December 31st, 2011, 08:39 PM | #1 |
40 on the road
Name: Vod
Location: Victor, NY
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250, 2012 Ninja 650, 2006 Bonneville, 1990 Sportster Posts: 67
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Due Diligence and the Honda CBR250
With two Ninja 250s, an ’08 and ’11, and with the need to add another small displacement sport bike to the stable, I have taken a close look at the Honda. I reread every review and comparison test I could find in Cycle World, Motorcyclist, Rider, and other print and online media outlets and, in almost every case, the Honda was named a close but clear winner. Comments included “Move Over Ninjette”, “The Complete Package”, among a host of accolades. How could one possibly go wrong, say no more, buying, the Honda?
Rather than limit research to reading the blurbs of testing and editorial staff whose careers essentially involve selling motorcycles, I turned to online forums to listen to the people who own and ride the CBR, expecting to see glowing, positive posts. It was no surprise to find that the thread “Gas Mileage CBR250” was the most popular at CBR250.net but it was an eye popper to read “Engine Rattle!!! SIGN UP” with 162 entries and 8,130 views and counting and “My CBR250’s engine turns off when Downshifting!!!” with 165 entries and 6,386 views. If you are considering the CBR250 I suggest you log on to CBR250.net and review the threads before making a buying decision. It’s remarkable how many references are made to “getting a lawyer.” Long post short; I’m picking up my third Ninja 250r next Tuesday. |
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December 31st, 2011, 09:08 PM | #2 |
ninjette.org member
Name: United States
Location: oklahoma city, ok
Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): ninja 250r, crf 50 Posts: 120
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Such a shame, honestly. I love my ninjette, but for almost every other bike i've had it's been Honda. They've been nothing but good to me. Especially my indestructible atc70, and crf50.
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December 31st, 2011, 09:34 PM | #3 |
40 on the road
Name: Vod
Location: Victor, NY
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250, 2012 Ninja 650, 2006 Bonneville, 1990 Sportster Posts: 67
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Very sad.
Left graduate school for a year in 1976 to ride my first Honda, a 360T. Loved riding the CX500 from 1980 - 1984. Have had several outstanding Honda pieces since. Venerable Honda has had a string of recent issues: 900,000 recall on cars with potential lethal, misfiring air bags (one documented fatality and many injuries); a 2012 Civic redesign bomb (another redesign scheduled for release in the 2013 model year); a boat load of very unhappy CBR250 owners. |
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December 31st, 2011, 09:58 PM | #4 | |
I hate driving...
Name: S
Location: SW Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 13 Triumph Street Triple R, 09 Ninja 250r (Sold 4/20/12) Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
Honda was once one of the greats, but for the past few years it seems they lost their soul and are unable to completely reclaim it.
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09 ninja 2fiddy SE Driving slow things fast |
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December 31st, 2011, 10:11 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org member
Name: United States
Location: oklahoma city, ok
Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): ninja 250r, crf 50 Posts: 120
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Have you seen the Mugen cr-z? I think it was on top gear that I seen it. Quite impressive.
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December 31st, 2011, 10:52 PM | #6 |
I hate driving...
Name: S
Location: SW Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 13 Triumph Street Triple R, 09 Ninja 250r (Sold 4/20/12) Posts: A lot.
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It seemed pretty good but there are many more cheaper cars that can deliver similar or better performance. The Mugen imo delivers the promises of performance that honda said the CR-Z would deliver (and in stock trim it didn't). I wasn't saying the CR-Z is a piece of garbage but it certainly under-delivers in many ways. The Mugen version sounds nice though, with a few changes here and there to make it competitive if honda decides to sell it.
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09 ninja 2fiddy SE Driving slow things fast |
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January 1st, 2012, 01:31 PM | #7 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Bobbert
Location: Russell Springs, KY
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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There is another 250 option in the Hyosung GT250R. The recent builds are getting some good reviews.
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January 1st, 2012, 02:13 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: eddie
Location: Lawnguylind
Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 300, WeeStrom Posts: A lot.
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'Rather than limit research to reading the blurbs of testing and editorial staff whose careers essentially involve selling motorcycles, I turned to online forums to listen".....
I think this is the best advice we can give or take with just about any purchase. |
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January 1st, 2012, 02:21 PM | #9 |
Gear crash test dummy
Name: Max
Location: South Bay (So. Cal)
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 race bike, 2014 ZX-636r Posts: A lot.
