Learner recommendations - CBR250R V Ninja 250?

[RJM]

Hi all,

I hate putting up threads like this but looking for a few opinions on what's suited for a first time bike owner. My brother is looking to buy his first road bike (I'm an MXer so don't know a lot).

Crossed off the list are GN250, Hyosung GT250/GT250R, not aware of anything suitable from the Yamaha stable.

Potentials from a dealer, obviously second hand models out there too but listing dealer prices just for comparison. He's pretty much set on the Kawasaki but the new CBR250R is an attractive option too.

Ninja 250 - 2010 runout $7995 dealer, carb'd twin cylinder
CBR250R - 2012 $7495 dealer, EFI single
RS125 - 2011 $7995 dealer, 125 two smoker, very light bike but maybe a little too aggressive for learning and commuting

[Sable]

The RS125 is by far the mightier bike. The Kawasaki's been round in one form or another for decades, the CBR is a sheep in wolf's clothing. Personally I'd go second hand and let someone else take the instant 2 grand depreciation

[frogfeaturesFZR]

250 Ninja, reliable as a shovel.

[tigertim20]

if it were me, I would go for the ninja, but instead of going brand new, Id buy a low km second hand one in good nick, and save the 1500+ loss and spend it on good gear and petrol

[057rxz]

if it were me, I would go for the ninja, but instead of going brand new, Id buy a low km second hand one in good nick, and save the 1500+ loss and spend it on good gear and petrol

that is S M A R T

[057rxz]

dude ur gonna get sick of a 250 pretty fast. get something cheap as chips the modern 250's on the market are so overpriced. get a hack give it death for 6 months get your restricted and maybe upgrade to something like a drz400 u will not regret it once those things go learner legal. ride that for the rest of owning ur restricted then drop it and get urself a 1000. IMO up to you but the ninjas are boring and on NZ roads in NZ traffic..... L a m e

[sleemanj]

I can see where your brother is going with this, he is the type that wants speed, power, and looks. So... he is going to be the type to sell the bike the instant he gets his full to get a "real fast cool looking big bike".

So, based on that, I couldn't recommend buying any new bike to learn on. Total waste of money in depreciation, and older bikes could well outperform the new ones anyway, at least on the horsepower published.

I'd recommend looking on Trademe for models from the late 80s, early 90s. And if I was being specific. A Honda Spada. Mucho fast enough, a lot of horses for a 250 twin, 6 speed box, all around, an excellent bike when you are limited to 250 (and even then). They come up often on Trademe in the $2000-3000 range. Won't lose money if it is maintained. As for performance, they are good for 160 indicated or so, piles of passing capability nearer to legal speeds, in other words plenty to lose his licence without the bike breaking a sweat.

[mossy1200]

Is it just me or even though the cbr is a single is it not a good looking bike that would have enough hp with added torque and be a good bike.Maybe a one year old cbr at new less 1500 odd dollars.Im not normally a honda fan but it does seem a good learner bike that after the early first year loss should hold value ok.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-451916678.htm
8000km $5950

[blackdog]

If (and I am assuming) your bro already knows how to ride a dirtbike, then the RS125 no question.

Or convince KTM NZ to get ya one of these.

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/ktm/ktm_200_Duke%2012.htm

[ducatilover]

They'll all depreciate like made, the RS125 is the more fun bike and will hold value best.
I wouldn't bother with any of them though. :yes:

[Dave C]

You're probably tired of hearing it, but I would also think long and hard before buying a brand new bike, unless the buyer is committed to keeping it for at least several years. Depreciation can really hurt! I would also keep in mind that the popularity and therefore price of 250s is likely to drop when the new regulations come into force (October 1 this year I think, but check with a dealer or NZTA). Under the new rules, restrictions will be based on power-to-weight, not cc rating, so for example a very hot Aprilia 250cc sports may not be allowed for a new rider, but a modestly powered 4-stroke 400cc bike probably will. Much more sensible and long overdue, imho!

[nzmikey]

Hey can buy my 96 Hornet 250 :Punk:

for a 250 it gets along I did 11,000km in the 1st 6mths of me owning it & I still love it to this day :love:

[vae]

I had a 2003, first year with a tacho as well.
This was so good I kept as well as getting a bigger bike once I passed my full.
Everyone that had a go on it was surprised how well it went.
Sadly it was killed in action commuting to work:no:
Quickish to 120, economical, and looked good, like a small ducati.
Real fun round the hills too.
I think the Spada is an earlier version?

[Maha]

250 hornet is they way I would go if I had to start all over.
$4K and its yours...http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-466926817.htm

[rustyrobot]

I would whole-heartedly second (or is that third? or fourth?) the recommendation to get a Spada. Reasonably priced, well ahead of their time for an '88 bike, got a bit of that cafe-racer styling that's so popular with the young folks and a bit of a naked-sports edge. No plastic to break and plenty of oomph for a learner. Plus an extra gear over the VTR :)

[nzmikey]

250 hornet is they way I would go if I had to start all over.
$4K and its yours...http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-466926817.htm

:bash: Hey this is my sales pitch here ........ if I need help I will ask :shutup:

[sleemanj]

I think the Spada is an earlier version?

They share an engine, of sorts - the Spada version however produces more power (like most modern 250 and under bikes, the more modern you get, the less power they seem to produce, power restriction regulations I suppose). Not much similar in terms of anything else of note.

By all accounts though, the modern VTR is a very good bike in it's own right.

[Maha]

:bash: Hey this is my sales pitch here ........ if I need help I will ask :shutup:

Your sale pitch seems to be in need all the help it can get..:corn:

[nzmikey]

Your sale pitch seems to be in need all the help it can get..:corn:

:rolleyes: I was testing the water 1st ....... & then I was going to go full retard & do the Hard sell :yes:

[ducatilover]

I think the Spada is an earlier version?

Same brakes, forks, bottom end of the engine.
Spada = 40hp, VTR = 33hp on a good day.
Both tip the scales at around 139kg dry.
The VTR had the 5 speed box, Spada had the 6 speed.
Both are good little bikes :yes:

[Maha]

There is 1 spada on TM at the moment, looks a real shit box and the engine has been replaced with a VTR 250 pack.

[ducatilover]

There is 1 spada on TM at the moment, looks a real shit box and the engine has been replaced with a VTR 250 pack.

:facepalm: :facepalm::facepalm:

[RJM]

Thanks for all the comments. He has been reading as a guest.

I'm personally a big fan of the VTR250, hoping to buy one later this year.

[RuoskaNZ]

Ninja 250 was my first road bike, I loved it and didnt get completely bored with it until I was ready to get a bigger bike 3 years later.
While I was shopping around I liked the look of the Hornet 250, and borrowed mates older 90s 4 cylinder Honda and Yamaha variants, they were pretty fun but a little long in the teeth for my liking.

Was riding along the local riding route (SH2, Haywards, Paekak Hill) on sunday and there was a Ninja 250 and CBR250R keeping pace behind me nicely in the corners ( I wasnt going fast due to a lot of gunk/dirt on the road) but they were keeping up in the 100km areas as well.
Am still sad at getting rid of the ninja even with the gixxer, was so easy to throw around and a lot of fun in general (and a lot cheaper on gas around town).
Though at the end of this year the rules are changing so you may not even have to get a 250. :P couldnt they have done that 3 years earlier?
GL though. Have a sit on them and even a ride if the dealer trusts you.

[ducatilover]

Nice thread dredge!

I'll put $10 on a Hornet lasting longer than an EX250. ;)