250cc Honda Hornet vs VTR 250cc. Which is a better learners bike?

[simfish]

Hi as the tittle says I am considering either the Honda Hornet 250cc or the Honda VTR 250cc. Not sure which is the better bike for a learner that will take me up to my full license. I would really like some advice... thanks in Advance.

[PirateJafa]

VTR250 is the best naked learner bike, yes. Excellent bikes. Although the hHornet brigade is bound to jump in here quick to protect their wares.

GPX250 is the best faired learner bike. But then you'd be buying a dirty Kwaka.

[IdunBrokdItAgin]

VTR is a twin producing around max 33hp.
Hornet is an mid range, inline four producing around max 40 hp.

Twins like the lower to mid rev range. Mid range tuned, in line fours like the mid to higher rev range.

Horses for courses really - Both are great bikes. Hornets come with slightly higher specs (more adjustable stuff) - this is usually reflected in the price though as Hornets usually cost more than VTRs.

You can't go wrong on either of them. Give them both a try and see which ones feels right for you.

I had a hornet and it was great. Mate of mine has a vtr - not for me but I recognise it as a good learner bike. VTRs have a gruntier exhaust note that inline Fours though.
Both have bulletproof engines and good finish (less prone to rust that other makes).

It's all about personal choice in the end. There is no thing as the perfect learners bike - there are just good ones and which one will suit you best. Anybody elses opinion will be about which one suits them best.

[gijoe1313]

Yep, Wild Weston has said just about what is needed to be said! Of course, with the hornet you'll find a plethora of helpful horneteers that will be around. Best to try them out! If you intend to keep your 250 till full ... I would reccomend the lil'ol'hornet ... it'll keep you in grins for ages and take you all over the country if you want (mind has gone around the clock and still going strong!)

If'n you like, you can always take a look at my lil'ol'hornet ...

[JimO]

i bought my boys a vtr after thay learned to ride on a old nz250 suzuki and have to say the vtr has everything a young scratcher would ever need

[DunerzNick]

I learnt (learning) on a vtr, it was perfect to hone cornering skills etc. Have since rode it all the way up the west coast from Dunedin and she loved it. I would reccomend a bolt on screen for either though to make the longer journies a bit more comfortable and lets you go a little quicker too.
But afer saying all that, my supposedly bullet prood vtr blew bottom end week before last at only 14,000kms, new engine on the way...

[Chrislost]

Hi as the tittle says I am considering either the Honda Hornet 250cc or the Honda VTR 250cc. Not sure which is the better bike for a learner that will take me up to my full license. I would really like some advice... thanks in Advance.

Hornet cos its newer. BEWARE THE 16 INCH FRONT, THEY COST LOTS OF MONEY TO REPLACE TYRES!!!

VTR cos its a tad faster to 100. tyre choice is limited, but cheep...

[woodyracer]

its hard, they both are excellent bikes. The hornet is very revy and likes to be thrashed {not so good on the road}, but the VTR is more relaxed and smooth. Id say the VTR is the best bet.

[paddy]

I haven't ridden either, but when I was looking for my first bike I spent a lot of time researching the VTR. It's a very forgiving bike and you don't have to rev the heck out of it to cruise on the motorway.

Personally, I'd take he VTR in a heartbeat, but others would take the CBR. The best suggestion I have is to try and get a ride on both - perhaps at your local shop.

[Hiflyer]

To learn on I guess the VTR would be better, but I have been riding for 2 years now (I'm still learning I know) and when I was test riding bikes to replace my stolen Hyosung I found the Hornet more fun than the VTR, I guess it was the way the power was delivered.

On the VTR it seemed to have a big chunk of power in the middle then it would taper off, where as the Hornet keeps pulling up until about 13-14,000 rpm.

I enjoyed the I4 engine more now that I'm more experienced, but when I was learning, the reassuring wodge (is that a word?) of torque waiting in the low revs made it a bit easier.

That in mind, I test rode an RS 250 and THAT was fun haha.

[SMOKEU]

Buy a CBR250. With 250cc road bikes you need all the power you can get, especially with the 4 strokes.

[Neon]

Buy a CBR250. With 250cc road bikes you need all the power you can get, especially with the 4 strokes.

The CB250 Hornet has the same donk as the CBR250R, and makes around 40HP. The main difference with the CBR250 is the more compact frame and sportier riding position. The difference in actual power delivery is pretty insignificant really IMO.

I rode both when I was buying my first bike to learn on, and liked the 'bigger' feel of the Hornet. Two years on and it's still a great bike for me - and has never missed a beat.

[Leseid]

I just bought a CB250F for $4000, I haven't ridden it as it's up in Auckland till I get there. But my brother who rides a Bandit 1200, now wants to sell his Bandit and wants a CB250F also after riding it one day to his work.

I looked at the VTR, but was advised to go for the inline 4 of the CB because it would have the legs to pass cars on the open road.

The Hornet is good if you making a step up from a smaller bike, but first off I would have gotten a VTR for sure. The VTR feels a lighter bike that the CBR125 and you won't have to worry about damaging fairings.

Both seem to hold there value well, now is a buyers market.

[KelvinAng]

I learned on the Hornet 250... and to be honest didn't quite appreciate her at first. She's very thirsty (13-16km/L), bit jumpy on the throttle, and feels quite big.

The first time I took her out on the open roads my opinion changed totally. She's real sweet, and as a bit of a test I overtook a car on the open road in the passing lane. I took her to an indicated 140km/hr and she's revving at around 10,000rpm in gear 6 so still has a bit more up her sleeves. I couldn't believe this bike is learner-legal, her power-to-weight ratio is very high. I have a lot of respect for this little bike.

I haven't ridden the VTR but I quite like the "mini (Ducati) Monster" styling. I imagine it to be easier to tame than the Hornet.

[metalslug]

If you have no previous biking experience then the Hornet's power can be a bit scary. I find the Hornet quite fast and that's after spending a few months on a GN and a 150. Also due to its larger size you may find it harder the manuver (initially)....but after a while you really will appreciate how well this bike handles at corners and higher speeds

I test rode the VTR250 from colemans before- good things about it is mainly the lower grunt, kinda feels easier to rev around town at 50 to 70 k zone whereas the Hornet you have to rev hard to make it go ( at least after 6-7 k rpm then the power kicks in)

But on the motorway Hornet performs a lot better, it's heavier so you don't get slapped around by the wind and cruising over 100 to overtake cars is a piece of cake.

overall if you do a lot of highway cruising Hornet is better, but if you just want to zip around town then get the VTR, they are both very comfy bikes and well built