Beginer 250cc Cruiser

Hi,

I'm just starting out (still doing the training). I seriously looking at
getting my first bike. I'd like a 250cc cruiser of some sort. I've looked at
the Yamaha Virago, but it seems a bit light for me, and I don't like the
foot pegs/gear lever set-up (although adjustment might help). I plan on
doing some highway riding, and so a bit more weight would help.

So far, bikes I've seen that I like are:

Honda V25 (Custom/Magna)
Kawasaki Eliminator
Suzuki Intruder

Anyone have any comments on the above? I've been told conflicting things
about the performance of the Honda versus the Kawasaki.

I'm trying to find something under $6000 (ideally $5500 or less) - just
missed out on a Honda V25 Magna for $5200.

Located in Brisbane.

Thanks for any info.

-Linus

 

I reckon you're mad spending $6000 on your first bike.
I also reckon you're mad wanting a cruiser! (They're fun, but too awkward
for highway use).
VTR250 is my recommendation.

 

Ahhh come one Knob that's a bit harsh, the baby cruisers can be a fun way to
start, and beginners are a lot less likely to get themselves in trouble - bits
of metal touch down before you're likely to lose grip

JL
(cue story of centre stand a P I

 

Well I did say "they're fun". But I stick by the "too awkward for highway
use".
The ride position is (in my opinion) too upright to be comfortable at
100/110 and you're gonna' get real sore arms holding yourself forward all
the time.
Alternately you can put on a windscreen but then you're gonna' run into
problems with wind-related handling and wind-resistance with such a light
bike and low power-output.

Of course; all of what I say is relative. Sure these bikes are quite
capable in these conditions but less-capable than a "proper" roadbike like
a GPX or VTR.
~

We don't talk about that.......
Clem

 

Well compared to my first roadregistered bike a DT175, the CM250 baby cruiser I
graduated to was an excellent highway bike !!!

I dunno, I never had too much trouble with windsock effect at the speeds these
things are capable of - on the VN750 there wasn't enough wind to be noticeably
uncomfortable until about 160. None of the baby cruisers are going to get
anywhere near that.

Yes a GPX or VTR is a more sporting bike, but there's nothing wrong with the
little cruisers for cruising at legal speeds.

JL

 

Lighter = better power/weight ratio, and all other things being equal, that
means lighter=better.

Would you put bags of cement in a car to make it better for highway use?
Would you add weight to a bicycle for the same reason?

Buy Hammo's VTR

 

"conehead" wrote

use?

You would if it was a Torana S.

Theo

 

My old man once put a rather substantial slab of tree trunk in the boot
of my mum's morris minor (lowlight) as a cheaper alternative to relacing
the shockers.

Seems to have worked.

Moike

 

My old Datsun 200B used to handle substantially better if
I travelled with my scuba tank and weights (three sets thereof)
on the front passenger floor.

So yes, I would put a bag of cement in, if it worked!

G

 

~
Qld coppers allegedly did this when they were evaluating VL commodore
Turbos as Highway Patrol cars.

I can't imagine why; unless it was to stop 'em doing so many burnouts!
Clem

 

Heh heh heh! There's a pleasant memory! ;-D


BTH

 

Back in the early eighties my old Dad used to ride a KZ250 LTD. Reckoned it
was just fine on the highway. But then, he thinks that Rover 3500's "go like
a rocket" ...

 

Took one for a test run for the hell of it a few months back. What i found was it goes exactly
like a modern CB250 (rev range, power delivery, shaking like shit about 6krpm), except for a
different riding position.

So it wasn't all that grand.

Mike.S

 

My First bike was a 94 Virago and I think it was the best thing I
could have started on.
I had no previous bike experience outside of my lessons and found that
the 250 cruiser was very forgiving when it came to brain explosions..
I found that the Virago was pretty crap on the highway as it used to
squeal like a pig at 110 km/hr. But it still got me to where I wanted
to go. I rode it to work everyday and it cost very little in petrol.
I would still have it now if it didn't get written off (hit from
behind at the lights while stationary) but I must say it was a
blessing as I now have my 650.

Your best bet is to buy a secondhand one as you will want to upgrade
in the future (no matter what you might think now).

Also due to the Q-Ride setup in QLD now, the number of 250's for sale
definitely out numbers the number of 250 buyers so prices are getting
lower.

I have no experience with any of the other bikes so I cannot comment,
but your best bet is to go for test rides.

Good Luck.

 

Interested to hear why Linus would be mad to by a cruiser - what do you
mean by awkward on the highway?

I bought a Yam Majesty 250 scooter but now wishing I bought the Virago
instead (son was right when he said I would get bored with an automatic)

The VTR looks like a sports bike and my little arms and legs wouldn't
comfortably make the distance, so the virago looks like the go. So whats
the verdict on these bikes?

cheers

Kel

 

OK, I'd best clear up a few things here.

Firstly, the weight issue. I've heard that the lighter bikes (e.g. the
Virago) can get blown about a fair bit on the highway by trucks/cars/etc, so
a bit more weight can result in an easier, more enjoyable ride.

I have looked seriously at the Virago, as several of my friends started on
them. I've tried very hard to like them (I was initally very keen on them).
However after sitting on a few, playing with the gears shift/read brake
levers, I found I just didn't feel that comfortable on them. Having said
that, some adjustment of the levers might make all the difference, and I
have not yet test ridden any of these options.

I am not after a performance bike, but something that will cruise along at
100/110 without too trouble is desirable. I'm not really interested in going
any faster than that (possibly an attitude that's not too common here?). I
will not be riding it a lot (weekends), hence it will take me a while to
build up experience, so I'll probably have it two years I think before
wanting something bigger/more powerful.

The cruisers I mentioned (Honda V25, Kawasaki Eliminator, Suzuki Intruder)
all have a few more HP than the Virago (from the little I've been able to
find - figures on these seem to be hard to come by), hence they manage the
100/110 speeds easier than the Virago, despite the extra weight.

Anyway, thats where my research has led me. If anything there is wrong, let
me know!

Thanks.

-Linus Dillon

P.S. Remove the letters 'nospam' from my email address (so it reads
linus_dillon) to respond directly, or reply here (prefered).

 

He had an RD250 before that ... reckons that one "went a little bit better."

Been a while since I was on a 250 ... mind you with the carbs on my bike
wanting a little attention sometimes I may as well be.

 

Well... basically once you've developed a strategy for coping with the
wind blast from trucks, it's not a big deal[1]. I don't notice much
of a wind blast from ordinary semis any more, for B-doubles and road
trains I grip the tank firmly with my knees, tuck behind the fairing
as much as possible and move to the left of the lane. It's more the
shockwave than the turbulence that makes things a bit uncomfortable,
and a lot of the time you'll have a crosswind blowing that away from
you anyway.

As for the cruisers, I've had a close look at one of the newer V-twin
250cc Eliminators and I was surprised at how much I liked it. Once it
gets down to my market segment[2] I might give one a try... ;-)


BTH
[1] This is while I'm riding my GPX250.
[2] Most of my bikes are in the over-10-years-old/under-$2000
category.

 

In short Linus, whichever of the 250cc cruisers you're comfortable on will be
more than adequate for the first few months, after that, well, up to you, but
you'll have enough experience to make an informed decision, hence you're
probably best buying something cheap initially. It's amazing how things that
seem important before you start riding aren't once you are*

JL
*please note this is hearsay - I can't actually remember back to before I
started riding**
** no it's not an excess of drugs