Is it a REAL sports bike?

8211 Views 43 Replies 27 Participants Last post by woolf, Nov 1, 2012

Rory_L

Discussion Starter · Oct 26, 2012

. . . now that I've got your attention, I'll explain myself.When I chose the cbr250r and made the commitment to buy, I wasn't really in the market for a sport bike. I might have just bought a bigger scooter. There was other logic in play.

I had come to the conclusion that as fun as the metro was to ride around town at some point I would ride myself into a situation that I couldn't ride out of. I needed something with a higher top speed and acceleration. All the new scooters (at least the ones that are any good) are pricey. Some casual research brought me to the conclusion that if I wanted to keep riding and do it more safely and economically a motorcycle might be a better ride. Well, OK, nobody had to twist my arm to switch to riding motorcycles. Bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, I love riding them all.
Since I've ridden many motorcycles but never owned my own I had to give this some thought; this is the first that I have owned if you don't count the rusting hulk of a 400cc Suzuki dirt bike that I bought to make a chopper when I was 17 years old (another story, another time). I'm really just getting back to it so hopping on a 600cc bike is probably not a good idea. That's how I stumbled across this Honda. I was already riding Honda and like their products. They had other scooters but again, the price and the engine size (though I would have gone for a "Super"-Metro if they put this 250cc fuel-injected engine in it; that would be a great scooter). Other small motorcycle offerings were not numerous at least for street bikes. I didn't care for the looks or seat height of the dual-sport style bikes and I have nothing against cruisers (but am not their biggest fan). There are not a lot of what used to be called a 'standard' motorcycle anymore probably because they all suffer from sportbike styling and engineering.

Anyway, the thing I noticed about many of the reviews and comparisons that put CBR250r against Ninja 250 or the Hyosung was the statement a lot of the reviewers were making about CBR250R '...not being a REAL sport bike'. Hmmm, It kinda looks like one to me . . . and they do race them. I saw this often enough that I think one of them said it and the rest started parroting (No, my journalists wouldn't do that . . . they read every word of the boohk and watch every minute of the movie).

I think it's a sport bike . . a small one but still a sport bike. It suits me just fine. But I'll put it to the panel. Is CBR250R a real sport bike?

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21 - 40 of 44 Posts

Rory_L

Discussion Starter · #21 · Oct 27, 2012

epic250 said:
I think its what you make it. With all the work done to mine its a lot easier to say its a sport bike now.. A small sport bike but a sport bike none the less..

When it comes off the show room floor, I'd say its more of a blank slate as it does many thing well but not much great until you start modifying it.. Commuter, sport tour, sport bike, stunt bike, sport commuter.. It can do it all , you just have to make it your own.

I see what you mean, theres a world of accessories and aftermarket parts out there for performance. I could go out today and drop $1k easily on "improvements".

Lee15k said:
My classification .....swiss army knife. I have read of numerous posts from riders trying to point how the CBR250 is actually fast, can race etc. I say call it like it is. Any honest 250 rider knows that when you are going 80mph your tach is at 8,500 rpm and if you attempt to quickly pass a cager then it simply won't happen. You need a wind at your back and about a 1/2 mile of real estate to go from 80mph to north of 87mph. So don't try and tell me that it is a sport bike.

Early on, I had the "pleasure" of owning a "sports" car. It was a 1963 Austin Healy Sprite. It had a 1089 cc BMC 4 cylinder engine, twin SU carburetors and I believe this engine was similar if not the same as used in the early Lotus 7. What was the zero to sixty time of this car? When it was new maybe 25 seconds. Yet, it was and will always be a sports car. But you make a good point that when a bike has the moniker "sport" bike it gives you certain expectations of performance to today's standards.

Does anyone know what Honda's record is with racing CBR250R?

When I find myself having to routinely pass at 80mph, I will probably start looking at other bikes (Triumph Speed Triple . . if I could get a lower seat to accommodate my stubby little legs).

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MotoMike

· #22 · Oct 27, 2012

Rory_L said:
... Is CBR250R a real sport bike?

From a technical standpoint, it has a chassis that is designed to sport bike geometry specs. When it comes down to it, chassis geometry is the one thing that defines the type of motorcycle, ie cruiser, dual sport, sport touring, etc. To answer your question, yes it is a sport bike... with many compromises aimed at a particular market (entry level), and price point (low cost). It's not a "jack of all trades, master of none"... that title belongs to the dual sport and adventure bikes, IMO.

