GSX Vs CBR Vs ZXR

**Ghost Lemur** · 19th April 2004, 16:27

There's a MC22 CBR on Trademe with a buy now of $6k + ORC, the damn thing has less than 12k on the clock. If I could afford such a rediculous amount of money for a too fiddy I'd snap it up in a heart beat.

**jrandom** · 19th April 2004, 16:35

Originally Posted by cheetor

thing is, a new GSX250 is only $1000 more than a 10 year old GSXR or CBR?
I love the 4 cyl sound though

Don't get mixed up, the tubby little GSX250 that you can buy new from the dealers these days is not in the same league as the older GSXR/CBR/ZXR 250s. Not a particularly awful bike but it's noticeably fatter and slower. It's a commuter, not a hardcore mini-sportbike. Buy it if you want something new with a warranty but don't expect to get the same 4-stroke plastic rocket experience.

In a nutshell, that's why you still see more of the older imports being ridden on learners/restricted. If you want to shell out for a new 250 (dunno why you would, though, they're stupidly priced) the nicest one on the market is the VTR. STILL not as quick as the imports though.

**marty** · 19th April 2004, 19:15

the new gsx is nothing like the gsxr. they are as different as a bandit is to a gsxr1000. i still reckon you'd look pretty sharp on an aprilia..........pm me for the dead right deal

**k14** · 19th April 2004, 20:35

Originally Posted by Ghost Lemur

There's a MC22 CBR on Trademe with a buy now of $6k + ORC, the damn thing has less than 12k on the clock. If I could afford such a rediculous amount of money for a too fiddy I'd snap it up in a heart beat.

Yeah, thats practically the same deal that i got, thats the guy i bought my one from. He imports them from japan. I am pretty surprised he hasn't sold it yet, it has been there for a few weeks now.

**cheetor** · 20th April 2004, 18:18

Yeah, I noticed the GSX is quite heavy..... I may still end up going for a CBR, With me driving its gonna get s scratch some time (I like to push the limits)
I've taken a GSXR for a test ride, quite fast, havnt had a chance to take out a CBR yet though, is $5995 (at a dealer, 34,000K and aftermarket exaust) is that worth it?

Anyone here in CHCH willing to lend me a hand for a day, to make sure I dont get a lemon?

**6Chris6** · 20th April 2004, 18:46

Originally Posted by cheetor

Yeah, I noticed the GSX is quite heavy..... I may still end up going for a CBR, With me driving its gonna get s scratch some time (I like to push the limits)
I've taken a GSXR for a test ride, quite fast, havnt had a chance to take out a CBR yet though, is $5995 (at a dealer, 34,000K and aftermarket exaust) is that worth it?

Anyone here in CHCH willing to lend me a hand for a day, to make sure I dont get a lemon?

You don't really need someone to go with you just take it to a shop and get a pre-purchase check it will only cost about $50.
Chris

**Big Dog** · 20th April 2004, 18:50

Originally Posted by Ghost Lemur

Just a quick side question for people. Been keeping my eye on the used market while I save for a bike and one thing has stood out about these 250's. That is the shear number that are '89. Does anyone know why this is? Was it a particularly big year for the manufacturers, or just a coincidence that for these three models there are more '89s than any other year?

I believe it has to do with emmission's Aussies cut off has been 1990 for used bikes commercialy imported since 95 or 6 so as 890or older bikes come up for sale in japan malysia etc NZ is the only country still buying.

My old gpx would blow away most modern bikes let alone some 500's etc as most bikes are being strangled by regs.

Differnces? 90 or later gpx is much narrower, shorter has two less cylinders 70 less hp heavier wheels for a smaller tyre, a smaller tank, frankly fragile looking swingarm (as oposed to the one shared with the 500cc) and end cans that look like they were leftovers from a 2 stroker (oh and there is only one).

Up untill 1990 manufacturers were more interested in meeting homologation rules (you could use anything on a race bike, as long as you have sold 2,000 examples for road use. If you had not sold that many it had limitations on wether it could be used or not) than emmissions rules (virtually non-existant and rarely enforced).

