Cbr250rr vs Fzr250 vs 2 Stroke

[numbersixteen16]

Recently I posted a thread about what bike people recommended out of a selection of 3 bikes, I have chosen to go with none of those.
Instead Ive decided I will go all out and buy one of the race replica bikes.

What I want to know is if the mc22 cbr is worth 2k more than a 3ln fzr even though the fzr has half the k's? I do like the cbr more, it sounds better, looks slightly more modern and has better aftermarket parts range. But is it worth an extra 2 grand?

Which one is more reliable?
Which one has better handling?
Will one out perform the other on track, or does it come down to the rider?

And should I look at the 2 stroke bikes? Given Id be looking for the same things out of one?

Bear in mind I will test the bikes to see which one suits me best as well

[sil3nt]

250 2 stroke is much faster and probably has better handling but takes a lot more care to be reliable.

The Honda is known for its reliability. That isn't to say the FZR is unreliable though.

Handling and track performance is all down to the rider. Test ride them and see what you like the best. Just because someone says one bike handles better than the other doesn't mean you will think the same thing.

CBRs are over priced as they are considered the best of the inline 4 250s.

[SMOKEU]

Be very, very careful with 2 strokes as most people are muppets who run their bikes on cheap oil because they don't want to pay $30+ per litre for 2 stroke oil that these bikes demand. 2 strokes are a lot more expensive to run than the equivalent 4 strokes, and most have been badly neglected. If you buy one that's been well looked after, they should be just as reliable as a 4 stroke, but the 2 strokes don't forgive poor maintenance anywhere near as well as a 4 stroke. Buy one that hasn't been treated well and the repair bill will leave you in tears.

The CBR250RR is a very good learner bike, and you'll be sure to have a lot of fun on them. They're getting a bit long in the tooth, but they're pretty much bulletproof.

[Sliver]

i used to own a fzr250 and my mate had a cbr250 (not a rr) those fzr are a really nice bike to ride, BUT the fuel pumps are really bad for crapping out, if you want reliablity get the cbr.

[ducatilover]

If you want a four stroke the CBR250 MC22 is the way, they also have no fuel pump to shit out.
The FZR is a neat little bike, but they were never as reliable as the MC22.
It comes down to the rider as in every situation.

If you want fast though get a two stroke, who cares about maintenance? They are worth it. A good NSR/RGV/RS with decimate my 600 up a twisty road. (very, very twisty...) :niceone:

[Ender EnZed]

Which one is more reliable?
Which one has better handling?
Will one out perform the other on track

The MC22 wins on all fronts...


or does it come down to the rider?

...but you'll never be faster than a better rider on an FZR.


But is it worth an extra 2 grand?

I'd much rather have an FZR and 1000 litres of petrol.


And should I look at the 2 stroke bikes? Given Id be looking for the same things out of one?

Bear in mind I will test the bikes to see which one suits me best as well

By all means ride everything you can get your hands on but keep in mind that two stroke road bikes are best suited to riders who:


enjoy working on bikes


don't need it as their sole form of transport


don't mind spending money on it


They go faster though.

[The Pastor]

fzrs are average to bad in realability.

is the mc22 worth the extra 2g? I think so, but i really like the mc22.

[SMOKEU]

Don't rule out an RG150 either. They're about half the price of an MC22, and that way you can get your 2 stroke fix if need be. They don't go quite as hard as the MC22, but they still have around 35bhp.

[Sliver]

ok so as i said before i had a 1992 3LN and my mate had a m19 CBR

We lined them up down a road and there wouldnt of been 2 feet btween us

For reliablity def go for the CBR,

i thought my FZR handled abit better than the CBR (but not enough to justify choosing the FZR cause it was bugger all)

Anyway i found the Honda to be a better bike. and if its 5k its to much cash...

fZR 3-3.5k (the price doesnt seem to change with km for the FZR i sold mine for 3.5 with 30km but people with 12km were asking 3-3.5 as well)
CBR RR 4-4.5k

[tigertim20]

Recently I posted a thread about what bike people recommended out of a selection of 3 bikes, I have chosen to go with none of those.
Instead Ive decided I will go all out and buy one of the race replica bikes.

What I want to know is if the mc22 cbr is worth 2k more than a 3ln fzr even though the fzr has half the k's? I do like the cbr more, it sounds better, looks slightly more modern and has better aftermarket parts range. But is it worth an extra 2 grand?

Which one is more reliable?
Which one has better handling?
Will one out perform the other on track, or does it come down to the rider?

