You're better off looking at the 400s anyway, they only rev to 15k in comparison but the extra power is lovely. I own two cbr400rr s and ridden plenty of cbr250 and zzr250s. The 250 are great fun but do feel quite lacking in the oomph department. The 400s have the same fun factor with both enough power and usable power for the street
Lolz so true there goes my future chances lolz and there was only so many made and most of them are in scrapyards due to accidents they not going to be on the planet for ever the one true staple in the motorcycle world sad to see the day when all is gone hope it never comes in a million years
I love the idea of 90's big four in japan being like "we think its very important that we don't build bikes that exceed certain parameters to prevent government regulation ... hey street racing teens, check out these sweet rides that look like race bikes, sound like race bikes, rev harder then race bikes AND purposely slip around government scrutiny"
It's a bit like the european 125cc class. 16 years olds (in Finland at least) could only ride those, but there was no power limit, and the you have sport bikes with very unreliable 35 horsepower two strokes, when with 90s technology, the bikes would have been actually usable with 350ccish four strokes or something with the same maximum power.
Subaru and Mitsubishi had a gentleman’s agreement to stick under 200KW from 2L engines in their rally cars. Those Japanese do strange things sometimes.
@@SimonBrisbane Japanese car and bike manufacturers both have certain gentlemen's agreement in order to make sure they antagonize each other as less as possible.
They all want to make money, and if by some gentleman's agreements with your rivals, you get to carry on making money without having to spend as much money, then great.
owned a 1991 model and the original engine did 200k+ km before i sold it. Last time i heard from the owner it was still running years later on the same engine
Feel liked we watched F9 grow up in his videos through the years. From a bright faced, super smart kid who likes motorcycles. To a fully functional grown man motorcycle scientist. Been great watching Ryan and the team
And, more importantly, possibly some of the highest production value content on TH-cam. The cinematography and writing on this channel is at such a level it's popular even among people who have no interest in motorcycles whatsoever (though I myself do have a bike).
I was 18 years old and bought one of these in Australia for $3000 in mint condition. It was my FIRST ever bike and I learnt to ride on one of these little weapons. I had an absolute blast on it and I remember feeling like the coolest human on earth red-lining it through the streets while staying in the speed limit 😂
You are literally my favorite morotcycle tuber. Your content is well researched, thought provoking and made for common bikers. I really appreciate you.
I literally said "look!!! That's awesome" To my mom when we watched this video when visiting for Christmas and even she went "wow", this is coming from someone who owns a BMW S1000XR which is arguably one of the most advanced bikes that's been out recently haha
Another great video! I'm a 47yo life-long rider, and it is a blast from the past whenever I see one of the Japanese 250 and 400 pocket-rockets on the street now. Which is rare. They're a reminder of a time when the big factories seemed to be saying, "To hell with it...let's make it!"
They were fun- actually the most fun bike I ever owned was a Honda VTR250. I could lay that thing so close to the pavement I could shave. All the other bikes since just didn't have that spark for me.
im lucky enough to own one of these. I got it as a learner bike with the intention of transitioning to a bigger bike one day. I enjoyed it so much that i never gave it up. The screaming in-line revs never fail to bring a smile to my face.
They are really cool and I love them as well but they become less cool when you are trying to go to sleep after a long day of work and one goes flying by. They are really cool but I am glad they are gone. Really loud bikes just cause issues.
The one my son races did 201kmh through the speed trap at Phillip Island and his lap time was quicker than the modern 400 Supersport bikes that raced the year before. It has 67000km's on the clock and sings sweetly at 19500rpm.😁
@@uhtred7860 , the bike definitely is standard. The top 5 cbr's all went through the trap at close to 200kph, all with standard gearing. The important thing is that everything is kept tucked in...elbows, knees and head.
With a production quality on par with Top Gear at its peak, This is one of my favourite motorcycle channels. I just wish the videos were frequent, but I know it takes time to script, shoot, and edit.
It should be noted that F1 engines did reach 20,000 rpms in 2006 with the newly introduced 2.4L V8s with Honda itself among them. They limited it to 19,000 rpms the year later. Still, they had 2x the cylinder count, nearly 5x the displacement per cylinder and not needing to worry about street vehicle service intervals.
I lived in Japan in the early nineties, it was a magical time for motorcycles. It was a time when Honda actually made awesome cutting edge bikes!! Bikes like the VFR400R, RGV250 and NSR250 were epic little bikes
IMO it was the golden age of motorcycles. Everyone pushed tech and tried new things. Stuff didn't get much faster till the FI litre bikes of early-mid 00s. They aren't much slower than the latest stuff today funnily enough!!
I remember the first ride on mine, in the wet the feel and noise it took off like a rocket felt like I was doing a million kph I look down at the Speedo and I'm only doing 40kph that's when I remember it's a 250... Bought it. Kept it ever since it's now at 210000km... One thing Ryan didn't mention in video was that the odometer resets every 99999km therefore these bikes will stay forever young 😁
I actually felt, that excitement that thrill that happiness. I was saving up for my first ever bike, a Kawasaki Z250, but was short 3000 for my downpayment and I am missing out on the promotion for the last batch ever made. Until that one evening when I got home from work, and that bike was sitting there in all its gloriousness. My wife topped up the 3000 and got them to deliver the bike on the next day. Literally got down on my knee and cried. It was the best feeling ever. With my wife and my favourite bike, nothing tops anything else.
For anyone looking for the song that plays at 3:18: It's called "J Pop Chant", by Harpo Marks. Not an actual japanese song though, it's just one of those royalty-free production tracks made for commercial use (and the lyrics barely make any sense)
Gotta love that sound from a 4cyl low displacement bike. Recently got the chance to ride my friend's Kawasaki ZX25R and might I just say, it's one of my favourite experiences in riding a bike ever. The sound it produces, the beauty of the bike is just second to none. I feel pity for a lot of countries that don't get this bike because 4cyl 250 are definitely one of the most fun you can have in a motorcycle without putting yourself in danger Edit: I lived in Indonesia and the ZX25 has been here for a long while
@@satellizera6446 well, as long as you're a responsible rider, you're not gonna get in danger. Just listening to that melody on an empty public road going 80-90 kmh is already fun enough for me
Leave it to Honda to engineer a bike that revs to 20,000 and is still way more reliable and longer lived than any BMW or Ducati. The Honda S800 sports car used roller bearings with a 9500 RPM redline which was higher than any production car at the time including Ferrari models. Honda engineers have a unique passion their competitors lack.
In New Zealand these Japanese 4 cylinder 250's were a dime a dozen, you can still buy them. I had the Honda CBR 250R, the Yamaha FZR250R and the Katana 250. The 1988 GSX-R 250R is the lightest but the Honda definitely has the best engine. Going to high school with my friends in the late 1990's early morning sounded like a F1 race we all had 250 fours, was a great time! The CBR250RR MC22 has a re stricter set at 118mph (190kph) The older CBR's 1986-1987 (MC17) don't have one. The MC19 1988-1989 models have a limiter as well. Funny story. I had a race with an old GSX-R 750 on the Honda CBR. He was closing in behind me and I was going around 180kph (110mph) I came up to a tight sweeping corner and the Honda took the bend like it was on rails. The dude on the GSX-R nearly ended up in a hedge.
Yep my first bike in 2013 was a 1994 MC22 i sold for dirt cheap to buy a CBR400RR for also dirt cheap, now in 2022 i just bought a 1992 MC22 for similar to what i paid back in the day Nz also
They were amazing. I rode my 89 zxr250 around the outside of 900 street triples on my first Pukekohe track day almost by accident because it cornered so well! Last time I saw it, it was over 150,000km and going strong!
Little bikes, like little cars, get laughed at in a straight line most of the time...but when that road gets twisty, suddenly the big boys can't hang. My 30 year old Civic is slow in a straight line, even more so than stock because worn out 300,000 mile 1.5 single jingle.... but on a twisting road, with the new suspension bushings and manual steering rack and all the work I have put into restoring the chassis, plus the sticky 205/50/15 tires and Acura Integra LS Mesh 15 inch wheels....I have left a long list of vehicles for dead once the roads get twisty, and it is glorious having a little shit box make people's eyes pop out of their heads :)
These were common in Australia and were often used as first/learner bikes. I had one exactly the same as in your video as my first bike. Nothing can get you more addicted to bikes than that little screaming engine underneath you.
