[StevieP]

Hey folks,

I am new to the forum as you can see!! I have been going back and forth for the last 2 years about getting another bike. I had a Katana for a couple years, but felt it was to big for me. It was hard to control for some reason. I ended up selling it.

So now, 5 years later I have that itch again. The 250 looks amazing! But all my boys are telling me the 250 is not fast enough. To be honest, I just want to enjoy a bike on the back roads, commute around town, maybe jump on the highway. Same reasons, most of you have decided to get the 250.

So first question....Do you feel that it's fast enough? Do you feel that you have a lot of control of the bike? How is it on the highway?

I am looking at the all black model and hope to swap the exhaust with a Yoshi. The bike looks HOT!! For less than 5 grand too??

Thanks yall!!

 

[Whipsaw]

Stevie, Our situations are surprisingly similar. I didn't ride at all of the past 5 years. Used to have a Katana 600 and a Vulcan 750. Then, I saw the CBR 250R and fell in love with it. As with you, I only use it for getting around town, etc. Now, to your question,----"Yes". it has all the power I want. When I'm stopped at a stop light, sometimes I really have to "roll it on" to stay up with the traffic as we all accelerate, but I'm okay with that. On the freeway, no problem. I can crusie at highway speeds all day long. I have not been in the canyons yet, but that may come. My vote is to get one. I think you'll be happy with it. Whipsaw.

 

[WNCrider]

My commute is about 60 miles of I-26 a day, and About 10 miles of 2 lane twisties. No problems running 70 - 75 with the traffic....and this bike makes the twisties downright fun. My last bike was a 600 Shadow VLX....CBR is a much better ride imo.

 

[WNCrider]

oh yea...welcome to the forum

 

[mattcbr250]

The CBR250R is a great bike for all the reasons you mentioned. It handles great, will do freeway speeds, but gets up and goes like your traditional 4 cylinder economy car. If you're wanting to do faster than 80+ and want something that does 0-60 faster than 8 seconds, then I would suggest getting a Ninja 650R. It's a twin cylinder sports bike that gets up and goes, but not like the inline 4 super sport bikes. It has more torque down low and gets decent fuel economy. Top speed is somewhere around 120. 0-60 in about 4 seconds. Cost $7500 new.

 

[DudeMan]

650r is almost double the cost and is not as nice looking as our 250r bikes, at least imo. yes, it's faster but at what cost? Lower mpg. more maintenance, much higher insurance premiums and 3x the cost should it get dropped.

Our bike is plenty quick from 0-45 mph, what you need around town. Highway is fine too, I did 80 easily on the highway yesterday, my very first time on the highway on a motorcycle.

After the 600 mile service you only have to have valves done at 16k miles, the back tire can get 8,000 miles, 8,000 miles between oil changes, $110 a year for insurance (ABS model), and I average 77 mpg running it pretty hard although I coast to stop lights and signs.

Also, these 250 bikes will keep you from getting your bike impounded and chased by the cops on live tv.

Here is my review on the bike:

 

[madd-trapper]

Have more videos???????????????

 

[madd-trapper]

If you dont mind slow its fine. After I rode my Sportster yesterday the 250 made my HD feel like a rocket.

 

[DudeMan]

Or you could get a 600cc bike and cruise around at the same speed limits and look cooler with your tough guy 600cc bike and get to the next stop light 3 seconds quicker. Also, with a new bike you KNOW what you are getting and with the cbr250r you can buy brand new but I doubt you will want to spend $12,000 for a new 600cc bike and if you get a used one God only knows what that bike has been through. Also, you will be at the gas station more often. twisties will be more fun on the 250. I love flicking this bike around corners.

 

[TBC]

Its fast enough to get you a ticket in any state in the U.S. Fast enough for you? Or did you mean excessively fast?

 

[StevieP]

Wow!! Lots of great information. I think I am sold guys!! Going to take a look this weekend at the 250! I will keep you posted!! This is the information I wanted to hear. Some positive feedback!!

I called a dealership today just to see if the saleman would steer me to a 600, but he told me the 250 is his most popular bike. Normally people would be back a year later to upgrade to a 600, but nobody has brought back their 250 yet!! That's what's up!!

 

[etiainen]

650r is almost double the cost and is not as nice looking as our 250r bikes, at least imo. yes, it's faster but at what cost? Lower mpg. more maintenance, much higher insurance premiums and 3x the cost should it get dropped.

Our bike is plenty quick from 0-45 mph, what you need around town. Highway is fine too, I did 80 easily on the highway yesterday, my very first time on the highway on a motorcycle.

After the 600 mile service you only have to have valves done at 16k miles, the back tire can get 8,000 miles, 8,000 miles between oil changes, $110 a year for insurance (ABS model), and I average 77 mpg running it pretty hard although I coast to stop lights and signs.

Also, these 250 bikes will keep you from getting your bike impounded and chased by the cops on live tv.

Here is my review on the bike:

2011 CBR250R Update After 1 month of ownership - YouTube

CBR250r Highway Impression - YouTube

How is shifting gears a con?

Shifting makes riding more run.

 

[LaCarolus]

Don't get me wrong I like my cbr but some people here make it sound like the second coming of Jesus. It's a nice bike but it's not even going to compare at all to any 600cc sportbike built in the past 20 years. If high speed (as in 90+) is your thing look elsewhere. Many people here (myself included) are quite happy with it but you sound like you might be wasting your money if it is only going to be a one year stepping stone into a 600. Ask yourself if all those 250 owners were happy with it why did so many buy a 600 a year later?

 

[etiainen]

Lol I switched 250s.

I like the CBR better.

 

[HPLover]

To answer your question:
Fast enough: Yes, you could cruise at legal speed limit. The bike won't get you into trouble.
Control: Yes, it is very light weight. You get a lot of control and handling ability.
Highway: Yes, as said above you could do highway at legal speed limit. Easy to cruise around 65 to 75 mph and it is solid.

Here are a few things to consider:
Honestly, after owning the bike for a month and half I feel it could be a little more faster especially in the highways. If you are expecting speed this bike won't deliver.
Riding above 65 mph for an extended period of time will make the palm and fingers go numb because of the vibrations.

 

[etiainen]

I did it for 13 hours.

Getting a throttle holder can help. Don't grip the bars too hard. Stretch your fingers a lot. Good gloves do wonders as well.

The top end challenge makes things more fun. Least in my book. Passing takes some planning.

 

[LaCarolus]

...or on the higway some douche just speeds up and leaves you "stuck" in passing lane. "Mans best laid plans...."

 

[etiainen]

Most people don't do that.

The ricer douche cars are predictable.

 

[LaCarolus]

Yeah especially when we are on a "rocket". I can hear it now "Dude-I just SMOKED that 250! It must have been the neon lighting I just added...it's sick fast!" Etiannen what bikes did you have before the 250's?

 

[etiainen]

The ninja was the first that I personally owned.

Learned to ride when I was 11 though. Mostly smaller displacement bikes. Learned on a 125cc street bike actually. I have gotten the oppurtunity to ride a 600, multiple 650s, some 1000s, and the zx-14. And some beefy cruisers as well(I don't fit well on those LOL).

I did enjoy myself plenty on most of them(except the Vulcan 900. I didn't like the low-rider position on that). 2012 ZX-6R was really nice. Truthfully I can't handle that on the street. Not in everyday situations at least. Too much tempation to just overdo it. I guess I don't have enough self-control. I like pushing the smaller bikes though.

On another note....too many ricers on the street.

Their beefed up civics always tried to race my old Ninja. They tend to ignore the CBR. Guess it just looks too wimpy to them.