[cyclopath]

Hey,

I am new to this site and to motorcycling in general.
I have been riding since June and absolutely love it!

I am looking to get a new bike and am having mixed feelings on what to get. My budget is $4,000. ($5,000 if I sell my current bike.)

I'm trying to decide between a new Honda CBR250R or a used Suzuki SV650--or something similar, kawasaki or yamaha.

The CBR is nice because it's light, brand new, and under warranty, but I worry it's not enough power or torque and that it is so light I might get blown around on a windy highway driving to school in Davis.

I would like to be able to cruise on the highway at 75-80mph and pass other vehicles if I want to.

The SV650 is nice because it's sexy and powerful but I will be getting it used and I could be inheriting someone else's problems. Also, it might be too powerful or torquey for me since I am still new to riding.

Does anyone have a opinion?

(I currently have an '82 Suzuki GS550M Katana and I want something newer and lighter and with the potential for greater speeds. It's really heavy. When it's fallen over I can't pick it up by myself.)

Thanks !

 

[SlntSam]

I would say that if you want to cruise at 75-80mph but want the oomph to pass at will, the CBR250r isn't the bike for you.

You'll be able to pass other cars, but more planning will be required.

That's my opinion anyway, others may opine differently.

 

[audit]

Here's my opinion.

CBR250r is a great bike. It's faster acceleration-wise than most cars out there. On highways it easily goes 75-80mph and will even go a bit faster. However, if you are going to do a lot of highwaying - keep in mind, others may disagree - I wouldn't choose CBR250r. It has one cylinder and it just doesn't feel comfortable going at top speed. It vibrates a bit and it really has to deliver everything it's got. It sometimes feels like you are hurting it.

If you have to do a lot of highway it's much more comfortable on a bigger bike where you have extra power to overtake. It also just feels much more natural cruising at high speeds.

I own a CBR250 myself and sometimes go on highways. Sometimes I choose alternate routes to avoid highways.

 

[MotoMike]

Welcome,

Based on everything you mention in your post, I'd get a CBR. But I'm also biased towards the CBR, and Hondas in general. Test riding your different options might help you to make a more informed decision. Ultimately your the one who will be riding it.

 

[vagabond]

i am a new rider and owner of a 2012 cbr 250.

after much research, i choose to go with a new bike, not used, so i could know what to expect from it. i didn't want to be cruising down the freeway at 75 mph on a used bike, wondering if that rattling sound coming from the chain was "normal".

the cbr 250 is very fun to ride, handles nicely (feels solid even at its top speed) and isn't heavy at all.

yes, you will end up wanting a bit more power but it has enough for every situation you will encounter.

gas mileage is great and insurance is cheap on this bike.

the main thing is, it is very fun to ride. isn't that the whole point?

 

[pete_falcone]

I love the SV650, greatest bang-for-the-buck bike eV4R!
But best to start on the CBR.

 

[vagabond]

i also forgot to mention, i live in las vegas and have ridden down the highway in some very serious winds. i tucked my knees in, brought my head low, and the cbr performed marvelously.

 

[Spinja]

Just my $0.02:

I commute with my CBR250R daily - 54 miles round trip and about 50 miles of that is pure highway.

I feel completely comfortable on the bike at high speeds - though admittedly I did not when I first got my bike in May. Odometer just ticked 3600 miles this weekend.

IMO winds that are enough to toss you around on a 250 would likely toss you around on any other bike.

It's not super torquey when trying to pass but honestly neither is my cage (2010 Toyota Corolla). I'm surrounded by 75-85MPH Massholes daily who are nothing less than homing missiles aimed straight at my ass - as far as I'm concerned defensive riding with ATGATT is what keeps me safe - not my ability to pass at high speed.

Plus I'm getting 70+ MPG

 

[ContraCBR]

Hey,

The CBR is nice because it's light, brand new, and under warranty, but I worry it's not enough power or torque and that it is so light I might get blown around on a windy highway driving to school in Davis.

The stretch of 680 on the north side of the Benicia Bridge has some nasty crosswinds almost every day of the year (as you know). I love my CBR250, but...when it comes to freeway commuting, size matters. I would want a 450lb bike out there. It makes a big difference. Not because it's faster, but because the weight keeps things steady and stable.

As for picking up a bike, here is one good way:

ps - I'm in Lafayette.

 

[Wynne G Oldman]

Welcome aboard Matey.

 

[Chinmay]

welcome on the forum mate..!!!

after reading what you said, I would also say, go for a CBR250R or similar bike. (you may want to check out 2013 models of CBR250s and Ninja 300s...they are super awesome)

As you mentioned, you could either get a brand new CBR or similar within $4-5k range and do not worry for next hundred thousand miles about any maintenance of bike....or you could buy a used bigger bike and gamble..!!!
Also, do not forget the gas milage, insurance, registration and general upkeep costs for any bike you choose. For a new and a bit small bike it would be really less whereas 650cc would comparatively cost bit more. If you want to trade it in future which ever one you choose, a brand new would be easy to sell and will give you more return than a used bike.

I own a CBR250 and do a small stretch of highway commute everyday, but never felt any lack of power. It easily runs at upto 145-150 kmph...no doubt..but if you want to go beyond that (which I guess would get you in trouble with cops) you would be testing the limits of CBR's power. However, I agree that the bike is feather light weight and if you are not heavy enough, its a bit challenging in windy conditions to ride easily. Moreover, you said you have been riding just over 2 months. Are you really sure you can pull off a 650cc bike and easily maneuver it in tough times especially on highways..( I dont mean to discourage you...still ask yourself this question honestly..)

And finally, which ever you choose to go ahead with, ride the absolute hell out of it...and enjoy.... (dont forget to show us what you get though) Good Luck..!!

 

[wjhall]

It just so happens that in addition to recently test riding a cbr (http://www.cbr250.net/forum/honda-c...71-demonstrator-ride-initial-impressions.html) i did my license/test on an SV650. While i found both to be very nice bikes, there's no doubting the SV has more power. Having said that, on the test ride i found the CBR to have plenty adequate power to get up to and easily maintain highway speeds with some spare. Im not sure how it would compare to the suzuki you currently own, the best thing to do is probably to try and find a demonstrator/used model you can have a quick go on.

 

[cbrlocal]

Can't recommend a better bike to start with for the price. I commute daily anywhere from 55-75mph for 50 miles, and this bike doesn't skip a beat. I'm 165lbs with a 30+lb bookbag most days as well, so I'm a 200 lb payload. I never feel a lack of power (except in my hypermiling and staying in 6th trying to climb a steep hill at 40 mph!) and always feel safe and quick enough to get out of the way of any situation. I have over 10,000 miles under my riding belt and have no desire or thoughts of upgrading my bike anytime in the near or distant future. I haven't fell below 90 mpg since February, and my insurance with full coverage and roadside assistance is less than $180 a year. Go with the CBR, you'll be glad you did.

 

[shisoshin]

being slight ['cant pick up the bike'] etc, your power to weight ratio
will be relatively high, thus better performance generally..
there is always a way around basic 'problems'..

instead of thinking of overtaking at high speed as the only answer,
think of [eg] starting out 10-15mins earlier, then ride comfortably
within the limits of whatever bike you happen to be riding..

for the price, low maintenance, designed-in-reliability, support network,
resale value, light weight, high fuel economy [etc] this newly designed
- honda- motorcycle, cbr250r is very hard to beat or go past