Words cant describe how much i love this video. TH-cam still finds it reasonable to recommend it to me even after watching like 100 times, cant blame them. It was too hard finding a 250 for a reasonable price so i settled for her older 400rr brother and man im glad i did.
I just put my 400 RR back on the road after a 20 year break raising children, it's a hoot and so glad I didn't sell it, the only problem is I'm 56 and apparently still a hooligan!
I owned a Honda VFR400R (NC24) from the same era, it was equally nuts. 400 cc V4, also with gear driven cams and with a single sided swing arm. It redlined at 14.5k rpm and put out just over 70 hp. It was so much expensive tech in such a small motorcycle. Absolutely loved it for the 5 years I owned it. I deeply regret selling it but sadly had no other choice at the time
@@SimonBrisbane Adding to your point: It's also way more better than being affiliated with production companies and broad casting stations, which might history have an issue with his content because they have to make sure it caters to the masses in order to air with as minimal complaints as they can. He's not going to get away with things like calling 4 yr old bitches and making Jesus jokes on shows aired to an entire country, unlike what he can get away with on TH-cam.
Hornet250, which is essentially a naked version of CBR250RR is VERY famous and popular in Japan. I owe one too and it is the best bike under 400cc imo.
Should I ever get the chance to make an Onboard video with that one it would be my last. Sound-wise it doesn't get more exciting than this! Awesome video, thanks!
Thought that was an FZR, I noticed it in the background of the mine cart video! My brother used to have a 1990 FZR 600 Genesis, those bikes are very impressive for the late 80s/early 90s. I'm working on a 1986 XT350 enduro I just picked up cheap, the weird original "twin" carb and a a half is junk so I'm trying to make a twin pair of PWK flat slides fit in the limited space available
The 2 year road worthiness/emissions check here in Japan still has the same displacement rules. 250cc and below are exempt. I was about the mention the ZX-25, but glad I waited until the end! 😀 Loved all the pictures of Seattle...it's where I hail from.
Don't you have to be in the mood for riding it though, I would imagine they are pretty focused. Don't ge me wrong though what a marvel of mass engineering.
@@fiveplates Definatly its not something I take on a longer trip. I've also owned a 600rr and recently bought a hd forty eight. So the little mc22 can be used only on occasion or when a friend of mine rides one of his rgv250's
The sheer joy Ryan showed throughout the episode along with the gorgeous Seattle and Washington scenery really made this ep pop. Thanks for a holiday season uplift in the Age of Omicron.
My father owns a zx25r, and it's such a beautiful bike, it idles above 2000rpm, and power starts kicking above 8000rpm, even with stock exhaust is sounds amazing. It feels as if you were racing, but at a legal speed. I wish other manufacturer start making 4 cylinder 250cc, rather then the boring 2 cylinder ones.
there're lot of opinions. The complexity involved in making a 4 cyl make "250cc" a poor choice of capacity. Many would arguably argue its better to make it a 400, but then we have 600's. In developing markets, cc is still a prime differentiator. They will never understand as a market why the FZ1 is priced lower than a YZF R6 (the older 599cc one). Thus, ZX 25R is marketing wise not the best decision, globally speaking. But its alone in a rare category so....
All the tobacco colour schemes from the 80s 90s look great. Years ago i had an NS400 in the factory Rothmans livery. At the time i wanted the HRC colour scheme but the only one i could find was in Rothmans.
Woah, I recognize those roads at 4:40 and 6:51, I drive them all the time cause they're super beautiful especially during fall! On clear days you can see the mountains way off in the distance too, it's incredible.
I stopped at a red light this summer on my Harley and a guy on what seemed at first glace to be a Honda CB750 from the 70´s or early 80´s stopped next to me, we gave each other the customary bikers helmet nod and he thundered off with the greatest howl ive ever heard. I sat there truly astonished by that engine sound and may have creamed my pants a little :D Straight home and googled and found out the bike is called Honda CBX 1050. Thats my dream bike now! Congrats on getting your dream bike Ryan and merry xmass.
The CBX is truly one of the best sounding bikes of all time. My dad has the bike that completed directly against it and took the speed crown from it in the early 80s, the Suzuki GS1100
@@SpeedyTubaGuy The GS1100ez, beautiful piece. My cousin had one and I've wanted one ever since I saw it in 1987. When I can find one I can't afford it, whenever I can afford one I can't find it. There that makes more sense.
Dude that would be SO sweet! We've got loads of "modern classics" that mimic decades older designs, but I'm dying for something with that late 80s/early 90s Honda dual headlight race bike look! (Really not loving the angular looks of a lot of modern bikes, but I guess it might be a while before people don't view 90s bikes at just looking "old.")
Man, this channel has come such a long way. You guys are seriously competing with the likes of top gear (when it use to be good, not the current trash) and other big time motoring shows. The only thing I wish you could change is to get you a bigger budget so you could make more videos more often! Thanks again for the great work!
I'm confident this bike saved my life. Had it for 10 years from age 18-28, and with my unrestricted license I test rode the R1, CBR1000RR, GSXR1000, Daytona 675r while feeling like the natural "progression" was inevitable... I could never justify leaving the fun of a bike that makes race bike noises at ~safe speeds.
A friend lent me one of these for a few days about 15 years ago while my bike was out of action. I am not a fan of inline fours but I used it to commute to work and it made the ride huge fun; a really amazing little gem. A Kawasaki 250 four I rode around the same time was very boring by comparison. Another great video and one which brought back some good memories.
@@MZMotor95 I some it's the lack of power low down and comparatively low torque. I would agree that 2-3 cylinders tends to make a better street bike for general use. While 4-cylinders sound amazing, they just don't power through cities like lower-revving engines.
@@TravisTerrell I was lucky enough to have ridden one of these bikes, and your right it doesn't make a lot of bottom end power. They don't make much power, period. To say that inline 4's don't make any bottom end power is very misleading thou. My ZX14 makes more power than this bike does literally just off idle. I can run around all day and rarely rev it up past 3k, simply because of how much bottom end power it makes. Power peak is around 10k, so it is not the highest revving bike in the world, but by no means is it lacking power anywhere in the powerband. My other bike, a 500cc inline 4, can be ridden basically the same way barely revving it much higher than 4k. That bike sees 15k+ occasionally as well. So it qualifies for high revving... You don't have to rev up either of my inline 4's to get them to go. When they do rev up, you better hold on...
What a great looking bike. No stupid creases and angles like the modern contraptions. Plain good old horsepower and subtle styling. One of my favourite bikes of all time.
What a perfect Christmas present! I bought one in 2001 and rode it across australia within months. Loved all 7 years i had it. Just about restored my second one, also have the 1989 version cbr250r and a vfr400 nc30. They are all fantasic bikes. MC22, what a bike :) thank you ryan and team for a fantastic video
this, and a Kawasaki ZX 250R (ZX2R).. the best revving bike i have ever ridden.. its not about the topspeed, its about how u get there..sounds and everything..and every revs of the throttle is satisfying as hell
Sudden onset burning desire for a 250. A feeling I never thought would cross my mind. Thanks for the exquisite content and setting me off on a pursuit for rare gem.
Awesome video! I've got one here in Australia and it's truly amazing. 5 years ago they were a dirt cheap learner bike but now people are waking up to how unique they are. Keep up the good work mate!
People in the know, knew what they were back then. I considered one after I had my CB400, but opted for a 06 CBR600RR instead. No regrets though, the price point was decent back when I was ready to change over. But it felt like a down grade, that’s in the power respect mind you. Still would say yes to adding one to my collection of bikes.