And should I look at the 2 stroke bikes? Given Id be looking for the same things out of one?

Bear in mind I will test the bikes to see which one suits me best as well

to answer your questions, if each bike was given to the same rider, the 2 stroke would yield the best results on a track - but are you going to be on a track all the time? - the four strokes will be wayyy better daily-ride / commute bikes.

IS the cbr worth 2k more? unlikely, but it depends, are they the same year? aee you comparing a 1988 FZR to a 1992 CBR? if so, the cbr is likely worth the extra. if they're about the same year and the same condition, they are probably worth about the same. The advertised price on 250s is a bit of a joke, people think their raped thrashed 20+ year old 250's are worth 5k. they're not.

as for a better aftermarket parts range, why bother? youll need to spend a fair chuink of coin to get any more performance out of the 250s, which would cost more than an upgrade to a 100+BHP 600 later on.

Your first thing to do is go and ride them. you might fall in love. You might decide theyre all shit and you want a Virago.

In my opinion the most important things with the sports 250s are:
good tyres - you wont wear them too fast on most 250's. good tyres are a great purchase point
service history. these bikes are getting old, and they rev high. peperwork and receipts that show when and where and how often the thing has been serviced are really valuable, as the history makes the difference between a lemon and a great buy
the condition of the bike at the time you view it. if the seller cant be arsed washing it for a potential buyer, how shit does it get treated when nobody is watching?
a check over of items that degrade over time. are the sprockets, chain, brake pads, brake fluid, steering head bearings, wheel bearings, swingarm bearings etc all in good condition? these things may seem small, but one or two of them go wrong, and you could easily be looking at $1000 to replace or repair items.

Im curious though, can you link to the bikes you're talking about? that might be a help, in fact, someone on here probably used to own them and can give you some history!!

[SMOKEU]

ok so as i said before i had a 1992 3LN and my mate had a m19 CBR



MC19 is a good bike. I sold mine a couple of months ago. The only fault they have is a dodgy fuel pump which will cost you less than $150 to replace and it's pretty easy to do yourself.

[numbersixteen16]

Im curious though, can you link to the bikes you're talking about? that might be a help, in fact, someone on here probably used to own them and can give you some history!!

Im looking for a bike from at least the nineties, just thought it would be better to get the later model versions

FZR - This is my favorite, it looks nice with super low k's, problem is its in Nelson and Im in Auckland
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=438284975

FZR - This one still has low kms, is cheaper, and is easier to go get (tauranga), however I prefer the styling of the first one
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=438013935

FZR - From a dealer, but a lot extra, looks the best of the fzrs in my opinion
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=429895800

CBR - Lowest km one I could find, would prefer a white one though
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=416993553

CBR - Decent looking bike, and is exactly how i would like my cbr to be if ks were lower
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=380532830

[SMOKEU]

Don't pay more than $3500 for a 250. I recently sold a tidy MC19 CBR250R with pretty much new tyres (fairly expensive tyres as well) with 32,000km for $3200. That thing ran real mint as well.

People can ask whatever they want for a bike, but if you walk up to a seller and show them a big wad of cash you'll likely get a substantial discount off the asking price. I wouldn't pay more than $3000 for an FZR250, unless it's got recent receipts proving that it's had a lot of work such as a carburettor clean and balance, full service etc. Then it might be worth $3500 at the very most as well as having very good tyres and chain and sprockets.

[Bert]

funny that no one has mentioned a ZXR250?? (I know that it wasn't mentioned at the start but..)..
I've had mine for over 6 years (track and road); never had an issue with it (other than setting it on fire and burning the wiring; but that was my bad not anything to do with the bike).
They have that "biker bike" feel I'm 6" and have no probs with the size of it actually like the position compared to my RGV and past 6hundy (on the track the ZXR with a POSH unit will smoke a CBR & FZR:msn-wink:).

[Sable]

Don't write off a 2 stroke due to maintenance. Incredibly easy to work on, engine fucks itself? whip off the head and cylinder, get new pistons and rebore. Parts everywhere. 4 strokes have these stupid valve things to contend with. And an RG150 is more or less comparable in performance to a cbr or fzr 250 and cheaper.

[SMOKEU]

funny that no one has mentioned a ZXR250?? (I know that it wasn't mentioned at the start but..)..
I've had mine for over 6 years (track and road); never had an issue with it (other than setting it on fire and burning the wiring; but that was my bad not anything to do with the bike).
They have that "biker bike" feel I'm 6" and have no probs with the size of it actually like the position compared to my RGV and past 6hundy (on the track the ZXR with a POSH unit will smoke a CBR & FZR:msn-wink:).

