I'm not looking to replace the VFR at all here. As a new rider, I would really just like a bike that I can go jump on and KNOW that it's gonna GO. Plus 95% of my riding will be around Memphis or 30 minutes out of town to my parents/brother's houses. I'll still have the VFR when I want to ride harder or faster or just have some power under me.
2012 CBR250R
2k miles
$2900
I have a little to put down on it, so financing would be a decently low payment.
For the price it is a good buy. I was hoping for something with more performance. Fit and finish is typical Honda. But if I was going to go for a 250, it would be for the Yamaha WR250R. It's a lot more expensive though, but it has higher performance. And I don't have to worry about the reliability of that CRF based engine.
It gets pretty good reviews. I'd go for it, or look for a Ninja 300. Seems fun, practical, and easy to park. Of course, I also like scooters.
Oh great... I have Scooter-guy defending me. ;) TOTALLY kidding! LOL.
I'm one of those people that gets swayed very easily by brand-loyalty. If I get a 250, it'll most likely be the CBR.
I drove my Si behind my brother (95 VFR) and a buddy (2012 Triumph Street Triple) to lunch the other day and it was killing me to be in the car. That type of riding would be most of my miles and I think the 250 would be more than adequate.
I'm also quite enamored with the supermoto 400's. Something like the DRZ400SM. But that's a whole other style that I'm not looking for right now..
For the price it is a good buy. I was hoping for something with more performance. Fit and finish is typical Honda. But if I was going to go for a 250, it would be for the Yamaha WR250R. It's a lot more expensive though, but it has higher performance. And I don't have to worry about the reliability of that CRF based engine.
Too funny. You posted before I mentioned the DRZ. I didnt know the WR was a supermoto bike.
Have you thought about a scooter? You can't beat them for practicality. I currently have a 2012 SYM JOY MAX 300cc scooter, it has plenty of power for highway use(95mph top speed), faster than most family sedan off the line. I'm getting over 70mpg, 90 percent city use. The seat are wide for comfort and with under seat storage to fit 2 full face helmet. Adding a top-box you and your significant other will have enough room to fit one week of groceries.
The 250X is the super moto, The R is dual sport. The R seems to be priced around $6400 new vs $4200 for the CBR250. The X might be a few cheaper, but still $2k difference.
I had an inside-line on an 06 Ninja 250 from a friend of a friend, but in the end... I found out that it "didn't run" and "prally needs carbs rebuilt"... Ummm, NO thank you.
I am really still mulling over the 08. It's from a dealer, and is being fully serviced top to bottom before they sell it. I just want something I can go start and ride and enjoy.
Dont buy one of the pre-alloy framed Nionja 250s unless you are getting it for below KBB wholesale price based on condition. The bike hardly changed over teh 20 year production run (BNG only and some updated fairings)
Then newer Kaxi 250s are really nice if you are getting a fair deal on one.
i still say honda should have taken the engine from the old VTR250 v-twin, fuel-injected it to meet modern emissions standards, and levered it into the all new chassis with the vfr1200 lookalike bodywork.
The VTR was given EFI a while back now. It also just got an upper fairing.
I can't find the recent article about the latter point, but there's some pics on YouTube -
No doubt it's even more too expensive for most markets post-GFC than it was before. It probably helps even less now that the CBR500 range can be had cheaper. It just hasn't been a good time lately if you know and crave the charm of a modern, reliable V-twin.
OP, Google for online comparisons of the CBR vs Ninja 250 - generally they're either very close or the CBR mostly gets the nod as a package. The Ninja gets ahead at the top, but needs to wind it's way up there compared to the stronger lower rpm delivery of the CBR. It's pretty much classic twin vs single in that respect, with the CBR being a lot less busy going about it's business. It's also a completely new and modern bike from the ground up, including the motor.
Naturally, taking them for a ride will tell you a lot more, and if the cheaper Ninja on offer is a good one, then they're still a decent bike.
Bear in mind too that if running costs are a crucial factor, the EFI single in the Honda gets notably better fuel economy in the reports I've read. Servicing should be a bit simpler as well.
Well... I finally bit the bullet and made the call. I'll get some pics later today or tomorrow. It all depends on when I can get a ride down to the dealership. :)
I have also tought about having a small cc "bulletproof" bike as a commuter, and well some might say I have a small cc bike whit the old 250RG 2 stroker, that still has its plate thro.
Well, right its a fun toy, but no commuter. And after last years deer accident it needs some cosmeticall care.
My VFR has been sitting for a year and ½ whitout a plate, and sadly looks it will stay so at least this season. Tax has got higher this year where I live, and feels money is herder than ever to keep in the wallet for some extra fun. It also needs a nrw headset that thro is laying arround, but seem also familly needs more and more time so have not been time to work on it.
Back to subject. The new wave of small cc bikes are werry cool I think. I have not seen the new Ninja 300 in real, but the old Ninja 250 and the CBR250.
I think Kawasaki has the edge here whit the twin. And the 50 more cc for 2013 should give even more advantage.
I only wish the Ninja had the 4 inch wide rear rim, not the CBR, as then you would get really grippy Bridg. BT090s for it to make it even more fun.
