Torn on which bike to buy

[KwS]

Yo guys.

Getting my learners before the weekend, yay. Basically, im a complete newbie to bikes, so i want something reliable, cheap, and easy to ride... but also want it to have 'some' (as much as i can get for under 250cc i guess) balls.

I have narrowed it down to two bikes atm... ones a 99-00 Suzuki FXR150 (150cc single cylinder 4 stroke 25xxxks), and the other is a 86 Honda CBR250 (250cc 4 cylinder 4 stroke 47xxxks).

150cc
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-234072921.htm

250cc
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-231580023.htm

Im thinking the 250 will be way better in terms of power, but being heavier it would be harder to control (its only like 20kg or something more anyway though). Its also a LOT older, and higher ks, but looks to have been well looked after.

The wee 150 is MUCH newer, and looks damn near new, and from what others have told me about them they are suprisingly quick. I'd say it'd be cheaper to run, but would lack anything resembling balls?

Im sitting right in the middle, unsure on both.

Would love to hear your guys opinions on the two bikes... help me sway towards one.

Cheers

[PirateJafa]

I'd go for the FXR. They're not that much slower than a 250 in a straight line, and are about as fast through the corners.

And the newer/cheaper-to-run/less parts to break factor seals the deal.

[EJK]

FXR is definitely cheaper to run however on the other hand, the 250 inline four will be much funner. Honestly who told you that FXR are "suprisingly quick"? That thinking will be gone in less than 2 weeks.

Both good bikes (personally owned a FXR) but if "some" balls is what your after, I'd consider the CBR if I were you.

OR: Here's an idea. Test ride them both and see how you feel :)

[CookMySock]

That thinking will be gone in less than 2 weeks.And probably the bike too. ;)

The inline fours are much more expensive to own, and if something goes wrong with it the repair costs will be through the roof.

The next problem, is the FXR is not much of an open-road bike, where the CBR will be fine.

The singles or vtwins are much cheaper to own.

Steve

[mattian]

what kind of riding will you be doing on your bike?? The fxr will be perfect for around town in lots of traffic but, not so good on the motorway or the open road. The 250 will be good around town too and give you alot more power to keep up at higher speeds without having to ring the guts out of it.
I would go with the 250. The extra weight of the bike isn't really a consideration. The center of gravity is...... ie, how easily you find your balance at slow speeds. Once you start moving forwards you won't notice the weight at all.
I would suggest that you will will quickly get bored of the 150cc. I reckon the 250 will provide you with much more enjoyment while you learn.

[vtec]

Anyone who suggests that the CBR is slow or anywhere near on par with FXR´s I forward to these race results
http://www.silver-bullet.co.nz/eventresults.php?eventid=5510&cid=117
In Formula 3 came 10th in the first race and 7th in the second, was only beaten by 1 400 for the day. On a tight circuit they are awesome. FXR is inferior in so many ways apart from fuel efficiency. CBR250RR is the Best overall 250cc road bike ever made.

An FXR will dissappoint you very quickly, the CBR250RR I would be happy with for life.

[tushalb]

I would recommend the CBR 250, I'm looking to sell my CB250 Hornet, plenty of power (40 bhp) from a puny 4 cyl. Goes like a scalded cat when you give it the beans :) very very economical...i can easily run it over 250kms on a full tank if i'm being "nice". Cheap to maintain too...it is afterall a CBR 250 derived engine, handling dynamics like that of bigger bikes with fat rear tyre. Go for the Honda!

[RC1]

go the CBR IMO, have owned a couple and they go well and you wont get bored through the twisties, :woohoo:

[Hailwood]

I rode one for a friend once.......slower than a slow thing in a slow factory. You will be bored shiteless in about three days on it.

If you want a 150 then might I suggest the RG? The 2 stroke version has much more get up and go and will keep you happier longer than an FXR ever would.

Me though? I would get the 250...more fun, more enjoyment as you will be looking forward to rides of more than 100kms in length and a good start towards other bikes...just take it easy and do some good training courses

[PirateJafa]

Buying a 250 because it's "fast" is an oxymoron.

Don't listen to these guys - Motorbyclist will agree with me here that FXRs have enough zip for around town, and WILL do highway speeds. Heck, from memory he even lead one of the SMC two-fiddy rides on his.

Most of them haven't even bothered clicking on the link, and think that the CBR you're looking at is the MC22 which they used to own.

Seriously, out of those two bikes, the FXR is the better choice.

[StoneY]

CBR for sure age and shit irrelevant- great bikes and 4 cyl fun:rockon:

[Markw336]

id go with the FXR150as its way more reliable than the CBF250 an still heaps of power for a leaners bike

[KwS]

I plan on mainly using it to go to work and back, which is only a couple of ks from home, but ill usually take a decent long way home.

I do wish to have some fun out of town, with trips to akaroa, diamond harbour etc. My mate that i want to ride with has a suzuki 250 (cant remember what it is now).... so im thinking the 250 might stop me being left well behind. I dont want to get stuck pushing the bike up hills if it hasnt got enough power... im not a lightweight (95ish kgs fully clothed)

Seems even you guys are torn about 50/50 on which bike you prefer. When i test them, ill hopefully be able to get my friend to test ride them for me, as im not really confident enough to ride something that isnt mine... dont want to drop/stack the damn thing.

[helenoftroy]

Hi there KwS!

Buying first bike!!exciting times eh!!

My son,Casualty has a '89 CBR250R & I have an FXR

Bikes are in St Albans...if you pm one of us maybe you & your mate would like to come and check out the two options your thinking bout??:scooter:

[EJK]

Buying a 250 because it's "fast" is an oxymoron.

