Toss-up between to bikes: 88 Honda GB400tt or 91 Honda CB250 Jade?

[durp]

I just sold my 01 suzuki 250 volty. Got a little underwhelmed with the power and looking to step it up a little bit.

I put out a couple of offers on both these bikes, and both owners came back accepting my offer. I like both of them, but I don't know a whole lot about them technically.

I can get the CB250 for $1600. And the GB400tt for $2000. Both in excellent condition. I know the CB250 is pretty quick roughly 40hp. But I can't seem to dig up any specs on the GB400. What could you tell me about the power on it? Which would be faster, which would you recommend going for? One more reliable then the other?

[tigertim20]

as someone whose been fucked around by so called 'buyers' - dick move, you should have asked the question before making 'offers' on two bikes.
That said, here are the specs on a GB400TT, looks like the CB250 might have better power if thats your main concern, but go ahead and look for yourself.
http://www.amy.hi-ho.ne.jp/tachi/english/gb400/spec_eng.html

[Murray]

Wives got a GB400TT - great bike I love getting off the 750 and riding her bike. Hers has 6 gears and have increased front sprocket size so it goes like a little rocket!!!

[The Pastor]

choose the one you like the look of the most. The 400 will have more maintenance issues, but its a nice bike :D

[durp]

Fair enough. I get that. Just turned out that one of the guys took nearly a week to get back to me on one, after i started looking elsewhere.

Regardless. Power aside: which would be the better buy for the money?

[Flip]

What model CB250 is it?

The hornet would be the better bike.

[Jantar]

Fair enough. I get that. Just turned out that one of the guys took nearly a week to get back to me on one, after i started looking elsewhere.

Regardless. Power aside: which would be the better buy for the money?
Without more details such as general condition, upcoming maintenance needed etc. I would personally choose the 400. Power is only one consideration, and even then only if you intend racing. More important is torque, and that is where the 400 has it over the 250.

[DrunkenMistake]

GB400 for sure,
If you get bored you cafe the cunt

[nzspokes]

I thought the CB250 jade had about 19hp?

[The Pastor]

Trust me mate the 400 will cost a lot more to run. Well maybe if you dont maintain it, then it wont cost more :P

[Renegade]

ive got a GB400 as my commuter bike, great little bike, puts a smile in my face every day i ride it.

Cheap as chips to run, tyres are cheap im running a sport demon on the rear and a battle-lax on the front which cost $300 fitted and they are lasting really well.

plenty of maintenance parts available through econo honda and there appear to be plenty of engine parts for it being an XR400 donk.

Im planning on some cafe racer mods soon for giggles.

[Flip]

I was a partner in a bike courier company and we owned a quite a few GB 4 and 500's. They were all great bikes apart from going through can shaft and followers.

The need regular oil changes, which is a very easy and quick job to do, I did ours every 3k. The cam shaft, provided you catch it early, can be reground up to twice and the cam followers can be hard faced. I never had to do a cam twice probably because the refaced followers were a lot more wear resistant than the factory ones. The profile we used to use was the std trail bike one which worked fine and I always thought the 400's were as fast as the 500's once the cam was done. I never did the work to determine if the GB and XR motors had the same cam profile. I used to put Yokohama race compound tyres on my personal bike and it used to be a brave sole who used to keep up with me on a twisty road.

The CB250Jade has the 16,000 rpm 40 hp CBR250 motor. A GB 400 would not keep up in a drag race.

[durp]

Thanks flip (and everyone). Thats really good to know. i read they can tend to use oil.

[FJRider]

Thanks flip (and everyone). Thats really good to know. i read they can tend to use oil.

No ... they need regular oil CHANGES ...

[Renegade]

Thanks flip (and everyone). Thats really good to know. i read they can tend to use oil.

mine doesnt use a drop, but runs much nicer with clean oil.

[Oakie]

I just told Mrs Oakie about this thread and she said "If you want to go like shit, get the Jade". She had one until a couple of years ago and had a ball on it. Used to race me on my CB400 off traffic lights and did alright. Took the bike from Christchurch to Blenheim and return with luggage and had not a problem.

I used to ride it to work when the 400 was in the shop and it was a real hoot to ride. Yeah, it's the model before the Hornet but it's still a damned good wee bike. Cheap to run. I'd have one.

[Spearfish]

as someone whose been fucked around by so called 'buyers' - dick move, you should have asked the question before making 'offers' on two bikes.
That said, here are the specs on a GB400TT, looks like the CB250 might have better power if thats your main concern, but go ahead and look for yourself.
http://www.amy.hi-ho.ne.jp/tachi/english/gb400/spec_eng.html

That is an interesting read-
is it because its old its on piles?
ground quantity is 0.160, must have a decent top box then?
Starting is a self formula, or kick formula-science was never my strong subject....
Lubricous system?..ah ok, that's because the oil pump is a Truck colloid formula
A wet multi-board coil spring clutch were the shit in their day as long as they were tanalised.
In-variable-speed machine form is another formula of regular engagement
Slowdown machine First is that a spec or a nag sticker? Apparently its easy if you gear form chain
35 deg rudder angles are handy if the puddles a deep.
Braking equipment-Before oil press type disk and Later Mechanical reading tray ring :blink:
Suspension system -Front wheel terescopick formula......the translator picks up accents?:lol:

[Sable]

These people saying more maintenance unreliable costly etc are full of shit. I've actually owned one. Basic as hell motor, just a sleeved down XR600 essentially. Parts everywhere, single cam, four valve. Very frugal on gas, better than my friend's 250s, probably because the motor is so under stressed. Look nice, not that fast in a straight line, maybe 130 on a flat BUT an XR600 motor will slot straight in if you feel that way inclined. Put slightly firmer fork springs and some decent shocks on and they handle brilliantly. Good bikes.

