My thoughts on the CBR250R

[bungie4]

I believe that to compete with Kawasaki in the 250cc category, the CBR should have been a twin.

But that's just me, don't let me spoil the fun, keep on enjoyin' the bike!

Having own/ed both, I'd say the Honda made the right decision.  But my tingly bits would have preferred the engine out of the VTR250.

[veefer800canuck]

That was my second thought, bring back the VTR250 engine, and update it with fuel injection.

That would keep costs down, as the v-twin platform has paid for itself already, which would offset the cost of swapping the carbs for FI.

Shame that we never got this version of the VTR250 here, but it would not have been hard to slot the engine into a new chassis and cloak it in the VFR1200 lookalike plastics with FI.

[cbsnbiker]

Having own/ed both, I'd say the Honda made the right decision.  But my tingly bits would have preferred the engine out of the VTR250.

I rode a VTR250 once -- it was a pleasant bike.

[sammyseaman]

Just read a nice write-up of the abs version and for as much shit as I give Honda (deservedly so IMO) I really think they've got a winner here

[sendler2112]

A very good review. I've ridden the 250 Ninja and just about all that holds true as well.  But when the rubber meets the road the Ninja 650R beats both of them.  Hear me out on this one.

Both the CBR and the Ninja 250 weigh in the neighborhood of 370 pounds and produce 24-27 HP.  The Ninja 650R only weighs 50 pounds more and produces about double the horsepower.  Add in that you can find them used for 4k (and even less sometimes) it really makes the 250s less appealing.

I have all three of the go to cheap/ minimal solo sport touring bikes (well, never had number four, the SV650), a 2011 Honda CBR250R, a 2009 Ninja250, and 07 Ninja650/ ER650F. I always ride the Honda as it rides the best of the three for anyone under 6 feet tall/ 185cm. It's fun to brag about my 88 mpgUS/ 2.67L/100km and increasing lifetime fuel economy. I can get 66 mpgUS with either of the Ninjas. The Ninja250 is the better canyon racer due to it's high redline power advantage but the tank flair will dig into the knees of a 6 footer and it is still carbureted in the US. The fuel injected Honda is a steal at $4100 and always runs perfect. The Ninja650 has more room for a taller rider especially if you change to the +1 inch taller seat, and more pull for riders and loads over 250 pounds/ 115kg but is much more vibey. And the handle bars need to be lowered for better tucking when the weather gets bad. Kawasaki has done a good job with the updates on the 2012 version to get rid of the vibes but the pegs are still a bit high and you can almost buy two CBR's for the price of one new Ninja650. The CBR250R is actually pretty smooth and has more of a low frequency growl if anything and way more power and torque than the Ninja250 everywhere up to 9,000 rpm. I get a top speed of 93 mph/ 150 kph on the Honda so it has enough to keep up with traffic very well with me on it. The 250 class is misunderstood as crotch rockets when they are actually more like a standard bike wrapped up in excellent sport body work. Check out cycle ergo.
.
http://cycle-ergo.com/
.
 I could easily strap 50 liters lengthwise on the rear seat of any of these bikes and do 1000km days in the pouring rain while barely getting wet or even wiping my visor. The CBR250R will do it at 75 mph/ 120kph and still bring back 75 mpgUS, 90 mpgUK, 3.14L/100km, 31.9 km/L.

[bluepoof]

I have all three of the go to cheap/ minimal solo sport touring bikes (well, never had number four, the SV650), a 2011 Honda CBR250R, a 2009 Ninja250, and 07 Ninja650/ ER650F.

Awesome comparison, thanks!  

[sendler2112]

Awesome comparison, thanks!  

I have a lot more on cbr250.net

[atadaskew]

At the moment I think the CBR250 is Honda's most relevant bike in the US market.

[sendler2112]

At the moment I think the CBR250 is Honda's most relevant bike in the US market.

I'm doing my best to make the CBR250R the most relevant VEHICLE of any kind in the  WORLD. I would like to see anyone who is fit enough to ride and doesn't have dependent children, park their 22 mpgUS SUV and start riding their new Honda to work. Save some fossil fuel for later. In India and Asia, the CBR250R is considered a deluxe model.

[honda4ever]

I may have to help!

But the CRF 250 or the CBR 250?  Decisions..

[sendler2112]

I may have to help!

But the CRF 250 or the CBR 250?  Decisions..