ZXR250 is a good 250, I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned sooner.


Don't write off a 2 stroke due to maintenance. Incredibly easy to work on, engine fucks itself? whip off the head and cylinder, get new pistons and rebore. Parts everywhere. 4 strokes have these stupid valve things to contend with. And an RG150 is more or less comparable in performance to a cbr or fzr 250 and cheaper.

Easy enough for a mechanical noob with basic hand tools to do?

[Sable]

Easy enough for a mechanical noob with basic hand tools to do?
All you need is a workshop manual, screwdrivers to get the carbs off and the right size socket to take the head nuts off.

[numbersixteen16]

The reason I didnt mention a zxr was because I cant find one with low ks, the best one i found is here:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-439332778.htm

But at 36000 ks, Im not sure. Ive been told they are the best of the four strokes, so I am tempted to buy one. But a cbr would be my favorite (have owned hondas previously).

What would someone recommend the highest k's I should go if I were to spend 4g

[sil3nt]

The reason I didnt mention a zxr was because I cant find one with low ks, the best one i found is here:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-439332778.htm

But at 36000 ks, Im not sure. Ive been told they are the best of the four strokes, so I am tempted to buy one. But a cbr would be my favorite (have owned hondas previously).

What would someone recommend the highest k's I should go if I were to spend 4g36,000? :facepalm:

I have two bikes with twice that and they run fine. A well maintained bike with 60,000km will run a lot better than a poorly maintained bike with 20,000km.

Look at this http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-440683020.htm

[tigertim20]

i agree with smokeu on the price ceiling. the 250 market is about to have the ass drop out of it anyway.
flatmate sold a MINT cbr250 with 8k on the clock for $3200.

lots of people advertise their 250's at a high price, but fuckall of them actually GET their asking price.

[numbersixteen16]

i agree with smokeu on the price ceiling. the 250 market is about to have the ass drop out of it anyway.
flatmate sold a MINT cbr250 with 8k on the clock for $3200.

lots of people advertise their 250's at a high price, but fuckall of them actually GET their asking price.

Yea, I might just give up on a mc22, everyone wants way too much for one. The honda shop wants 5k for one with 65ks? Thats just crazy

Im seriously going to consider paying $2.5-3k for 250 with 40-50ks though, the zxr sil3nt posted up looks good and i might check it out.

Thanks to everyone that offered an opinion

[Ollie.T]

Old 250cc bikes with low kms scare me a bit...

People buy them, thrash them, get their licences then sell them.
They may only put on 1-2000km on it. Because of this, they may not see the need to change the oil, oil filter, air filter and all sorts of stuff - which is bad. I bought my 1996 RS250 with 13000km on the clock and 5000km since the last top end rebuild.

It looked like it still had the air filter it left the factory with and the gearbox oil looked 5000km old. Basically, it hadn't been loved. I've replaced all that shit but am still keeping a look out incase there are other things previous owners havnt done which will bite me further down the track.

With bikes with higher km, owners are holding onto them longer and riding them more. This hopefully means that basic periodic maintenance will be carried out more often.

So like others have said, Kms are not always the best indicator of a bikes condition, it may be best to go for a higher km well maintained one rather than a low km version.

[ducatilover]

Dude, shop around... nobody pays more than $4k for a good MC22 these days :facepalm:

[Brayden]

At the end of the day it doesn't matter about the KM's. They've all had their clocks wound back, it's just a matter of recent service history. You could have a bike with 60,000 km's in better running condition than one with 28,000 which has had its clock recently wound back and received no loving or tlc.

Theyre from the late 80's early 90's and imported from Japan. Notice that when they come into the country in 2002 their clocks read like 6,000 kms?

Base your buying on recent service history and conditions, not the KM's

[numbersixteen16]

If anyone was interested, I went for an 89 FZR 3ln model. Reads 13000kms, and I got a mechanic to check it out, put a stethoscope up to motor to listen for rattles etc. He reckons it could be genuine, and it is at least mechanically sound.

Was bought from a dealer by previous owner a little over a year ago, so it should have been checked over to be in showroom condition. Will post pics soon.

[george formby]

If anyone was interested, I went for an 89 FZR 3ln model. Reads 13000kms, and I got a mechanic to check it out, put a stethoscope up to motor to listen for rattles etc. He reckons it could be genuine, and it is at least mechanically sound.

Was bought from a dealer by previous owner a little over a year ago, so it should have been checked over to be in showroom condition. Will post pics soon.

Splendid. Revtastic.