Kawasaki ZR250 (Balius) Any comments?

[Mrs Oakie]

I am going to test ride one of these tomorrow! Does anyone know much about these? Any advice would be great. Oakie believes it is just a detuned and naked version of a ZXR 250. Would it be suitable for a vertically challanged ex EL 250 rider?

[Romeo]

I'm keen to hear people's opinions on these aswell. They seem like pretty good little bikes, but there's a lot of them for sale around the $4k mark with great milage. Why do people avoid these?

They seem almost comparable to the Hornets/Bandits bar the differences with the rear tyre and frame. I wouldn't mind one for myself, as long as I repainted it in Z1 colours.

[JimO]

i had a 92 zr750 Zephyr they are probably the little brother of these it was a good enough bike having said that i sold mine for $2500

[zeocen]

I've heard they were the successor to the ZXR250 and became naked, but that could be just plain false.

I've always liked the Balius and I think it has a bit of a following in other countries, it really is one of the best looking 250's out there if you ask me.

[Devil]

Yep, great bikes, very revvy. Not really noticibly less power than the ZXR, just happens at more useful revs (despite the 19,000rpm redline).

I believe I saw an indicated 175km/h on my old one heh. Not bad for a naked 250.
Sound great, get along fine. Usual ZXR probs with cam chain tensioner ($300 or so to replace the tensioner AND cam chain, but only if you need to).
Other than that fine, but was a little awkward to find some parts a few years ago, but there are more around now.

Go for it.

[Oakie]

There are three she's looking at today. Two at $3900 with 11,000 and 17,000kms and one at $3700 with 17,000kms.
They seem to be the same physical specs as the ZXR engine, certainly the compression, bore and stroke are identical, but where the ZXR puts out about 46hp max, the ZR puts out 39hp max so I'm guessing it's just detuned. I didn't think to compare the carbies. A whole lot more upright riding position too and a nice comfy looking seat (unlike the plank of wood on the ZXR)
I guess they're at such a comparitively good price because they're a whole lot 'unsexier' than a ZXR. Suits us just fine! We think they're a nice looking bike.

[nudemetalz]

Something you may not know.
The Kawasaki Balius is a rebadged Suzuki GSX250FX.
(That's not a bad thing though)

[The Pastor]

they are fun little bikes man, they scream!

[Devil]

Something you may not know.
The Kawasaki Balius is a rebadged Suzuki GSX250FX.
(That's not a bad thing though)

hmm, not as far as I was aware.
Different engine, different suspension (even the pics you posted has monoshock rear vs twin shock, although the Balius II had twin shocks).
Pretty sure the suzuki didn't rev to 19,000...

Edit: Perhaps the Balius II (uhm, 94 onwards?) and the suzuki were from the same mould but didn't think the original balius was (from '91, which is what I had).

[nudemetalz]

Ooops, I didn't put a pic of the Balius 11 model.

Kawasaki and Suzuki have a partnership with various models, mostly just off-road incl the DRZ400/KLX400 and the latest 250 four stroke MX bikes

[nudemetalz]

More this one

[Devil]

Ah I see. Hrm, didn't know about the suzuki one. Surprising given that they've got their own bandit... (different engine)...

[Joni]

Would it be suitable for a vertically challanged ex EL 250 rider?I am a shorty and its too tall for me... if that helps at all.

[Devil]

Depends how short you are. Lane is 5' nothing and was on tip toes on it. Can adjust the height and you could get the seat shaved down.

[Meekey_Mouse]

I looked at buying the Balius twice... when I first looked at getting into riding and a few months ago after I sold the ZXR250.

I found it was an Ok height, tall compared to the ZXR, but I was still able to flat foot it (just). I'm 161cm's tall (or short.. which ever way you want to look at it) if that helps at all.

With test riding one I found it wasn't my styled bike... lots of low down power. The seating position was a lot more upright then the ZXR, with my short arm span I found it would hurt my shoulders on long rides from having to sit upright-ish and reach for the bars.

Nice little bikes though and from the research I did they sound pretty reliable... just check the carbs. You should be able to feel noticable flat spots in the rev range if the carbs aren't running 100%.

