Choose your 250

Snake · November 5th, 2009, 11:41 AM

If all of the big four sport bike manufacturers made a 250 model which would you choose and why?

For me I think I would stick with the Kawasaki Ninja because I have always like Kawasaki bikes and they have very good engineering.

250Rocket · November 5th, 2009, 12:05 PM

Honda. They always have made kick @$$ bikes which are usually slightly lighter than the competition and it'll would be fuel injected since their 125R already has it.

k-os · November 5th, 2009, 12:16 PM

I would also go for Honda. I've always been impressed by their quality and attention to detail.

250Rocket · November 5th, 2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k-os

I would also go for Honda. I've always been impressed by their quality and attention to detail.

Don't forget their amazing commercials.

There's to many.

Greg_E · November 5th, 2009, 12:29 PM

It would need to be a sportbike and I would go with a GSXR250 or a TL250 if it was a V engine.

karlosdajackal · November 5th, 2009, 01:14 PM

3 of the big four do

* Kawasaki have the ninja250 and the klx250
* Yamaha have the ybr250 (kinda like the honda cbf250)
* Honda have plenty of 2nd hand cbf250's (stopped production in 2007 i think) kicking about the place, i raced one of the line 2 days ago even though its only 18bhp its not that far of our ninja in the real world

Other than the big four you have
* hyosungs gt250
* ktm 250 exc-f

k-os · November 5th, 2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg_E

It would need to be a sportbike and I would go with a GSXR250 or a TL250 if it was a V engine.

I think by 250 model he means sport bike.

Snake · November 5th, 2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg_E

It would need to be a sportbike and I would go with a GSXR250 or a TL250 if it was a V engine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by k-os

I think by 250 model he means sport bike.

Yes this poll has to do with sport bikes only.
Thanks K-os

Zero260 · November 5th, 2009, 01:22 PM

I wish they would all make 250cc bikes sportbikes for the US market. That would be great. I would surely have to test the waters with a Yamaha or a Honda. I love my Kawasaki but a little competition is good for business.

I think this is a photoshop'd pic, But just imagine the possibilities.

Kawasabi · November 5th, 2009, 01:28 PM

Ducati, hands down.

capt_bugaloo · November 5th, 2009, 01:46 PM

Can't really answer that question because it would depened on the specifications, price, etc.

adouglas · November 5th, 2009, 01:51 PM

+1. You're really just asking about perceived brand loyalty.

All four of the big Japanese manufacturers make good bikes. The only real differentiator is specs.

I'm loyal to Kawasaki simply because they offer bikes that suit my tastes and nobody else does. I don't think they're necessarily superior in terms of quality or engineering.

Reswob · November 5th, 2009, 02:00 PM

Honda or Yamaha's 125's both look better (more like a full-size crotch rocket) than the Ninja, so I can only speculate that if they made 250's, they'd be even better!

Reswob · November 5th, 2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adouglas

All four of the big Japanese manufacturers make good bikes. The only real differentiator is specs..

Eh? Just taking 600's for example, all 4 bikes make about the same hp, cost about the same, weigh about the same, etc., etc. The big difference seems to be which one you think looks the best.

djpharoah · November 5th, 2009, 02:21 PM

I'd take a Honda as I'd love a CBR250RR.

Snake · November 5th, 2009, 02:24 PM

I love my Ninja 250 as well but like some of you have said, competition from the other brands would be nice. If Kawasaki had more competition in the 250 market than maybe they would come out with new models say every 5 years instaed of 10. Also it might sour them on to add FI, a 4 cylinder, a V-Twin or any combination. My point is that competition is good to keep the bike fresh and inovative.

rockNroll · November 5th, 2009, 03:11 PM

Honda

sombo · November 5th, 2009, 03:38 PM

Well Kawasaki does have FI on the 250 in Europe, and they do have a l-4 250 in Japan. So why don't they bring either here? Well the FI issue is because they claimed they were trying to keep the cost down for NA buyers since that was the first concern of 250 buyers according to some survey they said they did. As for the l-4 250, I can only think of that they believe there's no market for it here. That or they want to keep it for their local population (which alot of companies do around the world).

