Got my CBR last night, 4960 OUT and delivered about 20 miles. I was worried I might have bought something too much like the 250 Honda Nighthawk I learned on years ago but I soon found out the answer to that wasn't just no but hell no. Fuel injection makes this thing quicker off the mark than the 750 Nighthawk I wound up getting rid of because it was just too heavy and too cold natured in the winter. The little 250 used to feel like it was ready to fly apart when you got it much over 50; at 55-60 this thing feels like it's just getting into its happy place. Versus the 750 I hardly feel like I gave up much power although granted I've been off that for 2 years now. Love the lower height and refined feel of this bike - way more refined than I was expected at this price. Took it down a windy forest backroad and it was a load of fun. The clutch is really forgiving; I thought I'd have a learning curve especially with the bike being brand new but no. You couldn't mess up even from a dead stop on a hill with this thing. Oh and my driveway is a the bottom of a really steep grade and I only let the bike idle for about 2 minutes before taking off.
Downsides - the ergonomics. I'm sure it's just a matter of adjusting my riding posture after having ridden Nighthawks only for 12 years (everything on the 750 is in the same place as on the 250) but my hands got sore from all the weight I put on them. I know Honda was trying to make this bike "fun" but my "dream 250" would have this engine and drivetrain with a larger, more comfortable seat and the foot control positioned forward so the rider is shifted back a bit. I'm not talking cruiser forward like a Honda Shadow, just more "street bike." I'd also want it naked. Part of that is aesthetics and part of it is that it's taking me longer to get used to the steering with the fairings. Don't ask me why but it does something to my steering perception having never ridden a bike with them. The gearing takes some getting used to; I rode the clutch through some hairpins and coming out the other side 3rd would lug a bit and 2nd would jerk it. It wodl be nice to have a little more range in the lower gears.
All in all, lots of fun and a great purchase!
Downsides - the ergonomics. I'm sure it's just a matter of adjusting my riding posture after having ridden Nighthawks only for 12 years (everything on the 750 is in the same place as on the 250) but my hands got sore from all the weight I put on them. I know Honda was trying to make this bike "fun" but my "dream 250" would have this engine and drivetrain with a larger, more comfortable seat and the foot control positioned forward so the rider is shifted back a bit. I'm not talking cruiser forward like a Honda Shadow, just more "street bike." I'd also want it naked. Part of that is aesthetics and part of it is that it's taking me longer to get used to the steering with the fairings. Don't ask me why but it does something to my steering perception having never ridden a bike with them. The gearing takes some getting used to; I rode the clutch through some hairpins and coming out the other side 3rd would lug a bit and 2nd would jerk it. It wodl be nice to have a little more range in the lower gears.
All in all, lots of fun and a great purchase!