Hope that helps and all the best with your bike searching :yes:

[Rockbuddy]

I have one of these bikes and its great fun , ive had it up to 190kmh awesome little bike i use it as my to work and back bike 6okms round trip so ive done over 20,000 kms in the last two years and all ive done is put new rubber on it very reliable

[mattimeo]

edit - ^ 190kph!? Far owt. Down hill with a 50kph tailwind?

Nothing informative to add, but I thought I'd chuck in my few cents... Little brother of the Zephyr - I ride a 550 Zephyr and love it. The Balius is definitely a nice set of wheels, for a 250 :)

[Joni]

Depends how short you are. Lane is 5' nothing and was on tip toes on it. Can adjust the height and you could get the seat shaved down.OK, I should of been more clear.

I am just short of 5ft2".

You can have the bike lowered, the seat shaved and your shoes built up... so you can solve the problem if you are too short. However make sure you LOVE the bike and really want it before you do to all of that effort.

ps - shoes built up I might be able to help, looking into it myself at the mo.

[Lane]

Depends how short you are. Lane is 5' nothing and was on tip toes on it. Can adjust the height and you could get the seat shaved down.

*cough* 5ft1, thanks*cough* :oi-grr: :)

But as Devil said, a lovely bike to have. Easy to ride, zippy as :) Purdy looking too.
A good starters bike. Gets along nicely.

[Joni]

*cough* 5ft1, thanks*cough* :oi-grr: :)

But as Devil said, a lovely bike to have. Easy to ride, zippy as :) Purdy looking too.
A good starters bike. Gets along nicely.Hmm Lane maybe you have longer legs than me then... as at 5ft2" it was just the tip of my boot, not even a toe on the ground.

[Devil]

Hmm Lane maybe you have longer legs than me then... as at 5ft2" it was just the tip of my boot, not even a toe on the ground.

Hrm, as for lowering I mean with the preload adjuster on the rear suspension. Do you know if that was as low as it could go when you got on it?
I had to drop it to the bottom when Lane was on it, and then cranked it back up for me...

Time for bigger boots Jo :D

[Joni]

Time for bigger boots Jo :DBigger boots and my seat... :thud:

BTW Mrs Oakie, Cajun is your man for seat shaving/thinning... if you ever need it. Just pop him a pm.

[Devil]

*cough* 5ft1, thanks*cough* :oi-grr: :)
.
*ahem*
In your dreams, dear.
*ducks*

[Joni]

At the risk of being extemely biased... Think about the Yamaha Zeal! Perfect for short arses like us. The seat is only 735mm, and not too thick at all...

And damn puuuurty too! :love:

http://motorcycletrader.co.nz/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=2173109&TabID=3553&Alias=motorcycletradernz

[Lane]

*ahem*
In your dreams, dear.
*ducks*

Suck my goat balls!! :devil2: :bleh:

Don't make me bring out the tape measure!:innocent: ;)

Joni - yeah the preload adjuster on the rear suspension made a big difference. When it was on Devil's setting, I had to lean over to one side to touch ground ...with the suspension down low, it was fairly mid-tippy toe material, which was fine unless you're on a hill....or practicing very slow rev takeoffs while going down a steep gutter :doh:

The Virago or Buell Blast on the other hand....woohoo...flat foot materials :p awesome :love:

[Oakie]

Mrs Oakie sat on the three ZR250s today. Two were comfortable tippy-toe for her and one she couldn't quite do it. Also sat on a couple of other bikes, looked at a Zeal without sitting on it then saw, sat on and fell in love with a CB250 'Jade'. I'm not sure what letters come after it but it's an inline 4 that looks disturbingly like my bike.

[Joni]

Congrats! They are nice bikes :yes:

[ZXR250]

Hi, I´m from Germany and want to look if I can register a Balius in Germany. The technical inspection ask for a foto of a frame plate, to have a look if it is possible to drive the bike in Germany.

Is anyone able to sent me a foto of the frameplate of a Balius I ?

Thanks and best regards.

Peter