250 advice required please

[Morcs]

33,000km's, mint mechanically, plastics needed a lick of paint (cost me $30) aftermarket rear sprocket, grab rail, exhaust and screen fairings.

$5k, and its a recent import so probably hasnt had 23 NZ learner owners who've thrashed it over its 9 year life.

I think the Hornet is definately the one to go for if you can find one for 5k, (i couldnt so got the next best thing)

[strongarm1]

cheers dude - will have to keep my eyes open i guess.

[strongarm1]

hey morcs - why would you choose the hornet over the bandit ??

[imdying]

Screw the Hyosung, as you've already noticed, it doesn't take much looking over to see how much of a cobbled together piece of crap they are. Sure you might not have a problem with it in your short learner days, but plenty of guys on here have had various apparently common faults.

The VTRs are ok, and you can get one that's not too old. The Bandits are built on a pretty reliable well developed platform, and there's nothing expensive to break. The Hornet is a bit pricey for what you get imho, but they're a well developed bike too, been around 10 years now.

In the end, you've probably had the FXR a wee while? So not much longer to go on the learners/restricted? If so, get the cheapest piece of crap you can find, and starting stashing money away for the next step

[McJim]

Well here's my 2c worth.

Try a Bandit/Hornet then try a VTR/GT250.

That way you can decide how you feel about the whole hp versus torque issue which is really what it comes down to. I've tried a Bandit but prefer the wide torque available from the V-Twin. Was out with gijoe1313 yesterday (he's got a hornet) and he found it dificult to keep up when the bikes were going uphill but no probs on the flat in a straight line - the VTR is better in the twisties - again because the torque allows you to do less gear changes and still pull; hard out of the turns...Bandits and Hornets will always have a faster top end because of the higher hp though.

Test drive then decide.

[strongarm1]

Well here's my 2c worth.

Try a Bandit/Hornet then try a VTR/GT250.

That way you can decide how you feel about the whole hp versus torque issue which is really what it comes down to. I've tried a Bandit but prefer the wide torque available from the V-Twin. Was out with gijoe1313 yesterday (he's got a hornet) and he found it dificult to keep up when the bikes were going uphill but no probs on the flat in a straight line - the VTR is better in the twisties - again because the torque allows you to do less gear changes and still pull; hard out of the turns...Bandits and Hornets will always have a faster top end because of the higher hp though.

Test drive then decide.

Hp vs Torque - Im not after straight line speed and the torque of the twin sounds more like me and my style of riding. I had the FXR 12months almost to the day before the accident. With a new baby and a paranoid anti-bike wife I think Im pushin my homelife gettin a 250 and not another 150. Still got 6months of restricted to go.

[strongarm1]

so there are only really 5 naked mid/late 90's 250cc worth looking at ??? Bandit-Hornet-VTR-Hyosung-and Spada??? Whats a Yamaha Zeal anyone???
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...p-26767537.htm

[gijoe1313]

Heheh, I love my 250 Hornet I do - I guess I'm not a thrasher of it when it comes to fanging the revs to make it go fast up hill. McJim makes a good case, when I was dropping the gear and revving nine shades of shite out of it, no worries! The prob is the pricing of the 250 Hornets on the market are inflated (go figger, 250 pricing inflated?). You'd be lucky to find a good one around the 5k mark. I think there's one on Trademe

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-72493057.htm

The other is at Botany Honda via Trademe too.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-72965051.htm

In the end, go give all the bikes you're looking at a sit and ride test and see what you like. Obviously for all the various 250 pundits out there, the ride they have is the best! Go Hornet and it'd sit up and be good for ya, fang it if ya want to take it fast up the hills (as I have done but just generally prefer to pootle along ). It also looks and handles nifty keen!

But then, I'm bias good luck on your new two fiddy acquisition! You'll need to put some brownie points in with the missus!

[MSTRS:Me]

so there are only really 5 naked mid/late 90's 250cc worth looking at ??? Bandit-Hornet-VTR-Hyosung-and Spada??? Whats a Yamaha Zeal anyone???

Zeal's are mightily loved by their owners. Nice bikes. Bit hungry petrol-wise. Don't come up for sale very often.

[strongarm1]

cheers GiJoe - yeah the 250cc market is freakin stupid alright.

[Ixion]

Oh my goodness. You invoke mighty forces when you mention the magnificent Zeal

Where IS the legendary KB Zeal now? Surely it must still be buzzing along in the hands of the 20th or 30th KBer to inherit it.

Ever thought of a chook chaser ?

[strongarm1]

Where IS the legendary KB Zeal now? Surely it must still be buzzing along in the hands of the 20th or 30th KBer to inherit it.

Ever thought of a chook chaser ?

I dont get it ???

[Morcs]

hey morcs - why would you choose the hornet over the bandit ??

Purely styling really, even though my bandit is 97, it looks so much more aged than a 97 hornet.

I probably wouldve got a brand new VTR if Honda wouldve given me one at wholesale price...

[Tints]

sorry to go on a tangent but...
What are you doing with the FXR 150? Has it been written off and deregistered with insurance or are you keeping it as a wreck?
My FXR has been through an accident as well recently and the damage looks similar but less serious to the front fairing. I’m fixing it at the moment. I’m just curious because the insurance company screwed me around for 9 weeks to get it sorted as to weather to repair or not and weather I would get it back.
Cheers

[Mr. Peanut]

As Ixion said. A dual purpose bike like the xr250 would be a really good idea. Totally underated. If you crash it, it wont break. High fuel economy. No-one is likely to steal it. Healthy performance off the line. Light weight. No fairings to break... I wish I had one myself...

All 250's are overpriced and slow. May as well get something useful.