Kawasaki KR 1-s

[wbks]

Anyone ever heard of one? Spotted one for sale and its the first I've ever heard of a two fifty 2stroke from kawasaki. Just wondering if anyone knows how they compare to the RGV, RS, TZR and NSR? Cheers

[Skunk]

If you haven't heard of the KR-1s then there is also a range of KH's from 100cc - 750cc in the seventies, and in the eighties the KR250A tandem twin and of course the KR-1SP.

Depending on what you want the KR-1s is either good or a dog compared to the NSR and RGV. Depends on what year models you're comparing too of course.

[wbks]

Well a 1990 KR to the 1990 NSR or RGV for example. Guy on utube said the KR is less responsive and a little less good handling but could be different years and im talking about reliability here. dont want a turd that will cost me more than the rgv. part availability is also a wonder?

[James Deuce]

Ridden as designed, they're not reliable. 5-10,000km between top end rebuilds is a good one. They had a slightly higher top speed than their 250cc race rep compatriots, and are slightly more comfortable due to being physically bigger (but not heavier).

The guy on "utube" (sic) obviously has only ridden horrible ones. KR-1/KR-1s is a lot easier to ride on the road as a road bike, than a late model RGV250. If you want unresponsive try and open the throttle on a '92 RGV250 with 6000 rpm on the clock. If it doesn't cold sieze, you'll be overtaken by every Datsun 120Y in existence before you hit the power band.

[imdying]

The guy on "utube" (sic) obviously has only ridden horrible ones. KR-1/KR-1s is a lot easier to ride on the road as a road bike, than a late model RGV250. If you want unresponsive try and open the throttle on a '92 RGV250 with 6000 rpm on the clock. If it doesn't cold sieze, you'll be overtaken by every Datsun 120Y in existence before you hit the power band.Looks like he's not the only one that has apparently only ridden horrible ones.

[xwhatsit]

Where's Crasherfromwayback lol.

[imdying]

Good point... he's got a soft spot for the KR1S :yes:

[Skunk]

Good point... he's got a soft spot for the KR1S :yes:
As have I. Lotto, lotto, I'm calling yoooouuu....

[James Deuce]

Looks like he's not the only one that has apparently only ridden horrible ones.
I've ridden nice KR-1s and nice RGVs. I found the KR to be nicer to ride. That is all.

[wbks]

Cool. Sound like nice bikes. Were you saying they aren't reliable compared to the RGV/TZR/NSR competitors, James Deuce? or just because its a two stroke?

[AlBundy]

Way back when, I had a 3MA TZR and a mate had a KR1S. As far as I'm concerned, they were much of a muchness. They went and handled well.

The only thing I remember, they were maybe a bit more edgey by reputation.
That said, the 3MA was supposed to be tank-slap city but it never did for me...

If it's in good nick and doesn't look like it's been abused/trashed/neglected, it'd probably be a nice addition to the shed.

[wbks]

This thread is now pointless for me and I'm starting to get really really pissed off. If I am to buy a bike before my kx sells i will need to take a loan. To avoid racking up useless interest on that while the money is sitting dorment i need to spot a bike and get the money overnight. Two bikes now I have spotted that are ridiculously cheaper then the others of the same breed. EVERY TIME I am about to go and have a look at the bike and arrange a loan the bike is bought right as I go on trademe to look for his contact number to arrange a viewing. 30 Mins ago. I read your posts and figure the KR1 is good to go so I go on trademe to get his number so I can go and check the bike over before I buy it. Sure enough: "Withdrawn by seller" Txted him and asked if he sold it. I think the answer is obvious. Didn't even take a day. Jesus christ I've been looking for a good cheap two stroke for months now and every time i miss by a matter of hours. FUCK!
And to top that off, I just gave someone my kx to ride at the track to see if they want to buy it because they are checking around 125's. Sure enough, brings it back with nothing to say, not interested at all and was already talking about buying a Husqvarna before they even rode the kx. Yay for test pilots

[AlBundy]

Yeah, that sucks...

Be patient though, something will come around.