How often do you really ride dirt trails?

[sendler2112]

268.3 miles/ 2.784 gallons US = 96.4 mpgUS on my CBR250R. Hot weather and no rain is getting my numbers to their best with the longer gearing. My last three tanks have been over 96 mpgUS on my 68 mph commute.

[sfalexi]

Been commuting to work on it for about two weeks, have a group ride tomorrow.  Still liking it.  Looks like my wife is essentially giving up riding for now.  I'm not surprised.  I figured it was just a short trial, so I made sure to buy a beginner bike that I wouldn't mind riding cause I had a feeling that it'd end up being mine.

Good bike though.  Good on gas, keeps up with 80 - 85 mph traffic without a problem, got a givi rack and topbox on there to help bring my stuff to/from work, and all in all it's working very well.  Gonna continue to ride it in regularly, and I see myself eventually gravitating towards making it my everyday solo bike and I'll end up running the Victory Vision as a two-up bike, and winter bike (better wind protection, and has heating elements).  All in all, still really liking it.  Now cruising CBR250 forums to keep an eye on new accessories and whatnot being put out.

Alexi

[honda4ever]

Anyone know if the anti-lock brakes are good on this bike?

(not looking to start a regular vs ABS argument, just wanting to know if the application is good)

[2RR2NV]

after seeing the VFR1200 in person and the lil 250, i agree, the 250 looks pretty cool. wasn't too impressed with the 1200. wish Honda would pull it's head out of the dirt and listen to folks... build a true VFR1000 SS. or lean it just a touch towards the ST ideal, like the VFR800. if it's as good as the vfr800 but with more balls, i'll take it in a heartbeat. i showed the wife the supercharged vfr800, and she was quite smitten with it. hmmmm....   maybe that's the way i may go... for a GT or ST.

[bungie4]

Anyone know if the anti-lock brakes are good on this bike?

(not looking to start a regular vs ABS argument, just wanting to know if the application is good)

I've got an ABS model.. define good?

Their linked. You stomp on the rear brake, on piston in the front actuates. Bike stops. No drama. I keep meaning to give them a proper test but I've just never got around to it.

Makes you wonder though, a $500 option on this bike, every other bike on the planet, it's a $1000.

[sendler2112]

Anyone know if the anti-lock brakes are good on this bike?

(not looking to start a regular vs ABS argument, just wanting to know if the application is good)

There are some youtube videos showing that they work superbly. Also, the front brake is better from the larger front pad even before you engage ABS. It is a steal at $500 if it rains where you live. If it were $1,000-1,500 maybe not so much. The OEM tires are actually very good in the rain though. I have been out in the pouring rain intentionally exploring the limits of traction and have never felt the front slip. So, it might be a rare day that you would ever actually engage the ABS. It is also a rare option so the dealers are not renegotiating their added profit fees on ABS models which may make it more like $800 more than non ABS if you can get one of those for sticker where you live. My Local dealer has sold 8 CBR250Rs this year and Honda doesn't have any more available for them to order.

[FJR1300]

I've had mine for exactly one month and 1000 miles and let me say I love it. I bought it as a daily commuter and that's what it gets used for, but I've also done a few short rides around the area. Not much fun at 75 mph for long periods of time, but it's fine for a few miles. After five fuel-ups I am averaging 72 mpg. (http://www.fuelly.com/driver/fjr1300/cbr250r)

[sendler2112]

I've had mine for exactly one month and 1000 miles and let me say I love it. I bought it as a daily commuter and that's what it gets used for, but I've also done a few short rides around the area. Not much fun at 75 mph for long periods of time, but it's fine for a few miles. After five fuel-ups I am averaging 72 mpg. (http://www.fuelly.com/driver/fjr1300/cbr250r)

Give it some more time. Soon enough you will learn to work with the bike so that long trips on the superhighway are a breeze. Zero Graviity has announced a line of larger windscreens for the CBR250R which will help larger riders who refuse to ride in tuck get better top speed out of the bike.

[FJR1300]

I won't be getting a larger screen, I'm just not into taking a small bike on the highway for mile after mile. It's fine for short bursts, which is how I ride now. I'd rather take the back roads and this bike ensures that I do just that. I didn't even like my old Bandit on the highway for long distances. I'd get another Gold Wing if I was going to be putting on a lot of highway miles, but that's not going to happen either.