I just realized that my 07 ninja 650r does not have an engine temp gauge. It just has the idiot light to tell you it's too hot.
Every bike I've seen so far has a temp gauge. is that something they don't put on ninjas or what? That would seem like an important thing to know.
I have an '09 Ninja 250 which is a different generation and model; mine doesn't have one either.
As I understand it the rationale there is that the bikes are designed to drive in all conditions. But, if you happen to be living somewhere hotter than normal or drive in stop and go traffic, you might consider that when deciding if one is needed.
If you hear the cooling fan kick on, things are starting to get warm. If you smell the smell of coolant at a stop, things are getting warmer. If the idiot light comes on (never happened to me in 24,000 miles), pull over, let it cool, and investigate the cause.
If what you are riding is carbed, choke up to around 2K rpm for 30-40 seconds, then set at 1.5k, while gearing up. Is should be warm enough after geared, to drop the choke off. If it idles smoothly at 1K, it's ready to ride. At least that's how we did it for decades, before FI came about for motorcycles.
Thanks, I didn't really mean to encourage folks to help me here. I was just commiserating a bit. I'm sure with some practice, I won't really need the gauge anyways.
I'm guessing there's probably a little bit more than just warming up incorrectly going on, as there's other bad behavior, but this is neither the time nor the place for that.
Older 250's are carbed until the 300 but the 650's are not. They don't need a temp gauge. All it does is worry people that don't need to worry. All no temp gauge does is worry people that don't need to worry (unless the light comes on for long periods). Good stuff.
Coming from a guy that's into high performance cars and who's build and raced them, any guy that's serious about monitoring engine vitals, will want to know EXACTLY what the water temp is, oil pressure and battery charge. Idiot lights don't cut it and are for people that don't know how to read analog gauges or know what they should be reading.
I don't think it's unreasonable for a rider to want to know exactly what his water temp. is, at least.
Of course, if there is a need to know. For everyday riders on the 650, not so much. At least, that is what I imagine Kawasaki was thinking. On the ZX6R, damn right it has a temp gauge.
I'm not trying to sound like a jerk but what's the difference between the 650R and ZX-6R, besides the fact that one is a twin cylinder and the other is an inline 4?
Both are liquid cooled and require some degree of engine temperature awareness.
"What's the difference between the 650R and ZX-6R, besides the fact that one is a twin cylinder and the other is an inline 4?", for having a temperature gauge-
The ZX6R is more for track days, has more power, and costs more. I think the main factor is the higher price, paying for extras including a temperature gauge instead of only an idiot light.
The extra power for the ZX6R produces extra heat, especially when the bike is idling and not moving more than 5 mph in a traffic jam on a hot day.
Pretty much what Jeff said. The ZX6R is a "performance" machine. It's very existence is for that. The 650 is just to fill a hole in the motorcycle lineup. The majority of people buying them appreciate that it has some go but aren't intentionally buying it from a performance standpoint. If you were, you'd know to get a ZX6R.
The only time I look at it on track, is when I'm 1/4 up a long straight (and that's later in the day). I usually never look at the temp. I have tracked on some mid 90deg days and have never had an issue with it getting hot. I have heard of guys having problems with heat when the engines start to get more compression and ported (more or less built up 650s).
This 650, punched to a 750, or so, seems happy having the cr*p ridden out of it. Just ask Bryan Smith... And it doesn't have any gauges, heck it doesn't even have a front brake...
Punched to 750. How did they manage that? The cylinder wall between the two cylinders is super thin, and I myself have not found any stroker cranks. Do you happen to have a link to a writup on this bike? I'm interested.
Thats one thing Ive noticed with these bikes as well. My 2015 doesnt have one either and I think the new ninja or z650 have one either. I usually just peek under the front of the right side fairing to see if my coolant level is good. I wish they had one though, Ive heard alot of people say that sometimes the damage is already done by the time the dummy light pops up.
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