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roberthood

· #23 · Oct 28, 2012

I heard someone call it a "scooter that looks like a sport-bike". Of course this came from someone who rode a ZX-10 and crashed a week later when trying to knee drag on a 25mph street.

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katedwolf

· #24 · Oct 28, 2012

For me ,yes it is a sport bike. Quick, not top end fast, agile, forgiving, economical and FUN. Oh did I mention my daily commuter as well... ;-)

A nice long term review from Cycleworld put out Oct 19, 2012.

Honda CBR250R ABS- Long-Term Test Update

"The biggest smiles came at a Streets of Willow Springs track day (that’s Eric Bostrom at the controls, by the way). Even with the stock, built-to-a-price suspension, the CBR could be run hard into an apex trailing the brakes. Then, it was chin on the tank, throttle to the stop and all extremities tucked in as tightly as possible while leaned well over to get a good drive and maximum speed down the next straight. A couple of laps was all it took to feel like Romano Fenati holding a screaming Moto3 pack at bay."

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Aufitt

· #25 · Oct 28, 2012

I dont understand the question.

Define 'Real'.

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Rory_L

Discussion Starter · #26 · Oct 28, 2012

Aufitt said:
I dont understand the question.

Define 'Real'.

That's why I posed the question . . . the reviewers made the statement based on supposedly engine size/configuration and riding position. In their case it, that's what makes it real.

For me it is real enough.

Another side note: when I went to get an insurance estimate for this bike I got a significantly higher quote (70% higher) for a generic Chinese 250cc sport bike over what I'd have to pay for full insurance on a Honda. Insuring a Ninja was also more.

Which sport bike? One of the banner ads on this forum "Scooter Depot" advertises a 250cc sport bike for $1899 . . .they even deliver it to the curb in a crate with instructions? Yeah it was tempting bur the reviews from customers was generally not good. I think the brand was "Sunny"

Naked_Duc

· #27 · Oct 28, 2012

The CBR is NOT a sports bike. It's a sports-styled bike. To qualify for a sports bike, you have to have some performance to back it up. I don't just put on a Calvin Johnson jersey can call myself a All-Pro Wide Receiver; I am a skinny guy with a Calvin Johnson jersey who thinks he can catch a football at the backyard 2-hand touch game.

The CBR is the Mazda Miata of the car world. Nothing wrong with a Miata - It's cheap, agile, super fun to ride. It's a bit under powered but handling is excellent.

My 2 cents

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Rory_L

Discussion Starter · #28 · Oct 28, 2012

Naked_Duc said:
The CBR is NOT a sports bike. It's a sports-styled bike. To qualify for a sports bike, you have to have some performance to back it up. I don't just put on a Calvin Johnson jersey can call myself a All-Pro Wide Receiver; I am a skinny guy with a Calvin Johnson jersey who thinks he can catch a football at the backyard 2-hand touch game.

The CBR is the Mazda Miata of the car world. Nothing wrong with a Miata - It's cheap, agile, super fun to ride. It's a bit under powered but handling is excellent.

My 2 cents

Yet another reason I'm on a CBR250R, couldn't manage the Miyata this year.

Even the Miyata is marketed for racing. I know they sell a version without any of the comfort accessories that is aimed at motorsports.

Personally, I won't be racing in a Miyata or on the CBR250R. If it is only style, I like the style. If I was doing track days I might consider another bike (if I was getting beaten all the time) or not since it would more likely be me and not the bike . . I'd use it to go to the track and watch everyone else.

That's why I was curious if CBR250R had a good record on the track (in capable hands of professionals).

Aufitt

· #29 · Oct 28, 2012

It can carry real fast corner speed.

real cheap to buy.
Real fun.

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MotoMike

· #30 · Oct 28, 2012

Naked_Duc said:
The CBR is NOT a sports bike. It's a sports-styled bike. To qualify for a sports bike, you have to have some performance to back it up...

CBR250R frame geometry says otherwise. If what you say were true, then a Honda CRF250L wouldn't qualify as an a Dual Sport bike, the way that a KTM EXC500 does, based on performance. Or to say that a Honda NSF250 MOTO3 bike, or a NSR125R, are not true road racing machines, the way that a MOTOGP bike is, based on "having some performance to back it up".

