250cc Honda Sport Bike for Canada/US

[PsychoNinja]

The Honda CBR 250R looks good, but I'll take my Ninja 250R any day!

[headshrink]

Originally Posted by PsychoNinja

The Honda CBR 250R looks good, but I'll take my Ninja 250R any day!

+1

At the end of the day, it is the engine configuration (thumper) that is the deal-killer on the cbr..... however, they did fix a lot of the complaints with the Ninjette, and then some. They were doing so well, exceeding my expectations, until they took that fatal wrong turn.

[Alex]

I dunno if the thumper is going to be much of an issue, in and of itself. Early reviews are saying that vibration at all speeds is quite minimal.

http://www.ridermagazine.com/output.cfm?id=2708479

[backinthesaddleagain]

Depending on where you live/what type of roads you ride the thumper can be a blast blasting out of tight corners. Here in RI alot of fun back roads are short, bumpy, and twisty (CC Cowboy showed me some I didn't know exist). Anyway I guy I know has one of the Yam 250X supermoto type thumpers and the thing blasts out of corners. Obiviously limited on the longer straight roads, but again depending on where you ride, what you ride, and how you ride, the single might be cool.

[oroboros]

The red, white and blue scheme reminds of the Honda VF Interceptor that I fell in love with when I was 13. It started my fascination with and desire for a sportbike. I also grew up riding a Honda 250SX ATC (which I finally just sold this past weekend). In fact, I always had Hondas...It's amazing to me that the Ninja has had this category to itself for so long.

[Sailariel]

I think that the Honda will be serious competition for the Ninja. The fact that it is a one cylinder in no way makes it any less competitive. Singles do handle differently than twins--and that should be taken into consideration. True, the Ninja is an absolute terror in the twisties--so is a single cylinder 250. Honda has done its homework. I think that the Ninja will have to take this machine seriously.

I am now a Honda owner, having just bought an NT-700V. Honda prides itself on the finish of their machines. They also do their research. My sense is that in terms of comparison, things will be close and left to the rider's skill as to who will be the winner and loser. Kawa should take Honda seriously--they play Hardball. My sense is that it will be a close call. Both bikes have their strengths. I would have a hard time deciding even though I have always liked singles.

[gfloyd2002]

Ugly rear fender and awful, just awful rear view mirrors. Hate the look of it. It looks like a bug.

[Cedilla]

I think that given the choice between the two I'd pick the Ninja, but I've yet to see a CBR250 in person. From the pictures I've seen the attention to detail on the Honda is amazing. It just looks like a more expensive bike compared to the Kawi. The instrument cluster is a glaring example. The gages on the Ninja 250 are one of the few things I don't like about my bike.

Also, I'd like to add that I'm glad that Honda chose to go with a different engine configuration than the Ninjette. I'd hate to see the sporty 250 class of bikes end up like the 600&1000 supersports. Where the bikes are all damn near the same. Also it looks like the Ninjette is a bit quicker than the CBR, and everybody knows that bragging rights are important.

[bob138]

Being a streetfighter guy, I care more about performance, ease of upgrading parts, reliability and MPG (because I'm cheap).

So far the Honda looks like a winner in my books. Honda necks usually use the same bearings so I'm guessing you can put any honda front end on that. Tail swap to get rid of the ugly back, drop the fairings, clean it up, and figure out a good headlight that fits.

I would love to be the first to fighter one out

Bob

[sharky nrk]

I am interested to see the head to head comparisons when they come out. They make their power in different ways and in turn will have their strengths in different places. Pretty much no one tops Honda in terms of fit and finish and overall quality, so that will likely end up in the little CBRs favor. The Kawi has a giant head start in terms of market share and exposure. For what Honda is charging for their 250R it does make the Ninjette look overpriced.

Looking forward to the battle.

[Nemesis]

I think the battle of the 4-stroke 250 comparisons in the mags will draw a lot of readers. But it shouldn't make or break a bike since it all comes down to the rider's skill level on these little bikes.

[Sailariel]

I think that price will be a factor. For the money, the Ninjette is hard to beat. If Honda prices its 250 lower than the Ninja, they will steal some potential customers. There are also those who have to have the newest and the latest--who will probably go Honda.

The folks at Kawasaki are pretty sharp and may just one-up Honda. They may just introduce their FI model with some minor body/colour changes and leave the price the same. They don't have to retool for the FI model because they already have it. Perhaps a 2011 1/2 model after Honda shows its hand?