Lost my R6 in an accident a couple weeks ago. Decided almost immediately I wanted a 90s CBR250. Guess the prices are gonna be through the roof for a while thanks to this. Still won't stop me from trying to get my hands on one though :)
@@twrcrew8852 the Ninja 250 is the parallel twin beginner bike. I think it is technically a 250r, but everyone just calls it a ninja 250. Kawasaki also makes a 250rr Mono, which has 1 cylinder. The 90s 4 cylinder 250 is called the zx2r and redlined to 20k. That’s the pricey one. The one that started it all. And finally, the zx25r is the revamp that is coming out. Unfortunately, it’ll be hard to get a small high revving engine to pass US emissions nowadays and if they can get it down, it’ll be done with the use of big catalytic converters that will rob the rider of power. It’s only going to have 45hp in non emissions form to begin with. Plus, the redline is only 17k. I’m sure it will be fun though
The "250 4cylinders are back" at the end sent literal shivers down my spine, those pocket rockets are the definitive fun machines... For anyone that wishes to have lived the golden age of Japanese touge racing, one of those bikes will be the closer we will ever get to being there and then. But I can almost asure that we Euro-idiots wont even get them due to the regulations set by some rich brats that travel in private jets and gas guzzling v8 Audis while they preach eco-friendliness...
@@maynilaPH I too used to keep away after a terrible experience. But my only option to get a 4 cylinder 250 was carburetor. So I checked with my honda dealer and they did a full tune up and carb clean. In Dubai you don't face issues with cold start
I had a CB-1, and a 97 Fireblade... I can only imagine what'd be like to combine the two and slap on 25% rev... Sadly there is no way in hell that I could possibly consider purchasing a third bike. I think... Damn you Ryan!
This looks and feels like a Hollywood movie or an AAA video game. I am so impressed with the quality of your videos. Amazing. The quality corresponds to the motorbike you are showing. ;)
I used to have the FZR250 with a barely-a-mufler exhaust. Going through tunnels was a treat. But holy shit, better hope you don't get carb issues with any of these. 4 individual carbs for a 19,000 rev range.... Jets for Africa. And they're all tiny. Slightest bit of varnishing can throw them off. I got to the point where I could just about dismantle the carbs blindfolded.
Yeah, if you aren't a bike mechanic, these bikes are not for you. Definitely start it regularly to keep the jets clear. I got to that point of carb disassembly skill with a VFR 400 I was desperately trying to tune to run acceptably, I had it apart at least 30 times. Never could get it running right.
I swapped a gopro hero 4 several years ago for a cbr250r that the guy said it was only running on 3 cylinders. It had no battery but I brought my own along with me to start it up, after letting it warm up I knew it was running fine so the guy happily swapped for the GoPro and I left smiling. I got a reasonable price for it a few mths later after giving it a bit of a birthday but it would be worth double now
I had one of these for about 6 years. It was so much fun riding around with my mates that were in disbelief a 250 could easily keep up with their 400-600cc bikes. One of the biggest regrets of my life was selling it, I hope the new owner is treating hew well. They are one of a kind.
@@midgetman4206 if you ever get married, you can kiss those hopes goodbye. Wives are VERY good at convincing men to get rid of their "dangerous toys" - especially if she gets pregnant. Not being anti-woman with this or anything, it's just a fact of life with marriage and child-rearing.
A friend of mine owned one back in the day, we would always ride each others bikes and I used to love riding that 250 and i owned a cbr600 buy you just felt like Rossi going anywhere on it revving it's nut out and smashing gears throwing it onto corners with its feather weight lol oh what fun memories!
Bought one of these brand new back in 2000 when I was 16, the very last Australian delivered model. The amount of fun I had on it, I can't imagine I'll ever pass that in my life. It might be rose tinted glasses but I've ridden stacks of bikes since, and have a Hayabusa now, the Baby Blade was better. Great video, and stoked for anyone getting into bikes now that there is finally a good alternate for them to jump onto.
What I find funny is Honda stopped building them in 1996 but they continued to sell them as later year models in Australia up to 2000. Kind of scammy in my opinion. I have a 96 model.
When Honda makes a high revving engine with small pistons, the music is glorious. I owned a CB-X way back when (wish I had it now) and while the engine was massive compared to the 250 here, the litre bike with six pots meant smaller pistons and the noise that thing made at full song was incredible. Keep your HD blatting noises, I want my bike to sound like the world's largest swarm of angry killer bees on steriods.
Some of my inspirations to getting my license and riding sport bikes was watching Hashirya videos in late 2000's. The riders mostly rode 2 strokes or the high revving 4's. I was amazed on the display of turning/handling capabilities and power delivery, just how quick some of those riders were on the mountain passes and around the industrial spots.
Awesome video as always but extra credit for the clips of Akira!!!! 👍🏻 I was maybe 16 when I discovered that movie in 1990 and it absolutely influenced me getting into street bikes!!! Merry Christmas and thank you !!
BRAVO as always! I'm 55yrs ol and had the opertunity to lend my Ford Ranger for to my buddy Felix Rodriguez that I served with in the Army so he his wife and baby boy could grocery shop or go to appointments. Felix had his priorities on point. A new family and a 1990 CBR 250! I gladly would lend my pickup to my pal in exchange for his bike and helmet!
I started riding on a 2003 Ninja 250 and always wished I could get my hands on a 88-90 CBR250. 4 cylinders sounded like the big bikes and they had nearly double the horsepower with a few mods. I will definitely be looking into this new Ninja ZX-25r!
I still have and sometimes ride my first bike i bought brand new my senior year in high school in 1989. An ‘89 FZR400R. Great video man! Merry Christmas
Greetings from New Zealand! Thanks for posting these little "pocket rockets" as they were sometimes called here and the UK are fantastic bikes. Made in Japan at time when the manufacturers were all trying to out do each other, as a result the consumer benefited : ) Unfortunately given build costs and the way the World is going we're unlikely to see the likes of these again. Great build quality,reliability,handling,gear driven cams and an addictive soundtrack to boot! I own a 1991 NC29 400RR with just over 19'000km on the clock or for my fellow USA riders just over 12'000 miles, we are lucky enough that down here quite a few dealers were able to import them. If you ever get the chance ride one. Ride safe everyone ; )
I have an mc22, nc29 and an nc30. The nc29 is a great bike and surprisingly quick. Nowhere near as special as the mc22 however, whilst a good bike, there's something about the near 20k rpm that set these apart. Do love the nc29 however, but they are far more serious (quicker than my old thundercat which makes them quite pokey)
Kiwi here. I had the MC17 1987 CBR250R, the 1988 FZR 250R and the rare Katana 250 four. There are at least 4-5 inline four 250's for sale on trademe right now! The ZXR250 is almost impossible to get now, sometimes you see one a year turn up for sale
I still remember my first ride on one of these. Surely they are pretty over priced these days, but man that 19000 rpm redline was super sick. I found the weight even more impressive.
@@Daschickenify Actually, I think Ryan got it right in the video. Japanese kids were racing the things and they were outlawed. Do you remember that retro/naked craze in the 90's spearheaded by the Kawi Zephr bikes? That was the result of their sportbike ban. That wave didn't have the success in North America that it had in Japan. But now the whole world loves the nakeds, and rightly so, IMO.
This was my first road bike ever. I have had 600's and 1000+ cc sportsbikes since then, and that 250 still is one of the best bikes I ever rode, specifically the mc22.
zx25r been almost a year on indonesia, been a good sell even tho it is 11.000 CAD, because 600cc or 1000cc bike in indonesia were 50K+ CAD (due to tax and regulation, etc) so it is a good entry to 4cyl sounding machine (we just love the sound, speed yes, but it sounds "expensive")
@@ruhtam8971 and it is like what his saying, it sound so loud for suprisingly little amount of go, so you can be cruising at like 40-50 kph at 12.000 rpm
I own one of those 250cc 4 cyl bikes, specifically the kawasaki zx25r. it sounds really, really aggressive even with stock muffler. and since I live in Indonesia, it allows me to not make another drivers licence and not pay extra taxes for bikes with displacement larger than 250cc. two birds with one stone
I SAW YOU. I was in Downtown Seattle for a day last year to do some things and I heard this absolute insane revving and I see this white motorcycle cross the street a block or so away. I'm fairly certain it was you.
There goes my hope for finding one of these at an affordable price...
