whats a standout 250cc roadbike to get for a first bike?

Depends, I don't know if the guy is a mechanically minded or not? if he
is then, sure, you could spend less that 6k and fix it yourself every
now and then - perhaps an older one will need a new radiator (which
happend to my blade and cost me 1k). 250cc don't have a long life and
getting an old one will *probably* cost you in the long run... check
out the trading post for your facts. most are over 6k and the ones that
aren't are 10yo... wouldn't go there imho... but i'm no mechanic.

this is the net (and, worse, a ng) - every bit of advice should be
taken with a grain of salt. sheez...

 

Where's that coming form?

I know of any number of BabyBlades, ZXR250's and FZR250's which got well
up over 50,000 and 60,000km and the only way to tell that would be to
look at the odo.

My own ZXR250, which I got for $3500 in 1998, got up to 48,000km before
I sold it with nary a mechanical murmur from it, though I suspect
club-footed gearchanges inflicted on it by my mechanical-vandal of a kid
brother has started to eat into the gearbox by that stage. The only
serious repair it ever needed was a stator rewind, which was an
age-related thing, anyway.

There's nothing intrinsically short-lived about small-capacity,
high-revving motors. What kills them is abuse and neglect which comes
from the same mindset as thoughts like "Yeh, I reckon it'll sell if I
advertise it for $6500 and let it go for $6000".

....and the way to guard against this is pay more than $6000 for one?

I can't help it if reasoning such as yours continues to encourage ripoff
merchants to keep trying...

Seeing how Honda ceased actual production of the CBR250RR in 1996, even
the newest ones are pushing that age.

So, what are you saying? That the intended recepient of your advice
shouldn't really pay much attention to what you're trying to tell them?
If that's the case, why bother speaking up at all?

 

I found CB250's to be severely overpriced for what they are - they've
got a very good reputation as a learner bike.

If you're happy with an unfaired 250 single / twin (which should be a
lot more comfortable to ride than a sports bike under 80km/h), then have
a look at Suzuki GN250's, Honda CD250's and Yamaha SR/SRX 250's. Honda
VT and VTR250's might be worth a look, but they are more expensive than
the aforementioned bikes.

As for faired sportsbikes, Suzuki Across 250's certainly caught my
interest when i was looking. a lot cheaper than comparable sportsbikes,
reportedly very reliable, and the storage compartment that can fit a
helmet would be very handy.

Cheers,
Phil

 

Yep my choices have changed somewhat since i started this thread, and
recieving about 100 or so "two wheel" magazines from a work collegue who
recently had a hell accident due to a BMW rear axle/bolt shearing off.

But anyway
Looking at these sports bikes (if you can call a 250cc a sportsbike?) I
can't see myself riding one, i'm 6'4" and all the sports bikes i see have
footpegs to high, my knee's would be higher the my head and would look like
a grasshopper on a motorbike.

I will to go for a more upright posistioned bike. And am swayed to something
from honda becuase of there reputation for reliabilty. Suzuki seem good too.


om.au...