Yeah, I live literally 3 minutes from that spot. PM sent.
Happy with your CBR
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Seems this thread has derailed.
So everyone has nice things to say about this bike, I think overall the bike is good, but below are my un-bias review.
DISCLAIMER: This is in reference to the U.S. bike and with not much experience driving the ninja250(really the only competitor for this size/price)
1)1st gear is what bothers me the most. It is rated for 0-12 mph, and in a sticky situation, you want to have that getup and go power if at a stop and you need to takeoff for emergency. I dare you to take your car and make it through an intersection from stop without going over 12 mph, let alone even a right turn. It gets frustrating fast!
2)Almost impossible to find OEM or aftermarket parts. For some reason in the US, as many people have mentioned, they have a really hard time finding even oil filters for the bike. Some have been lucky but it all depends on your area. Say you needed to get something a little more rare like some fairing or a new clutch, from my personal experience it is really hard to find parts. None of the dealerships around me have microfiche for this bike yet and I am forced to buy parts from the only ONE place I can find them online (honda parts nation). I am a DIYer, and you cant even get the service book from the dealer yet. They all tell me it wont be available untill end of july (no set date, just an estimate).
3)No fork rebound settings. One of the things I noticed is these forks have no ability to tune, easily without a rebuild. Not sure if the ninja has this, or if many people care, but still is a fact.
Overall:
Would I buy this bike again this year: No
Would I buy it again next year or in the future: probably, maybe, but slim chance.
Unfortuently Item 2 has nothing to do with the bike but it is a royal PIA. Items 1 and 3 can be upgraded, as more parts flock into the market, and maybe it would have been better to buy this bike next year, but only time will tell.
In the end I do not regret buying this bike, I do like it and enjoy the ride, its a great Honda product. Quality of the bike is great, no major mechanical issues yet (bike is still young), but I would not repeat this purchase and instead either get the ninja250 or a used cbr600.
So everyone has nice things to say about this bike, I think overall the bike is good, but below are my un-bias review.
DISCLAIMER: This is in reference to the U.S. bike and with not much experience driving the ninja250(really the only competitor for this size/price)
1)1st gear is what bothers me the most. It is rated for 0-12 mph, and in a sticky situation, you want to have that getup and go power if at a stop and you need to takeoff for emergency. I dare you to take your car and make it through an intersection from stop without going over 12 mph, let alone even a right turn. It gets frustrating fast!
2)Almost impossible to find OEM or aftermarket parts. For some reason in the US, as many people have mentioned, they have a really hard time finding even oil filters for the bike. Some have been lucky but it all depends on your area. Say you needed to get something a little more rare like some fairing or a new clutch, from my personal experience it is really hard to find parts. None of the dealerships around me have microfiche for this bike yet and I am forced to buy parts from the only ONE place I can find them online (honda parts nation). I am a DIYer, and you cant even get the service book from the dealer yet. They all tell me it wont be available untill end of july (no set date, just an estimate).
3)No fork rebound settings. One of the things I noticed is these forks have no ability to tune, easily without a rebuild. Not sure if the ninja has this, or if many people care, but still is a fact.
Overall:
Would I buy this bike again this year: No
Would I buy it again next year or in the future: probably, maybe, but slim chance.
Unfortuently Item 2 has nothing to do with the bike but it is a royal PIA. Items 1 and 3 can be upgraded, as more parts flock into the market, and maybe it would have been better to buy this bike next year, but only time will tell.
In the end I do not regret buying this bike, I do like it and enjoy the ride, its a great Honda product. Quality of the bike is great, no major mechanical issues yet (bike is still young), but I would not repeat this purchase and instead either get the ninja250 or a used cbr600.
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928 Posts
I dont get the 12mph thing. Doesnt your bike have a 2nd gear to shift up to? Cheap non adjustable shocks? Theres a reason its a $3995 bike.
As far as after market parts, there will be some. But like the Ninja 250, most people dont spend too much money on parts for these bikes. they end up movin on to a new bigger bike or keep it as a stock commuter/scooter. for as many years as the Ninja 250's have been around theres limited stuff available compared to other bikes.
I actually understand your points, its a glorified scooter on a motorcycle frame, but thats just the way these bikes are. Works for me.
As far as after market parts, there will be some. But like the Ninja 250, most people dont spend too much money on parts for these bikes. they end up movin on to a new bigger bike or keep it as a stock commuter/scooter. for as many years as the Ninja 250's have been around theres limited stuff available compared to other bikes.
I actually understand your points, its a glorified scooter on a motorcycle frame, but thats just the way these bikes are. Works for me.
Yes there is a second gear, its just an annoyance, Iv heard other people say the same thing that other bikes don't have such a small first gear range. Especially when you are a beginner and are making a left hand turn and realize you need to shift in the middle of your turn.
Yes it is a 4k bike, but you can also get ninja 250's for 3200, and before they did the face lift, ninja 250's used to be sub 3k all the time.