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So....why do you wish to have 3 ninjettes? Seems like overkill to me?
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January 1st, 2012, 02:28 PM | #10 |
40 on the road
Name: Vod
Location: Victor, NY
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250, 2012 Ninja 650, 2006 Bonneville, 1990 Sportster Posts: 67
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Following are comments from the July 2011 Motorcyclist mag head-to-head comparison of the Honda CBR 250, the Hyosung GT250R, and the Ninja 250r:
"The GT250R is the big kid in this class...and weighs in at a hefty 414 lbs. wet." "Gaps between fairing panels, a wrinkled seat cover and exposed electronics don't stack up to the Japanese bikes fit and finish." "It takes a strong hand to pull in the heavy clutch lever, and movement through the five-speed gearbox is less than precise..." "The engine does have a few quirks... no rev limiter, and the clutch plates occasionally chattered and howled after shifting into neutral... we experienced a misfire off idle after prolonged freeway riding..." "Perspective owners had better be comfortable performing periodic maintenance themselves or prepare to fork over a lot of dough to a mechanic; the owners manual recommends changing the oil and filter and checking the valves every 2500 miles." "Although it has twice the front brakes of the Honda and Kawasaki, the Hyosung's squishy lever takes double the effort and has no feel." "Engine power is on par with the others, but the GT's extra heft makes it slow to accelerate and turn." Hyosung (stats listed first) vs. Ninja: Weight (tank full): 414 lbs. - 383 lbs. Horsepower: 22.6 - 24.6 Corrected 1/4-mile: 16.8 sec. - 15.3 sec. Top-gear-roll-on 60-80 mph: 8.6 sec. - 6.3 sec. 30 lbs heavier, nearly 10% less bhp, and air cooled vs. liquid cooled motor. The Hyosung is not yet ready for prime time. |
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January 1st, 2012, 02:47 PM | #11 |
Ex ninjette!
Name: Jack
Location: East sussex England
Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): Suzuki GSXR 600 K4, Kawasaki ninja 250r 08 Posts: 294
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i personally dont like the look of the CBR250 i also looked at one before my ninja also think the stock exhaust on it looks horrible. Congrats on the ninja
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January 1st, 2012, 03:48 PM | #12 |
40 on the road
Name: Vod
Location: Victor, NY
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250, 2012 Ninja 650, 2006 Bonneville, 1990 Sportster Posts: 67
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Multiple riders in the family. My wife and I take two on our trailer when we travel and day ride. They have seen the east coast from Key West to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. They're easy to transport and as we all know, great fun to flog. The third is for my youngest son, first year rider, who has much to learn before he rides the Bonneville or Sportster. The next will be for our grandson in a couple of years.
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January 1st, 2012, 03:50 PM | #13 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Bobbert
Location: Russell Springs, KY
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
http://www.productreview.com.au/p/hyosung-gt250r.html |
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January 1st, 2012, 03:58 PM | #14 | |
Gear crash test dummy
Name: Max
Location: South Bay (So. Cal)
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 race bike, 2014 ZX-636r Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
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January 1st, 2012, 04:09 PM | #15 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Bobbert
Location: Russell Springs, KY
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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This guy like his GT250R.
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January 1st, 2012, 04:15 PM | #16 | |
Nooblet
Name: Akima
Location: England
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 5
MOTM - Oct '13
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Quote:
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January 2nd, 2012, 12:16 PM | #17 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Joel
Location: Atlanta GA.
Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 11 CBR250R Posts: 99
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Quote:
I have a CBR 250R. I have no engine rattle. I do have some rattles on the bike occasionally from fairings or whatever. My Gsxr has a lot more rattles. CMON SON its a thumper. I personally have never seen a bike that didn't rattle somewhere when you are pushing the rpms up and cruising. The ninja is buzzy as a MF. My hands tingle when I get off of it. As far as the engine cutting off, I have experienced twice. After my first service at Honda. Soon after I went to a proper mechanic for a tune and the issue never came back. I also started running higher octane gas. If these are a reason to stop you from riding the bike or buying it the they aren't good ones. As far as the cbr forum. Most of the guys one there are 60+ in age and tend to have nothing better to do but complain and debate ****. Read the entire thread about the engine rattle. Every person who says they have it says its coming from somewhere different and most of the thread is off topic and has nothing to do with a engine rattle. Like every thread on every motorcycle forum. 163 post and about 150 of them are form people who don't know ****. I think this quote serves it best Motorcycles make all sorts of whirs, rattles, ticks, taps, bangs, clunks, thumps, buzzes and harmonics. "Just ride the ring off the ****ing thing folks and stop worrying, it gets smoother more you wring its neck, many of you are spoiling your new bike experience by stuff you read on here" -Auffit. Its motorcycle a dudes. Not a new lexus. And a 4000 dollar one at that. The bike is awesome. trust me. go ride one for yourself and stop reading these damn forums. That said having three ninjas is not a bad thing either. Maybe a bit boring though. |
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January 2nd, 2012, 12:21 PM | #18 |
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Name: -
Location: -
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): - Posts: A lot.
