stupid question but just abit confused abotu zx2r's

[fadz90]

just bought a kawasaki zxr250 but it has zx2r stickers on it,
the owner said it was a zxr250 but i don't know which is which, so if someone can please help me out also what are the mian differences,
cheers!

[2ndclasscitizen]

A ZX-2R is a ZXR-250 (probably a later model) with a ZX-2R sticker on it.

[maraach]

Pretty much what the above statement said.

And firstly congratulations on the zxr250. Fun little bike, and im sure you will enjoy it. Also welcome to team kawasaki, its the best team

Long story short, basically there is no such machine as the "zx2r". Kawasaki never made or marketed a bike under this name. However, there were zxr750's which later became the zx7r. There is also (as im sure you are aware) a zx6r, zx9r, zx10r, zx12r and ax14. As such the zxr250 became colloquially (man im sure i spelled that wrong) known as the zx-2r, much the same as the 250 yamaha was getting branded the "r2" for awhile.

Just as a personal thing i dislike any bikes i see the "zx2r" sticker on. Not because there is anything wrong with this terminology, but because of what the sticker usually signifies. Original paint scheme bikes would only ever have had "zxr250" printed on them. The majority of bikes with "zx2r" on them are bikes that have been imported into Australia, repainted and sold to many consumers who believe they own a much newer bike than they actually do. My understanding is that the zxr250 had two model runs. One from 88 - 90 which was the "A" model with the twin headlights. Then one from 91 - 93 as the "C" model with a single headlight and slightly different engine and suspension. There was also an Australian delivered model which was a re-manufacture of the "C" model in 2003. Same bike as 1993.. consider it a 10th anniversary edition.

Why is this relevant? If i had a dollar for every time i saw someone selling a "1998 zx2r" i could buy all the bikes i wanted by now. Chances are the bike is actually a 91-92 zxr250 which was complianced in Australia in 1998. Build date is different from compliance date..... However certain unnamed sellers sell the bike as "latest 2005* model". It isnt until you read the fine print that you see "*latest 2005 paint scheme". Ok so im burnt. I saw a friend buy a "1998" zxr250 for $7k. It is actually a 91 model. And once the shine of the paint started wearing away (and that was quick as it was a really dodgy paint quality) we started to notice old weld marks on the fairings, some of which were aftermarket and melted due to heat, and a different paint colour underneath. It is not unheard of for companies to import thrashed bikes from overseas, freshen them up and sell them for top dollar here.... this is the practice i have issues with. And the worst thing is, at least his stuff was only cosmetic. A lot of people out there have had similar but worse experiences.

Realistically once you get past the 250 stage you will notice any bike that has a different than factory paint scheme will decrease in value - significantly. The reason is because the first thing people will think is that the bike has been dropped - even if it hasnt. Sure the $2k on a nice paint job may seem like a good idea at the time, but its a pretty much guarentee that when you go to sell your bike it will reduce its value by roughly the same amount.

This is slightly different in the 250 market as a lot of it is more about appearance. However personally one of the great things about seeing a bike in it's original state is that you can get a feel about how it's been treated. With a new coat of paint, and a bike that has been cleaned to the nines you cant really tell as easily. Consider that the zxr250's rev to 19.5k and you can destroy an engine in 20-30,000km's if you dont take care of things.

Ok so i've got off topic. I really do hope your zxr250 turns out a lot better than some of the ones i've seen. I just wanted to fill you in a little so there isnt any more confusion on this topic. The zxr250 is a fun, and fast bike. They hate to start on cold mornings as a general rule, but once you get the hang of them they wont give you too many problems. Ride it, enjoy it and make the most of it.

[fadz90]

thanks for that information it helped alot, well it's a 95 model zxr250 ill have pics of it on here very soon, and unfortunalty the bike has been droped as due to a incident where a drunk fella kicked it down, a few scratches and jus a tad of the fairing is damaged, i was thinking of going with a super jet black colour scheme, but still indesicive over it.
anyways thanks for the help i appreicate it
cheers!

[maraach]

The bike was manufactured in 1995? Like build date on 1995? Im only curious as i have heard of these mythical creatures but never actually seen one,.

[fadz90]

I shall sus it out and then let you know, either way i just need a bike to get me started although parts for these bikes aren't that easy to spot. it has the joint bug eye front light sort of thing so im hoping its a 1995?

[timmyrocks]

yes the single headlight and single tail light its a zxr250 "C" model, all zxr250s 1990 and onwards are "C" models are are the same i currently have a late model engine fitted to my 1992 model so most parts are interchanagable with the "C" model regardless of year model,
what parst you after and where are you located?
cheers Tim

[brendanzxr]

Same as my zxr250c see pic it's a 91 model but it's had a new paint job not factory paint, you can just see green on the inside fairing's, and yes when i bought my bike it had zx2r stickers on it, so i got rid of them and changed them to ZXR stickers and ninja stickers , like it was supposed to be from the start . They are very good bikes quick, reliable little thing's luv mine to bit's no major mechanical problem's as of yet, but it is due for a service , congrat's mate enjoy. cheers brendan

[fadz90]

thanks guys, tim im after rear brake pads for now and soon ill be changin the chain and brake rotors, the previous owner said chain was replaced but it dosen't look to fresh to be chnaged to be honest and im located in the wetherill park area.
cheers fadi.

[timmyrocks]

Motorcycle accessories parramatta will sort you out for the chain, they may have pads (metros spares do!), and for the brake rotors(disks) you may need to go to kawasaki as metro's is a wrecker so u will only get good 2nd hand ones and i doubt MCAS have them try but,
also give ebay a look i will have a search see if it can save you some mucking round, oh and if u need a hand with the bike im located in greystanes and i know my way around the zxr2fiddy pretty well so i will be able to give ya hand fitting the gear
cheers Tim

[fadz90]

Thanks alot Tim, i shall let you know if i need any help you would probably see me riding around the area soon.

[timmyrocks]

hehe sweet as good luck with finding the parts shouldnt be to hard let me know if ya need a hand
Tim

[brendanzxr]

See you around fadz, we should go for a ride some time. good luck with the bike.

[fadz90]

not a problem brendan, just give me a few weeks to adjust to the bike etc etc, first timer on the 2 wheels, but definitly we will go for a ride in the near future

[Araska]

G'day,

Noticed you have the same bike I do fadi - or at least, it looks it, from the avatar pic.

Same headlights, anyway, which brings me to my question - does anyone know where I can replace mine?

I have a kawasaki zxr250/zx2r (depending on who you ask! ) and was recently in an unfortunate accident. Nobody seriously injured, but the cover on the headlight has shattered I repaired the fairing myself, went over the mechanics with a fine toothcomb and spent at least three days making sure all was well before even looking at the aesthetics, and now I just need to get a replacement cover/headlight.

Can someone point me in the right direction? I'm in Cronulla, but not adverse to wandering around Syd for however long it takes.

thanks!
Nathan