High revving engines

**Brentis1** · 10th August 2011, 09:57

Hi Folks,
Can someone out there enlighten me with their mechanical wisdom? I am getting back into motor cycling so have gone and purchased a 2004 Suzuki GSX250 inline twin. Rides well and is great little machine to get the "feel" of things again but........ I am not used to these high revving engines. To ride at 100kph, in top gear, the engine is pulling about 9000RPM. She redlines at 13000RPM. My query is can these engines run for extended periods at this rev range. My old bike brain can't comprehend this. Would be grateful of any help. P.S. I have no issues spending good money on good oil and regular servicing.

**Deano** · 10th August 2011, 09:59

I went from a big twin to a big in line four. Revs at 100kph were much higher on the in line which took a while to get used to, but you do get used to it. Just redline it a few times then 9k won't sound as bad.

**Lurch** · 10th August 2011, 10:02

Not only can they do it they are happiest when they are doing it.

**bogan** · 10th August 2011, 10:03

I thought the GSX was an IL4? Tiny little pistons and rods make for high revs, it's all good.

**Brentis1** · 10th August 2011, 10:14

Thanks Guys! Sounds like the answer is use more throttle - I'm liken the sound of that.

This model is definetly an inline twin. Suzuki released them in 2003 and 2004. Quite a heavy fully faired 250. I think about 169kg with only 30hp. The modern GSX are definetly inline 4s, weigh less, and have more power.

**White trash** · 10th August 2011, 10:15

13K aint high. ZXR250s regularly see 19K on the tach.

**Banditbandit** · 10th August 2011, 10:19

I bought my 650 Bandit about the time my BMW (airhead GS 1000) was off the road for a few months for major repairs ...

When I got the BMW back on the road the engine speed freaked me out - I was so used to the in-line four by then ... When I first rode the BMW again I thought it was running on only one cylinder .. a quick touch of the header pipes changed my mind ...

**Katman** · 10th August 2011, 10:20

9k does sound a little high for 100kph though.

Maybe someone has changed the gearing at some stage in it's life.

**bogan** · 10th August 2011, 10:27

Originally Posted by Katman

9k does sound a little high for 100kph though.

Maybe someone has changed the gearing at some stage in it's life.

gearingcommander? nope, doesn't seem to be listed, was it sold as something else in other countries?

**Furyos J** · 10th August 2011, 10:50

i looked after my sisters 2004 GSX 250 for her till it sold. It was stock gearing and it sat at 9k @ 100kph, you can only do around 135kph tops on one of those doing 11.5k (altho im 6ft2 and 100kgs).It had a faint chatter to the cam chain, but apparently that is normal. I rode it on the motorway everyday, 2up a lot of the time with the missus. The GSX is a aircooled/oil boiler parralel twin. Never gave me any probs and never skipped a beat, but i only rode it for six months. The water cooled GSXR 250s are alot quicker and high revving. That GSX250 felt like the same weight as my CBR600

**ducatilover** · 10th August 2011, 11:38

They're as happy as that chap Larry when revving high. The ZXR250SP could see 20,000rpm before the rev limiter (Good luck finding one though) and basically had to be over 10-12krpm to get anywhere

But, they're designed for it and the GSX250 twin is a strong little unit. 9000rpm may be a touch too high, I haven't been on one for 6 or so years so I can't remember how high it'll rev. I did see 150k after an extended wide throttle period and I think that was more or less redline in top.

Great little bikes, enjoy it

**slofox** · 10th August 2011, 11:53

It took me a wee while to adjust from an SV650S to a GSX-R600 in terms of engine speed - I think it was about fifteen minutes if I recall correctly. Once I heard that hysterical banshee scream at 16,000rpm a couple of times I was completely seduced (or in shock - not sure which it was now...). Especially by the kickinthearse that happens about 12,500 or so.

Nowadays, it doesn't sound right at anything under 8000rpm. Worst problem is staying vaguely legal with the engine in the "working range"...me being a law-abiding citizen and all that...