Best allround 250 sportbike?

**Buddha** · 1st September 2004, 08:56

Hey all, looking to buy a 250 sport bike. Wondering your opinions on the best allround bike... Value for money? Best performer? Best engine/drivetrain? Reliability? Resale value? Interested to hear your comments. I am lead to believe that a CBR250 is generally considered to be one of the best? Which leads on to my next question... what is the difference between a CBR250 and a CBR250RR? Is it all cosmetic or is there mechanical differences as well?

All input appreciated. Cheers!

**Hitcher** · 1st September 2004, 12:07

Buddha

Welcome to Kiwibiker. You'll find the folk here are friendly, frank and forthright.

To answer your question, this has been well churned over in many previous threads. Have a read through these and see what has been written -- including my unashamed plugs for the Yamaha FZX250 Zeal!

**k14** · 1st September 2004, 12:17

Ok, here goes.

The CBR250 was manufactured from 85ish to 87ish, it is alot different to the later models, leave these ones alone. These didnt have full fairings and are very scarce, haven't actually seen one in the flesh.

The CBR250R (MC19) was made from 87 to 90. These are pretty good, look a little less modern (IMO) compared to the MC22. But apart from a different swingarm, a single disc front brake and cosmetic differences they are the same as the MC22 (described below). These generally

The CBR250RR (MC22) was made from 90 to 94 or so (think it got made later, but not too sure). Compared to the MC19's they are much nicer looking and look alot more modern than the other bikes from that time. They have the bannana swing arm, twin front discs and different fairings. These are alot more expensive than the MC19 and a mint condition one will go for over $5000.

Of course I am byast but I say that the CBR250RR is the best 250 4-stroke you can buy (and the price is a good indication of this). They are incredibly reliable and as long as you keep them services regularly the motor will run for over 100,000kms quite easily.

If you read the reviews of the 250's in the bike review section you will see a few people's points of view. The 2nd best alternative is the ZXR250, these go for alot less than the CBR's but aren't held in as high regard.

Does that help?

**Mr Skid** · 1st September 2004, 12:40

IIRC the RR carb has a larger main jet, some sort of ram air setup (my R has fake ram air intakes) and is more of a crouchy bike, whereas the R is more upright relatively speaking.

Another benefit of the CBR250 series is that the cams are driven by gears, rather than a belt or chain, so no servicing costs to worry about from that.

As K14 says, they have a reputation as one of the most reliable 250cc bikes.

Let me know if you get one, I think I might have a service manual pdf somewhere..

**Cajun** · 1st September 2004, 12:47

Originally Posted by Buddha

Hey all, looking to buy a 250 sport bike. Wondering your opinions on the best allround bike... Value for money? Best performer? Best engine/drivetrain? Reliability? Resale value? Interested to hear your comments. I am lead to believe that a CBR250 is generally considered to be one of the best? Which leads on to my next question... what is the difference between a CBR250 and a CBR250RR? Is it all cosmetic or is there mechanical differences as well?

All input appreciated. Cheers!

hey Buddha i living out papoma at the moment there are few of us around this area

welcome

**Buddha** · 1st September 2004, 12:56

Cheers lads, that's pretty much what I came up with just from searching the net. So looks like it's CBR250 or ZXR250. Came across this on trademe. Sound like a good deal?

**k14** · 1st September 2004, 13:22

The CBR250RR's got fake ram air aswell. Just goes to a dead end on the frame. Haven't heard the different jet in the carb one though. But it could be right.

Yeah that trademe one looks pretty good. Just get it checked out first.

**Buddha** · 1st September 2004, 13:44

Do you think it's worth getting a proper mechanical check done? Or do I just make sure it starts easily, listen for rattles, look for leaks etc and make sure it rides well? I know plenty about cars but am pretty new to this bike bizzo. I have had some pretty dodgy (slack) mechanical appraisals on cars before so I am kind of put off the idea of paying someone anyway.

**aff-man** · 1st September 2004, 14:16

Look for the thread about bike shops to find a good one. GET A PROFESSIONAL CHECK DONE. Really needs to be done to check things like forks(seals and if they are straight),brakes,frame,very important to get a compression test done, some of these bikes have had the speedo switched over and so could be screwed.

Unfortunatley i am going to say zxr250 (just cause i had one so am biased) nifty little bike that corners pretty good looks ok, I don't think it has the same top speed as the cbr250rr but it accelerates like a rocket.

Either bike the cbr or zxr has a great resale value becaue they are two of the top sports 250's and are in high demand.

Happy hunting and have fun. See ya out there

**Funkyfly** · 1st September 2004, 14:16

Originally Posted by Buddha

Do you think it's worth getting a proper mechanical check done? Or do I just make sure it starts easily, listen for rattles, look for leaks etc and make sure it rides well? I know plenty about cars but am pretty new to this bike bizzo. I have had some pretty dodgy (slack) mechanical appraisals on cars before so I am kind of put off the idea of paying someone anyway.

My 1st 250 was a 1990 Yammy TZR (2 stroke) its was rough (cost me $1300)but lots of fun for a 1st bike. but it blew up trying to keep up with a bigger bike when i was coming home from the mount ( i live in taranaki).

I decided to buy from a dealer after that, ended up getting a 1989 ZXR 250 (4 stroke), man that bike was the bomb! took a bit of getting use to though, it revved out to 19,000 revs. looked good and most people thought it was a 400 because it looked pretty big.

I have no complaints about it at all, i loved it, once you had it on the boil it was pretty fast, and sounded amazing.

i gave it to my wife but she didnt like the riding position so we sold it.

brought it for 6000 about 2 years ago and traded it in for 3200 in chch when we were down there in March.

i did about 10,000 kms on it, not a problem.

Whatever you buy you will have exciting times ahead of you dude.

**aff-man** · 1st September 2004, 14:17

Oh and make sure they check the charging system on any honda. They are all pretty pants and have a tendancy to go poof now and again.

**Zapf** · 2nd September 2004, 01:08

ermm.. not much padding to sit on on that CBR250RR. Might get a bit raw on a long ride....

**k14** · 2nd September 2004, 08:58

Yeah, not much padding but I have ridden for over 6 hours in one day and still felt alright. Only get a sore lower back now. Arse just goes numb after a while.

**Mr Skid** · 2nd September 2004, 09:40

Originally Posted by k14

Arse just goes numb after a while.

Yeah I've found that too, hanging off the side in corners helps me a bit. I'm used to 50km jaunts on a narrow bicycle seat, so in comparison the CBR could be a goldwing!

I also expect you'll find out quite early in your first test ride that the height of the clip ons puts some weight on your wrists.

I've got used to it, but sometimes on a longish trip I'll bring my knees up, and rest my elbows on my knees, and my chest on the tank. It'll put some weight on your knees but unloads your wrists and back.

See what works for you.