Upgrade GSXR250 to GSXR750

**The Little Gixxer** · 15th July 2015, 22:17

Ok so about 2 years ago I purchased a 1989 GSXR250 as my first bike in while.. This came with all sorts of learning curves and realizations about my ability (or lack of) to ride. I originally thought great she has some power under the tank but found I was soon outclassed by my friends on their 600's (go figure I thought a 250 would be able to keep up). I was disappointed and thus started a quest to get more power out of my bike. This would in effect cost vast amounts of money and time, huge effort and headaches and ultimately make a bike that is rideable once, maybe twice and then spit a piston or worse. So I gave that up thinking it could never be done. But you know what I can keep up with them now (at least in a legal sense once they get past the 100 it's over) and that is due in the main to learning how to ride. By listening to a few of you here and putting some advice into practice I have gotten better where as my friends on the 600s seem to think that it is only their bikes that have the problem. but i digress...

So now with a a couple of years under my belt I would like to look at an upgrade of bike so I can get some track time. The old bike just isnt up to the task due mainly to a few sealing issues that have surfaced over the last few months. Also I am sick of starting her in the morning when I go to work as a carbfed bike at 2am is a tough graft in the winter.

I am looking at a 1999 GSXR750 at the moment. It seems good and ticks the right boxes with a service history and minimum mods (had to laugh when looking for them at one ad with the "perfect hooligan bike" comment I skipped that one quick).

Simply I have two questions:

1: Known issues or recomendations regarding the 1999 GSXR750. Things I should know about the bike ie. is it ride away or should i get the suspension set up for me or that sort of stuff that makes my riding more pleasurable.

2: Track time in the Bay of Plenty or surrounds. Can travel as far as Auckland/Waikato but not keen on too far from there.

I suppose I should really ask is this too much of a leap from my current bike and should I go for something in the middle for a year or two.

Glad I listened as although I missed out on some good deals I'm still alive and although it was hard to hear I really don't think my skills at the time would have been up to arguing with a Thou...

**98tls** · 15th July 2015, 22:31

Great post fella and great choice of next bike period.With any bike suspenders are best set up properly,if you cant do it find someone reputable ie not your cousins sisters ex partners uncle blah blah theres plenty out there that know it all but chances are most of em know fuck all.Cant see much point in you going to a 600 myself,theres plenty on here with ownership of the 750 that hopefully will point out traits but be aware anything of that vintage (dont mean it in a bad way at all) will if still running oem gear... shocks etc be in need of attention,being the long term owner of a Suzuki of that era will add that they were not big on lubrication with things like swingarm bearings etc.If your not big on mechanical things view the bike with someone that is.Rant over

As i said great choice of bike,find a good un for the right price and have fun.Post up when you get it.

**mossy1200** · 15th July 2015, 22:33

Assume your buying to a budget if looking at 99 model.
Need more details. Theres a lot of good bikes on the market and a lot are 1000cc.
If your already racing your mates that's not a great idea though.

**98tls** · 15th July 2015, 22:43

Originally Posted by mossy1200

If your already racing your mates that's not a great idea though.

Tui ad? Give him a break M,methinks after riding your first road bike for 2 years you at times had a dabble yourself.

**mossy1200** · 15th July 2015, 22:52

Originally Posted by 98tls

Tui ad? Give him a break M,methinks after riding your first road bike for 2 years you at times had a dabble yourself.

Exactly that's why my advice isn't bad. I only had 2 speeds. Park and Fast.

Just pointing out best deals likely in the 1k market and a bit newer than 99 but would need to apply restraint around the mates.

**98tls** · 15th July 2015, 22:58

Originally Posted by mossy1200

Exactly that's why my advice isn't bad. I only had 2 speeds. Park and Fast.

Just pointing out best deals likely in the 1k market and a bit newer than 99 but would need to apply restraint around the mates.

Absolutely mate,bit biased towards the 750 myself and for real world use i see little point in the 1000 but hey thats just my 2c.

**mossy1200** · 15th July 2015, 23:13

Originally Posted by 98tls

Absolutely mate,bit biased towards the 750 myself and for real world use i see little point in the 1000 myself but hey thats just my 2c.

Other than what you can buy for your money. More 1ks on the market can make for some great deals.
Everything is dependant on budgets though.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-899015432.htm

If he gets this his mates will be scared to race.

