"Strike while the iron is hot" should be my motto, but it isn't.

However, given a challenge by Mrs SB to find her a new bike had me scouring Ebay and Gumtree for a suitable 250cc motorcycle.

We looked at Honda CBF250's, CB250's, VTR250's, VT250 Spada's, Suzuki Tu250's GN250's, Yamaha SRV250's and the Kawasaki ZR250 Balius.

The choice came down to the Honda CBF250 or the Kawasaki ZR250 Balius.

The winner was.........................



Mrs SB all grins with her new steed - Bali (it's pronounced Balley) in front of our 1842 Cottage

The 1997 model Kawasaki ZR250 Balius.

See the specs below. I rode it the 50km home and it is a little ripper. Redline is 19,000 rpm!! Stainless 4 into 1 exhaust system and revs out like a mixmaster on heat. It has double the horsepower of the CB250 and handles like its on rails. It has only done 19,000 km. We went for a ride after lunch and Mrs SB is still smiling.

Kawasaki ZR250 Balius Specifications

Specifications
Engine 4-stroke In-line four-cylinder, DOHC, Liquid-cooled, 16-Valve
Redline range From 19,000 to 21,000 rpm
Displacement 249 cc
Starting Electric
Bore x stroke 49.0 * 33.1 mm
Compression ratio 12.2:1
Carburetion(4) Keihin CVK D30
Ignition Transistor
Spark plug NGK CR9E or Denso U27ESR-N
Transmission 6-speed, Constant mesh, Return shift
Clutch Wet, Multi-disc, Manual, Cable-actuated
Brakes, front Single disk, Single caliper
Brakes, rear Single disk, Single caliper
Overall length 81.5 in (2070 mm)
Overall width 28.9 in (735 mm)
Overall height 42.9 in (1090 mm)
Ground clearance5 .1 in (141 mm)
Seat height 29.3 in (745 mm)
Weight dry 332.9 lb (151 kg)
Fuel capacity 4 US gal (15 L)
Fuel type Min 91 Research / 87 avg. octane unleaded
Oil capacity 2.6 L
Oil type SE or SF class, SAE 15W40
Performance stats
Max power 39.5 hp (29.5 kW) @ 14000 rpm
Max Torque 15 ft·lbf (20.4 Nm) @ 13000 rpm
Fuel efficiency ~6.5l / 100 km @ 100 km/h

See Sprock 'I' didn't buy a new bike

Cheers, SB

 

Almost 40 hp @ 14 grand. When does it come into the powerband?

Hope it isn't putt-putt then all of a sudden zoom. That could be a bit daunting for the new rider

My old 500 Interceptor, nothing happened below 10,000.

Then you only had 2500 left until redline

But all in all, looks good. Despite the shades and the full-face you can see the smile on Joy's face

 

looks great, whats fuel consumption like?

 

A very nicely chosen steed indeed I might add Seb'
Lovely cottage too I might add tons of character - imo

Holy hell max hp @ 14k ! LOL wow

 

Thanks Sprock!

It doesn't do much at all below 5000, then smooth delivery to 10,000 (about 90km/h in top) then a noticable kick to 14000. Nothing violent or uncontrollable.

Mrs SB came back after the afternoon ride rather thrilled by the bike. She fits it very well and was sitting on $1.20 at one stage to catch me up (on a Suzuki GSX250 that only failed to proceed 3 times on the ride). She was very comfortable, very quickly on the bike.

And her helmet matches

Cheers, SB

 

The specs say 6.5l/100km. So maybe not that clever for a 250cc motorcycle, but better than my Subaru at 10l/100km, and way better than my old H2 at 13l/100km.

We all have to make sacrifices mate; just glad I'm not a Druid. Apparently it's not that easy finding virgins round this part of the woods.

 

Looks good SB, I like the Kwakaskis and it looks like Mrs SB does as well.

 

"Stainless 4 into 1 exhaust system"
That's the first thing I noticed. Thought I was seeing things (250cc 4-bangger wow!) glad you cleared that up.

Nice looking bike. I do like an all silver bike. My '79 CB750F was all silver, wheels and all. It reminds my of it.

39hp from a 250 is respectable, same output as my DRz400 that is about the same as the DR650.

 

I'm looking at peak hp @14 grand and a redline of 19. That would allow you to be running flat out and miss a shift w/o lunching the motor

 

The motor is a jewel. But as TK rightly pointed out the 40 HP comes at a cost of fuel consumption. 6.5 litres per hundred kilometres is not brilliant for a 250cc, but is off-set by the fun factor

Cheers, SB