I've been riding for 30 now. I now own a CBR250R. This is the smallest displacement i've own. Definitely the most fun and versatile. I would not change it for any other bike.
at 200 lbs, you should start with the ninja 500 ( EX500). it's a great starter bike and very good on fuel, and you want outgrow it for a while, plenty of usable power that want scare you and still crack 120 mph when you need it, best bike i've ever owned second to the Triumph Daytona 955i!
Hell ya! A new 250RR would still be great fun, cheaper to insure and better on gas (assuming you don't take it to 19,000 plus rpm every time you accelerate, haha) A new CBR600 is about $11,200 while a CBR250 is $4000. so yeah a 250RR would go right in between at like 7- something thousand
@NguyenEmpir3 Go with the ABS braking system if you can afford the extra $500.00, it is worth it. Also, in the long run, it will save you money on insurance costs. Some folks get the non-ABS and use the savings for a new exhaust muffler. However, I like quite with better brakes, so do my neighbors. Go ABS!
250 is very easy to explain. here in the US they dont sell 125s 250 is as small as it gets. Our roads tend to be long straight and boring not the narrow curving roads you most likely see a lot more of in Europe. So here 250 is the best option as a starter bike or a economy commuter.
I'm in Colombia and bigger bikes just don't make much sense out here in terms of price or road conditions. (very narrow winding roads, LOTS of traffic) I have a Yamaha fz16 but I really want a 250. I can't decide between the ninja and the cbr. the ninja has the performance and the seat styling i like, but the cbr has in my opinion a better front end and instrument panel. If only there was a way to combine what I like from both bikes.
Didn't have $4000, so I opted for a $200 used 85 Honda Rebel instead. 60 mpg, easy to working, no plastic fairing to get in the way and break and have to replace. No regrets! Lots of places to load up bags on and use it like a mule. I think if I had $4000, which I don't, I'd get a used Hayabusa. But really, who has $4000 to blow on a single cylinder 20 hp motorbike?
@Drphalgun19 YES! This is the best value for the buck you will ever get in your life! Just don't plan any long highway trips. It will not cruise in 6th gear unless you are going 75 mph. Otherwise, you are constantly shifting. It is the perfect comuter. I average about 80 mpg.
I've owned both. I traded in a ninja for my '12 cbr with abs. Get the CBR with ABS. Motorcycles should not be sold without ABS. They're dangerous enough as it is. The last thing a new rider needs is to worry about not locking up his brakes and eating pavement when some asshole pulls out in front of him. I can't believe how much it happens. Car drivers don't respect motorcycles at all. Don't worry about power. The CBR has enough power to handle the highway at all legal speeds.
Im trying to decide which to go for the Ninja or cbr? Being a learner and doing mostly commuting through city traffic Im starting to lean towards the Honda. Any advice anyone?
If in an alternate timeline, Honda made you a modern CBR250RR that only cost three thousand dollars cheaper than a brand new CBR600RR, would you still buy it?
i have a cbr250 and have never reached more than 92mph im talking tucked behind the windsheild going downhill and with the wind behind me. freeway CRUISING speed is between 70 and 80 realistically. Plus the ninja looks more grown except for that pedestrian tachometer.
@scottclements78 I'm in exactly the same position as you, i'm a learner and not sure which one to go for. From what i've read the ninja has a little more power while the honda has slightly better fuel consumption and is easier to ride. no doubt both would make great learner bikes.
@scottclements78 I have owned a 2009 Ninja 250 and now own a 2011 Honda CBR 250R ABS. Both are great bikes for the money. However, the Honda won out for me. Fuel injection, ABS Brakes, more current instrument cluster, clock, and better looking. However, the Ninja is a great bike too. I would recommend riding both and go from there. For my money, Honda CBR 250R ABS!!!!!
i have riden all sorts of bike from 70cc to 1700cc.. why do people always think that 250 is a learning bike..good god. if you really want to learn to start with 600cc... if you start at a 250 just buy a scooter... cause you when you ride a 600 its going to be totally different again. 250 is still very small. cornering on a 250 is so easy... compare to cornering on a much heavy bike...