I would love to see all 4 companies start making l-4 250 sport bikes again and offer them up to the world market. They wouldn't even have to make huge numbers, just advertise them and build to order if they wanted. The 250 market is definitely growing worldwide and quickly closing on the day that competition in it will happen once more. As the cost of everything goes up and the desire for reliable, 'inexpensive', efficient vehicles grows the manufacturers might begin to see a good area to make profit from the smaller bikes.

I think we are already seeing this with the rapid jump in price for bikes. I think it is their way of increasing the price of the bikes to increase profit margins on them and try to force more people into buying the smaller bikes in larger numbers. If you can continue to produce a product at $XXX and yet increase it's price by $XXX and get more people to buy them, you will get more profit. This could be happening because as the economy continues to be bad, less and less of the bigger more expensive bikes will be sold. So to make up for it, they will try to get more people to compromise and get a smaller bike at a higher cost to equal out the profits they want to see.

But that's just my view on things. Right now I would stick with Kawasaki though. I like Kawasaki bikes more then the others. I'm sick of gixxers (to me they are like roaches spreading infestation across the land

).

bob706 · November 5th, 2009, 03:41 PM

I would have to go with Yamaha. Kind of a brand loyalty thing because I have an electronic drum kit made by Yamaha.

CC Cowboy · November 5th, 2009, 04:11 PM

Aprillia

Snake · November 5th, 2009, 04:29 PM

I can't believe no votes for Suzuki yet. Can you imagine a Hayubusa 250?

250Rocket · November 5th, 2009, 04:44 PM

Gixxers are for squids or at least they seem to gravitate towards them. Squids don't look for anything under 600cc. You'd have only a few sales.

But forget the 250s, I wish they made 400cc bikes. That IMO is the ultimate balance of power and handling. Not to heavy but still enough grunt to get any job done even long hauls. Heck the 250R currently has enough power for 95% of daily riding but it lacks the power to do long distances without being too buzzy.

welcome2thedawn · November 5th, 2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Aprillia

yeah...i'd be happy with the 125 if it was street legal...

nate-bama · November 5th, 2009, 05:06 PM

UMM if anybody responding to this doesn't want a honda cbr 250..i pity the fool..screw fuel injection give me a 20 year old honda

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FMvl...eature=related

CC Cowboy · November 5th, 2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 250Rocket

Gixxers are for squids or at least they seem to gravitate towards them. Squids don't look for anything under 600cc. You'd have only a few sales.

I've seen idiots (squids) on all kinds of bikes so please don't label GSXR's for squidly bikes (because they are so popular).

I've ridden all kinds and brands of bikes and love them all, even though I've done some squidly things (like riding over your head). You'd be smart to worry about yourself and stop worrying about others. With the amount of people who crash 250s we all need to stick together instead of labeling other riders who have a bike you either don't like or don't understand.

250Rocket · November 5th, 2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I've seen idiots (squids) on all kinds of bikes so please don't label GSXR's for squidly bikes (because they are so popular).

I've ridden all kinds and brands of bikes and love them all, even though I've done some squidly things (like riding over your head). You'd be smart to worry about yourself and stop worrying about others. With the amount of people who crash 250s we all need to stick together instead of labeling other riders who have a bike you either don't like or don't understand.

Never claimed people who ride them are squids or riding that bike makes you a squid...... that would be stupid but wouldn't you agree that out of the big 4 Suzuki seems to attract the attention of more less responsible riders. Gixxer for squids cooment was a Hyperbole for intro into my real comment that they gravitate towards them.

Again not saying that Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki don't have their fair share i'm just speculating that it seems like it, or is this a motorcycle stereotype that ain't in the least bit true.

As far as crashing the 250R, a lot of people are learning so what else would you expect.

