BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

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Alfred_E._Neuman
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BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Alfred_E._Neuman »

I'm looking at getting my first bike since I was in high school. I'm just needing something that I can zip 8 miles back and forth to work with across the city. I'm looking at the Honda CBR250R. Little 250cc single cylinder that seems like it would be perfect for what I'm wanting to do.

All the websites say they get 75+mpg with it, and that it has plenty of zip for city riding and can cruise at 70mph when needed. I figure I could use it to commute and if I wanted something bigger later, I'd still have a MPG monster for commuting and the wife could ride it on weekend trips.

Does it seem like something I'd outgrow too quickly, or is it a good starter bike for city commuting and the occasional longer trip?

http://powersports.honda.com/2013/cbr250r.aspx
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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Blaidd Drwg »

Alfred_E._Neuman wrote:I'm looking at getting my first bike since I was in high school. I'm just needing something that I can zip 8 miles back and forth to work with across the city. I'm looking at the Honda CBR250R. Little 250cc single cylinder that seems like it would be perfect for what I'm wanting to do.

All the websites say they get 75+mpg with it, and that it has plenty of zip for city riding and can cruise at 70mph when needed. I figure I could use it to commute and if I wanted something bigger later, I'd still have a MPG monster for commuting and the wife could ride it on weekend trips.

Does it seem like something I'd outgrow too quickly, or is it a good starter bike for city commuting and the occasional longer trip?

http://powersports.honda.com/2013/cbr250r.aspx
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You Will outgrow it...then...you will get a bigger bike, then a bigger, then a bigger...then you will wish you had it back.
Despite the fact I'd been racing an open class bike off road my dad still made sure my first street bike was a tiny two stroke. Forced me to learn how to really ride in traffic.

That's a great little bike. I would look around at other sub-500 offerings as well but you will enjoy the fuck out of it. Longer trips will not be pleasant but you know what, fuck it...it's not supposed to be comfortable.
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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Protobuilder »

Alfred_E._Neuman wrote:I'm just needing something that I can zip 8 miles back and forth to work with across the city.
You need an engine for that?

If you are reading this from work - stop, step away from the keyboard and look around you.
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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Holland Oates »

LOL

Come hang out in real 'Merica for a bit. It's not bike or pedestrian friendly in the daylight. You let the sun go down and it gets real interesting.

I only work 8 or 9 miles from my home but I go in at 10 pm and I have a river bridge with no shoulder to cross. Fuck the environment. I'm driving.

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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Alfred_E._Neuman »

Terry B. wrote:
Alfred_E._Neuman wrote:I'm just needing something that I can zip 8 miles back and forth to work with across the city.
You need an engine for that?

If you are reading this from work - stop, step away from the keyboard and look around you.
I work at a bike shop and I already ride in a bunch. But it takes an hour and 20 minutes out of my day to do it, and it sucks away a large chunk of my recovery ability to do anything else. Not to mention I work retail hours so I'm there nearly 10 hours on my feet and don't see my wife at all when I toss a bicycle commute on top of that. Ad in the fact that I'm riding across Atlanta at night on the tail end of rush hour and I'm kind of over the full time bicycle commute right now.

I'm wanting to ride in by bicycle a day or two a week as active recovery to loosen my legs up and ride the moto the other days. Car only when the weather is super shitty.

BD, I was thinking I'd probably get the lust for a larger capacity bike pretty quickly. But I still want to start back with something smaller just for the ease of learning and the fuel mileage.

EZ, the Ural or a Royal Enfield would be super cool bikes but they're priced pretty high for what they are. And I'd be worried about reliability. With a Honda I could probably ride it for years with only routine maintenance. As a 2nd or 3rd bike to play around on, those would be cool as shit.
I don't have a lot of experience with vampires, but I have hunted werewolves. I shot one once, but by the time I got to it, it had turned back into my neighbor's dog.


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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Shapecharge »

Totally agree with Blade. Does Kawasaki still make the 250 Ninja? Another great alternative.

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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Alfred_E._Neuman »

Shapecharge wrote:Totally agree with Blade. Does Kawasaki still make the 250 Ninja? Another great alternative.
They make the Ninja 250 that's carbed and they make a 300 that's injected. The 300 runs $4700 for the non-ABS and $5500 for the ABS model. Looks like a strong contender for fist bike. Still over 70mpg pretty easily.

My wife and I are going to take the motorcycle safety class in Feb, then I'll go and test ride a few of the bikes and see which one suits me the best.

Thanks.
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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by sanchezero »

goddamn, this is refreshing! i'm so sick of people recommending the R6, CBR600RR, and GSXR 750 as starter bikes.

i have zero experience with the CBR250, but i've had 2 ninja 250s (one yeeeeaaars ago and one of the new versions, a coupla years ago) and they were both great. i've enjoyed the shit outta 600 class sportbikes and scared myself silly on a liter bike; real sportbikes are definitely not beginner friendly.

the 250 is a great bike and you can even have fun at the track on one while still only spending $10 a week on gas.
have you ever been as far as even considered go want to do look more like?
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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Alfred_E._Neuman »

sanchezero wrote:goddamn, this is refreshing! i'm so sick of people recommending the R6, CBR600RR, and GSXR 750 as starter bikes.

i have zero experience with the CBR250, but i've had 2 ninja 250s (one yeeeeaaars ago and one of the new versions, a coupla years ago) and they were both great. i've enjoyed the shit outta 600 class sportbikes and scared myself silly on a liter bike; real sportbikes are definitely not beginner friendly.

the 250 is a great bike and you can even have fun at the track on one while still only spending $10 a week on gas.
I'm definitely going to get a small bike for getting back into it. Last thing I want to do is get too much bike to handle in the city where I'll be riding 99% of the time.

