FZR250 New bike and a few questions

[Akzle]

Can't argue with that

not feeling very sporting today, huh?
need a hug?

[McFatty1000]

1) use premium. all the time. i've been known to fill up 2/3rds with normal and the top of the tank with gull octane (if i wants to thrash it a bit n blow out the cobwebs, pure gull makes it idle 2k over and doesn't have the range)

2) in order to use less fuel: park the bike, go watch TV.

3) big bikes often have comparable "economy" with 250/4s, there is an optimum rev range for your engine, i'm guessing it rings out at 20 or so, so your optimum fuel usage range if probably around 12k (guess) less or more will affect your economy.

IF the carbs got balanced properly it will be running as schweet as you're going to get it. a) buy bigger bike b) sell your kidneys for fuel money

Yeah, I'm not overly worried, just thought if there was a trick to get it to be more economical then I'd try that. And would have a 600 expect for the not having a full license issue/ no r6 etc on the lams list. Prob so people like me get better skills on 250s like I have now.

Question though, how would reving lower affect economy? Given that the argument would be that reving higher (the optimum range) would be better on fuel?

[ducatilover]

not feeling very sporting today, huh?
need a hug?

Still recovering from working on an RX3 and having to be in Auckland

[Akzle]

...and having to be in Auckland

... need a stiff drink, then

[Dave-]

Don't use your brakes so much.

Everyone knows that braking is the highest contributor to a low economy.

[Akzle]

Don't use your brakes so much.

Everyone knows that braking is the highest contributor to a low economy.

someone tell Shon Key.

[R650R]

Awwww the memories of the Blind mans dream. Had one of these for my firts bike, indestructible. Mine was 88 Exup and did Fish & Chip delivery on it.
With regard to the Exup valve listen out for a rattle in the exhaust collector box. Over time the graphite washers wear and the exup valve jams, this cause the main fuse to blow from the excess current draw so carry some spare fuses with you for when it happens. Thrashed the living daylights out of mine and even used car oil in it *cringe* and it survived about 25000+km of abuse before my brothers mate bought it.

The original exhaust had a ring bulge in it due to the cheap stainless outer they used and eventually snapped in half of its own accord at a track day at manfield once. Had an engineer make up a new middle section and riveted the orginal endcaps back on. The big single disc front brake setup was awesome for a bike of that size too.

As the others said above, ride it like you stole it Might try scan some old pics later.

[FJRider]

Question though, how would reving lower affect economy? Given that the argument would be that reving higher (the optimum range) would be better on fuel?

Four cylinder 250's were not built for economy.

[McFatty1000]

Four cylinder 250's were not built for economy.

Yeah I know. And don't worry, its not why I bought it.

Anyhoo, rode over to Westport via Lewis yesterday and back today which was really good, paying for it slightly now but worth it.
Any other weekend trips from Chch (~300-500kms) people recommend? Note that my cornering while getting better isn't amazing so not looking for the road with the most hairpins, mental drain from those is noticeable.

And, should cooler weather make a difference in fuel use? Like, 1.5 litres per 100 difference or is there something else going on? Open road, same weekend yadda yadda

[FJRider]

Any other weekend trips from Chch (~300-500kms) people recommend? Note that my cornering while getting better isn't amazing so not looking for the road with the most hairpins, mental drain from those is noticeable.

Kaikoura, inland route to Waiau, Culverden, (side trip to Hanmer Springs ???) home.

And, should cooler weather make a difference in fuel use? Like, 1.5 litres per 100 difference or is there something else going on? Open road, same weekend yadda yadda

Time spent in top gear makes a difference. (the more time, less fuel used) Same roads but different gradients in the opposite direction. long uphills on the way over makes a long downhill on the way back.
Wind (head or tail) can make a big difference. (the usual nor-wester gives a tail wind from Lewis)
Traffic conditions ... more/less vehicles to pass (quick fast overtakes use fuel).

Your riding style and mood. (calm relaxed at the start/tired impatient at the end)

Warm fuel expands ... (don't leave your bike parked full of petrol on a hot day) thus may "give" you more fuel. (the extra measured in mils not litres)

[McFatty1000]

Sweet, all good things to think about next time then.

Thanks for that, realised just how much ones riding improves when you actually ride somewhere rather than commute

[FJRider]

Sweet, all good things to think about next time then.

Thanks for that, realised just how much ones riding improves when you actually ride somewhere rather than commute

The advice I give to those new to motorcycling is ...

The two things to think about while riding.
First ... where you plan to get your next gas/food from. (you need to refuel too)
Second ... The 100 metres of road in front of you, and everything you see in it. (and things that might be there but cant see)

Leave your watch in your pocket .. and enjoy the ride.

[McFatty1000]

New update! Because I know everyone has been itching for one.

Sourced a factory exhaust for the bike, painted it and put it on and took it to work, had no idea how much difference it would make. Better idle (more stable), more torque (I know this seems far fetched for a 250/4) and the engine seems way smoother in both starting and general running, not so rattly.

One down side is I've lost a little bit of the top end but I doubt I really need that unless I'm going to the track.

Now to see if this has an effect on the fuel use.

[FJRider]

Sourced a factory exhaust for the bike, painted it and put it on and took it to work, had no idea how much difference it would make. Better idle (more stable), more torque (I know this seems far fetched for a 250/4) and the engine seems way smoother in both starting and general running, not so rattly.

One down side is I've lost a little bit of the top end but I doubt I really need that unless I'm going to the track.

Now to see if this has an effect on the fuel use.

It may be ... an aftermarket/ non standard exhaust that was fitted ... and no change to jet sizes was done. Standard air filter on it by any chance .. ???

And I'm guessing better on fuel on trips. Around town you may not see improvement.

[ducatilover]

I've only seen one occasion where a 250/4 has made more hp with an aftermarket 'zorst over a re-packed factory one on the dyno. (A very nicely set up MC22, pulled 43 at the rubber bit)
No surprises there mate. I bet it hasn't lost any top end ($5 if you do a dyno run)
Generally the top end with a wank muffler becomes smoother feeling, you can't feel it run out of puff. Whereas with the factory set up, it makes more power up to, say, the last 1000rpm, so you can feel the power drop off.

I found this with my VT250, which spent far too much time on a dyno. It took a proper set of tuned length headers to pull more hp, even though it felt faster than stock with a wank muffler