Newbie Question

[CTM]

I know most of you must have gotten these questions quite a bit and must get really sick of them, so let me apologise first.

I am new to the motorbike scene. The bikes racing down at Pukekohe on open days really got me in to bikes. I am looking at a few bikes and I require your opinions. I am mainly using this bike for commuting, learning to ride and when I want to upgrade, the bike doesn't lose too much of its value.

1995 Suzuki Bandit GSF 250 approx 4000

1996 Honda Hornet 250 approx 6000+

1992 - 1994 Honda CBR250RR ranges from $3000 to $6000

Are these bikes easy to maintain? While buying them, is there anything I must look out for?

I am new to the motorbike scene, I used to drift cars round pukekohe, but I have now changed interests. You all seem like a nice bunch of people and I would like to say hello.

Thank you.

[StoneChucker]

Welcome CTM. I would say the CBR250RR is a good bet. I bought mine for 4000, and sold for 3000 15 months later. Never broke down, ran well - an all round good bike (1987 model). Can't say anything good or bad about the other two, since I have no experience with them.

The only thing with bikes with full fairings: If you drop it, the plastic breaks, which is expensive to fix. A naked bike (no fairings) would be the best bet in that respect. I found the CBR good since I could learn on it, and then go relatively quick as I got "better".

Hope that helps some.
Dave.

[ching_ching]

Hi CTM,

Welcome. I too had a CBR250RR ('92). Good solid bike, good to skill up on. But I liked the sporty position. I can only echo what StoneChucker said. Damage the fairings and they can be expensive to fix.

From what I have heard, the other two bikes you've been lookin at are able steeds as well with the naked type being easy to maintain due to not having to remove side panels (if you decide to do some maintenance yourself). Whichever you choose (see if you can ride them first) make sure that all parts work (throttle snaps back after twisting it, brakes bite good, forks not bent, panels not patched up, wheels and tyres in good nick). If you can get a friend to check this stuff out tis would be good.

All the best and wish you an enjoyable future within the land of motorbikes.

:2thumbsup ching

[Teflon]

I know most of you must have gotten these questions quite a bit and must get really sick of them, so let me apologise first.

I am new to the motorbike scene. The bikes racing down at Pukekohe on open days really got me in to bikes. I am looking at a few bikes and I require your opinions. I am mainly using this bike for commuting, learning to ride and when I want to upgrade, the bike doesn't lose too much of its value.

1995 Suzuki Bandit GSF 250 approx 4000

1996 Honda Hornet 250 approx 6000+

1992 - 1994 Honda CBR250RR ranges from $3000 to $6000

Are these bikes easy to maintain? While buying them, is there anything I must look out for?

I am new to the motorbike scene, I used to drift cars round pukekohe, but I have now changed interests. You all seem like a nice bunch of people and I would like to say hello.

Thank you.

Have you looked at a CB 250RS or a GN?. You wont go wrong with one of those to start with.

[John]

If its any consilation, the hornets arent speed demons. but have a nice vtwin under them...

I would consider looking private for you bike, those prices seem alittle high for private sales, there isnt any huge risk in buying private - Just pick the bike up in question and take it to a reputable bike mech and get a pre-purchase check. Most bikes from dealers have undergone the same stresses as the private bikes but they wack a another k on them for good measure.

But as said if you want speed, ZXR's CBRR's and the other likes of inline 4's are a good choice, aviod 2smokes because they just take to much of your time, dont jump at the first bike that tickles your fancy and you should get one that you will enjoy.

And on the note of plastic damages, man they really hurt, but in most cases a soldering iron and some cable ties can do the work unless its to big in which case you have to get it professionally done, my work was $268 for a cack and a few broken holders on my ZZR, so yea its not cheap.

I can vouch for the GSF (well antallica can) they are a very very nice bike.

either way, welcome and enjoy riding.

[CTM]

I went down to the dealers today and had a test drive of the '03 Honda VTR 250 and the Suzuki GSF 250 Bandit.

I will be test riding the Honda Hornet sometime next week. I definitely prefer the inline 4 compare to the V twin.

Fairings are quite expensive to fix. What are your opinions of the Hornet compared to the Bandit?

Where do you get those rubber stoppers that protect the bike when they are dropped?

Do these rubber stoppers protect the fairings of the CBR? And do they stop the engine getting scratched on the naked bikes?

Any dealers you recommend and any dealers that I should stay away from?

Thank you all for replying. I appreciate your wonderful welcome to the great world of Motorbikes.

[fatty]

Cheers for the post CTM and welcome to KB, I'm sure you'll find heaps of info here. I am in the same situation as and you and I am keen on pretty much the same list of MC's. From what I can gather the Honda CBR250's and the Kawasaki ZXR's (89-92) are great little screamers and there are some on the market with quite low km's. But at the same time they are fairly old considering what seems to be around for the same money in a naked type MC. Good luck with your search and keep us updated.

[John]

Well It all depends on what your looking for really..

