Hornet 250, Zeal or VTR250

[Krayy]

Hi Guys (and the occaisional Gal),

I'm about to get back on a proper bike for the first time in 12 years (I've been on a Bug Bandit scooter for last 1) and I've test driven these bikes but need a third/fourth opinion. I'm a fairly big unit @ 110kgs, but hope to lose it soonish, so power to weight will increase a bit over time. The question that I have is since I will be coimmuting with the occasional rip, will I get bored with the VTR even though its easier to ride in traffic, or do I just spring for the Hornet and suck the clutch riding on the way to work, but still have enough juice to put a smile on th dial at the weekends?

Anyone have experience with longer trips on a VTR or Hornet to give me an idea of what to expect, like vibration numbness while cruising at 100kph (+ a little bit) at 10k rpm?

Ta.

[FROSTY:Me]

all good calls . I would think that the v twins low down power will be better for a person of um larger stature.I think the fours might be less zippy off the line

[Devil]

all good calls . I would think that the v twins low down power will be better for a person of um larger stature.I think the fours might be less zippy off the line

Yep. Being close to 90kg's myself I do notice it. I have to wait a bit till she picks up, its either that or give the clutch a hiding which im not keen on doing. (Oh and this is for a Kawasaki ZR250)

[Hitcher]

Get the Zeal.

[Ms Piggy]

I can't give you bike advice as I've been riding less that a nyear myself byt, welcome along to KBs, you've come to the right place for advice, there are are some onto it guys & gals here. :spudwave:

[Blakamin]

Get the Zeal.

What Hitcher said :cool2:

Welcome

[bungbung]

I weight more than you, and had a ZXR250 (read wring its neck to get moving).

Having ridden a variety of 250's, singles twins and fours I would plump for the VTR myself.

Especially if your commute is a stop/start affair.

[Mr Skid]

Go for the v-twin. Most 250cc In line 4's are pretty highly tuned beasts, and I find the clutch slipping required for stop start stuff tends to cook the engine.

Unless you get a 2 stroke 250 (rgv 250,nsr250, rs250) you will probably get bored with a 250 anyway, but something like the rgv 250 will be even worse to ride in traffic, so you can't win.

Maybe consider a bicycle for commuting also if you want to loose weight. I went from 110kg to 85kg over a year and a half or so of cycling.

[marty]

i'd be picking the VTR. the only thing that would put me off is the physical size - the engine is sweet enough though.

if you can stretch it - get an Aprilia RS250

[Krayy]

Thanks for the feedback you guys. I am definitely falling on the side of the VTR (sorry Hitcher, BTW do you have an import license for Zeals?), but I have one more question.....during the test ride I felt like I was being buffeted around quite a bit down the motorway, more so than the Hornet. It may have had something to do with the 30kph crosswinds we've got today in Auckland, but is this normal for a VTR or any naked bike for that matter?

Otherwise, it was v.good. I thought the 5 speed box would have been a big disadvantage, but it pulls real well and a fairly lazy ride compared to the Hornet. Anyone done long distance on a VTR and how does it stack up?

On that "C'mon, you know you want to answer the mans 20 questions" thought, thanks again.

[Hitcher]

sorry Hitcher, BTW do you have an import license for Zeals

Not an import licence, rather a strong fondness. I did 16,500km on one during the nine months I was on my learners and restricted licence. It never missed a beat and was absolutely shit hot fun to ride (although it did have some limitations, to be expected with a 250).

[Marknz]

I'd recommend the VTR. I did the trip from Canberra to Phillip Island and back in 2001 for the GP and it was no problem at all. I was packing 100kgs then and also had a full tankbag, full Ventura pack, tent and sleeping bag hooked on, it never missed a beat. Relaxed riding position too so you shouldn't have any problems.

Good luck!

[erik]

I haven't tried the two other bikes, I've got a zeal and am pretty happy with it. Only problem is parts usually have to be genuine yamaha ones and take three weeks to get here from Japan. And on my particular one the suspension is a bit soft (I'm about 95kg). Oh and the pegs scrape a bit easily on corners, but that might be because of my weight and the soft suspension.

I still like it though

[riffer]

Check this one out Krayy:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-16012697.htm

[2_SL0]

Krayy, your in the same position as me. I to am swinging towards the VTR 250, I looked at the FZR and ZXR CBR options, but none of them captivated me. The CBR is the nicest but has the most unfriendy price tag for a tidy one. I feel the Hornet is a great bike, BUT to find a tidy one at a reasonable price is hard. I am working more to the plan that what ever I buy I will be moving on from in the next 12-18 months. So is there much point in paying out for a more expensive 250 that really isnt going to serve me any better than a cheaper bike. I get the impression from people here that the VTR is a really fun bike to ride. I do worry a little about the lack of top end that I have read about, but then you have to think what are people that say this comparing with? The wind buffeting is also a question I had, but again I dont plan on doing 200kmh. As someone poiinted out to me pretty much all the 250s will likely suffer with some form of this. I had settled on either a Bandit or VTR. I was put off the Bandit slightly by the fact that some one told me they are gutless. (Not sure on this, if someone could explain). But I plan to test ride both in the weekend. To me it sound like the VTR has a reasonable suspension and is a forgiving, torquey bike to ride. The pricing of them seems not to bad, Im hoping to buy one for approx 4000-5000.