New FZR250

[numbersixteen16]

Hey, just picked up a 1989 3ln FZR250 in the weekend. Cant stop thinking about riding.. Its very tidy, and in great mechanical order.

Just a few questions though:

The bike is completely standard, but i eventually want to put an aftermarket exhaust (preferably a shorty) on, do you need to re-jet the bike afterwards? I was hoping to find a system that you didn't have to, so I could chop and change between standard and aftermarket exhausts as I pleased.

Does the facelift fzr light/windscreen bolt straight onto the preface-lift models?

Anyone know of a really good place for work to be done? Like someone who knows fzrs really well? (Auckland)

Which gas station has the best 91 available? Ive always just used BP

Any mods people have discovered over the years that can really improve the bike? (ie. Upgrading to braided brake hoses)

The idea is that I want a bike I can customize into something slightly more racey, but then place all the standard stuff back onto it.

[White trash]

I've got a shitload of parts for one of them if you need anything.

[F5 Dave]

If there's anything that sounds particularly dreadful its a noisy small capacity 4cyl. I'm not knocking your bike, just saying it won't sound fruity but with a million revs sounds like you are doing a million at city speeds & will attract police attn. I'd keep your money & std system.

Best thing to do is learn how to pull the brake callipers off & pump out the pistons for cleaning as they seize & cause lame braking.

You original cable/s to Alert eng up in Aucks buys braided cable with DOT mark. Yam original cables don't last & get very squishy. You can get rubber cables made up various places too.

I'd spend money on decent tyres & maybe stiffer fork springs (yams of that era were always soft & cause a heap of dive during braking esp).

[SMOKEU]

If you put a noisy pipe on then you should rejet the carbs. You should also run it on 95 octane petrol instead of 91. Try to spend as little money on it as possible (with the exception of maintenance) as you'll probably want to upgrade to a bigger bike soon enough and the 250cc road bike market is about to fall apart so keep that in mind before you lose too much money.

[tigertim20]

Im with F5dave.
really not worth the time and expense for the minimal (if any) horsepower gains. enjoy the bike, and save the 'upgrade' money as funds towards an upgrade to a 600 later on

[nzspokes]

Come out to Sass and show it off.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...highlight=sass

[numbersixteen16]

Was also wondering on how these bikes like to be ridden, any tips for better fuel efficiency, faster cornering, how to accelerate from standstill quickly etc.

Any tips at all are appreciated.

[FJRider]

If you put a noisy pipe on then you should rejet the carbs. You should also run it on 95 octane petrol instead of 91. Try to spend as little money on it as possible (with the exception of maintenance) as you'll probably want to upgrade to a bigger bike soon enough and the 250cc road bike market is about to fall apart so keep that in mind before you lose too much money.

Stop making sense ... otherwise people will start forming a good opinion of you ... can't have that ...

[FJRider]

Was also wondering on how these bikes like to be ridden, any tips for better fuel efficiency, faster cornering, how to accelerate from standstill quickly etc.

Any tips at all are appreciated.

If as I understand ... they are 4 cylinder 4 strokes ... and will red-line at 18,000 odd RPM ...

To get horsepower ... you need rev's. At or below 6,ooo RPM will give you a dog to ride.

The downside to rev's is the more fuel you use in lower gears. Simply put ... if no gain is made/wanted (ie:higher speed) ... use the higher gears. Fuel consumption will be reduced.

Over time you will find how much can be saved. And if it is actually worth the effort.

Those other things ... do a rider training course ... FIRST ...

[numbersixteen16]

If you put a noisy pipe on then you should rejet the carbs. You should also run it on 95 octane petrol instead of 91. Try to spend as little money on it as possible (with the exception of maintenance) as you'll probably want to upgrade to a bigger bike soon enough and the 250cc road bike market is about to fall apart so keep that in mind before you lose too much money.

I thought anything above 91 wouldnt run well in the bike? Apparently it will change the moment the fuel ignites, and with a high revving bike would ruin the timing?