I like my bike, I was just expressing the quirks I noticed as anyone can say its a good bike, but that's very vague. I hope the details I'v provided help a future prospective owner know the detailed ups and downs to make a purchasing decision vs "I read on a forum its good"
? sarcasm ?
the "cbr250 vs ninja250" youtube videos are just annoying,its filled with ninja fanboys.
even on a cbr250 video that says nothing about a ninja u have the fanboys saying OMG YEAH NINJA FTW.
ninja's been out soo long and comming out with more models that the fan base is big.
even on a cbr250 video that says nothing about a ninja u have the fanboys saying OMG YEAH NINJA FTW.
ninja's been out soo long and comming out with more models that the fan base is big.
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879 Posts
Thanks everyone, really appreciate your responce. Yoshumira will have a slip on exhaust, frame sliders, and a few other thing available in 2 to 3 weeks. Im sure there will be other aftermarket getting in on it as time goes by. Looks I am going to go ahead and get the bike as most seem to really like the bike.
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681 Posts
Well said
yup sarcasm.. as far as your top end first gear take, i experienced it first hand yestarday at a buzy intersection, and just kicked into 2nd half way through the turn, and im a kinda new rider, but we just have to realize what kind of motor were dealing with and adjust to its capability..
My local dealer is still waiting to see the first one. I drove an hour away and had my choice of 3, 2 months ago. Honda has a select group of dealers called, I think, Powersport Dealers that get bikes well before others. Anybody waiting, search the dealers through the Honda site and if you have to travel a ways, it's better than waiting.
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928 Posts
I agree with ya. Dont normally pay attention to the speedo and tach, so yesterday I kept an eye on it during 1st gear starts. Looks like I average shifting into 2nd between 18-20 mph. Got on it a couple times and did 26-28mph in first and didnt hit the redline.
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3,527 Posts
29 mph in first
I have been playing with the gearing commander spread sheet and it shows that we should be able to get to 29 mph at redline in first but it might shake when the engine starts bouncing off of the rev limiter. It is also interesting that the wide rear wheel is making our tire run at a smaller circumference than normal. You must change the circumference to 74 to get numbers that match what the actual mileage that I have calibrated on my bike.
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Gearing Commander: Motorcycle Speed, RPM, Chain & Sprockets Calculator
I have been playing with the gearing commander spread sheet and it shows that we should be able to get to 29 mph at redline in first but it might shake when the engine starts bouncing off of the rev limiter. It is also interesting that the wide rear wheel is making our tire run at a smaller circumference than normal. You must change the circumference to 74 to get numbers that match what the actual mileage that I have calibrated on my bike.
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Gearing Commander: Motorcycle Speed, RPM, Chain & Sprockets Calculator
I totally agree.Absolutely Love This Bike !!!
I would wait 7 months for it again with a deposit.
1. Driveability, Flickability in turns, and the completely usable Powerband make the fun factor off the charts on this bike.
2. Excellent Fuel Economy.
3. Beautiful Aesthetics. This Baby Blade is the unchallenged supermodel of sub 500cc bikes. I get more complements on her beautiful curves than I remember. I feel like the ugly dude in the room accompanied by a girl way above my league
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3,527 Posts
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206 Posts
why I bought mine.
ABS
fuel injection (I live in a colder climate and plan to drive to Colorado a few a year) was a must.
gas mileage.
The current Ninja does not offer this package as of yet.
As far as part availability is concerned, it blows my mind how some one can buy a brand new bike that is STILL hitting the market and not understand that this comes with the territory. I had the same problem with my 04 Titan truck when it was new. So for me this is kind of a mute point.
ABS
fuel injection (I live in a colder climate and plan to drive to Colorado a few a year) was a must.
gas mileage.
The current Ninja does not offer this package as of yet.
As far as part availability is concerned, it blows my mind how some one can buy a brand new bike that is STILL hitting the market and not understand that this comes with the territory. I had the same problem with my 04 Titan truck when it was new. So for me this is kind of a mute point.
We're not talking of esoteric non running item types of spares here (such as say, the airbox). I find it very hard to understand why basic consumables such as oil filters and valve shims (to be changed within a month of purchase as per their own instructions) are not making their way into the service centres. In India, 2 full months after deliveries started, most service centers have still not received the valve shims needed to adjust the valves, all we get from the company representatives are lies about imminent delivery.
So what can the service centre do about the valve adjustment? Listen to the engine and declare it ok! Because if they open up the heads, use feeler gauges and find the valve settings off, there is nothing they can do about it! To get to the head, one must remove the tank, which is connected to the injector with a ONE time use connector fastening mechanism. Yes, thats not in stock either.
I had to make my own valve shims and resent having to waste my time due to their idiot logistical management.
@sendler: I think the bike would benefit hugely from a 15T front sprocket - I get the impression that the bike pulls well up to 8500rpm and then goes off the powerband leading to pretty tepid acceleration thereafter. I get the feeling that the comfortable cruise at 120kph will shift to 127kph with that sprocket - still leaving a bit of power in reserve before the engine starts to run out of breath at higher rpms.
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