zxr 250 zxr 400 gsx r 600

**mynameis** · 14th May 2006, 20:11

Hey guys

Been riding for about 6 months now and new to KB and riding, but learning fast and clocking a few k's now  . Had a 2001 GPX 250 (2 cylinder) but sold that for a ZXR 250 C model 95 for a bit more grunt.

I've had the bike for a few months now, but still looking for something a little bit faster, I am 6'2' and 95 kg's. I was thinking maybe a nice ZXR 400 L4 or L5. Use the bike for commuting and a bit of cruising with a few mates once in a while, in small groups of less than 10. That's what I mainly use the bike for.

Seen a few ZXR 400's around and think they are nice bikes, not sure if I am ready to hop on a 600 yet or not but when I do, will get meself a nice GSX R 600 new one. What are opinions in comparison to 250's and 400's? If I should move to 400 or not. If yes which one CBR 400 or ZXR 400.

Few things I’ve thought of are, more power and hopefully better handling in the 400. More fun ofcourse. I got my current bike for 6g’s and ZXR 400 good ones go for 3.5 to 4 g’s. So I’d have a better bike for less $ plus I don’t have insurance with my current ZXR 250 so wouldn’t be too gutted if I wrote off the 400 provided I don’t ram into a freaken 100g car or something ?

Thoughts opinions peeps cheers!

**limbimtimwim** · 14th May 2006, 22:30

Have you heard of the Honda VFR400 and the RVF400?

I have a few pictures of mine when it was clean here.

Did a bit of a south island trip on it for my first 2 weeks of ownership

Not hard to keep up with big bikes either once you get the hang of it and learn how to work the engine. Sounds bloody mental too. The RVF is a little bit harder to find and they can be a little pricey too. But it looks pretty.

**Flyingpony** · 15th May 2006, 08:57

Originally Posted by mynameis

... plus I don’t have insurance with my current ...

You should have at least third party insurance. It costs sweet nothing to have.

**steved** · 15th May 2006, 09:23

Originally Posted by mynameis

Hey guys

Been riding for about 6 months now and new to KB and riding, but learning fast and clocking a few k's now  . Had a 2001 GPX 250 (2 cylinder) but sold that for a ZXR 250 C model 95 for a bit more grunt.

I've had the bike for a few months now, but still looking for something a little bit faster, I am 6'2' and 95 kg's. I was thinking maybe a nice ZXR 400 L4 or L5. Use the bike for commuting and a bit of cruising with a few mates once in a while, in small groups of less than 10. That's what I mainly use the bike for.

Seen a few ZXR 400's around and think they are nice bikes, not sure if I am ready to hop on a 600 yet or not but when I do, will get meself a nice GSX R 600 new one. What are opinions in comparison to 250's and 400's? If I should move to 400 or not. If yes which one CBR 400 or ZXR 400.

Few things I’ve thought of are, more power and hopefully better handling in the 400. More fun ofcourse. I got my current bike for 6g’s and ZXR 400 good ones go for 3.5 to 4 g’s. So I’d have a better bike for less $ plus I don’t have insurance with my current ZXR 250 so wouldn’t be too gutted if I wrote off the 400 provided I don’t ram into a freaken 100g car or something ?

Thoughts opinions peeps cheers!

Stick with the ZXR250 for a while. If you think it is boring, take it to Puke for an open day and really see what it is capable of. I think you'll be surprised at how much fun the 250 can still provide. This should keep things interesting long enough to get your full (I'm assuming you aren't fully licensed yet?) after which a 400 will be a great stepping stone to a 600.

Also, handling will always get 'worse' as the engine size increases. The bikes just get heavier and harder to turn (due to more spinning/rotating mass). You'll really notice the lack of quick flick on a bigger bike.

**mynameis** · 15th May 2006, 10:47

Must say the Honda looks awesome, I've heard of the names before RVF VRF, but all the while I thought they were naked bikes lol ehe my bad..as for the insurance, I havent had time to sort that out yet.

Rang a few places they said $750 for third part and $1500 for full i think and I was like WTF no way might as well dont do it now. I will get it sussed though once uni is over in a few weeks and yeah I dont have full licence as yet.

"steved" why do you say handling will get worse from my understanding the ZXR 250 is something like 171 kg and the ZXR 400 is 181 kg? Mates of mine have got 600's bigger bikes and they always swerve past me in the corners

and we (the ones with 250's) are left behind ehehe lol..grrr need me a bigger bike ! :spudflip:

**mynameis** · 15th May 2006, 10:50

And I've also hit the 180 on straights ovbiously on my ZXR 250 many times, it actually goes past the 180 mark on the meter after I had the valves and carbs done aye!

