Honda VTR250 - manufacturing history

[LardEmbargo]

that's great news, well done hope you manage to come up with a good bike-share scheme, maybe see you out on the road.

[davebullet]

that's great news, well done hope you manage to come up with a good bike-share scheme, maybe see you out on the road.

She works 3 days a week, I will probably take it the other 2?

Maybe we will. I'm a wgtn biker. You'll know me on the road.... I'll be the one with the big L sticker, the wobbles, brand new gear and a bit clueless

[shingo]

Does anyone know anything about the VTR250F? Is this even real?

http://issuu.com/motorcyclenews/docs/mcnsampler060808

Check out page 6-7

Change the exhaust back to the same style the current vtr's a have they'd have a nice looking bike, would definitely be my preference over the current new 250's available.

Will be interesting to see if it makes it over here and how much they would cost. If they could match the price of the new ninja then they should sell quite well.

[davebullet]

The new F is also fuel injected according to that article. Max HP is the same at 32PS. Maybe more torque or better spread?

The headlight setup has changed too... wonder if the F has dual lamps?

I prefer the old model looking exhaust too.

Regarding price - well the 2007's RRP was $8k. Since the Ninja is $7k - I can't see the new VTR matchingn that price, and maybe I'm a snob, but a japanese assembled bike should cost you more than a bike made in thailand. I don't know where past ninjas were made. All I know is that an old VTR can stil scrub up like new = quality for that range in the market.

David.

[NordieBoy]

What's the redline on the modern VT's?

[davebullet]

What's the redline on the modern VT's?

for the 2007 - 11,500. Max power = 32PS @ 10,500rpm and max torque 2.4kgm @ 8,500rpm

[megaphat]

I'm not surprised honda is having trouble moving the VTR. Its an ancient design, so there are 2nd, 3rd, 4th hand models everywhere
Its more expensive than the fully faired and much hotter looking ninja 250r.

Here in australia, its about 1.5g more expensive. For what... honda's build quality and excessive amounts of extreme blandness?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the fully faired CBR125R is very successful. Most learners I've met are obsessed with appearance, so if a learner bike looks butt ugly like the VTR, it ain't gonna sell.

Perhaps honda should do what suzuki did with their LAMS approved GS500F. Bring out a faired model.

[NordieBoy]

for the 2007 - 11,500. Max power = 32PS @ 10,500rpm and max torque 2.4kgm @ 8,500rpm

They've pulled the revs back a bit then.
My old VT250F Integra redlined at 13500.

The newer ones would probably have a bit more power and torque though.

[davebullet]

I'm not surprised honda is having trouble moving the VTR. Its an ancient design, so there are 2nd, 3rd, 4th hand models everywhere
Its more expensive than the fully faired and much hotter looking ninja 250r.

Here in australia, its about 1.5g more expensive. For what... honda's build quality and excessive amounts of extreme blandness?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the fully faired CBR125R is very successful. Most learners I've met are obsessed with appearance, so if a learner bike looks butt ugly like the VTR, it ain't gonna sell.

Perhaps honda should do what suzuki did with their LAMS approved GS500F. Bring out a faired model.

I suppose Honda does have a gap in the market... I'm not a Honda fan (although my garage is completely Honda - by coincidence). The Ninja does look great too. I tossed up between the two. It came down to chosing a $6k 2007 VTR250 or $7k Ninja. I intend to keep the 250 for a while. The build quality as you noted of the Honda is proven. Experienced riders recommended to me the VTR for learning. The ride feels great as a learner (very forgiving) so given that it meets my purpose well.

Personal preferences will always mean some people prefer sports or cruisers, faired or naked etc...

[meatface]

I spoke to a honda dealer the other day and he said that NZ would definitely be getting the new VTR250F.

Also upon closer inspection of that photo i reckon their might be a change in the dash? One looks round and one looks square, almost like the pre 2004 ones. Maybe a digital display of some kind?

[xwhatsit]

I spoke to a honda dealer the other day and he said that NZ would definitely be getting the new VTR250F.

Also upon closer inspection of that photo i reckon their might be a change in the dash? One looks round and one looks square, almost like the pre 2004 ones. Maybe a digital display of some kind?

That article was from MCN, so that `spy photo' is in reality an appalling photoshop of several different bikes spread out over 10 years. Don't put too much stock in what it'll look like.

[merv]

Well you bought the VTR. Good on ya mate, so you're away now. Enjoy the ride.

p.s. if its true I like the sound of the watercooled XR250 shown in that MCN link.

[davebullet]

Still waiting on gear before I ride it. It's been in the garage 10 days without being ridden! Well - I promised myself - no gear = no ride. Just helmet and gloves left to purchase (I have an old helmet, but not one I'd trust my head in), then I'll ease myself in with some low speed, daylight and nice weather runs.... can't wait!

[Grant81]

Hi, anyone fimular with the difference between the 2 bikes ? Spade has a rev counter & motors look the same, Im thinking of buying a 89 spade. Thanks

[LardEmbargo]

well, afaik the Spada's a 250cc vtwin same as the newer VTR, just older. They seem to be imported from Japan having been made for only a couple of years in like 1988 or 1989. I've seen VTRs listed as early as 1997, not sure what happened inbetween.

The Spada's got a sort of alu frame that says like CASTEC or something on, which I guess means it might be a bit lighter than otherwise and makes it look a bit distinctive if that's your thing. They're supposed to be more powerful than the VTR turned out to be as well. Although it's still a 250, after all.

Riding position's probably a bit different, got some clip on bar thingys too.

The only thing you might wanna watch out for, is the absolute newest one you could find is going to be like 20 years old. That's a lot of opportunities for being pre-farked, worn out or just generally having its tits thrashed off by clueless noobs (cough). Parts might be hard to come by.

Give one a go, see what you think anyway. It's not exactly a sprots bike but you could still prak your Spade in teh gargre.