CBR250RR and ZXR250

**Vetran** · 31st October 2006, 20:49

Hey guys just been looking at trademe listings for both these bikes. I was just wondering what the reason is that 92 cbrs with much higher ks go for the same prices as da kawasakis with much lower ks. I was just wondering why because in all the zxr vs cbr topics in these forums people say the bikes are pritty much even in terms of performance and handling. Thanks guys

**Brett** · 31st October 2006, 20:55

That is a pretty good question, i really dont know! I have always preferred the ZXR's, but obviously since price is driven by demand, other people also seem to love the cbr's. They are also pretty good bikes.

**vtec** · 31st October 2006, 21:15

They don't tend to get quite as many problems as the ZXR's after quite a few k's. Apart from that they are pretty similar. The only major difference is the cam gears/chain.

The CBR is more throwable, and the ZXR is more stable mid corner.

I think the ZXR has a higher compression ratio? Anyone confirm that?

ZXR is heavier?

**Brett** · 31st October 2006, 21:27

Originally Posted by vtec

They don't tend to get quite as many problems as the ZXR's after quite a few k's. Apart from that they are pretty similar. The only major difference is the cam gears/chain.

The CBR is more throwable, and the ZXR is more stable mid corner.

I think the ZXR has a higher compression ratio? Anyone confirm that?

ZXR is heavier?

I think the ZXR is a tad heavier, i have found that once set up right, the ZXR *feels* a lot more stable on entry and throughout a corner. I haven't spent a huge amount of time on a CBR like I have a ZXR so it is a bit unfair to compare them i guess. Bugger all in it in a drag race.

**justsomeguy** · 31st October 2006, 21:45

CBR's are more reliable and have better build quality, hence retain greater resale value.

I'm comparing a 1990 CBR250RR and a 1992 ZXR250C as these are what I owned.

1992 ZXR250C with around 20 something kms on the clock.

1990 CBR250RR with a genuine 8,000 kms on the clock.

Both have similar top speeds and acceleration. Both will do 200kmph indicated down a hill and about 190 indicated on a flat road.

A CBR is slightly easier for a newbie due to it's more upright riding position.

The ZXR has a better factory front end with more of a drop to the bars, more adjustable and upside down forks. As a result it tips in faster but also smoother.

The handling of both the bikes at the end of the day are virtually equal with the ZXR being (very) slightly more aggressive.

The CBR's are pretty much bullet proof you can take them from track day to commuting to country roads to track days everyday with no problems. Do this with a ZXR and you'll see signs of it feeling weary if it's not a mint bike.

The build quality - plastics, rubber hoses, wiring, headlight illumination, fairing bolts and fasteners, dashboards are all a lot superior on the CBR.

The fairings of both bikes can be completely stripped quickly and easily making them easy to work on. Styling is completely a matter of preference.

You sit quite low on them both, of the two you sit "in" the ZXR more.

The CBR sounds racier, the ZXR C sounds exactly like a industrial sewing machine - seriously.

For how fast they go around a track speak to Vtec for CBR250RR times and Texmo for ZXR250C times. Both these riders should be able to give you a better account of the bikes performance that I can.

If given a choice between the two pick the bike in better mechanical condition.

**mynameis** · 31st October 2006, 22:03

Without getting into too much detail I think the crust of the matter is that the good old Hondas have much more better and reliable engines and last longer compared to the Kawasakis.

Of course how it's being looked after will matter, but I know of CBR 250's well into their 90 000 k's and still running perfectly fine without a problem. Hence this increases the demand of CBR's over the ZXR's which is reflected in the overall price.

mynameis

**lukelin250** · 31st October 2006, 22:19

cbr rr seem to be alot more rare

**mynameis** · 1st November 2006, 13:06

Originally Posted by lukelin250

cbr rr seem to be alot more rare

Nah that's the shit dealers fill you in with, that they aren't in production anymore and are rare yet 100's get sold and shipped out of Japan each week around the world.

But nah Luke your bike is rare as bro

**Fishy** · 1st November 2006, 13:26

My first bike 11 years ago was a 1991 CBR250RR, it had a genuine 2000k's on the clock when I bought it. I owned it for a year and a half and did 75,000k's on it. When I traded it in it was still going strong.

I had mates with ZXR's at the same time I had my CBR and they were pretty even I reckon.

**lukelin250** · 1st November 2006, 18:30

matter of personal choice main thing is you having a bike to ride,right?

**SuperDave** · 1st November 2006, 18:52

My ZXR A model was still going hard at 123,000kms but there were a few intermittent problems which I'm pretty confident were only electrical. 95% of the time the bike went great but for the other 5% it just didn't go. So I'd say reliability was an issue, but give it a break, it did have very high kms and was quite the KB whore too.

**-JC & Eleanor-** · 3rd November 2006, 14:01

ever considered the NSR 250?? im not going to get into a huge arguement over two or four stroke engines but keep your eyes open.... NSR is faster, lighter,better frame and components... and very rare!!

newae hope your choice goes well

i havent looked back

jc