Hornet or cbr?

[ducatilover]

so im now stuck between a crb or a zxr250 type c, what do the zxrs go like, any problems

the rideable difference is bugger all, both are around the same in a straight line, the cbr will last longer though.
but i must say the zxr250c is a better looking toy

[Monty69]

Ive owned 2 mc19 cbr250s and a 1996 hornet. The hornet is tuned more for midrange power and is really suited to round town work, and its here the hornet was better. More comfortable riding position and happy to pull from much lower revs. Once you get on the open road though the cbr would easily pull away from the hornet. The hornet will cruise happily at 110kmh but will struggle to hit 160kmh flat out. Tuck behind the fairing on a 45hp cbr and on a good day (ie tail wind) they will go off the clock to around 200kmh. Both are bullet proof and super reliable, i guess it comes down to what you will be doing most... If you're going to spend most of your time hooning round town the hornet is great, but if you want superior open road performance you need a cbr. ZXRs are also very quick and look nice, but are renowned for breaking cam chains (cbrs are gear driven) and just generally less reliable...

[GSXR_BIKER]

A GSXR250's a great bike to start with!

[macros87]

yes i would say the cam chain on the zxr is the only disadvantage, but you only worry about it every 30000 km, and like with every bike if you service it and look after it it will last zxr or cbr, i find the zxr better cos it is slightly larger, so i enjoy its riding position a bit more, but if you are just after a commuter id recommend the hornet, very good bikes, but the tires are awkward sizes im told and are kind of hard to get your hands on them, they are also not as cheap as average 250cc bike tyres would be.

[Monty69]

id recommend the hornet, very good bikes, but the tires are awkward sizes im told and are kind of hard to get your hands on them, they are also not as cheap as average 250cc bike tyres would be.

The hornets rear tyre is one of the widest ive ever seen on a 250 (which looks cool) and i had no troubles getting tyres for it. Walked strait into PIT LANE in christchurch and they had sets that fitted with no extra cost relative to my cbrs. I spose that could be down to the shop you go to though...

[glice]

I went for the cbr. dont fuss to much about the mc19 or 22, performance wise they are pretty much the same. unless you have the money and like the look/will feel not as cool on a mc19.
tyre wise for the cbr go for the dunlop gpra10.

[ducatilover]

I went for the cbr. dont fuss to much about the mc19 or 22, performance wise they are pretty much the same. unless you have the money and like the look/will feel not as cool on a mc19.
tyre wise for the cbr go for the dunlop gpra10.

the mc19 has shit brakes compared to the mc22. the last mc22 i rode felt completely different to any mc19 i have ridden. but yeah, id only get the 22 for the brakes

[Monty69]

Unless youre going to the race track the superior brakes on the mc22 wont be missed, the mc19 will still stop you as fast as the front tyres grip will allow, but they will fade earlier compared to the mc22. If you have the cash to spare, the mc22 does look a bit more aggressive, but as stated by others, the performance is the same. Hornet is just as fast till loss-of-licence speeds are encountered, but on a cbr that doesnt matter, you wouldnt stop for a cop at those speeds

[ducatilover]

Unless youre going to the race track the superior brakes on the mc22 wont be missed, the mc19 will still stop you as fast as the front tyres grip will allow, but they will fade earlier compared to the mc22. If you have the cash to spare, the mc22 does look a bit more aggressive, but as stated by others, the performance is the same. Hornet is just as fast till loss-of-licence speeds are encountered, but on a cbr that doesnt matter, you wouldnt stop for a cop at those speeds

i always felt the 19 was quite poor as far as on road braking performance goes. stop around as fast as the spada, which is shit. when i brought my mates mc22 down from aucks i was quite happy with the brakes, just like the other few mc22s i have ridden. its also nice when mr 'im too good for you and will undertake you in my primera' comes along beside you

[glice]

the mc19 has shit brakes compared to the mc22. the last mc22 i rode felt completely different to any mc19 i have ridden. but yeah, id only get the 22 for the brakes

I can still lock up the front wheel. If its set up well and looked after it'l still haul you up. just gota give a good squeeze.
The only time I want more stopping is at track days. But brakes just slow you down.

[Monty69]

i always felt the 19 was quite poor as far as on road braking performance goes. stop around as fast as the spada, which is shit. when i brought my mates mc22 down from aucks i was quite happy with the brakes, just like the other few mc22s i have ridden. its also nice when mr 'im too good for you and will undertake you in my primera' comes along beside you

The mc19 will stop just as quik as mc22, you just need to pull with a bit of force (and have decent pads)... The mc22 will be easier at the lever and wont fade as quickly but both bikes are limited by the front wheel grip

[ducatilover]

The mc19 will stop just as quik as mc22, you just need to pull with a bit of force (and have decent pads)... The mc22 will be easier at the lever and wont fade as quickly but both bikes are limited by the front wheel grip

fade is an arse. all the mc22s I have ridden have had decent rubber. but yes the 19 will haul up well, but will fade and as you said its easier to do so on a 22, perhaps this is why I am thinking the 22 stops better [i dont like squashing my fingers after a 30km thrash on the 19s]

[Blackshear]

GET A BANDIT!

[Choco]

Getta Hornet!

[Timmay]

Here is my 2 cents worth, I have a 1996 Hornet and I have ridden a couple of CBRs.

Power: I have got my hornet to 190km/hr but it took a slight down hill. I haven't found a straight long enough to get it past 170km/hr yet but I have done 150km/hr with a mate on the back so it has plenty of power. The power is usable and it has plenty of torque in the lower and mid revs. Plenty of pull at 100km/hr to make overtaking easy enough.

Handling: The 180 wide rear tyre is wonderful, but is expensive to replace with quality rubber ($300+ for a Pirelli Diablo) It is especially good with a pillion through corners as the huge rear tyre grips much better than any other 250 with a pillion would. The only real disadvantage of the wider rear tyre on such a light bike would be its tenancy to float on wet roads, however mine has never done so and I have never heard of any hornet owner complaining of this.

Styling: Due to the huge rear tyre and modern styling every cop, car driver and some bikers get the learn thinking it is a 600cc or 900cc bike.

Comfort: The hornet has a very nice upright position and a wide seat which makes it very comfortable. Because it is based on the 600cc and 900cc bikes it feels like a full size bike which may not suit a learner unless you are tall. The stock exhaust makes the hornet sound like a sewing machine but if you prefer a quiet bike for the open road then it is perfect. I initially thought I would get an aftermarket muffler to make my hornet sound better but I now value the quiet for the open road.

Fuel useage, When I'm having fun, my hornet gets 19km/l, on long rides and sticking to 60/110km/hr it will get 31km/l which is very good.

Reliability: Honda are famous for producing long lasting engines. The hornet is a dream to work on. Mine has done 48,000km and does not drip or burn oil, literally it needs no top up between oil changes. The limit of revs due to de-tuning means that the hornets engines are over engineered and should well outlast the CBRs.

In comparison the CBRs I have ridden feel tiny, they are really designed for Japanese midgets. The CBR has more power but it is all at the high revs, not so good for learning or around town but better on the open road.

These two are very different bikes and suited to totally different riding, don't let anyone tell you they are similar or related, the frame, brakes, tyres and engine are all totally different or altered. You really need to ride each one and sort out what you are looking for. Summary: the CBR is a fun ickle crotch rocket and the hornet is a big bike with a small engine.