There never was much hope in North America! I hear you can pick up relatively affordable ones in Australia, since Honda actually sold 'em there. ~RF9
@@FortNine (i think hes talking about the fact that now you've drawn attention to them, demand will go up and so will prices)
@@FortNine you could've just lied about it to make me feel better
You're better off looking at the 400s anyway, they only rev to 15k in comparison but the extra power is lovely. I own two cbr400rr s and ridden plenty of cbr250 and zzr250s. The 250 are great fun but do feel quite lacking in the oomph department. The 400s have the same fun factor with both enough power and usable power for the street
Lolz so true there goes my future chances lolz and there was only so many made and most of them are in scrapyards due to accidents they not going to be on the planet for ever the one true staple in the motorcycle world sad to see the day when all is gone hope it never comes in a million years
“If every beginner started on one of these, there would be no other motorcycles.” ❤️
There's a 100% success rate of cars hitting these things.
@@Gma7788 with that amount of noise?
@@fireblow6842 Noise only helps against pedestrians and cyclists.
@@jenschristensen1774 interesting
@@fireblow6842true.
I love the idea of 90's big four in japan being like "we think its very important that we don't build bikes that exceed certain parameters to prevent government regulation ... hey street racing teens, check out these sweet rides that look like race bikes, sound like race bikes, rev harder then race bikes AND purposely slip around government scrutiny"
Street racer, in Japan:
"Yea....So ....Just going to school, dude..."
12k on the dial....
It's a bit like the european 125cc class. 16 years olds (in Finland at least) could only ride those, but there was no power limit, and the you have sport bikes with very unreliable 35 horsepower two strokes, when with 90s technology, the bikes would have been actually usable with 350ccish four strokes or something with the same maximum power.
Subaru and Mitsubishi had a gentleman’s agreement to stick under 200KW from 2L engines in their rally cars. Those Japanese do strange things sometimes.
@@SimonBrisbane Japanese car and bike manufacturers both have certain gentlemen's agreement in order to make sure they antagonize each other as less as possible.
They all want to make money, and if by some gentleman's agreements with your rivals, you get to carry on making money without having to spend as much money, then great.
owned a 1991 model and the original engine did 200k+ km before i sold it. Last time i heard from the owner it was still running years later on the same engine
Feel liked we watched F9 grow up in his videos through the years. From a bright faced, super smart kid who likes motorcycles. To a fully functional grown man motorcycle scientist. Been great watching Ryan and the team
And, more importantly, possibly some of the highest production value content on TH-cam. The cinematography and writing on this channel is at such a level it's popular even among people who have no interest in motorcycles whatsoever (though I myself do have a bike).
Emphasis on Scientist.
You can also clean parts in the fuel tank ultrasonically while you ride.
As a 'gun man', that has really real idea....
(Reloading)
Haha! That's a very good point!
Especially when you think of the harmonics that come up in the vibration of parts. Indeed.
Bzzzzzzzzzz!
@@peterruiz6117 Better have a separate bag containing the brass then, you don't want that crap in the fuel or fuel filter.
I feel like this channel combines motorcycles, the art of filmmaking, and more of a sophisticated perspective, and I love it.
“Sophisticated” - then plays disgusting rap not 1 minute in. Yeah. You can have it.
@@vincedibona4687 awww did your little feelings get hurt by the rap?
Well said
@@vincedibona4687 if you don’t like it, don’t watch it. Not only did you watch it, you came down to the comments. If it’s so bad, you would just leave
Agree with you. enjoyable yet informative at the same time.
I was 18 years old and bought one of these in Australia for $3000 in mint condition. It was my FIRST ever bike and I learnt to ride on one of these little weapons. I had an absolute blast on it and I remember feeling like the coolest human on earth red-lining it through the streets while staying in the speed limit 😂
This was my first bike as well. Traded a $2k car for it. Loved that thing
My first road bike too as a teenager. Ended up in a fight with an Asian uni student in a 360 Modena on it 😅😅
Bs
Bet he was a chinaaaaaaaaa @@In-Marty-We-Trust
Should I buy one for 6k right now? 50k km, 1992.
You are literally my favorite morotcycle tuber. Your content is well researched, thought provoking and made for common bikers. I really appreciate you.
I appreciate you too! Merry Christmas, thanks for paying my bills with your views. ~RF9
@@FortNine I watch all your videos
I've never even been on a motorbike
@@FortNine only channel i watch on YT app instead of vanced
@@thinfourth honestly, it never hurts to know shit about things you think you don't need to know about!
20k is cool and all... but I was REALLY impressed by those fold down and out passenger pegs! 3:33
Agreed. Another trick bit of engineering, in amongst all the other engineering tricks 👌
Could be nice to see that on modern bikes
I literally said "look!!! That's awesome" To my mom when we watched this video when visiting for Christmas and even she went "wow", this is coming from someone who owns a BMW S1000XR which is arguably one of the most advanced bikes that's been out recently haha
I was amazed by tha feature too haha I was like damn they do look like fire
Agreet, these were smart
Another great video! I'm a 47yo life-long rider, and it is a blast from the past whenever I see one of the Japanese 250 and 400 pocket-rockets on the street now. Which is rare. They're a reminder of a time when the big factories seemed to be saying, "To hell with it...let's make it!"
These are amazing. I'm 19yo and have a 1991 VFR 400. Absolutely brilliant bike but I must admit I have a soft spot for the 250...
I can admit 20k is cool but nothing touches the pull of a liter bike. I'll never forget the first time I felt the full power of a modern 1000CC
They were fun- actually the most fun bike I ever owned was a Honda VTR250. I could lay that thing so close to the pavement I could shave. All the other bikes since just didn't have that spark for me.
Yep, Honda's 6-cylinder 250, Suzuki's square-4 125 and 50cc triple, Yamaha's 250 and 125cc V4. Would have been great to see road going versions.
49 from Malaysia. It's rare to see it in Thailand or Singapore where it was common in the 90s but the sound from a ZXR250 really grab me
im lucky enough to own one of these. I got it as a learner bike with the intention of transitioning to a bigger bike one day. I enjoyed it so much that i never gave it up. The screaming in-line revs never fail to bring a smile to my face.
I'm so jealous man
They are really cool and I love them as well but they become less cool when you are trying to go to sleep after a long day of work and one goes flying by. They are really cool but I am glad they are gone. Really loud bikes just cause issues.
@@SirNaraxno
@@ProSkye59 Yes.
@@SirNarax no
Dude, you nailed the ending.
Merry Christmas to everyone, may all you get the bikes you deserve ❤️
Yeah, that was some moonwalk.
I got mine, thank you. Harley-Davidson Street 750. The riding joy of my life.
Hey, Merry Christmas.
The one my son races did 201kmh through the speed trap at Phillip Island and his lap time was quicker than the modern 400 Supersport bikes that raced the year before. It has 67000km's on the clock and sings sweetly at 19500rpm.😁
glad theyre still about 3k here in victoria ;)
Yep, there's something to be said for the skinny tyres on these things. Gives some nice turn in
That pretty impressive seeing how a stock one will never get anywhere near that.
@@uhtred7860 , the bike definitely is standard. The top 5 cbr's all went through the trap at close to 200kph, all with standard gearing. The important thing is that everything is kept tucked in...elbows, knees and head.
@@uhtred7860 If a stock mc22 can't do 190kph+ then you need to service it.
With a production quality on par with Top Gear at its peak, This is one of my favourite motorcycle channels. I just wish the videos were frequent, but I know it takes time to script, shoot, and edit.
Just keep up the quality.I can wait for great content.
Great example of quality over quantity. I can wait. Unfortunately we live in world that wants everything now. Keep up the awesome work.
In Murica our favorites don't have U in them.
@@numberpirate neither the channel nor I reside in “murica”. Proudly Canadian.
All we know is that he's not the Stig, but that he *is* the Stig's Canadian motorcycle cousin!
It should be noted that F1 engines did reach 20,000 rpms in 2006 with the newly introduced 2.4L V8s with Honda itself among them. They limited it to 19,000 rpms the year later.
Still, they had 2x the cylinder count, nearly 5x the displacement per cylinder and not needing to worry about street vehicle service intervals.
Commenting 30 seconds in: That snow logo take is phenomenal. Whoever came up with that needs some props
Great green screening! So cool
i was looking for wires or something - anything! what a great shot
I lived in Japan in the early nineties, it was a magical time for motorcycles. It was a time when Honda actually made awesome cutting edge bikes!! Bikes like the VFR400R, RGV250 and NSR250 were epic little bikes
The barimasi generation... Such an epic (and dangerous) time.
