[Brooks]

Hi guys. Just picked up my bike this afternoon. I managed to find a used one w/ 700 miles for $3k. It's a steal if you ask me. This is my first bike. Im terrified already. I almost died twice on the way home. Once when a guy turned left in front of me and I was in the straight lane and once when I got just mosied on into the lane I was in. I knew you were supposed to ride like you were invisible, but dang.

First questions:

How do I know if it has ABS? I think it does as the owner's manual that came with it said "CBR250R/A" and I think the last letter means ABS but how do I know for sure?

The insurance people said if I join a club, it decreases my insurance rates. You think this decrease equates to the cost to join? Any other suggestions for decreasing insurance rates besides MSF (already done)?

Suggestions for first modifications? Seems like it's almost perfect the way it is...

 

[atakacs]

Hi guys. Just picked up my bike this afternoon. I managed to find a used one w/ 700 miles for $3k. It's a steal if you ask me. This is my first bike. Im terrified already. I almost died twice on the way home. Once when a guy turned left in front of me and I was in the straight lane and once when I got just mosied on into the lane I was in. I knew you were supposed to ride like you were invisible, but dang.

First questions:

How do I know if it has ABS? I think it does as the owner's manual that came with it said "CBR250R/A" and I think the last letter means ABS but how do I know for sure?

The insurance people said if I join a club, it decreases my insurance rates. You think this decrease equates to the cost to join? Any other suggestions for decreasing insurance rates besides MSF (already done)?

Suggestions for first modifications? Seems like it's almost perfect the way it is...

Welcome fellow Texan,

Look at the front of your bike. ABS bikes have "Combined ABS" on the front fender written parallel to the fork on the piece that extends down. Google it and see a picture. If yours doesn't say "Combined ABS", it probably doesn't have ABS. I think the owner's manual is the same for both bikes.

Consider safety upgrades as your first mods. I bought a high visibility jacket, put some reflective stickers on my helmet, got a LED underglow kit, and reflective rim decals. Ride with your high beam on at all times. Consider some P3s or Hyperlites brake flashers. If you think you might drop it, get some Yoshimura frame sliders.

 

[Brooks]

Ah, well I see what you're talking about and it's not there. Also realized there's no sensor wheel which should be a dead giveaway. Not too worried about that, though. Still think I got it for a steal. Every other used one I've seen goes for at least $4k with more miles on it.

I've already got all my gear (jacket, pants, gloves, helmet (to the tune of $1500 (cheaper than a hospital visit))) except for the boots because I have abnormally large feet and it's a serious PITA to find any type of shoes. I'm gonna grab a high visibility, reflective vest from a friend later and I think that'll be it in that department...

I dont think I'm going to ride with my high beam on at night. I stood in front of it while a friend rode around the parking lot with it on and it's blinding at best. Same deal with the brake flashers. I dont know what P3s are. I dont think any of this has any added visibility...its just obnoxious.

I don't think I'll drop it, but I dont suppose anyone does, so I'll look into those frame sliders.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[Wynne G Oldman]

Welcome aboard Matey.

 

[PIGTRAIL RIDER 23]

Welcome to the trail fellow Houstonian. I grew up there & moved up to NW Arkansas in 1978 when I was 14. Lived off of Stella Link & Old S. Main came together. Bet it has changed quite abit since then. Enjoy the new ride & Live to ride ride to live & RIDE TO CRASH.

 

[sac]

Mods?

 

[Brooks]

Yeah man. Houston is always changing and always growing. We pretty much have the biggest economy in the nation.

 

[Empty Sea]

Welcome. Glad you took the MSF course. Lower your rates by: keeping your driving record clean, getting older, getting married, buying a house, combining auto/bike/home insurance with one company, eliminating Collision and Comprehensive coverage if you do not owe money on the bike and you can afford the potential loss, buy a second bike, make sure to always pay your premium on time, take advantage of "paid in full" discounts on your premium, ride the bike for pleasure use (or at least tell them that's what you're doing), find out which clubs you can join that will allow you to get a discount on insurance. That's all that I can think of right now. Good luck!

 

[RubenAlonzo]

Welcome Brooks!

 

[Steve_47]

Hi guys. Just picked up my bike this afternoon. I managed to find a used one w/ 700 miles for $3k. It's a steal if you ask me.

Welcome to the forum Brooks. You most definitely got a good deal. Did the original owner have the 600 mile service preformed? If not, that would be something you should consider doing soon. Your going to enjoy your cbr250r. They are a great all around motorcycle. Be safe out there, and enjoy.

 

[jscott1]

Welcome! What part of town are you in? There's about a half dozen riders here in Houston area, but I have yet to hook up for a group ride. But I've only been riding since August and I don't even have 500 miles yet.

