Redline King

By Darko Psenosil

In most cases when purchasing your first vehicle, your parents tend to weigh in on the subject heavily. Factors that they implore you to consider are the following: What year the vehicle was made in? How reliable it is? How many kilometres it has done? Does it have a service book? And so on.

As an individual that rides motorcycles for both commuting and hobby purposes I was told by many people to stay away from old motorcycles, fortunately for me, I fell in love with the looks of a 1989 ZXR250R. My mum looked at me as if I was out of my mind. She hated the idea of me driving something with four wheels, let alone two. I guess the fact that the bike was six years older than me didn’t help.

The fact that I have had the privilege to enjoy such a gem fills my heart with joy. This little beast of 250cc engine has four cylinders and redlines at an insane 19,000 rpm. Simply put, they don’t make bikes as good as these anymore. Unfortunately, they’re a dying breed because if you’re lucky enough to even find the parts you need, they’re priced at very high digits. Also, there’s decreasing numbers on the roads due to either road accidents or the machines simply giving out. Hence why riders, especially new riders, tend to steer clear of them.

After ignoring everyone’s advice on purchasing a ZXR250, I can say that the bike offers an experience like no other. Don’t get me wrong, I purchased my ZXR 250 as a project bike so issues were bound to arise, but after dealing with so many mechanical problems and having it break down on me so many times I have had moments where I just wanted to bin the thing. However, in saying that, every time the bike worked without any problems, I felt like I was in heaven.

So what exactly is my justification for buying something so old and unreliable? It’s simple. It may be old but it’s not unreliable. After spending a lot of money on my ZXR 250, which was enough to buy a brand new bike, I pretty much brought the bike back to life both mechanically and aesthetically. I would constantly get compliments on the look and sound of the bike. People would always ask me what the two metal pipes from the dash to the tank do, which are the air intakes. But I love it because it just stands out. It’s so different compared to other bikes in its class.

After fixing everything on the bike, I have never had a single problem since. As I marvel at the engineering that mankind has created, I think back at the times I spent fixing it, riding it, hating it, loving it and over all experiencing it. I think to myself “how can an object evoke so many memories and feelings?”

Mechanically, the bike cannot be compared to most bikes. I have had the privilege of using the ZXR 250’s competitor, the CBR 250 RR, for a couple months and I have also tested the majority of newer 250s in the same class. Still, I find that the beauty in the ZXR 250 is the unrestricted, super sport torque feel that you get as you work through its gears. It’s the closest thing that you can have on your preliminary rider’s licence that compares to a 600cc super sport bike, unless you have $7,000 to spend on a RVF 400 that has over 50,000km.

A question I get asked frequently after I discuss the amount of money I put into the bike is the infamous “was it worth it?” Bringing a bike back to life is no easy task, and if you expect to get your money back when reselling, then this bike is not for you. I don’t hesitate to say that it was worth every single cent due to the amount of memories and fun that I have had owning this bike. It has been two years since I completely fixed the bike up and I intend to ride it until it eventually wears out and gives in. The bike is definitely something worth experiencing. It teaches valuable life lessons; nothing lasts forever in this world so make the most of it, and do something unique.