CBF250 or Hornet 250????

[Hijak]

Hi everyone,
I've just signed up and have been reading a few forums, very helpful people it must be said and so i'm looking for peoples input and thoughts on 2 bikes that i'm looking at getting, well i want one but have narrowed down to two.
So i'm looking at the Hornet 250 and a CBF250 - i've test ridden a Hornet and it was great fun to ride, but after reading a few reviews people said that it was not going to be so pleasant to ride on for a few hours on the open road, being that it rev's so highly, 10,000rpm or thereabouts for 100kph. so that when i though about the CBF250, i haven't actually ridden one yet but all the reviews seem to be glowing, and you can get a new one with full 2 year warranty etc for less than a 2nd hand Hornet.

So i've ridden bikes before when i was 15 doing motorcross , so 15 years ago and feel quite comfortable riding but have only just got my learners license for the road so don't really know the main differences between the 2 engine and performance wise....

So, down to you guys and your thoughts on the matter, also if you have any other recommendations on a good learner/naked 250 i'm all ears.

Thanks for your advice in advance.

Cheers all,

Jake

[NOMIS]

Hornet!! cbf = stink

[NOMIS]

and once you go deaf you cant go more deaf so youl get used to 10,000rpm or you could cgange the sprokets.

[Trouser]

Hi Jake.

Welcome to KB.

I have a cbf250 and find its a very easy to ride commuter bike.

Cheap to buy even cheaper to maintain and cheaper again to run. It will do everything you could want a 250 to do with the exception of one thing, going fast. It is not a rocket ship.

Fantastic for riding around town with good useable torque from the single but out on the open road it can struggle at times. Overtaking into a headwind is a book well in advance affair. However if its not too windy and quite flat then 120 is an easy enough cruise. Don't get me wrong its not a slug and will maintain 100 just about everywhere except the steepest of hills.

Not having ridden a hornet 250 I dont know what they handle like but the cbf is set up really well. It's very flickable to the point where you could, and I have, steer it by arse alone. The suspension is good with plenty of travel and the forks are very effective.

First service at 1k cost all of $30 and if you want to change oil and filter before then (recommended) its only 1.5l of oil and a $12 filter. 2 year unlimited k warrenty is a plus so is membership to Honda Riders Club. Cheap insurance through them too im 29 and pay $260 a year comprehensive with $5k gear allowance.

All in all if you want to go fast then other bikes will be worth a look but if speeds not your biggest thrill then this bike is worth a long hard look for $5k.

[Neon]

Either of these bikes will be fine, although there will be some reasonably substantial differences in how each one performs, as I understand they are different configurations.

Hornet 250 - import only, Inline 4cyl, 4 stroke.
CBF 250 ('07) - NZ New, twin cyl, 4 stroke.

(Please someone correct me if I'm wrong!)

It goes without saying that the Hornet will be quicker than the CBF, as you are talking about ~42HP versus ~20HP. The twin will be more forgiving than the Hornet due to the extra torque, so this may appeal. You said that you have had previous experience in motocross. I think you might find the performance of the CBF a little disappointing if you are used to 2 strokes or low-ratio 4-stroke x-bikes. That said, buying a brand new bike comes with its advantages - dealers are more willing to support new bikes than used imports.

If you need any evidence as to the ability of a 250 Hornet on the open road, look here: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=70162

I also own a Hornet, and it has served me extremely well over the past six months of learning. Granted it is not the most forgiving bike for learners, but it's a 250 I'm proud to show off! :woohoo:

I think you really have to ride as many bikes as you can to get a feel for what suits you. At the end of the day you have to be comfortable to become confident.

[Badjelly]

The CBF250 is a single, I believe. I have not ridden one of these, but I do have 6 months experience with a Yamaha Scorpio.

My first thought is that a CBF250 costs substantially more than a Scorpio, and it's not clear to me that if is worth the extra money.

The Scorpio will do open road speeds, but the wee single engine is fair buzzing away, so it's not what you would call relaxed. I expect the same would be true of the CBF250. At the same speed, the inline 4 in the Hornet will be revving higher, sure, but its cylinders are much smaller and it's got four of them to balance out the primary vibrations. So I would expect the Hornet to be much more relaxed and comfortable at open road speeds than the singles.

