Discussion
So... For reasons that I can't explain I'm struggling with the urge to get a pukka TZ250. Usage will be track days and parades and some such.
So are there any particular model years that are better or worse than the rest?
Desirable models or things to watch out for??
I'm not particularly bothered about having the latest and greatest like the 5KE but hoping some of the knowledgeable folks here can give a helping hand.
So are there any particular model years that are better or worse than the rest?
Desirable models or things to watch out for??
I'm not particularly bothered about having the latest and greatest like the 5KE but hoping some of the knowledgeable folks here can give a helping hand.
Hi All,
I mostly lurk on here, but as this is right up my street I thought I would weigh in.
I have two TZs, a 1991 and a 2009. Both are amazing in different ways, and I don't think you can beat them. Sure, you have to get used to setting them up, high wear rates and constant worry that it is going to go bang, but all of that is worth it when you ride one. Turn in, corner speed and all that stuff that racers go on about is amazing, and far beyond anything I can ever do.
These two bikes are quite different, and I actually prefer the '91 as while it is not as fast or easy to ride, it looks like a proper GP bike and has no airbox. It makes the best noise ever, and runs on Avgas. That alone makes it feel special.
I use mine for track days and love them. I'll never sell!
Happy to answer any questions if I can. If you are looking for a bike, I'd call Andy Sawford at St Neots motorcycles. He knows his onions.
Cheers, and good luck.
I mostly lurk on here, but as this is right up my street I thought I would weigh in.
I have two TZs, a 1991 and a 2009. Both are amazing in different ways, and I don't think you can beat them. Sure, you have to get used to setting them up, high wear rates and constant worry that it is going to go bang, but all of that is worth it when you ride one. Turn in, corner speed and all that stuff that racers go on about is amazing, and far beyond anything I can ever do.
These two bikes are quite different, and I actually prefer the '91 as while it is not as fast or easy to ride, it looks like a proper GP bike and has no airbox. It makes the best noise ever, and runs on Avgas. That alone makes it feel special.
I use mine for track days and love them. I'll never sell!
Happy to answer any questions if I can. If you are looking for a bike, I'd call Andy Sawford at St Neots motorcycles. He knows his onions.
Cheers, and good luck.
9005rpm said:
Hi All,
I mostly lurk on here, but as this is right up my street I thought I would weigh in.
I have two TZs, a 1991 and a 2009. Both are amazing in different ways, and I don't think you can beat them. Sure, you have to get used to setting them up, high wear rates and constant worry that it is going to go bang, but all of that is worth it when you ride one. Turn in, corner speed and all that stuff that racers go on about is amazing, and far beyond anything I can ever do.
These two bikes are quite different, and I actually prefer the '91 as while it is not as fast or easy to ride, it looks like a proper GP bike and has no airbox. It makes the best noise ever, and runs on Avgas. That alone makes it feel special.
I use mine for track days and love them. I'll never sell!
Happy to answer any questions if I can. If you are looking for a bike, I'd call Andy Sawford at St Neots motorcycles. He knows his onions.
Cheers, and good luck.
Fantastic, thanks for chipping in.I mostly lurk on here, but as this is right up my street I thought I would weigh in.
I have two TZs, a 1991 and a 2009. Both are amazing in different ways, and I don't think you can beat them. Sure, you have to get used to setting them up, high wear rates and constant worry that it is going to go bang, but all of that is worth it when you ride one. Turn in, corner speed and all that stuff that racers go on about is amazing, and far beyond anything I can ever do.
These two bikes are quite different, and I actually prefer the '91 as while it is not as fast or easy to ride, it looks like a proper GP bike and has no airbox. It makes the best noise ever, and runs on Avgas. That alone makes it feel special.
I use mine for track days and love them. I'll never sell!
Happy to answer any questions if I can. If you are looking for a bike, I'd call Andy Sawford at St Neots motorcycles. He knows his onions.
Cheers, and good luck.
I'll definitely give Andy a call. problem is whilst I want a TZ I can't profess to being an expert so it would be good to understand the variances, spares support etc for the different models.
Oh, and your post is useless without pictures
Yes, give Andy a call. I'm not an expert either and Andy looks after my bikes for me. He'll do everything from general servicing to coming to the track to a full rebuild. I should be at both Classic Bike Track Days events this year, so come and say hi.
I've tried to attach pictures. Hopefully they work!![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/VdUu8u1h.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/E2PRwHpr" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/E2PRwHpr.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/E2PRwHpr" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/E2PRwHpr.jpg)
I've tried to attach pictures. Hopefully they work!
