Honda VT250F [Archive] - Kiwi Biker forums

vifferman

13th December 2006, 11:28

Hey, my 1st thread on here!!! WOOHOO!

1st just like to say you guys have got a wicked site with tons of info!!!

Just wondering if anyone can comment on the Honda VT250F (1987) as a bike, especially for a 1st bike for a learner?

Good, bad? Things to watch for?

Thanks!
Good bike for a beginner (in fact, a good bike all round), but they tend to be a bit expensive. Having said that, most 250s are a bit dear for what they are; supply and demand, y'know.

Welcome to Kiwi Biker. :spudwave:

Kflasher

13th December 2006, 11:35

Good bike, friend has had hers for about 4yrs now with little to no issues.
Get someone you know (if you don't know what to look for) to check it over for you. Being a learner bike they tend to get abused and some lack of maintenance.

xwhatsit

13th December 2006, 12:53

I was looking at one, almost bought it, until I had a recommendation that they tend to (in typical Honda fashion) do timing chains, and also crankshafts, and it is alarmingly common. Funnily enough, I see the same bike at uni quite often, somebody else bought it -- and it's still running fine, and my supposedly rock-solid reliable bike is broken instead :D.

Getting such an old bike means you have to pay much closer attention to any problems. Get it checked out really thoroughly. Do you know what year it is? The recent ones are supposedly far more reliable. (Oh I see you said it's 1987... that's a fairly late model, which is good). Other than that... great bikes, massively popular in Hong Kong and Japan because they're cheap and relatively quick for low insurance and fuel. V-twin, but you still have to give it a lot of revs to get anywhere... but that's to be expected.

Good luck!

Wasp

13th December 2006, 13:55

great bikes, bit on the heavy side but lots of nice low down torquey grunt (i used to have a vtz)

one major problem is the cam chains (the small oil journels (pipes) that transport oil to the top of the cam chain get blocked), check if the engine rattles - to have a shop to replace the entire system runners tensioners and guides is well over $2,500.

the guy that bought my vtz (insanity_rules on here) cleaned the journels ran some oil treatment and later replaced the cam chain himself ($300)

welcome to kb!

nudemetalz

13th December 2006, 13:57

Excellent bike, my wife just sold her '89 model. She called it "Trusty" for the obvious reason.
Nice to ride and went well for a 250. When we went aound the SI on that and the ZX-10, the VT got nearly 30km/l on the open road at a constant 100km/h !!
Things to watch for are the camchain tensioners. Her's used to rattle the chains a little when cold but once warm was okay. They tend to stick a little until the oil has circulated through and got warm.
But yes, thoroughly recommend. We were amazed at how quickly we sold the VT on TradeMe (like 15 minutes!!)

gamgee

13th December 2006, 15:23

it's a vt250F not a vtr250
the vt250f is a sack of shit, wouldn't touch it, they have a dodgy oil pump which will go at any time it feels like, then your engine will eat itself, as above crank shafts a major issue, plus parts are getting hard to come by, my advice would be to avoid it, and I owned one for a little while

gamgee

13th December 2006, 15:25

the reason I sold mine was I heard about how problematic they could be and my dad told me i should sell it asap, so i did then about a month later I got a call from the guy who bought it (for cheap) saying that it had snapped a cam shaft or something, so yeah it's up to you but I wouldn't recommend it!

Hillbilly

13th December 2006, 15:53

Here are a couple of pics of the old Honda VT250F, not to ne confused with the Spada or the VTR250. The black one is from '84 and white one is the "special edition" made in '86 with the vented front disc. Good in their day, but wouldn't buy one now.

There are other alternatives, unless you *have* to have a Honda.

Insanity_rules

13th December 2006, 15:54

Depends on how its been treated earlier. If its had a good life and your prepared to do a little maintanence I'm happy to show you an easy modification so it doesn't oil starve itself. They are a good bike if theyre looked after.

If its been thrashed to death, had no work and had a mileage over 80,000 avoid it like the plague. A full rebuild would be expensive, a bit of preventative work isn't.

