Honda Spada / VT250 vs Suzuki Bandit?

[maffooo]

I cheated, i dont own a motorbike and i dont even have my lisence yet, but im planning to sell my s14 to change all that.

the two bikes which strike my interest is hondas spada / successor vt250 and the suzuki bandit. both bikes are under 4grand which is the max il pay and ive heard good stories about both of them, i was just wondering if i could get some first hand fresh opinions for myself before i make a choice.

ive had experience with offroad bikes so im not a total rookie albeit totally new with road bikes. i want ur opinions on which is the most reliable, quicker excelerating, comfort, easiest for parts, gas economy etc.

thanks in advanced =]

[JimO]

vtr 250 is a good bike as well

[motorbyclist]

imho the VTR250 is the better bike

as for the older spada vs bandit, your best bet is to ride them both and see which one you can find a better example of

i see you already claim to own an 89 spada?

[hXc]

The 2 above have said VTR, but I don't agree. It's only a 5 speed box and compared to the Spada it is gutless and not as fun to ride. I had a Spada for 3 years and loved every single bloody minute of it, could make no better suggestion in my opinion.

But check 'em all out and take YOUR favourite. With Spadas, just look carefully at the k's because if it's coming toward changing the cam chains, it's bloody expensive.

[Harvd]

Ive just done my first thou ks on a 96 bandit and love it, in saying that i test rode a vt250 for a friend the other day and really enjoyed that and found it a easier bike to ride, especially at slow speed, try them both, if your just going for around town id take the vtwin, if you want more open road id go with the bandit just beacause its got a bit more power, and the handling is great.

Ride them both.

[JimO]

Ive just done my first thou ks on a 96 bandit and love it, in saying that i test rode a vt250 for a friend the other day and really enjoyed that and found it a easier bike to ride, especially at slow speed, try them both, if your just going for around town id take the vtwin, if you want more open road id go with the bandit just beacause its got a bit more power, and the handling is great.

Ride them both.

my boys vtr has no problem sitting on 120 to 130

[Radar]

Two friends of mine have had Spadas and liked them, but parts had to be sourced from Spain (where they are made) which took a long time. My Hyosung GT250 was just as fast as a Spada (raced my friend's Spada several times). Spadas can do 110 120 kph all day no problem. On paper they have more hp than most other 250's but that does not mean they are necessarilyfaster since they are old (1990??). My mate binned his Spada, needed a new front wheel, forks and brakes but gave up and bought a Hyo GT250R which he likes better.

I test rode a VTR250, then an hour later, a GT250R. VTR's are good bikes with solid Honda engineering. If a VTR feels good to you, get it. Personally I liked the GT250R better, but it was more expensive.

[Anarkist]

I'd suggest the VTR250 because they're absolutely awesome.

.. Then again, I may be slightly biased

[hXc]

Two friends of mine have had Spadas and liked them, but parts had to be sourced from Spain (where they are made) which took a long time. My Hyosung GT250 was just as fast as a Spada (raced my friend's Spada several times). Spadas can do 110 120 kph all day no problem. On paper they have more hp than most other 250's but that does not mean they are necessarilyfaster since they are old (1990??). My mate binned his Spada, needed a new front wheel, forks and brakes but gave up and bought a Hyo GT250R which he likes better.

I test rode a VTR250, then an hour later, a GT250R. VTR's are good bikes with solid Honda engineering. If a VTR feels good to you, get it. Personally I liked the GT250R better, but it was more expensive.

Parts for Spadas only aren't made anymore, and there aren't too many which can't be taken from other Hondas from the same age.

Your friend's Spada must have been absolutely knackered, or your friend doesn't know how to ride it properly if your GT kept up with it. The GT is a fucking huge bike, with a crap load of weight to go with it too. My Spada was stock standard, and had an electronically timed speed of 178km/h, and could do a standing 1/4 in 14 flat.

And they are only 1988 or 1989. And I'd has it a guess that you can't get more solid Honda engineering from a "learner's" bike (as in 250 category etc) than a Spada mate. Things are solid as, and took a mechanic a fair while to figure out my cam chains when they needed changing.

[MSTRS:Me]

Point of order here....
The HONDA Spada is an up-specced version of the VT/VTR range and was made for 2 years only. Too expensive for the target market. It most definitely was NOT made in Spain.
There is a MotoGuzzi Spada...nothing like the Honda

[Radar]

Parts for Spadas only aren't made anymore, and there aren't too many which can't be taken from other Hondas from the same age.

Your friend's Spada must have been absolutely knackered, or your friend doesn't know how to ride it properly if your GT kept up with it. The GT is a fucking huge bike, with a crap load of weight to go with it too. My Spada was stock standard, and had an electronically timed speed of 178km/h, and could do a standing 1/4 in 14 flat.

And they are only 1988 or 1989. And I'd has it a guess that you can't get more solid Honda engineering from a "learner's" bike (as in 250 category etc) than a Spada mate. Things are solid as, and took a mechanic a fair while to figure out my cam chains when they needed changing.

His Spada was not knackered and he is a competent rider and rode his Spada fast as possible. I only raced him up to 110 kph. I thought my post would get someone going - mentioning a Hyosung tends to do this on KB. Now let me clarify: I believe a Spada is a superb bike, better than most all 250's, but at around 20 years old they may not be performing as they should. My mate's bike was maintained well, did not burn or use oil, etc., and I weigh at least 10 kg more than him. A Spada should beat most 250's except perhaps a CBRR or Zeal if they are in top shape. Personally I would not recommend that a learner buy a Spada because parts are difficult to get and there are so many newer bikes to choose from at a similar price, but if the Spada is in top shape and the learner wants a fast bike that is different than the commonly seen Bandits, Ninjas, etc., and they are aware of the parts situation, then I'd say go for it.

Point of order here....
The HONDA Spada is an up-specced version of the VT/VTR range and was made for 2 years only. Too expensive for the target market. It most definitely was NOT made in Spain.

I just tried several google searches but cannot find where they were made. It would make sense that they were built in Japan like other Hondas. I was told they were made in Spain but maybe the person confused the fact that Spada parts had to be sourced from Spain?

[JimO]

spada schmada get a vtr my brother has a spada and i still say get a vtr

[motorbyclist]

they are old (1990??).

as are most the decent 250's today - ie zxr, cbr, bandit

Your friend's Spada must have been absolutely knackered, or your friend doesn't know how to ride it properly if your GT kept up with it. The GT is a fucking huge bike, with a crap load of weight to go with it too.

i'd agree with you in that any 250 race is ultimately decided by the rider

but vtr i reckon is faster/better than the spada, but being newer would help a lot there.

not a fan of the gtr myself, but to a learner who doesn't know much better.....

And I'd has it a guess that you can't get more solid Honda engineering from a "learner's" bike

the vtr is jsut as well build, and the cbr/hornets with gear driven cams are THE most mechanically reliable bikes on the market