I mostly became interested in a smaller bike once they switched to fuel injection. Plus the fact that they don't "look" like small bikes any longer, and come with features only found on larger bikes, until recently.
Oh. And that fuel mileage!
There's another thread . . the fuel injection was a big part of my decision. I was riding a Metro (100+ mpg) and had an issue this summer with the gasoline separating after I missed riding it for 2 weeks in a row; carburetor needed to be pulled and cleaned and the tank flushed to get it to idle again. $159 dollars later I was back on the road and running fine but it was money I wished I didn't have to spend on repairs on a 1 year old scooter.
I'm glad they are putting more small motorcycles on the market. Personally I like the standards and sport bikes. Cruisers and choppers were never my thing (except for the one I was going to build when I was 16). I'm glad that the technology found on the bigger and pricer bikes is also being found on the smaller ones as well.
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My main reason for buying the ceebee was gas mileage. One day gas prices are going to be above 5 dollars/gallon and I will be ready. Plus its way more fun to drive than a car.
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I started with a 440, went to 750, up to 900, then to 1100 and wound up at 1800, with a 500, a 650, a 1200, and a 400 in the middle as secondary motorcycles. When I reached 1800 (a Goldwing) I realized that while I LOVED it doing two-up-with-a-trailer long rides, it was a really bad commuter. So when I read about the cbr250r, I knew I had to have one. This is the smallest motorcycle I've ever ridden, and in many ways, the most FUN. It's a keeper, for sure . . . .
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I started with a 440, went to 750, up to 900, then to 1100 and wound up at 1800, with a 500, a 650, a 1200, and a 400 in the middle as secondary motorcycles.
For the curious: '80 Kawasaki KZ440, '86 BMW K75, '92 Ducati 900SS, '01 BMW R1100S, '02 Honda GL1800, '72 Honda CB500-4, '65 Triumph TR6R 650, '56 Harley FLH 1200, and '08 Suzuki Burgman 400 . . . .
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I downsize from a Sportster 883, that thing was way too heavy and expensive overall. I really like the 250 and I think is a keeper. I'd like a second bike but nothing bigger than a 500.
A cool second bike for me would be a 500 sport tourer with side cases and all. Maybe that will be the next trend, middle weight sport tourers for people with with a more realistic idea of practicality.
A 138hp, 650 pound giant (e.g. BMW 1200, Thriumph's new Throphy), $20K price tag is way unappealing. That's only ten less horsepower than a subaru wagon, absurd!
The 250 hit the mark with many items as previously mentioned by others, affordable and practical. I call it my luxury vehicle since I live in a metro area and don't really need a vehicle for basic transportation.
I like my 250 so much I'm considering customizing it sport tourer style: driving lights, hard cases, heated grips, etc. The new .25 liter sport tourer! I'll start a new class!! The old is new again if you think about it, 30+ years ago people were touring on 125s, and 250s. How about that.
In my opinion affordability would have to be the Number 1 reason. I drive a Chevy Trailblazer. Not the worst in gas mileage but definitely not good either. By riding my 250 at least 3 days or more a week i actual save enough in gas money to pay for the 250's payment and gas. So basically i really only pay out of pocket for insurance which is less than $300 yearly. It is really much more affordable than people think.
In my opinion affordability would have to be the Number 1 reason. I drive a Chevy Trailblazer. Not the worst in gas mileage but definitely not good either. By riding my 250 at least 3 days or more a week i actual save enough in gas money to pay for the 250's payment and gas. So basically i really only pay out of pocket for insurance which is less than $300 yearly. It is really much more affordable than people think.
You must have a very long commute to make up the bike payment in gas savings?
definite trend towards single track vehicles in sydney, esp scooters..
as a reentry motorcyclist [cb72, cb450, two cb750/4sohc] living in an
apartment with zero parking, this alone influenced my decision to
get back on a motorcycle.. after researching whats available
thinking of a vtr250 or cbr250r i found a used [600km!] cbr259r
with abs [preferred] and all black, also preferred..
got it for a grand under new price, with helmet, jacket and gloves,
thrown in [cash].. i knew the honda would being a new design etc
would be a top bike, ditto good economy etc.. havnt looked back..
started yoga 3 yrs ago [practice daily] the cbr250r used to commute
to yoga, another reason for, a motorcycle.. today there are lots of
yoga students male and female all ages bringing helmets into class..
students i dont really know have asked about the bike..
how much, economy, what about the dangers, and suchlike..
ie, there is this underlying current of interest in bikes..
taking the bus, was ok, but a waste of time..
i get to yoga now in 10 - 15 mins taking it easy
where the bus took an hour and two changes..
in traffic i ease up to the front of the line at lights
[cbr250r easily gets away from cars if necessary]
so many times in a car or the bus seeing a motorcycle
easing thru traffic i thought 'that should be me!'..
others must be, thinking this same thing..
for someone like me its natural and attractive to
get back on a bike.. maybe im mad but seeing hondas
would stimulate a sort of feeling of them calling me,,
'what are you waiting for?' [psychology of course
but to make the point, as to desireability for many]
people here recycle things, have general awareness of
pollution and other degradations of this our planet..
planners now allow motorcycles to enter transit lanes
and otherwise recognise this excellent, economical,
one or two person, efficient, low impact, small
traffic footprint form of transport..
my adult children wont have cars due to pollution,
but two have motorcycles and their sisters are
interested in and thinking of getting scooters..
really, unless you have some disability of body
or mind and given the obvious realities everyone
must be able to see happening around the world,
the single track vehicle must be considered
to be if not 'the solution' then certainly
much better than, the outdated inefficient
traffic clogging thus polluting four wheeled
fuel guzzling alternatives..
riding with my sons today we took up only one
car space on the road, yet not even that as we
filtered thru traffic at lights and so on..
when we got there, we parked in less than
one car space, not even on the road..
many normal rational human beings with
normally functioning brains and minds
are capable of seeing the reality today..
ok they might not see going back to a
pushbike for commuting in traffic etc
as a viable option, but, the next step
without going for the expensive
polluting cage must be the single track
motor-cycle or scooter..
given the global realities members here
seems to clearly recognise, its virtually
a foregone conclusion that the bottom line
generally, would result in an increase of
those opting for the motorcycle
or scooter as their best option...
CBR250r
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