New bike options?

[overworkedmonkey]

Guys,

Am getting back on a bike after being off one for a couple of years due to an accident. So wouldn't consider myself a newbie although need to regain my confidence. Had a search around the forums regarding fzr 250 and cbr 250. People seem to have varying views on them i.e. performance, maintenance, etc. Be great if you could help answer the following

1. What problems can I expect to face with either bikes?
2. What's the performance like between the two?
3. What's the maintenance like e.g. cheap, somewhere in the middle, way to expensive?
4. Realibility
5. Consumption on oil and fuel
6. What I should look out for when buying one?

Have a budget of $4500 so be good to get an idea.

[onearmedbandit]

1/ Any wear and tear issues, such as suspension, bearings and bushes, carbs etc. Early Honda's are known for dodgy rectifiers/regulators.

2/ That depends entirely on who you speak to. most would say the CBR is the better of the two. I'd put that down to more people having experience with them.

3/ Tyres, chains, sprockets etc are cheap. Valve services (critical on a bike that revs up to 18,000rpm) are a bit more expensive, but no more than another 4 cylinder machine. Parts may require a few more dollars and waiting etc.

4/ See #1.

5/ They shouldn't burn much oil, and fuel consumption depends on how you ride it.

6/ Crash damage, rattly camchains, poor running when cold or hot. Take someone who knows what they are looking for. Crash damage can be hidden from most people, but if you know where to look (steering lock stops are a good spot) you should be able to build a picture of the quality of the bike.

Someone who has more direct experience will be able to fill you in on more specifics of the models. Although I'll add when it comes time to resale the CBR would be the more popular choice.

[overworkedmonkey]

Thanks mate.

#1 When you say early Honda's how early are we speaking? Pre-1995?
#2 I take it you mean riding experience
#3 As to the availability of parts, I hear that they are harder to source for fzrs'.
#4 See #1
#5 Sweet
#6 Didn't quite follow what you meant by "poor running when cold or hot."

Seeing that I don't know anyone who knows bikes intimately, is there anyone I can approach to help me out once I zero in on a bike I think I like.

[onearmedbandit]

1/ From my understanding, yes mostly pre mid nineties.
2/ No, what I mean is there is a lot of 'CBR fanboys', simply because there are more of them about. Splitting the differences in performance between them probably isn't worth it.
3/ Not sure, but once again there are more CBR's around than FZR's.
4/ Carbs and valves are going to be two areas of concern when approaching any of these bikes. If they run poorly anywhere, then be warned, but if it only does it when it's cold or hot it can indicate valve clearance issues etc. The point is, don't buy one solely on a short ride or just listening to it run. You're looking at 20yr old performance 250's, you need to try it in all operating environments possible.

[overworkedmonkey]

4/ Carbs and valves are going to be two areas of concern when approaching any of these bikes. If they run poorly anywhere, then be warned, but if it only does it when it's cold or hot it can indicate valve clearance issues etc. The point is, don't buy one solely on a short ride or just listening to it run. You're looking at 20yr old performance 250's, you need to try it in all operating environments possible.

How else would you look out for warning signs seeing that you aren't going to be able to take it for a long ride when trying them out?

[onearmedbandit]

How else would you look out for warning signs seeing that you aren't going to be able to take it for a long ride when trying them out?

Why can't you test ride one for 30 mins or more? Any reasonable seller with nothing to hide, with your money in hand, should have no problem with you going for a decent ride.

[overworkedmonkey]

Don't see 30 minutes being an issue at all. Thought it would have to be for longer. Thanks mate. Any recommendations for sport bikes within my budget apart for the CBR and FZR?

[onearmedbandit]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-337170916.htm

That's quite nice, but at the top end of what you'd want to pay. However still within your budget.

Actually, when you compare it to this one....

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-330837187.htm

....it makes the first one seem like quite a good deal.

[overworkedmonkey]

Saw the same exact one at http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-337170916.htm. Although does have some damage done to it. Not sure whether it's just cosmetic. Thinking might give it a looksie.

Was wondering if there were any bikes apart from the Yamaha FZR and Honda CBR

[onearmedbandit]

GSXR250 (plus the RR version)
ZXR250
RGV250 (two stroke)
NSR250 (two stroke)
TZR250 (two stroke)
KR1-250 (two stroke)
RS250 (two stroke)

There are also the Ninja 250 and GT250R, both 'look' sporty but are not to the same level as the others mentioned.

[SMOKEU]

The MC19 has a reputation for having a dodgy fuel pump.

[onearmedbandit]

The MC19 has a reputation for having a dodgy fuel pump.

You've replaced one haven't you Chris?

[overworkedmonkey]

GSXR250 (plus the RR version)
ZXR250
RGV250 (two stroke)
NSR250 (two stroke)
TZR250 (two stroke)
KR1-250 (two stroke)
RS250 (two stroke)

There are also the Ninja 250 and GT250R, both 'look' sporty but are not to the same level as the others mentioned.

Thanks mate. Take it the GSXR250 and ZXR250 are four stroke bikes. Based on my experience with two stroke bikes, the maintenace was a bitch. Kept throwing money at it all the time.

[onearmedbandit]

Thanks mate. Take it the GSXR250 and ZXR250 are four stroke bikes. Based on my experience with two stroke bikes, the maintenace was a bitch. Kept throwing money at it all the time.

Yup, both are 4 strokes.

As far as two strokes go, well the ones listed, they are like an old Italian bike, something special sure, but something you need to be passionate about. Or have a mechanic who is.

[overworkedmonkey]

Haven't had much experience with 4 strokes though have heard they are cheaper and easier to maintain. Any truth to that?

[SMOKEU]

You've replaced one haven't you Chris?

Yes, I have done on my bike. I've heard from other MC19 owners who have had the same problem with their bikes.

[Gibbo89]

Naked versions of above bikes

fzr250 = zeal
cbr250 = jade (older) now it's the hornet
gsxr250 = bandit
zxr250 = balius

one other bike is the gsx250, it is big and heavy but it is economical. just not as racey as the 4 stroke bikes that your keen on. 4 cylinders are screamers and are fun to hear them rev out to 15 thousand minimum on some like the zeal and hornet is around that. then up to like 19k on the zxr etc.

servicing is more expensive because they are pretty highly tuned compared to a wee gn250 etc.

good luck on the search

[overworkedmonkey]

Gibbo89

Naked versions of above bikes

fzr250 = zeal
cbr250 = jade (older) now it's the hornet
gsxr250 = bandit
zxr250 = balius

one other bike is the gsx250, it is big and heavy but it is economical. just not as racey as the 4 stroke bikes that your keen on. 4 cylinders are screamers and are fun to hear them rev out to 15 thousand minimum on some like the zeal and hornet is around that. then up to like 19k on the zxr etc.

servicing is more expensive because they are pretty highly tuned compared to a wee gn250 etc.

good luck on the search



Thanks mate. I'll have look around the ones you suggested. Be keen on a larger bike i.e. 600cc or 1000cc however need to regain my confidence first on a smaller bike.

[bittertwistedcute]

loved my Zeal - industrial newbie bike! with enough to keep going on..