Lastly I don't worry about others. I ride my own ride and on a motorcycle I'm a lone wolf. If a fellow biker needs help i'll stop, if they pass, i'll wave, but outside of that and forums, couldn't care less. Ride slow, fast, head first into a wall,Here, doesn't matter to me.

danknation · November 5th, 2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Again not saying that Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki don't have their fair share i'm just speculating that it seems like it, or is this a motorcycle stereotype that ain't in the least bit true.

Stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason, they're almost always true. I would go into a few but I am sure it would touch some nerves so just use your imagination.

250Rocket · November 5th, 2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danknation

Stereotypes are stereotypes for a reson, they're are almost always true. I would go into a few but I am sure it would touch some nerves so just use your imagination.

Lol, thought of 5 reading. But enough of this back to the topic on hand, 250s, which one?

emilyLOVESlime · November 5th, 2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reswob

Eh? Just taking 600's for example, all 4 bikes make about the same hp, cost about the same, weigh about the same, etc., etc. The big difference seems to be which one you think looks the best.

That's what I've deduced. And I think the R6/R1 models are BEAUTIFUL. I'd love an baby version of one

I also really like the shape of the New-Gens though, and Kawasaki Green is basically my favorite color other than black, so that would work as well

Daeldren · November 5th, 2009, 08:00 PM

Kawasaki for their personality, Yamaha because they make some drop dead gorgeous bikes. However if Aprilia made a new model Id have to side with the Italians.

min nin · November 5th, 2009, 08:12 PM

BMW R25/7
250 boxer

Snake · November 5th, 2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate-bama

UMM if anybody responding to this doesn't want a honda cbr 250..i pity the fool..screw fuel injection give me a 20 year old honda

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FMvl...eature=related

Do you know if that Honda cbr 250 had an I4?

k-os · November 5th, 2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake

Do you know if that Honda cbr 250 had an I4?

I believe all CBR250's are Inline 4's.

subiegy2010 · November 5th, 2009, 08:48 PM

The Yamaha R125 picture above got me curious so I looked it up online. 0-60 in 14.5sec

. That's slower than a Prius.

Reswob · November 5th, 2009, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake

I can't believe no votes for Suzuki yet. Can you imagine a Hayubusa 250?

Would it weigh twice as much as other 250's

Snake · November 5th, 2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reswob

Would it weigh twice as much as other 250's

Yea and it would be stretched...lol

sombo · November 5th, 2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake

Do you know if that Honda cbr 250 had an I4?

All four manufacturers made l-4 250cc sport bikes back in the '90's. They all had about 45hp and could top out at around 125mph. Kawasaki still does make an l-4 250cc bike for Japan, the Balius II. They also make a ZRX 400 l-4 bike for Japan as well. Wish they would release them here.

ztrack157 · November 5th, 2009, 10:09 PM

Yamaha hands down.

miks · November 5th, 2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by welcome2thedawn

yeah...i'd be happy with the 125 if it was street legal...

Street legal over here. Not many options out there for learners in USA is there?

ztrack157 · November 5th, 2009, 11:04 PM

I personally think in CA where we have the 150cc limit on freeways there needs to be a change/ exception for bikes with small displacement which can handle its self with normal cars.

View Poll Results: Which 250 would you choose
Kawasaki	35	47.95%
Honda	24	32.88%
Suzuki	1	1.37%
Yamaha	13	17.81%
Voters: 73. You may not vote on this poll

November 5th, 2009, 11:41 AM	#1
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Choose your 250 If all of the big four sport bike manufacturers made a 250 model which would you choose and why? For me I think I would stick with the Kawasaki Ninja because I have always like Kawasaki bikes and they have very good engineering.

November 5th, 2009, 12:05 PM	#2
250Rocket ninjette.org member Name: Rob Location: Montreal, Canada Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R Posts: 171	Honda. They always have made kick @$$ bikes which are usually slightly lighter than the competition and it'll would be fuel injected since their 125R already has it. __________________________________________________ Back on the road again Season 2010 Dam it feels good!

