Opinions on a 1992 Yamaha FZX250 Zeal for my first bike

[scary]

Just been to look at it today.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=439091114

Been looking for a Hyosung GT250 but this is the same $ and better name. Its a lot older though (92 vs mid 00s) but mileage seems low. There's a fair bit of oil & crud around where the filter is but I couldn't see anything else wrong with it. The guy said he overfilled it when he did the oil 8 months ago. He's put 10,000km on it this past year.

I've got essentially zero bike experience though so I'd be grateful if peeps could chip in with their 2c, including what they think its worth. :niceone:

Cheers,

[Hitcher]

I'd get it checked for condition and service history as Zeals aren't new bikes by any stretch. Otherwise they're a great ride, particularly for taller riders who would probably appreciate a full frame. I grew quite attached to mine in the 17,500km I wound onto it over my 9 months as a restricted rider.

[scary]

Cool, thanks for the advice mate. How would I get it checked? Take it to a workshop? The guy selling doesn't have any service history so I'm a little dubious.

I'd be interested to know how your Zeal compared to a Bandit or a Hornet of the same age? They're kicking about on TradeMe too for similar money and I'm not fussy over what I get. I thought the seat on the Zeal was lower than the Hyosung I sat on but maybe my mind's playing tricks. I've been looking for a Hyosung as they're only a 2 cylinder so easier on gas but no one seems to want to sell me one and I'm fed up taking the car/train to work so I'm getting impatient now. :angry:

[Tigadee]

I've looked at that one before. It's mostly great [goes like the dickens!] except it's due for its 20K km full service. That might cost a few dollars as you'd need to replace the sparks, fuel and oil filters, and a few other things over the standard oil change. Other than, I was quite impressed with it...

The seat on the Zeal is definitely lower than the Hyo but it is very comfortable with a great upright seating posture. The hyo's seating posture tends to lean forward more, so you end up with sore wrists, and the legroom is a bit cramped. Also, the Hyo is heavier, so with the much taller seat [about 780mm high compared to - I think - the Zeal's 735mm], you're gonna feel the weight of the Hyo if you ever tip over! The Zeal is lighter by about 30 kgs and is very nimble and easy to handle. Still, it is 20 years old, which is old compared to the Hyo.

Power delivery of the two are similar, the Hyo only really gets going above 5,000rpm, and the Zeal at 7,000 rpm [redline is double that so not a strain on the bike at all] and the Zeal really zooms then. Before the 7,000 rpm, the Zeal is very tame...

[scary]

Hiya mate, thanks for the goods. That's really interesting about the weight thing. I'm obviously concerned about the age too (not the service- just done my Merc so I know where all my tools are). How do bikes like that age compared to a car? Is 20 years pretty long in the tooth? I was hoping a Yamaha would be a safe bet. Also, its an import so I don't know the extended history but the owner has doubled the documented mileage on it in a year.

I've made this guy an offer for his '07 Hyo but he's not getting back to me so I reckon I'm gonna have to go with something else. What about this nice looking '99 Bandit as an alternative to the Zeal?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=437744262

[GrayWolf]

Hiya mate, thanks for the goods. That's really interesting about the weight thing. I'm obviously concerned about the age too (not the service- just done my Merc so I know where all my tools are). How do bikes like that age compared to a car? Is 20 years pretty long in the tooth? I was hoping a Yamaha would be a safe bet. Also, its an import so I don't know the extended history but the owner has doubled the documented mileage on it in a year.

I've made this guy an offer for his '07 Hyo but he's not getting back to me so I reckon I'm gonna have to go with something else. What about this nice looking '99 Bandit as an alternative to the Zeal?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=437744262

The fact you are dubious about the Zeal's age and history should be enough to make your thinking easy. I think the big if and it is the BIG factor, is it may be slightly detuned from the FZR250, but its still a high revving motor that has been owned by a learner, and with no service history? As an above poster commented it may be OK and go like stink,,,, most of them do till they cry 'enough'. I'd go for a Hyo, or a ZZR/GPX or VTR there have been some good low K examples on tardme recently.

[scary]

Thanks for straightening me out there, GrayWolf. I've canned the Zeal. Just put an offer in on the Bandit after going to see it today. Very tidy little bike. Much tidier than the 2010 Hyosung I looked at which, despite being ten years younger than the Bandit, was a mess! Covered in corrosion.
Just goes to show what TLC does for the life of your gear.

Looking forward to getting my leg over now . . . .:woohoo:

[scary]

Just to follow up for anyone reading this and mulling over their own purchase, I bought the Bandit and have been riding it for 6 weeks now and I am chuffed silly with it. I had a few issues getting the clutch sorted out but I apart from that the experience has been just frickin awesome! :headbang:

Much love for the Bandit, so glad I didn't get a Yamaha Scorpio now! (Sorry Jase H)

[SMOKEU]

Just to follow up for anyone reading this and mulling over their own purchase, I bought the Bandit and have been riding it for 6 weeks now and I am chuffed silly with it. I had a few issues getting the clutch sorted out but I apart from that the experience has been just frickin awesome! :headbang:

Much love for the Bandit, so glad I didn't get a Yamaha Scorpio now! (Sorry Jase H)

Bandits are a pretty good bike. Being a 4 cylinder it's going to be much better than a Scorpio. What was wrong with the clutch?

[Tigadee]

What was wrong with the clutch?

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/146670-Vicious-Bandit-clutch-amp-other-noob-issues

[baffa]

I recently rode a Hyobag 250 GT250R to sit my full. It doesnt feel like a big or heavy bike at all. And the seat really isnt that high. If you have trouble with the weight of one, I'd suggest you need to start going to the gym. In saying that, I'd still go for a VTR or Hornet if I was doing it all over again.

[GSF]

Just been to look at it today.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=439091114

Been looking for a Hyosung GT250 but this is the same $ and better name. Its a lot older though (92 vs mid 00s) but mileage seems low. There's a fair bit of oil & crud around where the filter is but I couldn't see anything else wrong with it. The guy said he overfilled it when he did the oil 8 months ago. He's put 10,000km on it this past year.

I've got essentially zero bike experience though so I'd be grateful if peeps could chip in with their 2c, including what they think its worth. :niceone:

Cheers,

I remember looking at a Zeal when buying my 250 - did the one on TradeMe have an ashtray? :stoogie:

[Maha]

Just to follow up for anyone reading this and mulling over their own purchase, I bought the Bandit and have been riding it for 6 weeks now and I am chuffed silly with it. I had a few issues getting the clutch sorted out but I apart from that the experience has been just frickin awesome! :headbang:

Much love for the Bandit, so glad I didn't get a Yamaha Scorpio now! (Sorry Jase H)

Good chioce of bike.
Something like this may interest you -->> http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/147511-Learner-Three-Day-North-Ride-(Friday-April-20th)

[short-circuit]

Yeah pretty shit...like most first bikes :baby:

[Tigadee]

did the one on TradeMe have an ashtray?

Don't all Zeals? Mine did...

[nzvlogger]

Ive heard, never had one so i cant confirm, but apparently the rear shocks are rubbish? watched a youtube review on it, ill try find it for you

heres a good kiwibiker review http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/11226-Yamaha-FZX250-Zeal

i was looking at one before i got the BROS cause i wanted a low cost commuter but i really wanted the 400

[Tigadee]

One FZX250 owner put some XJ600 rear shocks into their Zeal, improved it markedly apparently, so much so they took it to the track with good results.