Silly Season: Or How I Learned to stop worrying and love...

[MarJay]

a 1986 two stroke!

Right, to kick off I have noticed that silly season is almost upon us.

Thats right! The season where its getting towards the time when people are laying up their bike for winter, or else knuckling down for the hard slog of winter riding. This has been reflected in the 'tetchiness' of the posts appearing on the forum (IMO).

I thought that I would cheer things up a bit with a positive review of my latest Motorcycle aquisition:

https://www.marjay.co.uk/photos/TZR1.jpg

She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts kid!

As a person whom has been through the formative stages of motorcycling, I am coming to a point where I realise I can get motorcycling satisfaction from bikes which are not the latest shit-hot sports tackle.

That is not to say that I have turned my back upon fast sportsbikes, I have a TT600 and have taken a strong fancy for a Daytona 675. What I am really trying to explain is that I can have as much fun on a 250 2 stroke as I can on a 600cc sportsbike.

To those who do a DAS and get straight on a 600/1000cc sportsbike, I feel sorry for you. The TZR is a hoot! The way it just urges you to go faster, the way it screams through the powerband! The smell, the look, the handling!

On paper, she doesn't look like much. A 45bhp 250 2t parallel twin weighing around 155kg wet. It is this low weight that gives it the phenomenal performance that is so much fun.

Pulling away is a bit of a non event, but once you have a bit of momentum you just need to thrash this bike. It corners well, and despite a chronic lack of damping in the rear shock, it is probably the best handling bike I have ridden. Or at least, the one most suited to my riding style!

https://www.marjay.co.uk/photos/TZR2.jpg

The looks are pure old school 80's, which again for me only really adds to the appeal. Its great to blow away a porsche up to 90 on a dual carriageway, especially on a bike that looks such an old shonker!

This bike has got me back into two strokes in a big way. I have some plans for this bike which should be fun. Many of you who read the workshop section will know that I have already purchased a replacement for the extremely coked up and slightly rusty exhaust system... hopefully I won't seize the thing trying it out!

Now for the downsides;
This bike loses out to the TT600 not only on pure speed but also practicality. It only does 90 miles to the tank (so I am told, I haven't really done any long journeys on it yet!) It uses up expensive synthetic 2 stroke oil, and it won't take a pillion easily. It will need an engine rebuild at least every ten thousand miles, and requires other periodic maintenance.

However, roads that are scary gravel strewn back lanes become unexplored goldmines on the TZR. It is so light and sure footed I am certain that it will be harder to catch me unawares than on the 600. This may actually be because I am travelling the same speed on both bikes, only the TT feels like it is being held back, and yet the TZR feels like it has been let off of the leash.

https://www.marjay.co.uk/photos/TZR3.jpg

I know that many of you who have graduated directly from a 125 to a 600, and certainly those of you who have done DAS and never ridden anything smaller than a 500 will be thinking "Whats he on about? they can't be *that* much fun!" Well, in that case I suggest you beg borrow or steal a go on a 250 2 stroke. Preferably a TZR or a working RGV or maybe an NSR if you can find such a thing... either way you may taste some of the attraction that I have towards these bikes.

I also like working on this bike. I like its simplicity. The fact that you only have one front brake caliper to bleed makes life easier for example...

If I came upon a windfall of cash and yet was unable to afford a Daytona 675, then I believe I might try to find a freshly rebuilt RGV250 and then keep it as something special and precious. Oh and of course give it a damn good thrashing at the weekend!

The TZR is a little gem of a bike, and only the fact that it is almost 20 years old worries me slightly. This is due to possible parts scarcity, but ebay has come up trumps on a number of occasions, and breakers seem to have a few knocking about. Road parts aren't an issue, as they are readily available from the YPMs (BEMSEE Yamaha past masters: old parallel twin Yamaha racing basically). The downside to YPM popularity is that I can see there being a lack of engine, suspension and frame parts, and wheels too. As I said, I might strive for something a bit newer if finances allow - it really wouldn't be necessary, it would only satisfy the tart and the worrier in me!!

To sum up, you don't need an R1 to be happy... you need any bike with a little bit of lunacy, preferably with as small an engine as you can bear! The TZR isn't worth much, but I guess that means I'm more likely to thrash it. I am aiming to look after it, and if you can put in the time and effort, these little strokers can be extremely rewarding!
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[McGee]

Nice looking little motor.

Gave me summit to read to Out of rating though
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◙◙► K6 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 1000 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► 96 RF600r ◄◙◙
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Its pronounced Jixxer!