November 5th, 2009, 01:14 PM	#6
karlosdajackal ninjette.org guru Name: Karl Location: Ireland the Hawaii of Europe! Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Fuel Injected Model 2009 Posts: 357	3 of the big four do * Kawasaki have the ninja250 and the klx250 * Yamaha have the ybr250 (kinda like the honda cbf250) * Honda have plenty of 2nd hand cbf250's (stopped production in 2007 i think) kicking about the place, i raced one of the line 2 days ago even though its only 18bhp its not that far of our ninja in the real world Other than the big four you have * hyosungs gt250 * ktm 250 exc-f __________________________________________________ My vlogs on Youtube are here

November 5th, 2009, 01:46 PM	#11
capt_bugaloo motorcycle rider Name: Bruce Location: Victoria, BC Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver) Posts: A lot.	Can't really answer that question because it would depened on the specifications, price, etc. __________________________________________________ '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver)

November 5th, 2009, 12:16 PM	#3
k-os ninjette.org sage Name: Andy Location: Sheboygan, WI Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 1988 Honda Hawk NT650, 1989 Honda Hawk NT650, 1997 GSXR750 Track Bike Posts: 890	I would also go for Honda. I've always been impressed by their quality and attention to detail.

November 5th, 2009, 12:29 PM	#5
Greg_E ninjette.org sage Name: Greg Location: central new york Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 90 Suzuki gsx600f Katana, 03 Buell XB9R Posts: 868	It would need to be a sportbike and I would go with a GSXR250 or a TL250 if it was a V engine.

November 5th, 2009, 01:22 PM	#9
Zero260 ninjette.org member Name: Zero Location: Georgia Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R Posts: 56	I wish they would all make 250cc bikes sportbikes for the US market. That would be great. I would surely have to test the waters with a Yamaha or a Honda. I love my Kawasaki but a little competition is good for business. I think this is a photoshop'd pic, But just imagine the possibilities.

November 5th, 2009, 01:28 PM	#10
Kawasabi ninjette.org member Name: J Location: NYC Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): RED 250R Posts: 112	Ducati, hands down.

November 5th, 2009, 01:51 PM	#12
adouglas Cat herder Name: Gort Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 6 MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13	+1. You're really just asking about perceived brand loyalty. All four of the big Japanese manufacturers make good bikes. The only real differentiator is specs. I'm loyal to Kawasaki simply because they offer bikes that suit my tastes and nobody else does. I don't think they're necessarily superior in terms of quality or engineering.

November 5th, 2009, 02:00 PM	#13
Reswob ninjette.org sage Name: Josh Location: Richmond VA Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Triumph Bonneville Black Posts: 627	Honda or Yamaha's 125's both look better (more like a full-size crotch rocket) than the Ninja, so I can only speculate that if they made 250's, they'd be even better!

November 5th, 2009, 02:21 PM	#15
djpharoah \m/ Name: Mesh Location: Irvine, CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): CBR600F3 Smokin Joes Posts: 138	I'd take a Honda as I'd love a CBR250RR.

November 5th, 2009, 02:24 PM	#16
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	I love my Ninja 250 as well but like some of you have said, competition from the other brands would be nice. If Kawasaki had more competition in the 250 market than maybe they would come out with new models say every 5 years instaed of 10. Also it might sour them on to add FI, a 4 cylinder, a V-Twin or any combination. My point is that competition is good to keep the bike fresh and inovative.

