GSXR-250 info - looking at buying one

[prvoke]

Hi all.
Went and took a look at one yesterday. Apart from a few cosmetically untidy things it seems to go pretty well. Rear rotor was was pretty wavy as in would need to be skimmed. Didn't seem like a big deal tho. I couldnt get to a 100km zone but it accelerated well, the guy did however say that it got to 100-110 fine but he struggled to get it much higher. Any common reasons for that with hopefully a non expensive fix? also the front struts has some small surface rust parts but they were above the mark of where the shock compresses down. is that normal/ok and can i jst lightly sand it off?
Hes only asking around 2k, it has 34k on the clock so im not expectating emmaculate, jst wondering bout the top speed mainly, i would have thought it would accelerate well up to around 140 at least.

any help is appreciated :)

[Black Bandit]

Two fiddy inline four should not struggle to get to 100 km/h at all. Usually comfortably go on to 160 - 180 km/h :innocent: :whistle: apparently. 2K for a bike is cheap as ... what year is it?

[prvoke]

Suzuki GSXR 250 SS 1989

was 2100 buy now but reserve has been met at 1750 so will have to let it run now i guess. just the top speed issues has me a lil concerned that maybe something is up with the motor

[DUBDUB]

I had my 87 gsxr250 up to 170 once and still had a bit in it just not enough road so somethings up with that bike, maybe has been geared down to motox standards. haha

[wildpudding]

The wavyness in the rear disc is normal, they are made like that from the factory to give the rider more feel, and to avoid locking up the rear which is quite easy.

It should get up to around 140 ok, higher than that they tend to struggle, but if your not too concerned about having a licence they should be able to go higher. You really need to get the rev's right up on those bikes if you want to get the best performance, most power is up close to redline.

Rust on the tops of the stanchion tubes is not really an issue.

Stefan

[prvoke]

im not after a speed demon, just commuting to work want it to sit on 105 and be able to pass easy enough. It may have just been him not revin it out enough i dont know as i could only get it to 90 in the nearest 70 zone without worrying about police

[McJim]

im not after a speed demon, just commuting to work want it to sit on 105 and be able to pass easy enough. It may have just been him not revin it out enough i dont know as i could only get it to 90 in the nearest 70 zone without worrying about police

Then forget inline 4 and get a twin - less maintenance, less thirsty, easier to control and most can hit 150+

VTR250
VT250
GPX250
GSX250 (not the R)

All decent inline4 250's are about 20 years old...most are past their best although there are still a few minters out there if you look hard enough - problem is they're getting rarer and rarer.

Best of luck.

[Black Bandit]

Then forget inline 4 and get a twin - less maintenance, less thirsty, easier to control and most can hit 150+

VTR250
VT250
GPX250
GSX250 (not the R)

All decent inline4 250's are about 20 years old...most are past their best although there are still a few minters out there if you look hard enough - problem is they're getting rarer and rarer.

Best of luck.

Have to agree with the first part of that assessment McJim, always been mightily impressed by the VTR250 on group rides. :yes: And the bonus is that they can be more economical on fuel.

Perhaps you should qualify "decent inline4" though? You're talking about faired models right, cause there are plenty of younger naked inline4 250's around? Or has the Ducati already corrupted your memory? :Pokey:

[speeding_ant]

Then forget inline 4 and get a twin - less maintenance, less thirsty, easier to control and most can hit 150+

VTR250
VT250
GPX250
GSX250 (not the R)

All decent inline4 250's are about 20 years old...most are past their best although there are still a few minters out there if you look hard enough - problem is they're getting rarer and rarer.

Best of luck.