Another consideration is that this bike will more than likely be my wife's bike in a year or so, so it's got to be something she can feel comfortable on. She's not very big so seat height is an issue.

I'm liking the Ninja 300 because it's a 2 cylinder where the Honda is a single. I'll test ride both of them as soon as I get my license and see which one is better. The single may have more low end torque which is good for stop and go riding in the city,
I don't have a lot of experience with vampires, but I have hunted werewolves. I shot one once, but by the time I got to it, it had turned back into my neighbor's dog.

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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Turdacious »

sanchezero wrote:goddamn, this is refreshing! i'm so sick of people recommending the R6, CBR600RR, and GSXR 750 as starter bikes.
Pretty much. Another thing to consider:
July 2006 Motorcycle Theft Report

Courtesy of Progressive Insurance
Progressive Insurance reports the following statistics, based on claims:

Most Likely to be Stolen: 1. Suzuki GSX-R; 2. Yamaha YZF-R; 3. Suzuki Hayabusa; 4. Honda CBR; 5. Kawasaki ZX-R.

Least Likely to be Stolen: 1. Suzuki Savage; 2. BMW R1200C; 3. Yamaha Virago; 4. Honda Nighthawk; 5. Triumph Bonneville.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-theft/

Newer stats are out there. Purchase insurance accordingly. From what I've heard from GSXR owners, when stolen they are seldom recovered.
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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Spider Monkey »

I would love it if my husband bought a Honda 250 or a Ninja for me to ride on weekends. I ride a 1972 Honda 350. My husband and 17 year old son ride Honda 750's. They keep telling me that as I get better I'm going to want a bigger bike, but for now I'd like a smaller one. I am not a big person and I can barely lift the 350, which goes to ground way more often than I'd like to admit.
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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Andy83 »

Alfred_E._Neuman wrote:
Terry B. wrote:
Alfred_E._Neuman wrote:I'm just needing something that I can zip 8 miles back and forth to work with across the city.
You need an engine for that?

If you are reading this from work - stop, step away from the keyboard and look around you.
I work at a bike shop and I already ride in a bunch. But it takes an hour and 20 minutes out of my day to do it, and it sucks away a large chunk of my recovery ability to do anything else. Not to mention I work retail hours so I'm there nearly 10 hours on my feet and don't see my wife at all when I toss a bicycle commute on top of that. Ad in the fact that I'm riding across Atlanta at night on the tail end of rush hour and I'm kind of over the full time bicycle commute right now.

I'm wanting to ride in by bicycle a day or two a week as active recovery to loosen my legs up and ride the moto the other days. Car only when the weather is super shitty.

BD, I was thinking I'd probably get the lust for a larger capacity bike pretty quickly. But I still want to start back with something smaller just for the ease of learning and the fuel mileage.

EZ, the Ural or a Royal Enfield would be super cool bikes but they're priced pretty high for what they are. And I'd be worried about reliability. With a Honda I could probably ride it for years with only routine maintenance. As a 2nd or 3rd bike to play around on, those would be cool as shit.
Alfred. I have a '98 Ural. Reverse gear. all set up for a side car but I don't have a side car. 650, twin Boxer engine. It only has 1500 km on it. Not even broke in yet. I put Holly carbs on it. Been in my hangar for a few years not being ridden. It tends to be hard starting with the kick start. I was going to put an electric starter on it but never got around to it. I'll sell it. If you're interested, PM me.
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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Blaidd Drwg »

No shit? How are the electrics in that vintage? Is it set up to take the 2WD sidecar option?
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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Andy83 »

It's a replica of the vintage but basically built just like the Germans used to make them for the Russians. When the war between the two started, The Russians took the plans and started making them themselves and named it the Ural. The electrics are all updated but it has only a kick start. They tell me the electric starter from the Russians is not good, so I'd have to go American after market. Yes it's for a 2WD sidecar and the wiring for lights, etc. is all ready to hook up.
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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Blaidd Drwg »

For those that need a picture of what Andy's talking about, here is a Ural 2WD with sidecar in action.

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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Andy83 »

I Got the bike from a guy in WV. At the time I had a chance to get a side car from a dealer who had a fire and the side car paint was scorched...needed a paint job and that's all. I could have had it for $400. Dumb me. Now they want upwards of 3k for them if you can find one.

Nice video BD. Thanks for posting.
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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Alfred_E._Neuman »

Another few questions. What's the best online resource for buying safety gear? Leather or textile jacket? How much scratch to spend on a good helmet? Prices I've looked at range from $180 to over $500.
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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Turdacious »

Alfred_E._Neuman wrote:Another few questions. What's the best online resource for buying safety gear? Leather or textile jacket? How much scratch to spend on a good helmet? Prices I've looked at range from $180 to over $500.
Go to a few bike shops and try the gear out before buying anything. Fit is highly individual.
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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Shapecharge »

I've had good luck with Revzilla.com although I sent back what I bought because of fit. Turd is right about trying stuff on...especially helmets. I bought a new jacket back in November from a company called Taichi and it is awesome. There's great stuff out there at reasonable prices and there's good textile stuff but good quality gear does cost. Hey I dropped three hundy on a pair of gloves and I know that's excessive but they'll last a long time and do their job if I do crash. My most awesome get off was a 70 plus low side and I got up picked up my bike and rode it home. Vanson jacket other than scuffed up I still wore until I bought that other jacket in November, and still wore the boots and gloves...I did buy a new helmet.


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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Gin Master »

There is only one option.

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Re: BD, Shape, other IGx moto riders

Post by Shapecharge »

I think Jay Leno's got a couple of jet bikes and that may be one of them.

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