**98tls** · 16th July 2015, 13:48

If he gets that he wont have any mates

Those things were born ugly enough but oh no not ugly enough for some.

**mossy1200** · 16th July 2015, 16:38

Originally Posted by 98tls

If he gets that he wont have any mates

Those things were born ugly enough but oh no not ugly enough for some.

The ugly ones tend to ride the best. Just don't show them to your mates.

**Laava** · 16th July 2015, 22:01

Sounds like a good step up to me. You will be able to hurt or kill yourself a bit quicker but you have survived so far! Plus it will be very much more fun

**neels** · 16th July 2015, 23:36

There is a huge difference between the 250 and the 750.

I loved leaving my v-twin in the garage and taking my son's GSXR250 for a thrash when he had it, because I knew I could absolutely wring its neck and it wasn't going to hurt me. The same can't be said for a GSXR750

If you respect what you are riding, and can control the habit you will have learned of cranking as hard as you can on the throttle to make it go, you should be fine. And remember you only need to forget once.....

**mossy1200** · 18th July 2015, 11:53

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-919397321.htm

Shame that's not a 750.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-919158608.htm

Great budget muscle. If this was listed a week earluier I would have bought it.

**R650R** · 30th July 2015, 08:52

Have you bought the bike yet or not, I should get around to selling mine....

That's definitely a big jump from the 250, you might learn a bit too quick about cold tyre highsides....

Right issues with these bikes.... From new there were several warranty recalls that should have been done. The fuel pump seal on bottom of petrol tank. The second is a plastic pipe inside the fuel tank connecting the fuel pump to the plumbing, randomly breaks on some of these and TL1000's, no recall but Suzuki fixes for free when it breaks.

My own bike has done about 110,000km from new. At around 27,000 the grey code sensor for the speedo reading unthreaded and smashed sprocket side cover. At 17,000 the first steering damper failed due to stone chips from being in vulnerable position. Replacement with DIY protectiuon eventually failed with age, check lock side to side and see if any unsmoothness, if so unbolt and throw away.
Cam chain tensioners on these can be a bit finicky and sticky so keep an eye out for any death rattles above the usual Suzuki rattles if you can discern the difference.
Main swing arm bearings are vulnerable to excess cleaning and big stoppies at traffic lights...

But overall these are typical Suzuki reliable, I know mine inside out and what it will still do through corners compared to new stuff is pretty good and very stable on road as long as you stay on gas.
They are also theft proof as no one really likes them that much except people who bought them. I've parked mine in all sorts of oddball places and no ones taken it or touched it lol...

**imdying** · 30th July 2015, 09:18

Originally Posted by 98tls

Tui ad? Give him a break M,methinks after riding your first road bike for 2 years you at times had a dabble yourself.

I dunno, I can see his angle... these sorts of arselicky posts don't fill me with confidence either.

**Metastable** · 8th August 2015, 13:24

Good to hear you figured out it is the rider not the bike. i.e. you might twist your throttle more that's all. On a twisty road CC doesn't matter much.

So you like the O'l SRAD... nice bike. There are lots of great bikes from that era. Personally, I'd look for the best cared for bike I could find. The Kawi ZX-7R might be a touch slower, but arguably a better street bike. It is super stable. The Honda CBR600 F3, F4, F4i are all great bikes. i = fuel injected. The F3 had a steel frame so it crashed better than the F4 or the F4i. I had an F4 and loved it. It just "fit". Had a 2002 ZX-6R and loved that too. Nice storage under the seat (the SRAD has awesome storage). The Kawi sounded awesome.... bullet proof machine.... actually I had no issues with the Honda either. IMO - my favorite GSXRs are the 2004-2005 600 and 750.... great bikes. The 2003 R6 took away the nervous feeling of the Gen1 R6, but kept awesome handling.... plus it is also reliable, just make sure 2nd isn't slipping. It is a very nice track bike (as are the 2004/2005 Gixxers).

You can't go too wrong with any of them. Just buy a clean well cared for machine and you should be happy. With older bikes you might want to get the suspension refreshed.

2003 R6

ZX-7R

CBR 600 F3
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/3803/project1f.jpg

2004 Gixxer 750 (600 = same bike smaller engine)

2001 - 2002 ZX6R