Which 250 is better [Archive] - Kiwi Biker forums

huff3r

9th December 2009, 21:21

OK just a quick poll to finalize an argument between me and a mate,
Which 250cc bike is better,

By this I mean Handling, speed, acceleration, looks, breaking etc etc etc.

Thanks for your input and raving :Pokey:

lol, you're kidding right?
There will be no definitive answer from this thread, just like their is no definitive answer from the other 1,000s of threads asking the same thing.

But just to start you off:

The GN250 is by far the best 250cc bike, with looks that bring all the girls, intense speed which is just enough to satisfy without being too much, "fun" handling, especially on factory tyres ;). :jerry:

Dean

9th December 2009, 21:29

lol, you're kidding right?
There will be no definitive answer from this thread, just like their is no definitive answer from the other 1,000s of threads asking the same thing.

But just to start you off:

The GN250 is by far the best 250cc bike, with looks that bring all the girls, intense speed which is just enough to satisfy without being too much, "fun" handling, especially on factory tyres ;). :jerry:

Alright this is a fuckin disgrace, that is utter BS I will not stand seeing a post like that on Kiwibiker.
The Gn250 does NOT get you girls
NO intense speed
Factory tyres are shit sheynko we have explained this.

huff3r

9th December 2009, 21:31

Alright this is a fuckin disgrace, that is utter BS I will not stand seeing a post like that on Kiwibiker.
The Gn250 does NOT get you girls
NO intense speed
Factory tyres are shit sheynko we have explained this.

I don't know whats funnier. The fact that you thought i was serious? or the fact your trying to stand up for telling the truth on kb?

:lol: :Pokey:

Dean

9th December 2009, 21:34

I don't know whats funnier. The fact that you thought i was serious? or the fact your trying to stand up for telling the truth on kb?

:lol: :Pokey:

Alright im calm, Im letting go moving on, just dont let me hear anything like that about Gn250's on here please. Hearing stuff like that is like a uppercut to my jaw.

gatch

9th December 2009, 21:36

The ultimate fast 250 ? Hands down a well tuned rs 250.

EDIT - GN250s are actually pretty fun to ride if you are any good.. Pump the rear tyre up hard and they slide around like a cat on an ice rink..

Addict

9th December 2009, 21:39

Seriously its gotta be the CBR 250rr mc22 early - before it got restricted 94 I think.
Obviously taking into account price and stamina and reliability (not two stroke)

James Deuce

9th December 2009, 21:40

Alright im calm, Im letting go moving on, just dont let me hear anything like that about Gn250's on here please. Hearing stuff like that is like a uppercut to my jaw.

GN250s are the best 250.

Biff.

All learners should experience the thrill that is the mighty GN.

Pow.

I am thinking of swapping my 750 for a GN.

Boosh.

brendonjw

9th December 2009, 21:41

Gota be the GN250 with the Aprilia RS250 coming a close 2nd

crash harry

9th December 2009, 21:52

Man, has this topic been done to death over the years.

To summarise:

Some people love GN250s. They are wrong. The GN quite possibly the worst bike ever made by anyone ever. No handling, no power, no looks, just a whole lot of suck.

Some people love the Vtwins (VT250, Hyobag, etc) or parallel twins (GPX, GSX, etc). They are wrong. V twins are awesome in large displacements, not so crash hot in small displacements. No torque to speak of (it's a 250), no top end either. Thew worst of both worlds.

Some people love the 4cyl 250s (CBR, ZXR, FZR...). They are wrong. Sport bikes do not have 250cc engines. 250s are too slow to be a sport bike. They make heaps of noise and don't go very fast, but everyone (including cops) is looking at the great big noise you are making.

Some people love their dual-sports (DRZ, XR, etc). They are wrong. Nowhere near as good off-road suspension as a proper trailie, uncomfortable and ill-handling on the street with great big wheels and knobbly tyres. Not really suitable for anything.

Lastly, some people love 2strokes. They are wrong. Always breaking down and seizing, finniky bloody things that are hard to start, smokey, smelly, and they sound like an angry bee in a jar.

