Zed or zee?

[Mista Bob]

Hmm!
Here's my '04 Kawasaki ZZR-250.
Bought it not too long ago just in time for our lovely winter here in Canada.
Still managed to put about 500 or so KM's on it though.
Sadly its starting to snow big time now so I won't be riding again for awhile yet.

In case anyone is unfamiliar with the ZZR-250..
It features the same 250cc parallel twin from the Ninja 250, but has many other differences.
Most obvious differences being the aluminum perimeter frame, different fairing and 17" wheels.
Also features a slew of other upgrades (adjustable levers and adjustable rear shock for example), although it does weigh about 6kg more.

Anyways enough talk, onto the pics!




These pics were taken a couple weeks ago when it was nice riding weather.

[kkim]

Beautiful bike in excellent condition.

Brian997 from this board has they same type of bike and also lives in Canada, but I'm not exactly sure where in relation to you.

Thanks for sharing.

[BlueTyke]

Very nice looking bike you have there!

[Mista Bob]

Originally Posted by kkim

Beautiful bike in excellent condition.

Guess you missed the fairing damage on the right side.
Previous owner dumped the bike in some gravel whilst exiting a gas station... or so he says anyways.

Aside from some scrapes and cracks it's in perfect condition though.

[kkim]

Originally Posted by Mista Bob

Guess you missed the fairing damage on the right side.
Previous owner dumped the bike in some gravel whilst exiting a gas station... or so he says anyways.

Aside from some scrapes and cracks it's in perfect condition though.

If my bike is in as excellent condition after 4-5 years, I'll be happy with it.

[Mista Bob]

I think it runs rich though... not really sure.
Smells fairly strong of gas when its running.

[kkim]

mpg?

[Mista Bob]

I got about 58mpg (us gallons) on my last fill up.
Included some spirited riding though, and pretty much 100% city riding.

[kkim]

Hmmm... That's pretty good gas mileage. Do you know if the previous owner rejetted the bike?

[Mista Bob]

Not a clue.
As far as I know the bike is completely stock.
I'm thinking of getting rid of the air box and slapping on some K&N air pods on it though.

[brian997]

Originally Posted by kkim

mpg?

Originally Posted by Mista Bob

I got about 58mpg (us gallons) on my last fill up.
Included some spirited riding though, and pretty much 100% city riding.

Originally Posted by kkim

Hmmm... That's pretty good gas mileage. Do you know if the previous owner rejetted the bike?

Originally Posted by Mista Bob

Not a clue.
As far as I know the bike is completely stock.
I'm thinking of getting rid of the air box and slapping on some K&N air pods on it though.

Just thought I'd chime in :P My MPG over 2500kms is 62mpg. I had the bike rejetted when I bought it, because it ran too rich (and it wouldn't stay at 1500RPMS :P). I believe my mechanic used a #40 pilot jet.

Oh and black is faster!

[Anthony_marr]

Just got it a month ago, with 3000 km (2000 mi) on the odo, not a scratch, for CDN$3000 (US$2500). LOVE it! I've chosen this bike to be my mount for my 40-states-in-6-months Rebels With A Cause tour (starting mid-June '09 - see

www.myspace.com/AnthonyMarr

for the tour itinerary. If you could and would, I'd love to ride with you when I come to your state. Swoosie says I'll win the 2009 GRR, hopefully with you and your bike in some of the pics!

Anthony

[VeX]

Alllllrighty, time out. They didn't offer the ZZR-250's in the States, meanwhile everyone of you in Canada has them! No fair!!

[Anthony_marr]

Well, it is over 15 lbs heavier in spite of the aluminum frame, so presumably 0.5% slower than the R. You lucky Americans! Mind you, I do like the 17" wheels and the sweeter fairing.

AM:

[brian997]

Originally Posted by VeX

Alllllrighty, time out. They didn't offer the ZZR-250's in the States, meanwhile everyone of you in Canada has them! No fair!!

Well I tell you what... I will sell you mine for $6,000, plus shipping (which is about $650). Its worth that much to me haha :P

[Mista Bob]

Nice to see other ZZR-250 riders.

[brian997]

Originally Posted by Mista Bob

Nice to see other ZZR-250 riders.

Its too funny that we are representing three different provinces haha

[Syphen]

Nice ZZR's guys. They are a sharp looking bike. I think it was a good improvement on the old Ninja 250.



Anthony's reminds me of a mini super blackbird CBR1100XX.

[Anthony_marr]

Originally Posted by Syphen

Nice ZZR's guys. They are a sharp looking bike. I think it was a good improvement on the old Ninja 250.

Anthony's reminds me of a mini super blackbird CBR1100XX.

Hi Greg,

Since you live in Ontario, Canada, I assume your bike is a ZZR too. For our American friends who may not be familiar with the ZZR, it is a version of the 250R sold outside of the US, including Canada and Asia. But except for the following minor differences, it is basically the same bike as the pre-gen "classical" Ninja 250 (up to 2007):

1. The fairing, especially around the head light

2. 17" rear wheels instead of the 250R's 16" ones, and fatter rear tires.

3. Aluminum frame instead of the 250R's steel frame.

4. 3-spoke mag wheels instead of the 250R's 6-spoke ones.

5. About 15 lb heavier than the 250R, so, slightly slower.

Not sure about the sprocket teeth ratios. Drive train and suspension identical (?).

Did I miss anything?

It does look like the CBR a little.

Some think that the classic Ninja 250 look aged, but that's relative. From an absolute aesthetic viewpoint, it is a beautiful bike.

Anthony

[Syphen]

Anthony, mine is a 2008 Ninja 250R. No ZZR here. I would buy one if I found one for a decent price in good condition in a heart beat.

