Hello everyone, I'm the elderly man.
After the introduction of the Yamaha TZR250, a famous 250c.c. model in the two-stroke era, many readers responded to the introduction. However, after the 1990's, various motorcycle manufacturers started to invest in the development of 4-stroke models, and the 2T 250 models gradually declined. This time, I will bring you the Yamahan R1-Z, a two-stroke parallel twin-cylinder model of doom.
Not the domestically produced R1Z!
When you mention R1-Z, you have to mention his predecessor "RZ250"!The RZ250 was born in the 1970s and was the last mass-produced two-stroke sports motorcycle of that era. The "R" in "RZ" was originally Yamaha's internal code name, representing 350c.c. The displacement (the displacement sold in Japan is 250c.c.), and "Z" stands for water-cooled form. In addition to having the meaning of the last word in the alphabet, it has become the ultimate meaning of this motorcycle. But there is also a saying that the predecessor of RZ250, RD 250, plus the beginning and end of the two motorcycle of TZ 250, so it is "R" D + T "Z" = RZ.
The design focus of the RZ 250 engine is to have the basic performance of a sports motorcycle. It is characterized by a water-cooled two-stroke parallel twin-cylinder engine layout with a bore and stroke of 54mm × 54mm, which is the same as Yamahan’s commercial racing motorcycle TZ 250 at the time. At that time, 35 horsepower of the same type of motorcycle. In addition to the extensive use of plastic parts to reduce weight, the rear suspension system also uses a rare top-mounted single-gun shock absorber, which is also the first to be seen in sports motorcycles of the same level.
In addition to the amazing power performance of the RZ250, the engine pedigree derived from the TZ250 gives the RZ250 the title of "400 killer" with a horsepower-to-weight ratio of 3..97 kg/ps, this data can be compared with the four-stroke 400 c at that time.c. The level is on the same level. The use of exhaust pipes with expansion chambers on mass-produced motorcycles was also rare at the time, which helped to improve the performance of the vehicle and enhance its racing image.
How does the street motorcycle's R1-Z and the imitation TZR 250 match it? This starts with the successor model of the TZ 250, the "TZR 250"!
The first Yamaha TZR 250 (1KT) was born in 1985. In order to create a sporty motorcycle, Yamaha engineers combined the YPVS (YAMAHA Power Valve System) variable exhaust system with a powerful 45PS horsepower water-cooled parallel twin-cylinder two-stroke engine, and installed this engine in Yamaha. Inside the proud DELTBOX aluminum frame. Lightweight body and strong power, the strength after modification can even challenge the two-stroke 500c at that time.c. Or four-stroke 750c.c. The model, the TZR 250, was able to stand out in the Macau races in the 1980s.
Photos taken from the Internet
However, after Honda NSR250R (1987), Suzuki RGV250r (1988), Kawasaki KR-1 (1988) and other strong opponents changed their models, the slightly old-generation TZR has no advantage at all, even the second generation with more evolution. The advent of the TZR 250 (3MA) is also difficult to avoid. Finally, the TZR 250R (3XV) with a new generation of V-type two-stroke engine was officially unveiled in 1991, which also represents the two-stroke 250c with parallel twin cylinders..c. The imitation racing generation has come to an end.
In response to the retro and nostalgic trend of fans for the RZ, Yamaha modified the engine of the original TZR in 1990 and matched it with a new frame. Using the appearance of the RZ 250 as a vision, Yamaha created a classic model. The new model "R1-Z" is also novel and back to basics.
When talking about this R1-Z in the future, don't think of another R1Z made by domestic Scoda!
The last classic launched for the hardcore street motorcycle rider who pursues 2-stroke characteristics
Two-stroke sports motorcycles are always Yamaha's strengths. The purpose of launching R1-Z is for those knights who strive to pursue the power characteristics of the two-stroke engine. At that time, the four major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers have already changed the main force to four-stroke two-cylinder or In a parallel four-cylinder format, the Yamaha R1-Z is the only two-stroke "two-cylinder street motorcycle" still in production among the four major automakers.
The R1-Z, code-named 3XC, has undergone two model changes since its initial launch in 1990. The frame number 3XC 1 (1990/6 listing) / 3XC-000101, 3XC2 (1991/9 listed) / 3XC-030101, 3XC3 (1992/12 listing) / 3XC-040101 and other models to identify. The final model was produced until 1999, and the TZR 250R was also discontinued during the same period. It can be said that after 1999, the two-stroke Belle Epoque of Japanese motorcycle manufacturers came to an end.
Details and appearance introduction
The retro round headlights resemble the FZ 150 of the same era, but the original headlight rear cover should be black. It turned out that the original parts were hard to find. The owner used the street motorcycle parts with a distance of 650 from the same factory. replace.
The turn signal is also replaced with FZ150 parts because the original parts are difficult to obtain.
The instrument panel is similar to a general street motorcycle without a cover. There are two main sections, namely the speed on the right side and the speed per hour on the left side.
There are four warning lights in the middle of the dual meters, which are direction lights, neutral lights, high beam lights, and oil warning lights, and the water temperature gauge is hidden in the lower right corner.
The position of the separate handle is higher than that of the TZR 250, which greatly increases the comfort for general street riding.
