250's vs Restricted 400/500's

[Josh]

So I am going to sort out my theory and then get my test booked, hoorah.
But my question is this, if I pass, should I get a 250? or a bigger bike and have it restricted.
The factors I have to consider are:
I am about 6'1"/160lbs so don't want a tiny little bike.
I want a sports bike with fairing as once I am confident on the bike, I intend to ride all over the place, like just you know, half way around the country just for fun, and of course to attend BCF rides, because on my 125, it is quite a way to boxhill :>
And of course because sports bikes look the best in my opinion, so yeah, anyone who can offer suggestions as to what bike would suit my needs would be good.

Of course in the long run I would want GSXR750 followed by a Hayabusa, but that is a dream that will take some time to realise, hehe
So yeah, any suggestions?
Thanks in advance - Josh
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04 Suzuki GSX-R 600 K4 - Sex on wheels :>
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[craigT19]

at 6ft1 you want to forget about a 250, and most 400's , im 6ft4 and couldnt find a 400 that i could fit on, so when i passd my test i bought a 600
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Bikes owned :- 2001 nsr125, 1999 zx6r, 2006 yzf-r1, 2009 xmax 250, 2012 yzf-r1, 2015 MT-07
Current bike : - 2016 MT-10
BCF member pops. sadly missed 1945-2003

[Josh]

Aren't most 600's a bit, expensive to buy and insure? even if they are restricted.

[Frost]

I told you before, you can get all kinds of bikes in all kinds of capacities. you just want a big bike to show off on

insurance on a large capacity bike is a real killer especially for a youngster such as yourself.
Most good lower capacity bikes are grey imports, so they can be hard to get hold of. i suggest something basic such as a CB250 or even a 250 version of your current bike untill you have a few years riding expirence and no claims. then just skip straight to a large bike.

[Josh]

Okay so you are kind of right, and in all seriousness, I will probably be getting a 250 (apparently a 33BHP restricted GSX-R750 is a silly idea ) but yeah, I want a bike with a fairing of some sort, preferably as standard, as modding isn't my thing just yet, but I want to make long haul trips, which may not be ideal on a 250, but once I can hit the motorways, nothing will stop me going to..... Ireland?
But yeah, the only 250 I have looked into so far, is the CBR250, which like you said of most 250's would have to be import, and being a mechanical noob, I don't want to be stuck with a blown up old bike and no one willing to fix it.
So yeah, good 250s available in the country with a fairing as standard, or easily obtainable, that is my current criteria for a bike after I take my test, but what 250s are available in the UK? :<
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04 Suzuki GSX-R 600 K4 - Sex on wheels :>
https://img58.imageshack.us/img58/6178/sig6dc.gif

[bikedudextrm]

I saw a rgv250 and a vfr400 racing and the rgv kicked its arse. But the 250 2 strokes drink petrol and are un-reliable, so there not the kind of bike you want to commute on, just a weekend toy.
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[Frost]

the RGV250 and RS250 are both fantasic bikes for a blast on winding roads on a summer weekend. but they are'nt realistic day to day all weather commuters.
they would also have to be restricted as they produce as much power as a good 400.

My advice is to stay away from 2 strokes, yes they are quick, but they are also old hat, unreliable and thristy.

[Wave2k]

if u want a 600, i would just buy a 600 restricted get used to it, 1 month or so then take it off
police wont do much and dont really have anyway of finding out unless ur doing over 100mph


FOOOOOOK the
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[Josh]

Think I am gonna go with a 250, then a couple of years down the line, look into buying a 600-750+ as my "final" bike, if that makes sense.

So now, CBR250..... I have to do some research
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04 Suzuki GSX-R 600 K4 - Sex on wheels :>
https://img58.imageshack.us/img58/6178/sig6dc.gif

[craigT19]

when i got my ninja at 19, it cost me £3300 for the bike and £930 for the first years insurance, but that dropped to £400 the second year
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Bikes owned :- 2001 nsr125, 1999 zx6r, 2006 yzf-r1, 2009 xmax 250, 2012 yzf-r1, 2015 MT-07
Current bike : - 2016 MT-10
BCF member pops. sadly missed 1945-2003

[bikedudextrm]

Thats what i'm doing, it's quite hard for me to find cheap insurance for a 400 sportsbike as i's still 17, so i'm going to do full test shortly and get a 250 stroker and keep it for 6 months until i'm 18 after which i will be getting a 400.

