Ninja 250R vs Hyosung GT250R

[Rych]

Hey everyone, I'm planning to purchase my first bike in about two months and currently looking around at different options. I originally was looking at the older models such as CBR250RR's and ZXR250's as they had more power and I had a ride around on my mates CBR and it was a blast. But I think I'd prefer something new and know where its been.

I'm sure these two bikes have been compared before but I was wondering what the pro's and con's are of the two, I keep hearing so many different things I don't know what to choose. (Ninja 250R / Hyosung GT250R)

Cheers, Rich.

[Leaf]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=66124

A thread discussing that very comparison.

shorted summary possible: both decent if unspectacular. Sit on/test ride both to see which suits. Cant really go far wrong with either of them

[James Deuce]

Duuuuuuuuuuude.

There's been about 15 threads started on this very subject in the last 6 months.

The search thingy does work.

I'll distill the arguments for you. There are basically two sides to the equation.

1. A huge bunch of guys who've been riding for about 3 minutes will insist that the Ninja is a four cylinder engine of 7000 hp. It's not. It's a parallel twin that has been developed by Kawasaki into a robust and reliable power plant that will be faster than anything you've ridden.

2. An equally ill-informed crowd of lads who've ridden bikes for about 2 minutes will insist that the Ninja is shitty and "old skool". It's not. If you want new, price and finish are pretty spectacular, especially the black ones.

3. Everyone will call the Hyosung "shit". They're not. Sure, bits of it are a bit cheesy, but overall, it's vastly better put together than something I would have been riding in my 250 phase like my long missed Rg250. Sure I had more power, but the Hyosung is masses of fun in the twisties and doesn't need an engine rebuild every 20,000kms.

4. The Kwaka doesn't put out 45HP. The Hyosung doesn't put out 35HP. I'm picking mid-30s for the Kwaka and early 30s for the Hyosung. I've ridden both.

5. Check my signature out. Yes, I am that grumpy.

6. Welcome to KB. The search engine is your friend.

[Rych]

Hey cheers for the replies, yea I did try the search and didn't find what I was looking for..

[JayRenner]

I know nothing about the Kawasaki.
I have a Hysoung 250GT (naked lower reving version)
It's got enough Omph for me atm. It does rev bit high at 110km thout (8-9k) redlines at 11k the 250GTR revs higher though.
My main complement for the my Hyosung is that it is hard to stall (I still manage to) as it's got a good bit at the bottom end. (I have nothignt o compare this too though)
That and it's pretty big so looks ok and good for tall people

[placidfemme]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=66124

A thread discussing that very comparison.

shorted summary possible: both decent if unspectacular. Sit on/test ride both to see which suits. Cant really go far wrong with either of them

The best response yet. Both are equally as good. It really just comes down to personal preference.

You' ve ridden a mates CBR so I assume you at least have your learners, take them both out for a test ride and then make up your mind, afterall its how YOU feel about it, not how everyone else felt.

[Roki_nz]

Hey everyone, I'm planning to purchase my first bike in about two months and currently looking around at different options. I originally was looking at the older models such as CBR250RR's and ZXR250's as they had more power and I had a ride around on my mates CBR and it was a blast. But I think I'd prefer something new and know where its been.

I'm sure these two bikes have been compared before but I was wondering what the pro's and con's are of the two, I keep hearing so many different things I don't know what to choose. (Ninja 250R / Hyosung GT250R)

Cheers, Rich.

Starting a thread like this is like opening a can of worms

[CB ARGH]

Starting a thread like this is like opening a can of worms

Add a bit of sauce and wewt! Spaghetti!

I've got myself set on a CBR250 MC22. Their beautiful machines, parts are vastly available, and they'll definately be a head turner.

Not sure about the Kawa. But the Hyosung always has a bad thing about it. If you ask about the Hyo at a store, the guy will usually (all people I asked did the very same thing actually) go... "well.... it's alright... sold a few in the past... yeah".

I wouldn't recommend one, but I wouldn't tell someone to steer away from it. Their beautiful pieces of machinery, but sluggish (from what I have been told - no personal experience here) in power, they weigh a tonne, so power to weight ratio doesn't sound too good. Steel frame, dude, it's a thing of the past.

I think you should keep that dream on the wall in poster format... and get a bike that has a bit more background to it, rather than Hyosung...

who used to manufacture sewing machines

[avgas]

Buy a GSXR1000 K10, heaps of horsepower, really light - perfect for learners really

[James Deuce]

Add a bit of sauce and wewt! Spaghetti!

I've got myself set on a CBR250 MC22. Their beautiful machines, parts are vastly available, and they'll definately be a head turner.

Not sure about the Kawa. But the Hyosung always has a bad thing about it. If you ask about the Hyo at a store, the guy will usually (all people I asked did the very same thing actually) go... "well.... it's alright... sold a few in the past... yeah".

I wouldn't recommend one, but I wouldn't tell someone to steer away from it. Their beautiful pieces of machinery, but sluggish (from what I have been told - no personal experience here) in power, they weigh a tonne, so power to weight ratio doesn't sound too good. Steel frame, dude, it's a thing of the past.

