Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Hey there guys I'm Happy Pants and I'm 18 living in South Australia. I'm new and I haven't got my bike yet, or a license even. Although I'm hopefully starting a new job next week (hope the interview goes well) and I should be buying my bike in a month or two. That said I'll be getting my license in a couple of weeks. I've ridden dirt bikes before but sports bikes are completely new to me so I was just wondering if someone could help me out. I've narrowed it down to the two bikes (unless you guys know of any others) and I just wanted to know the difference between the ZZR-250 and ZX2R. I'm buying my bike second hand and it'll probably be from the mid 90's (for price reasons). I was originally gonna go for a hyosung gt250r because physically its shaped like a bigger bike which I think would look better. But I hear that if you buy them, even from new,they start to rust in a matter of weeks and start to break down after a year or so and parts are incredibly expensive (just what I've heard). Also are any of you guys here from SA? once I get settled in on my bike I would love to go on some cruises. Cheers guys!

Let me know if you see Neka..

back on topic, difference in a ZZR2 and a ZXR2, the ZZR is more upright with a parallel twin motor, where as the ZXR2 is more of a sports bike with a more aggressive seating position and a 4cyl engine that revs to 20k. Either way tho both are 250's and not overly quick once you get used to them! I'm not sure who otld u the hyo would rust in a few weeks, but its like anything in life you get what you pay for! I doubt it would rust, as i dont know what would rust ? but either way, dont fall into the trap of buying a 250 to look like you ride an R1. Cause quite frankly the only people who will be impressed are your mates with Skylines!

Buy a cheap shitter like a GPX250. Yes its not the BEST, bro'est looking 250 on hte market, but they are cheap, very reliable, very forgiving to learn on, robust, plenty of power for a learners needs and if u crash it, shouldnt be too hard to fix or cost you much. Plus gives you the oppurtunity to buy better riding gear, which you can take to your next bike, which i have done, i still have the same helmet from my learners 4 years ago!!! Plus you are wiser to buy BETTER gear like leathers as you have a higher risk at crashing! Rather than skimp on safety and go for sick attitude!

That being said a ZZR is still a good choice if you can pick up a decent cheap one and also a ZX2R is still a good choice, but if you are paying 5k+ for a 250 which is early 90's is it really worth it ? You can pick up late 2000 model GPX for cheap!

Everyone here will tell you to buy a cheap bike to learn on then buy something nice when you make your step up. but then again its your money, your life so you can spend it however you like, but just take the advice on from those who have been there!

The argument has been put forward, a zzr/gpx250 is going to be easier on the upkeep than a zxr250 (real name for what was market branded the zx2r by bike importers). However as to Hyosung, they are akin to the Hyundai's of the motorcycle world. We're a bit past the detonating engine stage of the Hyundai excel, but not by much. There used to be huge rusting issues with the early models (im talking 4-5 years ago at least) however newer models are substantially better, although still they are going to be the cheaper cousin of anything Japanese (with most associated tradeoffs) at least for a few more years.

the zzr or gpx......or a newer zx2r.....the older ones are from what i have heard expensive to buy and maintain whereas the gpx, zzr and new zx2 all have the same motor......very reliable, cost effective to run and brilliant to ride....also you have to consider that you more than only going to keep the bike till you get on full lisence and upgrade so don't go out and buy a bike that will cost heaps to maintain and run. also thoroughly go over the bike and look at every little thing that could be wrong!!!! everyone here will help with any question you have with buying bikes, gear and looking after everything so don't be afraid to ask!!

Speaking from experience, my GPX is an absolute ripper bike. It's got power, it looks every bit as good as any other small sports bike, it's reliable and I love it to bits, it gets polished and looked after better than I do. I get about 330km to the tank on it, I don't thrash it around though and I am not your lightest rider going around, lol.

I just say you can't go wrong with a GPX.

Cheers

Lisa

mike-s wrote:The argument has been put forward, a zzr/gpx250 is going to be easier on the upkeep than a zxr250 (real name for what was market branded the zx2r by bike importers). However as to Hyosung, they are akin to the Hyundai's of the motorcycle world. We're a bit past the detonating engine stage of the Hyundai excel, but not by much. There used to be huge rusting issues with the early models (im talking 4-5 years ago at least) however newer models are substantially better, although still they are going to be the cheaper cousin of anything Japanese (with most associated tradeoffs) at least for a few more years.