Hehe, I'd like to see you try and get a GSX250 over 150km/h!! What a whale! I had one and I topped it going downhill with the wind behind me at 160Km/h. It didnt sound happy.. :D Saying that, wicked bike. Lots of nice torque (very linear), very solid accurate handling compared to something like a GSXR or a ZXR. I could out corner a lot of ZXRs and GSXRs through a takas/paekakariki sprint which suprised me! Most twins are great for fuel efficiency too! They just dont sound as cool (unless you get a 650+)

[Winter]

Hehe, I'd like to see you try and get a GSX250 over 150km/h!! What a whale! I had one and I topped it going downhill with the wind behind me at 160Km/h. It didnt sound happy.. :D Saying that, wicked bike. Lots of nice torque (very linear), very solid accurate handling compared to something like a GSXR or a ZXR. I could out corner a lot of ZXRs and GSXRs through a takas/paekakariki sprint which suprised me! Most twins are great for fuel efficiency too! They just dont sound as cool (unless you get a 650+)



I have a 05' GSX250, and it reaches 160 without all that much effort. I've had up to 167ish, flat road

But as someone said, if you want it for 105k + overtaking a bike like a GSX250 is perfect!

[speeding_ant]

I have a 05' GSX250, and it reaches 160 without all that much effort. I've had up to 167ish, flat road

But as someone said, if you want it for 105k + overtaking a bike like a GSX250 is perfect!

So its probably that loud ticking sound in the engine that was causing that.. :mellow:

[prvoke]

my budget is like 2-3k tho

[Jeaves]

my budget is like 2-3k tho

save a bit more and get yourself a hornet or the likes. all have a toned down version of the CBR/FZR/ZXR engines etc. Most are late 90's and you can get fresh imports. Kawasaki Balius's seem to be priced in the $4k-$4.5k mark .

[Unforgiven]

I have a 1990 GSXR 250 with much higher kms.
I havnt riden too many other 250s, but I do like the GSXR, its fast enough, handles well and has good brakes.
They have no trouble getting up to speed, mine is happy to cruise at 140-150, though they do rev pretty high at that sort of speed.
It should sit on 9000rpm at 100kms, that will tell you if the gearings been played with.
I know there are most likely better 250s out there but the GSXR is one of the most fun that Ive been on.
Id say at $2K its probably a good buy.

[Storm]

I had a 1991 GSX250FL -an Across- had no trouble with 160km 2 up on a bumpy road a few years back. I'm told all 250's were limited to 45hp back then, and about 1994 it was dropped to 40hp. May have changed since I heard the word though
Cost me $4000 and was all good. Didnt give me any hassles, was just a pour gas in and go (apart from the problems I caused fiddling with things I didnt know better than to fiddle with :D:D )

[hazzy]

Two fiddy inline four should not struggle to get to 100 km/h at all. Usually comfortably go on to 160 - 180 km/h :innocent: :whistle: apparently. 2K for a bike is cheap as ... what year is it?

gsx-r250s are 2 carbie... the double R's are the inline 4....


i'd steer away from the gsx-r, they rust easily, tend to blow up... although they have nice handling and are comfortable round town.

get a pre 1990 cbr250 - should be about to get one between 2500-3000

[gsxnut]

I have a 05' GSX250, and it reaches 160 without all that much effort. I've had up to 167ish, flat road

But as someone said, if you want it for 105k + overtaking a bike like a GSX250 is perfect!
hi just brought a gsx250 2003 and it seems to only want to go up to 130 km any tips on how to get it to go faster

[Winter]

hi just brought a gsx250 2003 and it seems to only want to go up to 130 km any tips on how to get it to go faster

find a hill and ride down it?

I put BP 98 in it, and only weigh about 60kg, that might help?

I dont know what sort of difference there is between the 2003-2004-2005 models, there is dick all about them online :(

[Unforgiven]

gsx-r250s are 2 carbie... the double R's are the inline 4....



The GSX-R250 and the RR are both inline 4 cylinder and both twin carb. The GSX250 (no Rs) is a twin.

[prvoke]

get a pre 1990 cbr250 - should be about to get one between 2500-3000

correct, i ended up with an 89 CBR250R for 2450 :)

[_tui_]

I think the GSXR250RR has four carbs, they're meant to be really quick too, I guess the more R's the better

[slopster]

Yeah my first bike was an 89 gsxr 250RR the RR model has 4 32mm carbs and different intake manifolds (along with a completely different frame etc) and is a much better bike than the normal gsxr 250 with 27mm twins. Mine was pretty rough when I brought it for $1200 (250s were a bit cheaper then) and was still good for just under 200kmh.

