In the market for a FAST 250!

**The_Ego** · 23rd January 2005, 20:12

Hey people!

I used to have a Kawasaki ZZR250 years ago which I sold before ever getting my M/C licence. Now I'm in the market once more for a 250cc road bike. I was quite keen on the 2 strokes, Honda NSR250 or Suzuki RGV250 cause they look mint and are FAST! But now I'm thinking of getting a 4 stroke because a few people have told me that 2 strokes have expensive maintanence/reliability issues. So I'm looking at maybe a Kawasaki ZXR250 or Honda CBR250 or Yamaha FZR250 or something. I want a fast bike cause I like speed

and it has to be tidy and reliable bike so probably low kms. I only want to be paying for the usual maintanence and not for expensive repairs and I'd like to think I'd get a reasonable resale price when I upgrade after I get my full licence. I've been looking on www.trademe.co.nz where there looks to be some nice NSR's, ZXR's, and CBR's and I was thinking of spending $4K but I think I may need to spend more if I want a tidy and reliable bike. Especially if I buy from a dealer instead of private. What bikes would you recommend and why? With these road/race type bikes I notice they have small/thin seats. I imagine they're quite hard and uncomfortable on longish (30mins+) trips? Are there any issues having a custom made seat made with a bit more padding? Like would it play up with front/rear weight ballance, centre of gravity, braking and handling? Can anyone recommend an honest bike shop to give me a good deal in Auckland?

Advice/knowledge appreciated!

Cheers

**riffer** · 23rd January 2005, 20:26

Originally Posted by The_Ego

But now I'm thinking of getting a 4 stroke because a few people have told me that 2 strokes have expensive maintanence/reliability issues. So I'm looking at maybe a Kawasaki ZXR250 or Honda CBR250 or Yamaha FZR250 or something.

Good idea.

Originally Posted by The_Ego

I want a fast bike cause I like speed

and it has to be tidy and reliable bike so probably low kms. I only want to be paying for the usual maintanence and not for expensive repairs and I'd like to think I'd get a reasonable resale price when I upgrade after I get my full licence.

In that case your absolute best bet is to find someone who imports them straight from Japan. Get one before its been ridden in New Zealand. Every other bugger in NZ who buys these bikes wants to thrash them as much as they can, then flick them off when they buy a 400 or 600. For that reason alone I would personally stay away from bike that have had a few owners in NZ. However you can get some good ones if you look.

Originally Posted by The_Ego

I've been looking on www.trademe.co.nz where there looks to be some nice NSR's, ZXR's, and CBR's and I was thinking of spending $4K but I think I may need to spend more if I want a tidy and reliable bike. Especially if I buy from a dealer instead of private.

You may not necessarily get a better bike from a dealer. But you may get a better warranty.

Originally Posted by The_Ego

What bikes would you recommend and why? With these road/race type bikes I notice they have small/thin seats. I imagine they're quite hard and uncomfortable on longish (30mins+) trips? Are there any issues having a custom made seat made with a bit more padding? Like would it play up with front/rear weight ballance, centre of gravity, braking and handling?

ZXR, FZR, CBR are all goood starter fast bikes. However, you should also consider the VTR250, the FZX250 and even the GSX250, which although not sports bikes are very good nonetheless.

Chances are, you will either bin it or want to trade up faster than you originally thought, so don't throw a heap of money at a 250.

You would be better off learning your craft on a bike you're not scared to slide down the road, and use some of that money on something to wear.

**StoneChucker** · 23rd January 2005, 20:41

I bought a '87 CBR250 from Laglands Motorcycles in Masterton. Cost me $4000. Looked absolutely mint, and went really really well. I'm a solid guy, and it carried me easily to 165km/h (Faster on a long straight, downhill or especially if someone lighter rode it). Didn't cost me much maintanance, apart from one major service, on my own whim, not by necessity.

Sold it as a trade in to a dealer for $3000, dealer then sold it for $4000.
Seat was fine for long rides (3-4 hours), it did become a little sore after that. (infact, my current bike is more comfortable!).

I've tried the GSX250's. They are nice bikes, but I didn't get as much of a sporty feel as I did from the CBR. As for the other types, I can't say. I'd reccomend you look around a few dealers first (at least 3). They can almost always be heckled down a bit, and you can finance it. Stick on an extended warranty for good measure and you'lll be set. I'd hate you to be stuck with a lemon off trade-me (however, if you know your stuff, you'll get a better bike/price off trade-me).

Keep us informed.
Dave.

**Velox** · 23rd January 2005, 23:33

You gotta go for the mighty Jade 250 mate!

heh heh. Unfortunately though they're either out of production (sorry - "limited edition") or not imported into NZ so you might have to settle for the CBR which is second best!
I got my seat 'customised'/redone-cheaply-and-therefore-lumpy-and-ugly and it's fine comfort and handling wise (although I don't think you could ever really affect the handling too much with the seat unless you got some really slippery covering and were sliding around on it all the time).

**The_Ego** · 24th January 2005, 00:30

Hey guys cheers.

Celtic you raise some good points, especially about learning the craft on a bike I don't mind skidding down the road on!

