Considering a CBR, Requesting owners' opinions

[Soulbreeze]

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Hey all!

Just a quick background: Bought a scooter this past summer (Genuine Blur SS220i) and I'm looking to trade-up to a shifter next summer. I've been bouncing around all over getting information and opinions on every possible starter bike out there (yes, even the super iffy 650 v-twins) and it's looking like it's going to be hard to beat out the lil' CBR for a starter bike.

However, I do have a few questions I'd like input on. Call them curiosities, if you will, based on my experiences with my scooter.

1. Vibrations - I realize the CBR is a thumper, but I've read it's an extremely well-balanced one. Are there bothersome vibrations? Do they occur at certain speeds or RPM's? Do they stay in the footpegs or is there much in the handlebars? My Blur was a single, but it was fairly smooth except for two extremely unfortunate spots: right around 50 mph and 60 mph. That was incredibly annoying as those speeds envelope a considerable amount of roads near me (45/55 mph speed limits).

2. Interstates - How well does the bike handle 65-70 mph on the freeway? I won't be doing a ton of riding in this range, only a semi-daily work commute that entails about 18 low-traffic miles of it. I never go above 75 mph in my car, and I doubt I'd cruise over 70 on the bike. My scooter topped out around 66mph with the throttle pinned and it was very uncomfortable riding a bike at or very near it's power limit.

3. Road Buckle/Bumps - I live in Wisconsin. Anyone who lives in a state that has cold, snowy winters knows what kind of toll this takes on roads. There are nice roads here and there, but there are also lots of really, really crappy roads. Some of them were quite literally painful to be on with my scooter. Small wheels, super stiff sport suspension, and thin, hard seat made the ride on anything other than smooth pavement fairly stressful. How good of a job does the CBR's suspension handle buckled and uneven roadways? Do you get a lot of body and head jolting or does it soak up the bumps fairly well?

Looking at what I typed, it appears my main concern is riding comfort. Didn't even really realize that until I wrote it. I realize a more 'sport' style bike will be rougher than a cruiser, but I'm running under the assumption that it will be quite a bit smoother than my scoot.

Thank you all in advance for any of your personal opinions you can give on these subjects. Sorry for the length. :P
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[wjhall]

0. I made a similarish transition, from a 125cc scooter to the CBR250r

1. I noticed vibrations too during a test ride, but after doing 4000+ miles, i can say they really are nothing to worry about.

2. Highway riding is no problem. I commute 30miles each way daily, mostly on highway. The CBR has no problem holding 80mph, 65-70 is a doddle and reached promptly too. I even took my wife to see the inlaws for a weekend a month or two ago. Two up, plus a backpack for two hours with no problem holding 80 all the way.

3. Not sure how my roads compare to yours, but i dont have any problem with comfort during commuting. The two hour stint above started to get slighlty uncomfortable so if you plan on touring you'll probably want some mods. I know some people have put aftermarket, more comfortable seats on and do tour on this bike, im sure they'll chip in in due course. The other thing i will add on this note is that being a motorbike rather than a scooter means bigger wheels, and that makes a huge difference in terms of comfort and stability compared to a scooter when on rougher roads.

[Boomer1911A1]

To echo what the above poster said, the CBR is pretty smooth, especially for a single. I'd say it's equally smooth as my SV650 was, but not quite as smooth as any given in-line 4.
Highway speeds up to about 75 are no problem, but the CBR is pretty close to its top end, there. You've got some reserve, but not a lot. By way of comparison, my FZ1 yanks my arms straight when rolled-on at 80. The CBR creeps forward. Something to look forward to when you finally upgrade all the way!

Riding position: Although the CBR250R is billed as a small sport bike, it's really a small standard-with-bodywork: comfortable for the knees and wrists, good saddle. You can put rear-sets on it, if you want a true race-bike tuck, but you can also leave it alone and do some long-distance riding relatively easily.

[sendler]

You won't have any problems with any of your concerns. The CBR250R is the best deal going for a highway commuter bike. The Ninja300 will be faster if you are parachute type of rider but will cost $1000 more out the door as it is a brand new model.

[Wynne G Oldman]

Welcome aboard matey. The CBR 250R will be fine for your needs, and you'll love riding it.

[northernlights]

I second everything they wrote. I commute 40 miles per day on the highway with it, going 80 whenever I can. No issue. I don't feel any annoying vibration. Snow or extreme cold, I don't know.

[Soulbreeze]

Originally Posted by sendler

You won't have any problems with any of your concerns. The CBR250R is the best deal going for a highway commuter bike. The Ninja300 will be faster if you are parachute type of rider but will cost $1000 more out the door as it is a brand new model.

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Thanks everyone for your input! Those few interstate miles will only be to and from work and not even every day. If I range out to visit friends that are an hour+ away, I'll probably find some nice back road routes and take my time.

@Quoted above: I was actually looking at the 300 as my top option until recently. I've heard quite a few people complaining about the quality of the parts on the bike. The plastics, the hardware, the metals.

I realize both bikes are budget bikes. I mean, they had to keep costs down somewhere. I just think a cheap Honda will still maintain a certain level of quality, even in the little things, that the other manufacturers may overlook or skimp on.
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[woolf]

one GREAT ride ,more GIGGLE per CC than any thing out there

[shisoshin]

this is a great 250cc single motorcycle - esp for the $
with all new engine design, smooth for a single..
aside from a fiamm plug and play louder lower tone horn
and rear set plates to raise and rearward footpegs
[personal ergonomics] im very pleased and contented
with this genuine honda motorcycle..
semi sport riding position [esp with step plates] means
greater flex of ankles, knees, hip joints = easier and better
responses to uneven road surfaces, bumps, potholes etc
[allows bike to 'drop under you' more easily, like dirt bikes]
also, allows better contact with inner and back thighs to seat
thus better contact with tank inner thighs/knees..
this means your lower back is better isolated from direct
shocks which radiate into your legs/torso rather than
straight up into your spine, as in a more 'hunched' position,,
this also allows an easier lean forward naturally into the wind
rather than your body acting like a parachute in upright positions,
thus more comfort for the highway sections you mention..

agree with comments on larger wheels compared to scooter wheels
esp for handling small potholes, instead of dropping into them
as small wheels tend to do..
handling is different to scooter due to inherent design elements
such as c of g more central than a scooter.. these things
have been influenced by many years of racing feedback..

this is a small, narrow, well balanced and agile motorcycle
well capable of keeping ahead of traffic [safety factor]
with low maintenance and long service intervals
plus great fuel economy..

top selling motorcycle 2012 and its a honda

[Steve_47]

Welcome to the forum Soulbreeze. I highly recommend the Honda CBR250R. It is a great all around motorcycle, that is a pure joy to ride. It handles very well, especially in the curves, has enough power to keep up with trafic on the highway, is very easy to maintain, and gets exceptional gas milage.

I commute 37 miles each way with mine. The first few miles going to work are some pretty rough Missouri backroads. I've never noticed any body or head jolting, seems to handle the bumps quiet well. It is also very smooth on the highway.

You might notice some perceivable vibration at highway speeds, when you first start riding. But it is nothing extreme, more like a slight buzz than anything. I never even notice it anymore.

Hope this helps you make a informed decision