I have a conundrum

[nzmikey]

Ok so I am buying my 1st bike :woohoo: I have been told by quite a few people that the CBR250 is a good bike . Now I have a few mates that have been riding for awhile & they are trying to convince me to buy the 250RR instead of the 250R as they think that they are better & have more power / torque etc .
I have looked at a bike from here ( KB ) & i do like it (MC19) , i feel comfortable on it , the riding position is good , as yet i have not sat on a 250RR but from what I have been reading online http://www.netrider.net.au/forums/showthread.php?t=84756 the R has a more upright seating position where as the RR is the more sport leant over style . The other comment that was made to me was that the RR has a better resale value than the R .

So in conclusion is there anyone out there that has had the same problem if so how did you over come it ??:eek5:

[4AGE]

I had the same conundrum when looking at bikes.

I ended up getting a MC19. It was cheaper, in my location and was fairly tidy.

I don't regret it at all. Its an awesome bike. I'm beyond impressed.
I'm about 6"1 and I fit pretty well. Its not completely leaned over so I still have good visibility at intersections etc. But still a sporty riding position.

[GrayWolf]

Ok so I am buying my 1st bike :woohoo: I have been told by quite a few people that the CBR250 is a good bike . Now I have a few mates that have been riding for awhile & they are trying to convince me to buy the 250RR instead of the 250R as they think that they are better & have more power / torque etc .
I have looked at a bike from here ( KB ) & i do like it (MC19) , i feel comfortable on it , the riding position is good , as yet i have not sat on a 250RR but from what I have been reading online http://www.netrider.net.au/forums/showthread.php?t=84756 the R has a more upright seating position where as the RR is the more sport leant over style . The other comment that was made to me was that the RR has a better resale value than the R .
So in conclusion is there anyone out there that has had the same problem if so how did you over come it ??:eek5:

Hi NZMikey
Firstly, opinions are like assholes, everybody has one! All I will and can offer is 'advice' from experience.

1) what can you afford, after purchase its not just petrol. There's consumables,, chains, pads, sprockets. and Servicing costs if you use a shop. Regardless of CC rating a 4cyl is THE most expensive to service.

2) higher performance inevitably means more 'fragile'.. if you buy a bike that has high k's, you take a risk as to its service record. Caveat emptor!!!!

3) what do you NEED, not want, need? commuter? all things (only transport), weekend blaster? What is your physical size? Will it be cramped?

4) regardless of more power/torque etc, do not let ANYONE decide which bike to buy, for you... you have to live with the bike, they dont. Invariably the comment is 'x' bike is a dog, 'a' bike is far more powerful. OK a Ninja is substantialy more powerful than a GN250, but if you read tests on the various bikes, there is usualy only 5-10kph difference in top speed and maybe .5 of a second on the standing quarter,, in 'real' terms, bugger all difference.

5) another honda option? the 250 hornet/jade.... same motor as the R or RR...

[HenryDorsetCase]

I wouldnt buy anything that old as a first bike. get a single cylinder, unfaired bike with a neutral riding position. You won't be keeping them (in the words of tthe Drive By Truckers) "any longer than you'd keep a pair of shoes" so dont angst about it. servicing cost, unknown history, maintenance cost and deferred maintenance you have to do cos a previous owner didnt = can of worms. My view is the perfect learner road bike is something like a Honda CB250RS (old) or a scorpio, or a VTR250.

[Camshaft]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/138118-Perfect-Honda-CBR-250r

[GrayWolf]

I wouldnt buy anything that old as a first bike. get a single cylinder, unfaired bike with a neutral riding position. You won't be keeping them (in the words of tthe Drive By Truckers) "any longer than you'd keep a pair of shoes" so dont angst about it. servicing cost, unknown history, maintenance cost and deferred maintenance you have to do cos a previous owner didnt = can of worms. My view is the perfect learner road bike is something like a Honda CB250RS (old) or a scorpio, or a VTR250.

WHAT HE SAID :yes::yes::yes::yes:
link to wikipedia..... a 19,000rpm redline?? think poor maintanance, think GRENAAAAADE!!!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CBR250

[Brian d marge]

I too have a conundrum

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Stephen

[Smifffy]

I wouldn't advise a Conundrum as a first bike, they were never that popular, and were in all likelihood the reason that Italian bikes got such a bad reputation for reliability.

You would be better off getting something like a Honda.

[ynot slow]

If a bike is costing $2000 or so allow a budget of $3-3500 total for gear and bike,and odd repair,enjoy and ride safe.

[Corse1]

RR has extras that r's don't such as twin fron discs. Think last RR was 98?? You need better brakes with 19000 redline:shit:

Freinds daughter is looking at RR for first bike in OZ but then he will do all the maintenance.