Yeah but they are as cheap as it gets. If they were cheaper more people would buy them. Lots of people love the idea of riding or have done it in the past and simply cant afford it because they also need a car or whatever other money issues. Thats not just sport bikes but all motorcycles cruiser sport bike or dual sport whatever. A lot more would sell if they were cheaper. But yeah you are right a lot go for the 250 as a starter. But a lot look at the price and think thats cheaper if i drop it.
Yeah its a nice bike, but the old CBR 250R was a much cooler bike, a 250cc four cylinder that revved to almost 20,000 rpm and made 45 hp vs. the 2011, a single cylinder bike that redlines at 10,500 and makes like what 26hp?
sadly.... these are the absolute cheapest bikes you can get in the US. Unless you want to ride a 49cc scooter this is as cheap as it gets for something new. $4000 or 3300 or so euro i think. And yeah at 16 you can hop on a 200hp supersport and go splat just like an adult =P Honestly most people looking at 250cc bikes are doing so because they are cheap not because of them being good to learn on.
I'd rather have a Rebel. That thing looks like Batman went fin apeshit with it. Show us what the bike looks like after you take all that plastic fairing crap off and throw it away.
I've been riding for 30 now. I now own a CBR250R. This is the smallest displacement i've own. Definitely the most fun and versatile. I would not change it for any other bike.
Key word PEAK. No one looks at usable power (net power under the curve). Thanks for the great response.
City riding, daily commuting.. CBR250R is the choice. =) although i'd go with other options but its pretty rad once u get your CBR250R well done up
at 200 lbs, you should start with the ninja 500 ( EX500). it's a great starter bike and very good on fuel, and you want outgrow it for a while, plenty of usable power that want scare you and still crack 120 mph when you need it, best bike i've ever owned second to the Triumph Daytona 955i!
Hell ya! A new 250RR would still be great fun, cheaper to insure and better on gas (assuming you don't take it to 19,000 plus rpm every time you accelerate, haha) A new CBR600 is about $11,200 while a CBR250 is $4000. so yeah a 250RR would go right in between at like 7- something thousand
Absolutely love mine, if you're thinking about it . . . go for it. You'll be glad you did. That is . . . if you can find one.
@NguyenEmpir3 Go with the ABS braking system if you can afford the extra $500.00, it is worth it. Also, in the long run, it will save you money on insurance costs. Some folks get the non-ABS and use the savings for a new exhaust muffler. However, I like quite with better brakes, so do my neighbors. Go ABS!
250 is very easy to explain. here in the US they dont sell 125s 250 is as small as it gets. Our roads tend to be long straight and boring not the narrow curving roads you most likely see a lot more of in Europe. So here 250 is the best option as a starter bike or a economy commuter.
I'm in Colombia and bigger bikes just don't make much sense out here in terms of price or road conditions. (very narrow winding roads, LOTS of traffic) I have a Yamaha fz16 but I really want a 250. I can't decide between the ninja and the cbr. the ninja has the performance and the seat styling i like, but the cbr has in my opinion a better front end and instrument panel. If only there was a way to combine what I like from both bikes.
What kind of bike would you suggest to me? I've ridden 125cc bikes for 2 years now.
i have a question.. would clip on fit on this? i know the ninja you cant. but it looks like maybe they would work on this?
Didn't have $4000, so I opted for a $200 used 85 Honda Rebel instead. 60 mpg, easy to working, no plastic fairing to get in the way and break and have to replace. No regrets! Lots of places to load up bags on and use it like a mule. I think if I had $4000, which I don't, I'd get a used Hayabusa. But really, who has $4000 to blow on a single cylinder 20 hp motorbike?
CHOPPERGIRL's AIRWAR in 2018... everybody
@Drphalgun19 YES! This is the best value for the buck you will ever get in your life! Just don't plan any long highway trips. It will not cruise in 6th gear unless you are going 75 mph. Otherwise, you are constantly shifting. It is the perfect comuter. I average about 80 mpg.
how tall are you? sorry this isnt anything personal i just want to compare heights for being able to ride the bike.
