Honda Hornet or VTR 250

**wezo** · 27th June 2007, 11:07

My search for a great naked 250 has come down to either a Hornet or a VTR. How come a 2003 VTR costs the same as a 97 Hornet? I basically have a choice of two bikes, both real low K's and mint. I'm considering selling after 6 months so want to get a good resale. The VTR prices on Trademe seem to be quite spread btwn 4-6K for a good bike. The older hornets less spread btwn approx 5-6.
I like the idea of the hornet being a 'bigger' looking 250 than the VTR, but i like the V Twin of the VTR. I realise these are two differnet bikes in terms of engine type. Am i daft to pay the same amount of money for an older Hornet in mint cond? Your opions biased and impartial, are welcome.

**vifferman** · 27th June 2007, 11:33

Being 250s, both should retain their value, so in the final analysis, it's up to you: which one would you enjoy more? The Hornet is probably a bit faster (once you wind the rubber band up), but the VTR may be more flickable.
If it was me, I'd go for the VTR, being newer, less complicated (for maintenance and stuff) and kewler, but then I like V-engined bikes, so I'm biased.

**Scooby Mike** · 27th June 2007, 11:48

I'm afraid I can't really comment on the VTR as I've only ridden one for about 5 minutes and that was my first 5 minutes ever on a bike after my basic handling skills course, However I did go out and buy a 250 Hornet which I'm more than happy with. It feels a lot bigger than the other 250's that I sat on and just feels right for me (at the moment)

People always tend to think it's a bigger bike than it actually is and can't believe it's just a 250. It also suits me down to the ground as I'm quite a big bloke (6 foot 2 and 100kgs) and didn't fancy looking silly on a small bike.

I'm in Wellington as well so if you want to have a look round the Hornet just give me a shout. Mine is a 2005 bike.

**gijoe1313** · 27th June 2007, 11:58

Welcome to the swarm! Glad to hear you got yourself a purty little ol'Hornet! You'll have bags of fun riding around on it and also having fun trying to customise things on it ...

Glad to hear that you did the old sit test and realise which bike "spoke" out to you! Piccies please!

And oh yeah, if you need any advice, help or queries, drop me a PM! And as fer your question why the 97 is still the same price as a 03 ... it's cause in this insane world of two-fiddies, the little ol'Hornet is still a top performer for beginners to begin their magical journey on two wheels of freedom!

**Krayy** · 27th June 2007, 14:59

Ah, the great debate continues......

I rode both bikes and debated hotly which one would be better. For equal years, the Hornet was another 1500-2000 dearer, but the main consideration was as to how they rode, which essentially mirrors the V-Twin/Inline 4 debate, which I'll summarise for you.

V-twins are all about torque. You can be almost idling in a high-ish gear, wind it on and it'll pull away quite happily. The power delivery is very linear, which means that it's fairly constant, so when the throttles open you know what's coming up. I like it in the fact that I can go around town in 3rd and it will go from 30km/h to 100 in that gear. It'll top out around 140, but thats enough to lose your license anyways.

An IL4 is all about top end power and requires a different riding style. The power delivery only comes in at the top 1/3rd of the rev range and so you need to ensure that your gear selection keeps it "on the boil". Lots of gear changes. For a learner this can be a bit tricky, as many of them don't like to rev a bike too hard, but that's what the thing was designed for, so gang away. The other thing here is that when under hard acceleration, you'll start off with a good bit of power, then after the revs have built, you get a rush of power up to the redline. The Hornet will go north of 160, which is good pose value.

As most of my riding was going to be commuting with the occasional weekend fang, I opted for the VTR, but on the fangs, it can keep a good pace on all day and is a sublime cornerer. Lots of peg scraping to be had on the loop.

Figure out what kind of riding you want to do and go for it.

**gunnyrob** · 27th June 2007, 17:32

Having ridden Krayys VTR, I can vouch for the torquey little honda. A very good easy to ride 250, ideal for learning on. Top end speed isn't such a biggie for a learner, get the basics right, then step up to a bigger bike for speed fixes.

