Recommended 250s... opinions??

**MattRSK** · 1st October 2006, 21:56

I think you just have to respect your abilities. Take it easy to start with and gradually you will get the hang of it. I bought my CBR 6 months ago with no riding experience at all. I feel now confident but still have a healthy respect for the limits (that i push).

**Delirium** · 1st October 2006, 22:04

yea you guys have definitely made me look at the big picture here: i have to develope my skills before i can go fast. so im thinking il flag the cbr idea and look for a bandit. keeping in mind iv riden a fxr150 plenty and felt well competent on that and gave it a right thrashing. but your right gamgee, cheers for the help on the whole topic.

**gamgee** · 1st October 2006, 22:04

Originally Posted by MattRSK

I think you just have to respect your abilities. Take it easy to start with and gradually you will get the hang of it. I bought my CBR 6 months ago with no riding experience at all. I feel now confident but still have a healthy respect for the limits (that i push).

ok I learnt to ride a couple of years ago when I was 17, and there is no farken way I respected my limits, it was full throttle all the way, only difference was I was riding an sr250, so all the newbie mistakes I made I managed to catch, and learn from, then I stepped up to a quicker 250 when I was 18 and killed it, so now i've bought another more reliable 250 that I'm taking it easy on, not a single crash in nearly 4 years of riding, just bidding my time till i can ride my NC30 (legally)

and don't tell me you bought an nsr to ride sensibly haha just take it easy, learn to ride before you start on the more powerfull stuff, and it'll mean you live to ride the properly powerful stuff, cause lets face even a cbr250rr is fairly slow once you've ridden even a 400

**MattRSK** · 1st October 2006, 22:07

Originally Posted by gamgee

ok I learnt to ride a couple of years ago when I was 17, and there is no farken way I respected my limits, it was full throttle all the way, only difference was I was riding an sr250, so all the newbie mistakes I made I managed to catch, and learn from, then I stepped up to a quicker 250 when I was 18 and killed it, so now i've bought another more reliable 250 that I'm taking it easy on, not a single crash in nearly 4 years of riding, just bidding my time till i can ride my NC30 (legally)

and don't tell me you bought an nsr to ride sensibly haha just take it easy, learn to ride before you start on the more powerfull stuff, and it'll mean you live to ride the properly powerful stuff, cause lets face even a cbr250rr is fairly slow once you've ridden even a 400

We must be different somehow, I have no trouble respecting the limits. Had a play with some 400's and 600's today, had no trouble keeping up/ahead!

**gamgee** · 1st October 2006, 22:07

Originally Posted by hXc

And it will keep up with a GPX, and with the right rider on it, will beat the pants off it in the corners.

ahhh, but what happens when there is a good rider on both bikes? I see yet another kiwibiker theoretical race coming on

**vtec** · 1st October 2006, 22:11

Originally Posted by gamgee

this is why a 17 year old shouldn't get one of them as a first bike...

Hey man, don't blame the bikes. The reason why he crashed, is because he's always pushing the limits. That is how a lot of people become top racer's. The other option, is leaving more room for error, and learning slower, but with time you can learn the limits of a bike without going too far past them and crashing. I have learnt to find the limits of my bikes, by using throttle induced slide to gauge traction limits, but this took me a few years and I didn't even realise I was doing it for quite some time.

Also, isn't the GPX engine the same as the ZZR engine? If so, aren't the power figures a bit down, like possibly in the 20's? Don't give me a hard time for not being sure, I would just like clarification on the power of that engine. If so, yeah sure it's great for learning and gas mileage, but not good if you want to learn to ride hard.

**gamgee** · 1st October 2006, 22:12

Originally Posted by MattRSK

We must be different somehow, I have no trouble respecting the limits. Had a play with some 400's and 600's today, had no trouble keeping up/ahead!

I meant initially, and thrashing an sr250 is a lot slower than thrashing a cbr250rr, considering the sr had a top speed of 120 going downhill with a tail wind, (and i'm a skinny bastard) I know my limits a lot better now, but then I ride everyday, so I mean without sounding like an up myself tosser, I do know how throw a bike through a set of twisties, and my riding has become a lot less about straight line speed, and more about controlled cornering

**MattRSK** · 1st October 2006, 22:13

Originally Posted by vtec

Hey man, don't blame the bikes. The reason why he crashed, is because he's always pushing the limits. That is how a lot of people become top racer's. The other option, is leaving more room for error, and learning slower, but with time you can learn the limits of a bike without going too far past them and crashing. I have learnt to find the limits of my bikes, by using throttle induced slide to gauge traction limits, but this took me a few years and I didn't even realise I was doing it for quite some time.

Also, isn't the GPX engine the same as the ZZR engine? If so, aren't the power figures a bit down, like possibly in the 20's? Don't give me a hard time for not being sure, I would just like clarification on the power of that engine. If so, yeah sure it's great for learning and gas mileage, but not good if you want to learn to ride hard.