You can compare the Inline 4 to the Vtwin here: http://www.motorbikes.be/en/compare/2060/2018/

The one thing I like about the hornet is it doesnt look like a little bike, it easily looks like a 600cc, and thats all good for your rider image etc.

The vtwin would be handy for round town commuting since the vtwin produces better low end torque while producing a awsome exhaust pitch.
The GSF is pretty much a inline 4 verson of the Hornet, it boils down to preference - although in a long line I suspect the inline 4 to have abit of a jump in a drag.

Another thing is rubber, I think with the larger profile tyres on the hornet it may cost abit more to replace compared to the smaller GSF. (dont quote me on that though~)

Crash bungs, they are mainly for larger bikes, I wouldnt recommend them - there main purpose is to save the engine and the fairings from impact - you can get them from most good dealers, and importers - although I wouldnt recommend them for on road - since in heavy drops they have being found to cause damage to the frame, which would cost abit to fix.

Just take both bikes for a spin and see how you feel on each, it boils down to personal preferrence, sorry I cant help you further

[Biff]

I can only comment on the Hornet. It's a briliant bike, particularly for learners. It's easy to ride and has enough poke to make you smile. It's also cheap to maintain and insure. Highly recommended.

[Mr Skid]

Where do you get those rubber stoppers that protect the bike when they are dropped?

Do these rubber stoppers protect the fairings of the CBR? And do they stop the engine getting scratched on the naked bikes?


Crashbungs/ frame sliders/ crash mushrooms etc replace a bolt on either side of the frame where the engine attaches to a frame hanger.

I never bothered getting them for my CBR, as there is no way to attach them without drilling the fairings, and I didn't want to do that.

To my knowledge none of the 250 tuppaware racers (CBR250/ZXR250/GSXR250/FZR250) have factory mounting positions for crash bungs, so unless you want to cut or remove the side fairings..

have you thought about a 250 trail bike? Throw some 17" wheels on it, and you've got a motard. You can then do drifting stuff on the street, and practice useful skills such as wheelies, which can easily be transfered to a bigger bike when you get your full.

[madandy]

I kinda by-passed the whole 250cc thing going from an AX100 to RF 400 but the best 250cc I ever rode was a Honda XR250 with 270cc kit, lights, indicators and numberplate...man that thing was exactly what the doctor ordered for carving traffic, speed humps and road kill. It would have been awesome with road wheels & tyres on it :yeah:
The Hornet seems like a good machine...

[FEINT]

This is my other account, I am CTM :)

After going down to Paeroa today, I quite like the sports bikes, but as you all have mentioned, taking a spill with a fairing will cost quite a bit to repair. I think I will be taking a few spills.

Thank you all for your replies, it has made my decisions alot easier. I am still toying within the 3 bikes. I haven't riden the CBR250RR and the 250 Hornet yet, but I will hopefully this week.

What I have realised is that the CBR250RR and 250 HORNET have the same engine? Power is similar..? Just that the Hornet's tires are quite a bit larger.

http://www.motorbikes.be/en/compare/864/2018/

I am mainly using the bike to learn on, commute and have a bit of fun :D ...

I have seen a few hornets and they cost approx $7000.00 1996 25,000km. GSF250 Bandits cost less at $4500+ 1994 average Km's and CBR250RR 1992 approx 32000km cost about $4000 - $5000 (privately).

They are all pretty much in the same price category, I wouldn't be owning the bike for more than 1 1/2 years, so I want something with good resale value. This is an important point for me.

Just a quick question, is SINGLE DISC up in front of the bike enought to stop a bike with two people on it?

Thanks alot for your comments!! Keep your comments coming regarding the two bikes!! Have a look at some of the photos from Paeroa today in the gallery.

[loosebruce]

Hey man, your pics are good, you took one of me and my greeny TL meeting the gravel at puke some time back, still cracks me up when i see it.
Most 250cc have a decnet resale coz of the demand for them.
The single disc is more than enough for sure on a 250cc.

If you want a second opinion at all feel free to drop me a line , i'm reasonably close to most bike shops and can meet up with ya to help out anytime, i'm off work at the mo. Even if you decide to go private (cheaper) i'll help out.

Good to see ya getting into the bike scene man.

Good luck

Bruce 021 2236081

[FEINT]

Thanks for your reply Bruce! I was actually quite lucky to get that shot of you hitting gravel!


Here are the links of the bikes I am considering. Hopefully you will able to give me your opinions. Expensive? yes / no ? There aren't many 250's around... especially in Honda.

http://www.bikepoint.co.nz/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=664706&TabID=3553&Alias=bikepointnz

http://bikepoint.co.nz/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=723452&TabID=3553&Alias=bikepointnz

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports-tourer/auction-22265330.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction_detail.asp?id=22601631

[750Y]

welcome aboard CTM/Feint??(I'm easily confused)
mate i'd go the bandit.
reasons..
late model(less will go wrong in theory).
good value at compared to the hornet(overpriced). (bat them down to $4k! or at least get them to throw in a helmet & gloves).
easy to ride & build confidence on.(comfortable, light, zippy, manouvreable)
simple maintenance(easy access to engine which saves on labour).

good luck.

