Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Hey guys
I'm looking to start 250 prody racing and having a good play at track days. I have a few mates who a flogging little 250 2-strokers round the track and racing against them seems like its gonna be a hoot.
Ive been looking round a fair bit for the past 6 months trying to decide on the right bike for the job. But so far I havent really gotten anywhere closer to deciding on what bike is gonna be right.
I'm so f#$%ing keen to get out there, but im still too damn clueless as to what would be best.
As much as I hate to say it on a kawasaki forum.....the bike I buy may not be green...
The criteria I have been using to try and select this bike are as follows:
-Reasonalbly priced parts (new or used)
-Reasonably common race glass
-Reasonably competative (I dont wanna be left on the startline)
-Damage (WHEN it goes down, what are the chances of frame bending etc)
-Relaibility

So far the Aprilia rs250 has been leading my choices simply cause second hand race glass is everywhere, and with LAMS they are no longer a learner leagal bike, so it should drop in price a fair bit.
Im not all that worried if its a 2 or 4 stroke. I could die happy smelling 2-stroke fumes, but they are higher maintanace (more beers in the shed), 4 stroke will basically need its tyres kicked before each race (more beers in the house).

I'm open to any suggestions, there are a shitload of racers on here, so I reckon its a great place to start.
Let me know what you think.
Cheers

Geez Mate , tough thing to be asking here . Not many 2 smokers around . A 250 diesel will be a bit slower in a straight line but should go round corners a bit better . Doesn't matter what you are playing with at the track , the best fun is dicing with someone , whether it is for first place at Laguna or for second last at the BumFuckNowhere race track .
Just get something that allows you to play with ya Mates .
Mind you those RS250 Aprillas go round corners and stop pretty damn good .

Hit the nail on the head with what I'm trying to do. Primarily I just want something cheap to fix when I bin it.

The 250 smokers race against the 400 diesels up here, that being the case i'd go the cbr400, or even the fzr400 (better front end) best way is a designated trackie champ, cheaper to buy & maintain as well.
2cs. The 'prilla be the best of the roadies.

400's are less maintenance than 2 stroke....do approx same lap times...just means more work when you are rooted after racing.. trust me, dont wanna be f'n around with the top end or oils n shit when you come in after doin laps!!

hth

btw...RVF 400 are my personal fav, but the zxr400 not too shabby..

Skullenton Punx wrote:Hit the nail on the head with what I'm trying to do. Primarily I just want something cheap to fix when I bin it.

Where are you Mate , what tracks do you plan on playing at ?
A 250 proddy 2 stroke doesn't really need much maintenance if kept in stock trim . Start tweaking things or running a GP stroker and you have to start paying a lot more attention .
History of the bike if you can get it is important . A stroker with 20,000 kays on it may be due for a new crank ,pistons etc etc . A 4 stroke , 4 cyclinder 250 will be just run in and no doubt run for a couple of seasons with not much more than an oil change .
But what you initially pay will be quiet different too .
PS . much cheaper not to bin it

There was a Kiwi lad up here on a zxr400 smashing them last season, havent paid much attention to them this year.