[sil3nt]

I thought anything above 91 wouldnt run well in the bike? Apparently it will change the moment the fuel ignites, and with a high revving bike would ruin the timing?

Get a manual and use what it says. My bet is 91 would work best.

[mossy1200]

if its exup model then can wont change alot so tuning should be ok.If its pre exup open muffler will make it lean so drop hp unless rejet to suit or you just move power around sacrificing 2 hp in the middle to get one at the top etc.Idd run 95-98 as fzr will pink on 91 at least the big ones did anyway.

Little bike with good low mid and top end played with equals little bike with poor low mid and (slightly)better top but it feels grunty at top because the difference from poor mid to (slightly)better top is bigger than the difference from good mid to good top end.

Loud little fzr just bad sound that gets everyone upset and gives you headaches on the open road.Better to spend cash on light weight chain and sprocket set,good tyres and goood quality oil changes.

[numbersixteen16]

if its exup model then can wont change alot so tuning should be ok.If its pre exup open muffler will make it lean so drop hp unless rejet to suit or you just move power around sacrificing 2 hp in the middle to get one at the top etc.Idd run 95-98 as fzr will pink on 91 at least the big ones did anyway.

Little bike with good low mid and top end played with equals little bike with poor low mid and (slightly)better top but it feels grunty at top because the difference from poor mid to (slightly)better top is bigger than the difference from good mid to good top end.

Loud little fzr just bad sound that gets everyone upset and gives you headaches on the open road.Better to spend cash on light weight chain and sprocket set,good tyres and goood quality oil changes.

Its an exup model, so what sort of muffler could it run without a tune? Could I have a free flowing exhaust almost without any backpressure? Or do I need one that replicates standard?

ps. I only plan on making the bike louder for things like track days/ sport rides. For normal commuting I want to be able to place standard item back on.

[tigertim20]

I thought anything above 91 wouldnt run well in the bike? Apparently it will change the moment the fuel ignites, and with a high revving bike would ruin the timing?

the manual (if you can find one that isnt written in pidgin chinglish) will probably say to run 91 in it. however many people have pointed out that the quality of our fuel is much lower than most of the rest of the world. I ran 98, 95 and 91 in my FZr 250 when i had it, never noticed any difference whatsoever in the whole time I had it. try out either, and see if you think it feels any different

Was also wondering on how these bikes like to be ridden, any tips for better fuel efficiency, faster cornering, how to accelerate from standstill quickly etc.

Any tips at all are appreciated.

for fuel efficiency, regular oil, filter and plug changes. Unless you have service receipts saying its been done recently, Id suggest an oil and filter change, along with a new (or cleaned) air filter, and a new set of plugs. these are fairly economical anyway if you ride them sedately - but you wont want to do that.

As for cornering faster -TIME. do as many KMs as possible, and dont try to push yourself to far to fast. You will learn in time. having suspension that is in good condition, tyres that are well matched, in good condition (not pancaked, have good tread) have a nice shape, are sticky, and inflated to the correct pressures. You could get all wanky and check the steering head bearings too.

accelerating quickly? - turn the throttle man!

as for how they like to be ridden, they are a small engine, with a low rotating mass. they like (and need) to be revved to make power. how to ride it? - ride it like youd ride that girl in your class everyone wants to fuck, fast, hard and rough, with little or no thought to her feelings or the consequences and focus entirely on having a great time you can brag about to your mates afterwards.

[mossy1200]

Its an exup model, so what sort of muffler could it run without a tune? Could I have a free flowing exhaust almost without any backpressure? Or do I need one that replicates standard?

ps. I only plan on making the bike louder for things like track days/ sport rides. For normal commuting I want to be able to place standard item back on.

Most after markets will be ok as long as pipe size is same as your original intake.Dont forget noise restrictions on track at 95 dec so dont delib go make it as loud as possible.
If its track work your after make it handle well (suspension) and grip well (tyres).