As far as I am aware, Hyundai were up in the top 3 manufacturers globally, with the lowest amounts of faults per new car sold. So, if A Hyosung is unreliable, then don;t heap it in with Hyndais! They build one of the best cars on the road today!!!! Fact.

I cannot comment on the Hyosung, as I have never owned one, nor had any service experience with them. However, I hear good things about them more often than bad things. All the same, I would still rather ride a 2nd hand ZZR250 (Or insert fav japanese 2fiddie here) than a new Hyosung!

Others have already commented and expressed there views..that being a GPX/ZZR would be a better option. Personally, if the learner laws allow you, I'd be on the smokinist 250 stroker available!!!!! Fuck all the nancy boy easy to ride shit, go buy something that's gunna scare shit outta ya. Isn't that part of the reason we ride??? I had a modified 250 TZR when on my learners. It had chambers, some seriously wild porting work, especially on the transfers, and the carbs jetted to suit. It was good for a genuine $2.00! Anyway...if you survive all that...you might even end up a half decent rider. Plus, a 2fiddie stroker would be nirvana in the Adelaide Hills!!! Imagine tackling the gorge rd on a nicely set up Reverse Cylinder, TZR250. Or the mad mile!!! (rd which links Chain of ponds and Gorge rds!)

Strika wrote:As far as I am aware, Hyundai were up in the top 3 manufacturers globally, with the lowest amounts of faults per new car sold. So, if A Hyosung is unreliable, then don;t heap it in with Hyndais! They build one of the best cars on the road today!!!! Fact.

They may be, NOW, but back when they started selling cars over here, there were a number of steaming piles of crap with the Hyundai badge on the road.

HappyPants1029 wrote:Thanks everyone, you guys have been really helpful! ... I think I'm gonna go with the ZZR250 just because I like the look a bit better, but, if I see a really well priced gpx ill go for it. Again thanks guys you've all made me feel really welcome and I'll be sure to ask you some questions when it comes time to buy my bike. It seems you all know your bikes really well. oh p.s. Saki... nah forget skylines, go mustangs, impalas and GTOs! me and my mates are all metal heads so by order of nature, we aren't for skylines haha .

haha na i wasn't implying directly. But there is just a stereo type CBR250RRRRRRRRRRRRRR riders with there mates in there foooly siick matteee R33 GTST with phat blow off valve and fat 19x6' chromeys

Its just many times we get noobs on here who say they want to know about buying a 250 and when advice is handed over they just come up with every arguement against what we suggest, but the fact is, they are noob with little or no experience!

nothing wrong with buying a bike for its looks, hell thats part of owning a bike. But on your 250 licence, you might greatly hurt the looks of your bike so make it cheap for yourself!! ZZR is a good choice tho, and u can pick up an early 90's aus delivered for good prices! ie: less than 3k in good nick

Either way, welcome to the family

+1 for the GPX - sure they look old but they're a top bike and besides, you're going to upgrade as soon as you get on your opens.

Your first bike is always going to give you fond memories regardless of what it is (as long as it's not a lemon:D)

What Saki said in his first comment , very good advice

If you find a good one, and they are out there, a proper ZX2R would be an awesome bike to learn on.

Nothing like 20,000RPM screaming out underneath you.

blaringmike wrote:If you find a good one, and they are out there, a proper ZX2R would be an awesome bike to learn on.

Nothing like 20,000RPM screaming out underneath you.

Then BOOM & your wallet cops a huge beating

robracer wrote:

blaringmike wrote:If you find a good one, and they are out there, a proper ZX2R would be an awesome bike to learn on.

Nothing like 20,000RPM screaming out underneath you.

Then BOOM & your wallet cops a huge beating

Must be a Kwakka thing

My Honda never gave me any trouble until I sent it to its maker at EC T5

Id reccomend a gpx to learn on, as its been said. They are a very forgiving bike and great to learn on. If i'd of found one at the time of gettin my l's i would of gone down that rd....

All i can suggest would be to test ride both a gpx and a zzr and see what suits u better. Just cos it looks good doesn't mean it will suit ya!

Good luck regardless, there are some decent bikes round adelaide at the moment!!