[j_redley]

I've just brought an 89GSXR 250, pretty high K's, anything I should look at?

[quickbuck]

I've just brought an 89GSXR 250, pretty high K's, anything I should look at?

The Usual Learner bike things to look for are:
Fork Seals; Ensure no leaks
Steering Head Bearings; ensure no notches
Tyres; Ensure no cracks, and rear not too worn in middle. False economy keeping hold of the tyre if it is like this.
Chain and Sprockets: Ensure no "Tight Spots" in chain. Ensure the sprockets aren't "Saw Toothed".
Brake Discs; ensure no lips/ groves/ warping. Also look at the pads. Make sure they are evenly worn (all 4).

As for the GSXR itself, great little bikes. Make sure it starts with full choke, and no throttle.
They are a 4 cylinder, but have 2 twin barrel carbs. Most 4 cylinder bikes actually have 4 carbs.
This doesn't restrict them in any way... in fact it halves the carb problems 20 year old bikes can get.

It should be smooth through the rev range... If not, then you have a problem.

Edit: No I haven't read the rest of the thread.... I see some info is covered in previous posts.

[j_redley]

Tyres are near new, fork seals and bearings all seem realy good to me. Back brake pedal has a lot of travel, is there adjustment for them, and does anyone know what sort of price I could look at paying for rear brake shoes for the old girl?

Its not running at the moment, needs a new battery but there is paper work to support a half engine rebuild (valves re-surfaced). I also need to reassemble the clutch and gear linkage as well as the engine drive sprocket, so if anyone has any workshop manuals that would suit doing the brakes and re-assembling the clutch/clutch cable/gear shift linkage, I'd appreciate it.

[quickbuck]

Tyres are near new, fork seals and bearings all seem realy good to me. Back brake pedal has a lot of travel, is there adjustment for them, and does anyone know what sort of price I could look at paying for rear brake shoes for the old girl?

.
They would most likely need a bleed.
Pads aren't too expensice at all, but truth is, you shouldn't be using the rear brakes that much anyway. 10% of the front MAX!

As for the clutch and gear linkage with drive sprocket, anybody who has replaced a chain on a 1990's Suzuki will be able to do this easily....

In fact, I am ablut 30 minutes away... could be worht looking into.

[SMOKEU]

You could get an RG150. I've seen what they're like on a race track and in a straight line they keep up with the 250cc straight 4s.

[neels]

Back brake pedal has a lot of travel, is there adjustment for them,

Its not running at the moment, needs a new battery but there is paper work to support a half engine rebuild (valves re-surfaced). I also need to reassemble the clutch and gear linkage as well as the engine drive sprocket, so if anyone has any workshop manuals that would suit doing the brakes and re-assembling the clutch/clutch cable/gear shift linkage, I'd appreciate it.
My son's seems to have quite a bit of travel in the rear brake as well, don't know if it's normal for the bike but it seems to work OK. I have a download of the owners manual that has some adjustment info in it, it's 7.5Mb so I can't post it, but if you pm me your email address I can send it to you. If there's anything particularly you need to know I might be able to have a look and give you some answers.

[Pumba]

My son's seems to have quite a bit of travel in the rear brake as well, don't know if it's normal for the bike but it seems to work OK. I have a download of the owners manual that has some adjustment info in it, it's 7.5Mb so I can't post it, but if you pm me your email address I can send it to you. If there's anything particularly you need to know I might be able to have a look and give you some answers.

You could post the link to where you got it in this thread http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/10556-Lotsa-manuals-online If it is a manual for a late 80's model GSXR250 I am sure there are a number of people out there that would be interested

[lone_slayer]

For any info on these Bike I do reccomend checking out www.gsx-r250.com A new zealand site which I belive has recently been started and has alot of manuals and stuff the guy is always updating so feel free to send him any info you have
On the site there a downloads for

- microfiches
- Owners Manual
- Electrical Diagram
- A Gsx-f250 service Manual (quite useful)
- Parts Manual (full breakdown) I found this quite useful (still to be put on site)

Its really great to find all this info in 1 place