Don't listen to these guys - Motorbyclist will agree with me here that FXRs have enough zip for around town, and WILL do highway speeds. Heck, from memory he even lead one of the SMC two-fiddy rides on his.

Most of them haven't even bothered clicking on the link, and think that the CBR you're looking at is the MC22 which they used to own.

Seriously, out of those two bikes, the FXR is the better choice.

I went up and down the North Island, traveled point to point on one and it is do-able but that doesn't mean it's comfortable.

Again, the bike choice is totally up to you, however I'm saying that 250 will be much more comfortable to travel (also to overtake vehicles).

[Metalor]

250 will be MUCH nicer to ride, BUT it's pretty old and has pretty high k's.

I'd love to say go for the 250, but you'll probably end up paying a shitload more fixing it when it breaks.

the 150 will be much, much more economical to run.

Oh, i rode my mates cbr125 and that was much nicer to ride than my TU250. It'll be perfect to learn on. If you did get sick of it, what's to stop you selling it and getting a 250 anyway?

[Whynot]

They're not that much slower than a 250 in a straight line

Bull
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Shit.

[PirateJafa]

Bull
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Shit.

FXR tops out at a indicated ~150. a 250 will be lucky to top at a indicated 180. Sure, it doesn't pull as well as a 250 from 80km/h and above, but then if you're looking for speed you wouldn't be looking at 250s.

We're not talking about a RS250 here - we're talking about a shitter '86 CBR250 (not even the mc22).

[Whynot]

FXR tops out at a indicated ~150. a 250 will be lucky to top at a indicated 180. Sure, it doesn't pull as well as a 250 from 80km/h and above, but then if you're looking for speed you wouldn't be looking at 250s.

We're not talking about a RS250 here - we're talking about a shitter '86 CBR250 (not even the mc22).

i know what we are talking about, but having had a 4 cyl 250 and ridden an fxr i can tell you the difference is noticeable.

especially out of town when it comes to hills/overtaking etc.

[Marmoot]

If you do buy the CBR, make sure you use your common sense OK?

Whatever we think, the government's line of "the faster you go the bigger the mess" is true. CBR250 can get you to the critical lines very quickly indeed. It is so quick it shouldn't even be learners legal in my humblest opinion, and I'm sure a lot of the veteran riders here would agree. And let's not even start talking about the NSR250s.

And if you do want to get the CBR, go for R or RR models with 2 round headlights. They are totally different from the CBR250 in your TradeMe example.

Also from braking and suspension perspective, the RR is one step better than the R.

And one of the posters here is absolutely right. Four cylinders = many times the repair cost of one cylinder engine if something ever goes wrong.
And for a bike that's more than 15 years old (hell the CBR250s are mostly older than the riders) a LOT can go wrong.

If you can afford it, start with something more sedate (FXR, VTR250) and move to CBR250s when you're in between Restricted -> Full stage.
It's not the cheapest (you'll lose money when trading the 150 in for the 250) but it's safer and teaches you the real basics of riding instead of simple reliant on power. More power is not always quicker.

And yes, CBR250RR is a QUICK bike. I've been on a ride where one pulled ahead of an R1. And the R1 rider was a well-respected skilled rider with sub 1:05 lap times on Pukekohe.

[Whynot]

And yes, CBR250RR is a QUICK bike. I've been on a ride where one pulled ahead of an R1. And the R1 rider was a well-respected skilled rider with sub 1:05 lap times on Pukekohe.

had the R1 stopped for fuel?

[PirateJafa]

i know what we are talking about, but having had a 4 cyl 250 and ridden an fxr i can tell you the difference is noticeable.

especially out of town when it comes to hills/overtaking etc.

Having learnt on a IL4 250 myself, I would still pick the FXR out of the two bikes the OP linked us to.

If I could go back and learn on *any* bike, it'd be a RGV250/NSR250 however - and it is what I'd recommend to a number of others too. But that's not the question here.

[Whynot]

Having learnt on a IL4 250 myself, I would still pick the FXR out of the two bikes the OP linked us to.

If I could go back and learn on *any* bike, it'd be a RGV250/NSR250 however - and it is what I'd recommend to a number of others too. But that's not the question here.

agreed on both comments.

[Marmoot]

had the R1 stopped for fuel?

No. It was Hikuai - Whangamata road. Those who have been there know how twisty it is.

[Latte]

Having learnt on a IL4 250 myself, I would still pick the FXR out of the two bikes the OP linked us to.

If I could go back and learn on *any* bike, it'd be a RGV250/NSR250 however - and it is what I'd recommend to a number of others too. But that's not the question here.

Quite interested to hear the reasoning behind this? I learnt on an NSR SP and found it fine but had been riding dirt bikes for about 10 years prior. Sorry for the hijack but it might give the OP some insight on what he might want in a 1st bike.

[SMOKEU]

Buy the CBR, it is a vastly superior bike than the FXR. The CBRs are very reliable, don't the the mileage put you off as these bikes easily do over 100,000kms before they need a rebuild if they have had regular oil changes. The CBR will be way more fun as well, and if you buy a CBR in a reasonably tidy condition you won't regret it (unless you crash it). As for fuel consumption, mine gets around 4.5L/100km around town and I thrash it a fair bit.

[Slyer]

For a first bike, get the fxr or look at twins.
Examples of good twin cylinders:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-229708232.htm
or
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-233723303.htm
or
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-234510628.htm

VTR250 is probably the best learner bike there is, great all 'round.