]]		[[image:naked-ex250.jpg\|300px]]

Bokonon at 05:34, 12 September 2010

2010-09-12T05:34:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:34, 12 September 2010
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	The first place to look is in the mirror. If you're not in good shape, consider that most professional racers are athletes. They do a lot of cycling and gym work to deal with the amount of effort needed to get a motorcycle around a track.		The first place to look is in the mirror. If you're not in good shape, consider that most professional racers are athletes. They do a lot of cycling and gym work to deal with the amount of effort needed to get a motorcycle around a track.

	As for reducing bike weight, make sure you check the track day provider or race organization to make sure of what you are allowed to remove and what you must keep. The bike dissected for this project is going racing in the [[WMRRA Ninja 250 Cheapskate Cup]], which has decidedly different rules than other race series.		As for reducing bike weight, make sure you check with the track day provider or race organization to make sure of what you are allowed to remove and what you must keep. The bike dissected for this project is going racing in the [[WMRRA Ninja 250 Cheapskate Cup]], which has decidedly different rules than other race series.

	It's not uncommon for racers to spend large amounts of money to lose less than a pound off a race bike (think replacing lots of steel fasteners with titanium). It's cool to know that you can drop over 20 lbs on a Ninja 250 just by taking stuff off.		It's not uncommon for racers to spend large amounts of money to lose less than a pound off a race bike (think replacing lots of steel fasteners with titanium). It's cool to know that you can drop over 20 lbs on a Ninja 250 just by taking stuff off.

Bokonon at 00:37, 12 September 2010

2010-09-12T00:37:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:37, 11 September 2010
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	[[Category:Track Days]]		[[Category:Track Days]]
			It's actually fairly easy to cut weight off the Ninja 250, as long as it's only going to be used for track days or racing.

			The first place to look is in the mirror. If you're not in good shape, consider that most professional racers are athletes. They do a lot of cycling and gym work to deal with the amount of effort needed to get a motorcycle around a track.

			As for reducing bike weight, make sure you check the track day provider or race organization to make sure of what you are allowed to remove and what you must keep. The bike dissected for this project is going racing in the [[WMRRA Ninja 250 Cheapskate Cup]], which has decidedly different rules than other race series.

			It's not uncommon for racers to spend large amounts of money to lose less than a pound off a race bike (think replacing lots of steel fasteners with titanium). It's cool to know that you can drop over 20 lbs on a Ninja 250 just by taking stuff off.

			These are the things that were removed from this stock 2005 EX250F and their respective weights:

			*Tail fairing and tail light: 3 lbs
			*Rear fender (including turn signals and license plate): 3 lbs
			*Headlight, gauges, and front fairing stay: 6.5 lbs
			*Horn: .5 lbs
			*Speedo cable: .5 lbs
			*Assorted locks and brackets: .75 lbs
			*Passenger pegs and brackets: .75 lbs
			*Sidestand (including mounting plate and interlock switch): 2 lbs
			*Centerstand: 3 lbs
			*Tool kit and tray: 1.5 lbs

			Weight savings so far: 21.5 lbs


			==Optional items==

			====Exhaust====

			Removing the stock exhaust and replacing it with a Muzzy system will save you [http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Muzzy_Exhaust at least 9 lbs].

			====Bodywork====

			Chances are you'll be running some kind of fairings on your track bike. Most aftermarket race fairings, though, are made of fiberglass and are lighter than OEM. Check with the manufacturer. Here's what the stock ones weigh:

			*Upper fairing: ~5.75 lbs
			*Lower fairing: 2 lbs
			*2x Side fairings: 1.75 lbs

			[[image:track-ex250.jpg\|350px]]
			[[image:naked-ex250.jpg\|350px]]