[NOMIS]

Im going to be biased with the hornet either way, i have ridden both bikes and there nothing wrong with either I no my bike is quicker handles alot better but the cbf is very value for money. the hornet looks cool and feel free to look at my gallery attachment sof my bike. or search my name in the thread search.
At the end of the day its up to you man. hornets are very forgiving and they are the sort of bike you can be proud of.

[PirateJafa]

If you are looking at a Hornet then you should also take a look at some Bandits - very similar bikes, and both are very fun to ride. :)

[The Pastor]

pm gijoe1313, hes done like 70 00km last year on his hornet 250

[gijoe1313]

Well, I knew by the pricking of my wrists, that someone was talking about a little ol'hornet! :woohoo:

You can't beat a little ol'hornet for the joy you get from wanting to ride it, they handle well, are very comfortable and quite capable of just about anything you want from it! (apart from going mx on it! :pinch:)

I've PMed you my usual hullaballoo about little ol'hornets ... nothing wrong with a CB250F, but if you want a machine that waits patiently for you to get more skilled and confident, the little ol'hornet is hard to beat.

It's the bees knees! :yes: :scooter:

[Monamie]

I have totally agree with `trouser'. My CBF has been an awesome bike for a learner:love:.
I live in the country and ride to work-it does 120km comfortably but if you need to pass you need to knock it down a gear. There isn't any more power there if you know what I mean. It zips around town no probs....it really depends on what sort of riding you want to do.
It has a very comfy seat-I have been out all day on it and no sore bum-helps with extra padding though:rolleyes: .
I haven't ridden a Hornet but I would say it would be a similar ride as in seating position etc but having more power it would be the better the option of the two???
Good luck and let us all know what you get.
Mo

[nevets]

for the hornet!! I've had mine since I started out and its been damned good fun. Horrible to think I'll probably be parting with it in a couple of months :bye:

Don't worry about the high revs at motorway speeds, you'll hardly hear it over the wind blast. Its not 10k anyway, more 9K IIRC :rolleyes:

Go the hornet! :headbang:

[Reido]

got my CBF just over a week ago..
I've had pretty much zero bike experience and its beeen f#cking great =]
Sure it doesnt have all the "power" the other 250s have but i love it to pieces

Honda riders club is great... not that i've actually joined yet...... 16, learners license. insurance = $320 a year for $6000 (payed 5k for it) on the bike, up to $5000 on gear, $1000 on locks etc? and $1000 on accessories. Not a bad deal considering the other quotes i was getting.

also you cant go wrong buying new :woohoo:

Annd CBF = cant be f#cked ... which amuses me

[Radar]

The CBF is underpoweredl which is OK if you don't mind going slow in a head wind or going uphill. I'd go for the Hornet as long as it was not too old, without high kms on the clock, and in very good shape. The CBF does come with a 2 yr warranty but remember you will have to shell out $$$$ on dealer servicing and it will drop way down in price when you sell it while the Hornet will not depreciate as much.

[Hijak]

Thanks everyone for the advice and knowledge. I'm pretty sold on the idea of a Hornet, it was a great ride, comfy and felt stable. I have my eye on one and am going to ride it at the weekend from Colemans.
Radar above mentioned to go for as new a Hornet as possible, the one i'm looking at is 2001. Has anyone had problems with getting these jap imports serviced or delays in getting parts and is there a year that you should not buy below??

[Radar]

Has anyone had problems with getting these jap imports serviced or delays in getting parts and is there a year that you should not buy below??

I'm no expert on Hornets but its a popular bike and 2001 is not so old therefore my bet is that parts and service should be no problem. You will undoubtedly really enjoy that bike, just take it reaaaallll easy in the beginning - you can start in the parking area at zero speed learning how to balance your bike while in various positions of pushing, grunting, heaving, etc. because zero speed accidents DO happen. The first few minutes on the road will be the most risky but once you start breathing easy the ride home will be sweet. Its the corners, high speeds and lack of concentration that will throw you. Anyway, come back and post a pic so we can see your new bike!