First Bike ZXR or CBR?

[SN4PD]

Hi,

I'm looking for a first bike to learn on, I've been told that the ZXR and CBR's are some of the quickest as I only want to spend 5-6K

What’s the difference between, CBR 250, CBR 250 R, and CBR 250 RR?
And also ZXR 250, ZXR 250 C, and ZXR 250 A?

Any suggestions / advice / comparisons would be greatly appreciated.

Also what should I be spending on gear, is there much of a difference between in quality between spending $200 and $300 on a jacket. I've been told about $1000 all up for pants, jacket, helmet & gloves is average, but will I get much better gear if I spend $1200-1400?

Also if I go for a private sale is there somewhere I can take the bike to get it thoroughly checked out for $100-200? (I don’t want to buy something and then spend another grand fixing it up).


Again any advice would be great.


Cheers

nz_liam

[HDTboy]

I bought A CBR250RR just over 6 months ago as my first bike, and I must say that to learn on they're a little bit unforgiving, if you crash it (which I did on the first night) it won't be cheap to fix. This goes for all the bikes you've mentioned though.

That said. You should not feel the need to buy a bigger bike till you get to your full licence if you buy one of these bikes, they go plenty fast enough, and once you learn to ride it well you'll be out there passing the 600s round corners.

It all depends on how much experience you've had on bikes and how much you're willing to risk on a crash.

On the gear question I'd say buy the best gear you can afford, shop around, and try to get yourself a discount for buying a whole set of gear at once, I paid $750 for jacket, gloves and boots and I'm happy with what I got.

Most bike shops will do a pre-purchase inspection for you, I don't know what it will cost though.


PS, Welcome to the site

[Suney]

The zxr250c was my first bike
They are pretty much the same, but I chose the zxr because it was inverted forks and a single piece headlight and just looked cooler

[Sharkey]

I got a zxr250a for my first bike - still got it. For my 2 cents worth I think the kwakas are better finished than the hondas - slightly better attention to detail. But they all go like stink - especially if you are new to bikes. Don't worry about the quality of the fairings too much - you are almost guaranteed to drop it at some stage, but make sure the rest is in good nick. Good shops will be able to give it a once over and give you a good idea of how much any repairs will cost in the short - medium term.

Welcome aboard.

[bugjuice]

both good bikes. Try riding them both and see which one fits better. The CBR is smaller in seat position and size than the ZXR, and a bit more 'sporty' in the general riding poisition. The ZXR is a bit more upright by comparison, but still a sporty bike too. I had a CBR before I got my current bike, and loved it to bits. Went like the clappers out on the track, but was easy as, to ride.. I rode a ZXR a few times, and while still sporty, wasn't quite as sharp as the CBR.. So it depends on how you're thinking about riding. Go sit on both, even ride both, and see what you feel is best. Both good bikes, both for around the same price

welcome btw

[sAsLEX]

cbr rr has a bananna swingarm and twin front discs and is the top of the range for the 250's

I had a cbr250rr till some dick knicked it so add the cost of a decent lock in to the price you want to spend as well, should be able to pick up a decent RR for around 5

rode mine for 18 months or so and never crashed it

[N4CR]

Personally I would go ZXR - looks good, especially the C model (that is the single most important factor for buying a bike......) Bigger bike, don't look like a toy bike etc (j/k) and the public thinks they are 400's/600's.

I have ridden both, CBR is the most newb friendly for riding, little more relaible due to not having a friggen cam chain issue like ZXR's on 90's onwards models. Also easy to ride with no torque shudder problems at low rpm/going round tiny roundabouts with the wrong throttle amount - or mabey that's just my bike .

Handling wise the cbr (91rr) seemed to be easier to 'push' and steer in but the zxr had the raw/racey feel to it with a steeper learning curve and this made me feel like it would let me learn more.

Speed wise they are extremely close - In my opinion the zxr has a tiny tiny advantage in reality and on paper, but I would really want to try a drag strip to completely proove it.

Search threads on kiwibiker for comparisons/specs.. motobike.be or whatever is NOT very accurate.

