New owner: 2009 SE (+2011 Honda CBR250R)

noobie · May 12th, 2011, 02:13 PM

My new bike and my bro's cbr

Alex · May 12th, 2011, 02:14 PM

kkim · May 12th, 2011, 02:42 PM

Aloha and welcome,... me.

any feedback/side to side comparisons between those two bikes?

noobie · May 12th, 2011, 03:07 PM

Despite both bikes having a 30.5" seat height, mine sits lower...I think the cbr250r's suspension needs to settle in. I couldn't flat foot the cbr, but I can the ninja.

The clutch lever on the cbr250r is VERY smooth and light, makes handling the friction zone so much easier. Every ninja I've tried had a little bit stiffer clutch lever.

The sound of the cbr is much deeper, while the ninja is a bit higher pitch. Most likely due to the single cylinder vs dual cylinder configuration.

cbr's exhaust is ugly

cbr's gauge cluster is way nicer(what modern day bike isn't....)

Haven't tried riding the cbr yet so I can't compare that, but I'm sure you can find plenty of comparison reviews of that elsewhere.

kkim · May 12th, 2011, 03:10 PM

thanks... I'd be very interested to hear your feedback once you've had a chance to ride it.

Yasko · May 12th, 2011, 09:39 PM

Welcome

Cazper · May 13th, 2011, 06:23 PM

Welcome!!! I'd take your 09' SE Ninja 250R over his CBR 250 any day... although I may be a little biased

Snake · May 13th, 2011, 08:36 PM

I see some sibling rivalry in your future. JK you both have great looking bikes. congrats to both of you.

petiteninja · May 14th, 2011, 09:49 PM

Just out of curiosity, what was otd price on that cbr?

Congrats on the new bike!

nattygirl · May 15th, 2011, 08:03 AM

Ninja 250 FTW! You made the right choice!

n4mwd · May 15th, 2011, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cazper

Welcome!!! I'd take your 09' SE Ninja 250R over his CBR 250 any day... although I may be a little biased

Same here. Although I am a little jealous of the fuel injection and antilock brakes. Nevertheless, the honda is a bit pokey according to the reviews. One reviewer said something like "The honda cbr 250 has no problem accelerating up to interstate speed if you wait long enough." But then the idiot disqualified the ninja 250 just because it didn't have fuel injection and gave first place to the honda. Some people ....

Boosted · May 15th, 2011, 09:09 PM

congrats!

Green Streak · May 16th, 2011, 07:02 AM

Nice! I like your color choice as well as your choice to get the Ninja over the CBR.

noobie · May 17th, 2011, 11:15 AM

thanks for the comments everyone.

The CBR(nonabs) was $4200 OTD. They are selling like hotcakes here though. The dealer got 2 more CBR250R and they sold within the next day on a first come first serve basis.

Overall I like both bikes.

n4mwd · May 17th, 2011, 02:12 PM

Personally, the fun factor is all important. After you and your brother have been riding your bikes a while, swap for one ride. Then count the seconds that it takes him to start looking to buy a Ninja.

Honda used to make an older CBR250 that had 4 cylinders and was quite comparable to the Ninja. It even got better mileage at >100mpg. I'm not sure why they dropped the ball on the new CBR250R. Its top speed is allegedly only 90mph. That sucks.

You definitely got the better/funner ride.

dragonboy · May 19th, 2011, 05:01 PM

Keep us posted on the comparison and can you post more pics of a side by side comparison. From the pics I've seen the CBR looks more narrow and those silver wheels are fugly.

noobie · May 31st, 2011, 11:33 AM

rode the cbr over the weekend, but mostly just around the neighborhood. Didn't take any corners hard or get past 6k RPM. The only thing I noticed was that its bottom end has a lot more torque(relatively speaking

) than the ninja.

n4mwd · May 31st, 2011, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noobie

rode the cbr over the weekend, but mostly just around the neighborhood. Didn't take any corners hard or get past 6k RPM. The only thing I noticed was that its bottom end has a lot more torque(relatively speaking

) than the ninja.

The new CBR 250 has slightly more low end torque than the Ninja. Kindof like a cruiser. But the Ninja easily kicks its butt in the end. You do have to ride the ninja differently. It has to be run at a higher RPM, but the honda is simply not serious competition with the ninja.

