Choose your 250

[00v_Lucky]

Originally Posted by min nin

BMW R25/7
250 boxer

I 2nd that.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by Reswob

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!

*snip*

I dislike the mirrors, headlights, and rims. I dunno... Kawi's the only one to nail it for me... except the exhaust and swingarm.

[mikedabike64]

aprillia, gilera, since they make gp 250s

[Snake]

Originally Posted by miks

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

Unfortunately no we do not have many choices here in USA.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by 250Rocket

Gixxers are for squids

[QUOTE=250Rocket;119334]Never claimed people who ride them are squids or riding that bike makes you a squid. Gixxer for squids cooment was a Hyperbole for intro into my real comment that they gravitate towards them.


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. [QUOTE]

Sorry I misunderstood you.

I would say that "squids" are more of an age group (but not in all cases), not a certain brand owner. But then I've had a few GSXRs so many I'm bias. My kids ride a GSXR 1000 right now they so are probably thought of as either squids or idiots to have such a powerful bike. I don't feel that way and they do fine on the street and the track.

As far as crashing, and I probably got this wrong too, people who are learning should expect to crash? I hope not.

I'm glad you don't worry about others. Maybe you shouldn't talk about others also.

[250Rocket]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Sorry I misunderstood you.

I would say that "squids" are more of an age group (but not in all cases), not a certain brand owner. But then I've had a few GSXRs so many I'm bias. My kids ride a GSXR 1000 right now they so are probably thought of as either squids or idiots to have such a powerful bike. I don't feel that way and they do fine on the street and the track.

As far as crashing, and I probably got this wrong too, people who are learning should expect to crash? I hope not.

I'm glad you don't worry about others. Maybe you shouldn't talk about others also.

Squid to me means
1) No gear. I don't expect full leathers but no helmet and a Corona sleevless with flip-flops.
2) Ride a bike for which they don't have the skill set for (by a long shot). We grow into motorcycles but when the gap is to big you don't learn properly, IMO.
3) Do something reckless on road. Very opinionated bounds but you get the just of it.

Only takes one condition to be a squid, but no condition implies another.


Personally I know 3 people who have got or want the GSXR 1000 as their first bike. In my opinion that is squidly. If they learn and then a year or 2 down the line they pick one up, that's fine.


As for the "People learning and crashing" comment. Do you even think about what I write? No, I do not EXPECT them to crash, i'm just implying it's more probable. I'm working in the general, as always, so here's my logic which should have been evident.

The 250R is a bike with more learners than most other bikes. Learners skills are being developped. Along the way they make mistakes, and if they're bad enough mistakes they become crashes. Crashes can come to all bikes and all riders at any time but I assume that fewer "other" bikes suffer less on the overall because for a crash on a deer newbie = veteran but for situations like let's say entering in a corner to hot, the veteran will have more chance of exiting the corner safely. Using this logic and assumptions,I concluded what I did. Is it scientific, no, could I be wrong, yes, but is it probable, probably.

Lastly as far as talking to others, I only post in forums to pass time between riding. Winter is my off season because of snow so I tend to post more. Usually I enjoy it but there's always a certain someone I cannot agree with.

[Snake]

Please!

[backinthesaddleagain]

Would have to see them all, sit on them all, compare performance/price differences, and then go with the one that gives me that motorcycle emotion that says I have to have it.

[Snake]

This post is all abought "what if" then which "might" you pick.

[250Rocket]

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

Would have to see them all, sit on them all, compare performance/price differences, and then go with the one that gives me that motorcycle emotion that says I have to have it.

This is what drew me into the 250R. Your process is bang on for how I chose my motorcycle.

I went to the motorcycle show back in 2008 and sat on all the motorcycles. Without realizing it, I sat on the 250R and it felt perfect. I got off and that when I saw the tag for 250R and a price of 4200$ CND. From that point my heart was set on the 250 so i worked all summer and bought it in the fall. It arrived spring of 2009 and I've been enjoying every kilometer since. Not in the least bit bored nor do I have any intention of selling it.....unless it's to buy a newer 250 model from which ever make it is.

