Thoughts on the 1989 Yamaha TZR250 3ma?

**Vinz0r** · 20th October 2011, 14:10

Hey guys, was just taking a look at this: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-416533740.htm and I am curious as to how these stack up against other Jappa 2 strokes (NSR, RGV) in terms of reliability and performance.

Any advice appreciated, cheers.

**jim.cox** · 20th October 2011, 14:54

My oily mate Karl always held that the 'reverse cylinder' (aka 3MA) TZR was the one to have.

The performance is definately on a par with Suzuki's RG and the Kwaka KR-1, although the KR-1S is probably marginally faster

As for reliable - again much of a muchness - probably depends on how you ride them - being too gentle will not do them any favours. You would want to be good at doing your own spannering, or the maintenace costs will bite. They have been out of production for a while now, so I expect that parts could be a problem

That one looks pretty tidy from the pics, no obvious scrapes on the frame or fairings

In summary : A lot of fun for not a lot of money

**Vinz0r** · 20th October 2011, 15:00

So about the same as most other strokers from that era eh? Good to know. I haven't seen a lot of these around, and was worried if that was due to them not being quite so durable as the others.
I've read up that the pistons on these are interchangeable with quite a few other models, which would be a big plus parts wise.

Thanks for the reply.

**george formby** · 20th October 2011, 15:27

Oh, noice. Would that wee beastie be learner legal?

**Rcktfsh** · 20th October 2011, 15:32

Best looking 250 and a good handler but unfortunately the least reliable 250 yamaha made. Alot of top end problems to the extent that barrells are no longer available from Yamaha and like rocking horse to find. I'm breaking one done at the moment, have most parts except top end.

**Sable** · 20th October 2011, 16:03

Nice looking. Good handling. Interesting motor layout. No parts to be found anywhere.
AVOID.

**tigertim20** · 20th October 2011, 16:25

Originally Posted by Vinz0r

Hey guys, was just taking a look at this: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-416533740.htm and I am curious as to how these stack up against other Jappa 2 strokes (NSR, RGV) in terms of reliability and performance.

Any advice appreciated, cheers.

at that age, a better indicator of how reliable its going to be is a documented service history, ask what receipts are available. If they say 'xxx shop does most of the work on it' the GO INTO that shop, and ask them if they know the bike, and what they can tell you about it - Ive caught some lying cunts out with that before. I was keen on an 05 R1, owner reckoned it was fully serviced regularly at a local shop. I went in and asked them, turns out he had come in ONCE, about 2 years ago, to get an oil and filter . . .

Originally Posted by george formby

Oh, noice. Would that wee beastie be learner legal?

Now? = Yes.
Next year? = No.

Lams does not allow ANY 2 stroke 250cc rocket. no tzrs, nsrs, rgvs, rs's etc etc.

**5150** · 20th October 2011, 17:40

These things (from my experience) have been like hand granades. If you pull the pin, then you better be prepared to run. Throw the granade away first ofcourse..

Mate had one of these and we renamed it lemon. It done most of it's kms on the trailer too.

Out of all the late 80s or early 90s strokers Any RGV Banana arm would be better choice. Maybe even later model NSR

Just my 2 cents

**disorderly** · 21st October 2011, 02:34

I owned one years ago , when ran it ran great,however they don't seem to run great for too long before something goes wrong and as what others have said before top end barrels and pistons shit themselfs and are impossible to find

**5150** · 21st October 2011, 08:32

Yamaha TZR 250 = Chitty Chitty, Shit .... BANG!!!!!

**RDjase** · 21st October 2011, 08:43

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=415862406

The 1KT is more reliable and has 17's front and rear.

3MA is the best looking, shame they arn't as good in the engine. and have a 18 rear

3XV V twin model are rare and even harder to find info and parts for

http://tzr250.com/

http://www.classicyams.com/technolog...g-2ma-1kt.html

**SPman** · 21st October 2011, 13:39

2MA is more reliable. 3MA is the sexiest - only reliable (ish) if you are prepared to spend much time, money, effort and skill into rebuilding it....then throw a dice each time you want to go for a ride........

**Steve Gauge** · 21st October 2011, 16:25

use to have one (blackk and grey too) good bikes but dog of the mark but once you got going it was good and handled well looks good , but engine wise abit backwards and real hard to get parts for I would avoid it to get and nsr mc21 or an rgv 90 upwards