nsr, fzr, tzr, gsxr, cbr, rgv, zxr

[Danboy]

Ok guys(and gals), I thought I'd throw this at Club 250. I'm looking at buying my first bike. I've ridden before a long time back, but not with a licence. So here I am doing it legally.
Anyway, my query....with all the models listed above, I've done plenty of research into them all. I've seen them all advertised on Trademe and Bike Trader etc. etc. and have a fair idea on what prices some sell for(depending on the year and exact model)....BUT, what I need is some actual feeback from people who have owned/ridden these bikes and some more specific info about how they ride and what they feel like.
I'm trying to sort out the best option for me, considering my size(100kg's and 6') and what's going top be most reliable, easy to get parts for and most of all, fun to ride. So please let the info pour in. I'll take it all on board(as long as it doesn't turn out to be a "mine's better than yours" competition) Only good solid info please.

Cheers,

D.

[N4CR]

I'd choose a crashed CBR with cosmetic damage. Cheap and the same bike just new levers and whatnot, MAKE SURE FRAME AND FORKS ARE NOT BENT AND ENGINE IS NOT FUCKED ETC GET SOMEONE WHO KNOWS BIKES WELL TO CHECK IT. CBR is most reliable of the lot, one of the quickest too. Narrowly misses out in the looks/overall perf to ZXR 250 C model (91-93) - unrestricted HP, it has a single headlight that's what to look for when getting a C model).

NSR good two stroke reliable for a 2 stroke.
RGV has power valve/pin? issues afaik, but good if you fix it.
TZR is a bit of a shitter, mega faults and weetbix carbs from what I have been told by a few people.
GSXR some good models, GSXR ACROSS one of the best, some of the other models shitty and prone to blowing up (heard some mean horror stories).
FZR - 2LN shit 3LN model is better from what I see, okay bikes usually cheaper too.
CBR RR Most reliable and bulletproof good fun good bike, fuckin ripoff at 7.5k dealer as most of these older inline 4 250's are drying up from Japan.
ZXR250 C/A A is cheaper and 89 and earlier model, 173kg wet better low down but top end gets creamed by C model, C is fastest 250 IL4 money can buy (15% more torque than RR, 160kg wet, best suspension and adjustment options and the best looking one in my opinion... although fzr's look nice too! Just wipe the fork seals every now and then to avoid problems, get the camchain replaced at 30k or whenever it gets fucking noisy as a precaution and you will be sweet. Best suspension/handling and power of the lot.

2 strokes 250 racey bikes, great fun prob not best learner bikes as they have alot of power and a decent powerband to kick in mid corner ... they are road legal race bikes pretty much. Cheaper but more pricey to run with premix oil and shit, tuning blah blah. FAstest of the 250's though.

4 Stroke 250 Inline 4's.. best for commuting, some will do 180+ real speed but you need alot of road. These are my pick.. but watch the plastic. EXPENSIVE to repair. Mabey pull fairings off whatever bike you get first 3 months incase you drop it.. probably will.

Have funa nd post any more questions should you wish to!

[vtec]

Well said N4CR.

I totally agree. 4 stroke is the way to go, I've owned an RGV250 for 2 years, and I currently own a CBR250RR for the last 2.

In terms of riding, I actually prefer the CBR, it's just as fun, while being easier to ride. It still goes bloody quick once you've got used to its power curve. Doesn't take long.

I had to spend a fair bit to keep the RGV running. The CBR however has taken an absolute thrashing, and I'm racing it in Formula 3 and Streetstock, and it's surprised a lot of people, and it's faultless.

One thing to watch out for with the ZXR's is that the Cam chain tensioner's can fail, which causes the chain to chew out the inside of your engine. It's not just the chain at fault. The CBR doesn't have these problems, cause it has cam gears, which in my opinion probably adds a bit more weight to the engine while making it more reliable. It's about 150kg but certainly doesn't feel like it, compared to 128kg of the RGV.

Also the CBR is quite comfortable for long hauls, the RGV was not.

Overall, the CBR seems to do everything quite well, whereas the 2 strokes only do the 'go fast' thing well.

[slimyxylofone]

I've been riding for almost 6 months now. I'm 5'11" at around 85-90kg.

