Choosing a bike - Bandit vs. Hornet?

**Drew** · 13th January 2008, 12:28

These prices are mental, buy the new bike!!! A 14 year old 250 is askin $3700, another 1500 clams gets a brand new bike, under warantee, and if the trend is anything to go by, will fetch four grand still when you go to move onto a bigger bike. Win Win as near as I can tell.

**disenfranchised** · 13th January 2008, 12:40

Originally Posted by McJim

Base your decision on overall condition not mileage and they'll all be old coz no-one's made a 4 cyl 250 since about 1995.

Not strictly true
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...htm?key=328124
I think if you said no one's made an AFFORDABLE 250 4-cyl since 1995 you might be onto something.

Or that no-one has sold a 4-cyl 250 new outside of japan since 1995 maybe?

**McJim** · 13th January 2008, 19:09

Originally Posted by disenfranchised

Not strictly true
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...htm?key=328124
I think if you said no one's made an AFFORDABLE 250 4-cyl since 1995 you might be onto something.

Or that no-one has sold a 4-cyl 250 new outside of japan since 1995 maybe?

ANd I'll bet it's been detuned to the regulation 32hp limit required by Japanese law for a learner motorcycle!

**xwhatsit** · 13th January 2008, 21:41

Originally Posted by headlesschicken

I'm confused....
http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/Us...item=6484&sid=

That's the CBF250 single cylinder -- cheeky mofos -- they've mislabelled it. On purpose? Got nothing on the Hornet, but would be fine for communting.

Go with the Bandit, then, if you're a speed demon.

**gijoe1313** · 13th January 2008, 22:26

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

That's the CBF250 single cylinder -- cheeky mofos -- they've mislabelled it. On purpose? Got nothing on the Hornet, but would be fine for communting.

Go with the Bandit, then, if you're a speed demon.

Xerxes is correct on the money.

I dunno

The cheek of it! Obviously ripping off newbies who don't know any better. I think it would be better off calling it a Honda CB250F Midge....

But a good little ol'hornet can still be had for around that price.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-135818348.htm This is an absolute steal for a little ol'hornet. Would not take much to do back up to minters minters at all

**chester** · 14th January 2008, 18:13

Go the Hornet

**obstacle** · 14th January 2008, 21:13

I tested both when I was hunting for my 250. Settled on the hornet - it was just more comfortable and just as fast. My suggestion - go and ride them both. If you can't find a hornet you can take mine for a thrash but as everybody else says just get the hornet.

**gijoe1313** · 14th January 2008, 22:55

Originally Posted by chester

Go the Hornet

Originally Posted by obstacle

I tested both when I was hunting for my 250. Settled on the hornet - it was just more comfortable and just as fast. My suggestion - go and ride them both. If you can't find a hornet you can take mine for a thrash but as everybody else says just get the hornet.

And again, another plug for the little ol'hornet, say it brothers! Get the Hornet!

**xwhatsit** · 14th January 2008, 23:26

Yeah, but a real Hornet, not that CBF250 single that is mislabelled.

**headlesschicken** · 15th January 2008, 08:23

thanks obstacle but akl-chch :/
thanks for the info xerxes think ill steer clear.
tomorrow might be able to test ride a hyosung and balius. ill let you know how they go

**YellowDog** · 15th January 2008, 08:55

If you are 6ft tall and 55Kg, anything will go well. You just need to make sure the bike is high enough fro you. The prices you mention are far too high. Try looking on the KB sales link or TradeMe.

Good luck.

**YellowDog** · 15th January 2008, 08:57

Originally Posted by Drew

These prices are mental, buy the new bike!!! A 14 year old 250 is askin $3700, another 1500 clams gets a brand new bike, under warantee, and if the trend is anything to go by, will fetch four grand still when you go to move onto a bigger bike. Win Win as near as I can tell.

Exactly right. How can they justify such high prices?

If you buy a new bike, you will get a full warrantee and also finance.

Good luck.

**headlesschicken** · 16th January 2008, 18:06

well today I headed into town. first went to test ride a balius. was too small for me, went ok. they want 3800 for it and it's obviously been dropped once on the right side and twice or badly on the left. they told me it hadn't been started for a long time and when they did, it blew blue smoke for ages and wouldn't idle with choke on until very warm. after that it was fine.

had a go on a hyosung. it was very different obviously. i really liked the digital display but not much else. it vibrated fairly heavily, brakes were shit, wasn't as fast as the kawasaki with not alot more torque where i expected better from a twin and i found it very hard to turn tightly at speed although it was very stable. not a strength thing but it just felt like it didn't want to. probably just a learner having his first go on a sports bike aye? i think the crowning moment was when he told me he wanted 7800 for any new gt250r. at this dealership was also rather unimpressed that when i'd asked for some loaner gear i was given a large helmet for my small head and nothing else with a she'll be right attitude

next stop was casbolts to try the cbf250 which they now told me correctly. was very impressed with service and bike but it really did lack the power.

so for now the bandit is still my favourite as I haven't found a hornet in chch. have been told that i may get the price down a bit if im serious though. what has surprised me though is that at each dealer i've been to and presented my learners licence i haven't been offered l plates or even asked if i have some to put on!