Welcome to KB

Switch

13th December 2006, 15:56

Welcome to the site :) Enjoy your stay. I was going to buy a VT250 but then i stumbled accross my Hyosung. If you find one thats been looked after, go ahead :yes:

liviy

13th December 2006, 15:59

Insanity_rules

13th December 2006, 16:03

WOW guys...some great responses and info!

Yeah, it wasn't my 1st choice but this one has done 42,000k's, doesn't have any damage and is going for a good price (about $2000) so I was thinking all that means that it should be good at least for the 1st few months incase I damage it then I'm not losing so much $

Good deal! If it doesn't rattle too bad then buy it. A set of cam chains isn't that expensive or hard to do and you'll get a really reliable bike. The 250 market is pretty expensive.

hXc

13th December 2006, 16:05

the vt250f is a sack of shit, wouldn't touch it, they have a dodgy oil pump which will go at any time it feels like, then your engine will eat itself, as above crank shafts a major issue, plus parts are getting hard to come by, my advice would be to avoid it, and I owned one for a little whileYou can talk some shit, can't you? It's the same engine as a Spada, and as far as I know, the same engine as the VTZ, and I know Spada parts are readily available, why wouldnt the F parts be readily available?

I can't vouch for the bike liviy, but the engine is absolutely brilliant. Some things may go 'blah', but that's expected in any old bike. Especially a 250; I know mine has been thrashed since the minute it got to NZ, and it's 18 years old, still goin' strong at 45,000k's and hasn't even had the cam chain done yet. It'll need it soon, but not much of a problem yet.

What I'm saying above is, old bikes are hard to predict. Some will shit themselves without a hint of doing it, some will never shit themselves, and others will just start to die down a bit. You can't be too sure, but the engine in those bikes is good.

Switch

13th December 2006, 16:06

The 250 market is pretty expensive.

I agree with you on that one, I can't believe the price of 250's now, Damn petrol prices meaning a boost in bike sales. Ah well, the quicker you get your full the better :yes:

hXc

13th December 2006, 16:07

Good deal! If it doesn't rattle too bad then buy it. A set of cam chains isn't that expensive or hard to do and you'll get a really reliable bike. The 250 market is pretty expensive.
What he said. If it don't rattle much, get it. It's a good bike to get through the initial lisence stages, and it's cheap.

McJim

13th December 2006, 16:07

For $2,000 it's not too bad - cam chains seem to be the main thing - if money was no object I'd reccommend the VTR 250...but then I would wouldn't I?

Welcome to KB.

Les

13th December 2006, 16:17

I had an early model (like the black one in Hillbilly's pics) back in the late 80's and it was a great little bike. The hydraulic clutch was awesome.3
I was told back then about supposedly weak top ends and valve trains, etc. but to be honest I had NO trouble with mine at all. In fact, other 250's around me didn't show the reliability that I had.
Mine took me well over 30,000k's and even did a complete 5-week around NZ trip no hassles. Cruised at open road speeds easy as with enough to spare for overtaking and stuff.
My experience with this bike was great. As good as any bike I've ever owned.

Wasp

13th December 2006, 16:52

Good deal!
not as good as yours aye ;) dont worry, it didnt cost me much so i dont mind :yes:

although mind you we have no idea how much that vtz has done......

It's the same engine as a Spada, and as far as I know, the same engine as the VTZ, and I know Spada parts are readily available, why wouldnt the F parts be readily available?

nope, all very similiar but there were 3 versions of the engine, first in the vtf 2nd in the spada and 3rd in the vtz

note that most spada vtz and vtf parts dont mix, mechanical parts are easy to get but things like speedos arn't

also note that you only need either a spada or vtf manual to know what your doing

gamgee

13th December 2006, 19:16

You can talk some shit, can't you? It's the same engine as a Spada, and as far as I know, the same engine as the VTZ, and I know Spada parts are readily available, why wouldnt the F parts be readily available?