I figured in Houston I should be able to ride year-round, but I underestimated how cold you can get on a bike. Not that you can't do it, but basically need all the same cold weather gear as up north. At 70 mph the windchill is near freezing at anything below 50F.

 

[THiggins]

I just bought my cbr250r a month ago. I love it. I was scared the first few times I rode as well ... Now I just love it. This is my first bike too... Fits me perfect... Having a lot of fun.


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[Steve_47]

At 70 mph the windchill is near freezing at anything below 50F.

It was 46F the last time I commuted to work. Everything was going good until I ran into a drastic temperature drop. I will not be riding in that temperature range again with out warmer gear.

 

[Brooks]

Sorry it took so long to make it back, guys. A new discovery is that this bike does NOT pull well on the highway. Pretty difficult to navigate traffic when I have no oomph. Maybe it's cuz Im fat but I think it's a safety concern. I try to stay off the highway, usually...

Welcome to the forum Brooks. You most definitely got a good deal. Did the original owner have the 600 mile service preformed? If not, that would be something you should consider doing soon. Your going to enjoy your cbr250r. They are a great all around motorcycle. Be safe out there, and enjoy.

Im not sure what the 600 mile service consists of. The dealer I bought it from said they had done an oil service to it.

Welcome! What part of town are you in?

Im right near the intersection of 290 and BW8. Probably won't go for any group rides since I work weekends

 

[jscott1]

Sorry it took so long to make it back, guys. A new discovery is that this bike does NOT pull well on the highway. Pretty difficult to navigate traffic when I have no oomph. Maybe it's cuz Im fat but I think it's a safety concern. I try to stay off the highway, usually...



Im not sure what the 600 mile service consists of. The dealer I bought it from said they had done an oil service to it.




Im right near the intersection of 290 and BW8. Probably won't go for any group rides since I work weekends

The 600 mile service is supposed to inspect/ set the valve clearances as well as change the oil. That was probably done to your bike.

I'm at BW8 and 288 on pretty much the opposite side of town. Just for fun I was going to circle the beltway 8, but that would be 120 miles and put me over the limit for my 600 mile service so it's gong to have to wait.

The little CBR250R doesn't have as much oomph as I would like either. Not that I want to race it or anything, but I found myself with a wide open throttle the other day and wished for a bit more. The CBR500 might be a better starter bike for those that are regularly cruising north of 80 mph. (for those that consider that illegal remember that we have freeways were the speed limit is 85 mph).

 

[Michael]

Well, well, what have we here.

This is my first bike.

I've already got all my gear (jacket, pants, gloves, helmet (to the tune of $1500 (cheaper than a hospital visit))) except for the boots

So far so good. Almost there. ATGATT zealots and the folks at MSF will be pleased.

I don't think I'll drop it

Uh oh.... a bit worrying.

A new discovery is that this bike does NOT pull well on the highway. Pretty difficult to navigate traffic when I have no oomph. I think it's a safety concern. I try to stay off the highway, usually...

A bit more worrying coming from a novice.... Sounds like wanting to run before before being able to walk.

The CBR500 might be a better starter bike for those that are regularly cruising north of 80 mph.

Yeah, yeah; sounds like good advice to a beginner.

Suggestions for first modifications?

I would suggest a modification of attitude is in order. There is more to riding safely than looking the ATGATT part.

Please get in a bit more practice on quiet byways and off the road.

 

[Brooks]

My interests do not lie in top speed. They lie in upper range acceleration in order to be able to get myself out of sticky situations. Decelerating to get out of those situations can often be more dangerous than accelerating. I mean if I find myself riding in someone's blind spot @65mph (the speed limit) and want to get out of it, it takes me a solid 5 seconds just to move up next to the car so they can see me. Try that again @ 70mph where some of the roads around here are limited and you're looking at 20 seconds or so if you're even able to do so.

You need to be able to move with the flow of traffic. If everyone else is speeding, you're safer speeding as well than you are with them whizzing by you.

 

[jscott1]

Well, well, what have we here.


Yeah, yeah; sounds like good advice to a beginner.

I'm not suggesting a beginner hop on a motorcycle and test out it's top speed on day 1.

I can vividly recall less than 5 months ago taking my MSF class and being terrified to leave the parking lot going more than 20 mph.

However, having said all that, within 4 months I can already see where some of the CBR250R's limitations are. No I'm not flicking it in the turns anywhere near it's limits, but in wide open acceleration, on the freeway, up hill, into a headwind, a little more power would be welcome. In that respect I think the CBR500 would be a better bike.

 

[Brooks]

Dont feed the troll

 

[Lowcard]

Dont feed the troll

Id get a few more posts under my belt before calling Micheal a troll.