Honda CBR first road bike? [Archive]

CRF119

15th January 2008, 20:31

Hey guys,

Im not new to motor bikes ive been riding for years just only on dirt.

Im looking to spend around 3g to 5g this is just a bike to get me to work and probobly a few day trips mainly to save on gas.

Basicly are there any problems with them that i should know about in the years Between 1986 and 1992.

Ive riden my brothers suzuki Bandit and i like that but im a honda man :argue:

I like this.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-136027492.htm

Any help would be good

quickbuck

15th January 2008, 21:45

Yep, looks good. 5500 though? And that is just the start!

51000k's too, but they look like they were easy ones... But then again, it isn't original paint.

A CBR for a first road bike is a good choice. You have the advantage of a bit of dirt riding, so that works in your favour.
Remember though, you will probably get bored of the 250 before you get your full licence, so you will be looking for something a bit bigger.

So, it may pay to get a cheapie, then upgrade as you will. 250's do hold their value though... that one is 17 years old, and was probably first sold in NZ in 1995 for $6000.

If it is gas you want to save, and are willing to settle for a 250, then look at the brand new CBF250. Apparently these are going for similar money, but they use less fuel, and are brand new!

HRT

15th January 2008, 22:30

Look around, you should find something cheaper. You'll be paying for the paint on that by the look of it.

My 86 CBR (20k on it) was $4000 from a dealer, though it seems thats about what you'd pay for something a bit later privately. $5k should get you something early 90s with failrly low kms. Didn't someone have a fairly nice 92ish RR on here for pretty cheap?

Monsterbishi

16th January 2008, 05:41

My old ciblet is on trademe at the mo, 3xk's and he wants $3700 for it.

Skinny_Birdman

16th January 2008, 07:36

Remember that 4 cylinder 250s cruise sitting on about 9000-10000RPM on the open road (depending on gearing and how hard you want to push your licence) so 50000km is a lot 'higher' than the same KMs on a less revvy or larger bike. Watch out for things like difficult starting, smoking when first started and when decelerating etc.

I had my '87 MC17 from 26000km to 56000km (sold for $2500 OMG!!!) and had no dramas other than blown fork seals (due to stone chipped fork legs). I was pretty fussy about warming it up, and about maintenance, which probably helped.

Curiously, it used more gas than the CBR600F I replaced it with, probably because it is always revving so fast.

Good luck, hope this helps, they are great little bikes.

A

Wally Simmonds

16th January 2008, 10:45

I picked up my 89 GSXR 250 for just over 3k, and it had 18k on the clock. It was in average nick, but it goes pretty good - No complaints here!

xwhatsit

16th January 2008, 11:53

Remember that 4 cylinder 250s cruise sitting on about 9000-10000RPM on the open road (depending on gearing and how hard you want to push your licence) so 50000km is a lot 'higher' than the same KMs on a less revvy or larger bike.

No, not really. That CBR250 engine is designed with a 18,000RPM redline. That's its design redline. Sitting at half max RPM for long times is no harder on it than any other bike engine really, provided the engine has been designed well with that redline in mind.

Those CBR250 engines seem to last ridiculous amounts of time. You only have to look at something like the early VT250 motors, designed only a couple of years earlier, that in theory should be much less stressed (and lower RPM). Very few of them would ever boast 100,000kms+ that you see from the CBR mills.

Rest of your advice is very good though. These bikes have likely been thrashed and dropped and manhandled by all kinds of clumsy newbs who wouldn't know an oil-change if I drained the hot oil onto their foot.

Skinny_Birdman

16th January 2008, 12:16

Those CBR250 engines seem to last ridiculous amounts of time. You only have to look at something like the early VT250 motors, designed only a couple of years earlier, that in theory should be much less stressed (and lower RPM). Very few of them would ever boast 100,000kms+ that you see from the CBR mills.

I didn't mean that they won't last to 100,000km+, just that at higher kms they will tend to be pretty tired. They are certainly a well designed motor though, and having geared cams is an additional Honda bonus.

Skinny_Birdman

16th January 2008, 12:25

How about this one (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=135439555&permanent=0). It's an MC17 with 38,000km and reserve appears to be $2200, although it has probably been pranged, because that ain't the original paint. Down south we have a buyers market - except when I'm buying. :rolleyes:

CRF119

16th January 2008, 16:04

That Black CBR seams very tidy i like that.

Thanks Heaps for your advice, Im going four cylinder because i love the noise lol.