This will be one hell of a Poker Game to watch. When two good companies do battle, it is always interesting. I wonder what Yamaha will do? Take on the winner? The plot thickens.

[Nemesis]

$3999...isn't that already cheaper than what the Kawi 250s are going for?

[randomwalk101]

Originally Posted by Sailariel

I think that price will be a factor. For the money, the Ninjette is hard to beat. If Honda prices its 250 lower than the Ninja, they will steal some potential customers. There are also those who have to have the newest and the latest--who will probably go Honda.

The folks at Kawasaki are pretty sharp and may just one-up Honda. They may just introduce their FI model with some minor body/colour changes and leave the price the same. They don't have to retool for the FI model because they already have it. Perhaps a 2011 1/2 model after Honda shows its hand?

This will be one hell of a Poker Game to watch. When two good companies do battle, it is always interesting. I wonder what Yamaha will do? Take on the winner? The plot thickens.

FYI...Honda released pricing for that bike already...price isn't a "factor" cuz they're priced just about the same.

[bob138]

I really hope this creates a better 250 market in general. Imagine if they revamped the 250s ever 3-4 years like they do for the 600s!!!

Bob

[headshrink]

Originally Posted by bob138

I really hope this creates a better 250 market in general. Imagine if they revamped the 250s ever 3-4 years like they do for the 600s!!!

Bob

YES! This is the primary significance of the cbr entering the market, regardless of how much you love it or hate it. Kawi & Honda should be challenging each other to remain competitive. That's the idea anyways. I was starting to get afraid that Kawi has grown a little complacent, and greedy as the 250 prices have shot skyward in the last 3 years. The 250 was the bike that was always ridiculously cheap, now it is so close to the 650, IMO, that fewer new riders will probably look at it. I understood the price change in '08, but '09.... seriously!

[Sailariel]

Doc, The competition is heating up for sure. In many cases, however, price is still important, especially when you compare insurance premiums between a 600 Sport Bike and a 250. So it now comes down to preference, brand loyalty, and two vs. one cylinders, FI vs. Carbs, options offered, e.g. ABS, and so on. I still wonder what Yamaha will do.

[Daeldren]

So is this what Big Red want's to replace all the motogp 125 bikes with? I say we set up both in race trim and test them at the track, have a feeling mean green will continue to be the king even despite the ABS and FI.

[Rayme]

Not that it's a bad thing, but this Honda screams "beginner friendly" more than the Ninjette with its lighter weight, abs and thumper, I doubt anyone here would be happy to trade their ninja for the CBR. It will be significantly slower on the highway (that being one big reason people upgrade from the 250 in the first place). I just sold my ninja and even though I like that honda..I'd definitly pass on the downgrade in performance. It seriously look like a great bike, but nothing to make one trade from a 250R IMO.

[devmasa]

You also have to consider that Asia is a huge market for lower cc motorcycles. The cbr250 is priced significantly lower that the Ninja 250 in almost all the Asian countries making it the preferred choice for the budget conscious beginners.

[Rosie]

What I'm really hoping now is to see Kawi finally come out with the FI Ninjette next year. That's when I'll be buying a new Ninjette for sure

Come on Kawi, give us the FI 250R like you did for all the other Countries!! You got some competition in the US now

[blade]

personally i dont care for it , it looks kinda ugly ill stick with my ninja sorry

[headshrink]

Originally Posted by Rosie

Come on Kawi, give us the FI 250R like you did for all the other Countries!! You got some competition in the US now

My GUESS is they are now planning to roll-out FI to the US in 2012. I know the FI seemed like an issue that was coming up back when they did the rider surveys, so they have got to be aware that we want it. The survey also makes me think they are at least asking themselves about some of the things needed to remain on top of the 250 market, but if it does come to the US in 2012... I bet we really have to thank Honda for the added motivation.

I didn't get into motorcycles until 2008, so I'm guessing Kawi wouldn't have gone ~20 years without a design change had there been competition at that level in the US all along.

[Rosie]

Originally Posted by headshrink

I didn't get into motorcycles until 2008, so I'm guessing Kawi wouldn't have gone ~20 years without a design change had there been competition at that level in the US all along.

I agree. They didn't have the need for improving before, but they definitely need to reconsider that now. I keep my fingers crossed for the FI on the Ninjette in 2012. I think it's fair to expect it at this point
I don't really care for the ABS, maybe the digital speedo would be nice, but we'll see how far they're willing to take it keeping the price reasonable.

