Which 250 to buy?

[Mikkel]

ZXR's, well the A model at least are reallly heavy bikes for 250's. Go pretty well though, friend loves his one.

I don't find it heavy. I reckon it's about the same weight as all the other 4 stroke japanese 250 sports bikes. And yeah I'm loving mine as well!

and the money you will spend maintaning it is ridiculous...go the zxr..will be enough grunt for ya.

I have neither ridden nor owned a 2 stroke 250 - so I have a hard time evaluating the pros and cons of such bikes. No doubt - the unrestricted 2 stroke have more power than the 4 strokes - but it's delivered in much narrower powerband. The ZXR has a nice and linear power delivery which makes it nice and easy to learn on. Keep it below 8-10k RPMs and it's nice and docile. Keep it above 12k RPM and it is pretty fast - even when carrying a heavy fella like me (~95 kg) along.

Thanks guys, this thread has been great info.
Is a 250 still gonna be comfortable for long rides like Auckland to Hamilton or Tauranga or Wellington?

A 250 sports bike is not *comfortable* on long rides. They're small, high reving and your riding position doesn't leave a lot of room.
Further, 2 strokes apparently doesn't like working at the same revs for long at a time - so I reckon for those kind of trips you'd be better off on a 4 stroke.

Hahahha, no, I'm not advocating that they're for everyone... but what they're certainly not is some sort of evil unmanageable killing machine just waiting to biff you off at the first mistake. Sure it's kinda neat that people thing 2 strokes are that nasty, but it simply isn't the case. In fact, they're big pussy cats... sure they go fast when you wind them on, but just the mid range torque is a lot more fun to ride around on than 250 IL4s too. IMHO. YMMV. IANAL.

Hmmm mate, your RGV is still restricted to 45 hps right?
It's a valid point though - I mean no bike is more dangerous than how much you decide to twist the throttle!

I'd say - for the track an unrestricted 250 2 stroke is probably going to be as much fun as you can get (sportsbike
If you like the look of the ZXR and can find a nice and tidy example - just go for it. It'll keep its value unless you drop it and I think you'll find it to be fast enough for now...

[STUPY]

V-twin 4-strokes like the hyobag are for pussys and we all know what happens to pussys, they get f*cked. [/QUOTE]

it's amazing your mentality concidering all riders are not equal & nor are bikes! i have a hyosung gt250r 2006 and it's a damn good bike, frame size is great engine does as it's told and it keeps up with the pack in group rides. it has a top speed of around 170km (proof on youtube) & the bang for bucks is fair. as far as a learners bike something that is forgiving is great, saves the owner more $ from dropping it all the time, feeling like a fool and giving up on riding totally. thinging of other bikers before your self would proberbly keep you out of trouble

[EnzoYug]

Hey People,
My question is, which 250 should I buy?
Thanks

The only way to really answer that question is by riding for a few years on various 250's and then thinking about what you loved most, was best suited for you etc....

Since that's only available in dream land I give the following recommendation:

1. Dont buy a rocket. Your first bike will dropped, it will be crashed and most likely you will get hurt. The difference between an NSR and a GN can also be the difference between 15 weeks in traction and 15 minutes on the side of the road catching your breath.

2. Know your limits. Don't spend more than you can, chances are if it's your first bike you'll be spending MUCH more than you need to anyway. Start small and move upwards. (remember 250's re-sell VERY well so don't worry about losing money yet)

3. Ride, ride and test ride some more. If they won't let you ride then don't fucking buy it. Plain and simple. Test ride more than once if possible.

4. Check it out. Get a friend to help take a look ( someone who know's something about bikes) or read one of the many 'buying a second hand bike' threads on here.

5. If you buy new then WORK THE WARRANTEY. Lot's of people put up with problems / broken bits, especially on cheaper bikes because they simply think that it's meant to make 'that noise' or that 'neutral is always hard to find' - if you ever feel suspect, call the shop, and don't take no for a first answer.

6. Google, TradeMe and your fellow KiwiBikers are your friends. If you want to know if a bike is worth $10k with all the "sick modz yo" - then see what other people are paying / prepared to pay.

and lastely...

7. Save lots for gear. You MUST have at least $500 bucks set aside for commuting, or $800-1200 if you plan to hit the motorway / highway. The gear is worth it. You might not crash in anything, but a cage might crash into you - and the sad truth is that there is nothing you can do about it, except wear the best gear you can.

Ps. Dont forget insurance. 3rd party at least! Otherwise you'll be down 10 grand when you hit a Merc!