**Marknz** · 27th June 2007, 17:49

Go with the VTR, great little bikes.

**bounce** · 27th June 2007, 18:07

Well I was going to say that mine is the only one on trademe going in the 4k range, but another one has just come up. even copied all my wording for the ad

Anyways, drop me a PM if you want to check it out. Most 250's will resell pretty well, especially come summer so you should be right with either hornet or bandit.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=105941317

**McJim** · 27th June 2007, 18:20

The VTR is more economic - but not as much power or top speed (these kinda go hand in hand) the early delivery of torque makes the VTR easier to get through twisties.

You need to ride them both and decide for yourself though.

I had a VTR250 and used to ride with gijoe1313 while he was on his Hornet 250 - he'll tell you what the difference was like going uphill!

**wezo** · 27th June 2007, 19:38

Thanks for your wisdom fellas. I've heeded your advice (sorry gijoe) and bought a blue 04 VTR listed on Trademe today for a good price. Has aftermarket pipes and a few other goodies. Is delivered next week. I must say this site, particulalry the forums has been essential for me for research and advice. What a great community.

**McJim** · 27th June 2007, 19:43

Originally Posted by wezo

Thanks for your wisdom fellas. I've heeded your advice (sorry gijoe) and bought a blue 04 VTR listed on Trademe today for a good price. Has aftermarket pipes and a few other goodies. Is delivered next week. I must say this site, particulalry the forums has been essential for me for research and advice. What a great community.

Yeah - I found KiwiBiker while searching for info on 250cc bikes. I read loadsa threads on the subject and settled on the VTR250 as being the best all round 250 for my money - not the slowest, not the heaviest, not the oldest...etc.

Spent a long time lurking and learning.

Good stuff - enjoy yer bike.

**LardEmbargo** · 27th June 2007, 20:23

Originally Posted by wezo

I've heeded your advice (sorry gijoe) and bought a blue 04 VTR listed on Trademe today for a good price.

hey well done - not that I'm biased or anything :) I think either would've been a good choice anyway. Hope that you went with the one that felt best to you, even taking helpful advice into account though.

Originally Posted by wezo

I must say this site, particulalry the forums has been essential for me for research and advice. What a great community.

yeah it was for me when I was shopping too - honestly started out so much of a n00b that didn't even know what it was I didn't know.

Not suggesting that all that much has changed in the meantime either.

Anyway, stay safe and hope to see you around and about. I guess I probably need to get my own arse out on my bike for that to happen, but you never know :)

**Sidewinder** · 30th June 2007, 06:57

Originally Posted by wezo

My search for a great naked 250 has come down to either a Hornet or a VTR. How come a 2003 VTR costs the same as a 97 Hornet? I basically have a choice of two bikes, both real low K's and mint. I'm considering selling after 6 months so want to get a good resale. The VTR prices on Trademe seem to be quite spread btwn 4-6K for a good bike. The older hornets less spread btwn approx 5-6.
I like the idea of the hornet being a 'bigger' looking 250 than the VTR, but i like the V Twin of the VTR. I realise these are two differnet bikes in terms of engine type. Am i daft to pay the same amount of money for an older Hornet in mint cond? Your opions biased and impartial, are welcome.

go the VTR, being a V-tiwn it will last longer and i like mine more than a 250 inline 4. the4 takes to long to get any power because you have to go thru all the rev before you get to it, unlike the v-tiwn which you get power from the start which helps on a powerless 250 bike.

**fozz rock** · 30th June 2007, 10:58

VTR! VTR! VTR! VTR!

**gijoe1313** · 30th June 2007, 13:20

Good to hear you made a decision! Going with the VTR would have saved you $$$'s for good gears! That's okay, it seems that the 250 Hornet is appreciating in price!?

$6500 at dealers now! Mad!

I've just got back from Cyclespot/Atomic Wreckers/Motomail after helping Sleepr with his gears and

over his minter Hornet (2290km....egads!)

Good to hear everyone is finding their ride of choice!