250 advice required please

[strongarm1]

Hi all - sorry if this sounds familiar to a lot of other topics - I unfortunately wrote off my freshly pimped FXR 150 last weekend ( the other party at fault, insurance money on the way ) so am taking this opporrtunity to go 250cc.
12 months ago I loved the full fairing race style of the gsxr- zzr etc but am now thinking naked.
After spending many many hours reading the kiwibiker forums, scouring trade me and bike point, googling bike models etc etc, I think Ive narrowed my options down.
Mid to late 90,s -
1- Honda Hornet , 4 cyl 4stroke, 40hp, 24nm, 151kg
2 - Suzuki GSF Bandit , 4cyl 4 stroke, 38hp, 25nm, 144kg
3- Honda VTR250, Vtwin 4stroke, 32hp,25nm, 139kg

Ive read all the pros and cons re 2cyl-4cyl and ideally think 2cyl would suit me better for my daily commute of 50km to work. Ideally the VTR sounds the go but are there any other twins worth lookin at ?? Im probably gunna struggle to find a good one under 5k but its worth trying.
And no I havnt ridden any of them yet, but when I get into Auckland I want to know as much as poss about each model before I get there.

Cheers.

[MSTRS]

The VTR's are great little bikes - the Honda shop in Hastings has a few '98-99 model imports. Your 5g might just do it

[DingDong]

Have you considered the hyosung?

[strongarm1]

yeah our local dealer has them - I do like the look of the comet but Im a bit wary on build quality and parts backup further down the line - I know plenty of people have them and love them but I prefer to stick with 'name' brands.
Theres a nice looking '88 Honda Spada on TM at the mo, bit old, anyone got an opinion on these, what year did that model run thru to ??

[SwanTiger]

Sounds like a Hyosung would be out of your budget, they are excellent bikes for commuting and weekend cruising, 450 km or more from a tank is GN economy!

From your list i'd suggest the Hornet or the VTR, those Hornets are beautiful machines :D

[SwanTiger]

yeah our local dealer has them - I do like the look of the comet but Im a bit wary on build quality and parts backup further down the line - I know plenty of people have them and love them but I prefer to stick with 'name' brands.
Theres a nice looking '88 Honda Spada on TM at the mo, bit old, anyone got an opinion on these, what year did that model run thru to ??

If there was an issue with build quality 'named' brands like Suzuki wouldn't of used their parts. There are no issues with parts back up, if it isn't in the country then you can get it shipped within 1 - 2 weeks.

[strongarm1]

ok ok i'll take a 2nd look at the hyosung - $5k might not get a brand new one but I will certanily get a good 2nd hand one But I agree, the Hornet and the VTR look great.

[yungatart]

Theres a nice looking '88 Honda Spada on TM at the mo, bit old, anyone got an opinion on these, what year did that model run thru to ??

Spada is the best of the VTR's. Produced 88 -90, jap market only, so they are all imports. They hold their price well, they might be getting on a bit now but are still a great little bike.... you wouldn't want to pay more than $3000 for a good one

[LardEmbargo]

just on the VTR250s, I noticed a nasty rumour on tardme the other day that Mr Honda was phasing them out.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-73537248.htm

Wot's that all about then? any grains of truth in there or just full-fledged "please bid trillions of dollars for my shiny bike at your earliest convenience" blag?

shame if they are going anyway, 'sanice looking bike

[MSTRS]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Tourers/auction-73354875.htm
This one? Looks ok - sure is low km's

[Morcs]

Pictures speak louder than words:)

[strongarm1]

yes morcs - the bandits a nice bike too, any chance you want to sell ?? MSTRS, yeah thats the Spada, im also thinking low k's, maybe too low ??

[Morcs]

I just bought it the other week :lol:

[MSTRS]

MSTRS, yeah thats the Spada, im also thinking low k's, maybe too low ??

Always a risk with s/h vehicles...unless you know the owner/s. Most are genuine tho. And bikes are a strange one when it comes to mileage - many are only ridden for fun occasionally and spend 9/10ths of the time in the shed.
Go check that one out - wear on pegs, cables etc will be a clue as to whether it is genuine.

[strongarm1]

I just bought it the other week :lol:

mind if i ask what you paid ?? how many kms ??

[Morcs]

33,000km's, mint mechanically, plastics needed a lick of paint (cost me $30) aftermarket rear sprocket, grab rail, exhaust and screen fairings.

$5k, and its a recent import so probably hasnt had 23 NZ learner owners who've thrashed it over its 9 year life.

I think the Hornet is definately the one to go for if you can find one for 5k, (i couldnt so got the next best thing)

[strongarm1]

cheers dude - will have to keep my eyes open i guess.

[strongarm1]

hey morcs - why would you choose the hornet over the bandit ??

[imdying]

Screw the Hyosung, as you've already noticed, it doesn't take much looking over to see how much of a cobbled together piece of crap they are. Sure you might not have a problem with it in your short learner days, but plenty of guys on here have had various apparently common faults.