So I love it, but what I dont like is it acceleration power and pick, when you tap gears down and trying to cane it, it automatically cuts out at 16 RPM but even then it's just not quick enough!

**Two Smoker** · 15th May 2006, 11:49

Originally Posted by mynameis

Mates of mine have got 600's bigger bikes and they always swerve past me in the corners

and we (the ones with 250's) are left behind ehehe lol..grrr need me a bigger bike ! :spudflip:

Maybe that comes down to rider skill??? Before i comment any more, show us ya chicken strips....

**Karma** · 15th May 2006, 12:40

Originally Posted by mynameis

Seen a few ZXR 400's around and think they are nice bikes

If you're in auckland you would've seen mine.

Check the profile pic, bright green ZXR400L4.

From what I understand (having never ridden a ZXR250) they weigh fairly similar, and maneuver about the same, but are about double the HP ratings.

Well worth picking one up... as to price... sounds about right... don't expect a mint one though, they're getting harder to come by (especially when dicks like me crash them

)

**Two Smoker** · 15th May 2006, 12:59

Originally Posted by Weasel

If you're in auckland you would've seen mine.

Check the profile pic, bright green ZXR400L4.

From what I understand (having never ridden a ZXR250) they weigh fairly similar, and maneuver about the same, but are about double the HP ratings.

Well worth picking one up... as to price... sounds about right... don't expect a mint one though, they're getting harder to come by (especially when dicks like me crash them

)

Handle a bit differently, due to the 160/60 rear tyre, especially if you run a 120/70 front (which i highly recommend)... As for Hp... it feels like double, but it would only be an extra 20-25hp on the 250 (a healthy ZXR400 puts out about 60hp at the wheel...)

**mynameis** · 15th May 2006, 15:58

Originally Posted by Two Smoker

Maybe that comes down to rider skill??? Before i comment any more, show us ya chicken strips....

So you reckon you can take out guys with 600's on a 250 ? Lol dont think soo .. mate .. these guys have been riding for like 10 - 15 years and can pull any tricks .. maybe things you've never seen before !

**Hoon** · 15th May 2006, 17:10

Haha I've seen TwoSmoker do it on an RG150!! A lighter bike will always outcorner a bigger bike with the right rider. Power isn't much use when you're cranked over.

**mynameis** · 15th May 2006, 17:16

Originally Posted by Hoon

Haha I've seen TwoSmoker do it on an RG150!! A lighter bike will always outcorner a bigger bike with the right rider. Power isn't much use when you're cranked over.

Well you better start come riding with us then mate :P

**Ixion** · 15th May 2006, 17:19

Mr Two Smoker is right. Power is meaningless when actually mid corner (coming out of the corner and accelerating down the straight may be another matter).

And simple physics says the small bike will always out corner the big one (assuming they both can brake equally hard on the way in).

Especially on "s"es and such like.

And, yes Mr Two Smoker could certainly do that. No matter who your mates are. And has done it.

Cornering on a bike is down to skill, it's not liike a car.

No disrespect. but the ZXR250 is one of the fastest cornering bikes around. If people are going past you through the corner (not down the straight), then it's experience and skill that's needed. Buying a big bike won't give them to you.

**mynameis** · 16th May 2006, 00:59

Originally Posted by Ixion

Mr Two Smoker is right. Power is meaningless when actually mid corner (coming out of the corner and accelerating down the straight may be another matter).

And simple physics says the small bike will always out corner the big one (assuming they both can brake equally hard on the way in).

Especially on "s"es and such like.

And, yes Mr Two Smoker could certainly do that. No matter who your mates are. And has done it.

Cornering on a bike is down to skill, it's not liike a car.

No disrespect. but the ZXR250 is one of the fastest cornering bikes around. If people are going past you through the corner (not down the straight), then it's experience and skill that's needed. Buying a big bike won't give them to you.

So putting the whole puzzle in a big picture what I meant was ovbsly that going into corners bigger bikes can go faster and brake way harder than 250's and also accelerate way quicker than a 250 hence 250 wont be any close to a 600 or bigger on the roads over distance and riding say a 5 km windy road. And if you had a race on it.

I didnt mean spcifically on a corner. You're right I havent had any probs with the ZXR 250 just thinkg and feel the acceleration aint good nuf, bearing in mind I am 95 kg's and 6'2'

**mynameis** · 16th May 2006, 01:15

Originally Posted by Two Smoker

Handle a bit differently, due to the 160/60 rear tyre, especially if you run a 120/70 front (which i highly recommend)... As for Hp... it feels like double, but it would only be an extra 20-25hp on the 250 (a healthy ZXR400 puts out about 60hp at the wheel...)

You bastard ! You race on F3 aye !! Grr thats why you picking on me !! lol .. dood better come out riding with us someday mate !

show us all the skills aye ! :P:P