[shadow]

Originally Posted by 250Rocket

This is what drew me into the 250R. Your process is bang on for how I chose my motorcycle.

I went to the motorcycle show back in 2008 and sat on all the motorcycles. Without realizing it, I sat on the 250R and it felt perfect. I got off and that when I saw the tag for 250R and a price of 4200$ CND. From that point my heart was set on the 250 so i worked all summer and bought it in the fall. It arrived spring of 2009 and I've been enjoying every kilometer since. Not in the least bit bored nor do I have any intention of selling it.....unless it's to buy a newer 250 model from which ever make it is.

I got the 250 because of it being one of the best starter bikes. Also, I'm used to driving "underpowered"(for their class) HANDLING based machines that are great fun on the street (Miata).
However, Love the kawi 250, but I have the worst kind of crush on an R6. Badly. That photoshop presented of the "R4"-250 was absolutely hot. Send it to Yamaha, and tell them to send it to these bass-ackward americans to produce.
OH! In noting what Mike said - YES! America certainly hates on the small-cc motors on bikes. Pro big-motors! Pro-literbikes! You arent a MAN without one, much less an American MAN!
Hence why we also don't have helmet laws, and when we do the chinstrap is untied. Then we're the top culture for fatal accidents, drunken riding, and soccermoms who preach on about how DANGEROUS motorcycles are because their poor son got a 1000 for his first bike and donated himself on the interstate doing 150mph. Or we get mr Harley who drops a 24pack of bud, then hops on, rides home in the rain, kicks the back tire, and last I knew 900lb bikes arent that easy to handle sideways...
AH!..ADD.....:backtotopic: I vote Yamaha, out of the Big-4, and...well..is Aprilia or Ducati cheaper to maintain? I know they're both $$$...I love the Desmo system, but I don't like the valvetrain maintenance...or the dry clutches...but they do pull all da [technical term for female canine]'s at da party...but...so do yammies...Ducati..twin...sexxxy noise...yammie - windy 4...also like F1...Gah....
Ah, F#%^-it.
Yamaha. For the win. Still sexxy with ALOT less maintenance...

[CC Cowboy]

One of the best bikes I ever owned was a 250 made by Suzuki back in the day. The X-6 Hustler. If we can make clean diesels, clean 2 stroke outboards, why can't we have clean burning 2 stroke bike with big balls?

I for one love bikes that handle. Athough I've never had a problem handling a 1000, a 250 is so much cheaper on tires.

[hybridxx]

anyone wanna post pics of the Honda 250? So people have reference



---scratch that lol.
not even sure if they have anything out to get a pic of..
thought they had something kinda like yamaha does.

[Snake]

Originally Posted by hybridxx

anyone wanna post pics of the Honda 250? So people have reference



---scratch that lol.
not even sure if they have anything out to get a pic of..
thought they had something kinda like yamaha does.

Some pics of the Honda CBR 250

thumbnailCA3CWO8Z.jpg thumbnailCALKVXSJ.jpg thumbnailCAMX7RZ1.jpg

[Snake]

Some pics of the Suzuki 250

thumbnailCAI3MXKW.jpg thumbnailCANF7EZ1.jpg thumbnailCAZ1WN79.jpg

[hybridxx]

ah dope, thanks.
are they working on anything newer?
they look kinda outdated compared to the newer gen 250s u know?

[Snake]

Some pics of the Yamaha 250

thumbnailCAT7TTAU.jpg thumbnailCAYMBSMU.jpg thumbnailCAZ1WN79.jpg

[nate-bama]

Originally Posted by sombo

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.

+1

[nate-bama]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

One of the best bikes I ever owned was a 250 made by Suzuki back in the day. The X-6 Hustler. If we can make clean diesels, clean 2 stroke outboards, why can't we have clean burning 2 stroke bike with big balls?

I for one love bikes that handle. Athough I've never had a problem handling a 1000, a 250 is so much cheaper on tires.

Look how much marine engines cost....but we can dream

[Momaru]

The third Yami pic looks suspiciously like the Zuki above it...

