Advice on bikes

[tommo]

Hey All,
I am a new KB forum user. I am currently riding a FZR 250 1989. However i am looking at buying something a bit newer. I am looking seriously at a ZXR 250. Just wondering if anyone has any useful tips on buying them, what to look for etc. Do they have any major problems. Are the reliable etc.

[toymachine]

Major things to watch for seem to be cam chain wear (have a listen) and fork/fork seal condition (being upside down forks)

[bonus]

there pretty reliable as long as you maintain them properly, as with any bike.
Ive had mine for a couple months and had to have the carbs stripped cleaned and balanced as the jets got all clogged, and ive heard you have to keep an eye on the cam chain tensioners and fork seals.Apart from that their sweet.

Mines for sale at the mo :)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-94481974.htm

[tommo]

what are the Honda CBR 250's like? I have not totally decided on what to get yet.

[tommo]

yeah man i have seen yours on trademe i was keen to have a look at it some stage if possible.

[bonus]

yeah sweet as, my cell number is in one of the answered questions gimme a txt if ya want, just note tho in the last couple of days the clutch has started to slip so the clutch will need to be done, simple tho and price lowered to suit. Leon

[rookie]

Hey All,
I am a new KB forum user. I am currently riding a FZR 250 1989. However i am looking at buying something a bit newer. I am looking seriously at a ZXR 250. Just wondering if anyone has any useful tips on buying them, what to look for etc. Do they have any major problems. Are the reliable etc.

It is pretty much the same story with all of the older inline fours...look for one thats been maintained...service history will tell the story (not just oil changes). Look for any evidence of past accidents, bike re-registration, mismatched fairings etc. Bike thats been in storage may need a bit of work to get running nicely.

Ive had mine for 7 months and mine was not previously maintained. Ive had everything break around the 45-50,000km mark. Be thorough if purchasing with this mileage.

Check the bike has decent life left in the discs...they are expensive to replace. Check brake pads. Check wheel bearings. Check for evidence of fork oil leaking around the seals. Check the indicators and headlights work.

When riding the bike: check the braking is smooth (with no pulsing), check the clutch engages nicely (and doesnt slip when changing agressively around 12-14,000 rpm), check for hints of blue smoke under acceleration, at idle or when engine braking from higher revs (typical signs that rings or valves need work). Check that the bike revs smoothly throughout the rev range (particularly above 10,000rpm).

I hope you're making a list