Though I did actually ride my ZZR250 around for a few years every other weekend (without a licence). Rode around locally but also from Auckland to Bay Park and Auckland to the Pearoa Street Race. So I can ride, I wouldn't say I was great, but capable, I was chasing my old man on his highly modified J1000LTD. So I was riding quite fast, the ZZR had a high top end, I believe it was the fastest 250 of it's day, something like 240kph. I had had it doing 185 passing a truck. Actually I think I'm lucky to be alive thinking back...

Anyway...

Check out these bikes... I love the ZXR but that GSX is a good price for a near new bike... Hmmmmm.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/a...sp?id=21256794

http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/a...sp?id=21424970

http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/a...sp?id=21458143

http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/a...sp?id=21036654

**aff-man** · 24th January 2005, 07:03

Zxr250's are awsome and they have the one of the best resale values as well as the cbr. The links you just posted well the first one the guy wants way to much for it in that condition. The second could be dodgy . The third is gutless if you looking for a faster 250. And the 4th is a 2-smoke so it will be quick but be prepared to fork out major dosh for maintainance. How fast you want to go exactley

Moral of the story best 250's are the zxr/cbr. Abot 5-6k in a bike shop. Quick and handel great..... If you buying private. Make sure you get a pre-purchace check done and check the compression.

**inlinefour** · 24th January 2005, 07:32

not the new type. I'm looking for a RD250LC as I remember owning one, what it could do and all the fun I had on it.

**riffer** · 24th January 2005, 08:13

Originally Posted by The_Ego

The ZZR had a high top end, I believe it was the fastest 250 of it's day, something like 240kph.

Most unlikely my good man.

Try 180km/hr restricted, 200 km/hr unrestricted. I think even an Aprilia RS250 might struggle to hit 240 but I could be wrong.

FWIW, My FZR750R (unrestricted) has over 100 HP at the back tyre and makes it to just under 250 km/hr indicated, which would be in reality about 230. Of course it gets there a bit quicker than a 250.

**R6_kid:Me** · 24th January 2005, 11:20

if you dont mind doing some work, or possibly having a streetfighter then there is/was an FZR250 at action bikewreckers on the shore. he wanted $1200 for it, only needs a little attention and new rego etc... i think it was an early 90s model...

**Coyote** · 24th January 2005, 11:41

Originally Posted by celticno6

You would be better off learning your craft on a bike you're not scared to slide down the road, and use some of that money on something to wear.

Damn right. This is the problem I'm facing with the CBR

**SPORK** · 24th January 2005, 11:50

Ok, so importing...

How much would it cost to import, say a Honda Hornet 250, or an XR250R? I've pretty mcuh shortlisted these ones because I can chuck then down the road and there is no fairings to replace, and speed isn't what I really desire.

**Coyote** · 24th January 2005, 11:58

Originally Posted by aff-man

Zxr250's are awsome and they have the one of the best resale values as well as the cbr.

But be warned. When I was searching for my 250, I was hearing constant rumours of the 250 rule changing most likely to 400. We phoned the ltsa and they said they're planning to take it to the government, but it's likely to be put on the back burner cause of elections. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is if the law does change to 400, 250 resale prices will fall. My CBR was 5500, and when I come to sell it, I could get away with 5500, when/if the law changes, I’d be expecting 3000 for it.

Even with this over my head, I got the CBR, and I'm very pleased with it

**Coyote** · 24th January 2005, 12:01

Originally Posted by Cryhavoc

Ok, so importing...

How much would it cost to import, say a Honda Hornet 250, or an XR250R? I've pretty mcuh shortlisted these ones because I can chuck then down the road and there is no fairings to replace, and speed isn't what I really desire.

You want the Hornet so you can modify it aswell. Thats all well and good but if you are struggling to get the money to buy the bike in the first place, I wouldn't get worked up about modifying it.

Get a GN250

**marty** · 24th January 2005, 13:30

Originally Posted by celticno6

Most unlikely my good man.

Try 180km/hr restricted, 200 km/hr unrestricted. I think even an Aprilia RS250 might struggle to hit 240 but I could be wrong.

FWIW, My FZR750R (unrestricted) has over 100 HP at the back tyre and makes it to just under 250 km/hr indicated, which would be in reality about 230. Of course it gets there a bit quicker than a 250.

i had a stock 2001 RS250. it was good for 210k. i spent a grand on induction and exhaust and got 225k, but that was lying on the tank tapped out.

it seems ridiculous that my TL will do that with ease.....if you've got your full, but don't want a litre bike, i'd be hunting the 600's - they are the same price as a 250, but so much more capable. don't go the 400 way, unless it's an NC30

**aff-man** · 24th January 2005, 13:55

Originally Posted by alarumba

But be warned. When I was searching for my 250, I was hearing constant rumours of the 250 rule changing most likely to 400. We phoned the ltsa and they said they're planning to take it to the government, but it's likely to be put on the back burner cause of elections. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is if the law does change to 400, 250 resale prices will fall. My CBR was 5500, and when I come to sell it, I could get away with 5500, when/if the law changes, I’d be expecting 3000 for it.

Even with this over my head, I got the CBR, and I'm very pleased with it

With the current stance towards speed i don't think the gov-bum-ment will be wanting to put nOOb's on bigger bikes do you???