Comments: 1-15, 16-25
Several days after buying the bike, the speedometer started giving incorrect readings in damp weather. However, the mileometer continued to record the distance. Therefore no repair necessary.
Also, the engine started lacking power
intermittently due to running on only one cylinder. Changing the spark plugs made no difference, and whacking the throttle open due to frustration, cleared the blockage in the carburettor main jet. It was trouble free after that.
A bit of metal from one of the camshaft bearing caps broke off and got caught between the crankshaft sprocket and timing chain, thus knocking out the valve timing. This resulted in one of the rockers being shattered and two bent valves. New cylinder head (second hand off a GPX250R) and hours of labour was required. Cost approximately £600.
This failure was due to my inexperience and not poor motorcycle manufacture.
Please note when fitting the rocker cover to these machines, make sure it is seated properly, and then carefully tighten up the four shoulder bolts lightly (10NM is all is needed).
After having this repair done, the timing chain started to rattle on idle.
Easy enough to cure. Remove the tensioner, reset it, install it on the crankcase and the release it (ping).
The engine sounded sweet after that.
Apart from this, nothing really went wrong with this bike. Only consumables (tyres, chains, pads etc) and a couple of wheel bearings were replaced.
This little baby ZZR was quite pokey (35BHP at 12500RPM) through the gears and would do 100mph. The engine had more mid range than top end.
The handling was impressive.
The action of the front brake was worrying in the wet. I thought it was not going to stop.
I use to thrash this engine hard, and it never complained.
The rear tyre use to wear too fast for my liking and at nearly a hundred quid a time I had to sell the bike and ended up with a granny machine (Yamaha T80 Townmate). However, the ZZR was good on fuel (60mpg urban)
I would recommend this bike, but if you are not the one for DIY mechanics, then get something basic. Doing the simple things such as changing plugs, balancing carbs etc is quite a task.
I am a owner of a ZZR250, I have just brought it. It had been in a shed doing nothing for one year. I rode it home and I was quite pleased with the bike, in very good condition for being 15 years old.
I have been reading some of the comments from people who have the ZZR250 and say it will do 100 to 108mph. Mine will do 75 flat out and it drinks petrol. Could you or anybody else give me some suggestions on this matter? Thank you.
I’ve just bought a 91 ZZR250 myself. One of its previous owners had snapped off the head of the pilot air screw on the right carb and it was idling like a pig. A pair of carbs from the breakers now has it running sweet. The engine’s done 25K miles, yet it will still top a ton and seems very economical all round.
In answer to your question, it sounds like your carburetion is also wrong. First check that some fool hasn’t fitted bigger carbs! You should have two Keihin CVK30s. If the carbs are the correct type, it could be that the main jets are wrong. They should be #108s, but before you start striping float bowls, take the tops off the carbs and have a look there. It’s a much easier job with the carbs still on the bike and your problem could be something as simple as a torn diaphragm.
That sounds like one of the cylinders isn't firing.
Could be something as simple as a vacuum tube leak. Check the carbs, ensure the rubber tubes aren't leaking or cracked, and then check the ignition.
I have had the pleasure of a 1999 ZZR 250 for 5 years now. It has been the most enjoyable machine I have ever had. The bottom and midrange power is perfect for city riding and the odd weekend blast with friends.
The handling is the most impressive thing with this bike. The brakes are very good for the weight of the bike, and the fuel usage was around 320 Kms per tank.
The paint finish was very nice. I had the burgundy and black version. It looked a lot bigger than it was.
Slipping the clutch you could wheel stand it with practice in second gear, and glide it down quite easily, but you need plenty of revs and practice.
You could arrive really late to a corner and throw it in and it would grip like it was on rails. You could carry a lot of corner speed and not wobble.
I loved it and will miss it.
I have bought a Virago 1100 special.
The virago is a great bike, but I will always think of the ZZR 250. It was predictable and forgiving, and very reliable for me.
I got my ZZR250 3 month ago. Just love it. Have one question...
What is the optimum RPM for different gears at different speeds? What is best (safe) way to change it?
May it's a dumb question... but anyway, I'd like to know what you think about.
In answer to your question about gear changes. Several years ago I had a ZZR250, so know a lot about them.
Bearing in mind, maximum power is at 12500 rpm and maximum torque is at 9000 rpm.
I use to find that riding the machine on the torque gave good performance and didn`t sound harsh. Taking the engine to 12500 rpm and changing gear, the engine sounds very harsh.
In other words, take to engine to 9000 rpm and change gear each time. Every higher gear change at that rpm, the engine speed will drop back to about 7000 rpm. This is where most of the good torque lies in the rev range.
Riding the machine that way, ensures you have a combination of good performance, economy and smoothness.
I have had my ZZR250 for about 14 days. It has done 742564 Ks and I paid $1500 for it. Was it worth buying...??
I have had my ZZR for 3 months and have done 4000k on her, some very quick, long runs and riding to work every day.
She has recently got a little noisy and has lost a little power in 4th and 5th gear, I would like to know what to do first about this before garaging her?
HELP. After having the engine apart, how do I tell if it's firing on No1 or No2 for reassembly to get the cam timing right, or does it not matter? This thing has been giving me many running dramas since I did the timing chain last week. It will barely run, carbs possibly due to one exhaust feeling cooler.
Hi, it's really nice that other people think that the ZZR250 is a top little bike.
I found mine in the back of a garage. It hadn't been used for 8 years, that was 21 months ago. I have lost skin, blood, tears and a large amount of money, but I now have a very sweet machine.
I've read all the comments on this page, and all the answers seem to be good advice.
Mine is a UK bike, and they are getting a bit rare now.
To finish this, all I'm going to say is it won't let you down if you look after it. I've done 5600 miles on mine, and I prefer it to my GPZ500s.
p.s. If anyone is selling theirs, then contact me as I would love another to turn into a show bike.
neal_williams@btconnect.com
Having only recently passed my test, I bought a ZZR 250. I absolutely love it, except for one tiny problem; she either stalls when idling, or the revs shoot up past 4000.
I've replaced carbs to try and solve the problem, and she has a new fuel switch, spark plugs, oil and filter. Tried adjusting the idle speed, but that seems to have no effect.
Could anyone tell me if there is anything obvious that I've missed please?
Regards the comment dated the 11th March 2007.
To do the cam timing on this machine, bear in mind the left cylinder is number one, and the right is number two, when sitting on the bike.
This one is a bit obscure, because you get number two piston on compression, not number one as is the case with most bikes. Then it is a matter of lining up the appropriate marks on the cam sprockets, so they are flush with the top of the cylinder head. Don't forget the cam chain tensioner.
Word of caution; always check the timing by rotating the engine by hand, and NEVER crank it over with the starter motor.
My ZZR 250 is a 1994 model and has a bad knocking sound at low idle; is this normal? Also, what should I make the engine idle at?
Could anybody help?
Thanks.
A knocking noise at idle could be a number of things. Check the usual stuff such as tappets. I have experienced the same symptoms with a GPZ600R, and later found it was a weak mixture on one of the carburetors. The idle speed should be around 1300 RPM.
I bought a ZZR250 last saturday and was quite pleased. I've had it running a few times, but every time I have, a mixture of petrol and oil have been coming out of the bottom of the exhaust on the left side, and the right side is smoking like a soldier, right where it meets the engine. Any suggestions???
Cheers
thefoo15@hotmail.com