The VFR400R is certainly one of my dream bikes
IMO it was the golden age of motorcycles. Everyone pushed tech and tried new things. Stuff didn't get much faster till the FI litre bikes of early-mid 00s. They aren't much slower than the latest stuff today funnily enough!!
if you know japanese, can you tell me the name of the japanese upbeat song towards the beginning?
I remember the first ride on mine, in the wet the feel and noise it took off like a rocket felt like I was doing a million kph I look down at the Speedo and I'm only doing 40kph that's when I remember it's a 250... Bought it. Kept it ever since it's now at 210000km... One thing Ryan didn't mention in video was that the odometer resets every 99999km therefore these bikes will stay forever young 😁
Thats so amazing 👏. Truly a bike you keep for a lifetime.
I actually felt, that excitement that thrill that happiness. I was saving up for my first ever bike, a Kawasaki Z250, but was short 3000 for my downpayment and I am missing out on the promotion for the last batch ever made. Until that one evening when I got home from work, and that bike was sitting there in all its gloriousness. My wife topped up the 3000 and got them to deliver the bike on the next day. Literally got down on my knee and cried. It was the best feeling ever. With my wife and my favourite bike, nothing tops anything else.
They should bring back the 90's paint job back on bikes.. Love the retro look on them!
they actually did this year, on a 2022 cbr1000rr with anniversary edition livery mimicking that of a cbr1000rr of 90's
@@abdiashim check out new NT1100 color schemas
It's on the fireblade
But... if they brought them back? It wouldn't be retro.
Buy an old bike.
@@Redmenace96 check adventure touring bikes Aprilia Touareg, Ducati Desert X, MV Agusta Lucky explorer 9.5. do they look retro?
I've always wanted a 250rr. Best sound for any bike.
CBX 1100 6CYL 😉
@@MrKillervincent 🤡
@@RedFly. facts it sounds like an f1 car the CBX is the best sounding bike of all time.
@@RedFly. youre the clown if you think the cbx doesnt sound better
Cbx with a pipe and VFR 750 with a pipe. Glorious sounds!! This is cool as well.
For anyone looking for the song that plays at 3:18: It's called "J Pop Chant", by Harpo Marks. Not an actual japanese song though, it's just one of those royalty-free production tracks made for commercial use (and the lyrics barely make any sense)
Can confirm
THANK YOU shazam was useless
Life saver!
You saved my Day... Interesting Fact... normally I am Listening to Metal🤣 why the Hell do I like this Song
omg cant find it anywhere
Gotta love that sound from a 4cyl low displacement bike. Recently got the chance to ride my friend's Kawasaki ZX25R and might I just say, it's one of my favourite experiences in riding a bike ever. The sound it produces, the beauty of the bike is just second to none. I feel pity for a lot of countries that don't get this bike because 4cyl 250 are definitely one of the most fun you can have in a motorcycle without putting yourself in danger
Edit: I lived in Indonesia and the ZX25 has been here for a long while
They'd never pass emission laws in the UK so I'll probably never see one 🥲
Having owned a 91 cbr250rr i can tell you it wasn't hard to get into danger. I can also tell you they were limited to 180kph
@@satellizera6446 well, as long as you're a responsible rider, you're not gonna get in danger. Just listening to that melody on an empty public road going 80-90 kmh is already fun enough for me
Leave it to Honda to engineer a bike that revs to 20,000 and is still way more reliable and longer lived than any BMW or Ducati. The Honda S800 sports car used roller bearings with a 9500 RPM redline which was higher than any production car at the time including Ferrari models. Honda engineers have a unique passion their competitors lack.
Lets take a moment to appreciate this channel’s excellent production team.
Let's take a moment to appreciate how many times this kind of comment is made on a F9 video.
In my opinion their quality dropped since the old camera/edit guy left. It was a lot more clear and thought out before.
Aneesh has moved on? I wish him the best in his new gig. I also wish FortNine the best with new partners.
@@quasimoto4424 what was the last video he did here?
@@somevids4187 by "why helmets use ancient buckles" he was 100% gone. But i feel even the SNEL Video before is not his work either.
In New Zealand these Japanese 4 cylinder 250's were a dime a dozen, you can still buy them. I had the Honda CBR 250R, the Yamaha FZR250R and the Katana 250. The 1988 GSX-R 250R is the lightest but the Honda definitely has the best engine. Going to high school with my friends in the late 1990's early morning sounded like a F1 race we all had 250 fours, was a great time! The CBR250RR MC22 has a re stricter set at 118mph (190kph) The older CBR's 1986-1987 (MC17) don't have one. The MC19 1988-1989 models have a limiter as well. Funny story. I had a race with an old GSX-R 750 on the Honda CBR. He was closing in behind me and I was going around 180kph (110mph) I came up to a tight sweeping corner and the Honda took the bend like it was on rails. The dude on the GSX-R nearly ended up in a hedge.
Katana 250!! What/Where/When/How???
Yep my first bike in 2013 was a 1994 MC22 i sold for dirt cheap to buy a CBR400RR for also dirt cheap, now in 2022 i just bought a 1992 MC22 for similar to what i paid back in the day
Nz also
They were amazing. I rode my 89 zxr250 around the outside of 900 street triples on my first Pukekohe track day almost by accident because it cornered so well!
Last time I saw it, it was over 150,000km and going strong!
Little bikes, like little cars, get laughed at in a straight line most of the time...but when that road gets twisty, suddenly the big boys can't hang. My 30 year old Civic is slow in a straight line, even more so than stock because worn out 300,000 mile 1.5 single jingle.... but on a twisting road, with the new suspension bushings and manual steering rack and all the work I have put into restoring the chassis, plus the sticky 205/50/15 tires and Acura Integra LS Mesh 15 inch wheels....I have left a long list of vehicles for dead once the roads get twisty, and it is glorious having a little shit box make people's eyes pop out of their heads :)
And you sold them? Why?!
These were common in Australia and were often used as first/learner bikes. I had one exactly the same as in your video as my first bike. Nothing can get you more addicted to bikes than that little screaming engine underneath you.
You can pick one up for $1200-$3000 but lately they are going up now to around $4000
Time for me to start looking. I just bought a new grom and after seeing this lol
Can i buy i from vietnam ?
They robbed you.
I've seen hundreds die on them.
The whole front end disappears when they hit SUV's.
You'll never see the front wheel again.
@@Gma7788 ????
Words cant describe how much i love this video. TH-cam still finds it reasonable to recommend it to me even after watching like 100 times, cant blame them. It was too hard finding a 250 for a reasonable price so i settled for her older 400rr brother and man im glad i did.
I just put my 400 RR back on the road after a 20 year break raising children, it's a hoot and so glad I didn't sell it, the only problem is I'm 56 and apparently still a hooligan!
Honda CBX 1050 is also an absolute legend in bike sounds.
Amen to that! Saw a mint-condition CBX pop up in Vancouver last summer. The price made me weep blood. ~RF9
I have a friend who has six of them!
@@louis__________________8281 do you have a CBX for sale ?
@@FortNine I'm still in love with my VTech vfr XD
They sur are cool but you really have to want one. I'm not fiddling with 6 carbs not even for that sound!
I owned a Honda VFR400R (NC24) from the same era, it was equally nuts. 400 cc V4, also with gear driven cams and with a single sided swing arm. It redlined at 14.5k rpm and put out just over 70 hp. It was so much expensive tech in such a small motorcycle. Absolutely loved it for the 5 years I owned it. I deeply regret selling it but sadly had no other choice at the time
And they were tiny, I couldn't fit on one....
I couldn't afford one until 2000-2001 and yes it is a fun motorcycle unfortunately it needed constant maintenance it was the first model.
And actually has smaller spark plugs than the CBR250RR
I have ZXR 400 right now, but I don't know if it's so legendary or not?
@@megapet777 oh it’s pretty legendary! The majority of the 400s were sold to a very limited market, most are a grey import from Japan
Whenever I watch Ryan's vids, I never want them to end. Dude should get a personal show.