I would not pay the $6999 brand new that they now retail for but I would pay that for a 1989 gpx250s in the same condition as I bought my old one in. Single most regretted moment in my life selling that. ( and yes it would break 200kmph, quite easily it would seem). Greatest feeling in the world blowing back a 7 year younger bike with 750+ more cc's than you.

**Big Dog** · 20th April 2004, 19:02

Originally Posted by cheetor

Yeah, I noticed the GSX is quite heavy.....

There is heavy, and there is heavy.

My 1100 is very heay at a standstill (bad for learners but a learner is not allowed to buy one anyway) but it is extremely well balanced and so feels very light at speed (feels lighter in a corner than a honda 250 I test rode for a mate).

The Honda 900 I considered was very light at standstill but hated to be turned and felt very heavy over about 60kmph.
I would have been absolutely incapable at my finess level of a Coromandel loop in the same day on that! You need to find the right balance for your skill level / intended purpose / fitness level and weight.

Try them all or get someone of roughly the same weight who rides like you do / want to, to test ride them. This will give you better answers than taking the opinion of biased by past experience riders who may ride nothing like you or look for different attributes in a bike.

They are all much of a muchness for maintenance etc.

**moko** · 21st April 2004, 04:11

Originally Posted by Ghost Lemur

.
Just a quick side question for people. Been keeping my eye on the used market while I save for a bike and one thing has stood out about these 250's. That is the shear number that are '89. Does anyone know why this is? Was it a particularly big year for the manufacturers, or just a coincidence that for these three models there are more '89s than any other year?

Maybe a similar reason to why there`ll be about 3 times more 2003 registered 600 Fazers in this country than any other year.The good old European Parliament,one of the most corrupt and inefficient institutions in the world changed emission regs and made several best-selling bikes illegal as a result.This was registration year deadlined.Fazer was a massive seller so Yamaha banged out thousands of them and registered them for the road to beat the cut-off date,normally only done after they`re sold.They sold Britains allocation in a few weeks but there are still a few "pre-reg" bikes of other models sitting in showrooms at good prices,they`re legal because according to the paperwork they`re registered and Yamaha or whoever,are the owners according to the docs.Funniest thing was that a lot of "jap" bikes are now made in europe and the new regs hit Honda`s Italian factory and Yamahas Spanish factory really hard.Typical bit of stupidity,the XT600 was banned,classed as a road-bike,so Yam bought in the TT600,which as the Euro-dorks class as an off-roader escapes the new regs.Our XTs and TTs by the way are made in Spain and Honda`s CB500 and Domunator trailie were made in Italy along with other models.

**RiderInBlack** · 21st April 2004, 07:38

Originally Posted by Big Dog

Differnces? 90 or later gpx is much narrower, shorter has two less cylinders 70 less hp heavier wheels for a smaller tyre, a smaller tank, frankly fragile looking swingarm (as oposed to the one shared with the 500cc) and end cans that look like they were leftovers from a 2 stroker (oh and there is only one).

If you are reffering to the Suzuki GSXR250, My old one was a 1991 import with 4 cylinders (no power problems

) and a single can. Topped a 160KPM. Would love to have kept it. Traded for $1200 in 2002, remotored, 34000Km, a bit rough (needed a repaint).

The Marauder is a GSX250 (not to be confused with the GSXR) and is only a 2 cylinder. There is also crusier class Marauders made by Suzuki (a 800, 2 cylinder that gives must HD's a run for their money, and a 250, 1 cylinder and sounds like a lawnmower).

Have been out with a rider on a CBR250RR. He can pick-up the 200KPM. With most bikes the R's are more race ready. I would not bother with a GSX

, but would have a GXSR anytime

.

**k14** · 21st April 2004, 09:31

Well my CBR is speed limited to 180kph and it will sit there all day long. Still got around 4000rpm to go to the redline (19000rpm). I have heard of them topping 200 with the restrictor removed.

**slob** · 21st April 2004, 10:16

Originally Posted by k14

I have heard of them topping 200 with the restrictor removed.

I've heard that the CBR250s are both speedo and inlet-restricted. That means that the speedo won't let you go beyond 180kmph and the engine restrictions (in the airbox or carbs dunno exactly where) keep the power under 40hp. I believe Andy1's CBR250 must've had the engine restriction removed coz it feels nearly as potent as a 400cc il4!