I had a lovely slide on the Taka's today. First time for everything huh. I think I enjoyed it. Can't wait to get out on the track.

**MattRSK** · 1st October 2006, 22:14

Originally Posted by gamgee

I meant initially, and thrashing an sr250 is a lot slower than thrashing a cbr250rr, considering the sr had a top speed of 120 going downhill with a tail wind, (and i'm a skinny bastard) I know my limits a lot better now, but then I ride everyday, so I mean without sounding like an up myself tosser, I do know how throw a bike through a set of twisties, and my riding has become a lot less about straight line speed, and more about controlled cornering

Yeah I get ya. Twisties are so much fun. 430kms of it today!

**gamgee** · 1st October 2006, 22:15

Originally Posted by vtec

hp figures..

from memory it's 35ps which i think equates to just over 30hp but torque is king on a long ride, i rode from invercargill to dunedin without changing out of 6th, thats going from 50 zones to 100, 30 works zones - 100 zones, and not a single splutter either

**vtec** · 1st October 2006, 22:17

Originally Posted by gamgee

ok I learnt to ride a couple of years ago when I was 17, and there is no farken way I respected my limits, it was full throttle all the way, only difference was I was riding an sr250, so all the newbie mistakes I made I managed to catch, and learn from, then I stepped up to a quicker 250 when I was 18 and killed it, so now i've bought another more reliable 250 that I'm taking it easy on, not a single crash in nearly 4 years of riding, just bidding my time till i can ride my NC30 (legally)

and don't tell me you bought an nsr to ride sensibly haha just take it easy, learn to ride before you start on the more powerfull stuff, and it'll mean you live to ride the properly powerful stuff, cause lets face even a cbr250rr is fairly slow once you've ridden even a 400

I've started racing a pretty sweet CBR600 recently, and I still really enjoy the CBR250RR. They are a great bike, and you should ask HDTBoy what he thinks about the CBR250 in comparison to the CBR400, as he's raced them both. I almost think he prefers the 250.

**vtec** · 1st October 2006, 22:20

Originally Posted by gamgee

from memory it's 35ps which i think equates to just over 30hp but torque is king on a long ride, i rode from invercargill to dunedin without changing out of 6th, thats going from 50 zones to 100, 30 works zones - 100 zones, and not a single splutter either

Thanks for the figures, it's better than I thought. I'd have to ride one to give a fair judgement though. I just know that the CBR is a brilliant bike... track day weapon, and reliable commuter. In my first ever race, I managed 1.15's repeatedly around Pukekohe on the CBR250, and that was after a couple of years of commuting on it.

P.S. The same CBR250 has me leading the VMCC streetstock series in my first season. One more meeting till the end of the championship. 14th of October at Taupo, should be awesome on the full circuit.

P.P.S Great choice on the NC30 man, I love those bikes. Never ridden one, but if I'm ever rich enough to have a collection, there would have to be a VFR in it for sure.

**hXc** · 2nd October 2006, 09:26

Originally Posted by gamgee

ahhh, but what happens when there is a good rider on both bikes? I see yet another kiwibiker theoretical race coming on

Well then it comes down to which one is better/more tactful. They are pretty even all around, but I prefer the Spada to the GPX, which I have ridden.

The seating of the GPX is what I find uncomfortable; the fully upright with skinny bars thin = yuck. Where as the Spada is sportier, but still relaxed. On the Spada you can ride in a relaxed position or a sprawled out on the tank like a squashed fly position and still have a lot of fun.

The Spada is a great bike, and I'm not saying that the GPX isn't, but I much prefer the Spada to the GPX. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning on this bike, and will continue to do so for the next 16 months. The guy I bought the Spada off, apparently wants to buy it back, according to all his mates down in Welly. If those mates don't know who I'm talking about, his name is Jimmy (Spada), and they would all be able to vouch how good the Spada's potential is in the right hands.

**Delirium** · 2nd October 2006, 10:57

Originally Posted by hXc

Well then it comes down to which one is better/more tactful. They are pretty even all around, but I prefer the Spada to the GPX, which I have ridden.

The seating of the GPX is what I find uncomfortable; the fully upright with skinny bars thin = yuck. Where as the Spada is sportier, but still relaxed. On the Spada you can ride in a relaxed position or a sprawled out on the tank like a squashed fly position and still have a lot of fun.

The Spada is a great bike, and I'm not saying that the GPX isn't, but I much prefer the Spada to the GPX. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning on this bike, and will continue to do so for the next 16 months. The guy I bought the Spada off, apparently wants to buy it back, according to all his mates down in Welly. If those mates don't know who I'm talking about, his name is Jimmy (Spada), and they would all be able to vouch how good the Spada's potential is in the right hands.

you wouldnt be mstrs's son would you? Zac?