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Still wishing Yamaha would join the 250cc fray.
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January 2nd, 2012, 02:16 PM | #19 |
Ex ninjette!
Name: Jack
Location: East sussex England
Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): Suzuki GSXR 600 K4, Kawasaki ninja 250r 08 Posts: 294
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I thought there was plans for there to be a yamaha YZF 250 it says here about it. http://wahyujrs.blogspot.com/2010/06...zf-250-r4.html
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January 3rd, 2012, 12:10 AM | #20 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Joel
Location: Atlanta GA.
Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 11 CBR250R Posts: 99
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Quote:
I don't know your son but i would certainly take a real world look at the honda. Its a very friendly bike for a newbie. IMHO more than the ninja. FI gas milage. better low end torque. Much easier service schedule. Its a thumper. Throw you a Akrapovic on there. Its mean. sidenote: that Yammie looks bad ass. Im on if they release stateside. Love the motoGP styling. |
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January 3rd, 2012, 05:01 PM | #22 | |
So, where's the reverse?
Name: Anson
Location: Ontario, Canada
Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
Yamaha may very well have plans drawn up for a 250cc sport but if it is indeed an inline 4 with upgrades like dual front disc brakes, I'm sure it'd cost a pretty penny if it were to come to fruition. Not saying that it wouldn't be one sweet bike though . |
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January 3rd, 2012, 06:50 PM | #23 | |
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Name: -
Location: -
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): - Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
But.... There's plenty of room for Yamaha to do something interesting with a 250 twin. I'd love to see some new technology applied to a parallel twin 250, like laying the cylinders back a bit as is being done with the motocross engines. Put the FI intake on the front and the exhaust on the back of the cylinder head then push the engine way forward in the frame and then further centralize the mass of the bike by doing an underbody exhaust. This would give it great handling characteristics. The rest of the bike's specs can be just like the current EX-250 to keep costs in line. This approach would be in keeping with the formula that has made the EX-250 such a great seller for Kawasaki: put a very good engine in a middle of the road frame and surround it with middle of the road parts. This combination equals affordable & satisfying. It's a "win" on just about any level because: A. a lot of people can afford it, B. a lot of people will be perfectly satisfied with it "as-is" off the showroom floor, and C. because it would already have a very good engine the "modify and upgrade" crowd could happily concentrate on things like tires, suspension and cosmetic farkles. |
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January 3rd, 2012, 07:19 PM | #24 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Joel
Location: Atlanta GA.
Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 11 CBR250R Posts: 99
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definitely not special. I would think FI should be standard at this point. Don't understand the reasoning behind not offering it in the states.
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January 3rd, 2012, 07:55 PM | #25 | ||
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
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Quote:
USA doesn't require the same emissions standards that the rest of the world does. When I talked to the Kawasaki guys at Ticket to Ride over the summer, one of the guys said that FI would be in the US in 2 model years at the latest. That was a few months before the 2012 came out, so that means 2014? idk, I kinda take what those guys say with a grain of salt; they're just salesmen, not business execs Quote:
as always, another creative, viable idea from you greg737. I like it |
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January 3rd, 2012, 08:55 PM | #26 |
ninjette.org member
Name: JOHAN
Location: PHILIPPInes
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): YAMAHA X1, YAMAHA SNIPER 135LC, KawasaKi ninja 250r Posts: 185
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The main reason why I didn't regret getting the NINJA 250R...Too bad, HONDA has ye to put more effort in improving their own version of the 250...