But for me it will stay as a dream, as I dont wan´t to sell the VFR to get a nother bike, and whitout selling I can´t buy a nother bike. Its as simple as that.
I've sat on the new 300 in person and it looks and sits like a 600 (to my un-trained self). It's nice and wide compared to the Ninja250 and especially the CBR250.
What deterred me from the 300 was the $4799 price. I'm sure it's worth every penny, but I just don't have it.
Today's the day! I was planning to have my gf drive me down to get it, then just ride it home. But it's about 38F, overcast and rainy today. NOT ideal first-ride conditions. :( I'll end up taking the truck and trailer to pick it up after lunch. Tomorrow is supposed to be mid-50's and clear, Same for Sunday and all next week!!!!
Lookie what followed me home today!
It was pouring rain, so I had to trailer it and don't have any good pics yet...
Sent from my handheld-sending-thing...
Congrats. The Kawasaki has it all over the Honda - a twin vs a dirtbike sourced single, little bit more room in the cockpit, more capable on freeway blasts and better gas mileage. Enjoy!
Lol. That is the gf's Saturn. But yeah, I found a pretty ironic how close the colors are.
It is still 39 degrees here, and the rain move out this morning. I have not gotten a chance to ride it yet, but maybe at lunch today
Sent from my handheld-sending-thing...
Disclaimer: The following is written without any knowledge of your specific experiences or how you ride...
Maybe others with more experience can confirm / deny this but I think practicing in the twisties on a lighter bike with less power will allow you focus on proper technique and won't mask mistakes you may make like the VFR will. Once you can ride the Ninja to 9.5 out of 10 you'll be able to better appreciate the VFR.
That's why I plan on hanging onto my '91 750 and riding it until the wheels fall off. In the two seasons I've owned it it's gone from super heavy and tough to hold a good line to feeling light and nimble. Friends have suggested trading up to a newer / more capable bike with more power but I'm going to ride this one until I master it. I think that will take a LONG time.
Enjoy!
Edit: I think a good analogy would be taking your .22 to the range for an afternoon to work on technique. Not as much fun as a larger caliber per se but you can focus on form instead of just blowing targets away.
Tyler, that's my main justification in buying this one. In addition to being 100% street worthy and legal from day 1, I wanted something light to ride around the city and a bit 'easier' to learn on for skill. Once I'm out-riding this 250, I know that will translate up to the bigger bikes. NOT to say that I won't still be riding the VFR in the meantime.
On the actual Ninja 250r forum, someone told me "good choice on a first bike to learn how to ride properly", and another guy jumped his ass about having 35 years of riding experience and it's a "crock of bullshit" to say you can't learn to ride properly on a 600 or bigger. I tried to laugh him off and diffuse, but he seems to be a huge squid that loves trolling the Intro forum for new 250 guys. UGH.
Tyler, that's my main justification in buying this one. In addition to being 100% street worthy and legal from day 1, I wanted something light to ride around the city and a bit 'easier' to learn on for skill. Once I'm out-riding this 250, I know that will translate up to the bigger bikes. NOT to say that I won't still be riding the VFR in the meantime.
On the actual Ninja 250r forum, someone told me "good choice on a first bike to learn how to ride properly", and another guy jumped his ass about having 35 years of riding experience and it's a "crock of bullshit" to say you can't learn to ride properly on a 600 or bigger. I tried to laugh him off and diffuse, but he seems to be a huge squid that loves trolling the Intro forum for new 250 guys. UGH.
At age 57 I bought my first bike, 2001 VFR. I eventually learned to ride it (sort of) but not without a lot of broken bodywork. In fact, because I was not used to the sensitivity of the front brake, while turning into the parking lot after a test-ride around the block, it high-sided me when I braked on a freshly painted lane turn arrow, locked the front wheel and slid across the arrow onto bare pavement and went flying. Very embarrased bringing it back to the seller. Had to buy it of course but I planned to anyway. It would have been cheaper to practice on a small, unfaired, bike 'til the basics became automatic. I did have a Honda 350 Scrambler back it '68 for a year; getting a motorcycle endorsement was ridiculously easy, requiring no training. So I really did not know how to ride. Not even knowledge of counter-steering. Sheeesh! Lucky to be alive, actually. One of these days I will actually know how to ride.
In the MSC course I eventually took the next year, the instructor put it like this: "One starts out with a full bag of luck, and an empty bag of experience. The goal is to fill the later before the former empties." It's getting down to the wire! :unsure:
Yup you can't beat VFRD. Almost every time there's a link to another forum I'm shocked how snarky everyone is. Internet cowboys!
You've got that right. I think a lot has to do with the maturity of the bulk of the members. I have found that most members of the Tw 200 forum are also top notch. ( they would fit in here immediately ). Again, a more mature group.
This forum has lots of guys who ride what they like and are mature enough to know what their bike IS and ISN'T. VFRD is a great place and I'll be around here for a long time to come. :)
That said... I rode for about 30 minutes yesterday. From home, gas station, to the body shop, then home, to a friends house, then home again. ABSOLUTE BLAST!!!!! :D :D :D