Torn on which bike to buy

[Metalor]

250 will be MUCH nicer to ride, BUT it's pretty old and has pretty high k's.

I'd love to say go for the 250, but you'll probably end up paying a shitload more fixing it when it breaks.

the 150 will be much, much more economical to run.

Oh, i rode my mates cbr125 and that was much nicer to ride than my TU250. It'll be perfect to learn on. If you did get sick of it, what's to stop you selling it and getting a 250 anyway?

[Whynot]

They're not that much slower than a 250 in a straight line

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Shit.

[PirateJafa]

Bull
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Shit.

FXR tops out at a indicated ~150. a 250 will be lucky to top at a indicated 180. Sure, it doesn't pull as well as a 250 from 80km/h and above, but then if you're looking for speed you wouldn't be looking at 250s.

We're not talking about a RS250 here - we're talking about a shitter '86 CBR250 (not even the mc22).

[Whynot]

FXR tops out at a indicated ~150. a 250 will be lucky to top at a indicated 180. Sure, it doesn't pull as well as a 250 from 80km/h and above, but then if you're looking for speed you wouldn't be looking at 250s.

We're not talking about a RS250 here - we're talking about a shitter '86 CBR250 (not even the mc22).

i know what we are talking about, but having had a 4 cyl 250 and ridden an fxr i can tell you the difference is noticeable.

especially out of town when it comes to hills/overtaking etc.

[Marmoot]

If you do buy the CBR, make sure you use your common sense OK?

Whatever we think, the government's line of "the faster you go the bigger the mess" is true. CBR250 can get you to the critical lines very quickly indeed. It is so quick it shouldn't even be learners legal in my humblest opinion, and I'm sure a lot of the veteran riders here would agree. And let's not even start talking about the NSR250s.

And if you do want to get the CBR, go for R or RR models with 2 round headlights. They are totally different from the CBR250 in your TradeMe example.

Also from braking and suspension perspective, the RR is one step better than the R.

And one of the posters here is absolutely right. Four cylinders = many times the repair cost of one cylinder engine if something ever goes wrong.
And for a bike that's more than 15 years old (hell the CBR250s are mostly older than the riders) a LOT can go wrong.

If you can afford it, start with something more sedate (FXR, VTR250) and move to CBR250s when you're in between Restricted -> Full stage.
It's not the cheapest (you'll lose money when trading the 150 in for the 250) but it's safer and teaches you the real basics of riding instead of simple reliant on power. More power is not always quicker.

And yes, CBR250RR is a QUICK bike. I've been on a ride where one pulled ahead of an R1. And the R1 rider was a well-respected skilled rider with sub 1:05 lap times on Pukekohe.

[Whynot]

And yes, CBR250RR is a QUICK bike. I've been on a ride where one pulled ahead of an R1. And the R1 rider was a well-respected skilled rider with sub 1:05 lap times on Pukekohe.

had the R1 stopped for fuel?

[PirateJafa]

i know what we are talking about, but having had a 4 cyl 250 and ridden an fxr i can tell you the difference is noticeable.

especially out of town when it comes to hills/overtaking etc.

Having learnt on a IL4 250 myself, I would still pick the FXR out of the two bikes the OP linked us to.

If I could go back and learn on *any* bike, it'd be a RGV250/NSR250 however - and it is what I'd recommend to a number of others too. But that's not the question here.

[Whynot]

Having learnt on a IL4 250 myself, I would still pick the FXR out of the two bikes the OP linked us to.

If I could go back and learn on *any* bike, it'd be a RGV250/NSR250 however - and it is what I'd recommend to a number of others too. But that's not the question here.

agreed on both comments.

[Marmoot]

had the R1 stopped for fuel?

No. It was Hikuai - Whangamata road. Those who have been there know how twisty it is.

[Latte]

Having learnt on a IL4 250 myself, I would still pick the FXR out of the two bikes the OP linked us to.

If I could go back and learn on *any* bike, it'd be a RGV250/NSR250 however - and it is what I'd recommend to a number of others too. But that's not the question here.

Quite interested to hear the reasoning behind this? I learnt on an NSR SP and found it fine but had been riding dirt bikes for about 10 years prior. Sorry for the hijack but it might give the OP some insight on what he might want in a 1st bike.

[SMOKEU]

Buy the CBR, it is a vastly superior bike than the FXR. The CBRs are very reliable, don't the the mileage put you off as these bikes easily do over 100,000kms before they need a rebuild if they have had regular oil changes. The CBR will be way more fun as well, and if you buy a CBR in a reasonably tidy condition you won't regret it (unless you crash it). As for fuel consumption, mine gets around 4.5L/100km around town and I thrash it a fair bit.

[Slyer]

For a first bike, get the fxr or look at twins.
Examples of good twin cylinders:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-229708232.htm
or
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-233723303.htm
or
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-234510628.htm

VTR250 is probably the best learner bike there is, great all 'round.