ZXR 250

[Jonty]

Hey, I have jsut purchased an 89 ZXR 250 it has done 17,000 and has a few interesting sounds I would appreciate an answer to. When idling and especially when cold it has a distinctive rattle (although not too bad and does go away when warm). Also when in a certain gear (and it seems only when cold), if you throttle down it has a distinctive whine a lot like a fire siren winding down (not as loud obviously). None of these are major noises I am just curious if they are a feature of these bikes. Any ideas?

[toads]

Hi Jonty and welcome, I am certainly no expert on this and most particularly not an expert with regard to zxr's, but my bike ( which is an old jap cruiser) rattles when it is cold, and the rattle gets quieter when it warms up, it also goes away completely when I pull the clutch lever in at idle, if this is what your bike does then it may be normal, the best person to ask would be aff-man who used to have one of these bikes, 17,000kms seems a reasonably low amount of kms to have serious engine wear issues, what is the oil consumption like? and does it blow smoke, or have difficulty starting?

[Hitcher]

How about you take it to a bike shop and let a mechanic have a listen?

[Blakamin]

Hey, I have jsut purchased an 89 ZXR 250 it has done 17,000 and has a few interesting sounds I would appreciate an answer to. When idling and especially when cold it has a distinctive rattle (although not too bad and does go away when warm). Also when in a certain gear (and it seems only when cold), if you throttle down it has a distinctive whine a lot like a fire siren winding down (not as loud obviously). None of these are major noises I am just curious if they are a feature of these bikes. Any ideas?

Welcome!
Does the rattle go away when slowly releasing your clutch in gear?

[Jonty]

Can't quite remember it I think you could still hear it for about 2 mins when riding the bike cold, then only when idling. It was sold by a bike shop and he assured me the rattle was the cam tensioner which is common on these bikes. Just need to make sure nothing need replacing before too long as I will take it back. Any ideas on the whine?

[Jonty]

Also, it starts very well and dosen't blow any smoke. All in all seems to run fine I just always get a bit nervous when things start to "rattle"

[toads]

Also, it starts very well and dosen't blow any smoke. All in all seems to run fine I just always get a bit nervous when things start to "rattle"

the only major concern I would have is the whine in just one gear, in a car this would indicate that the hardening hard has worn off one of the gears, dunno what it means in your bike, but so long as it's not in that particular gear for too long in normal riding conditions it may never amount to anything other than an annoying noise I spose.

[Devil]

It was sold by a bike shop and he assured me the rattle was the cam tensioner which is common on these bikes.

Yeah thats sounds right. It is common with that engine, i have the same engine in my bike, its a bit rattley when cold and at idle.

The whine is definately gearbox.

[Jonty]

Thanks everyone most helpful. Would anyone recommend hitting up the shop regarding the gear box or just leave it?

I appreciate you help

[Blakamin]

Thanks everyone most helpful. Would anyone recommend hitting up the shop regarding the gear box or just leave it?

I appreciate you help

Hit 'em up... better than a broken box 3 months down the track!

[Jonty]

Thanks will do.

[aff-man]

Yip the rattle is probably the cam chains but don't think your out of the woods yet. To replace cam chains and tensioners on the 400 i am looking at about $400 without the $180ish labour. Hmmmm as to the whine are you sure it's not just throttleing off. Do you have an aftermarket pipe. My bike used to make a hell of a lot of noise when throttling off it is just something they do. If you are really worried just ring a bike shop and get a mechanic to ride it (not the shop you bought it from). Get the cams assessed as well, if they are totally screwed hit the bike shop up unless it was in the sale agreement it should be covered by the warrenty.

[MikeL]

the only major concern I would have is the whine in just one gear, in a car this would indicate that the hardening hard has worn off one of the gears, dunno what it means in your bike, but so long as it's not in that particular gear for too long in normal riding conditions it may never amount to anything other than an annoying noise I spose.

Well my Honda 400 has had a noticeable whine in 5th gear only, ever since I've had it (almost 2 years/25,000 km). It's actually quite useful as I sometimes forget which gear I'm in... It may be that the gearbox will disintegrate tomorrow, but I'm not going to start worrying about it at this stage.

[Jonty]

Good advice, I am new to dealing with bike shops as when I had motorcross bikes it was always private sale (plus I could fix them without removing half of the bike first). I am a little unsure of how genuine bike shops are with pre inspection and workshops reports. I would have assumed they noticed these noises and discounted them. I guess it comes down to how much of a concern people think these noises are as it is always difficult to get independant checks when you work all day. I am planning on having the bike for a year so considereing leaving it but quering the bike shop later tonight when I go back.

Thanks for all you advise

[aff-man]

Yip play the unknowing idiot and you'll get shafted play the hard-ass and they will give you the respect you deserve (if not screw them and take your business elsewhere) there are a lot of good guys out there. I still recommend (if you are worried) getting a third opinion with another bike shop. If you catch them out selling you a hunk of shit there are possible legal implications. I.E. them sayings it's fine when it isn't