TZR250 - as a commuter and first bike? [Archive]

Beren

14th April 2011, 09:39

Hi,

I've been saving up since my last thread and I'm finally close to being able to go and a bike - as long as it is a budget beast.

I found the below and would love some advice:
http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/View/Used/YAMAHA-TZR-250-3MA-1990/39224.aspx?N=4294967088+0&Ns=P_PricePOA&Nf=P_Capacity%7cBTWN+250+250%7c

Is there anyone about in Henderson that would mind taking a look at it for me?
Would be highly interested to find out how much it is going to cost to get it on the road. TBH I was of the thought that even if I didn't fall madly in love with it - at that price I can get it road legal and flog it on at a price that means I can get a hornet if a 2 stroke doesn't suit.

Also, I commute from KKK into the CBD every day - and this would become my commute vehicle for a while. Is there anything I specifically need to bear in mind?

Cheers All

jim.cox

14th April 2011, 10:03

Also, I commute from KKK into the CBD every day - and this would become my commute vehicle for a while. Is there anything I specifically need to bear in mind?

Cant say that a TZR would be my choice as a communter, or as a first bike for that matter...

They are pretty highly strung - go like the clappers but have a narrow power band.

Plus the riding position is prety head down, arse up

And there is all that plastic to break

And they dont have the world's best reputation for reliability

Just my $0.02

_STAIN_

14th April 2011, 10:31

sexyist TZR made but very fragile motor, not what you want for commuter

Beren

14th April 2011, 10:53

Hmmm ok thanks for the input - was orignally looking at a VTR or an inline 4... guess I will go back to the drawing board!

Ah - just seen a Jade going for a very good price - medium mileage but don't suppose that's much of an issue if it has the same inline 4 as the CBR?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=367511710

64,000 Kms I would guess just means someone has used it as a commuter - I don't suppose any friendly KB'er would mind giving it an initial look to see if it is worth a close look?

Dodgy

14th April 2011, 11:50

Especially avoid the reverse cylinder TZR - they were well noted for being dreadful, lovely chassis shame about the motor... And that one looks like a real basket case...

Slyer

14th April 2011, 12:12

Hahah, worst first bike and commuter you could have picked.
Go for a twin 4 stroke.

imdying

14th April 2011, 12:14

Would commute fine, just a bit of a waste is all.

You also sound like a poor student. If that's the case, look for something a little less high strung. They give trouble if maintenance is neglected.

Beren

14th April 2011, 12:29

You also sound like a poor student.

LOL - not quite, just an immigrant Pom with not a lot of money. Moving and taking 3 months to find a job ate pretty much all of my surplus cash and has taken a few months to get back to a spot where I can just about lay out the money to get a bike. the 1 1/2 hour commute thanks to the northern is making my desire to get a bike that much more pressing!

tigertim20

14th April 2011, 13:21

great bikes overall.
bad first bike if you have never ridden before.
awful first bike if you have no mechanical knowledge.
TERRIBLE first bike if you want to commute on it.

jim.cox

14th April 2011, 13:21

LOL - not quite, just an immigrant Pom

In that case I'd suggest a small trail bike - something like a Dr250 - they make a great commuter and you can use them to see many out of the way parts of the country where you would never dream of taking a road bike

Chancebmx25

14th April 2011, 13:37

Tzr are a great bike but u js gta watch with two smokers if the engine on that has blown i would not go near it, it looks like rubbish, two strokes need a high level of maintenence u have to take care of them. And so look for one tht has had a rebuild etc, keep em tuned and they go hard . U wnt be dismissed otherwise forget it and get a batty ole 4 thats limited. Cheers

imdying

14th April 2011, 13:39

In that case I'd suggest a small trail bike - something like a Dr250 - they make a great commuter and you can use them to see many out of the way parts of the country where you would never dream of taking a road bikeSecond that.

Save up and get a tidy standard looking one, a repaint is a pretty good indication it has been for a skate (even if they're hidden it well). People that're too tight just to repaint the damaged bits with factory items are probably not the people you want to buy a 2 stroke from. Remember that Kiwis are for the most part poor and stupid hillbillies that can't manage anything too complicated.

