My first bike - ZXR250

[Santa]

I'm finally kitted out (cheers quasi) and just the other day I got my hands on a beautiful 1990 zxr250. My first 100k's ticked over today and it was pretty exciting. I'll post some pics when the sun shows itself again. The bike has 15,000k's on the clock. It has had new brake pads, brake fluid, oil, oil filter, spark plugs, chain, sprockets, tyres and had the forks looked at and fork seals replaced all in the last 6 months so I'm very happy with my buy.

Only thing that needs doing is the clutch cable, as it stands the clutch only disengages when the lever is on the bar. The easy adjust dial is maxed out but I'll have a look and see if I can adjust it down below tomorrow.

I'm just wondering what I should look out for maintenance wise? When should I start worrying about the infamous cam chain/tensioner issues? Also what fuel do people use? My flatmate and another friend of mine both use 91 but I would have thought a compression ratio of 12:1 would mean I want higher octane?

[Donor]

I'm too stupid to help with tech questions, but here's some Happy New Bike bling instead!

[Meekey_Mouse]

Hey, congrats on the bike

I found for my bike it only runs on 91... but depends what your carbs are tuned to.

Other then that, I don't know much about mechanical stuff

Enjoy and stay safe!!
Jas

[2strokegirl]

hey congrats on the bike. always keep an eye out for little things like cabels etc. if you havent had it that long it helps to also check oil and brake fluids some bikes just chew through it. these are awsome little machines great sound that inline 4 makes huh?

my mate got a 89 zxr and he absoloutly loves it we managed to do 170km with two up im only light but my mate is taller and naturally heavyer.

hope you enjoy it!!

[Drum]

Hey congrats. Good to see Santa actually receiving a present for once, and the ZXR is a goodun.

You can also adjust your clutch cable with the device at the top end, by the clutch lever itself. Not the 'easy adjust' dial' as you have mentioned, but there should be a lock nut and an adjuster. Turn the lock nut and then turn the adjuster and you will see the lever move in and out slowly. Worth a try.

[rookie]

Only thing that needs doing is the clutch cable, as it stands the clutch only disengages when the lever is on the bar. The easy adjust dial is maxed out but I'll have a look and see if I can adjust it down below tomorrow.

Sounds like the cable is quite stretched. Adjust it down below initially then use the top adjusters to make fine adjustments. So wind the bolt (to the right of the lever) right in and set the quick adjuster to the loosest setting. Adjust the lower adjuster to the tightest finger tight position then fine tune it using the top adjusters.

I'm just wondering what I should look out for maintenance wise? When should I start worrying about the infamous cam chain/tensioner issues? Also what fuel do people use? My flatmate and another friend of mine both use 91 but I would have thought a compression ratio of 12:1 would mean I want higher octane?

Try both. I always run 95, i tried running 91 a few times but the bike would always kick up a stink below 10k rpm (highlighting 91's tendancy to pre-ignite which could damage the pistons over time). But thats my bike...i've never tried it on a zxr with low kays :-P

[Santa]

Sounds like the cable is quite stretched. Adjust it down below initially then use the top adjusters to make fine adjustments. So wind the bolt (to the right of the lever) right in and set the quick adjuster to the loosest setting. Adjust the lower adjuster to the tightest finger tight position then fine tune it using the top adjusters.

Cheers did just that and problem solved. Took her out to Arthur's Pass today and we both loved it - what a beautiful ride eh? I finally snapped some pics for those that are interested, excuse the bugs and grub.

[xwhatsit]

Noice bike! Colour scheme looks schweet.

Get a haircut you filthy university student

[skidMark]

Cheers did just that and problem solved. Took her out to Arthur's Pass today and we both loved it - what a beautiful ride eh? I finally snapped some pics for those that are interested, excuse the bugs and grub.

nice mate exact same as i used to have (see my profile pic and my attachments)

heres a tip for when you get better....take her to 6 grand first gear get a steady speed going ( will be slow) clutch in...take it to about 13,000 rpm....and drop the clutch....wheelies

[skidMark]

heres my old one

sniff sniff i miss it

[Brett]

Unless you are havng a track day, or for some reason really giving the engine RPM, run them on 91 octane, they like it more.

[rookie]

heres my old one

sniff sniff i miss it

Hey that aint your photo...thats my bike in there...theif!!

Mark's bike never looked that good...it was usually seen in multiple pieces lying on the road.

[R6_kid:Me]

that is a mint ZXR250A model bro, take care of it. Oil every 5k, filter every 10k, and keep an eye on your chain. Should be lubed (on the inside!) every 400km or so, and check the tension every second lube.

If you need any help just ask, and dont be a dick like mark and rape your clutch by trying to wheelie it. Just learn to ride it and save the stupid shit for a bike that is going to take the beating on the chin a bit better.

[Mr. Peanut]

nice mate exact same as i used to have (see my profile pic and my attachments)

heres a tip for when you get better....take her to 6 grand first gear get a steady speed going ( will be slow) clutch in...take it to about 13,000 rpm....and drop the clutch....wheelies

If I remember correctly, you couldn't get it up to save yourself

[HungusMaximist]

Enjoy it man the ZXR man, they're bundles of fun.

In terms of different octanes of fuel, I am no expert. But I do not that a higher grade like 95 washes the crap outta your engine, it's a little bit like detergent. What I usually do is that, one week I'd fill her up with 95, then the next 91 and circulate it the 'detergent' properties of a higher octane.

Do I make sense? Maybe I am just talking crap...