The VTRs are ok, and you can get one that's not too old. The Bandits are built on a pretty reliable well developed platform, and there's nothing expensive to break. The Hornet is a bit pricey for what you get imho, but they're a well developed bike too, been around 10 years now.

In the end, you've probably had the FXR a wee while? So not much longer to go on the learners/restricted? If so, get the cheapest piece of crap you can find, and starting stashing money away for the next step :yes:

[McJim]

Well here's my 2c worth.

Try a Bandit/Hornet then try a VTR/GT250.

That way you can decide how you feel about the whole hp versus torque issue which is really what it comes down to. I've tried a Bandit but prefer the wide torque available from the V-Twin. Was out with gijoe1313 yesterday (he's got a hornet) and he found it dificult to keep up when the bikes were going uphill but no probs on the flat in a straight line - the VTR is better in the twisties - again because the torque allows you to do less gear changes and still pull; hard out of the turns...Bandits and Hornets will always have a faster top end because of the higher hp though.

Test drive then decide.

[strongarm1]

Well here's my 2c worth.

Try a Bandit/Hornet then try a VTR/GT250.

That way you can decide how you feel about the whole hp versus torque issue which is really what it comes down to. I've tried a Bandit but prefer the wide torque available from the V-Twin. Was out with gijoe1313 yesterday (he's got a hornet) and he found it dificult to keep up when the bikes were going uphill but no probs on the flat in a straight line - the VTR is better in the twisties - again because the torque allows you to do less gear changes and still pull; hard out of the turns...Bandits and Hornets will always have a faster top end because of the higher hp though.

Test drive then decide.

Hp vs Torque - Im not after straight line speed and the torque of the twin sounds more like me and my style of riding. I had the FXR 12months almost to the day before the accident. With a new baby and a paranoid anti-bike wife I think Im pushin my homelife gettin a 250 and not another 150.:scooter: Still got 6months of restricted to go.

[strongarm1]

so there are only really 5 naked mid/late 90's 250cc worth looking at ??? Bandit-Hornet-VTR-Hyosung-and Spada??? Whats a Yamaha Zeal anyone???
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/photos/a-72356448/p-26767537.htm

[gijoe1313]

Heheh, I love my 250 Hornet I do - I guess I'm not a thrasher of it when it comes to fanging the revs to make it go fast up hill. McJim makes a good case, when I was dropping the gear and revving nine shades of shite out of it, no worries! The prob is the pricing of the 250 Hornets on the market are inflated (go figger, 250 pricing inflated?). You'd be lucky to find a good one around the 5k mark. I think there's one on Trademe

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Tourers/auction-72493057.htm

The other is at Botany Honda via Trademe too.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-72965051.htm

In the end, go give all the bikes you're looking at a sit and ride test and see what you like. Obviously for all the various 250 pundits out there, the ride they have is the best! Go Hornet and it'd sit up and be good for ya, fang it if ya want to take it fast up the hills (as I have done but just generally prefer to pootle along :yes:). It also looks and handles nifty keen!

But then, I'm bias :msn-wink: good luck on your new two fiddy acquisition! You'll need to put some brownie points in with the missus!

[MSTRS]

so there are only really 5 naked mid/late 90's 250cc worth looking at ??? Bandit-Hornet-VTR-Hyosung-and Spada??? Whats a Yamaha Zeal anyone???


Zeal's are mightily loved by their owners. Nice bikes. Bit hungry petrol-wise. Don't come up for sale very often.

[strongarm1]

cheers GiJoe - yeah the 250cc market is freakin stupid alright.

[Ixion]

Oh my goodness. You invoke mighty forces when you mention the magnificent Zeal

Where IS the legendary KB Zeal now? Surely it must still be buzzing along in the hands of the 20th or 30th KBer to inherit it.

Ever thought of a chook chaser ?

[strongarm1]

Where IS the legendary KB Zeal now? Surely it must still be buzzing along in the hands of the 20th or 30th KBer to inherit it.

Ever thought of a chook chaser ?

I dont get it ???:beer:

[Morcs]

hey morcs - why would you choose the hornet over the bandit ??

Purely styling really, even though my bandit is 97, it looks so much more aged than a 97 hornet.

I probably wouldve got a brand new VTR if Honda wouldve given me one at wholesale price...

[Tints]

sorry to go on a tangent but...:whistle:
What are you doing with the FXR 150? Has it been written off and deregistered with insurance or are you keeping it as a wreck?
My FXR has been through an accident as well recently and the damage looks similar but less serious to the front fairing. I’m fixing it at the moment. I’m just curious because the insurance company screwed me around for 9 weeks to get it sorted as to weather to repair or not and weather I would get it back.
Cheers

[Mr. Peanut]

As Ixion said. A dual purpose bike like the xr250 would be a really good idea. Totally underated. If you crash it, it wont break. High fuel economy. No-one is likely to steal it. Healthy performance off the line. Light weight. No fairings to break... I wish I had one myself...

All 250's are overpriced and slow. May as well get something useful.