Naked_Duc

· #31 · Oct 28, 2012

MotoMike said:
CBR250R frame geometry says otherwise. If what you say were true, then a Honda CRF250L wouldn't qualify as an a Dual Sport bike, the way that a KTM EXC500 does, based on performance. Or to say that a Honda NSF250 MOTO3 bike, or a NSR125R, are not true road racing machines, the way that a MOTOGP bike is, based on "having some performance to back it up".

It's laughable to compare the CBR250R to race-prep Moto3 bikes. Slapping a 6' wing on the back of a Civic doesn't earn you a spot on the grid in the Touring Car Championship. The engine displacement is probably the only thing in common but that's about it.

MotoMike

· #32 · Oct 29, 2012

Naked_Duc said:
It's laughable to compare the CBR250R to race-prep Moto3 bikes. Slapping a 6' wing on the back of a Civic doesn't earn you a spot on the grid in the Touring Car Championship. The engine displacement is probably the only thing in common but that's about it.

Clearly, my post wasn't comparing the CBR250R to a MOTO3 bike. Read the post again. It's called an analogy. If you still think that I was making a direct comparison between the two, then perhaps your reading comprehension leaves something to be desired.

Rusty Shackleford

· #33 · Oct 29, 2012 (Edited)

First off, it's obviously a sport bike, technically, but I'm aware the question had a more narrow scope. To that, I'll say in my mind, the CBR250R is a fork-in-the-road machine...

1. An entry level bike into the world of sport riding: People in this crowd will go on to a 600cc I-4 race bike, be it an RR, GSXR, ZX, YZF, etc...

2. An eco-commuter version of a sport touring bike: People in this crowd will go on to a 650cc twin like an SV, NC, Ninja, FZ, etc...

I'm a sport touring street bike guy all the way, and I think it's a little unfortunate the CBR250R gets lumped into the "super sport trainer" category like the Ninjette. The "Mini-VFR" effect is the reason I picked the 250 Honda to start with.

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Asako

· #34 · Oct 29, 2012 (Edited)

It's a 250 cc sports bike, period. All these arguments over engine size or whether the bike is a "real" bike are freaking retarded.

Obviously with a smaller engine performance is not going to match a 600RR or any other bigger bike unless it's a real dog.

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Aufitt

· #35 · Oct 29, 2012

Thread is retarded.

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Rory_L

Discussion Starter · #36 · Oct 31, 2012

Thanks, everybody for weighing in. back int he day when I actively worked on them, I never heard the term "Sport" bike used. "Cafe Racer", yes but that's another thread.

I'll call it a sport bike, and everyone will know what I'm talking about (some will take issue for various reasons).

I won't be doing any wheelies on the freeway or nose stands at stoplights any time soon. I'm not saying anyone here engages in any wreckless behavior; just that when ever I see these things done, it's always on a sport bike. (Let's see you jump those six school busses on a Rebel . . .)

I probably won't be riding mine up at Willow Springs either.

woolf

· #37 · Oct 31, 2012

"The CBR is NOT a sports bike. It's a sports-styled bike. To qualify for a sports bike, you have to have some performance to back it up. I don't just put on a Calvin Johnson jersey can call myself a All-Pro Wide Receiver; I am a skinny guy with a Calvin Johnson jersey who thinks he can catch a football at the backyard 2-hand touch game"

SPORT BIKE YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you can make the suspension work like a sport bike (Race Tech for one) MOTO3 type bakes (GALFER is one ) a little motor work say from Jett Tuning (or other shops) exhaust,DYNOJET power cammader V ,last TIRES

WOW YOU NOW HAVE A SPORT BIKE that will get 70mpg ans put a big smile

on your face.

or as the post said ride your" sports-styled bike" but have FUN on it

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notsure23

· #38 · Oct 31, 2012

It's a sheep in wolf's clothing

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Spatialized

· #39 · Oct 31, 2012

Cheap to maintain, great gas mileage, low insurance costs, parts are cheap, more of an upright riding position, can handle bigger riders like myself and most of all wont break the bank

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DamianW

· #40 · Oct 31, 2012

Heck, I feel like Giacomo Agostini every time I ride out on my CBR. Rather than defining a category for this bike, how I 'feel' is all that matters.

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