[Courteau]

i also wish they were making a 400cc sport since here in quebec it cost only 373$ per year for license for everything below 401cc compare to 401+ sport cost 1 410$ a year

[Sailariel]

I`ll stay with Kawasaki. They have had a great run of 250`s since 1986. I have always liked 250cc bikes. I had a 250cc NSU Max from 1958 to 1990. It wasn`t the fastest bike in the pack, but it was reliable with a capital "R".

[Reswob]

Originally Posted by CZroe

I dislike the mirrors, headlights, and rims. I dunno... Kawi's the only one to nail it for me... except the exhaust and swingarm.

Well if you don't like the styling of the R6 or CBR600RR then yeah you wouldn't like their 125's either. But you can't honestly tell me you like the Kawi's single headlight lens.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by Reswob

Well if you don't like the styling of the R6 or CBR600RR then yeah you wouldn't like their 125's either. But you can't honestly tell me you like the Kawi's single headlight lens.

Oh, I do. Sure, there are some dual-lens ones that look a little better, but the vast majority look like hideous insect eyes. The cycloptic style is popular for sportbikes too. This is the best of both worlds and it's moved into the Versys, and KLR650. When the 650R lost it when moving from the '08 to '09 style, it was the only thing I thought looked worse.

[ninjabrewer]

this is my bike, there are many like it, but this one is MINE.



and I ain't changing any time soon. Although if a I4 250 was introduced, I would really really want one, but would stick with the one I got. Kinda like seeing a really really really hot brunette in a bikini at the beach. You really really want it, but you would probably stay with the one you got. Mine already has me broke in, I refuse to go through that again. Same with the bikes.

nb

[BlueRaven]

Originally Posted by Kawasabi

Ducati, hands down.

[Flashmonkey]

Originally Posted by Snake

Some pics of the Honda CBR 250

Attachment 4840 Attachment 4841 Attachment 4842

I've seen some of these around Toronto. They're pretty fantastic looking bikes...even by today's standards.

[Snake]

Originally Posted by Flashmonkey

I've seen some of these around Toronto. They're pretty fantastic looking bikes...even by today's standards.

I believe that they have more horespower than todays bikes due to the inline 4.

[sombo]

Originally Posted by Snake

I believe that they have more horespower than todays bikes due to the inline 4.

You would be correct sir. They all had about 45hp and could reach a top speed of about 125mph. At least that's the stats I've been able to find over the net in the past. The torque was about the same however, maybe like 1-3 higher.

[Snake]

Originally Posted by sombo

You would be correct sir. They all had about 45hp and could reach a top speed of about 125mph. At least that's the stats I've been able to find over the net in the past. The torque was about the same however, maybe like 1-3 higher.

We all need to contact Kawasaki and ask them to bring the I-4 the North American market. Together we can do it.

[sharky nrk]

I don't know, Honda or Kawi for sure. Not really interested in owning a Yami or Zuk, personal brand preference from owning Hondas (unmatched quality and reliability) and Kawis (current bike is a Kawi). I did take a few minutes to test both the r6 and gixxer but neither fit right or did anything for me emotionally. Now if Ducati and Aprilla made something similar in style to the 848/1198 or the rsv4 in a 250 that could change things. They are lust items for sure.

All I know is an expanded 250 and 400 cc option list would be a godsend.

[sprale]

Honda Baja 250 (Asian markets)

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by sprale

Honda Baja 250 (Asian markets)

It's funny that they don't sell that in Baja.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by sharky nrk

...
All I know is an expanded 250 and 400 cc option list would be a godsend.

A KLX 400 pulled up to the air and water pump I was using today. I told him that it's too bad that they don't offer anything between the KLX 250S/SF and KLR 650 these days. He chimed in that they now offered the KLX 450. I had to tell him that, unfortunately, it's not street-legal (sold for off-road only).

I was at the Fun Bike Center (SD Kawi dealer) yesterday and they were charging the same price for a new KLX 250SF as a KLR 650. Honestly, I don't like the vacuum-cleaner hose forks on the 650, but it's still a no-brainer (I'm sure there's a mod for that).