[Ixion]

I dont get it ???:beer:

There is a famous Zeal that has been passed form one KB member to another in their learner days. Starting with Mr Hitcher, it then passed (I think) to Mr JRandom, thence I know not where.

Chook chaser ? Dual purpose 250 . Much underrated by learners who look only at top speed. A DZR250 , DR250, or XT225 will easily hold 100kph up hill and down, superb for commuting, unbreakable even if you drop it, and runs on the smell of an oily rag. And so simple to repair that a five year old could do it.

[Mr. Peanut]

Much underrated by learners who look only at top speed.

:whistle:

10 fuken chars

[strongarm1]

sorry to go on a tangent but...:whistle:
What are you doing with the FXR 150? Has it been written off and deregistered with insurance or are you keeping it as a wreck?
My FXR has been through an accident as well recently and the damage looks similar but less serious to the front fairing. I’m fixing it at the moment. I’m just curious because the insurance company screwed me around for 9 weeks to get it sorted as to weather to repair or not and weather I would get it back.
Cheers

not 100% sure whats goin on but am 98% sure its written off, if it isnt I will questioning how they can fix that much damage so cheaply. Will keep you posted.

[strongarm1]

ok so i know its closed but is an older Zeal worth $3400 plus ???
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=72356448

[FROSTY]

no question--id buy a low KM SPADA. The vtr im sure has less HP than the spada.

[MSTRS]

The vtr im sure has less HP than the spada.

yep - Spada is the VTR-R (if you want to think of them that way)

[The Pastor]

VTR250 would be my personall choice they are awesome bikes :)

[Bend-it]

Hey, I've got a 2000 bandit that may be looking for a new home, depending on how a current purchase goes... 21,000kms, silver, nice... Nice to keep it in the kb family eh? some of the Welingtonians have seen it and can give you comments.

[Insanity_rules]

Hey, I've got a 2000 bandit that may be looking for a new home, depending on how a current purchase goes... 21,000kms, silver, nice... Nice to keep it in the kb family eh? some of the Welingtonians have seen it and can give you comments.

Yep nice bike, good nic and pretty too.

[Bend-it]

Cheers... There's a vtz on trademe, lives in U Hutt too! You seen it?

[strongarm1]

Hey, I've got a 2000 bandit that may be looking for a new home, depending on how a current purchase goes... 21,000kms, silver, nice... Nice to keep it in the kb family eh? some of the Welingtonians have seen it and can give you comments.

Sounds tooooo new/flash to be in my price range - relistically the less i spend the better (isnt that always the way) cheers. Your in Wellington, Im Auckland - doesnt help.

[strongarm1]

The FXR 150 is officially WRITTEN OFF - $3300 plus labour costs to fix - now im fighting over its value as to how much I get paidout .
Anyone able to pass judgement on this Spada - asumming its in ok condition what could it be worth - Imay have a loook at it this week -
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=73354875

[McJim]

The FXR 150 is officially WRITTEN OFF - $3300 plus labour costs to fix - now im fighting over its value as to how much I get paidout .
Anyone able to pass judgement on this Spada - asumming its in ok condition what could it be worth - Imay have a loook at it this week -
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=73354875

I've seen a bike like that go for $3,500 at a dealer. Not really worth much more than $3,000 really - the $3,300 price originally posted is probably max in my opinion. It's nearly 20 years old which makes overall condition more of a factor than mileage - low mileage on something that age is indicative of:

A) Sitting unused for a long time (bad for the engine)
B) lots of short runs (bad for the engine)
C) clock has been wound back (doesn't affect the engine)

It all depends on the market forces - if someone is prepared to pay $3,300 for it then you'll have to bid more if you want it.

Spadas are good bikes though - I've said this before but I would not pay $3,300 for a 20 year old 250.

The basic engine block on the Spada appears to be the same as the VTR - I would like to see someone bring out a VTR-Spada conversion kit - the bore and stroke is the same as is the compression so there must be something else - carns and exhaust sys perhaps? Might be fun to keep the VTR when I get my full and buy an old Spada and put the fasta spada engine in the VTR.

Who knows...just thinking out loud.

[strongarm1]

yeah 20years old is pretty up there. Still - $3k, who knows.

[skaz]

hey man, id highly recomend the spada, I had one when i was on my learners/restricted and really liked it. They handle really well and have more or less the same engine as the new vtr's. Also they have a bloody good frame, i read somewhere that honda only built them for one year because
they were costing as much to make as a 600 due to the flash frame.

[strongarm1]

hey all - I just went for a look / ride at this http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=73354875
Average condition cosmetically, missing R/H bar end, repaired muffler shroud, broken off guard on left footpeg bracket, maybe the odometer numbers werent quite lined up proper ( possibly my imagination).
Started and ran fine - smooth power ( compared to the FXR 150 ) , rode good , but what what would I know, Ive only ridden three bikes before.
Now the big ask, is there anyone with a few mechanical clues in the Papakura area who wants to take a Spada for a reminiscint ride tommorrow (Wednesday) and give her the onceover.
Let me know if you might be able to and Ill pass on the details.