So what's left? Nothing. Whatever bike you care to name, someone out there thinks it's the best thing ever, and someone else wouldn't piss on it if it was on fire. It depends so much what you want out of a bike that the question doesn't even make sense.

FWIW, I liked my ZZR250, loved my CBR250, deeply loathe GN250s, and would possibly have sex with an RS250...

gammaguy

9th December 2009, 21:55

mine is:first:

<a href="http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g177/unternichtuber/?action=view&current=ym50_img-25_TDR250.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g177/unternichtuber/ym50_img-25_TDR250.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Dean

9th December 2009, 21:57

Some people love GN250s. They are wrong. The GN quite possibly the worst bike ever made by anyone ever. No handling, no power, no looks, just a whole lot of suck

Crash Harry I praise you for having the courage to help fight the non beleivers everyone read this mans post, you have just fixed my jaw.

This goes out to all who feel the same way about Gn's :grouphug: Infact I think a social group is worthy soon down the track.

huff3r

9th December 2009, 21:59

crash harry

9th December 2009, 22:07

Crash Harry I praise you for having the courage to help fight the non beleivers everyone read this mans post, you have just fixed my jaw.

This goes out to all who feel the same way about Gn's Infact I think a social group is worthy soon down the track.

Did you not read the rest of his post? He was making the same point i was with my somewhat sarcastic 1st post. It's all opinion, and no 250 is truly better nor worse than any other.

Apart from the GN which is truly the best motorcycle ever made.... *sarcasm*

Whilst I do happen to hate GNs with a loathing that is deep and real, and thus agree with dean for the most part - I have been trying to popularise the phrase "Friends don't let friends buy GNs" - huff3r has the right of it. Some people, for reasons I can't fully explain, love them to bits. That's their perogative and I wish them the best. It's all more people on bikes which can only be a good thing at the end of the day, and if you love your bike you'll enjoy riding it.

Just don't ask me to ride one and I'm cool.

Dean

9th December 2009, 22:09

Did you not read the rest of his post? He was making the same point i was with my somewhat sarcastic 1st post. It's all opinion, and no 250 is truly better nor worse than any other.

Apart from the GN which is truly the best motorcycle ever made.... *sarcasm*

Personally I think the Aprillia Rs250 is the best 250, the hard thing about them is that when you do get enough money to buy one recent model you are borderline with enough money for buying a nice modern 600 sport. A mate who owns one said that sometimes it can pull power wheelies in 1st when it hits the powerband:drool::drool: It sounds fun just the maintenance kinda puts me off.

cambridgedan

9th December 2009, 22:29

Im just glad ducati don't have one just imagine the work you would have to do

Dropped

10th December 2009, 07:16

rs250 & rgvs are pretty much the same bike Best 250s over all i think

then CBR250 and ZXR 250s

thats it thats all i dont rate the GN sorry

Damon

10th December 2009, 07:32

I can't believe how much people like GN's? the only good thing you could say about them is they are cheap and good on gas, If I had a child who was learning to ride maybe i'd get them one cause you know they can't break the speed limit on one, but there is no way in hell you would get me on one if I had a choice,

My pick would be a RS250 followed by a RGV or NSR, sure they may be a bit of work to keep running but they're the balls on the open road

Mully

10th December 2009, 07:45

It's all relative (much like Southland)...

I don't think you can say which is "best" without defining "best"

Best at what? For a learner N00b bike, a GN is hard to go past. It'll do the speed limit. When it's dropped, nothing will break. Parts are plentiful and fixing them is simple.

Would I buy one? Not at the moment, I have no need for one. I would recommend an old one (pre Chinese assembled) if I knew someone just getting their licence though.

I wouldn't put a N00b on an RS250. They'd either kill themselves, or be sworn of bikes forever.

(and fuck Zeals too - little homo bikes if ever there was one :Pokey::devil2:)

The RF met all my requirements (including price) at the time. I don't think it's the "best" bike made, but it suited (and still does) my needs at the time.

It's like comparing a Starlet and a Ferrari to find which is best. Horses for courses. Taking a Ferrari to the supermarket would be a nightmare, but you can't say a Starlet is "better" based on that, unless you're looking for a little runabout.

