Hope this helps bud...
Info and Opinions
*
CBR250/250R/250RR - 250cc, 4 stroke, sports bike which is popular with most L platers going for a mix of speed and looks. Majority of these bikes are imported (also called a Grey Import) and because of this have gone through about 30 other people before you lay your hands on one. There are Aussie delivered cibbys (CBR's) which from what im told range from 1997-1999 and were imported directly by Honda Australia and sold as new (production on all CBR's actually ended in 1996). Preferably, go for an Aussie del bike, as its less
likely to have been wound back by an importer, but chances are it's been wound back anyways. Anything less than 40,000 kms is asking for a bit much for a 20 year old bike... so keep an eye out for wear and tear on things like the chain/sprokets/cracks in frame/slide marks on anything but fairings.
The RR's are the newest version of the CBR250's above, differences between two... (thanks to cbr250.com)
** CBR250R (MC19) **Engine: 249cc, 4 stroke, 4cyl inline, 16 valve DOHC
Redline @ 18,000rpm
Chassis/Frame: More upright seating position, engine higher up.
Brakes: Single disc front and rear
** CBR250RR (MC22) **
Engine: 249cc, 4 stroke, 4cyl inline, 16 valve DOHC
Redline @
19,000rpm
Chassis/Frame: Frame was different, lower seating position, curved rear arm
Brakes:
Twin discs front, single disc rear
Some good equivalents would be bikes like the
ZZR250's,
GPX250's or the
ZX2R. A lot cheaper than many lemon CBR's going around. You could also try out the highest selling bike of 2008, the
Kawasaki 250R Ninja, which looks awesome, there are heaps to choose from, and you get a decent package for the price you pay (Yes! Aussie delivered and most still have factory warranty!)
**
2 Stroke / 4 Stroke **
Now before I tell you about our 2 stroke NSR, ill clarify the difference. The most simple way to put it is that a two stroke basically involves oil being fed into the motor WITH the fuel supply, whereas a 4 stroke has a separate resovoir to hold oil and lubricates pistons etc from the outside. 2 stroke does this in reverse (to some extent).
Normally, with a 2 stroke lawnmower, whippersnipper, or anything in your shed, you would have to mix the fuel you buy with a certain % of oil before filling your tank up. Thankfully, the smart Japs realised that people wouldnt be too happy constantly measuring up oil:fuel ratios every time they filled, so two stroke bikes have a separate tank for fuel and oil which automatically mixes as you ride.
*
NSR150 - 150cc, 2 stroke, 1 cyl, light, about 130kg... but produces power similar to a 250cc 4 stroke, but similar to our vtakkk its going to take a while to rev it out to get that power. Even taking off from a stop start will take a bit of revving to get moving, and if you weight 90kg+, its just going to take longer. They are also getting old now, and 2 strokes are less efficient, and harder to manage than a 4 stroke (Think rotary:cylinder for a good idea). Some other bikes in the same class are the
RS125 (Aprilia), and
Cagiva 125 which are a hell of a lot newer, but higher priced ($6000+).
*
CBR125 - 125cc, 4 stroke, about 115kg so lighter than most but a lot newer and a lot
LESS powered (9.5kw @ motor baby!). This thing is not suitable for Australian roads, its not going to haul the average aussie male around. If your 60kg, your power to weight ratio is going to be around 50kw/tonne lol...
When looking for a bike... Pay attention to the small details and look past the pretty fairings... its easy to clean up a bike, get new fairings, paint it. put some team repsol stickers on it, only to still have the same uncared for bike that they cracked in the first place...
If you are a heavy bloke, probably wouldnt reccomend getting any of the above, the cibby will get you around but maybe consider a decent 400cc or maybe a 500/650 even? If you can look past the hekticness of riding a 250cc
superbike then maybe go for an easier to ride naked bike like the VTR250? Naked bikes (ones that dont have the plastics around the motor and radiator) are a lot easier to ride during your l's test as well... remember, turning in a sportsbike is a lot more restricted than most others. If you have a bad back or you are tall like me, you might get some issues with bending over all the time. My mates usually kick the air, and stretch on rides every 5 mins. Also, try to test out a bike before you commit to buying one, it may be harder for you as a learner, but if you are serious and nice enough, and have some cash for them to hold and smell as you ride it around, they should be alright...
Bookmarks