CBR question

[HBDVX]

What year was the last CBR 250 made? I'm looking at getting one, i see 2010 compliance? with new looking bodykits, but are they just old bikes with new kits?

[wyldnyt]

you got it in one, just new kits on them

[Road Warrior]

What year was the last CBR 250 made? I'm looking at getting one, i see 2010 compliance? with new looking bodykits, but are they just old bikes with new kits?

Those are grey imports with new paint and compliance plate.

I wouldn't waste my money on one.

[storm vy]

pretty sure they were only made between 90 and 94, as said they are grey imports with a new kit and paint, don't believe the km's on the odometer either.

[HBDVX]

No worries cheers guys, probably a stupid question but what is meant by "grey" import?

[HX76LS2]

Grey import = imported by some one other than the parent company, in this case brought in by a private concern, nothing to do with Honda. If you want a good 250 go the Kawasaki 250R, i've had one for the past 12 months and can't fault it.

Stu.

[atacus]

grey import means it was imported privately NOT through the manufacturer in this country.

I had a grey import CBR250RR years ago, wasn't a bad bike per se..... but sheezsh shops charge a FORTUNE to do any work on them. It was cheaper to get my old man's R1 a MAJOR service, than to do a simple oil & plug change and balance the carbies on the CBR.

i called a number of bike shops and all prices were similar.

Seriously dont' bother with a 250 mate, forgeting the lack of power issue, they are just too small of bike to safe IMO.

you can be going down the highway @ 90K and if you get a big gush of wind, you'll have trouble staying in the lane. Its not like im' that light either (90ish kg at the time).

I don't know what the rules are in perth, but if you can go a 500 to start.

[HBDVX]

i was going to get a bigger bike because it used to be just a small fine for riding out of class (only have my L's) now you can end up getting your car licence suspended. Plus I need the practice dodging cars.

[atacus]

i was going to get a bigger bike because it used to be just a small fine for riding out of class (only have my L's) now you can end up getting your car licence suspended. Plus I need the practice dodging cars.

fair point mate. I used to ride the 250 on L's for ages, then got booked, and decided I should actually get a licence eh ! :)

just be careful on a 250 aswell because they are generally so DAMN quiet. Cars dont' tend to hear you coming. I am a firm believer in a bikes being pretty loud so that the f**kwit drivers with their lack of observation skills actually know you are there.

i've been cleaned up twice on a bike now, and If nothing else ive learnt to expect NOTHING from car / truck drivers when you're on a bike. Most drivers are looking for CARS, not bikes...

ooh , and yes Ive heard nothing but good stories about the ninja 250's. Maybe look at a vtwin 250 ? they have HEAPS more torque than the 4cyl 250s (admitted they wont win in a full on race) but they are so easy to ride, low revs etc.. they are like riding much bigger 4cyl bike.

[HBDVX]

Yes it only just reminded me how dangerous it is with cars/trucks not seeing you, changing lanes without indicating etc, went for a ride on the the back of my mates new duc 1198s, loud bike, but the whole time (apart from hanging on) was spent wondering how i would land when we hit one or got cut off.

[Road Warrior]

Seriously dont' bother with a 250 mate, forgeting the lack of power issue, they are just too small of bike to safe IMO.



In Wait Awhile a new rider is restricted to a 250 for the first 12 months. No exceptions - and now, if you get caught riding out of class, you can get pineappled big time.

[HBDVX]

hence why i'll do it the right way and get a 250 first, looking at a 09 250r ninja, not a bad looking bike.

[Road Warrior]

hence why i'll do it the right way and get a 250 first, looking at a 09 250r ninja, not a bad looking bike.

My advice to you would be to buy a second hand two fiddy and save your new bike $$$ for when you are ready to go big bike shopping...you're only going to be on your RE's for 12 months...and after 3 months you'll be sick of it!!

[wyldnyt]

Few years back now i used to ride a gsxr 600 on my L's, got caught twice and it was only a $100 each time, the only thigs i was worried about in doing this is if you have a crash no TAC or insurance you can end up in a bit of trouble.

Id try and find yourself a gsxr 250r if you can find one if not the kawasaki is also good, doesnt really matter brands when they are 250's they will all go the same "SLOW".

Another option is geting your L's then just wait 12mths and go straight onto a bigger bike

[[TOPGEAR]]

the CBR's are ok but getting on in age now. its hard to find a decent one that hasnt been for a slide down the road. i they range from about 89-93 pretty sure. u might see them advertised as 02 models or whatever but thats just the compliance date. another good bike is the suzuki rgv250 2 stroke. hell of alot quicker and the last one was made in 98. anyone in vic concerned with prices of bike shops shoot me a pm and ill be able to help u out.

with the cbr's theres 2 versions. CBR250R which is the slower shittier one and the CBR250RR which is better but its still not a quick bike.

[HBDVX]

I have decided to go with a 09/10 Ninja 250R (black).

[daskip]

I have decided to go with a 09/10 Ninja 250R (black).

if thats what floats your boat

CBR250

1988-1989 = MC19
1990-1998 = MC22

Grey Imports stopped being manafactured for overseas 1995

Australia Imports bought in by Honda Australia stopped in 1998

honestly to someone else's post before about being slid down the road..... what learner bike over 5 years usually hasn't been thrown down the road its a LEARNER bike.

personally id rather a good looking CBR250 that has seen the pavement once or twice over one of those ninja's

CBR250 has 40bhp
ZXR250 has 26.4bhp

CBR250 is an inline 4 with 16 valve motor
ZXR250 is a V-Twin with 8 valve motor

dont get me wrong the ZXR250 looks nice but id preffer a CBR over that any day

basically its like the cars..... you get more power , you get used to it , you want more

you buy one of those POS ZXR250's and see these CBR250's running rings round you, you will wonder why you didnt buy one.

there is TONNES of parts around for CBR250's aswell and a fairly extensive forum over at www.cbr250.com which has mostly australian users with a tonne of knowledge.

i myself had a CBR250 as one of my first bikes and god dam i loved that bike!

you can pick those CBR250's up for between 3000-6000 depending on how good an example you want and they hold their value!

[TheRealMadMax]

Hey daskip - some of your info is a little wayward!

I've got a '96 ZX2R Ninja (aka ZXR250 Ninja).

It is a 16 valve 4cyl. With small exhaust mod, puts out around 45hp from memory (haven't looked at the dyno sheet in years).

Great bike, quicker than most CBR-RR's of that era. Kept up with bigger bikes no problem. Certainly not a 'slow' bike.

Parts wont be a problem, it was sold in relatively high volume in Aus (not as many as CBR-R/RR's though).

[TheRealMadMax]

My Appologies - just had a closer look at the new ZXR250 Ninja - it is in fact a 2cyl. I'm guessing this is the new version of the old ZZR250?

It is a bit strange that Kwaka went from a 250 4cyl Ninja to a 2cyl Ninja.

In that case, consider one of the older ZX2R250 Ninja's, ZXR250 Ninja (pre '96) or a CBR250RR.

Unless you are just after a 'runnabout', these 4cyl 250's are probably the most potent 4-stroke 250's on the market. You will get tired of the power no matter what you buy, however with these, at least you will be entertained a bit longer.

Good luck with it. Personnally, I wouldn't get a 250 Twin. Although if you are looking for 'non-sporty', a 250 twin would be fine.