Double the cc's, double the power!!

[musicman]

Just rode home on a new (for me) '92 Yamaha Zeal, the seller lives in Pukekohe and the ride back to North Shore was AWESOME! Most fun I've ever had on two wheels!

My previous bike was a Suzuki GX125 (similar to the newer EN125 I think) and although riding around on that was fun, I could hardly get on motorways due to pretty much maxing it out at 100km/h so I just stuck to riding in 50 or 70km/h zones. The acceleration was nothing special either, pretty much only just keeps up with most cars off the lights. Now, with double the cc's, it feels like I'll have to watch myself otherwise I might find myself in trouble with the law very easily! But hopefully now I'll be able to go on learner KB group rides! Looking forward to more riding in the near future!

Anyway, just one question about the bike, in 6th gear the Overdrive light comes on. What exactly does this mean? (Sorry, I'm a newbie when it comes to mechanical things).

[Storm]

Dont worry about being a newbie, its better to ask than continue in ignorance

[James Deuce]

It means that Yamaha regard 6th gear on the Zeal as an Overdrive. Overdrive is an old world term which essentially means the gear you have selected is designed for fuel efficient motorway cruising, not top speed runs at Bonneville Salt Flats.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overdrive_(mechanics)

[musicman]

It means that Yamaha regard 6th gear on the Zeal as an Overdrive. Overdrive is an old world term which essentially means the gear you have selected is designed for fuel efficient motorway cruising, not top speed runs at Bonneville Salt Flats.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overdrive_(mechanics)

Oh, I get it now, thanks for the link, that explains everything (now why didn't I think of searching on wikipedia earlier... )

[ambler]

Upgrading sure is fun aint it....
Wait until you get something that can do 100 in first gear, then you'll really have to watch yourself!

[Jeaves]

Ah another Zeal owner to join the ranks

[daaatomic]

great feeling isnt it! i had the same thing when going from my fxr to my katana(RIP).

[fishb8nz]

A transmission gear with a ratio below 1:1, which improves fuel economy by reducing engine revolutions per minute at highway speeds.

When 6th gear is engaged, the output shaft turns at a higher rate than the input shaft, reducing engine revolutions at cruising or highway speeds.

[megageoff76]

Being a jap import bike, are you sure its not the 80km speed warning light?

[erix]

Just rode home on a new (for me) '92 Yamaha Zeal, the seller lives in Pukekohe and the ride back to North Shore was AWESOME! Most fun I've ever had on two wheels!
Now, with double the cc's, it feels like I'll have to watch myself otherwise I might find myself in trouble with the law very easily!

Upgrading sure is fun aint it....
Wait until you get something that can do 100 in first gear, then you'll really have to watch yourself!

ha, it reminds me when I upgrade from my 50cc Gilera Ice to my 250cc VTR, the speed sensation just so overwhelming, I feel awesome and pretty satisfied

However the good feeling soon be put off...After I took a ride as a pillow with my friends 07 Ninja 6R....Damn... speeding in first gear, thats ACCELERATION ...since then I dream about my new GSXR 600cc almost every night NOT GOOD. Am I being too greedy???

Anyway, my advice as a slightly experienced 250cc newbie will be: stay away from the big cc bike, enjoy your 250cc for now, its still plenty of fun (to myself as well)...

off the topic: the license system is actually good from this perspective, it prevents someone like me buying a big cc which doest really suits them.(Well, I know my skill is not up for a bigger cc bike at this stage)

Ride safe...

[Coyote]

Upgrading sure is fun aint it....
Wait until you get something that can do 100 in first gear, then you'll really have to watch yourself!

My VFR can do 105 in first. Always in the garage waiting to be fixed keeps me within the law


It's a laugh hearing others go on about the awesome power of 250s. You generally hear of people going 250-600. When I had my 250 I was keen to upgrade, but now I have, when I go back to a mates 250 I have great fun and wouldn't mind getting one again. They may not have the power but you can chuck them where you like without getting hurt.

[Hitcher]

Ahh. The Mighty Zeal. The world's best 250. I've come over all nostalgic like.

[vifferman]

Ahh. The Mighty Zeal. The world's best 250. I've come over all nostalgic like.

Best get a damp cloth and wipe it off, before it leaves stains.

[musicman]

It's a laugh hearing others go on about the awesome power of 250s. You generally hear of people going 250-600. When I had my 250 I was keen to upgrade, but now I have, when I go back to a mates 250 I have great fun and wouldn't mind getting one again. They may not have the power but you can chuck them where you like without getting hurt.

Yeah, I wasn't meaning a 250 is powerful, I know that compared to larger bikes they're nothing (at least in terms of acceleration and top speed), but going from my 125 to my 250 is quite a big difference (to me, anyway). My 125 kinda sucked, but I guess it's good that I learnt the basics on that first, otherwise I probably would've gotten into all sorts of trouble already!

[xwhatsit]

I think I've seen you riding around in Takapuna on your GX125 before. Not very many around. FZX250 is a pretty quick 250; I'd dearly like to give one a thrash one day. Perhaps when Jeaves sells his, I can take it for a dishonest test ride

You'll be having fun, lucky bugger -- be careful when unleashing teh Awesome Powaaar though