Need some info on 250cc bikes

[Blossom]

Can you expand on this a bit more....... thanks.

Just that all the owners of viragos that I have emailed on trademe have said that they cruise at 100 to 120 easy, yet there seems to be some disagreement on here about that.

[CookMySock]

DB, I think you mean that the GT250 and GT250R have the same engine (and frame), not "GV". Right?

well I am known to be wrong on occasion, but I understood all the Hyosung 250's used the same engine.

I test drove a GT250R and after 10 minutes by right wrist ached - I smashed it up bad years ago. I hear that riders can toughen up and get used to the forward leaning wrist thing but in my case that would not happen. Anyway, I was so impressed with the Hyosung that I test drove, I bought one without a fairing and without wrist ache handlebars.

Yes I would go along with all of that. The GT250R is GOING to hurt for a while until your wrists strengthen. But gee aint it worth it What a nice bike. Yeah for those with a wrist injury the GT250R is unlikely to work out, or any forward-rider-position sportbike for that matter. Once you are at 100-110km/hr the strain is lot less, but it still isn't flash. Around town it's downright nasty.

We love ours to bits ;
http://pages.quicksilver.net.nz/paua/DSCF3138.JPG

DB

[crashe]

Just that all the owners of viragos that I have emailed on trademe have said that they cruise at 100 to 120 easy, yet there seems to be some disagreement on here about that.

Not from those of us who actually own and ride a virago 250...



But at the end of the day it is your choice what bike you get.
As it will be YOU riding it.


Good luck in finding the right bike for you.

[Jiminy]

But would that not just be around the same specs as the xv250 virago? Seems to be much of a muchness in the 250 cruisers?

According to this site, the hp of the Hyosung is a bit higher than the Virago's, probably enough to make a difference on the highway:
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/buyer...ago-VX250S.htm
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photo...V250Aquila.htm

I've been beaten to it, but I had also heard (take it with a grain of salt) that Hyosung use modified versions of the same engine in the GV and GT, a bit like the Kawa Ninja and Eliminator.

If you haven't read it already, you might want to look at this comparison of 250 cruisers:
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roa...son/index.html

Finding the right bike is half the fun, hey?

[Radar]

Not from those of us who actually own and ride a virago 250...

Radar commented about how gutless they are, and yet he has said that he has never ridden one. How can he judge it?

Yes and if you read my posts I acknowledge that I have not ridden on it but said I spoke to a guy at a parking lot with a Virago, a new one - are there other bikes that look like a Virago because then I may be mistaken but I am fairly sure it was a Virago and he - the owner - said it was not really a highway bike because it could not keep up with the traffic all the time.

And if you go to the review link that I posted, this one:
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/buyer...ago-VX250S.htm
... it says the top speed is 75 mph and this = 120 kph.

From the link recently posted by (??):
...the Virago... "and smaller riders felt the Yamaha had plenty of oomph off the line and sufficient power up to around 60 mph. After that the power fell off quickly, resulting in a top speed of approximately 75 mph. Those smaller in stature said they came closer to the 85 mph posted on the speedometer and were comfortable cruising on the highway. The V-twin exhaust note was a unanimous hit."

Didn't Blossom say she wanted to ride with a pillion passenger on a Virago? In this case it does seem 21 hp would not be enough.

Whoever thinks of buying a Virago (or any bike!) really has to take it out for a test drive. If they are too inexperienced to handle 100+ kph on the highway, then they should have a friend or even the owner on the bike while they follow in their car to see what speed it can do.

The Virago has 21 hp while other 250's have 28, 30, 40 and more. My point is this: if I wanted a 250 cruiser and had a choice between a Virago with 21 hp and top speed of 120 kph, and a Hyosung cruiser with 30 hp, the choice would be easy. But I do take your point, that owners you know say the Virago cruises no problem... but I wonder how close to red line that would be?

[Radar]

If you haven't read it already, you might want to look at this comparison of 250 cruisers:
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roa...son/index.html

From that review it says this about the Virago:
"and smaller riders felt the Yamaha had plenty of oomph off the line and sufficient power up to around 60 mph. After that the power fell off quickly, resulting in a top speed of approximately 75 mph. Those smaller in stature said they came closer to the 85 mph posted on the speedometer and were comfortable cruising on the highway. The V-twin exhaust note was a unanimous hit."

So it seems if the rider is a lightweight, with no head wind, cruising at 100 - 100 kph, and passing, would be OK.

[Radar]

A
We love ours to bits ;
http://pages.quicksilver.net.nz/paua/DSCF3138.JPG

DB

Very nice!! A 650 and a 250? You own both?

If it wasn't for my injured wrist, I would have gone for a GTR.