[wbks]

Thats what I keep being told and everytime that something does come around someone snaps it up. I'm actually begining to think that people hear about these good deals i post on here in advice topics and then go to buy it for themselves. In which case I would be extremely agro. Maybe I should just completely drop a nuke in my bank account and spend the 8K expected for most bikes. Ofcourse this takes away any chance of buying a streetstock bike or getting back into mx if my knee heals... *cry P.S I would apreciate if anyone here bought the KR1 s could say so, that way i could know not to ever post bikes on here again, asshole

[xwhatsit]

Thats what I keep being told and everytime that something does come around someone snaps it up. I'm actually begining to think that people hear about these good deals i post on here in advice topics and then go to buy it for themselves. In which case I would be extremely agro. Maybe I should just completely drop a nuke in my bank account and spend the 8K expected for most bikes. Ofcourse this takes away any chance of buying a streetstock bike or getting back into mx if my knee heals... *cry P.S I would apreciate if anyone here bought the KR1 s could say so, that way i could know not to ever post bikes on here again, asshole
Rofl, I think you're getting a wee bit paranoid there :niceone:

Commiserations, though. Not surprising though, summer's coming and having a 250 stinkdinger to piss about on sounds marvellous.

[eelracing]

Aah well you could always settle for second best and buy a four stroke.
Two strokes are in the blood,once hooked theres no going back.
The right one will come along and you will know.

[Ixion]

There's a Kawa tandem on tardme now, and a couple of RZ250s. To my mind the RZ is the pick of the bunch for a practical , fun bike at reasonable price. .

[gammaguy]

mate last time i was in cyclespot barry pt rd there was a mint late model Aprilia RS 250.Forget the KR1 SP(nice bike in the day but rarer than a virgin in a brothel now and twice as dodgy)at least with the "priller"there will be back up if all turns to sheeite.:rockon:

[AlBundy]

Well, I did see another guy looking for one in online trading... Seems you are not alone...

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=85347

[wbks]

Yea I was just looking at the Aprilia's. Pretty new. Pretty pricey though as well and maybe I'm just weird but the '94 NSR SE on trademe looks sexyer than any of the aprilias. The Aprilias just look too round. But I'm assuming the aprilias being later models are a lot better performance/part availability...

[imdying]

You should do some research before you go any further.

[wbks]

What kind of research?

[henry]

I had one of these. Loved it.
I'll never forget the day I smoked my buddy on his newly imported TZR250. Fun times.
I've been on the look out for a nice one. If I find one I'll buy it.

[Coyote]

If you want a 250 2 stroke race rep that doesn't cost you heaps, look for a genie to grant you 3 wishes. It's the only way.

[imdying]

What kind of research?It appears that you know little to nothing about the current offerings on the market... spend a few days having a snoop around the net, see what the differences are between them.

Try rgv250.co.uk, nsrworld, and the like. There's heaps of data out there, you'll be able to find out all you want to know pretty quickly.

For a start, go find out what it takes to derestrict an MC28 :yes:

Armed with knowledge, you'll get something that suits your needs... without it, it's easy to buy a lemon. Two strokes are a pain because most Kiwis are cheap arse idiots with little comprehension of how to correctly maintain a high performance motorcycle. Add to that they're a 250 and thus likely to be owned by young guys with insufficient money and/or skills to look after them, and you've a recipe for disaster.

[wbks]

I was just on NSRworld and it was interesting that the Card Key system i was wondering about was just an ingenious way to restrict the bike in a hard way to deristrict. Learnt a lot for sure. So I get the differences and changes in the NSR years now. To be honest they are the only ones I'm really keen on. When (yes when, not if damnit) I get a two stroke I will make sure to do regular rebuilds and keep her in good shape and try not to be an antipodean idiot! :)


If you want a 250 2 stroke race rep that doesn't cost you heaps, look for a genie to grant you 3 wishes. It's the only way. You're a smart arse cunt aren't you?:yes:

[AlBundy]

Another point to consider...

The Aprilia runs an RGV motor... So motor spares should be available...

[imdying]

Cool, now go find out about deresticting rgvs, and see how they compare dollar/complexity wise.

[xwhatsit]

There's a Kawa tandem on tardme now, and a couple of RZ250s. To my mind the RZ is the pick of the bunch for a practical , fun bike at reasonable price. .
Yeah! If you're a flash git, you might think the RZ250 doesn't look cool enough (especially nekkid, I know what you fairingfags are like) -- although people with proper taste know they're gorgeous, but they're cheap and long lasting and winding back that throttle and slipping the clutch is seriously addictive. Beats the shit out of riding a CBR250RR. They seem to be pretty cheap and reliable, I know GiJoe1313's one (Daisy, to be particular) wails and howls along with merely the slightest impression of maintenance. I think pistons etc. were pretty cheap too. I like that bike a lot, even if riding it for the first time was when it was pissing down with rain and the tyres were absolute rubbish. A lot of fun.