This channel IS his personal show.
@@SimonBrisbane o okkk people
Yep 👍
@@SimonBrisbane Adding to your point:
It's also way more better than being affiliated with production companies and broad casting stations, which might history have an issue with his content because they have to make sure it caters to the masses in order to air with as minimal complaints as they can. He's not going to get away with things like calling 4 yr old bitches and making Jesus jokes on shows aired to an entire country, unlike what he can get away with on TH-cam.
Hornet250, which is essentially a naked version of CBR250RR is VERY famous and popular in Japan. I owe one too and it is the best bike under 400cc imo.
Should I ever get the chance to make an Onboard video with that one it would be my last. Sound-wise it doesn't get more exciting than this! Awesome video, thanks!
U should definitely do one
Des warat wos!
If you come to Japan. Ride mine.
It does.. cbx1000 with 6to1
Enter the CBX 1050
DUDE! The folding, hidden pillion footrest blew my mind away - WTF! That's genius.
Don't all bikes have them? 😅
I literally dropped my jaw :)
when i got mine i was wondering where they were. Then looked up under the seat and they fold out. rlly cool.
@@MelodicTurtleMetal footrests yes but hidden ones? nope, it’s a rare sight to see
I've wanted one for a while, but my cheap 93 FZR600 scratches that 90's Japanese double-headlight itch just enough...for now
Thought that was an FZR, I noticed it in the background of the mine cart video! My brother used to have a 1990 FZR 600 Genesis, those bikes are very impressive for the late 80s/early 90s. I'm working on a 1986 XT350 enduro I just picked up cheap, the weird original "twin" carb and a a half is junk so I'm trying to make a twin pair of PWK flat slides fit in the limited space available
Gotta recommend a 1999-2002 R6 still carbed double headlights and looks beautiful
I really love the sound of a 3 cylinder Triumph. But it still comes second to a 19k rpm redline.
I was eyeballing yours in your last video.
ohhh god i miss my frz1000 the sound was brutal 😅
The 2 year road worthiness/emissions check here in Japan still has the same displacement rules. 250cc and below are exempt. I was about the mention the ZX-25, but glad I waited until the end! 😀 Loved all the pictures of Seattle...it's where I hail from.
Best bike ever made, I've had mine for 6 years and it still puts a smile on my face when I ride it.
2 years into owning mine and it never gets old.
you guys are so heckin lucky!
Don't you have to be in the mood for riding it though, I would imagine they are pretty focused. Don't ge me wrong though what a marvel of mass engineering.
@@fiveplates
Definatly its not something I take on a longer trip. I've also owned a 600rr and recently bought a hd forty eight. So the little mc22 can be used only on occasion or when a friend of mine rides one of his rgv250's
The sheer joy Ryan showed throughout the episode along with the gorgeous Seattle and Washington scenery really made this ep pop. Thanks for a holiday season uplift in the Age of Omicron.
This bike had killed more people than omnicron 😉
My father owns a zx25r, and it's such a beautiful bike, it idles above 2000rpm, and power starts kicking above 8000rpm, even with stock exhaust is sounds amazing. It feels as if you were racing, but at a legal speed. I wish other manufacturer start making 4 cylinder 250cc, rather then the boring 2 cylinder ones.
and the autobliping sound!!! ahh feels like 00' f1
Kawasaki ZX25R
But some countries in asean and japan, 250 cc 4 cylinder bicycles began to be made like the kawasaki zx25r and soon there was the cbr250rr-r
there're lot of opinions. The complexity involved in making a 4 cyl make "250cc" a poor choice of capacity.
Many would arguably argue its better to make it a 400, but then we have 600's.
In developing markets, cc is still a prime differentiator. They will never understand as a market why the FZ1 is priced lower than a YZF R6 (the older 599cc one).
Thus, ZX 25R is marketing wise not the best decision, globally speaking. But its alone in a rare category so....
I had a Ninja 300 for two years. It's a two-cylinder, redlined at 13k and was far from boring. I still wish I had the chance to keep it.
I had the exact same bike for my 1st road bike. Absolute beast of a bike.
Sheesh. Can’t imagine riding one of these without the stabilizer upgrade like this one had either, would be insane hitting 160 on this
They are not they make alot of noise but are pretty slow
45 horsepower. Aye, beast.
@@HashMaster1776 160? Shii My friend got this as his second bike, managed 190 on a straight before slowing down.
That bike in Repsol or Rothmans color scheme is a very awesome looking bike.
It’s stunning in the colours in the video too.
i've got the repsol. love it
All the tobacco colour schemes from the 80s 90s look great. Years ago i had an NS400 in the factory Rothmans livery. At the time i wanted the HRC colour scheme but the only one i could find was in Rothmans.
@Electronic Boss Didn't the MC19 come in Rothmans? or was that the NSR250 MC18?
@@uhtred7860 I always liked the Suzuki rgv250 in lucky strike livery ;)
Wonderful video Ryan! And to whomever made decision for the song choice at 3:19 its perfection.
what's the song name
I'm looking for that song name also... 😅
Has anybody found it yet? 😩
@@dbrtrn17 apparently its called J-Pop Chant by Harpo Marks
@@shadowevolution27 thanks a lot man it's a banger
Your crew absolutely nailed the sound production as usual, I feel like I can hear the bike next to me. Amazing as always F9
Woah, I recognize those roads at 4:40 and 6:51, I drive them all the time cause they're super beautiful especially during fall! On clear days you can see the mountains way off in the distance too, it's incredible.
I stopped at a red light this summer on my Harley and a guy on what seemed at first glace to be a Honda CB750 from the 70´s or early 80´s stopped next to me, we gave each other the customary bikers helmet nod and he thundered off with the greatest howl ive ever heard. I sat there truly astonished by that engine sound and may have creamed my pants a little :D
Straight home and googled and found out the bike is called Honda CBX 1050. Thats my dream bike now!
Congrats on getting your dream bike Ryan and merry xmass.
A rich kid in my high school had one of those awesome CBX's. What a thrill to hear it scream out of the parking lot! You know!
Those bikes sound like 90s Ferrari F1 cars. Pure, distilled engine music from the beating inline six cylinder hearts of those beasts
The CBX is truly one of the best sounding bikes of all time. My dad has the bike that completed directly against it and took the speed crown from it in the early 80s, the Suzuki GS1100
@@SpeedyTubaGuy The GS1100ez, beautiful piece. My cousin had one and I've wanted one ever since I saw it in 1987. When I can find one I can't afford it, whenever I can afford one I can't find it. There that makes more sense.
Whelp, now we know what F9's next video will be about. . .
I LOVE the looks of 80's and 90's sport bikes. Can you get fairing kits for modern bikes that look like that? 😅
Dude that would be SO sweet! We've got loads of "modern classics" that mimic decades older designs, but I'm dying for something with that late 80s/early 90s Honda dual headlight race bike look!
(Really not loving the angular looks of a lot of modern bikes, but I guess it might be a while before people don't view 90s bikes at just looking "old.")
@@TravisTerrell such good idea!
@@TravisTerrell even though people view them as old they’re the most beautiful bikes ever made, and we only have a short time frame to enjoy them.
What a great idea!
Could get it airbrushed somewhere but plenty of these bikes in Australia, 12k motors designs fairings over here for them.
Man, this channel has come such a long way. You guys are seriously competing with the likes of top gear (when it use to be good, not the current trash) and other big time motoring shows. The only thing I wish you could change is to get you a bigger budget so you could make more videos more often! Thanks again for the great work!
I know this sounds blasphemes but he should start doing cars.
@@itisonlyaplant .... noooooooooooo ... bad idea !!!
I'm confident this bike saved my life.
Had it for 10 years from age 18-28, and with my unrestricted license I test rode the R1, CBR1000RR, GSXR1000, Daytona 675r while feeling like the natural "progression" was inevitable... I could never justify leaving the fun of a bike that makes race bike noises at ~safe speeds.
Ah finally, my two passions in one fortnine video, motorcycles and F1, Merry Christmas everyone!
It’s a Christmas miracle!