I don't know much about the TZ's but when i visit the local Suzuki dealer near me i admire their collection that is lined up in the showroom. I think they race them and get them shipped over from Japan.
Here is their webiste
http://www.stneotsmotorcycles.com/pages/about/phot...
Here is their webiste
http://www.stneotsmotorcycles.com/pages/about/phot...
9005rpm said:
Yes, give Andy a call. I'm not an expert either and Andy looks after my bikes for me. He'll do everything from general servicing to coming to the track to a full rebuild. I should be at both Classic Bike Track Days events this year, so come and say hi.
I've tried to attach pictures. Hopefully they work!
Lovely!! I've tried to attach pictures. Hopefully they work!
I'd love to pop along but I'm a few time zones away from you so might be tricky
But thanks for the pointer. I'll chat with Andy and see what's what. I'm not in any particular hurry and looking for someone who can arrange shipping etc.
Cheers!
Check out TZ250.com decent site for info.
I've had three of them '92, '96 and '01. Watch the case wear on post 2000 bikes and forget about finding pukka kit pistons these days unless you get very lucky. Running them isn't that tricky when you get the basics right. As long as you have a half decent ignition, det counter and don't take the piss with the mileages you'll be fine. At NG I reckon there were more issues with tuned RGV's than the GP bikes, they're quite tough and crash really well. Should have kept mine. On another note have you considered a GP125, I know where a couple of those are hiding, and an '84 250.
I've had three of them '92, '96 and '01. Watch the case wear on post 2000 bikes and forget about finding pukka kit pistons these days unless you get very lucky. Running them isn't that tricky when you get the basics right. As long as you have a half decent ignition, det counter and don't take the piss with the mileages you'll be fine. At NG I reckon there were more issues with tuned RGV's than the GP bikes, they're quite tough and crash really well. Should have kept mine. On another note have you considered a GP125, I know where a couple of those are hiding, and an '84 250.
yonex said:
Check out TZ250.com decent site for info.
I've had three of them '92, '96 and '01. Watch the case wear on post 2000 bikes and forget about finding pukka kit pistons these days unless you get very lucky. Running them isn't that tricky when you get the basics right. As long as you have a half decent ignition, det counter and don't take the piss with the mileages you'll be fine. At NG I reckon there were more issues with tuned RGV's than the GP bikes, they're quite tough and crash really well. Should have kept mine. On another note have you considered a GP125, I know where a couple of those are hiding, and an '84 250.
Thanks.I've had three of them '92, '96 and '01. Watch the case wear on post 2000 bikes and forget about finding pukka kit pistons these days unless you get very lucky. Running them isn't that tricky when you get the basics right. As long as you have a half decent ignition, det counter and don't take the piss with the mileages you'll be fine. At NG I reckon there were more issues with tuned RGV's than the GP bikes, they're quite tough and crash really well. Should have kept mine. On another note have you considered a GP125, I know where a couple of those are hiding, and an '84 250.
I've sussed the cases issue with the post 2k models which is putting me off them but I think I actually prefer the older bikes. Mid to late eighties ate cracking.
Re the 125 I think it might be pushing the envelope a little to expect one to pull my arse around
Steve Bass said:
Thanks.
I've sussed the cases issue with the post 2k models which is putting me off them but I think I actually prefer the older bikes. Mid to late eighties ate cracking.
Re the 125 I think it might be pushing the envelope a little to expect one to pull my arse around
I've sussed the cases issue with the post 2k models which is putting me off them but I think I actually prefer the older bikes. Mid to late eighties ate cracking.
Re the 125 I think it might be pushing the envelope a little to expect one to pull my arse around
The other option is to find a TZ350, they are a very different experience but loads of fun, rapid in the right hands and sound absolutely awesome. The 125's give more than you'd think, main issue is if you fit on them, or can using extended subframe etc.
I raced a tz250 in wera (a 93 3YL and a 98 4DP) for a year in the USA. I also had a tz125. Had no problems with either, I ran them rich and spent the time getting the gearing right for the track rather than getting every hp. Amazing bikes, an experience above riding a modified street bike. I would use the tz125 for track days (beating up on bigger bikes) and the 250 for Formula 2 races against SVs, 125s and other 250s. Don't laugh at a 125 - on tight tracks I was almost as fast on the 125 as on my 600. With a tiny rider on they are fast.
The later ones are better as they went 'square bore' (98 125, 2000? 250) which improved acceleration off the turns. Made some difference.
The later ones are better as they went 'square bore' (98 125, 2000? 250) which improved acceleration off the turns. Made some difference.
Edited by markclow on Tuesday 11th April 12:34
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