You should probably read this link:

Specifically the part that says:

Quote:

The Honda 250’s best 0-60 mph time is 8.5 seconds, but the Kawasaki trips the lights with a best time of 7.7 seconds. This is backed up on the dyno, at least in terms of top-end horsepower, as the Honda produces 22.66 hp at 8600 rpm, while the Kawasaki twists the drum to the tune of 26.34 hp at 11,000 rpm. However, the Honda takes top honors in terms of torque, boasting 15.23 lb-ft at 7100 rpm compared to 13.42 lb-ft at 9900 rpm for the Kawi.

The pregen ninja 250 blows both of them away (37.4 hp) and does 0-60 in 5.75 seconds. The honda also has a top speed of only 90 mph which makes it problematic on freeways. Also, I previously thought that the honda got better gas mileage, but the numbers that are coming in say that its about the same as the newgen ninja.

Alex · May 31st, 2011, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n4mwd

The pregen ninja 250 blows both of them away (37.4 hp) and does 0-60 in 5.75 seconds.

The pregen has nowhere near 37 hp. It typically dynos at 1 hp more than the new-gen (25 instead of 24 on most dynos). The increased acceleration is partly due to that small increase in power, and also due to significantly less weight (25 - 30 lbs).

kkim · May 31st, 2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

The pregen has nowhere near 37 hp.

I didn't buy that figure either, but went looking online and found quite a few sources/reviews/tests quoting that the pregens had 36HP. How they got those figures was not explained, though.

Alex · May 31st, 2011, 10:42 PM

36 hp at the brochure.

phr3ek · May 31st, 2011, 10:46 PM

as a prank, i would tip your bro's bike over and set your 250r over it

jk jk
i would set it on fire

so who's gonna be first to say who's bike is better?

kkim · May 31st, 2011, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

36 hp at the brochure.

well, those poor pregen owners need to cling to something.

n4mwd · June 1st, 2011, 06:39 AM

You guys are sooooo jealous.

The pregen has smaller diameter tires. I suspect that has something to do with the pregen's 37 HP at the wheel. Prehaps it moves the torque curve around enough to make optimal HP.

n4mwd · June 1st, 2011, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

well, those poor pregen owners need to cling to something.

Usually the handlebars. Otherwise we would fly off when we twist the throttle.

Alex · June 1st, 2011, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n4mwd

The pregen has smaller diameter tires. I suspect that has something to do with the pregen's 37 HP at the wheel. Prehaps it moves the torque curve around enough to make optimal HP.

The pre-gen does not have 37 at the wheel, no matter how many times you repeat it.

Here's a pretty typical dyno run for a pre-gen:

Link to original page on YouTube.

Which made 26.1 hp at the rear wheel. To get well into the 30's, it takes significant motor work ($$$$).

The differences in output from the the pre-gens to the new-gens aren't nearly as significant as portrayed by some folks on the board. Having owned both, I know that the older bikes feel like they have more of a top-end rush, while the new ones have a little more torque in the mid-range. But it's really minor. We're talking about a very small difference in hp across the board.

To continue the discussion, it might make more sense to take it over to this thread, which was solely about comparing/contrasting the two generations (rather than this thread, which started out as a "pictures" thread).

n4mwd · June 1st, 2011, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Which made 26.1 hp at the rear wheel. To get well into the 30's, it takes significant motor work ($$$$).

Actually, the description of the video said that it got as high as 28 HP in spite of the carbs being incorrectly adjusted. Not a very fair test IMHO. I'd like to see a dyno run where everything is properly adjusted. Anyhow, an extra 1 or 2 HP isn't going to make a pregen do 0-60 a full 2 seconds faster.

In any event, both Ninjas are better than the CBR 250.

May 12th, 2011, 02:14 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	__________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

May 13th, 2011, 06:23 PM	#7
Cazper ninjaholic Name: Dustin Location: Oceanside, CA Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09' SE 250R (sold), 03' ZX-6R, 99' XL1200C SP Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 3	Welcome!!! I'd take your 09' SE Ninja 250R over his CBR 250 any day... although I may be a little biased __________________________________________________ 09' SE Ninja 250R $2,547.83 worth of mods installed... come on Unregistered, you know you want to know what? Check my Blog "Modification List"

May 15th, 2011, 08:03 AM	#10
nattygirl ninjette.org guru Name: Natalie Location: La Puente, CA Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 Special Edition Red/Black Posts: 455	Ninja 250 FTW! You made the right choice! __________________________________________________ '10 Ninja 250R SE Red/Blk Mods: Projekt D FE, Protons, HB Blk Windscreen, HIDs, TBR Blk Series Slip-On, Shogun Sliders, Solo Cowl, Integrated Tail Light, Gls Blk Rear Fender, Red Accents

May 16th, 2011, 07:02 AM	#13
Green Streak Ninjette Owner Name: Rick Location: Aiken County, SC Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, a puddle of Ninja ZX6 Posts: 520	Nice! I like your color choice as well as your choice to get the Ninja over the CBR. __________________________________________________

May 31st, 2011, 10:42 PM	#21
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	36 hp at the brochure. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

May 12th, 2011, 02:42 PM	#3
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	Aloha and welcome,... me. any feedback/side to side comparisons between those two bikes?