Just have to sell my car and get a licence and ill be into it and i cant wait. :Punk:

Thanks

The Pastor

16th January 2008, 16:45

cant go wrong with an mc22. Im kinda selling mine, i really want to clock over 100 000 on it by the end of the year (I put 10 000 on it in like 4 months)

The Pastor

16th January 2008, 16:48

i just woked that out, it would cost me 4grand to do 35 000kms over this year. OUCH!

CRF119

17th January 2008, 13:03

I went in to look at a CBF250 today and they are just under 5g, It didnt really jump out at me id rather have a old CBR then the new CBF. Looks to be good on fuel having one cylinder and only reving low but id get boared.

Eaither way im sure a CBR will do better then $60 to 350kms like my van dose lol. Leave the van for the weekend.

pyrocam

17th January 2008, 14:28

discotex

17th January 2008, 20:03

1990 CBR250RR a awesome bikes! I had mine for nigh 2 years and it was great!

highly recommended! definitely one of (if not THE) best 250 you can get. I have a full (400+ page) service manual for the bikes around that age, if you get one pm me.

get one with cheaper fairings though if you can, cost me an arm and a leg to keep mine looking slick.

my old one http://www.pyrocam.com/files/images/bike-pics/APR07/
specifications http://www.motorbikes.be/en/Honda_CBR_250_RR_1990.aspx
sex on wheels :banana:

edit: oh and look at the odo, if some of the figures are halfway inbetween and its under 20, chances are its been wound back, cant say it really bothered me on mine but just be aware of it. (see the last pic in my collection for an example)

I'd say the odo is likely to be tampered with regardless. You're better off looking at general condition of the bike/engine/etc.

For my money I'd buy another ZXR250 just because they're cheaper than the CBR and I personally prefer the look of the C model (without the twin headlights).

But then again, if I was starting again I'd seriously consider a Hornet or Bandit. They're more fun to ride at sub licence losing speeds. At least take one for a spin :)

CRF119

17th January 2008, 22:19

I Love that CBR That you posted pictures of Pyrocam, very tidy well kept by the look of it. I just hope i can find a bike as tidy and as sexy im in no hurry so ill keep an eye out and still got to sell my other car to lol.

Ive riden my Brothers 1990 250cc Suzuki Bandit from hamilton to Raglan at 2 in the morning in my MX gear nobody on the road but was dark so wasnt that keen on going fast. lots of fun through the windy bits. Took about 30min used hardly any gas.

gijoe1313

17th January 2008, 23:03

i just woked that out, it would cost me 4grand to do 35 000kms over this year. OUCH!

so me doing 85 000 kms .... :blink:

Sanx

17th January 2008, 23:23

I have a 1989 MC19 CBR250R with a full Repsol paint job with a mere 13020km (genuine, as far as I can ascertain) kms on the clock. Been dropped twice though, unfortunately. Once, by its previous completely incompetent owner whilst wheeling it out of the garage (wheeling, not wheelieing) and the other time when it was reversed into (whilst parked) by some blind fuckwit in a company wank-tank. Now in at Botany Honda for a full repair and repaint and should be fixed up and looking spick and span in three weeks or so.

They make a GREAT learner bike, and you can have a lot of fun on them at relatively tame speeds as they handle superbly and sound like they're going a million miles per hour even at 50kph.

Oh ... and it's for sale.

Patch

18th January 2008, 05:35

They make a GREAT learner bike, and you can have a lot of fun on them at relatively tame speeds as they handle superbly and sound like they're going a million miles per hour even at 50kph.

parts are cheap too - at your nearest sewing machine stockist

Sanx

20th January 2008, 02:15

parts are cheap too - at your nearest sewing machine stockist

Don't diss my bike dude. It's not a sewing machine.

But parts are cheap - at your local hairdryer stockist.

Skinny_Birdman

21st January 2008, 07:48

parts are cheap too - at your nearest sewing machine stockist

In all seriousness, unless you can find parts that it shares with a sewing machine, hairdryer or other womanly accoutrement, be prepared for serious rapage on parts, especially genuine ones. Genuine Honda CBR 250 parts are made out of gold dust and unicorn horns by the magical elves of the sacred OEM forests of Hamamatsu, to judge by the price.Two items I recall being particularly astonishing were spark plugs and genuine air filter ($80 OMG :pinch: but easily fixed - buy an aftermarket one).

pyrocam

21st January 2008, 09:22

In all seriousness, unless you can find parts that it shares with a sewing machine, hairdryer or other womanly accoutrement, be prepared for serious rapage on parts, especially genuine ones. Genuine Honda CBR 250 parts are made out of gold dust and unicorn horns by the magical elves of the sacred OEM forests of Hamamatsu, to judge by the price.Two items I recall being particularly astonishing were spark plugs and genuine air filter ($80 OMG :pinch: but easily fixed - buy an aftermarket one).

