Honda VTR250 - manufacturing history

[davebullet]

I am interested in buying a vtr250, but I am concerned about the quality of modern 250 bikes.

According to people I've spoken to 250's used to cost a lot more. Was this because of import tarrifs / duty? Because 250's weren't as popular? (lower supply = higher price?). Many of the chinese made GN250's I've seen have chrome of dubious quality and surface rust on the frames. Is this due to poor cleaning / maintenance on behalf of the owner, or a lower quality bike?

Anyway - my main questions are:
1. Has VTR250 production stopped? - looks like 2007 was the last year
2. Where is / was the VTR250 manufactured?
3. Is a 2007 VTR250 the same quality bike as a 2000 or earlier VTR250?

Thanks,
Dave.

[Taz]

Come on dude, you're computer savvy enough to post on here surely you've heard of google also??

[davebullet]

Yes I'm computer savvy and not lazy. I've googled on various keywords. Manufacturer sites pull the old models and they usually don't post their country of manufacture.

The other questions were about opinions which I have not been able to find here or on other sites. There doesn't seem to be an asia/pacific forum dedicated to Honda that I've found that might have the answers. Still looking....

Dave.

[shingo]

1) There is a 2008 model vtr250 (and maybe 09 and on) but blue wing are no longer importing them into the country so they newest you will be able to get over here is a 07 model.

2) As far as i know the vtr250's are manufactured in Japan.

3) In terms of quality and realibility the earlier vtr's are as good as the later ones, the only difference i know of is the colours schemes change a little bit and that post 03 bikes were fitted with a tacho and temp gauge.

In the end you cant really go wrong with them, they are a Honda after all

[CB ARGH]

In the end you cant really go wrong with them, they are a Honda after all

Go the HONDAS!!

The 250's hold their price because (in my opinion) the motorcycle stores keep their prices sky high. Also the 250 is the highest displacement that you can purchase on a learner's licence, so they are in high demand, especially at this time due to the current fuel price crisis.

I can't picture myself owning another bike that is not a Honda. Been with them my whole life. They're great bikes, and within reason: indestructable.

[LardEmbargo]

so I heard that Honda haven't stopped making them. But they aren't being imported here by HondaNZ anymore.

They seem like a popular bike (I like mine!) and when I was looking I kept seeing examples of them being imported from Japan and then registered here, so I guess if people still want them you'll still be able to get one, it just won't be NZ new.

Don't know much about the detailed manufacturing history. You can tell the older model VTRs by the instrument panel - post 2002(?) they got a shiny double-binnacle one with a tachometer, before that there was just a speedo. At least some components seem to have changed along the way too, so I'm guessing bits aren't completely interchangeable. Regulator/rectifier off mine, frinstance, looked entirely different to the one onna mate's 2004 VTR - the newer one actually had heatsinks on and looked considerably more chunky than mine.

dunno if that helps any

[JimO]

here is my boys one paid $3500 on tardme exactly the same in a local honda shop $5995

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...7/DSCF2485.jpg

[davebullet]

Hi all,

I appreciate all your replies. I ask since I am yet another new rider and deciding on a 250. My female partner is learning to ride (like me). We originally were going to go for a GN250. After all, if the Bike bug doesn't bite, a GN isn't a big waste of money. What concerned me was a lack of power (having to push it to make 100Kms) and build quality. Many seem to rust.

A friend recommended a VTR250. Another friend is seriously looking at the new '08 ninja 250.

I rode a 2000 VTR250 yesterday, after a Yamaha Zeal (cannot remember the model number, but it was an in-line 4 250). I spent about 5 mins on the Zeal, and about 20 mins on the VTR250. What I liked about the VTR was its tolerance to my bad riding. Good usable torque over the rev range means an idiot like me who is learning what gear to be in, can still power out if need be.

There is an '07 VTR just around the corner for sale at $6k with 7,000kms. Sounds good to me to get a later, lower mileage model. I just have to convince my partner that a VTR250 is a bike she'd like. I also like that it is quite light (139k dry) - so not much difference to a GN250 weight wise.