[Sailariel]

It's funny now that I have become a Honda owner, I get all the Honda stuff in the mail--including the stuff on the new 250. They are really very closely matched in terms of power and weight. In the twisties, my bet would be on rider skill. I know that I would probably do better with a single than a twin--I had a single 250 for 25 years. It was not fast since it was a 1956 Vintage bike with 14 HP. Singles handle differently than twins. It will be an interesting year.

[Daeldren]

Well more 250's in the E-superstock class in WERA is good I suppose, I just hope the race glass looks a hell of a lot better than that shamu looking front end. On the plus side you couldn't help but notice that monster, I dub thee Quasi-modo.

[headshrink]

Ducati 250?

[Daeldren]

Originally Posted by headshrink

Ducati 250?

250cc 4 stroke desmo single from the 1960's

[greg737]

Maybe while we're watching the Honda and Kawasaki 250 showdown another company will come out of nowhere with the perfect 250 combination (2 cylinder, FI, water cooled, good looking).... I'd buy a Suzuki or Yamaha in a minute if they gave me what I really want.

[backinthesaddleagain]

How about a 6 cylinder 250 Honda from back in the day.

[devmasa]

Found this on the cbr250.org forums :

more pics here : http://www.cbr250.org/forums/showthr...modded-cbr250r

[Nemesis]

Wow!

I'm sold. I'm gonna get one.

[TygaUSA.com]

Originally Posted by Nemesis

Wow!

I'm sold. I'm gonna get one.

Me too!!...I hope!

I still think the Ninja off the floor looks a bit better but I think there is gonna be lots of cool things to mod on the Honda, looks just being one!

[headshrink]

That is pretty awesome looking, but I do have to say... one thing I really like about the Ninjette (and bigger brother) that almost no other sport bikes have, is the part of the front faring that wraps around the sides of the windshield. I think it just looks weird/dumb to have a piece of acrylic jutting up from the nose by itself (unless it is a cruiser).

[tygapaul]

Hi, I'm new here and just thought I should mention that we have both a CBR150 and a CBR250 in the workshop at the moment to add to our long term 250 Ninja development bike. The Ninja seems a lot more substantial and less controversial visually. The Honda more modern and lighter. Performance we haven't tested yet because the 250 is not our bike so will try to get permission to do some road and track tests. At the moment, we are busy measuring to make CNC parts. Just for a giggle I photshopped our Aprilia bodywork on it. I wish making it real would be so easy but unfortunately the rear subframe is not detachable so some compromises would need to be made. Anyway here it is:

[scotty]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOGCa...layer_embedded

Good vid of the bike!

[TrueFaith]

Originally Posted by scotty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOGCa...layer_embedded

Good vid of the bike!

Nice. I was already sold, but now I want one even more. I was talking to a dealer the other day who said he thinks these are going to fly out the door initially like the Ninjette did and result in shortages until at least the summer. I sure hope not.
The only thing left is a deal-breaker - does it fit my 6' frame better or worse than the Ninjette?

[scotty]

Originally Posted by TrueFaith

Nice. I was already sold, but now I want one even more. I was talking to a dealer the other day who said he thinks these are going to fly out the door initially like the Ninjette did and result in shortages until at least the summer. I sure hope not.
The only thing left is a deal-breaker - does it fit my 6' frame better or worse than the Ninjette?

It is a nice bike. I don't like the front end of it, but the rear looks great! I just wonder if the one cycl motor will keep up. Anyone know what the rpm rang is on the bike?

[Jatan]

Originally Posted by scotty

It is a nice bike. I don't like the front end of it, but the rear looks great! I just wonder if the one cycl motor will keep up. Anyone know what the rpm rang is on the bike?

Attached tach pic: 0-10,500rpm & redline from 10,500-12,000rpm (maybe 12,500?)

The front end you can clean up a little on your own -- the headlight assembly you can put some tint/vinyl overlay on the bottom and make it into more of a V shape (attached a crappy MS paint pic) which shouldnt get too much in the way of light output at night. You can probably find other mirrors on eBay if you think they're sticking out too much. For front & rear turn signals you can get LED ones from eBay and wire them in

[johnjohn]

If you (Mr. 6') are worried about what you look like on the CBR then sit on the Ninja. Same size bike. New 400 Kawasaki may be better size wise!