I too came from a scooter to the CBR. my scooter was a Honda SH150I , Great fun scooter. But , the CBR is way more fun. My scooter was capable of 60-65 mph but really just felt like you sitting on a motorised chair, and quick stops felt iffy. That scoot had 16" wheels and felt fairly stable at high speed , but nothing like CBR, This bike feels like it is part of you. I feel far safer on this bike , and did I mention the fun factor !
I went from a sportster 1200 to the cbr and the cbr has less vibration, better bump handling, and I find the riding position to be more comfortable due to less fighting against the wind.
One thing you have to remember about cruiser is that most have very limited rear suspension travel. The CBR250r actually has a pretty soft suspension so it absorbs the bumps well.
Also, it easily handles cruising at 75mph with a tad left in reserve for passing, although some hills especially with a head wind may cause you to pin the throttle to keep speed. But adding a full exhaust system and a K&N should help increase power a tad more and not kill the gas mileage. Really, one of the best things about the bike is the gas mileage. I get 75mpg during the summer and just over 60mpg now that it has gotten colder.
Its a great bike, not the smoothest or the quickest, but a great all around bike. The only question is what color should you get.
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That's easy. I wouldn't buy any except the Black. Unless they were selling the others for cheaper. :P
My local deal has 2, 2012's in his showroom still (a Red and a Black). If the black is still there come March, I'm gonna ask if he'll take a hundred or two off of the selling price and pull the trigger. Just gonna have to find some heat resistant spray can paint to fix that muffler heat shield. I don't mind the silver rims, but I can't live with that heat shield.
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You may want to wait on that. If you end up getting an aftermarket exhaust than painting the heat shield would be a waste of time and money, although not a lot.
As for all the things stated above, DITTO. But, one thing I'd like to point out is the operating costs of the CBR. The design of the engine and the fact it's a single reduce the costs of repair and scheduled maintenance. This played a big roll in my decision on the CBR. The initial cost, operating costs and the high MPG eliminated ALL other bikes, including electric ones. I ride mine to work 70 miles round trip/6 days a week(with some fun on the 7th day). Everything from lake road twisties to 70+ mph highway. TX.
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The initial cost, operating costs and the high MPG eliminated ALL other bikes
Absolutely ELIMINATED! For the dedicated commuter, there is no other super highway capable vehicle that can touch the CBR250R in terms of cost of ownership per mile.
How come there's such a difference in mpg between summer and winter?
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NorthernLights (from a mobile thingy)
During the winter months the engine makes more power due to the cold air which decreases mpg. Of course some of it may be that I was easy on it when I bought it in the warm months and now im flogging it in the colder months.
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No worries on the exhaust. I'm not replacing anything other than, at most, some things like levers or windshield. Maybe get some heated gips and hand guards for late fall and early spring.
I'm sure I don't have to say it, but don't forget to check your tires when it gets colder too. That'll kill your MPG as much as anything else as well as making an already less safe cold tire have even less road contact. I'm sure colder air messes with the fuel injection a bit too.
Since I have your guys' attention:
How's the Headlight? My scoot was pretty decent on highbeams and worthless on low beams. I literally out-ran my low beam at about 30-35 mph. Not only that, but the headlight threw so many shadows on the road it was distracting.
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Last edited by Soulbreeze; 12-01-2012 at 05:17 PM.
CBR250r
