Honda CBR250R Sportbike coming to America

[Bravo12]

I'm digging it. If they can keep it within a few hundred dollars of the Kawi, it would make a viable alternative, especially if the C-ABS doesn't cost too much.  If the Kawi is $3999, and Honda can keep their 250R-ABS under $5k, it might do ok.  I'm thinking this could be a great commuter once I move out of the city (right now I'm in a carpool, so it's free for me to park the car at work, and easier and faster to take the car; once I move, though, a 60+mpg bike might be what I need 9 months out of the year).

[Jeff]

If you're commuting for extended periods on anything other than a 2 lane road or in town traffic, I'd recommend against a 250.

Spoken from experience.
Jeff

[Rincewind]

Motorcycle Daily's Article

After almost 20 years of being absent in the USA 250cc sportbike market, American Honda is coming back with the aggressively styled liquid-cooled CBR250R and CBR250R ABS. Although pricing hasn’t been released, there are plenty of details that may make Kawasaki — makers of the outstanding $3999 Ninja 250R — nervous about its USA sales (which have been tremendous).

[servicerifle]

I'm digging it. If they can keep it within a few hundred dollars of the Kawi, it would make a viable alternative, especially if the C-ABS doesn't cost too much.  If the Kawi is $3999, and Honda can keep their 250R-ABS under $5k, it might do ok.  I'm thinking this could be a great commuter once I move out of the city (right now I'm in a carpool, so it's free for me to park the car at work, and easier and faster to take the car; once I move, though, a 60+mpg bike might be what I need 9 months out of the year).

The MPG delta between your VFR and that Honda 250 will take years to overcome the initial purchase price delta.  No cost benefit.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

The MPG delta between your VFR and that Honda 250 will take years to overcome the initial purchase price delta.  No cost benefit.

We're talking "fun factor" here - get your priorities straight!  

[servicerifle]

We're talking "fun factor" here - get your priorities straight!  

Mine are straight, we're talking about a 26hp bike vice a VFR on fun factor?  No brainer.

A little math shows that if you ride 20,000 miles a year, with an estimate of $3 a gallon a 45mpg bike will cost you $1332 in gas a year.  A 69mpg bike costs you $882, the delta being $450.  If Jeff's $6500 estimate is right (seems reasonable, since it's a Honda, has FI, and ABS), then that's a $2000 difference between the two.  $2000/$450= 4.4 years.  Wait a minute...20000 miles a year*4.4 years?  That's 88,000 miles!  By the time you've BROKEN EVEN on your "high MPG bike" compared to a bike with more HP and comfier too, you need a new bike.

Same math keeps me from buying a TDI.  They cost more up front, and take years to break even.

If Chewbacca doesn't make sense, you must acquit...or said another way, kick that gold plated sissy bike to the curb!

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Mine are straight, we're talking about a 26hp bike vice a VFR on fun factor?  No brainer.

It depends on the conditions and the pilot. I'd rather navigate a 250 through city traffic than a heavier VFR (yes, I've owned one)

....Wait a minute...20000 miles a year*4.4 years?  That's 88,000 miles!  By the time you've BROKEN EVEN on your "high MPG bike" compared to a bike with more HP and comfier too, you need a new bike.

YOU'RE opinion, not a fact. I have bikes that are well over "4.4 years old" and with more than "88,000" miles and I have no need nor intentions of replacing them. Just because some people are bike whores and get new bikes every other year does not mean that everyone does it. So yes, while I agree that buying a bike is NOT a good way to save money, I would certainly PREFER to ride a smaller, lighter bike that happens to get 2 or 3 times what my car does in fuel mileage, regardless of how financially ineffecient it.



So there  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

If Chewbacca doesn't make sense, you must acquit...or said another way, kick that gold plated sissy bike to the curb!

Now that makes no sense whatsoever  

[servicerifle]

It depends on the conditions and the pilot. I'd rather navigate a 250 through city traffic than a heavier VFR (yes, I've owned one)

VFR is just an example.  Use any 45mpg bike in its place, there are lots of them.

YOU'RE opinion, not a fact.

Your.  But yes, you're correct, its an opinion.  More follows...

I have bikes that are well over "4.4 years old" and with more than "88,000" miles and I have no need nor intentions of replacing them. Just because some people are bike whores and get new bikes every other year does not mean that everyone does it. So yes, while I agree that buying a bike is NOT a good way to save money, I would certainly PREFER to ride a smaller, lighter bike that happens to get 2 or 3 times what my car does in fuel mileage, regardless of how financially ineffecient it.