I've owned both. I traded in a ninja for my '12 cbr with abs. Get the CBR with ABS. Motorcycles should not be sold without ABS. They're dangerous enough as it is. The last thing a new rider needs is to worry about not locking up his brakes and eating pavement when some asshole pulls out in front of him. I can't believe how much it happens. Car drivers don't respect motorcycles at all. Don't worry about power. The CBR has enough power to handle the highway at all legal speeds.
Im trying to decide which to go for the Ninja or cbr? Being a learner and doing mostly commuting through city traffic Im starting to lean towards the Honda. Any advice anyone?
If in an alternate timeline, Honda made you a modern CBR250RR that only cost three thousand dollars cheaper than a brand new CBR600RR, would you still buy it?
i have a cbr250 and have never reached more than 92mph im talking tucked behind the windsheild going downhill and with the wind behind me. freeway CRUISING speed is between 70 and 80 realistically. Plus the ninja looks more grown except for that pedestrian tachometer.
@scottclements78 I'm in exactly the same position as you, i'm a learner and not sure which one to go for.
From what i've read the ninja has a little more power while the honda has slightly better fuel consumption and is easier to ride. no doubt both would make great learner bikes.
@scottclements78 I have owned a 2009 Ninja 250 and now own a 2011 Honda CBR 250R ABS. Both are great bikes for the money. However, the Honda won out for me. Fuel injection, ABS Brakes, more current instrument cluster, clock, and better looking. However, the Ninja is a great bike too. I would recommend riding both and go from there. For my money, Honda CBR 250R ABS!!!!!
@roley33 lol i reached that point with my cbr125r, are you sure?
I like the Honda but Ill probably settle for a second hand cheapo to learn on.
idk If I should get this or the kawasaki 250 ninja :(
great bike
i have riden all sorts of bike from 70cc to 1700cc..
why do people always think that 250 is a learning bike..good god. if you really want to learn to start with 600cc... if you start at a 250 just buy a scooter... cause you when you ride a 600 its going to be totally different again. 250 is still very small. cornering on a 250 is so easy... compare to cornering on a much heavy bike...
Test ride them both.
Mpg & maintenance cost are my main concern. 77mpg ftw
Yeah but they are as cheap as it gets. If they were cheaper more people would buy them. Lots of people love the idea of riding or have done it in the past and simply cant afford it because they also need a car or whatever other money issues. Thats not just sport bikes but all motorcycles cruiser sport bike or dual sport whatever. A lot more would sell if they were cheaper. But yeah you are right a lot go for the 250 as a starter. But a lot look at the price and think thats cheaper if i drop it.
Yeah its a nice bike, but the old CBR 250R was a much cooler bike, a 250cc four cylinder that revved to almost 20,000 rpm and made 45 hp vs. the 2011, a single cylinder bike that redlines at 10,500 and makes like what 26hp?
I wanna see a race on the isle of man where they only use 250's
@scottclements78 go with a bmw g650gs
sadly.... these are the absolute cheapest bikes you can get in the US. Unless you want to ride a 49cc scooter this is as cheap as it gets for something new. $4000 or 3300 or so euro i think. And yeah at 16 you can hop on a 200hp supersport and go splat just like an adult =P Honestly most people looking at 250cc bikes are doing so because they are cheap not because of them being good to learn on.
thanks for the review, could you try not to dance in front of the camera? it's a little distracting
I'd rather have a Rebel. That thing looks like Batman went fin apeshit with it. Show us what the bike looks like after you take all that plastic fairing crap off and throw it away.
420 second street...
who else saw that?
"420" second street
lol
I have this bike... It feels really weak and honestly I wish I got a 600 :/
hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii keeeviiiiiinnnnnnnnnnn 0__0
great bikes but the exhausts sound like a pissed off scooter
just get a diff one
me
slip on a new exhaust...problem solved.