Need some info on 250cc bikes

[Scorpygirl]

Been out all day on my virago 250........ and only just found this thread.

Ok I have gotten mine up to 130/140 but usually stick to 100/110kph.
As I like to cruise and enjoy the ride and the freedom.

Tank is 9.5 litres...... should get around 200kms before it needs to go onto reserve. Runs on 91 petrol. Lube the chain regular (every 500kms) and change the oil (every 5000kms) and change the oil filter every second oil change and do other regular maintainence and the bike will run and run...

As said before they are great bikes...... and good for those that are short.
Me, being all of 4foot 12 inches tall I can reach the ground with both feet when stationary comfortably.

They are great for around town riding, easy to move around..also great for out of town riding.
I have ridden my all the way up to Russell via Old Russell Rd and all the way down to the Wellington area. Handled it really well.


But do check out other bikes to see what is the most comfy for you as it is YOU that will be riding the bike.

Prices: New $7999 and second-hand $3500 up to $4500 approx

Sorry to hear that you have injured your foot.... and good on you for sticking to your guns and waiting until the Dr gives you the go ahead to ride.

Hehehehehehe... I knew Crashe would came in at some stage.

[n0regret5]

off topic a mite - lady friend of mine is an E cup and manages to ride a sportsbike. but then i guess theres a bit of difference between here and there..
honda's cruiser is a good wee thing, don't bother with a micro vtwin as they just putt out just as you're having fun (got a mate with a suzuki boulevard and gets real angry with its distinct lack of any kind of performance whatsoever..), of course you could just go for the classic old GN and chop it!

[Blossom]

Been out all day on my virago 250........ and only just found this thread.

Ok I have gotten mine up to 130/140 but usually stick to 100/110kph.
As I like to cruise and enjoy the ride and the freedom.

Tank is 9.5 litres...... should get around 200kms before it needs to go onto reserve. Runs on 91 petrol. Lube the chain regular (every 500kms) and change the oil (every 5000kms) and change the oil filter every second oil change and do other regular maintainence and the bike will run and run...

As said before they are great bikes...... and good for those that are short.
Me, being all of 4foot 12 inches tall I can reach the ground with both feet when stationary comfortably.

They are great for around town riding, easy to move around..also great for out of town riding.
I have ridden my all the way up to Russell via Old Russell Rd and all the way down to the Wellington area. Handled it really well.


But do check out other bikes to see what is the most comfy for you as it is YOU that will be riding the bike.

Prices: New $7999 and second-hand $3500 up to $4500 approx

Sorry to hear that you have injured your foot.... and good on you for sticking to your guns and waiting until the Dr gives you the go ahead to ride.

Thanks for all that. I have found them new at our local dealers for $6999 + orc so wondering if it might be worth getting one new as most of the 2nd hand ones I have found on trademe are around 5 to 5 1/2k. Besides, I like the cherry colour.

[Blossom]

there is a gloss black and dark red wine colour..mmmmm

[Blossom]

like this (got off trademe)

[Blossom]

I do like the 2tone ones, there are a couple of red and white ones for sale but the 2nd hand price seems a bit steep considering how much a new one is.
btw...am off to sit on a nice red zzr tomorrow night if I can arrange it with the husband to take it for a test drive for me.

[Blossom]

Can you put up any links to the virago's that you have been looking at on 'Trade Me' or other places.....?
Cheers.

Have fun tomorrow checking out the zzr...

sure
this oneis one of my favs.
This oneis a bit further away from me.
This oneis a two tone red and white
and finally this one is a new one from Hamilton.

[Blossom]

if you go to www.motorcycletrader.co.nz and do a search on xv250 you will find the rest of the ones I have been looking at. A couple of two tones on that site. Have fun.

[Jiminy]

Thanks for all that. I have found them new at our local dealers for $6999 + orc so wondering if it might be worth getting one new as most of the 2nd hand ones I have found on trademe are around 5 to 5 1/2k. Besides, I like the cherry colour.

Ahem, excuse me for being pessimistic, but if you're just starting, keep in mind that there is a good chance you will drop your bike in the first year. I was happy to have bought a second hand one when I finally dropped one. Also orc can be quite expensive, not sure how much it is for a 250, though.

I used to ride a Kawa EL250 and I found the tank limit a tad annoyingly small, so it's worth considering with the Virago.