[The Pastor]

the cbr250 R and RR use the same engine (RR has differnt valve/cam timing, exhaust). Regardless, this engine is not just bullet proof its BOMB proof. Nuclear bomb proof. Have a search and see how many threads you can find on here with broken engines on a cbr.

I have had one, ridden hard, poorley maintained, no airfilter/box (open carbs) and it just simply refuses to be broke. They love abuse.

If the bike is running ruff, it will (90% of the time) be the carbs, they often need a really good clean and balance.

The zxr250 is another good bike (better brakes and suspension, looks), BUT they eat cam chains, they need to be replaced every 25,000km The cbr dosent have a cam chain, it has cam gears - which is why they don't break.

also you can buy a chinese full set of fairings for the RR for about $1000. Painted. Thats soooo freeking cheap (the fit is not 100% tho, minor hole drilling required)

What ever you do, just stay away from fzr250. Commonly known as the fizzzzzer.

[The Pastor]

RR has extras that r's don't such as twin fron discs. Think last RR was 98?? You need better brakes with 19000 redline:shit:

Freinds daughter is looking at RR for first bike in OZ but then he will do all the maintenance.

What the fuck has redline got to do with brakes?

[aprilia_RS250]

Flag the CBRs get a 2 STROKE!

My first bike was an Aprilia rs250. Very fast for someone who hasn't ridden a bike.

But it's actually quiet good little bike to learn on, here is why.

-It's light

-It come standard with beautiful golden double caliper brembos at front, brakes are really good.

-2 strokes don't have a twitchy throttle like a 4 stroke, very low power at bottom end so you won't frighten yourself with massive acceleration and you can get used to controlling the throttle with your wrist rather than your foot. Once you are more confident you can crank 'em up to the power band range and enjoy the thrill.

-2 strokes engines are very simple, much more simple than 4 stoke.

-When I was looking at cbr250s zxr's etc I thought they're just a ticking time bombs. These little bikes have gone through 4-5 different learner type owners and have done usually well over 40,000 km, most of that probably well thrashed at 18k rpm. Quiet a bit for a 250cc engine. That's like buying a 2L car that's done 320km, you know the mileage is getting a bit too high for my liking.


- Another advantage is you'll be able to keep up with your mates who have 600s or even 1000cc bikes.

-it'll set you up better for a bigger bike, due to acceleration and speed difference.

- Rs250 come with Suzuki engines (VJ22) so it doesn't have the Italian reliability issue you often hear about, parts are available and rebuilds are very easy to do.

- It's italian, looks more modern than the old 80s design cbr and you'll be riding the fastest 250 on roads.

Things to take in...

- Legislation in NZ might change for 2 stroke bikes (following AU rules), can't ride a 2 stroke if you are learner/restricted holder. Value of these bikes will massively drop then. I doubt this will happen if you already own one, but I'm not sure if they even will implement this given there is a such a small number of them out there.
- Fuel, they drink like a camel preparing to cross the sahara. 2 stroke oil is an added cost.
- Sound and smoke. They smoke up your garage like the devils walked in and the sound is zinga linga ding type, not the vroooom you get from 4 strokes. I fell in love with the sound they make and the smell of the smoke, ohhh the 2 stroke burning oil.
- They're like dating a really hot, high maintenance woman. Gota warm 'em up, wait till the engine warms up. Keep filling it up with oil, maintaining it and paying for high octane fuel. But once you have it sideways sitting at 9000 rpm through a corner and punching down the throttle and have the front lift slightly ohhh it's all worth it then.:Punk:

[The Pastor]

My first bike was an Aprilia rs250. Very fast for someone who hasn't ridden a bike.

But it's actually quiet good little bike to learn on, here is why.

-It's light

-It come standard with beautiful golden double caliper brembos at front, brakes are really good.

-2 strokes don't have a twitchy throttle like a 4 stroke, very low power at bottom end so you won't frighten yourself with massive acceleration and you can get used to controlling the throttle with your wrist rather than your foot. Once you are more confident you can crank 'em up to the power band range and enjoy the thrill.

-2 strokes engines are very simple, much more simple than 4 stoke.

-When I was looking at cbr250s zxr's etc I thought they're just a ticking time bombs. These little bikes have gone through 4-5 different learner type owners and have done usually well over 40,000 km, most of that probably well thrashed at 18k rpm. Quiet a bit for a 250cc engine. That's like buying a 2L car that's done 320km, you know the mileage is getting a bit too high for my liking.


- Another advantage is you'll be able to keep up with your mates who have 600s or even 1000cc bikes.

-it'll set you up better for a bigger bike, due to acceleration and speed difference.

- Rs250 come with Suzuki engines (VJ22) so it doesn't have the Italian reliability issue you often hear about, parts are available and rebuilds are very easy to do.

- It's italian, looks more modern than the old 80s design cbr and you'll be riding the fastest 250 on roads.

Things to take in...