So, in short, define what criteria you are measuring on and then you can get an answer.

The Everlasting

10th December 2009, 07:58

Seriously its gotta be the CBR 250rr mc22 early - before it got restricted 94 I think.
Obviously taking into account price and stamina and reliability (not two stroke)

Agreed! and it also sounds damm good!!

I want one...:(

stig

10th December 2009, 12:04

Honda CRF250 :first: :Pokey:

Seriously its gotta be the CBR 250rr mc22 early - before it got restricted 94 I think.
Obviously taking into account price and stamina and reliability (not two stroke)
Gotta agree thats the pick of the 250 sports bikes.
my fzr250 was awful to ride in comparison, not to mention a handgrenade of an engine.
the CBR MC22 has never skipped a beat and its lived through a lot so far.

Dean

10th December 2009, 13:05

Best at what? For a learner N00b bike, a GN is hard to go past. It'll do the speed limit. When it's dropped, nothing will break. Parts are plentiful and fixing them is simple.

(and fuck Zeals too - little homo bikes if ever there was one :Pokey::devil2:)

The Gn's do break when you drop them if that weren't the case rider skills wouldn't have duct tape over their mirrors for the basic handling skills and they only go around 30kph.

I believe that for a Noob sure they cant be put on a fast bike like a rs or a cbr but deserve to be baby fed a little bit of power, the GN actually plays with their mental! The GN starves the rider, and makes them try to get a bike that goes balls to the wall to make up for the lack of power the GN had. When you starve a man he goes for the biggest food on a plate when you give him the option. I think a vtr250 or a gpx250 keeps that right amount of fun to play with a healthy supplement but not to much. Fair statement?

The zeal's are very rare bikes, I am a proud owner of one of the very few zeal's in NZ. I could of gone and bought a Hornet or a common bike but I personally like to be unique, whenever I park it up people have thought it was a ducati monster, Hornet (which it preforms like), streetfightered zzr, bandit 650, it starts convo's :). Not to mention the sound of my twin pipes.

James Deuce

10th December 2009, 13:08

Beware the mighty Zeal!

wbks

10th December 2009, 13:36

I personally like to be uniqueYa don't say...

GOONR

10th December 2009, 13:38

.....whenever I park it up people have thought it was a ducati monster, Hornet (which it preforms like), streetfightered zzr, bandit 650, it starts convo's :).

I want the drugs that those people are taking, they must be kick arse!

Mully

10th December 2009, 14:01

The Gn's do break when you drop them if that weren't the case rider skills wouldn't have duct tape over their mirrors for the basic handling skills and they only go around 30kph.

OK, go throw an RS250 on the ground and a GN - tell me which one needs more money and time to fix.

Unless they are complete muppets, most BHS places take the mirrors off. Mirror use isn't tested in BHS (well, it wasn't when I did it)

I believe that for a Noob sure they cant be put on a fast bike like a rs or a cbr but deserve to be baby fed a little bit of power, the GN actually plays with their mental! The GN starves the rider, and makes them try to get a bike that goes balls to the wall to make up for the lack of power the GN had. When you starve a man he goes for the biggest food on a plate when you give him the option. I think a vtr250 or a gpx250 keeps that right amount of fun to play with a healthy supplement but not to much. Fair statement?

Again, go drop a GPX and see what breaks.

I see your point (sort of), but I disagree with it. Less power makes smoother riders. Smoother riders are generally faster. Who actually cares about straight-line power anyway? Any monkey can twist a throttle in a straight line. Corners are where the fun happens and that's where you need smoothness.

The zeal's are very rare bikes, I am a proud owner of one of the very few zeal's in NZ. I could of gone and bought a Hornet or a common bike but I personally like to be unique, whenever I park it up people have thought it was a ducati monster, Hornet (which it preforms like), streetfightered zzr, bandit 650, it starts convo's :). Not to mention the sound of my twin pipes.

I'm leaving this one alone. Not gonna touch it. Except to say you should stop hanging out at blind people's conventions. And to say that this was very nearly my new sig.

