Worth getting a cbr250?

[Tibbar]

Hey guys,

So my friend has finally persuaded me to get a bike license, i've been looking for a 250 bike for awhile now, and i really like the cbr250 (mc22). However, the fact they are around 20years old is one point that is making me re-think. Are they really as reliable as people say they are? Would i have to do much to keep them in good nick?

Any personal experiences would be good I'm deciding between the cbr250 or a 08/09 ninja250..

Thanks!

[SP1RITED]

Depends on how u want to ride it, I have always felt at home on a sportsbike so went for a baby Ninja (similar to a cbr250rr) as my first bike.
If u find a good one u should have no major dramas with it and also from experience my wife bought a Ninja 250R and the key barrel broke,
costing quite a bit so newish bikes can have problems too.

[RY RY]

My old 1999 CBR250RR was awesome, not a single problem and I raped all the Ninja 250's when I was an awesome indestructible 250 racer

If you want one, just make sure it hasn't had a hard life, get a reputable mechanic to check it over for you. And look after it.

[Tannhauser]

However, the fact they are around 20years old is one point that is making me re-think. Are they really as reliable as people say they are?

Some are, some aren't. I had one for my first and it was bulletproof.

But if you want to go faster than a GPX but not deal with the added maintenance a 2T requires, the MC22 and its equivalents are the way to go.

[woody_5755]

6 one way half dozen the other. The cbr has a few more behind, but it's really not a noticable difference. I think the cbr is a tiny bit lighter, again though, not really noticeable. Both good bikes, you could always look at getting one of the new 2011 cbr's that they've brought out?

[Tibbar]

It's not so much the speed, it's more the sound that I like, haha. Went to look at one today, and the lowish seat fits me really well too.

[Tibbar]

you could always look at getting one of the new 2011 cbr's that they've brought out?

Don't really like the look of the 2011 Cbr250, and 1cylinder? Really..?

[Huggy]

The new cbr250r's are an easy bike to ride, comfy and smooth. I'd still prefer my VTR250, but they are a solid little 250.

If your after the sound, then a sure bet is an old cbr250rr with an aftermarket pipe. You'll get a lot of haters though. think of a really loud small dog, that kind of hate.

But each to their own.

Go with something that you feel comfortable riding, that's generally the most important thing.

[FRK]

If your after the sound, then a sure bet is an old cbr250rr with an aftermarket pipe. You'll get a lot of haters though. think of a really loud small dog, that kind of hate.

Reaaaaallly don't understand how people can hate that high revvy sound..

[RY RY]

Sounds fine with a stock exhaust, aftermarket is an upgrade that will give you 0 performance and make your wallet lighter

[mekon]

Pay 2011 rates for a 15 to 20 y.o. bike that you will upgrade from. Not too difficult to figure out.

[Loud]

But if you want to go faster than a GPX but not deal with the added maintenance a 2T requires, the MC22 and its equivalents are the way to go.

I think a well cared for Honda NSR150, Cagiva Mito or Aprilia RS125 could require as little maintenance as a 20 year old 250 4 pot.

And the advantages of 10+ years of R&D, ~20kg weight saving and a few other more subjective benefits such as looks and sound mean they shouldn't be discounted. They do lack the top speed of the 250 4Ts.

The short stature is going to rule out the RS though.

[Tibbar]

I'm just picky

Don't want a 125 - Not enough power?
Don't want an aprilia - 2 Stroke, can't be bothered mixing
Don't want a hyosung - It's a Hyosung, and it's too big anyways
Don't want a naked..

So it's just a cbr or ninja.. haha

[Loud]

I was the same, knew what I wanted.

But know that the 125 2-strokes make similar power. And are lighter. And mix it for you.

[killswitch54923]

Just cos there old doesn't mean there will be something wrong with them, just get a mechanic to check it over and make sure its not a lemon.

[Tibbar]

But know that the 125 2-strokes make similar power. And are lighter. And mix it for you.

I Really wouldn't mind an aprilia rs125, but yeah, just not keen on the mixing..

[Loud]

Did I mention that there isn't any mixing? Pour it in and the oil pump mixes it for you for the next ~1000 km.

But the seat height is going to be an issue, it's as high as a Hyo. A Cagiva Mito though...

[SP1RITED]

Only get a two stroke if u have some mechanical aptitude.

[DTee]

Only get a two stroke if u have some mechanical aptitude.

The reverse is also true. My mechanical aptitude was average at best until I got into 2 stroke MotoX bikes back in the early 90s.

[woody_5755]

Stick a two bro's CF pipe on an 09 ninja and you're sweet. Thats what i did, fitted myself (i am in NO way mechanically inclined) and only cost like $450 off of ebay and made it a deeper sound that wasn't a blender on high or completely annoying..