I started on a GN250, which was, I believe, the best decision I could have made. Its a perfect learners bike and allows you to get the feel for cornering and generally riding on two wheels. I rode about 4000kms on it, including riding from Auckland to Dunedin.

At that point I started to get the itch for something faster. As I'm under 25 I still have another year at least till I get my full and can upgrade to a larger displacement. So I decided to go for a fourstroke, inline four (CBR RR or ZXR) as these are fast and relatively reliable. This, I hope will entertain me till I get fulll.

I recently managed to get a hold of a ZXR250A 1989 from a dealer for $4,300. 16,000Kms on the clock and in reasonable condition - Just slightly neglected (I've literally left at least one towl black on both sides from polishing only the exhaust). I love this bike. It's nippy, looks good and is not too bad on longer rides (400km with one-two stops is not too bad, only shoulders get sore)

I would recommend a ZXR from my personal experience. BUT I would not want to learn on one!!! Thats a very serious issue which you need to think about. These fast bikes are bloody fun, but whats the use when you kill yourself after a 2 months of riding? It's your decision what you buy though.

The ZXRs have been known to have cam chain/tensioner problems and fork problems with the upside down forks. This just means you should get the cam chain and tensioner checked when buying a bike. Changed every 50,000kms apparently. Foks seals - need to look for rusting and pitting as these may fuck the fork seals and result in an expensive repair. Otherwise very reliable bikes.

Good luck finding the best choice for yourself

[Drunken Monkey]

Well said N4CR...

Aye, that's "sticky" material, that is. Might help to not have the same question asked over and over. Who's the sub-forum mod?

[Danboy]

That's exactly the type of info I'm after. Real life stuff.
Keep it rolling in. If we could make it sticky for others to view, that would be great.
Cheers,

D.

[1000fists]

Hey guys, I was just wondering what model the 1990 CBR's were? I dont really know much about them lol, but were they an R or RR?

[gamgee]

both (i think)

[hXc]

If you're 6 foot, then you may find the CBR a little cramped. For an inline, I'd go for a ZXR. FZR is okay but are known to be a bit problematic at times.
Stay away from the 2 strokes for road bikes. Waste of time really. And money.

But there is always V-twins. Okay, not as fast as an inline but just as fun. And in my opinion, sexier and sound nicer too.

Well that's my advice, but you don't have to listen to it.



P.S: Get a SPADA if you can. Honda VT250. Made in '88 and '89. Great bikes, quite big, but not heavy/hard to throw around. Comfortable on long rides and plenty of torque. With a top speed of 170, it's not as fast as the 4's but it sounds much nicer. I love it

[gamgee]

vt250's are unreliable heaps of shit, don't buy one
check out this cbr, but be quick it'll probably sell before tonight:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-54907007.htm

[hXc]

vt250's are unreliable heaps of shit, don't buy one

You're thinking of VT250F. Completely different.

1. VT250 Spada http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~bantrade/honda/vt250-spada1.jpg
2. VTF250 http://www.sashu.co.jp/cgi-local/use...250f.14060.JPG

And then there's VTR250 and VT250 Magna.

EDIT: Anyway, you're only half way there. You have the right amount of cylinders, but the wrong shape. And it's a Kawasaki. I don't think I can ever forgive you now.

[nsrpaul]

itl be unrelaible , they make a crap leaners bike and cost as much as a v8 to run, but you should still just by an nsr

[MidnightMike]

itl be unrelaible , they make a crap leaners bike and cost as much as a v8 to run, but you should still just by an nsr

Ignore him, hes completely biased.

[nsrpaul]

Ignore him, hes completely biased.

why, what makes ya say that

[upon1]

ive owned a 1988 fzr and nw own a 1990 cbr250rr. the fzr totally screwed me over with some sort of problem every weekend. owned the br for a good 6 months now and i used it pretty much everyday.. the bike has one close to 90 thousand k's and it still rides like any other cbr in good condition... neva had 2 o anything to the bike apart frm an oil n filter change every 4000 k's. has a real sweet top end as well.. doesnt seem to strain itself as much as the fzr after 140. goes off the clock without any hesitation.