McWild

10th December 2009, 14:40

KTM 250 GP bike.

70,000 Euro with no possibility of spares, ever.

EJK

10th December 2009, 14:48

KTM 250 GP bike.

70,000 Euro with no possibility of spares, ever.

110hp from a 250 weighing just over 100kgs. Who wudda thunk?

SPORK

10th December 2009, 15:36

I didn't sign on to KB expecting poetry today, but...

When you starve a man he goes for the biggest food on a plate when you give him the option.

I could of gone and bought a Hornet or a common bike but I personally like to be unique

I, too proclaim my individuality through mass-produced goods.

Dean

10th December 2009, 16:03

Again, go drop a GPX and see what breaks.

I see your point (sort of), but I disagree with it. Less power makes smoother riders. Smoother riders are generally faster. Who actually cares about straight-line power anyway? Any monkey can twist a throttle in a straight line. Corners are where the fun happens and that's where you need smoothness.

Why think so negative shining the spotlight on the probability of dropping it, insurance should cover the cost 50/50 of the time not to mention your gear in some cases. Dwell on the positives too, a gpx and vtr isnt going to cost a fortune like il4's for petrol. Reliable bikes, appeal better, hold a better re-sale value. GN's had their day, in mid 2008 there was a demand where a re-sale value was guarrenteed around 3grand for the new GN's now its more like 2 grand ever since the market introduced vtr's, ninja's etc. With the GN you cant have much accel out of a corner, it feels like you are just rolling into the corner:clap:LOL

I want the drugs that those people are taking, they must be kick arse!

Hibiscus Coast service center mechanic: "What bikes this? Is this a Ducati monster custom or what".

Bandit 1200 owner at kaukop firestation carpark: "Whats this? Is it a bandit 650 looks quite nice I like the pipes".

Zx10 neighbour: " The pipes sound good is this a 250 or 600, looks like a Hornet".

I think the drug you are reffering to is experience and curiousity. But enough about the zeal.

The Everlasting

10th December 2009, 16:09

I was briefly thinking about getting a GN250,but it looks really old and I couldn't imagine owning one tbh.

gatch

10th December 2009, 16:13

I want a GN, I'd gear it right down and wheelie it everywhere, be funny as fuck.

GOONR

10th December 2009, 16:26

Hibiscus Coast service center mechanic: "What bikes this? Is this a Ducati monster custom or what".

Bandit 1200 owner at kaukop firestation carpark: "Whats this? Is it a bandit 650 looks quite nice I like the pipes".

Zx10 neighbour: " The pipes sound good is this a 250 or 600, looks like a Hornet".

I think the drug you are reffering to is experience and curiousity. But enough about the zeal.

Dude, I hope you don't let that mechanic anywhere near your bike.

Dean

10th December 2009, 16:46

Dude, I hope you don't let that mechanic anywhere near your bike.

Yamaha Zeal's were only introduced to NZ a few years ago, did you know they have to import a rear sprocket from japan and the front from some other far away country not even cycle treads could find the parts. There is only about 20 zeal's at the most in New Zealand. There is no stickers on my bike either saying what it is, with some customs done to it.

Mully

10th December 2009, 17:00

Why think so negative shining the spotlight on the probability of dropping it, insurance should cover the cost 50/50 of the time not to mention your gear in some cases. Dwell on the positives too, a gpx and vtr isnt going to cost a fortune like il4's for petrol. Reliable bikes, appeal better, hold a better re-sale value. GN's had their day, in mid 2008 there was a demand where a re-sale value was guarrenteed around 3grand for the new GN's now its more like 2 grand ever since the market introduced vtr's, ninja's etc. With the GN you cant have much accel out of a corner, it feels like you are just rolling into the corner

Nah, you've missed the point. Again.

Newbies tend to drop bikes.
If they drop a GPX, the repairs will probably write the bike off, and then their insurance company will rape them.

Dropping a bike should be consideration for anyone considering getting into biking.