A friend lent me one of these for a few days about 15 years ago while my bike was out of action. I am not a fan of inline fours but I used it to commute to work and it made the ride huge fun; a really amazing little gem. A Kawasaki 250 four I rode around the same time was very boring by comparison. Another great video and one which brought back some good memories.
How can you not like inline 4??
@@MZMotor95 I some it's the lack of power low down and comparatively low torque. I would agree that 2-3 cylinders tends to make a better street bike for general use. While 4-cylinders sound amazing, they just don't power through cities like lower-revving engines.
@@TravisTerrell But you dont power through cities... you power through twisting roads on the countryside.
@@MZMotor95 in cities I love the sound of the cbr250rr bouncing off the building it's Almost like a tunnel run
@@TravisTerrell I was lucky enough to have ridden one of these bikes, and your right it doesn't make a lot of bottom end power. They don't make much power, period. To say that inline 4's don't make any bottom end power is very misleading thou. My ZX14 makes more power than this bike does literally just off idle. I can run around all day and rarely rev it up past 3k, simply because of how much bottom end power it makes. Power peak is around 10k, so it is not the highest revving bike in the world, but by no means is it lacking power anywhere in the powerband. My other bike, a 500cc inline 4, can be ridden basically the same way barely revving it much higher than 4k. That bike sees 15k+ occasionally as well. So it qualifies for high revving... You don't have to rev up either of my inline 4's to get them to go. When they do rev up, you better hold on...
Karen’s hear 20k rpm’s in a school zone “hE wAs GoInG 150mph!!!”
Edit goddamn, i dont often check replies and like on my comments lol. 1k my god
Plot twist: at 4:56 the school bus started chasing him from the school
@@TheFreeguy12 filled with karens. yikes!
does abt 70kph at the top of first. idk how he did this in a school zone
Lol Karens can suck it.
Lol Karens can suck it.
What a great looking bike. No stupid creases and angles like the modern contraptions. Plain good old horsepower and subtle styling. One of my favourite bikes of all time.
What a perfect Christmas present! I bought one in 2001 and rode it across australia within months. Loved all 7 years i had it. Just about restored my second one, also have the 1989 version cbr250r and a vfr400 nc30. They are all fantasic bikes. MC22, what a bike :) thank you ryan and team for a fantastic video
are you willing to sell one ? :)
Cool! How's the NC30?
@@nedudu2041 sorry not a chance. Wont let these go too much fun
@@InYourDreams-Andia great bikes ex had one 15 years ago. I have to do a couple things to get this back on road but lots of fun.
this, and a Kawasaki ZX 250R (ZX2R).. the best revving bike i have ever ridden.. its not about the topspeed, its about how u get there..sounds and everything..and every revs of the throttle is satisfying as hell
Sudden onset burning desire for a 250. A feeling I never thought would cross my mind. Thanks for the exquisite content and setting me off on a pursuit for rare gem.
A rare gem? Perhaps a Honda CB250 Jade.
I don't even have a motorcycle license and I love this channel. An absolute gem in a cesspool of daily upload mediocrity.
The quality of these videos just keeps getting better. Well done and keep climbing!
Awesome video! I've got one here in Australia and it's truly amazing. 5 years ago they were a dirt cheap learner bike but now people are waking up to how unique they are. Keep up the good work mate!
A guy in our Sydney VJMC group has one, rides regularly…… he’s 82
People in the know, knew what they were back then. I considered one after I had my CB400, but opted for a 06 CBR600RR instead. No regrets though, the price point was decent back when I was ready to change over. But it felt like a down grade, that’s in the power respect mind you. Still would say yes to adding one to my collection of bikes.
Your movies are always INSANE! Such high production and scripts. So informative, technical, and still easy to understand. Thank you.
Proper word that, movies!
no less than a movie!
My first 4 stroke was a Yamaha FZR250R. Wish I still had it today absolutely loved that bike.
So much fun. Kicking myself for letting that one go...
Lost my R6 in an accident a couple weeks ago. Decided almost immediately I wanted a 90s CBR250. Guess the prices are gonna be through the roof for a while thanks to this. Still won't stop me from trying to get my hands on one though :)
They’ve been through the roof since they were new. There’s never been a time to buy these
this is a 250RR though. isn't a regular 250R just your run of the mil Ptwin lawnmower beginner bike?
@@twrcrew8852 the Ninja 250 is the parallel twin beginner bike. I think it is technically a 250r, but everyone just calls it a ninja 250. Kawasaki also makes a 250rr Mono, which has 1 cylinder. The 90s 4 cylinder 250 is called the zx2r and redlined to 20k. That’s the pricey one. The one that started it all. And finally, the zx25r is the revamp that is coming out. Unfortunately, it’ll be hard to get a small high revving engine to pass US emissions nowadays and if they can get it down, it’ll be done with the use of big catalytic converters that will rob the rider of power. It’s only going to have 45hp in non emissions form to begin with. Plus, the redline is only 17k. I’m sure it will be fun though
The "250 4cylinders are back" at the end sent literal shivers down my spine, those pocket rockets are the definitive fun machines... For anyone that wishes to have lived the golden age of Japanese touge racing, one of those bikes will be the closer we will ever get to being there and then. But I can almost asure that we Euro-idiots wont even get them due to the regulations set by some rich brats that travel in private jets and gas guzzling v8 Audis while they preach eco-friendliness...
it worries me how correct you are...
The ZX-25r is only sold in India I think (could have been released in other regions since release), it's been around for a little while now.
@@HalfdeadRider Indonesia.
They are now "Plug in Hybrid" gas guzzling v8 Audis. :D Gotta love european hypocrisy.
@@HalfdeadRider indonesia and thailand already have it bro, and a price around $9000
Had a Hornet 250 back in the day. Lovely machine! The same engine with different cams but still had a high rev limit.
I still have one .. 2007. Been revving the shits out of it in Dubai
And the extra wide back wheel made it a great machine
@@schlumberger112 Aren't the carbs finicky? I was discouraged from getting one a couple of years ago due to such feedback.
@@maynilaPH I too used to keep away after a terrible experience. But my only option to get a 4 cylinder 250 was carburetor. So I checked with my honda dealer and they did a full tune up and carb clean. In Dubai you don't face issues with cold start
Coming back to this a year later and still can’t get over you Canadians, your perfect music choices, and you’re incredible editing. 👏
what's that japanese song towards the begenning?
lmk if you find out@@alexdeinvent8384
@@alexdeinvent8384 did you ever find out?
I had a CB-1, and a 97 Fireblade... I can only imagine what'd be like to combine the two and slap on 25% rev...
Sadly there is no way in hell that I could possibly consider purchasing a third bike. I think...
Damn you Ryan!
This looks and feels like a Hollywood movie or an AAA video game. I am so impressed with the quality of your videos. Amazing. The quality corresponds to the motorbike you are showing. ;)
I used to have the FZR250 with a barely-a-mufler exhaust. Going through tunnels was a treat.
But holy shit, better hope you don't get carb issues with any of these. 4 individual carbs for a 19,000 rev range.... Jets for Africa. And they're all tiny. Slightest bit of varnishing can throw them off.
I got to the point where I could just about dismantle the carbs blindfolded.
Yeah, if you aren't a bike mechanic, these bikes are not for you. Definitely start it regularly to keep the jets clear. I got to that point of carb disassembly skill with a VFR 400 I was desperately trying to tune to run acceptably, I had it apart at least 30 times. Never could get it running right.
Haha amen. I recall using a large ball bearing in each carb to balance them.
I swapped a gopro hero 4 several years ago for a cbr250r that the guy said it was only running on 3 cylinders. It had no battery but I brought my own along with me to start it up, after letting it warm up I knew it was running fine so the guy happily swapped for the GoPro and I left smiling. I got a reasonable price for it a few mths later after giving it a bit of a birthday but it would be worth double now
I had one of these for about 6 years. It was so much fun riding around with my mates that were in disbelief a 250 could easily keep up with their 400-600cc bikes.
One of the biggest regrets of my life was selling it, I hope the new owner is treating hew well. They are one of a kind.
hello.
just a couple of men across the pond with the same name and same interests. much love from colorado, friend.
