Honda CBR250r 2008 for a first bike?

[FinG]

I currently have an old rubbish Honda Nifty 50 that I am riding and am seriously sick of it. I am about to get my class 6 learners so I will be restricted to 250cc. I have already had a look on this forum and have seen alot of people suggesting the CB250 and GN 250 for learner bikes. I have a pretty tight budget and cannot spend more than $2000 as I will need to also get some proper gear. I would prefer to spend $1500 if possible. My mate suggested a CBR250 but it looks a bit much.

I spotted a CBR125r that is within my price range on Trademe. It has 24,945km on it but looks in pretty good condition. It is currently at $1500 with the reserve not met.

Is this bike any good for a learner? I know it is only a 125cc but is it fairly capable? I would love to get a CBR250 but it is way out of my price range and I thought this would be a good start. Is it a good deal or would I be better off saving a bit for a CBR250?

Thanks for the help

Edit: Just noticed the title is wrong. Should read CBR125r 2008

[nzspokes]

I currently have an old rubbish Honda Nifty 50 that I am riding and am seriously sick of it. I am about to get my class 6 learners so I will be restricted to 250cc. I have already had a look on this forum and have seen alot of people suggesting the CB250 and GN 250 for learner bikes. I have a pretty tight budget and cannot spend more than $2000 as I will need to also get some proper gear. I would prefer to spend $1500 if possible. My mate suggested a CBR250 but it looks a bit much.

I spotted a CBR125r that is within my price range on Trademe. It has 24,945km on it but looks in pretty good condition. It is currently at $1500 with the reserve not met.

Is this bike any good for a learner? I know it is only a 125cc but is it fairly capable? I would love to get a CBR250 but it is way out of my price range and I thought this would be a good start. Is it a good deal or would I be better off saving a bit for a CBR250?

Thanks for the help

Edit: Just noticed the title is wrong. Should read CBR125r 2008

Get a Scorpio, reliable, cheap and good resale. Or wait a few months and by my CBX.

[FinG]

The scorpio seems a tad out of my price range atm. I guess it might be worth saving for. So you are looking at selling your CBX? How much are you looking for?

I just spotted a 2007 GN250 E for sale in my area for $1350. Plus its under 4000km. Deregistered though. Is it an OK deal?

[actungbaby]

Depends what kind riding your doing if its mostley cummunting in town those modern 125cc have enough power even on
open road they do the limit easily
As for the cbr 250 good bike but you might be better of on single as there more forgiving and easy to ride
Gn are good bikes to not my cup tea looks wise prefer sports bike looks just my opiion
You will find any bike with full size wheels alot more easy to ride and alot better i used to have nh 80 scotter
Dont rush in buy first thing you see take your time i make sure u buy bike that has rego and esp wof and going
that way going save yourself alot of hassle , you want be enjoying riding your new bike not sweeting over it breaking down half the time , or getting it working and legal. oh do get insurance too
And good luck dude

I currently have an old rubbish Honda Nifty 50 that I am riding and am seriously sick of it. I am about to get my class 6 learners so I will be restricted to 250cc. I have already had a look on this forum and have seen alot of people suggesting the CB250 and GN 250 for learner bikes. I have a pretty tight budget and cannot spend more than $2000 as I will need to also get some proper gear. I would prefer to spend $1500 if possible. My mate suggested a CBR250 but it looks a bit much.

I spotted a CBR125r that is within my price range on Trademe. It has 24,945km on it but looks in pretty good condition. It is currently at $1500 with the reserve not met.

Is this bike any good for a learner? I know it is only a 125cc but is it fairly capable? I would love to get a CBR250 but it is way out of my price range and I thought this would be a good start. Is it a good deal or would I be better off saving a bit for a CBR250?

Thanks for the help

Edit: Just noticed the title is wrong. Should read CBR125r 2008

[FinG]

Well I have also been looking at a late 80s GN250s but I am not too keen on them. They seem to be great learner bikes but a little gutless.
Are they a good option?

I also managed to find a 1989 CBR250 MC17 that the owner is looking to sell for $1500. The price seems ridiculously good. However, the condition seems a little rough though and the bike is deregistered. The fairings are a bit scratched, it runs a little rough and sometimes smokes a little. The owner assures me it is nothing serious and just needs a tune up and is road legal. I know it would be a bit more work than other bikes but it still seems like a good deal. What do you guys think?

[sil3nt]

Well I have also been looking at a late 80s GN250s but I am not too keen on them. They seem to be great learner bikes but a little gutless.
Are they a good option?

I also managed to find a 1989 CBR250 MC17 that the owner is looking to sell for $1500. The price seems ridiculously good. However, the condition seems a little rough though and the bike is deregistered. The fairings are a bit scratched, it runs a little rough and sometimes smokes a little. The owner assures me it is nothing serious and just needs a tune up and is road legal. I know it would be a bit more work than other bikes but it still seems like a good deal. What do you guys think?

4 Strokes should not smoke. Stay away.

[FinG]

Thanks that's good to know. Why would it be smoking?

[sil3nt]

Thanks that's good to know. Why would it be smoking?

Wouldn't have a clue.

Try this http://cbr250.com/forum/thread-3787.html

Maybe it is normal. I wouldn't trust it.

[Ender EnZed]

I also managed to find a 1989 CBR250 MC17 that the owner is looking to sell for $1500. The price seems ridiculously good. However, the condition seems a little rough though and the bike is deregistered. The fairings are a bit scratched, it runs a little rough and sometimes smokes a little. The owner assures me it is nothing serious and just needs a tune up and is road legal. I know it would be a bit more work than other bikes but it still seems like a good deal. What do you guys think?

It sounds like an over priced project bike to me. If you want to ride a bike then you should buy one that goes, has a wof and isn't deregistered.

[Ender EnZed]

Here are some reg/wof 250s in Wellington for your $1500 budget.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-433196160.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-432618403.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-431414787.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-432199672.htm

[FinG]

Well I have got some more info on it. It has no rust, the brakes are good, the forks and seals are fine, the chain and sprockets are good. It has also never been dropped to his knowledge. However, it has done 80,000 kms and has been in storage for the last 7 years. It will also probably need new tires.
The smoke is blue which suggests oil. But it was not smoking before storage. It has only been started once in the last 7 years which is likely why it is smoking. However, I am worried that the smoke is actually caused by oil getting past the piston rings.

[SMOKEU]

That CBR sounds like too much work. A 125cc bike will be fine around town but you'll be revving the crap out of it at 100kmh.

An RG150 is worth looking at as they go pretty hard, or even an RGV150.

[ducatilover]

Thanks that's good to know. Why would it be smoking?

At what times does it smoke?

Smoking after storage:
Blue smoke = oil.
Oil smoke will be due to:
glazed, worn broken or gummed up piston rings.
Worn valve stem seals (not the animal)
Both involve a lot of work for a cheap bike and may well cost you more than is justifiable.

Black smoke = petrol.
Poor spark.
Low compression (cannot burn petrol well blah blah)
Stuck choke (doubt it, unless the air bypass is blocked as well)
Stuck carb slides.
Amazingly poorly tuned carbs.

White smoke = Water/coolant.
Blown head gasket.
Cracked head.
Cracked block.
These will probably go hand in hand with milky looking oil and milky residue on the oil cap (lower right hand side of the motor on the rear most engine cover)


My advice?
Simple is best when on a budget.
GN250.
Scorpio.
SR250.

I would avoid that CBR unless you want a big project. (Looked at it on TradeMe the other day also)