Thanks for your help guys.
David.

[davebullet]

so I heard that Honda haven't stopped making them. But they aren't being imported here by HondaNZ anymore.

Thanks for that. It seems crazy to me BlueWing are not importing to NZ. After all with petrol prices and 250 bike demand, you'd think a market would be there.

If still made in Japan, maybe landed they cannot compete price wise (nor quality wise ) with the stuff made elsewhere....

I'd still pay $1-2K more for a bike that wasn't going to rust out.

I mean the 2000 with 22,000kms I rode yesterday looked very good, apart from a couple of scratches on the tank.

David.

[shingo]

Thanks for that. It seems crazy to me BlueWing are not importing to NZ. After all with petrol prices and 250 bike demand, you'd think a market would be there.

The price that the 2008 vtr's would be set at is $8000, maining they would probably struggle to compete with other new bikes like the Hyosung and the new Ninja.

[Patar]

Do it, buy a vtr.
They're bullet proof and will take all the punishment that any leaner rider can dish out, plus they've got enough go to keep you happy out on the open road (at least until you can move onto a bigger bike)

[McJim]

VTR250 is manufactured in Japan - hence it costs a LOT more than GN250 (China) and Scorpio 225 (Thailand I think).

GN250s used to be made in Japan and if you find an old one made there it is probably still running well.

VTR250 is an excellent learner choice. If you have the money then the newer the better but they will last very well if looked after.

The more expensive older 250s you refer to are probably the "Race replica IL4" bikes like the CBR250rrrrrr(odd how the Japanese chose to put so many of a letter they can't adequately pronounce into a vehicle's name), ZXR250, FZR250, GSXR250...all good bikes in their day however 80% of the examples found today have since had the nuts revved off them by boi ricer types moving to 2 wheels and fixated on horsepower for their first bike.

VTR250 beats the Ninja 250 for me coz if you are a learner you are very likely to drop the bike slowly at some point. This won't afect the VTR but will cost you thousands on a fully faired Ninja.

[LardEmbargo]

I was happy I found the extra cash to get the VTR. I'm not knocking GNs as learner bikes, I think they're great for what they are, and GN250 money would've suited me better, but my justifications were

• I liked the forgiving v-twin engine thing, it didn't sulk when I ended up in the wrong gear
• I thought it was probably built better and would hold its value better while I had it
• I'm a noob, so finding a reasonable-condition *old* GN from when they made them better was going to be a lottery
• I thought spending a bit more on a bike that was a bit more capable would give me something to grow into as I (sort of) improved. Whenever that happens. I'd talked to a couple of people who'd started off on a GN and then felt they'd grown out of it and really *really* wanted to upgrade after 6 months or so.

plus some other things you'll have to decide yourself by trying them out, like

• I felt much more comfortable on the VTR. The seat on the GN was kind of square, I've only got short legs, wasn't comfy stretching to the ground (bike felt lower, but the ground felt further away if that makes any sense). I liked the riding position on the VTR much better too, the GN felt very upright.

I never really looked at anything with a fairing on - I liked the naked look anyway was why, but it's probably true that faired learner bikes are a bit of a liability with learners actually on them. I guess shiny plastic bits might scuff up pretty easily if, you know, your bike happens to get a bit tired and wants to have a lie down.

Anyway, for a shared bike I guess you'll both have to have a sit on one and see what you think. Hope you can work it out anyway, you're on the verge of owning your very own 2-wheeled motorised conveyance of almost certain doom, it's all very exciting :/

[meatface]

Does anyone know anything about the VTR250F? Is this even real?

http://issuu.com/motorcyclenews/docs/mcnsampler060808

Check out page 6-7

[davebullet]

Well, I've bought that VTR I mentioned. It was pissing down, strong southerly when I rode her home last night.. but I didn't care. Was great. Looking forward to using / riding it. My partner said I made a good choice... now the fight is on for whether her or I will be riding it the most.

David.