Could you test ride the bikes as a pillion? It's not the best way to test a bike, but it's better than not testing it at all. After all, you really want to feel comfortable with your first bike.

[Blossom]

Ahem, excuse me for being pessimistic, but if you're just starting, keep in mind that there is a good chance you will drop your bike in the first year. I was happy to have bought a second hand one when I finally dropped one. Also orc can be quite expensive, not sure how much it is for a 250, though.

I used to ride a Kawa EL250 and I found the tank limit a tad annoyingly small, so it's worth considering with the Virago.

Could you test ride the bikes as a pillion? It's not the best way to test a bike, but it's better than not testing it at all. After all, you really want to feel comfortable with your first bike.

Good advise Jiminy..
However..I am new to getting my license, not new to riding I have been riding off and on for the last 20yrs. Had my last bike (a gn250) 5 yrs ago. So not too worried about the dropping issue.
As for the orc. my local bike shop is willing to waver the orc if I pay cash so no big deal.
My husband is going to take me out as a pillion on the bike first then I will go solo once my foot is allowed out and my learners is underway..(just waiting on a date to sit my bhs)

[Radar]

finally.. what the heck is a Hyosung and are they any good? Same question regarding Daelim?
Thanks for helping out the newbie...

Daelim, I bought a Hyosung Comet and drove it back from Napier yesterday. It went really well, no problem at 100 - 120 kph or going uphill or passing. Top speed is 160 - 170 kpg - go to YouTube and enter "Hyosung Comet 250cc" and maybe "Malaysia" or "speed" and you will find a guy on a motorway in Malaysia topping out at 171 kph!!! Wicked! The camera must have been chest mounted as you can see the road and speedo.

BTW, I am an old biker from waaay back. Used to own 650 and 600cc bikes, and toured Europe and the USA on them. Unfortunately my overseas mc license is long gone so I have had to start all over again, thus me getting a 250cc bike. But nowadays there are some great 250's that are not dogs (there are bikes with around 18 - 20 hp, avoid these as they barely get up to 100 kph).

Anyway, I was going for a Bandit or Hornet or maybe a GSX, and I test drove a Honda VTR. But then I test drove a Hyosung GTR (exact same as my Comet but with a fairing) and I was impressed! In the end, it came down to me wanting a bike that I could sell easily in 9 months when I get my full license. My Comet is much newer than the Bandits etc available, had less than 5,000 km on the odo, was in showroom condition, and the price was right so I can probably sell it for what I paid for it when I upgrade to a bigger bike.

Hey - this is my 1st post - helloooooo everyone! This forum has helped me considerably - I have read heaps in the last two weeks. Thanks guys!

[Blossom]

Thanks for the info and welcome.
I am basically in the same position as you radar.
Always a hard one when you have not owned a bike for a few years, everything changes. Honda's seem to be less popular than they used to be and there are all these new brands on the market that I have never heard of.
Spoilt for choice really.

[Radar]

Hi Blossom. I have not read all of this thread but one important point is determining the seat posture. The Hyosung GTR was my favoured bike but it was more of a racing posture and it cramped my legs but worse was the pain in my (injury buggered) wrist from leaing forward. A cruiser would have been the most comfortable but resell would be difficult since most 250 buyers are young guys wanting a sporty look.

It helped me heaps to test drive a few bikes and even to sit on a few that were in the showroom. I think a lot of 250cc buyers do so on impulse, getting what is available NOW. For me, it the important factors were Resale, Price, and ability to easily pass a car at highway speeds.

[Radar]

sure
this oneis one of my favs.
This oneis a bit further away from me.
This oneis a two tone red and white
and finally this one is a new one from Hamilton.

How long do you plan on keeping it? I think cruisers would be harder to sell. And those Virago's are underpowered so before you buy take it out on the open road and see if it can keep up with traffic - in a headwind - and pass safely.

[Blossom]

How long do you plan on keeping it? I think cruisers would be harder to sell. And those Virago's are underpowered so before you buy take it out on the open road and see if it can keep up with traffic - in a headwind - and pass safely.

Very good point you have there,
As far as the resale goes we have 4 children and 2 of them are only a couple of years off learning to ride themselves so dont plan on selling it for years.
How do you mean those Viragos are underpowered? Are they not about the same hp as the Hyosung 250?