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Discussion ZXR250 fuel usage

Discussion in 'Kawasaki 250cc In-line 4's' started by 89Zixxer, May 1, 2017.

  1. 89Zixxer

    89Zixxer Member

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    What are people getting out of a tank of fuel?

    I'm only getting 180km per tank before hitting reserve, and I reckon that's pretty low.. The bike sits at around 9 thou revs @100km/h, not riding too hard, some fast acceleration but mostly crusing. Runs well (a little rough between 3-7 thou revs, but perfect everywhere else) and starts easy all the time. 1990 Zxr250

    P.s, this is the first time I've used this form since I made my account, so sorry if this has already been covered.
     
  2. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    Mine was a bit like that when I got it... it's the carbs... always the carbs...

    Have you got the airbox seals?
    Are your carby boots cracked?
    Are your vacuum lines cracked or visibly split?
    Have you set your pilot screws at 2.5 turns out?
    Have the carbs been vacuum synced?
    What grade fuel are you using?

    Any of these things not being right will result in poor running or flat spots... the ZXR's will get a flat spot from 6k-8krpm if you have crumbled o-rings between the carbs, no airbox seals, failed vacuum lines.

    If you experience a hanging idle, it's usually air leaks from the carb boots (when everything else is good, which is the situation I'm in). If you have a poor idle or constantly have to adjust it to avoid stalling, you probably need a carb sync done.

    Other than that, ZXR's are known for cooking the voltage regulators... they live under the fuel tank and its what the air pipes are supposed to be for... clearly it doesn't work.
     
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  3. 89Zixxer

    89Zixxer Member

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    Thanks for the reply,
    I had the airbox off recently, and was going to replace seals but they were going to have to come from Japan.. is there a rebuild kit I can buy in NZ for relatively cheap? I'm still at school so I don't have much money to throw at it. I found one thread on a carb rebuild, but the links wouldn't work for me..
    I don't know if there are any cracks ect, I'll spray something around there tonight and see if it revs/cuts. I run 91 (Have had starting problems on other bikes with 95 and can't get 98 in my area)
    I haven't had the carbs synced, but if I re-do the seals & clean that will be first job

    Cheers, Sam
     
  4. maelstrom

    maelstrom LiteTek Staff Member Premium Member 250cc Vendor Contributing Member

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  5. Damus

    Damus She is a BEAST and riding it is comparable to sex Dirty Wheel Club

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    Yeah I get about 600 kilometers on the mc22 before hitting reserve, if its an all out 1 day ride situation.

    Here is some food for thought in terms of millage when it comes to these old bikes.

    1. Correct fuel to air mixture in all the carby circuits - Not lean, not rich, you want it bang on the money.
    2. Load and friction - How much do you weight? Hows your wheel bearings? Hows the chain, new? clean? rk? Changed your oil lately? Clutch gripping well and not slipping? Hows the carbon build up in the engine? Using Nulon or threebond to flush out some carbon periodically is always good etc.
    3. Spark voltage - weak spark will lead to some mixture not being used and can cause issues like carbon build up along with lack of power etc. Hows the spark plugs? Are the HT leads rusty? Hows the battery?
    4. Suspension, brakes and tyres - if suspension and tyres arent set up right the bike can be constantly fighting its self and brake calipers incorrectly lined up can add to friction issues.
    5. rust, lines and seals - obviously leaks, or rust or ways the petrol can evaporate or escape is going to cost you. Check your tank seals, petcock, fuel lines and for any vacuum leaks exhaust or intake.

    Long story short I agree 180km is bad, time for an overhaul!!!?
     
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  6. DamnitLaverty

    DamnitLaverty Doing things the hard way since '78!

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    Shoot. I get 130 to the reserve. It's not supposed to be that way?
     
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  7. Damus

    Damus She is a BEAST and riding it is comparable to sex Dirty Wheel Club

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    Can't really speak for the zxr250 specifically but if that's what its "meant" to get then I am glad I went with Honda.
     
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  8. DamnitLaverty

    DamnitLaverty Doing things the hard way since '78!

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    600 Km?! That wasn't a typo?!
     
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  9. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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  10. my67xr

    my67xr Bike Enthusiast Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    The FZR250 3LN is said to have a tank capacity of 12 litre's, and the economy around 48km/L so that work's out around 575km's out of a tank
    http://my-x15.net/FZR_INFO.html

    Best i've done from my FZR250 is 320km's with 230km's of that being country riding
     
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  11. Damus

    Damus She is a BEAST and riding it is comparable to sex Dirty Wheel Club

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    Yes it was a typo, didnt even notice #tired
     
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  12. 89Zixxer

    89Zixxer Member

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    Thanks for the replies everyone, hopefully I've given enough info here.
    I've had a look at the LiteTek seals kit and I think that's the next step, that along with a clean & sync and hopefully I should be sorted. $83.50 NZD seems very reasonable seeing as it's coming from Thailand. Will save up a bit then keep you guys in the loop!
    Thankyou everyone

    Also, 600km to a tank!? That can't be right!?
     
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  13. Andych

    Andych Moderator Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    You cant go wrong using LiteTek kits... :)
     
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  14. Grasshopper

    Grasshopper Well-Known Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    Best I've got is 190km then hit reserve... 48km per Litre? I seriously doubt it....
     
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  15. Cbuzz

    Cbuzz Well-Known Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    Consistently get 250-270k's before hitting reserve on my 250A. 15T front sprocket helps as I cruise the freeway a lot.

    Carbies have been fully cleaned/rebuilt & tuned.

    I think the riders weight has a LOT to do with fuel economy. For example I am ~100kg's fully geared up.
     
  16. Damus

    Damus She is a BEAST and riding it is comparable to sex Dirty Wheel Club

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    I'm 70kg, I pretty much also ditched most of the dead weight on the bike too but I get roughly 300km's also.
     
  17. 89Zixxer

    89Zixxer Member

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    What revs do you sit on at 100km/h? I was thinking about gearing changes..
    What sort of dead weight? I'll drop some no sweat haha

    Also looking at getting carbs ultrasonically cleaned, and places in NZ that do it? South island preferably
     
  18. Cbuzz

    Cbuzz Well-Known Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    Revving 8K@100KM/h in 6th gear.

    The 15T front sprock in mandatory on the 250A IMO! I had the stock 14T for a while before teh 15T. The 15T gives you an extra 10-20KM/h on every gear lol.

    I did not even notice any power loss at all. I just noticed it going a LOT faster in every gear. Hit 60KM/h in first in a few seconds.

    Around teh streets I hardly ever get out of 3rd gear.
     
  19. 89Zixxer

    89Zixxer Member

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    Okay that sounds great, but I sit just under 9k at 100km/h anyways so I'll hold off for now.
    I havent had a chance to do the carbs yet but I've almost had a slight change of heart, and might be considering selling the bike and going more dual sport. I love the bike, and I don't want to see it go. But I'm looking at upgrading my dirt bike to a 450, so I'm thinking of going a wr450 and making a dual sport, so then the zxr won't get any use.. :(

    We'll see how it goes though, I really do like this bike

    Thanks guys!
     
  20. Cmor7965

    Cmor7965 Active Member

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    I also get around 190km until i hit reserve which equates to about 5L/100km which i thought was pretty standard for these thirsty carburetor bikes?
     
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