November 5th, 2009, 03:11 PM	#17
rockNroll . Name: rock Location: greenville, south carolina Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.	Honda

November 5th, 2009, 03:38 PM	#18
sombo Newb..... on a steeek! :D Name: Mike Location: Windermere, FL Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Harley Davidson XL883L Sportster Superlow Posts: A lot.	Well Kawasaki does have FI on the 250 in Europe, and they do have a l-4 250 in Japan. So why don't they bring either here? Well the FI issue is because they claimed they were trying to keep the cost down for NA buyers since that was the first concern of 250 buyers according to some survey they said they did. As for the l-4 250, I can only think of that they believe there's no market for it here. That or they want to keep it for their local population (which alot of companies do around the world). I would love to see all 4 companies start making l-4 250 sport bikes again and offer them up to the world market. They wouldn't even have to make huge numbers, just advertise them and build to order if they wanted. The 250 market is definitely growing worldwide and quickly closing on the day that competition in it will happen once more. As the cost of everything goes up and the desire for reliable, 'inexpensive', efficient vehicles grows the manufacturers might begin to see a good area to make profit from the smaller bikes. I think we are already seeing this with the rapid jump in price for bikes. I think it is their way of increasing the price of the bikes to increase profit margins on them and try to force more people into buying the smaller bikes in larger numbers. If you can continue to produce a product at $XXX and yet increase it's price by $XXX and get more people to buy them, you will get more profit. This could be happening because as the economy continues to be bad, less and less of the bigger more expensive bikes will be sold. So to make up for it, they will try to get more people to compromise and get a smaller bike at a higher cost to equal out the profits they want to see. But that's just my view on things. Right now I would stick with Kawasaki though. I like Kawasaki bikes more then the others. I'm sick of gixxers (to me they are like roaches spreading infestation across the land ).

November 5th, 2009, 03:41 PM	#19
bob706 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Mary Esther, FL Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.	I would have to go with Yamaha. Kind of a brand loyalty thing because I have an electronic drum kit made by Yamaha.

November 5th, 2009, 04:11 PM	#20
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	Aprillia __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

November 5th, 2009, 04:29 PM	#21
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	I can't believe no votes for Suzuki yet. Can you imagine a Hayubusa 250?

November 5th, 2009, 04:44 PM	#22
250Rocket ninjette.org member Name: Rob Location: Montreal, Canada Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R Posts: 171	Gixxers are for squids or at least they seem to gravitate towards them. Squids don't look for anything under 600cc. You'd have only a few sales. But forget the 250s, I wish they made 400cc bikes. That IMO is the ultimate balance of power and handling. Not to heavy but still enough grunt to get any job done even long hauls. Heck the 250R currently has enough power for 95% of daily riding but it lacks the power to do long distances without being too buzzy. __________________________________________________ Back on the road again Season 2010 Dam it feels good!

November 5th, 2009, 05:06 PM	#24
nate-bama North Alabama Mtn. ryder Name: Nate Location: Alabama Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Posts: 537	UMM if anybody responding to this doesn't want a honda cbr 250..i pity the fool..screw fuel injection give me a 20 year old honda http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FMvl...eature=related __________________________________________________ QTRltrPWR

November 5th, 2009, 08:00 PM	#30
Daeldren two wheel addict Name: Kenneth Location: Simpsonville, SC Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 94 xlh 883, 1984 kawi gpz money pit Posts: 556	Kawasaki for their personality, Yamaha because they make some drop dead gorgeous bikes. However if Aprilia made a new model Id have to side with the Italians.

November 5th, 2009, 08:12 PM	#31
min nin ninjette.org member Name: terry Location: SW fla Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 250r Posts: 94	BMW R25/7 250 boxer

November 5th, 2009, 08:48 PM	#34
subiegy2010 noob in training Name: Ilya Location: Milwaukee, WI Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R (sold) '05 SV650S Posts: 175	The Yamaha R125 picture above got me curious so I looked it up online. 0-60 in 14.5sec . That's slower than a Prius.

November 5th, 2009, 10:09 PM	#38
ztrack157 The Sportisi Master Name: Matt Location: Chico Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.	Yamaha hands down. __________________________________________________ Sportisimoto USA is born.

November 5th, 2009, 11:04 PM	#40
ztrack157 The Sportisi Master Name: Matt Location: Chico Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.	I personally think in CA where we have the 150cc limit on freeways there needs to be a change/ exception for bikes with small displacement which can handle its self with normal cars. __________________________________________________ Sportisimoto USA is born.

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