May 12th, 2011, 03:07 PM	#4
noobie ninjette.org member Name: me Location: atl Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250r Posts: 21	Despite both bikes having a 30.5" seat height, mine sits lower...I think the cbr250r's suspension needs to settle in. I couldn't flat foot the cbr, but I can the ninja. The clutch lever on the cbr250r is VERY smooth and light, makes handling the friction zone so much easier. Every ninja I've tried had a little bit stiffer clutch lever. The sound of the cbr is much deeper, while the ninja is a bit higher pitch. Most likely due to the single cylinder vs dual cylinder configuration. cbr's exhaust is ugly cbr's gauge cluster is way nicer(what modern day bike isn't....) Haven't tried riding the cbr yet so I can't compare that, but I'm sure you can find plenty of comparison reviews of that elsewhere.

May 12th, 2011, 03:10 PM	#5
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	thanks... I'd be very interested to hear your feedback once you've had a chance to ride it.

May 12th, 2011, 09:39 PM	#6
Yasko Texas Newbie Name: John Location: D/FW Texas Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 07 Ninja EX250, 07 FZ6 Posts: A lot.	Welcome

May 13th, 2011, 08:36 PM	#8
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 see some sibling rivalry in your future. JK you both have great looking bikes. congrats to both of you.

May 14th, 2011, 09:49 PM	#9
petiteninja ninjette.org member Name: LMG Location: nyc Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja EX250J Posts: 177	Just out of curiosity, what was otd price on that cbr? Congrats on the new bike!

May 15th, 2011, 09:09 PM	#12
Boosted Noobie Name: United States Location: San Leandro, CA Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r Posts: 7	congrats!

May 17th, 2011, 11:15 AM	#14
noobie ninjette.org member Name: me Location: atl Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250r Posts: 21	thanks for the comments everyone. The CBR(nonabs) was $4200 OTD. They are selling like hotcakes here though. The dealer got 2 more CBR250R and they sold within the next day on a first come first serve basis. Overall I like both bikes.

May 17th, 2011, 02:12 PM	#15
n4mwd ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: D Location: Palm Beach, FL Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R, 2007 EFI Ninja 250R Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	Personally, the fun factor is all important. After you and your brother have been riding your bikes a while, swap for one ride. Then count the seconds that it takes him to start looking to buy a Ninja. Honda used to make an older CBR250 that had 4 cylinders and was quite comparable to the Ninja. It even got better mileage at >100mpg. I'm not sure why they dropped the ball on the new CBR250R. Its top speed is allegedly only 90mph. That sucks. You definitely got the better/funner ride.

May 19th, 2011, 05:01 PM	#16
dragonboy ninjette.org member Name: JT Location: NorCal Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R SE Green Machine, 2011 250R SE White Lightning Posts: 155	Keep us posted on the comparison and can you post more pics of a side by side comparison. From the pics I've seen the CBR looks more narrow and those silver wheels are fugly.

May 31st, 2011, 11:33 AM	#17
noobie ninjette.org member Name: me Location: atl Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250r Posts: 21	rode the cbr over the weekend, but mostly just around the neighborhood. Didn't take any corners hard or get past 6k RPM. The only thing I noticed was that its bottom end has a lot more torque(relatively speaking ) than the ninja.

May 31st, 2011, 10:46 PM	#22
phr3ek meow? Name: kevin Location: I.E. SoCal Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2004 636 Posts: 587	as a prank, i would tip your bro's bike over and set your 250r over it jk jk i would set it on fire so who's gonna be first to say who's bike is better?

June 1st, 2011, 06:39 AM	#24
n4mwd ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: D Location: Palm Beach, FL Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R, 2007 EFI Ninja 250R Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	You guys are sooooo jealous. The pregen has smaller diameter tires. I suspect that has something to do with the pregen's 37 HP at the wheel. Prehaps it moves the torque curve around enough to make optimal HP.

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