[Groove]

when ive moved out, got a well paid job, nice bike, nice car, noting else to do, im gunna get a nice old sports bike and restore it...jus cos iread that, looked at the bike and fell for it
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|| Past: 1991 Kawasaki ZXR 250 ~ 2003 Honda CBR 600 F Sport ~ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R B1H 636 ~ 1999 Yamaha R1 ~ 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R J ~ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R B1H 636 ~ 1998 Honda VTR1000F Firestorm ~ K1 GSXR 600 Track bike ~ K6 GSXR 1000 ~ 2006 Speed Triple 1050 || Current: 2005 R1 https://www.adrucore.co.uk

[Rookie]

Is that an MCN keyring I see?!

Looks like a nice little bike, and being one of these 'straight to 600' weirdos, you've renewed my faith in smaller-engined bikes, and it is definitely something I need to have a look at (not that it will stop me buying a 600. )

Nice post.

[VFR400UK]

45bhp?

Get yourself a go on an RS250, same weight, better frame and suspension and 30% more power!

I've been giving serious thought to selling up and buying a 250 race/track bike.

What has allways put me off a road going 250 is the running costs. a 400 is the next best thing really, but still nothing like close enough

[Spiral]

Great read mate

Its good to know im not the only one who thinks any bike can be fun, i see too many posts saying '[insert bike] is shit' imo idiots say this and only because they are sitting behind a keyboard safe in the knowledge they won't get a kick in the arse.

I like to think every bike i see at one time or another was someones pride and joy once

p.s. 80's retro looks are great (i had one of those myself)
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****NORTHERN IRELAND NEWSFLASH!!**** According to a recent survey, 94% of loyalists said the best sex they ever had was in the shower; the other 6% haven't been to jail yet.***

[stinkwheel]

Preaching to the converted mate.

I WILL have another 350 powervalve. Oh yes! and I will loose my licence shortly after.

It is such a shame that racing regulations and European emissions regulations have effectively killed the high performance 2-stroke. So many bikers now have not had the absolutely fundamental, "this is what it is all about" motorcycling experience that can only be gained through thrashing the tits off a fast 2-stroke in a completely focused, 100% flat-oot, stretching the throittle cable manner.

Roll on intelligently engineered fuel injection.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[gavin]

[Shaun]

Nice one on buying a bike you can reach the floor on!

[MarJay]

[VFR400UK]

I hear the early RGV's had single stage valves.

Real 2 stroke madness is on bikes that don't have valves

*open throttle*

Nothing...nothing...Nothing...OHFUCK!! *wheelie*

[EuropeanNC30R...]

I had one of the first model RGV's, 55bhp with a one stage powervalve, could get quite vicious on greasy roads. I'll never forget the first time I cracked the throttle open on that after having come from a KH100.

Sorry Marj, but early model rgv's weigh around 128kg's, and the 91 onwards rgv's and rs250's are just under 140kg

[VFR400UK]

Thats probably dry weight though. In reality there is probably not much betwean the two, but it's where the weight is that counts the RS is quite top heavy so it feels just as heavy as my VFR which is actually a heavy bike, its just the weight is down low so you don't feel it so much.

What kind of exhaust system have you got for it?

[Barry_M2]

2 strokes are great fun, my NSR250 goes like stink, is very light and can be thrown about with very little effort, and you get loads of feedback from it.

My winter shopping list is for USD fork conversion.

But, I also love big 4-stroke 4's, but for scratchability etc... you cant beat a little 250 screamer!

[EuropeanNC30R...]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Nice read, but I really should not have opened this thread. Got me thinking about a TZR again.

Sure the RS is more powerful and better handling, but it would be a fun bike so those points are not that important.

And from everything I have heard the TZR is far more reliable than the RS / RGV / KR1, and far less likely to need regular rebuilds (could be wrong, but not heard of anyone recommending 10000 mile full rebuilds on a standard TZR for road use).

On the other hand something like an RD400 could be tempting, with a fairly insane power delivery.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[stinkwheel]

[MarJay]

[Kickstart]

[MarJay]

Keith.. You don't need 16 bikes...

5 would do! Why not sell a few of the non-runners on ebay!
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Kickstart]

[MarJay]

*How* many do you have now?
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[gavin]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Anyone have access to a weigh bridge. Could be interesting to weigh a good selection of bikes and find out just what they really do weigh.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[VFR400UK]

https://www.strappe.com/tzr-2.jpg

go on!

you know it makes sense!