I've been sifting through the threads on each of the forums trying to find out exactly what is going on with the FZR-250s - because I have just bought one as my first (learner) bike! With thanks to the "Technical" forum - I think I've identified it as an FZR-250 3LN1. Aha... while I'm on it - how do you tell if you've got an FZR-250R or an FZR-250RR ? My bike needs a LOT of work - picked it up from Brighton Bikes 'n Bits (yes I can hear your gasps from here, Melbournians!) for ~AU$3,300. Probably overcharged - but I desperately wanted to get riding. I was previously looking at an FZX-250 Zeal - but there weren't any available that were close to home (Elwood). The good things about her: She handles like a dream! I am getting comfortable with the riding position Rego for ~12 months! Roadworthy (barely - IMO) FUN I think I'm finding a few bad things, though: Gearbox a bit funny (drops to neutral for no reason sometimes - and when LOOKING for neutral - light doesn't come on sometimes? - probably just rider error hehehe) Light switch removed/missing (instruments/lights permanently on) Clutch may be going - When in neutral after start - I let the clutch out - and there's a "rattley" sound... <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_sad.gif" alt="" title="Sad" /><!-- s --> Seperate key for Luggage door Rusty Handlebars (but not forks) Bolts on front & rear calipers are rusted Temperature gauge does not light up Stalls a bit when warming up (modified)Fuel Selector PISSES with fuel if you change the fueltank when the engine is on. Is there somebody who could tell me whether all these bad things are just my imagination - or whether they're legitimate problems that need to be fixed A.S.A.P. ? Cosmetically she's okay - the front fairing has been replaced (previous owner dropped it) but the front fairing is pure white (undercoat?) whilst the rest of the bike is blue/white. I'm not planning on doing anything with her paint scheme just yet - I'd prefer to wait until after I've dropped her/crashed her a few times <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s --> I did make the big mistake of running out of money for insurance - anybody got any tips? or does the search button on the forums pretty much cover it? Brighton Bikes 'n Bits (gasp!) told me that QBE was a waste of time - in that it takes 3+ months of constant hassle to get anything out of them - the guy who sold me the bike suggested "swan" - anyone have a point of view on that? I am planning to make an appearance to the Melbourne Friday coffee night thing (not that I'm much of a coffee drinker LoL!) to get some advice... do many other fizzers rock up? I consider myself the crappest rider out there - being that I have never owned a car and have had my full cage license for 3 years (been driving my uncle's '82 Holden Gemini!) - so any maintenance tips would be grreat! (even if they are the most basic <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s -->). I have had my learners for ooh... about 2 and a bit weeks - so I'm fresh out of the gate <!-- s:???: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_confused.gif" alt=":???:" title="Confused" /><!-- s:???: --> Good news is that I did well on the learner's test... except for emergency stopping (6m out of 7m) - but it was pissing down with rain. I am going to rifle through the FZR-400 manuals posted in the Tech. forum for ways/ideas to change the oil and brake fluid. I saw the "bleeding" tutorial on the Tech. forums, so I think that takes care of that issue... Any idea how much one fuel tank will go for? I get the idea that it will be about 300Km - or should I just RTFM (Read The Fricking Manual) ? I'm keeping her at about 6000rpm when I'm riding her. But I'm not riding her much - because I don't have insurance, and because I'm being worked like a dog <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s --> I could post some pictures if you like - any particular areas I should take a happy snap of (eg: mechanically bad areas?) ? Sorry to be such a burden on your wisdom guys - I promise I won't ask another question again... until I think of another question hehehe Looking forward to good times with her!
-Not too sure about the gearbox, is it dropping to neutral whilst you are riding or just after you change gears? Try rolling the bike back and forth a bit whilst applying slight pressure to the gear selector to get to neutral. -The importers sometimes wire the lights up in the permanently on position to some but not all bikes, beats me why they do it. You may want to install some kind of switch if it starts to annoy you. -My clutch rattles, its no big deal, just the friction plates rattling. It doesn’t mean you need a new clutch. -Separate key isn’t an issue until you loose it; make a copy of all the keys! -Depends how bad the rust is but as long as its not too bad it shouldn’t be a problem. If it worries you, you can always get a new or second hand one. -Rusty bolts as above. -Just a blown bulb in the dash, it isn’t going to cost that much to fix but it is a pain getting to it, especially if all you want to do is see the temp at night. -Stalling at start up could just be that the engine is cold, use some choke. -The petcock sounds a bit dodgy if you ask me. It’s not that hard to replace it with a non modded second hand one and replace the rubber bits on the inside.
Insurance is always a pain, as is my experience. You should ring anyone and everyone that will insure the bike to get quotes. These quotes will vary wildly from company to company week to week alignment of the stars etc etc. Just note that some insurance company won’t even insure the FZR because it is an import. You will get 300km out of a tank just as long as you push it for the last 80 or so km. I get around 190 ~ 200km to reserve. You don’t need to run the tank dry to calculate how far you can go. Next time you fill up the bike note down how many km it did and how many liters it took to fill it up and go from their. If you aren’t so mathematically inclined I think their is a calculator over at this place, you may need to sign up. http://www.ozsportsbikes.com/page.php?file=tools.htm
Oh so many questions that I missed one, no such thing as a FZR250RR only a FZR250R. I think the R got tagged onto the 3ln's, it doesn’t mean anything as far as I know just marketing.
Thanks HEAPS m8! Is there any particular (problematic) part of the bike I should photograph to show you guys? but I'm slowly working through the tutorials - gonna get under the fairings next and top up the oil Thanks again! -Muzza
Carburators..... LOL I belive they are the only thing that sux on these bikes... though these carbes are the BEST that there is... theyjust die realatevely quickly in comparison to other 250s <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_sad.gif" alt="" title="Sad" /><!-- s --> Other ptoblems?? carbon built up through the cilinders, valves if the bike is not "thrashed"... basicaly keep it OVER 6000rpm... not under... And I'll see you on friday (2/12/05) at the (netrider) coffee thing <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s -->
If the temp gauge light was out when you got the bike (with rwc) take it back to bikes n bits and suggest that as they passed an unroadworthy bike maybe they would like to replace the globe for your free of charge! I say this because its one of things they failed my bike on for rwc a couple of weeks ago! I would also be asking the question "is a fuel switch that pisses fuel out when you use it roadworthy?" I'll also be at the coffee night on Friday.