Schematic diagram of the handle height of RZ 250R, R1-Z, and TZR 250. It can be seen that R1-Z is between the other two motorcycles.
The double-round instrument and the minimalist front handle assembly give a sense of combat spontaneously.
For the right-hand handle assembly, the owner uses the FZR 150 assembly to repair it, but because the R1-Z does not start the motor, the engine start button at the bottom of the assembly has no effect.
The front brake master cylinder is integrated, and the distance between the brake levers cannot be adjusted.
The left hand handle assembly also uses FZR 150 parts for transplantation.
38mm upright front fork.
The 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels use a three-spoke design.
Equipped with a 282mm diameter floating disc and 3XC2, the reducing four-piston caliper is equipped to provide sufficient braking capacity. The front tire specification is 110/70-17.
Fuel tank cap switch.
The curvature of the waist and fuel tank fascinates people and sighs the last glorious era of the two-stroke engine in the 1990s.
The seat cushion height of the R1-Z is only 775mm, and the motorcycle weighs only 134 kg. A knight of average height has no problems with handling. Its seat cushion is thicker than other 250 c.c. The two-stroke imitation racing motorcycle is more comfortable, and it will not be too tired after long driving.
The helmet buckle at the rear left is a good partner for the helmet when parking.
Left foot pedal assembly.
Right foot pedal assembly. The yellow rubber on the brake pedal is cut and fitted with a water pipe.
Rear lights similar to TZR 250.
Powerful engine from TZR 250
The engine of Yamaha R1-Z comes from the original TZR 250. Adopt a parallel water-cooled two-cylinder two-stroke engine with a bore and stroke of 56.4㎜ and 50㎜, the displacement is 249c.c., The compression ratio is 6.4:1. In order to make the vehicle power more smooth and better, the carburetor caliber was changed from 28mm to 26mm, the ignition timing was also modified, and the gear ratio and the second final transmission were also adjusted. However, due to the restrictions of Japanese regulations at the time, the R1-Z produced that year output 45 horsepower at 9,500rpm, and can produce 3 at 8,500rpm..Maximum torque of 7 kg-m. But when the 3XC3 came out, the horsepower was revised down, and the final generation R1-Z only had 40 hp power.
The exhaust system adopts Yamaha's unique YPVS design, and you can see the YPVS mechanism next to the cylinder.
Water tank protection net.
The direction of the exhaust pipe is also different from that of previous models, with an "X" pattern staggered in the front section. This design makes the exhaust smoother.
The tail section of the exhaust pipe adopts a double-out on the right side, which is based on the Suzuki RGV250r model at the time. This design is the first to be adopted in mass-produced street motorcycles. The appearance has a strong GP combat style. Due to many improvements, the engine's output power is not as large as the original TZR 250, but the torque value is better and emerges earlier, which meets the needs of its street use. In order to achieve light weight and a sense of competition, the R1-Z is equipped with Carbon tailpipes as standard at the factory, and the original 3XC stamp can be seen on the tailpipe outlet, so don't think this is a modification.
The pre-mixed spray oil tank, which is necessary for the two-stroke model commonly known as the "black oil motorcycle", is hidden under the seat cushion.
Taking into account that this motorcycle is not a purely imitating TZR style, Yamaha abandoned Yamaha's famous DELTABOX aluminum alloy frame after estimating the cost, and instead used the truss steel double-embossed frame that emerged in the 1990s.
The fuel tank and the frame structure under the seat cushion, in order not to make the vision too thin, engineers designed a decorative cover on the left and right sides.
At the same time, the engine is used as a part of the frame, and an aluminum alloy plate is added to the rear axle of the frame to increase the force strength to reduce vibration and facilitate the removal and installation during maintenance.
The rear shock is a multi-link single-gun shock.
The rear shock absorber also has the most compact external nitrogen bottle of the year, and this nitrogen bottle cannot be adjusted.
The rear rocker arm is made of steel pipe hydroforming. Compared with the aluminum alloy rocker arm of the TZR 250, it is indeed "shabby". However, compared with the current steel rocker arm of some middleweight street motorcycles, I don’t think it is R1. The equipment of -Z is too positive. The rear rocker arm of 3XC1 is silver, and the R1-Z rear rocker arm after 3XC2 is changed to black paint.
The rear seat pedal style is quite simple.
The rear brake uses a 210mm disc with opposed double-piston calipers, and the rear tire specification is 140/70-17.
Uncle broken thoughts
I stepped on the start lever, probably because of the cold motorcycle. It is not so easy to start. It takes a few more steps to start the engine smoothly. The unique idling sound of the two-stroke engine is already exciting. As the accelerator turned down, the white smoke from the exhaust pipe dissipated to the rear in bursts. The high-pitched sound and the white smoke made people feel "So this is a two-stroke engine!" Although there is no actual ride, but Today, when the two-stroke motorcycleis almost extinct, just looking at the momentum of the R1-Z launch, it is not difficult to imagine the joy of control this motorcycle brings. It’s just that this kind of fun is slowly fading away with the white smoke that dissipates in the air....
I believe that many fifth and sixth graders should have impressions during the most glorious era of the second trip. Due to the name of environmental protection, these inscription machines can only be kept in the memory of you and me.
See you next time.
Data authorization "JORSINDO Information Network"
Editor of "Webike Taiwan" Editorial Department
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