I am looking into getting a ninja and it is a debate between a 650 and 250. I love the 650 because it is slightly bigger but the 250 can be geared to get about 100 mpg. If there is anybody who has done any serious mpg tests on a 650 can I get some feedback to know what's the highest you have gotten? and what modifications had to be made?

 

i no longer have a 650r, but i have ridden the 250r, 500r and 650r. 250r is too small, if you plan on doing any highway riding at all forget it and get atleast a 500r. both 500r and 650r are good bikes. I never did any serious mpg tests with my old 650r but i know my average highway speed was 80mph (usually ride it hard up to that point, sometimes alot faster) and still got 60-63mpg. To me, that is awesome, even around town i got low to mid 60s, only time it ever got less than 60mpg is when my average speed was close to 100 or higher.

 

To get an idea of what mpg riders are getting on their 650rs visit:

Kawasaki Ninja 650R MPG Reports | Fuelly

Since I don't know what model year you're interested in, you can see all model years from newest to oldest on the page above.

I've only been riding since late January, so it's taken me a while to ride smooth enough to get my mileage up to snuff. My mileage increased significantly w/fresh oil (Mobile1) and filter in mid March. Current overall average is 48.1, and rising with each fill-up. In April I averaged 51.8 while mostly commuting in light to no traffic through mountain passes and on the flats at an actual 70 to 75 mph (FWIW an indicated 80 & 85 mph respectively on my speedo). My highest mileage so far was at about 70 mph actual was 56.3.

You can view my stats in detail if you go to the 2006 model year and look for "Little Wing"

I agree with Helltime, that a 250 will be disappointing at highway speeds. My adviser, who happens to teach the local riders courses, steered me away from the 250 because of the strong winds we have in West Texas - I ride in 25 to 30 mph wind gusts (and higher) at some point just about every day and find it best to keep the speed up as slowing just makes the situation worse. Even the heavier 650r can blow around with shifting winds.

 

Hi James. I have the 650r and used to have the 250. On city streets, the 250 got good mileage-about 60mpg. But riding on the freeway the 2 bikes got close to the same mileage. The 250 got about 48 and the 650 45-47 on the freeway. That's my experience.