[crashe]

Yes and if you read my posts I acknowledge that I have not ridden on it but said I spoke to a guy at a parking lot with a Virago, a new one - are there other bikes that look like a Virago because then I may be mistaken but I am fairly sure it was a Virago and he - the owner - said it was not really a highway bike because it could not keep up with the traffic all the time.

And if you go to the review link that I posted, this one:
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/buyer...ago-VX250S.htm
... it says the top speed is 75 mpg and this = 120 kph.

The Virago has 21 hp while other 250's have 28, 30, 40 and more. My point is this: if I wanted a 250 cruiser and had a choice between a Virago with 21 hp and top speed of 120 kph, and a Hyosung cruiser with 30 hp, the choice would be easy. But I do take your point, that owners you know say the Virago cruises no problem... but I wonder how close to red line that would be?

It may have been another cruiser... there is a 'keeway' (sp) cruiser out there.
There are also a few other chinese/korean copy cruisers out there on the market as well.



All brand new bikes must be run in....... so one doesn't do the faster speed until it is run in.... maybe that was this particular riders problem... I cant answer for why that rider as I do not know him or how he was riding that virago.

I just know what my bike can do........ I have also ridden with Slashwyde, scorpygirl and a few others that happen to ride or owned a 250 virago. They all manged the speed limit without any problems.

The 250 virago doesn't have a REV counter so we just ride them to speed and the sound of the engine for gear changing.

Highway/motorway: well I travel heaps on the motorway and keep up just fine.... in fact I manage to pass a awful lot of vehicles along the way lol.

Open Roads: Never had a problem doing the legal speed limit at all.

Top Speed: There are a couple of KB members who did a test reading on my bike. What they did was follow me along the motorway and have verified that my bike does go well over 120kph.

I remember heading up the northern motorway once heading north and enjoying the ride and looking down at my speedo and seeing it read 130+ yep I lowered my speed straight away....

[CookMySock]

Very nice!! A 650 and a 250? You own both?

If it wasn't for my injured wrist, I would have gone for a GTR.

Both, yes indeed. His n' Hers.

We like them very much.
http://pages.quicksilver.net.nz/paua/DSCF3138.JPG
DB

[Radar]

Both, yes indeed. His n' Hers.

We like them very much.
http://pages.quicksilver.net.nz/paua/DSCF3138.JPG
DB

Does the 250 keep up fairly well with the 650? I am not talking about a flat out race of course, but normal driving in the city and on the highway.

[Horse]

From a bit of reading I'm led to believe the GT250's engine is tuned a little differently from the GV250, possibly giving it a touch more power at higher RPM or something.

I do know from accompanying a GT250R (really nice-looking red one) on one of our local group rides and comparing notes with the rider that they seem to be geared differently as well - our bikes were making different RPM at the same road speed in supposedly the same gear. IIRC it was my GV250 that was sitting at the higher RPM at 100km/h, but it was quite a few weeks ago so knowing my memory I've probably got it completely back-asswards.

[BiK3RChiK]

Very nice!! A 650 and a 250? You own both?

If it wasn't for my injured wrist, I would have gone for a GTR.

No.. He owns the 650, and I own the 250!!!!

M

[Blossom]

Didn't Blossom say she wanted to ride with a pillion passenger on a Virago? In this case it does seem 21 hp would not be enough.

The only pillions I will be taking will be my 4/8/10/12yr olds so the weight is not as much of an issue. Sorry I should have clarified that.

I am really liking the virago, I went up to a few bike shops in Akl thismorning and had a sit on a few bikes. I liked the height and balance etc, The husband is gonna take one out for a test drive for me on tuesday along with a Honda Magna.
Magna's seem to be a very nice bike. A bit wide in the seat so my feet wernt quite fully on the ground but I hear its pretty simple to lower the seat a little. It just seemed a little more my size overall, A heavier machine for sure, but a bit more stable too. Spec wise I am told they hold up well for a 250 and have a bit more grunt than the virago but I will decide that for myself on tuesdays test rides.
I also had a look/sit on a gt250r (could not find a gt250)and no...wayyyy to high for me and my dodgy foot. lol.
So I think I am down to either a virago or a magna... (btw the husband says now I sat on a Honda I am now ghey, It feels remarkably like being straight. lol)

[Jiminy]

So I think I am down to either a virago or a magna... (btw the husband says now I sat on a Honda I am now ghey, It feels remarkably like being straight. lol)

Good luck, both are good choices (ahem, ok, I haven't tested the Magna, but it looks great)

[Blossom]

thanks.. I am getting soo freakin excited about it....
AARRRRRRRRGGHH..
I am off to find a vodka.