[Flip]

These people saying more maintenance unreliable costly etc are full of shit.

So speaks the expert who has actually owned one :bleh:.

[durp]

I went with the 400 :)

[Murray]

not that fast in a straight line, maybe 130 on a flat

Bigger front sprocket and 6 gears (there are 5 & 6 available I believe?) and had the needle at between 150 & 160 on a long straight near Matamata

[Murray]

I went with the 400 :)

Good on you! You might find this old thread interesting

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/12860-GB400TT

[Shadows]

Look nice, not that fast in a straight line, maybe 130 on a flat BUT an XR600 motor will slot straight in if you feel that way inclined. Put slightly firmer fork springs and some decent shocks on and they handle brilliantly. Good bikes.

The one I had would just manage about 160 with a tailwind. I can't remember if I changed the gearing on it.
No problem with suspension either, find a road without long straights on it and nobody could keep up with me.
Mind you, it was new at the time and I only weighed about 70kg.
All in all kind of gutless though, the CBR motor would probably out perform it in a straight line.

[durp]

Really its all good. Its more then enough power. Im not looking to race or anything. Just needed something noticeably faster then what i had before. a 250 suzuki. useless on the motorway.

After test riding the 400 i knew it was going to be perfect.

[BuzzardNZ]

owned 3 GB400's over the years. Cheap as chips to run and very low maintenance costs. As others have said, change the oil often and you can't go wrong.

Common problems on these I've heard is that the starter motor can give up ( not a big deal as also has a kick start ) and that the cam chains tend to go on higher mileage bikes ( kind of expected on any high mileage bike ). Only had this happen ( both starter motor and cam chain ) on one of the GB's I owned. Wish Honda still produced this model!

[That_guy]

I think I bought the 250 Jade you didn't want. Very pleased with it. Although, as its my first bike (after a scooter), I've no idea if it is better than the 400. It has been geared down, though.

[Oakie]

I think I bought the 250 Jade you didn't want. Very pleased with it. Although, as its my first bike (after a scooter), I've no idea if it is better than the 400. It has been geared down, though.

Good for you! They're a great wee bike.

[avgas]

also likewise if this model was still made I would own another.
Owned 3, only killed one (it was an accident not engine failure).

But up the suspension. And they change from a nice commuter to something more fun.

[avgas]

Bigger front sprocket and 6 gears (there are 5 & 6 available I believe?) and had the needle at between 150 & 160 on a long straight near Matamata
Where did you get a 6 speed from? Does it bolt straight onto the NC20?
Yeah my quickest one used to valve bounce at just over 160 (on the speedo) down the bombays. So you would have to do some radical gearing to go faster than that.

[Murray]

Where did you get a 6 speed from? Does it bolt straight onto the NC20?
Yeah my quickest one used to valve bounce at just over 160 (on the speedo) down the bombays. So you would have to do some radical gearing to go faster than that.

I brought it of another member sorrelboy - be seeing him tonight and see if he knows. just had it in for servicing and wof and the mechanic's words were "what a little rocket"

[jasonu]

I can get the CB250 for $1600. And the GB400tt for $2000. Both in excellent condition. I know the CB250 is pretty quick roughly 40hp.

I never heard of a CB250 (or anyother 250 4 stroke roadbike) that makes 40hp.

[Latte]

I never heard of a CB250 (or anyother 250 4 stroke roadbike) that makes 40hp.

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

45ps / 33kw wassat in ponies.

[jasonu]

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

45ps / 33kw wassat in ponies.

I stand corrected (although you originally said CB250 not CBR250)

[Latte]

I stand corrected (although you originally said CB250 not CBR250)

Well, whoever posted it originally did ;). There'd be quite a few 18k 250 screamers capable of 40hp. The OP mentions jade which is ~20hp , the other CB250 (Hornet) is based on the CBR motor iirc.

[Oakie]

Pretty sure the Jade had 37 or 38 HP.

[Latte]

Pretty sure the Jade had 37 or 38 HP.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CB250_Jade

So it is....

[Oakie]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CB250_Jade

So it is....

40hp as it turns out. Mrs Oakie's was certainly able to move my 90kg around pretty nippily when I borrowed it.

[Murray]

Where did you get a 6 speed from? Does it bolt straight onto the NC20?
Yeah my quickest one used to valve bounce at just over 160 (on the speedo) down the bombays. So you would have to do some radical gearing to go faster than that.

Sorry Sorrelboy was no help, he thinks a certain model came standrad with one?? You might want to give Econohonda in Te Aroha a call, when I got the larger front sprocket they were more than helpful and had all the specs for the GB's. (the sprocket was slighty wider and required a little machining to adjust). He couldnt help re the NC20 but again try Econohonda