He is right about buying parts from honda, also, you think calling india for tech support is bad, try talking to elves, :no:

A replacement temp switch for the radiator fan would cost me $125 new from Honda japan I believe. I got some replacements from a wrecker for $20

spark plugs are $25 each (ish) anyway. and yeah after market air filters are good. Ask Renegade Master about them :)

The Pastor

21st January 2008, 09:36

dont need air filters in NZ our air is clean :)

FilthyLuka

21st January 2008, 10:38

dont need air filters in NZ our air is clean :)

ever ridden through riverhead? :Pokey:

The Pastor

21st January 2008, 10:42

i think i get what your saying, probably need one in rotorua as well, that place stinks

Monty69

22nd January 2008, 20:33

klyong82

23rd January 2008, 13:52

Cbr250s are excelent allround, very reliable and very fast bikes. ive owned two MC19s and they ran/run flawlessly. I recently bought the second 1 with only 12,000kms on it for 5g. They have no cam chains which makes servicing few and far between, honda cbr250s will do more than 100,000kms without trouble if well looked after (Good semi-synthetic oil is the key). The same cannot be said for the likes of the zxrs etc. If u get '93 cbr or earlier theyre full 45hp but anything after is only 40hp due to japanese law changes. :shit:

5g's for a MC19 sound a little pricey as the MC22 are about the same price maybe 500 buckaroos more. But have to agreed with you these engines are bulletproof and will last long if maintained well.

I'll be getting some CBR spark plugs very soon so if anyone wants a set for less than the crazy price dealers are charging PM me...

pyrocam

23rd January 2008, 14:39

5g's for a MC19 sound a little pricey as the MC22 are about the same price maybe 500 buckaroos more. But have to agreed with you these engines are bulletproof and will last long if maintained well.

I'll be getting some CBR spark plugs very soon so if anyone wants a set for less than the crazy price dealers are charging PM me...

I bought mine (mc22) for 7k, 17k on clock, (wound) sold it for 5500 two years later with 35k on the clock

klyong82

23rd January 2008, 15:12

I bought mine (mc22) for 7k, 17k on clock, (wound) sold it for 5500 two years later with 35k on the clock

That's alot of money for a MC22. pyrocam I remembered years back i only paid $1700 for a mint MC19 and I sold it 3 years ago for $3500 which I reckon was a good price(most were selling for less than $3k then). Wish I kept it a little longer and probably worth a little more now. Loved that 250....:msn-wink:

pyrocam

23rd January 2008, 15:48

That's alot of money for a MC22. pyrocam I remembered years back i only paid $1700 for a mint MC19 and I sold it 3 years ago for $3500 which I reckon was a good price(most were selling for less than $3k then). Wish I kept it a little longer and probably worth a little more now. Loved that 250....:msn-wink:

yar the 7k was from a dealer, it was probably a bit overpriced but it was an awesome ride. Alot of the cost was in the fairings. I wouldnt never put 7k on a 250 now but i had just seized my 150 and was keen to ride out of the shop :)

hornhonker

24th January 2008, 18:35

He is right about buying parts from honda, also, you think calling india for tech support is bad, try talking to elves, :no:

A replacement temp switch for the radiator fan would cost me $125 new from Honda japan I believe. I got some replacements from a wrecker for $20

spark plugs are $25 each (ish) anyway. and yeah after market air filters are good. Ask Renegade Master about them :)

You should try buying BMW parts ! Think of the most outragous price and quadruple it! :angry:

Skinny_Birdman

25th January 2008, 07:37

You should try buying BMW parts ! Think of the most outragous price and quadruple it! :angry:

Yup, been there too. And my BMW needed LOTS of parts, whereas all my CBR250 ever needed was maintenance and one dashboard lightbulb (and the ever thoughtful people at Honda put a spare lightbulb in the dash, disguised as the 'SPEED' light - incidentally, that's something you'll want to sort out if you buy a CBR 250).