I'm actually speaking from experience, so does that mean the vtr are sacks of shit as well... it's the same engine configuration, but are you sure it's exactly the same engine?? I doubt it, honda stopped making the vt250f as it was costing them too much money to build...
it's well documented that there was a problem with the oil pump, and $2000 is a rip off price for one with that many km, you shouldn't pay more than about $1500 for one, and even then you shouldn't be buying one

gamgee

13th December 2006, 19:18

The hydraulic clutch was awesome.

yeah the hydraulic clutch was probably the best part of that bike, I loved that little feature too!

gamgee

13th December 2006, 19:20

nope, all very similiar but there were 3 versions of the engine, first in the vtf 2nd in the spada and 3rd in the vtz

and there we have confirmation, hxc you must be feeling a little silly right now, maybe an apology is in order?

Wasp

13th December 2006, 19:54

no apoligies needed so long as we all agree that seem the vtz uses the 3rd revision it therefor must be the best :bleh:

T.W.R

13th December 2006, 19:59

and there we have confirmation, hxc you must be feeling a little silly right now, maybe an apology is in order?

Depends because you three are talking about bikes that were about when all of you were still in nappies:yes:

The VT250F had four versions, the 83 VT250F (released 82), 84 VT250FE (rarest & best looking), 86 VT250FG (called the limited edition) all based on the same 35hp engine
And in 84 there was a VT250Z made (naked VT250FG) albeit with a milder state of tune motor at 32hp, and that state of tune is the same as the VTR (spada) when it was introduced in 97.
All on the same bore/stroke dimensions of 60 x 44.1mm & 11.0/1 compression ratio.

All the earlier ones suffered from the typical Honda issues of the time, but if you got a good one you got a beauty. But by now most have been through cowboys hands and had the best taken out of them. If your going to buy buy wise & check the bike over thoroughly prior to purchase.

gamgee

13th December 2006, 20:04

I had the vt250fe ;)
didn't really expect him to apologise, more just rubbing it in that I was right and he was wrong haha

hXc

13th December 2006, 20:06

and that state of tune is the same as the VTR (spada) when it was introduced in 97.Argh! My eyes! VTR and Spada are nowhere near the same!

Spada was made in 1988 and 1989 only, has about 40hp (at the wheel) and it's a 6 speed, 90 degree V twin. It's full horsepower (not restricted), where as the VTR has considerably less hp, is a 5 speed box, but is still a 90 degree V twin. The engine is not even based upon the same thing.

hXc

13th December 2006, 20:09

didn't really expect him to apologise, more just rubbing it in that I was right and he was wrong hahaI won't apologise, but not because I'm an arrogant prick, because that's what I though. I must have been mis-informed, thank you to Wasp for the confirmation.

And Gamgee, the VTR's are a sack of shit:shutup:

Spada:love:

Sketchy_Racer

13th December 2006, 20:19

hahahah 40hp at the wheel.....

Oh i LOVE over enthusiastic Hp figures.....

Spada = Pretty

VT, VTr = Getting too old

VTR (new) = Creme of the litter :yes:

hXc

13th December 2006, 20:21

hahahah 40hp at the wheel.....

Oh i LOVE over enthusiastic Hp figures.....Dyno fingures from James, who owned it before me.

Spada = PrettyDamn straight it's pretty! Would eat a VTR btw.

Wasp

13th December 2006, 20:25

yea i like the spada best too, remember jimmy hooning around the takas on his?!

hXc

13th December 2006, 20:27

yea i like the spada best too, remember jimmy hooning around the takas on his?!His = mine. I love it too. He wants it back, haha. Next track day, we're swapping bikes for a few laps. I'm going to shit my pants on his 600:shutup:

Hillbilly

13th December 2006, 20:46

Here are acouple more VT250F variants, the FF and the FH. I've actually sat ona FF at a local dealership. Was surprised by the twin drilled discs and the square section cradle frame as seen on the VF1000F. Didn't bother to take it for a ride, it'd done 73,000 km.

xwhatsit

14th December 2006, 01:40

I would be most surprised if you were getting 40HP at the rear wheel -- seeing as Honda quotes 34HP at the crank, and manufacturer figures tend to be on the high side... Sounds like the previous owner wanted to sell it to you quick for a good price ;)

Hillbilly

14th December 2006, 02:24

That's pretty good you know. Compare the power of the old '80s VT250F series with that of the Hyosung GT250R. I believe that the Hyosungs only have something like 24hp. Then add the 170kg weight!