[Anthony_marr]

Originally Posted by Syphen

Anthony, mine is a 2008 Ninja 250R. No ZZR here. I would buy one if I found one for a decent price in good condition in a heart beat.

Greg,

When I bought mine about 1.5 months ago, I had 3 ZZRs to choose from, all in good shape, all for about CDN$3000-$3500. I guess I was in luck. Here is a pic of a red one. I just googled "motorcycles for sale Vancouver" and they popped up in the Kijili site. Good luck.

Anthony

[brian997]

Originally Posted by Anthony_marr

Greg,

When I bought mine about 1.5 months ago, I had 3 ZZRs to choose from, all in good shape, all for about CDN$3000-$3500. I guess I was in luck. Here is a pic of a red one. I just googled "motorcycles for sale Vancouver" and they popped up in the Kijili site. Good luck.

Anthony

But if he wanted a new bike, it had to be a 250R... they stopped making the ZZR after 2007 season. Now, for Canada and US the 2008 bikes are the same.

[Anthony_marr]

Originally Posted by brian997

But if he wanted a new bike, it had to be a 250R... they stopped making the ZZR after 2007 season. Now, for Canada and US the 2008 bikes are the same.

Hey Brian,

How's the snow falling? Vancouver has been taking a dump lately.

Anyway, Greg wrote: "if I found one for a decent price in good condition in a heart beat", so I presumed that he was not ruling out a good used one. On the other hand, it could be just his way of saying how much he likes our ZZRs.

But if he is really looking for a good used one, I would think there would be lots to choose from in Ontario, especially this time of the year?

Anthony

[brian997]

Originally Posted by Anthony_marr

Hey Brian,

How's the snow falling? Vancouver has been taking a dump lately.

Anyway, Greg wrote: "if I found one for a decent price in good condition in a heart beat", so I presumed that he was not ruling out a good used one. On the other hand, it could be just his way of saying how much he likes our ZZRs.

But if he is really looking for a good used one, I would think there would be lots to choose from in Ontario, especially this time of the year?

Anthony

Lots of snow.. everything is shut down haha! And I hear more is on the way from you guys!

yeah I didn't read that part :P
But no, actually there aren't any around! I just took a quick look on autotrader and on kijiji.ca and there was 0 Ninja 250 ZZRs! I had a very hard time finding mine too, I got it at the height of the summer (end of july) and it was only the 3rd bike in two months that got listed.

[Anthony_marr]

Originally Posted by brian997

Lots of snow.. everything is shut down haha! And I hear more is on the way from you guys!

yeah I didn't read that part :P
But no, actually there aren't any around! I just took a quick look on autotrader and on kijiji.ca and there was 0 Ninja 250 ZZRs! I had a very hard time finding mine too, I got it at the height of the summer (end of july) and it was only the 3rd bike in two months that got listed.

I just did a quick check of the Vancouver Kijili.com, and same here. No Ninja ZZR 250. There is a 2005 black one, but it is an R. I guess the ZZRs got snapped up (one by me). I really lucked out when I found mine. It is exactly the bike I want to do the tour with, as I'm sure you understand. If I didn't find my ZZR, I might be riding a Honda Rebel 250 now! (There is one thing likable about the Rebel and that is it's name, as per the REBELS WITH A CAUSE tour, but I like the word Ninja just as well if not better. In Chinese/Japanese, "Ninja" means "Endurer". It fits a 40-state-in-6-months long tour, I'd say. I love my bike, almost in the same way as I loved my horse. This love will make the tour easier to endure. I'm sure you understand this too.

Anthony

[Syphen]

have one too-many sailboats (3) to go and buy a 3rd bike now, BUT if a ZZR or 08/09 250R came on the market locally for a great deal, I would snap it up. I still LOVE the ZZR's though. My fiance is riding our 08 250R almost elusively and I don't trust the CBR250 100% for a cross-country trek just yet. It needs a new chain and sprockets still. I JUST finished the carbs & suspension.

[Mista Bob]

Was doing some minor work on my bike. . .

[Strider]

Nice ZZR! Lookin' sweet

[Sound Wave]

just saw this thread. wow... those zzr's are beautiful. i have never heard of them before. imo, a lot nicer than what was available here. does anyone know why they never sold them here? i wonder if the rest of the world will also eventually get a "zzr" version of the current body style?

[VeX]

I doubt it... Kawi is kind of 'going easy' for at least the next year or two with R&D as the economy is down. Hell a little birdy dropped the idea that not only is the EX500 not going to get an update, but the platform might get dropped entirely! For the price difference I guess a lot of people just go with the 650's and people that upgrade from the 250's typically go with the RR bikes. Soooo R&D for the 250 is probably on a standstill

[Anthony_marr]

Originally Posted by Sound Wave

just saw this thread. wow... those zzr's are beautiful. i have never heard of them before. imo, a lot nicer than what was available here. does anyone know why they never sold them here? i wonder if the rest of the world will also eventually get a "zzr" version of the current body style?

Glad you like our ZZRs.

I think there are write-ups above regarding the differences between the ZZR and the R - mainly the fairing, the aluminum frame, and the 17" rear tires (instead of the 16" ones in the R). It's never been for sale in the US, so the instrumentation is in metric. If you live near enough to Canada, you might be able to get a good one. I got mine (2005, immaculate, 2000 mi) for $2500 USD.

Anthony

[sometimesido]

did not know ZZR's had 17" wheels.

[Snake]

Very good looking bike.

[Mista Bob]

Pic of my ZZR 250 from one of my more recent rides.

[gizmogamez]

i love my little ZZR250, goina be sad to sell it when i pick up my new 09 next week