Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

I have a friend who is about to enter to world of motorcycling. She is looking at a couple of ZZR 250's that are currently in teh trading post and has asked me to go and have a look at them for her (as she lives in the country). Now, I can ride them and tell how they run, but mechanically I am the equivillent to a... well, lets just say I am a mechanical dunce.

My question therefore is this: Considering that model (the ZZR 250 - I think both are from early '90s?) is there anything in particular I should be looking out for when I inspect the bikes?

Bearings, headset / steering, swingarm, wheel. Put it on the centre stand and sit on it to feel the steering bearings. Lean back and turn the handle bars.

Chain and Sprockets,

Klms and service history,

Original fairings,

Engine casings, for signs of an off.

I just bought one for $3000. 28000klms and pretty much mint condition. 94 model.

it would be hard to find one that hasnt been thrashed or dropped.

they are pretty strong realiable bikes, just check to hear if there is any really clanky noises coming from the engine, loose cam chains & tensioners are always needing replacing later on in there life. To be honest everyone they says look out for this and that, really means buy a new one. Every 2nd hand bike is going to need work. Its just a matter of weather you want to fix it. lol

Im ranting now so im goin g back to my tequilla.

wonder what happened to the KSRC bike checklist..that was on the website?

that would be a help here

once you find one you like get brett at madbiker to look at it
http://www.madbiker.com.au/en/
cost $100 or so but he's good.

Jiggy wrote:is there anything in particular I should be looking out for when I inspect the bikes?

Two wheels, handlebars, motor and a seat..... oh.... and a key if it's not a kick start

Try this........... http://www.ksrc-au.com/index.php?itemid=16

That's not working try this one........ http://www.ksrc-au.com/html/bike_inspection.html

smithy5 wrote:

Jiggy wrote:is there anything in particular I should be looking out for when I inspect the bikes?

That's not working try this one........ http://www.ksrc-au.com/html/bike_inspection.html

I'll just jump in here and say that I bought a 1990 GPX250 (red and black) with 25,000 on the chassis, about a year ago, but it was in good (factory) condition after a single engine rebuild after the second owner blew the engine up, and I paid 3700 for it. I've not had a single issue with it (and I've even managed to overtake 6ers -- just ask anyone that went on the 2009 Gingers Creek trip )

Since owning it, I've put 30,000 more on the clock, the majority of that was commuting (100k each way, each day), and she's been a treat (with the exception of a bad batch of fuel in Sept). I've had to do the usual stuff (albeit, a little more frequently than most), but I would thoroughly recommend any learner start with a GPX250!

I've learnt so much from this bike, they are easy to pull to bits (in fact, I can get everything disassembled and be looking at the crank shaft within 20 minutes now -- and I didn't know ANYTHING about bikes 18 months ago) and they are easy to get parts for (thanks to everyone else finding trees, gutters or shiny-side-down) if you ever need them.

Anyway, more to the point, the link that Smithy put in above is an awesome checklist, I used it when purchasing this bike, and I would print that out and take it along with you to any inspections. The second you get to a negative answer, ask for an explanation, or walk away (mine had a near-bald front when I bought it, but that was easily fixed).

If you have any other questions about GPX250's of this vintage (even though they've been the exact same from '88 to about '04), just PM me.

Cheers, and good luck!

i'm sure that if asked in the right manor a member in your area will no dout give you a hand in buying one or giving advise ,,,,,cheers paul

Thanks all, for the advice and links. Much appreciated.

Hope you all had a great New Years...

Bump. Just found this thread using the search function, and found this on Google as well:

http://www.devittinsurance.com/assets/p ... cklist.pdf

The club comes through again