I think you should keep that dream on the wall in poster format... and get a bike that has a bit more background to it, rather than Hyosung...

who used to manufacture sewing machines

Hyosung have been manufacturing engines for Suzuki for 30 years. Korean Industry builds the majority of the world's large vessel shipping fleet. There's nothing wrong with a Hyosung. Any of the small issues that people bitch about can be fixed and you'd still have plenty of change from GT or GTR compared to a VTR250.

If you haven't ridden and spent a bit of time with the product you have no room to comment. The very best thing about them is they aren't built for midgets. That is meaningful in a place like NZ.

Good luck finding a CBR250 in reasonable nick. 250 owners are brutal and the newest CBR is still more than 10 years old. I've seen one second hand ZXR250 of all the 250cc bikes I've been asked to look at for people that was well looked after. If you do buy a seriously over priced CBR make sure you get it checked out by someone with some idea of what the are looking at. The endless list of woe about seized brake calipers, worn valves & guides, rusty chains, hooked tooth sprockets and suspension with no damping is really getting old.

It usually starts with a, "My bike is making a funny noise" thread, "Moves to a "Cylinder 3 has no compression and the mechanic says I should rebuild the engine and gearbox and I paid $7k for this PoS" thread, and ends up a "*Insert dealer here* ripped me off, they suck" thread.

Buy new.

Don't buy second hand. Even after six months, all those people who reckon they have mastered their GN250 literally have no idea of just what a well maintained and ridden GN is capable of. Learning how to ride a motorcycle has nothing to do with the bike you are riding and everything to do with staying alive liong enough to get a clue. Old bikes = hidden costs.

New you get a warranty. You have four choices at the moment at the "expensive" end with Honda, Hyosung, and Kawasaki and and a couple of Good Uns like the Yamaha Scorpio at the cheaper end of the spectrum. A DR-Z or KLX 250 with two sets of wheels (road & off road) is an even better bet for the average, non-vertically challenged learner. You'll learn a lot more about riding and yourself with a bike that isn't restricted to paved roads.

If you have a limited budget you are much better off buying a new Scorpio than a tatty CBR/ZXR/GSXR and not being able to ride it because it's broken all the time.

I understand why you young uns go for the penis extension over the inexpensive and reliable transport option. I'm not dead yet. However, think very carefully about buying a second hand bike with 13 or 14 owners and no service history. 9/10ths of them shouldn't be on the road.

[Damantis]

Starting a thread like this is like opening a can of worms

Damn right. I had my heart set on the new ninja too but because they are selling them quicker than they can be shipped in, I was looking at a 3 week wait just for a test ride! Having test ridden 2 cbrs ( an mc19 and an mc22 ), a '90 kawa zxr, and a '08 Hyosung, I decided on the honda but made sure I got an mc22 with low k's. Have just had it serviced at boyds in Hamilton after putting 4000kms on it in less than 5 months! and is running very well. You need to think about how long you intend to keep your first bike too. Buying a fully faired brand new bike is gonna piss you off royally when you drop it . . . and you WILL drop it, more than likely more than twice!
I found the Hyo a bit clunky and sluggish but was easy enough to handle and you gotta admit its a nice looking bike. I thought the riding position was a bit too agressive on the zxr but was fun tho.
As many will tell you, you just gotta take a few bikes for a blat and see wot floats your boat

[CookMySock]

The very best thing about them[ the GT250R] is they aren't built for midgets.

this is true, but the shawty-ass girls look awesome on them.


DB

[Jez]

this is true, but the shawty-ass girls look awesome on them.


DB

girls in general look damned hawt on bikes!!!

[Ryan432]

Don't buy second hand. Even after six months, all those people who reckon they have mastered their GN250 literally have no idea of just what a well maintained and ridden GN is capable of. Learning how to ride a motorcycle has nothing to do with the bike you are riding and everything to do with staying alive liong enough to get a clue. Old bikes = hidden costs.

I understand why you young uns go for the penis extension over the inexpensive and reliable transport option. I'm not dead yet. However, think very carefully about buying a second hand bike with 13 or 14 owners and no service history. 9/10ths of them shouldn't be on the road.

you are channeling my exact thoughts!! GN250 is the perfect learner bike get that! its cheap and reliable and you can have a blast on it, don't let anyone tell you that other bike will have better handling, more power etc etc because that makes no difference to you, you will be able to take your GN onraod, offroad and basically anywhere you want! and it won't cost you alot of money so when you get your full you will have money for a bigger bike!!

[NOMIS]

It usually starts with a, "My bike is making a funny noise" thread, "Moves to a "Cylinder 3 has no compression and the mechanic says I should rebuild the engine and gearbox and I paid $7k for this PoS" thread, and ends up a "*Insert dealer here* ripped me off, they suck" thread.

Maybe for some but for all? pssh bull shit to that. nothing wrong with a second hand bike. if your not thick, yet to have any kind of problem at all with my bike.

just get a honda good luck destroying one with a lil simple maintainance