I hope to never be this person. The one who sells something amazing and regretting it later
@@midgetman4206 if you ever get married, you can kiss those hopes goodbye. Wives are VERY good at convincing men to get rid of their "dangerous toys" - especially if she gets pregnant. Not being anti-woman with this or anything, it's just a fact of life with marriage and child-rearing.
What a great x-mas gift! Thanks!
Merry Christmas! ~RF9
A friend of mine owned one back in the day, we would always ride each others bikes and I used to love riding that 250 and i owned a cbr600 buy you just felt like Rossi going anywhere on it revving it's nut out and smashing gears throwing it onto corners with its feather weight lol oh what fun memories!
Bought one of these brand new back in 2000 when I was 16, the very last Australian delivered model. The amount of fun I had on it, I can't imagine I'll ever pass that in my life. It might be rose tinted glasses but I've ridden stacks of bikes since, and have a Hayabusa now, the Baby Blade was better.
Great video, and stoked for anyone getting into bikes now that there is finally a good alternate for them to jump onto.
We have the internet now.
I actually speak to the riders and I tell them they're going to die.
They've all been killed now.
I'm still here.
That ninja 25r is frighteningly expensive.
It’s the baby baby blade, we had the 400rr too
What I find funny is Honda stopped building them in 1996 but they continued to sell them as later year models in Australia up to 2000. Kind of scammy in my opinion. I have a 96 model.
@@samueldummler7307 That does feel dodgy, even if it was 23 years ago.
As an owner of a Japanese imported 1988 cbr400rr in BC this video really excites me! Absolutely love these old small displacement Honda's so much
When Honda makes a high revving engine with small pistons, the music is glorious. I owned a CB-X way back when (wish I had it now) and while the engine was massive compared to the 250 here, the litre bike with six pots meant smaller pistons and the noise that thing made at full song was incredible. Keep your HD blatting noises, I want my bike to sound like the world's largest swarm of angry killer bees on steriods.
what is that song?
This was my first bike, almost 20 years ago. Now I have 2 of them. 🎶☺️🥰
your first bike was more cool than mine. a vstart 250
@@pleasedontwatchthese9593 Cruisers are just a different kind of cool 😎
Some of my inspirations to getting my license and riding sport bikes was watching Hashirya videos in late 2000's. The riders mostly rode 2 strokes or the high revving 4's. I was amazed on the display of turning/handling capabilities and power delivery, just how quick some of those riders were on the mountain passes and around the industrial spots.
One of my fav bike, you should try the new kawasaki ZX25, 250cc 4 cylinders with current tech
:v
Wehh nyasar dimari juga bang🤣
If Kawasaki ever bothers to bring it to Malaysia I will definitely get one
Siapa Anda
Ahhh, the beauty of riding/driving a slow vehicle fast. It's always so much fun!!!
Whats the song at 3:18 ?
Also want to know 😂
I am here for this too...
Also want to know!
J Pop Chant by Harpo Marks! Only available in Premium Beat by Shutterstock tho
@@tecnolatino5552 thanks a ton dude!!
Owned one of these myself, can confirm that they are so much fun to own. the best part is accelerating in 2nd gear to 16k rpm
Awesome video as always but extra credit for the clips of Akira!!!! 👍🏻 I was maybe 16 when I discovered that movie in 1990 and it absolutely influenced me getting into street bikes!!! Merry Christmas and thank you !!
My god, how does every single one of your videos end with a grin on my face? Top job with these! Merry Christmas, and a happy new year!
4:45 That was a beautiful shot ♥. Almost like a dream sequence from a fairy-tale (a fairy-tale about bikes).
The music, cinematography, script, presenting and timing are all world class. Epic work F9
BRAVO as always! I'm 55yrs ol and had the opertunity to lend my Ford Ranger for to my buddy Felix Rodriguez that I served with in the Army so he his wife and baby boy could grocery shop or go to appointments. Felix had his priorities on point. A new family and a 1990 CBR 250! I gladly would lend my pickup to my pal in exchange for his bike and helmet!
I started riding on a 2003 Ninja 250 and always wished I could get my hands on a 88-90 CBR250. 4 cylinders sounded like the big bikes and they had nearly double the horsepower with a few mods.
I will definitely be looking into this new Ninja ZX-25r!
I still have and sometimes ride my first bike i bought brand new my senior year in high school in 1989. An ‘89 FZR400R. Great video man! Merry Christmas
Noice !
The production value of your videos is mind blowing. From the camera work, script and editing. Amazing.
4:45 man that shot is so perfect. Just perfecto 👌👌😊
i've driven the zx25r its just fantastic how you can go at normal speed with a superbike sound.
Greetings from New Zealand! Thanks for posting these little "pocket rockets" as they were sometimes called here and the UK are fantastic
bikes. Made in Japan at time when the manufacturers were all trying to out do each other, as a result the consumer benefited : ) Unfortunately
given build costs and the way the World is going we're unlikely to see the likes of these again. Great build quality,reliability,handling,gear driven cams
and an addictive soundtrack to boot! I own a 1991 NC29 400RR with just over 19'000km on the clock or for my fellow USA riders just over 12'000 miles,
we are lucky enough that down here quite a few dealers were able to import them. If you ever get the chance ride one. Ride safe everyone ; )
I have an mc22, nc29 and an nc30. The nc29 is a great bike and surprisingly quick. Nowhere near as special as the mc22 however, whilst a good bike, there's something about the near 20k rpm that set these apart. Do love the nc29 however, but they are far more serious (quicker than my old thundercat which makes them quite pokey)
fzr400 1wg here. Best sound in the world.
also kiwi.
Kiwi here. I had the MC17 1987 CBR250R, the 1988 FZR 250R and the rare Katana 250 four. There are at least 4-5 inline four 250's for sale on trademe right now! The ZXR250 is almost impossible to get now, sometimes you see one a year turn up for sale
A pocket rocket is a gun. This a crotch rocket
@@EndTimeDreams One of these just sold on trademe for 9k. I'm thinking i'm going to keep holding on to mine now :)
I still remember my first ride on one of these. Surely they are pretty over priced these days, but man that 19000 rpm redline was super sick. I found the weight even more impressive.
That looks and seems very nice there too of course as well. Thank you too!
Through the whole video i was thinking "dang i want one, why'd they stop making them?"
And then Santa and Fortnine delivered the goods.
2022: Dear Santa I've been extra good this year.....
Only coal if you life in the Americas.
They stopped making them because they cost just as much as 600s, people didn't buy them much except for license restricted countries.
@@Daschickenify Actually, I think Ryan got it right in the video. Japanese kids were racing the things and they were outlawed. Do you remember that retro/naked craze in the 90's spearheaded by the Kawi Zephr bikes? That was the result of their sportbike ban. That wave didn't have the success in North America that it had in Japan. But now the whole world loves the nakeds, and rightly so, IMO.
This was my first road bike ever. I have had 600's and 1000+ cc sportsbikes since then, and that 250 still is one of the best bikes I ever rode, specifically the mc22.
zx25r been almost a year on indonesia, been a good sell even tho it is 11.000 CAD, because 600cc or 1000cc bike in indonesia were 50K+ CAD (due to tax and regulation, etc) so it is a good entry to 4cyl sounding machine (we just love the sound, speed yes, but it sounds "expensive")
Wish I could immigrate to Indonesia just for this baby
@@ruhtam8971 and it is like what his saying, it sound so loud for suprisingly little amount of go, so you can be cruising at like 40-50 kph at 12.000 rpm
Sir! Your production value is off the charts. Well done!! Oh, yeah, bike's cool, too.
I own one of those 250cc 4 cyl bikes, specifically the kawasaki zx25r. it sounds really, really aggressive even with stock muffler. and since I live in Indonesia, it allows me to not make another drivers licence and not pay extra taxes for bikes with displacement larger than 250cc. two birds with one stone
I never cease to be amazed at the professionalism of your video editing, guys. And all those interesting stories... You are awesome. Thank you! ❤
I SAW YOU.
I was in Downtown Seattle for a day last year to do some things and I heard this absolute insane revving and I see this white motorcycle cross the street a block or so away. I'm fairly certain it was you.
Back for the 5th? 8th? watch… I don’t even know anymore but what I know is that I have a dream bike different than most other people…