- Legislation in NZ might change for 2 stroke bikes (following AU rules), can't ride a 2 stroke if you are learner/restricted holder. Value of these bikes will massively drop then. I doubt this will happen if you already own one, but I'm not sure if they even will implement this given there is a such a small number of them out there.
- Fuel, they drink like a camel preparing to cross the sahara. 2 stroke oil is an added cost.
- Sound and smoke. They smoke up your garage like the devils walked in and the sound is zinga linga ding type, not the vroooom you get from 4 strokes. I fell in love with the sound they make and the smell of the smoke, ohhh the 2 stroke burning oil.
- They're like dating a really hot, high maintenance woman. Gota warm 'em up, wait till the engine warms up. Keep filling it up with oil, maintaining it and paying for high octane fuel. But once you have it sideways sitting at 9000 rpm through a corner and punching down the throttle and have the front lift slightly ohhh it's all worth it then.:Punk:


They are expensive and blow up.

[The Pastor]

WHAT HE SAID :yes::yes::yes::yes:
link to wikipedia..... a 19,000rpm redline?? think poor maintanance, think GRENAAAAADE!!!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CBR250

you'd be wrong, dead wrong.

[Corse1]

What the fuck has redline got to do with brakes?

Too busy looking at rev counter to notice where you are going regardless of speed:facepalm:

[aprilia_RS250]

They are expensive and blow up.

Mine never did after 25k km. Hyoshits used blow up as soon as you took them out the shop. If you look after it it'll be alright.

[HenryDorsetCase]

In terms of drums, I'd probably go for Tama, or Pearl.

with Zildjan cymbals

and a gong. Like John Bonham had

[avgas]

Buy Riley Elf and cut it in half.
Then you can make 2 bikes.

[Smifffy]

In terms of drums, I'd probably go for Tama, or Pearl.

with Zildjan cymbals

and a gong. Like John Bonham had

But for god's sake don't forget the cowbell. It's the only cure.

[The Pastor]

But for god's sake don't forget the cowbell. It's the only cure.

I have a fever!

[Grasshopperus]

If you get the bike you really want then you'll really like it and therefore you'll ride it more.

If that means a sportsbike, get a honda cbr250rr or a zxr250. I had a zxr250 and redlined it hard over a year and ~30,000km and didn't have any problems (apart from consumables but not cam chain). If you want new and sporty, but not so awesome, then look at the kawasaki 250R or the hyosungGT250

[Old Steve]

Yeah, I looked at the conundrum when I started riding too. Their reliability wasn't that good and I didn't like the ride position, they had narrow bars and you had to lean forward to reach them.

I bought a second (or third) hand 2005 Hyosung GV250, just clicked up 17,500 km in 14 months this weekend, having fun. I'd recommend you buy as late a model as you can, of whatever you chose, but don't go over the top and buy new.

There are a lot of year old (or older) bikes on the shop floor which dealers will do a good deal to get rid of, so ask for an outrageous price plus the fitted rack. You can always come up to where the dealer will do a deal, you can't go back down.

So, just choose something you like and ride it as much as you can.

(EDIT: Change year of bike)

[marty]

They are expensive and blow up.

yes they are expensive. to purchase and maintain.

they will only blow up if 1, you use shit oil/plugs, 2, you thrash it cold or 3, you just get unlucky.

Mine did 25000kms without missing a beat, but cost as much as a litre bike to keep running.

and if you can keep up with your mates on big bikes, they can't ride for shit.

I'd have another one in a flash.

[jaffaonajappa]

You can always come up to where the dealer will do a deal, you can't go back down.



Unless it a Honda dealership of course. Then your actually expected to go back down. At least twice.

[The Pastor]

yes they are expensive. to purchase and maintain.

they will only blow up if 1, you use shit oil/plugs, 2, you thrash it cold or 3, you just get unlucky.

Mine did 25000kms without missing a beat, but cost as much as a litre bike to keep running.

and if you can keep up with your mates on big bikes, they can't ride for shit.

I'd have another one in a flash.


they are awesome bikes, but not ideal for a 1st bike.

[Voltaire]

I have had one, ridden hard, poorley maintained, no airfilter/box (open carbs) and it just simply refuses to be broke. They love abuse.

If the bike is running ruff, it will (90% of the time) be the carbs, they often need a really good clean and balance.
BUT they eat cam chains, they need to be replaced every 25,000km The cbr dosent have a cam chain, it has cam gears - which is why they don't break.



So if your bike runs rough with no air cleaners balance and clean the carbs...
mechanical things love abuse....
and cam chains are not as good as gear driven cams....
Wise words...:facepalm:

[The Pastor]

So if your bike runs rough with no air cleaners balance and clean the carbs...
mechanical things love abuse....
and cam chains are not as good as gear driven cams....
Wise words...:facepalm:

what you on about? My bike ran tight as a drum, and this guys bike has air filters and cam gears?