[qldzxr250a]

lol had to throw my 2c in cause this is funny as hell.....

my first bike was a zxr.

would have loved and RGV or NSR and still would (wouldnt trade the GIX but....)

its all up to u.

U and only U are in control of the bike.

if ur handy with a spanner/ have a good interest in learning to spanner maybe the 2smoke is 4 u. if not go a 4.

ultimatly it doesnt matter what ur riding if u cant control it it'll bite ya.

for the record i never dropped my 1st bike. i just rode it off a 15m cliff......

so 2 or 4 the choice is urs. go ride em believe me the bike that is ment 4 u will pick u soon enough, the homicidial grin will show u the way.

remember rubber side down.

[Insanity_rules]

I'm in the ex owners of RG250's support group. Fecken fast little bike, but will break your heart in the reliability stakes. Have you looked at an Aprilia RS250? you'd probably get one for what you want to spend if you look hard enough. Little bit more modern and they go like a raped ape.

[jcupit69]

Hyosugs are horrible!!! i mean horrible!! top out at 140km and handle horibly, they want to fall over cus theres no power to really pull you out of a corner.

had a zxr (sum ass in a 4x4 wrote it off last month!!) and there really reliable and dnt require much wrk, not bad on gas and good to ride, would recomend a steering damper though. lots of pwer up top for when you get more experience, but enough down low to keep you happy.

Just got an rs 250 aprilia and its amazing to ride, riden most 250s and its by far the best (98+ though), however the rs, rgv and nsrs arent realy for a first time rider as they require alot more skill than the 4strokes. There also thirsty on gas and very expensive oil, and lots of servicing and attention.

I would recomend the zxr very highly as a learners and a good all rounder. make sure you get the c model (1992+) as they have a better riding position and better engine. watch out for weeping fork seals though!!

If you ride a zxr and a hyosung you will see how bad the hyosungs are...i mean terrible!!!! stay away from buying new, there a waste of money and have much worse performance than early 250's (change in emisions laws)

As others have said though ride, ride and test ride some more, zxr's and cbr's are very similar, but have subtle differences. try a 2stroke, but they have very little down low and a nutter powerband. Rs aprilias are the newest 250s but are expensive, but are a work of art!!

Also get a good jacket and helmet and you want boots and gloves aswell at least. Im sure most riders who've had a crash will testify good gear will save your life!!!

You need insurance, everyone crashes or gets hit and it makes it so much easier (and over value your bike abit when u get it insured as u cn then go n get a better bike next time).

Bottom line is find the bike that suits you and you skill and experience and get safe on it (helmet, insurance etc etc). We can all recomend (i say zxr 250), but you gotta go test ride and see what you like.

[Indiana_Jones]

buy one that you can afford and won't die on you

forget about high top end speeds etc, you're just gonna be riding it on the road, no?

-Indy

[geno]

I would recomend something cheap and nasty for your first bike, after a few months and a crash or two get something better.

nsr's can be high maintance ( about to spend 4k on mine ) but are absolutly awsome bikes, fully worth every cent. Keep in mind 2 stroke costs $25+ per litre, unless you hate your bike.

[Rev DJ]

Well, I must defend the Hyo's - having bought one new recently

I was looking for a communting bike - something that would easily fit with the Wellington traffic yet just as easily eat up the open road on the occasional trip out of town. The Hyo does both nicely.

Give it a test ride... and a thumbs up to the team at Motorad in Welly - great service. Cheers DJ

[Rev DJ]

Hehe - Communting is a version of commuting ??? go figure!!! DJ

[Insanity_rules]

Hehe - Communting is a version of commuting ??? go figure!!! DJ

It's the Upper Hutt version (Or West Auckland if you're up that way), Its commuting in Black Jeans LOL.....
(FYI I live in Upper Hutt, before all you fellow Upper Hutt KBers red rep me and pan me into the ground)

[Wildbeanie]

Hi all,

I'm a newbie myself looking for a first bike & have just seen this week a brand new CBF250 for $4995 in Motamart in Lower Hutt. Not sure if these are a good option but would appreciate any comments others out there might have.

Cheers

[CaMo]

Well my first road bike as such is a RGV250. Mint bike, heaps of power and good handling. If you have ridden dirt bikes alot before such as me you shouldn't have any problem riding it.

If anyone is after one I may be interested to sell.

BRAND new clutch
modified power valves
Boyseen reeds
de-restricted SAPC
de-restricted mufflers

$4500 ono

[RSrider]

Well this is the bike I ended up buying. 1993 ZXR250C. Travelled 14,000kms and I picked it up for $3700. I thought that was a damn good price??

[Crowdog]

damn good price and a damn good bike