Insanity_rules

14th December 2006, 06:12

not as good as yours aye ;) dont worry, it didnt cost me much so i dont mind :yes:

although mind you we have no idea how much that vtz has done......

True that my friend, for what I paid it was worth spending what I've spent on it so far and am planning. That lil bike has well paid for itself in fun value.

It was a little bit of a gamble but on the strip down it looked pretty good internally. Goes really good now though eh?

cowboyz

14th December 2006, 07:06

(Oh I see you said it's 1987... that's a fairly late model, which is good).

Good luck!

only in the biker world would a 19 year old bike be considered "fairly late model"

look around. for the same money you should be able to get something alot younger. People still want your first born for 80s bikes.

I was in Freedom Honda in PN yesterday and they have about 5 or 6 CBR250 for $55-$6000. Funny enough I was in looking at a VTR1000 for 7. I did mention how crazy it is but the saleman just said, thats how it goes.

The Big J

14th December 2006, 08:44

I am selling a 88 VTZ250 in a couple of weeks if your current deal falls through. Haven't put too much thought into it but done basic maintenance and 10000 kms in last 6 months and rolling along nicely. Will be 55000kms by time I sell it as I'm probably riding it up to Auckland around new years but could always drop off in Hamilton. Rear shock is a little soft but not too bad. Am considering cleaning out the carbs but that would be for my learning experience only as I don't think there's anything wrong with them. pm me if interested. I'm sure you could get one of the Wellington guys to have a close and more impartial look for you if keen.

hXc

14th December 2006, 10:47

I would be most surprised if you were getting 40HP at the rear wheel -- seeing as Honda quotes 34HP at the crank, and manufacturer figures tend to be on the high side...Don't know where you get your figures from, this is the Spada we are talking about, not the F.

Power: 40.00 hp, 29.2 kw at 12000 rpm.

Sounds like the previous owner wanted to sell it to you quick for a good price ;)No. Myself, and many others can vouch for the reliability of this bike, and how Jimmy beat all his mates on their 600's on his li'l Spada.

xwhatsit

14th December 2006, 11:38

only in the biker world would a 19 year old bike be considered "fairly late model"

look around. for the same money you should be able to get something alot younger. People still want your first born for 80s bikes.

I was in Freedom Honda in PN yesterday and they have about 5 or 6 CBR250 for $55-$6000. Funny enough I was in looking at a VTR1000 for 7. I did mention how crazy it is but the saleman just said, thats how it goes.

Lol, I meant a late model VT250F. But yes, bizarre prices for old bikes. 250cc market is nuts. I think that's why there's so many people riding around on GN250s -- and people pay lots of money and put up with unreliability to avoid them...

STORKEN

22nd December 2006, 18:36

STORKEN has blue VT250F '88. Very reliable, fastish (160kmh) not too heavy. Paid $1300 for mine w/- two owners. One from new to 27000k's then another from then till about 80000k's. Put about 5000k's on it, air filter was expensive ($200?). I take mine round Mt Taranaki, 160k's trip, she loves open road. Just don't pay too much for one then there's not too much at stake. You see cheap ones around $700 - $800, so you could replace whole engine for that, and still have parts bike. I'm having slight problems with gearbox, but I don't think that'll be too serious. They're a cult bike in Japan and the U.K.

xwhatsit

22nd December 2006, 23:59

rwh

23rd December 2006, 00:04

I'm happy enough with my '86 vt250f, which I've ridden for the six months I've had my learners.

I've heard Wasp and IR making dire warnings - but they're both talking about the same bike, and they guys at Boyle Kawasaki haven't heard of any such 'typical problem'.