Preference has nothing to do with the numbers.  My post (the one to which you're responding) was in response to Bravo12's post.  He appears to be focusing on the numbers, and they just don't add up, at least, not until you reach 88k.  True, a bike can go FAR past that, you're 100% correct, but chances are, they won't, either through bike whoredom, or through natural attrition.  If you're the person who can honestly look at a bike and know that you'll run it into the ground, then you'll come out ahead (in MPG, not in speed!   ) with the Honda 250.  Look around...most of us at STN, or on most motorcycle sites, can't do that.  A strong dose of realistic "am I really going to ride this bike 88k, minimum?" introspection is due if you're only interested in numbers.  As to your preferences, we all have them and there's no accounting for taste for any of us.  That's a variable that can't be calculated.

All I'm saying is the Honda, if it were to sell at, say, $6500, is not financially appealing when compared to other bikes.  If you just want it, well, go for it.  

Some STNers will get the Chewbacca reference.  

Oh, and it's late here, so I'm off to bed.  I'll leave this for the US contingent to tear my post apart while I'm sleeping.  

[atadaskew]

Very nice.  The only thing that could sink this bike is a goofy price tag.

I especially like Honda's claim of 'unmatched reliability'.  Has this bike been out for a few years in other markets?

[motormike]

"The tri-color paint scheme you see above and in the gallery below won’t be coming to the US. Instead, we’re getting red or black options."



Just for giggles, can someone copy in that photo of the tri-color paint scheme from Hell For Leather linked article?

[Sarchi]

Hmm, the Kawi looks better, is cheap, and has two cylinders, so it's no doubt smoother.  Honda better come in with a really good price on this or forget it.  They did that in Canada with the CBR125R and sold 20 boatloads of them; and a year later there were 18 boatloads of 'em listed for sale on Craigslist....

[sammyseaman]

Very nice.  The only thing that could sink this bike is a goofy price tag.
I especially like Honda's claim of 'unmatched reliability'.  Has this bike been out for a few years in other markets?

Goofy price tag? It's Honda. The price will be more than what you think.
"Unmatched reliability" is what Honda always claims. Fuck, they've claimed that shit so long people actually believe every bike they put out is the most reliable bike ever.

[Biking Sailor]

If you're commuting for extended periods on anything other than a 2 lane road or in town traffic, I'd recommend against a 250.

Spoken from experience.
Jeff

I've ridden a friends kids Ninja 250 and my wifes Ninja 500.  Considering the cost difference and MPGs, I'd go with the 500 every time, unless we were talking about a dual sport/enduro.  I am one who likes small, light, throwable little bikes around town.  Everytime I ride a 500 or smaller on non-superslab roads, I have a smile on my face.  But I just like all kinds of bikes!  

[birdrunner]

We already had an option for a 250 bike,  I want something in the 400 range.

It'd be a natural progression from the 250 and be powerfull enough for some freeway work.

[chornbe]

Come back here so I can bite you in the kneecap!

I'd pay for those pics.

[chornbe]

Goofy price tag? It's Honda. The price will be more than what you think.
"Unmatched reliability" is what Honda always claims. Fuck, they've claimed that shit so long people actually believe every bike they put out is the most reliable bike ever.

I'm betting $4600 at the very least. Remember - ABS costs. Look at the comparos - every bike out there, ABS adds AT LEAST $600, in some cases, $1200 or more, to the price of the bike. Which is silly.

All new machining, CBS, ABS and all the new-to-the-US costs... AT LEASE $4600. They get anywhere near $6k and they've priced themselves into the sales basement. $4600 will already put them behind EVERYTHING else in its class.




*note: The TU250 - a thumper standard from Suzuki is already $4000. The Rebel is $4000. The Ninja 250 is $4000. All without even the beginnings of "hi tech" components.

[UFO]

Waiting for the first one on craigslist with a chromed frame, alien paint job, and stretched swingarm.  Text will read "this thing iz a monster!  top spead of 180mph, and 9 sec quarter.  ripz!!!11!  must sell, gf knocked up."

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Preference has nothing to do with the numbers.  My post (the one to which you're responding) was in response to Bravo12's post.  He appears to be focusing on the numbers, and they just don't add up, at least, not until you reach 88k.  

Fair 'nuff

As to your preferences, we all have them and there's no accounting for taste for any of us.  That's a variable that can't be calculated.

Very true. Preferences are like opinions are like assholes. Hell, I think my KLR is sexy  

[Jeff]

Hell, I think my KLR is sexy  

I thought your hubby was named Dan?