Beren

14th April 2011, 14:10

In that case I'd suggest a small trail bike - something like a Dr250 - they make a great commuter and you can use them to see many out of the way parts of the country where you would never dream of taking a road bike

Unfortunately a trail bike is a way down the list, the other half wants to be able to use the bike and she is nearly a dwarf :innocent: so a tall trail bike wouldn't be on the cards.

I have been looking for a Spada, VTR or one of the bare inline 4's Bandit, Hornet, Jade etc... and will probably be saving another month yet to get one - just saw this and was dreaming of having a properly quick bike as my first trip out on two wheels.

jim.cox

14th April 2011, 14:54

the other half wants to be able to use the bike

Dont let HER choose YOUR bike for you mate

Get what YOU want

The baby DR's arent that tall and she wont be riding it often anyway...

avgas

14th April 2011, 15:08

Do you work for BP?

If so TZR250 is a great commuter bike. It drinks far less than a Dodge Viper.

Chancebmx25

14th April 2011, 16:12

dont be too worried about petrol. its not that bad if you ride her properly and dont sit at 12000rpm's all day long. get a user manual and read it before anything!!!! half the time people dont get a user manual and know fuck all about there bike not realising theyve bought garbage.

Beren

14th April 2011, 16:38

Dont let HER choose YOUR bike for you mate

Get what YOU want

The baby DR's arent that tall and she wont be riding it often anyway...

Pftt... ok let me put it another way - I completely disagree with your eminently qualified opinion and want a road bike for using on the road. I was just trying to be nice :)

I have some lovely road options to get up to KKK from the city once I am done with the motorway and really want to be able to ride them in time.

And actually I will probably be riding it for 10 months before moving up to a 600 and handing it down, so it would be useful if it is a bike she will be happy with.

jim.cox

14th April 2011, 16:52

Pftt... ok let me put it another way - I completely disagree with your eminently qualified opinion and want a road bike for using on the road. I was just trying to be nice :)

I have some lovely road options to get up to KKK from the city once I am done with the motorway and really want to be able to ride them in time.

And actually I will probably be riding it for 10 months before moving up to a 600 and handing it down, so it would be useful if it is a bike she will be happy with.

Fair enough then

I still think a trail or dual purpose bike makes a better communter than a road rocket.

If you're not still on a 6L or 6R licence I'd be looking at 600 or 650 dual purpose bike straight off (well, actually I am looking out for one myself)

And as for keeping her happy - well good luck with that - if you manage you'll be doing better than most every other bloke I know :)

Beren

14th April 2011, 19:54

Fair enough then

I still think a trail or dual purpose bike makes a better communter than a road rocket.

If you're not still on a 6L or 6R licence I'd be looking at 600 or 650 dual purpose bike straight off (well, actually I am looking out for one myself)

And as for keeping her happy - well good luck with that - if you manage you'll be doing better than most every other bloke I know :)

Yeah well have written off the 2 stroke, but wouldn't have classed any of the 4 strokes as road rockets!

Unfortunately still on my L so can't go to anything larger - especially since the grrr legislation doesn't look like changing for an age.

And well tis only just over 6 months living together in but all very good so far ;) unfortunately she is kind of adding to my lack of saving a little as she is getting a new pony for her birthday saturday... but that is very off topic!

SMOKEU

15th April 2011, 08:40

They give trouble if maintenance is neglected.

That reminds me of females...

SPman

15th April 2011, 15:57

Especially avoid the reverse cylinder TZR - they were well noted for being dreadful, lovely chassis shame about the motor... And that one looks like a real basket case...
But - with a lot of TLC and the right know-how, are lovely little bikes - lookswise, the pick of the TZRs

Beren

15th April 2011, 17:14

Which all puts it emminently in the future bike not first bike category - I can normally work stuff out mechanically, but starting with no tools it is going to take a while to build up everything I need... and that's a hit I don't need on top of getting a new bike!

davebullet

15th April 2011, 21:02

An excellent bike if you are commuting on the motorway at 4am in the morning :woohoo:

racefactory

16th April 2011, 11:33

But - with a lot of TLC and the right know-how, are lovely little bikes - lookswise, the pick of the TZRs

Are you for real mate? The 3xv stomps all over it!
236754

imdying

16th April 2011, 13:30

No point debating looks, it's too personal.

