Alright, folks, let’s talk about my little project – a 2007 Ninja 250. I’ve been tinkering with this thing for a while now, and I figured it’s time to share the whole journey with you all. And trust me, it’s been quite a ride.
I picked up this bad boy a couple of years back. It wasn’t in terrible shape, but it definitely needed some love. 18,500 miles on the clock, but a clean title, and I snagged it for 1,850 bucks. Seemed like a decent deal at the time. I mean, who doesn’t love a good project, right?
First off, this bike is a blast to ride. It’s light, it’s nimble, and it’s surprisingly forgiving when you twist that throttle. Perfect for a guy like me who just wants to enjoy the ride without needing a rocket between my legs. Plus, the gas mileage is killer. I’ve tracked it, and let me tell you, this thing sips fuel. Over the time I’ve been working on it I have recorded data from 25 vehicles, 388 fuel-ups and 73,308 miles of driving. Good stuff. I’m around 6 feet tall, 200 pounds, and I fit on this thing just fine.
Getting My Hands Dirty
Now, I’m no professional mechanic, but I’m not afraid to get my hands greasy. The first thing I did was give it a good once-over. Checked the fluids, the brakes, the usual stuff. The tires were decent, which was a plus. They still are very good, actually. But the chain and sprockets? Not so much. So, I got myself a new set. I decided to switch from 45t to 39t on the rear sprocket. I was thinking about selling it at that time, although it has 16.6k miles on it, I just kept upgrading it.
One thing I noticed about the Ninja 250 is that it has a big, easy-to-read speedometer. That’s a good thing, especially for newer riders. And it’s got a gas gauge, which is even better. No guessing games about when you’re gonna run out of fuel. Engine temps? Honestly, not something I worry about too much on this bike. It’s a 250, not a superbike, you know?
The Long Haul
- Change the oil: This is a no-brainer. Regular oil changes are the lifeblood of any engine.
- New spark plugs: Gotta keep that combustion going strong.
- Cleaned the air filter: A clean filter means better airflow, and better airflow means better performance.
- Adjusted the valves: This was a bit more involved, but it’s important for keeping the engine running smoothly.
I’ve put a decent amount of miles on it since I got it. I’ve heard people say that these little 250s might not last past 35,000 miles without some major work. But hey, I’m not too worried. I enjoy taking care of it, and it’s been reliable so far.
So, that’s my story with the 2007 Ninja 250. It’s been a fun, sometimes challenging, but always rewarding experience. If you’re looking for a fun, affordable, and relatively easy-to-maintain bike, I’d definitely recommend giving one of these a look. Just be prepared to put in a little elbow grease every now and then.
And if you have any experience with these bikes, share your own experiences in the comments below! You know I’m always eager to learn some new tricks. Ride safe, everyone!