Choose what suits you - they are both great bikes!

[SN4PD]

Thanks for all the advice.

I’m leaning towards the ZXR because I'm about 6'1 & sit at desk all day :P ... I'm not too worried about dropping it, part of the learning curve. I have ridden lots of farm (AG) bikes and a few Moto-X but nothing on the road, (folks brought me a car and said if I want a bike then I have to fork out for it), so it shouldn’t be to steeper learning curve.

Are there any particularly good helmets out there without blowing the budget, I've been told not to buy a $150 job but to spend about $200-300? Anything I should look for?

Cheers

nz_liam.

[N4CR]

HJC CL-14 is what alot of people get for first helmets - anywhere around $200 depending on graphics etc.

I'm 6ft as well and the bike is fine - gareth_d is even bigger and he is on the A model with no problems.

Good luck (btw the public loves the pipes on the front of the zxrs, they don't (pipes) do much though )

[Jonty]

Thanks for all the advice.

I’m leaning towards the ZXR because I'm about 6'1 & sit at desk all day :P ... I'm not too worried about dropping it, part of the learning curve. I have ridden lots of farm (AG) bikes and a few Moto-X but nothing on the road, (folks brought me a car and said if I want a bike then I have to fork out for it), so it shouldn’t be to steeper learning curve.

Are there any particularly good helmets out there without blowing the budget, I've been told not to buy a $150 job but to spend about $200-300? Anything I should look for?

Cheers

nz_liam.

Hi there,

I got into road riding after riding Auto AG's and a number of motrocross bikes (CR 250) and I found that the ZXR was great first bike. I think they look better than the CBR and I am 6ft and it was comfortable as it could be for the size (bearing in mind you won't be able to walk after about 200km!!).

Be very careful with selecting a specific ZXR, they have notorious cam chain problems and if one of them goes you can say good bye bike (ask the dealer when it was last replaced, they should be done every 45K). Also the fork seals (with upside down forks) are prone to rupture every second week .

I have not ridden a CBR rr but I have heard they are not to much different so the best suggestion would be to have a ride on both. Just remeber the CBR r is nowhere near as quick.

In terms of helmets, I would suggest looking at an HJC, the CL-14 is a good starter helmet that will not explode on impact (which is always nice). They are around the 200-350 mark. From there you are looking upwards of $500 for Shoei etc. DO NOT BUY A HELMET WORTH LESS THAN $150 and never a second hand helmet unless you know the owner.

Good luck and welcome to the site.

[Suney]

Also there has been a correalation between the bike you get and where you are from.
If you are from Northland such as myself, tristank and john, we all have(had) the zxr

[mikey]

dont do it.
you are getting raped up the ass paying 5-6000 for a 15year old bike "sportsbike"
not being racist (actually yes I am) but there built for short tiny little slant eyed chaps, no good if your average kiwi(around 6 foot an 75-80 kg), not sure about zxr but cbrs dont have great cornering clearnace unless you hang off the bike like your rossi, pegs will scrape a lot
i say buy a bigger bike, older bandit or something for same price, more user friendly an bla bla bla,, an dont give cops any reason to pull you over

[sAsLEX]

I am 6 ft and had no problems on the cbr fitting wise, and stay away from those dodgy fuckin krapasakis with their crap cam chains, gears are the way to go!

[N4CR]

Also there has been a correalation between the bike you get and where you are from.
If you are from Northland such as myself, tristank and john, we all have(had) the zxr

I'm not a dirty north hoodrat :P Westie more like it!

Seems like alot of people are going for them lately (why not )

[HDTboy]

Also there has been a correalation between the bike you get and where you are from.
If you are from Northland such as myself, tristank and john, we all have(had) the zxr

I'm ex Whangarei, just to blow your theory away.

PS I'm 6 Ft and fit fine on the CBR, did 600ks on saturday and had a sore arse, but that's about it

PPS CBRs don't have the cam chain and fork seal problems of the ZXRs, ask John how reliable his ZXR has been