The best of the old 90s two strokes is:
- The one you can buy parts for
- The one you can get an English workshop manual for
- The one that people are still developing parts for

Kickaha

16th April 2011, 19:15

Are you for real mate? The 3xv stomps all over it!
236754

Especially seeing as how the proper TZ250 bits bolt straight on, of course a 400km piston life might not appeal to that many people

RevRadford

21st June 2011, 13:20

jaffaonajappa

21st June 2011, 17:15

I just picked a "barnfind" circa 86 or 87 TZR250 that's a mess but I'm keen to restore. Can anyone recommend someone who has knowledge / experience of restoring these? I'd be keen to learn from their experience.

Cheers Simon

I dont....but I do know a thread on here where they talk, and talk, and fix up wee 2 strokes. These guys will know guys that could fix a TZR...guaranteed.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/86554-ESE-s-works-engine-tuner

Sable

21st June 2011, 21:17

They're simple machines. If it's got compression it'll go. Clean out the carbs and new sparkplug.

imdying

22nd June 2011, 12:35

Sable

23rd June 2011, 15:42

Also ignore the people saying 2strokes are no good to learn on.. they fucking rock.

Chancebmx25

24th June 2011, 23:55

Also ignore the people saying 2strokes are no good to learn on.. they fucking rock.

yer agreed. Just scream buddy! !

jaffaonajappa

25th June 2011, 00:17

They are NO GOOD to learn on.
They Do fucken rock tho.

Ok, depends what stage of 'learner' ya mean. Very first bike? TZR wouldnt be anywhere near the top half of what Id suggest they get.

Learner licence but has lots of experience? Yeah, great bikes the TZR's. but costly to run, and can still give you a damn big 'surprise' which can cause crashes.

Who the fuck recommends a TZR for someone as their first ever bike?

Maha

25th June 2011, 08:20

jonbuoy

25th June 2011, 09:54

People used to commute and learn on 250 two stokes, the power curve is not exactly ideal but at <50bhp its not exactly a widow maker either. Probably a bigger fright to be had jumping from a 250 twin 4 stroke to a 600. Only problem is spares.

TZR

12th July 2011, 16:21

i started on a suzuki ax-100, a wee 2 stroke, then upgraded to an old tzr250. I'd say they're a good bike if you've got someone with mechanical experience around, otherwise they can end up getting expensive. it was a really great bike though, i dropped it a couple times and had to do a bit of repair work on the fairing, but it got me where i needed to go and was suprisingly cheap on fuel. i've got an in line four now, which is fine, but i do miss that powerband

racefactory

13th July 2011, 22:07

What does it do on fuel? How many km for how many liters?

Chancebmx25

19th July 2011, 09:05

Smoke 2 for life

jaffaonajappa

19th July 2011, 17:00

He ended up with a VTR.

Aha, arghhhh.
Ive never owned a Honda. Tried a coupla mates XR's and a CR or 2 as a youngster tho - they were ok.

The one Hondaa I did like as a youngster was the CB250RS - but I ended up on a GS400 instead....first bike.

The only Hondaa's I have any time for at the moment are the two (new for 2011) single cylinder 250's, and the RS 125/250's. The rest can kiss my crack.

jonbuoy

19th July 2011, 19:19

Aha, arghhhh.
Ive never owned a Honda. Tried a coupla mates XR's and a CR or 2 as a youngster tho - they were ok.

The one Hondaa I did like as a youngster was the CB250RS - but I ended up on a GS400 instead....first bike.

The only Hondaa's I have any time for at the moment are the two (new for 2011) single cylinder 250's, and the RS 125/250's. The rest can kiss my crack.

You think the brand name on UJM´s makes that much difference?

jaffaonajappa

19th July 2011, 20:52

You think the brand name on UJM´s makes that much difference?

Different strokes for different folks :D

And really at the end of the day - who gives a flying fuck about what anyone else reckons about their bike.

Most Honda riders have earned their thick skinned approach. :P