I've had one recurring problem which has been hard to diagnose - I assume that means it's an unusual one, or the mechanics would say 'Aha! it's *that* problem' and go fix it. It seems to sometimes run rich. It's mostly gone away since I got them to unkink the crankcase breather hose, but occasionally reccurs.

Also many of the fairing mountings are broken, but I guess that's understandable with a 20 year old bit of vibrating plastic - and it's easily dealt with using duct tape :rockon:

Richard

liviy

8th January 2007, 13:17

Well, I bought it and am very happy!

All be it I haven't got much to compare against but she's quick enough for me and doesn't seem to have anything wrong :)

rwh

8th January 2007, 13:24

liviy

8th January 2007, 13:34

That sucks...

Well I thought I'd be smart about the whole thing and instead of trying to service it from when I got it, I thought I'd take it to Honda for the 1st one and see if they picked up on anything that might be wrong or likely to be in the near future so I'm not just trying to save a few $ n changing oils n filters, etc without having something cheaply fixed that will cause it to go bang if I don't...and I got a shock!

I won't be taking my bike back to Boyds Honda in Hamilton...their attitude had something to be desired as I got the impression that I was putting them out by wanting my bike serviced and then they gave me a list of stuff that they said needed fixing too but when I had another mechanic (a friend of a friend who just happened to be in Hamilton at the weekend) look at the list he laughed at most of it and asked what they were taking when they made it. Plus they missed that my rear brakes were due to have the pads replaced.

They're list included :

Bent forks, need straighting (his comment, possible but unlikely, can't see anything wrong)

Left arm pitted, needs fixed or replaced (His comment, it's about 4 inches above the maximum travel of the suspension and tiny so no point in doing that)

Hand grips worn (His comment, WTF?)

Steering bearings worn, need replacing (His comment, no chance everything tests fine. I'd like to know how they worked that one out!)

Back tyre worn, needs replacing (His comment, fair dues...it's getting close)

And after all that they missed that the marker for the rear brakes was bang on needing replacing and they didn't mention it.

He also mentioned that his nephew had 2 of those comments when he took his bike in there too...the steering bearing & the hand grips. When they were fine apparently.

*sigh* Can you trust anyone these days? :(

Insanity_rules

8th January 2007, 14:05

* cough *

Now that mine's dead (big end bearing, most likely), I'll add a bit of backup to Wasp's suggestion that it should be looked after carefully - particularly ensuring that it has enough oil in it etc.

I'm happy with mine as a bike to ride, and I'm probably looking either for a replacement engine for my dead one, or for another one so I can use either for parts for the other, but I'll definitely be paying more attention to things that aren't quite right mechanically.

Richard

Oh no Rich, that sucks dude. Did the oil system block up and run dry? My oil system clean out advise came from a XR dirtbike fiend and former apprentice at Motorcycle city (when they had the Honda franchise). He said the cam chains wearing out and oil journals blocking are a common problem on that type of motor (yours and mine I believe).

There is a definate way of fixing them up right.

rwh

8th January 2007, 14:12

Oh no Rich, that sucks dude. Did the oil system block up and run dry?

Don't know; I haven't stripped it down. But the problems you and Wasp have described sound like they cause more top end problems, and the shop is confident that mine is a big end - possibly the same problem gamgee has described, and the same as the guy who came up to me in Masterton a few weeks ago and warned me about - and the one I called up about at a wrecker in New Plymouth which had run big ends ...

If I get another one, I'll certainly talk to you about what you did to yours, though.

Richard

Insanity_rules

8th January 2007, 14:45

Don't know; I haven't stripped it down. But the problems you and Wasp have described sound like they cause more top end problems, and the shop is confident that mine is a big end - possibly the same problem gamgee has described, and the same as the guy who came up to me in Masterton a few weeks ago and warned me about - and the one I called up about at a wrecker in New Plymouth which had run big ends ...

If I get another one, I'll certainly talk to you about what you did to yours, though.

Richard

Cool as Rich, good luck mate!