Cbr250r (mc19)

[kevinator9]

Hi Guys,

I have been riding for only a little over 6 months now, first bike being a Yamaha Scorpio which is great. It has got me to Tauranga and even Auckland and back.
I have just been offered this CBR250R at a pretty good price. I may even be able to sell my Scorpio for the same price I buy the CBR for.
So naturally I have a few questions! First some detail of the bikes.

Yamaha Scorpio SX-4W 2009
14500kms
New oil, oil filter, fuel filter, air filter, spark plug, rear tire (Pirelli) as of this month.

Honda CBR250R (MC19) 1989
25000kms
New chain and sprocket, battery, spark plugs, oil, oil filter, fuel filter, air filter.

So is it worth my while trying to swap over? What are special things to look for in the Honda before purchasing? How would it be compared to the Scorpio in terms of highway speeds (I am assuming it would handle it much better) and is 25000km relatively low for a 250cc 1989 bike?
I should probably have a decent look at the bike first but would like to get a heads up on things I should check in particular.

[jorabro]

Those older CBR's are rockets. But, If it was me I'd wait until I had my fulls and pick up a bigger and newer bike. That is, if you are still enjoying the Scorpio.

[Grashopper]

Those CBR are the fastest 250s out there if I remember correctly. Additionally they are sportsbikes, so your riding position is totally different. It would be a nice change coming from a Scorpio and would give you more experience.

If you feel that you've outgrown your scorpio/getting bored with it and you want to ride something different, then do it. I did something similar. After 8 months and 13,000 km I went from a GN250 to my little Honda and never looked back.

But first thing would be to actually check the bike out. Have a sit on it, if possible take it for a test ride and even to vtnz or your bike mech for a check up.

[hornetakl]

Defineitely have it checked out by a mechanic. The vast majority of CBRs i have seen have been thrashed to hell.

[Rhys]

Defineitely have it checked out by a mechanic. The vast majority of CBRs i have seen have been thrashed to hell.

Thrashed and crashed !

They were an excellent bike in their day. But they are 24 years old parts are getting harder to find and more expensive plus they were normally neglected and abused by their learner riders

Would I buy it? if it was mint Hell yes

[mossy1200]

Defineitely have it checked out by a mechanic. The vast majority of CBRs i have seen have been thrashed to hell.

+1
1989. Might be a more exciting ride but the risk of breakdown is higher.
Bigger budget and a newish over 250 lams bike would be a better idea.

Maybe something like this.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-637422441.htm
or
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-636774498.htm

Or hold onto what you have.

[russd7]

the er500 from wat i have heard are excellent bikes, i know of two people that moved from scorps to them and found the transition very easy

[kevinator9]

Hmmm all sound advice.
Doesn't make the decision much easier though :P
I guess there is no harm in taking it for a ride, he has no problem with me going for a whole afternoon on the thing. Also gonna take it in for a prepurchase at City Honda for $50. I would think they know what they are doing!

If it all works out I may get the CBR for the same amount I can sell my Scorpio for... (which is why I considered it in the first place)

[jolly_26]

I feel qualified to give advice here given that I ride an older Honda 250 with more ks. You will have so much more fun on the old Honda. It will be more exciting, more responsive, faster, etc. BUT it will break down more often, the electrics will likely have issues, and there will always be improvements that can be made just to get it back to where it was new. I'd hold out and buy a newer Ninja or something if I was doing it again.

[kevinator9]

Well I took it for a ride over the saddle and back through the pahiatua track.
Boy was it fun. Lots of grunt thats for sure! Not used to the riding position but thats just me. It gets to 140km though and kinda sits there in 6th gear hesitating/cutting in and out. I am guessing the carb is fairly clogged or something in the fuel system needs a clean up/tune. I'm sure the brakes need a bleed and new fluid too but thats no biggie. However the pre-purchase reports a nasty gash in the front tire and that the steering bearings are shot. Adds up to about $400 to fix those and mechanically it would be good. The little things add up and then the fact that all the fairings are busted (only the front fairing is left intact and on the bike but bet out of shape) so thats another $650 to replace.
I guess they all add up. I thought it might be a venture that ended up not costing me anything but turns out it would. I feel like for my majority around town commuting I should stick with my little Scorpio.