Advice on bike choice

**kave** · 8th June 2007, 20:21

It appears that my Yamaha SRX250 is being written off, so I am hopefully in the market for a new bike. I dont require anything superfast, and it will mainly be used as a daily commuter, but I would like to be able to overtake on the open road without having to struggle, so I require a minimum top speed of 150k's. Ideally I would like a bike with as few problems as possible, as I am not mechanically minded and dont have money to throw away on mechanics. I would prefer a naked bike, but am not too fussy as most nakeds seem to be out of my price range. Looking to spend not too much over 3k, any advice gratefully received.

Heres some I was looking at on trademe
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...348&key=391430
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...252&key=391430
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...986&key=391430
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...186&key=391430
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...000&key=391430

**JimO** · 9th June 2007, 08:26

how long before you can ride a bigger cc bikebecause you get way more bang for your buck over 250cc

**kave** · 9th June 2007, 11:06

Too long, about 6-7 months, and it is my only transport. I am not really keen on breaking the law, and 250's are pretty resaleable anyway, so hopefully I will get most of my money back when I do decide to upgrade.

**James Deuce** · 9th June 2007, 11:09

Look with your Heart.

Test with your Bum.

Buy with your Head.

**mark247** · 10th June 2007, 11:35

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...000&key=391430

isnt that bike owned by 2much?

**TerminalAddict** · 10th June 2007, 12:02

yep it is

that vtr looks the bizzo

**MidnightMike** · 10th June 2007, 13:08

Id go for that vtr too, pretty cheap, low ks.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...986&key=391430

Though they didnt give much details about it.

**FROSTY:Me** · 10th June 2007, 13:26

this one
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...540533.htm?p=1

darn good bike.Although it isnt a true naked its got a lot of the advantages -tube handlebars etc etc. If you did bin it it would be VERY easy to convert it to naked

**mark247** · 10th June 2007, 16:10

Originally Posted by FROSTY

this one
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...540533.htm?p=1

darn good bike.Although it isnt a true naked its got a lot of the advantages -tube handlebars etc etc. If you did bin it it would be VERY easy to convert it to naked

Darn good bike if you like unreliable crank shafts.

**xwhatsit** · 10th June 2007, 16:33

Originally Posted by mark247

Darn good bike if you like unreliable crank shafts.

You're thinking of the 1980s VT250. This one is decidedly more modern. Xelvis, or some strange name.

**mark247** · 10th June 2007, 16:37

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

You're thinking of the 1980s VT250. This one is decidedly more modern. Xelvis, or some strange name.

Um, im talking about one like this

**FROSTY:Me** · 10th June 2007, 16:50

the later model VT's diddntseem to givethwe same issues

**Sidewinder** · 19th June 2007, 07:21

just dont buy a Hyosung and you will be ok. damb was gona say get a VTR250 but then i saw you're 3k part..... my VTR250 would go off the clock on the flats. thr guys at Boyd honda didnt beleive me till the owner and me were at the same track day and i took it off the clock on the back straight of Taupo..

**xwhatsit** · 19th June 2007, 15:33

Originally Posted by mark247

Um, im talking about one like this

Which is a different bike from the Trademe link posted. The Trademe link is a VT250FN (I think that's the model) `Xelvis', which is not the same bike as the 1980s VT250 (the photo you posted) which did indeed suffer from engine problems.

I think Frosty's right (of course he is, he's Frosty); the later VTs such as Spada, Xelvis, VTR250 et al are mostly pictures of reliability, although you'd be wise to stick to recommended camchain replacement intervals as it is a Honda.

@Sidewinder, have a read of Jim2's GT250 (GT250R?) review. Jim2 has a few brain cells to rub together and is by all accounts a pretty capable rider. Those that ride them say nothing but good things about them. They seem a little down on power (my ancient CB has just short of the power of them, yet is heaps lighter), but they are nothing to laugh at.