Plus, you buy an old GN, you can get parts easily (no importing a fucking sprocket - why wouldn't you just get a blank and have an engineer cut it?? Who the fuck imports a single fucking sprocket??). Plus you can learn to work on the thing yourself and they cost 3/8ths of fuck all to run and service.

Oh, and Dean-a-rama, there are any number of people on KB (myself not included) who would give you the learn on your Zespri with them on a GN.

Dean

10th December 2009, 17:24

Nah, you've missed the point. Again.

Newbies tend to drop bikes.
If they drop a GPX, the repairs will probably write the bike off, and then their insurance company will rape them.

Dropping a bike should be consideration for anyone considering getting into biking.

Plus, you buy an old GN, you can get parts easily (no importing a fucking sprocket - why wouldn't you just get a blank and have an engineer cut it?? Who the fuck imports a single fucking sprocket??). Plus you can learn to work on the thing yourself and they cost 3/8ths of fuck all to run and service.

Oh, and Dean-a-rama, there are any number of people on KB (myself not included) who would give you the learn on your Zespri with them on a GN. You need to stop talking like you're not a N00b yourself.
Well im going to say this last thing then leave.

Yes newbies drop bikes in the learning process, but when you drop a bike you tend to leave it alone (from the severity of repairs you are talking) sell it for parts or whole and get a new bike. I dont see why a newbie would pay money to repair a GN because they "could" drop it again. Rather if they bought a vtr for example, selling the parts you would get more money as its fairly obvious, not to mention its a naked bike which is as cheap with repairs as the GN because there's no side fairing to replace. I think owning GN's as first bikes is more of a tradition that common sense.

Dont center this around my skill level on bikes, its quite frankly none of your buisness. Bye

James Deuce

10th December 2009, 17:32

OMG, the badass teenager is going for the last word.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Mully

10th December 2009, 17:32

Well im going to say this last thing then leave.

Yeah, heard that before.

Yes newbies drop bikes in the learning process, but when you drop a bike you tend to leave it alone (from the severity of repairs you are talking) sell it for parts or whole and get a new bike. I dont see why a newbie would pay money to repair a GN because they "could" drop it again. Rather if they bought a vtr for example, selling the parts you would get more money as its fairly obvious, not to mention its a naked bike which is as cheap with repairs as the GN because there's no side fairing to replace. I think owning GN's as first bikes is more of a tradition that common sense.

What about a broken mirror. Or indicator. Or lever. Those need to be replaced if they get broken. And, again, my point; GNs break less when the fall over than a "sports" bike with a fairing.

Dont center this around my skill level on bikes, its quite frankly none of your buisness. Bye

I actually took that bit out cos it was a bit low. I still maintain that many, many people on here would give you the learn on a GN with you on your Zespri.

BTW, your skill level on bikes, you made everyone's business by trash talking about a GN that wouldn't go straight and ignoring my question about whether you bothered to check the steering head bearings or tyre pressures. That, Slappy, is evidence of you being a n00b.

Twit

Mully

10th December 2009, 17:43

There is only about 20 zeal's at the most in New Zealand.

Which means a quarter of them are on Trademe right now:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchType=0001-0026-1255-&searchString=zeal&type=Search&generalSearch_keypresses=3&generalSearch_suggested=0

Beemer

11th December 2009, 08:11

OK just a quick poll to finalize an argument between me and a mate,
Which 250cc bike is better,

By this I mean Handling, speed, acceleration, looks, breaking etc etc etc.

Thanks for your input and raving :Pokey:

Well, I'd never contemplate going after a bike that is better at breaking than the others...

Man, has this topic been done to death over the years.

To summarise: ...

Lastly, some people love 2strokes. They are wrong. Always breaking down and seizing, finniky bloody things that are hard to start, smokey, smelly, and they sound like an angry bee in a jar...

Bullshit! I used to have an RG150 and it didn't do any of those things! NEVER broke down, NEVER seized, was only hard to start if it hadn't been used for a week or so (which was rare), didn't smoke - and the smell is no worse than most vehicles on the road!

Basically the 'best' 250 is the one that suits your needs - and that may be a GN250 or an RS250 - or something in between.