[bugjuice]

I used to have a CBR250RR, went like the clappers for a 250. Thrashed it round Puke, then went to work on it every day, never one spot of trouble and you can scream the little thing as hard as you want and it comes back for more.
I've been told, and would tend to agree that it's one of the better handling 250 sports bikes.
The other bikes are also good bikes, but their riding positions are different than those of the CBR, so best ride what you can, and see what best suits what you need it for.

Most 250s are cheap to run, maintain, repair and keep. Almost everyone here has had a 250 of some sort at some time or another, so there's a vast wealth of knowledge and answers in this site alone.. Which ever your choice, you should have some fun.
And personally, there's pros and cons about buying thru a shop and buying private. As far as I know, most shops will overprice a little (they have to make a living..), but the bikes will generally be in good knick, and you know there's someone there to go back to. Most shops will look after you.
On the other hand, buying private will be cheaper, and the money you save, you can put towards better protective gear, and oil etc for a quick service on the bike too.. Just see what you find and what works out the best..

Have fun, oh, and welcome ;)

[Drunken Monkey]

I never bothered getting them for my CBR, as there is no way to attach them without drilling the fairings, and I didn't want to do that.


You don't even have fairings now, so I s'pose you've learned your lesson :Pokey:

[Mr Skid]

You don't even have fairings now, so I s'pose you've learned your lesson :Pokey:
side fairings are sooo overrated. :shake:

[FEINT]

Thanks for your replies!!!! I have actually purchased a bike. I bought a 1994 Honda CBR250RR. It has 22,000km on it. I will be picking it up tomorrow evening.

Hopefully some of you can tell me a bit about maintaining a bike.... Oiling Chains, Servicing etc.....

A big thanks to all those that helped me.... :)

[loosebruce]

Nice one man, the later model CBR's look trick too, and they dont go too shabby either, on the matinence side of things grab my number off my eariler post and any probs i'll help you out, even still ya more than welcome to bowl round to my place and i can show ya the ins n outs of it all, adjusting/oiling chain etc and what tools you'll need to have on hand etc etc, but then again being an ex drifter you proberly got a fair few tools lying round anyway.

[FEINT]

Thanks Bruce, I will give you a call in the next few days and we can meet up and you can teach me a thing or two about motorbikes!! Thank you!!!

Here is a photo of you at pukekohe, where you didn't hit gravel :niceone: :niceone: :doctor: :doctor: :doctor:

:banana:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/feintnz/bruce2.jpg

[ManDownUnder]

Without reading a jot of what's already been posted (aka I am lazy)...

Rules of thumb - more valuable bikes will:
1) Depreciate faster
2) Be more expensive to insure
3) Cost about the same if you fall off
4) Be more reliable (although anything semi recent should be ok if inspected pre purchase)
5) Be a higher theft target

Personally I'd be inclined to get something reliable, middle of the range and spend some time on it with a view to upgrading when you are ready and able.

Hope this helps, and happy trails!
MDU

[Oakie]

[QUOTE=
Just a quick question, is SINGLE DISC up in front of the bike enought to stop a bike with two people on it?
[/QUOTE]

My FXR150 (126 kgs?) plus two of us (155 kgs) is stopped pretty well with the single disk up front and a bit of help from the rear disk. Stops us well enough in heavy braking that on more than one occasion I couldn't prevent myself from sliding up the seat and crushing my rude bits against the tank.

[ManDownUnder]

[QUOTE=
Just a quick question, is SINGLE DISC up in front of the bike enought to stop a bike with two people on it?


Yup. Bikes are designed/build with a max all up weight and the various components then get specified based on that.

Stay within that weight rating and you'll be fine

[ManDownUnder]

Here is a photo of you at pukekohe, where you didn't hit gravel

...nice pic!

[Biff]

Yup. Bikes are designed/build with a max all up weight and the various components then get specified based on that.

Stay within that weight rating and you'll be fine

What the man said.

I'd also add that you should be using both brakes when stopping in order to avoid the front end dipping so much, the risk of it locking up and your genitals ending up in your stomach. Albeit using the front brake for the majority of the braking.

[loosebruce]

Thanks Bruce, I will give you a call in the next few days and we can meet up and you can teach me a thing or two about motorbikes!! Thank you!!!

Here is a photo of you at pukekohe, where you didn't hit gravel :niceone: :niceone: :doctor: :doctor: :doctor:

:banana:


Sweet man, catch ya 2moro, ha should see the TL now, a mere shadow of it's former self :niceone:

[FEINT]

after picking up the bike, I met a few KB'ers at Cyclespot in Takapuna. I didn't get home till dark, so I couldn't get any good shots of the bike. Will take some tomorrow.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/feintnz/cbr.jpg