CBR400RR vs RGV250 excuse my newbie-ness

[kneescraper]

Hey all.

I'm looking into buying a RGV250, its in awesome condition etc. After reading what I have and watching what Ive watched (Faster movie etc etc) its stuck in my mind that 2 stroke road bikes are hard to ride. They do all sorts when you least expect it...or so I've been lead to believe.

My last bike that I sold a year ago was a CBR400RR NC23...what I want to know in a simple answer is, is the RGV faster than the CBR400RR, does it handle better and is it as forgiving as a CBR400RR is?

Im not expecting lab reports on each bike....just a indercation so I know what Im getting my self into.

Sorry for a newbie silly question but you guys would know best.

Any info would be great.

[gamgee]

is the RGV faster than the CBR400RR
About the same acceleration, and top speed
does it handle better
handling probably the rgv by a little, only cause it's lighter

and is it as forgiving as a CBR400RR is?
No not as forgiving as the cbr, you'll have the evil 2 stroke powerband, hit that mid bend and it's probably all over (rover) it's fun for wheelies tho

personally I'd go for a cbr400rr (weeell I went for an nc30...) just easier to handle, less maintenance, don't have to thrash it too hit the power
the only reason I can see for going for a 2 stroke 250 is licence restrictions, or a perfectly understandable fetish for the smell of two stroke oil, in which case get a two stoke 500cc

[kneescraper]

Awesome answer, just the kind of answer Im wanting.

I am on a learner licence so thats one restriction. Ive been interested in getting a trail bike but this RGV has caught my eye and Ive read a few forums about them. One of the things that worry me is the up keep of the 2 strokes. Im pretty new to 2 strokes so I dont quite know how much work they require however I do know they require more than a 4 stroke.

I am wanting to do alittle touring, some trips up north to see my father (7 hour + trips), would the RGV be a bad bike to ride for this...would it be expecting to much from it?

[quickbuck]

Having owned a CBR 400, and an RG250 (not RGV) myself, I can say that I would rather tour on the CBR.
The RGV must be worse than the RG for touring. Over to you though, I have seen stroker 250's turn up at the Brass Monkey, loaded with gear.

As far as maintenance and reliability go, well put it this way:
You know how all you did to your CBR was put fuel in it, and changed the oil? Well, with an RGV, you put in almost twice as much fuel, and every 30000k or so it will go CLACK if you don't pay particular attention to engine rebuilds.

A well ridden RGV is a fast little machine. I don't mean fast to scare ya, I mean, on the open road in the twisty bits it will eat big bikes for breakfast (if ridden well note).

[kneescraper]

I see ya point "quickbuck"....hmmmm Would a DR350 be better to tour on? I dont want to do long trips...just a 5 hour trip would be good. I love the sound of a 2 stoke so that is also pulling me closer to owning one. But like you said, well both of you...the up keep is high.

The thing is I can get the RGV for cheap...and it really is in a good condition..been well looked after.

But please, let the answers keep rolling in. The more info I get the better.

[gamgee]

dr350 has no fairing, so I'd hate riding for 5 hours on it, but you might be different, probably the best bike you could legally get for touring would be something like a kawasaki zzr250 or a gpx250, sure they aren't hellishly quick like the rgv and cbr400, but they'll comfortably do the speed limit and are pretty fun through the twisties, plus super comfy riding position, I've kept up with some much bigger bikes on my gpx through the twisties

[kneescraper]

Hey Gamgee.

Yeah I could get a ZZR250 (dam nice bikes) or even a GPX250 (also a nice bike, mucht the same as a ZZR I thought) but this RGV is so dam cheap. Well its had the old slow drop etc but its in such a good order...I seem to be answering my own question here. I'm not going to be doing the long rides all the time...so im not to worried. As long as it can make it would out to many problems.

What are the 2 stokers like to ride in traffic...not heavy traffic (no such thing in Gisborne) ?

[gamgee]

fine in traffic, altho I've heard they don't like low rev riding, tends to get the spark plugs gunked up, sounds like your pretty much commited to buying, but just bear in mind there is a reason they are cheap, they cost more to run, maintain, probably insure (altho I haven't checked that) which is another thing, you won't be able to insure anything over a 250cc

[kneescraper]

Good points, I dont mind the spending a little extra in up keep, thats ok. Im not commited to buying it, just checking out all the options... I grew up watching Mick Doohan race so the 2 stokers have also ignited excitement.

Thanks for your guys help, keep the posts coming.!

[avgas]

hmmm thats a tough one....not
gimmie the screamer any day. A decent RGV will eat anything.

[kneescraper]

Hahahhaha well thats my thinking to Avgas . Ive read they can take on big bikes with the right rider

[R6_kid:Me]

i'd go for he RGV for road riding. Thats only because i've now got an affliction for the 250 ringers (after watching 250GP). Remember that the RGV wont have the same amount of engine braking, and as said you'll have to learn to ride two stroke styles. Being able to predict the powerband, or more to the point utilising it properly will turn you into a worthy adversary on the road or track.

Of course with that, there is the downside of fuel consumption and rebuilds etc. At the end of the day we cant decide for you, but those that know the bikes can offer their views on each.

I've ridden the MC23? CBR400RR and it was a good little bike, awesome brakes, but i cant comment so much on the handling as it was my first time on slicks and wasnt my bike so didnt really nail it.

[kneescraper]

Thanks R6 Kid, yeah I find the 2 stokers interesting. With the right rider I think they are a 600cc's nightmare.

So true, only I can make my mind up..however like you said..rider input is awesome. Views from both sides would be great. Im not looking at buying a CBR400rr just trying to compare the two...if I can.

Thanks for the reply R6 Kid, its been a great help!

[Mr. Peanut]

250 2ts can get tiring, they're totally focused. I wouldn't recommend any of them. You will have more fun on something with higher bars, and more sensible ergonomics. Seriously... as in you will be grinning more...

They're not hard to ride, you just need to understand the engines character.

CBR400s get boring very quickly, too linear. If you want a 2t road bike, get a 150. NSRs are good, less demanding maintenance, but parts are less available.

A dual purpose would be a lot of fun (400-650cc single 4t or a Yamaha DT230 2t)

My 2c.

[Mr. Peanut]

....but this RGV is so dam cheap. Well its had the old slow drop etc but its in such a good order...

There is no such thing as a cheap RGV. Look closer, has it got receipts for a recent rebuild? How many Km? Are the owners young (20's?)

I don't mean to harass you or anything, but these bikes are trouble in spades... Worth it, but dont expect daisies.