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January 4th, 2012, 11:11 AM | #27 | |||
Nooblet
Name: Akima
Location: England
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 5
MOTM - Oct '13
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Quote:
Japanese bike designer 1: "Shall hwe giv AMEricans fuel injection?" (>_>) Japanese bike designer 2: "NO! Fu the AMEricans!" (>_<) Japanese bike designer 1: "YESH! Fu the AMEricans... HA HA HA HA" \(*^_^*)/ Japanese bike designer 2: "HA HA HA HA" \(*^_^*)/ Quote:
Quote:
+1 |
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January 4th, 2012, 11:40 AM | #28 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
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Quote:
My estimate is that until the carbs stop making economic sense for Kawasaki in the US, they aren't going to stop using them on the 250R |
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January 4th, 2012, 11:51 AM | #29 | |
Nooblet
Name: Akima
Location: England
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 5
MOTM - Oct '13
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Quote:
What am I missing? Or is the American division of Kawasaki just stupid! |
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January 4th, 2012, 11:52 AM | #30 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: United States
Location: oklahoma city, ok
Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): ninja 250r, crf 50 Posts: 120
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Quote:
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January 4th, 2012, 12:06 PM | #31 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
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The reason I like my carbs is because they're easy and cheap to work on compared to an FI version. (a few jets and some washers is like $20 and I can have a bike that runs well with any intake/exhaust/altitude combination I can imagine, whereas a Power Commander is like $400) They get clogged, you clean them with carb cleaner and compressed air. When something breaks, you buy a repair part, instead of needing to plug your bike into a computer and read the codes or take it to a dealer. But don't get me wrong, I want an EFI version of the bike. I'm keeping this one till I graduate college, and then buying myself a new one either with EFI, or with an aftermarket EFI kit. But the carbs work just fine.
I feel like Kawasaki USA is just being dumb or cheap or both for as long as they can still make money while doing it |
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January 4th, 2012, 12:16 PM | #32 | ||
Nooblet
Name: Akima
Location: England
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 5
MOTM - Oct '13
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Quote:
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January 4th, 2012, 01:20 PM | #33 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Codi
Location: Moose Jaw, Sk, Canada
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Ninja 250 Posts: 76
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http://www.yamaha-motor.co.nz/produc...rt/09-yzf-r125
http://www.yamaha-motor.co.nz/produc...ort/11-yzf-r15 They already have 125's and 150's now they just need to bolt two 125 engines together and BAM we are good to go haha |
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January 4th, 2012, 03:41 PM | #34 | |
Nooblet
Name: Akima
Location: England
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 5
MOTM - Oct '13
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Quote:
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March 23rd, 2012, 06:31 AM | #35 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Scott
Location: Syracuse
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250, 2011 Honda CBR250R, 07 Ninja 650 Posts: 212
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Quote:
. http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...t=stable+mates
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http://www.fuelly.com/driver/sendler/cbr250r |
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March 23rd, 2012, 08:58 AM | #36 | |
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Name: -
Location: -
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): - Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
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March 23rd, 2012, 10:46 AM | #37 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Morgan
Location: A city twinned with Kawasaki
Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, 2010 STR 675 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 1
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Quote:
Hyodung have earned that nickname, they are very prone to rusting, electrical problems and like to break down repeatedly. A quick look over a thread on an Irish site, started by a bloke asking for advice on buying one, it had 15 owners/ previous owners on it, of them 13 advised not to, 2 (one with all of 2500 miles on it) said to go for one as theirs gave no real trouble. Stick to a Jap bike |
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March 23rd, 2012, 10:58 AM | #38 |
CBR250R Traitor
Name: Jon
Location: Greater Philadelphia Area
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Red CBR250R 2009 Ninja 250r SE(With 2008 Fairings)(sold) Posts: 924
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I love the bike, have no problems, have done 400 mile trips easily on the seat.
It all boils down to personal preference, but the bike is great and I love it. I prefer it to my old ninja hands down. |
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March 23rd, 2012, 11:43 AM | #39 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Scott
Location: Syracuse
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250, 2011 Honda CBR250R, 07 Ninja 650 Posts: 212
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Did you click on the stable mates thread to find out what I like about the CBR250R?
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http://www.fuelly.com/driver/sendler/cbr250r |
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March 23rd, 2012, 12:14 PM | #40 |
CVMA / AFM / M1GP #250
Name: Steve
Location: Los Angeles
Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r, 2011 Zero S, 2009 KLR 650 Posts: A lot.
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There's very few people racing them in the states and I don't know why. Maybe you all just need to crash more so we can pick them up at auction and make them race bikes. GOGOGOGOGOGo
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