I like 2 strokes but they are a pain in the arse and i don't fancey using one every day.

Does anyone know what the MPG is on an RGV250/RS250 and VFR400. I heard the RGV's do something like 30mpg, which is poor if true.
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[craigT19]

thats not actually too poor, my ninja manages 31mpg on a good day.

i would imagine it would be a little lower than that, the nsr has 28mpg i think, so im thinking a 250 stroker would be around that mark.


regards
____________________
Bikes owned :- 2001 nsr125, 1999 zx6r, 2006 yzf-r1, 2009 xmax 250, 2012 yzf-r1, 2015 MT-07
Current bike : - 2016 MT-10
BCF member pops. sadly missed 1945-2003

[Mantzy]

Firstly hi all, new here and total noob.

I'm planning, after getting my test (possibly DAS) to get a CBR400 and restrict it. I'm 5'9" and 180lbs and i'm not too sure if i'd be able to manage something as weighty as a 600 yet. Don't know what your views on CBRs are. Would like a CBR600RR one day but hey we can all dream.

Don't know how it'll affect the bike if i restrict it either and whether it'll be better getting a 250 myself and something bigger a couple years later.

I've not even done my CBT yet (Saturday 11th June though) but am gonna get something like a CG125 for a while as i like their resale value especially as i'm not planning on having it long. Plus, i've heard they're great to learn how to maintain bikes for the first time.

Any ideas about what I should go for?
Cheers
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Current Bikes: 2010 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous Bikes: 2002 Sachs XTC, 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R, 2004 GSX-R 600 K4, 2006 Yamaha XT660X

[Frost]

well the two main choices for bike after passing your test are:

something in excess of 33bhp, and restrict it down. the main advantage being that it can be de-restricted after two years.
OR getting a bike close to 33bhp and possibly restricting it if neccicary.

basically, unless you are definatly going to derestrict the bike there is no point in buying a large engine bike as the insurance costs will far outweigh any benefits.

and 5'9 isnt really short, 180lb's is far more than i weigh and i can manage my dads half tonn BMW

[tatters]

just got my self a 1989 VFR400 (NC24) beaning delivered soon, been looking at insurance and the cheapest l can get tptf is £1100 at 17 with 1y NCB, is this usually the norm price for my age


also were can l get a 33bhp restrictor kit from?

[Slavo]

[tatters]

think the NC24 is a grey import and the nc30 not, did get a quote today for £660 tpo but they wanted £400 excess, would be happy with tpft at £800 with £250 excess
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Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[MarJay]

There are very few officially imported NC30s around. Most are grey.

The NC24 was grey import only and so was the NC21.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Brook_M01]

I am looking to buy a CBR 600 RR, would it be a good idea and viable to restrict it to 33bhp and how much will the kit cost me, are they easily available and is is alot for the labour to fit it?

Any help would be appreciated

Regards
Brook

[Bendy]

I really don't see the point in restricting a big bike, cos you still pay the insurance for 100bhp but you only get 33.

But yes, you can do it, restrictor kit is about £200 and fitting depends on the garage.

[Will87]

I'm getting a 250 which should do for just going around on, depending on my finanical situation i'll see about getting a bit of a sporty 400. As far as resticting goes you can just get the right washers fitted and then pay for a dyno run to prove it is under 33bhp. Reading these forums it's apparant legally you do not have to have a FI kit.

[Brook_M01]

How much more will it cost on insurnace to have a Honda CBR 600 RR. fom America?

Regards

Brook

[Barker-CBR 600]

How old etc are you and what year bike?

I am 17 on a 1999 CBR 600F (slightly less sporty than the RR but very similar) and i pay 1400 TPFT / 1100 TP garaged with a years NCB and a MEta 357T alarm.

Older you get, that drops considerably.

Remember they dont take into account the 33bhp even if you keep telling them it.

As for CBR's, great bikes if you can afford a smart one. Find them easyer to handle than others in their class and generally accessible yet still capable.

Plus once that restrictor comes out....
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Previous - Gilera DNA50 / XVS125 Dragstar/Honda CBR 600F/GSF 650 Bandit
Current - 2013 Suzuki VZ800 Intruder
'Is this a rhetorical question?'

[Maarkyy]

Hey all,
i was just interested if you have any suggestions or idea's about a few things. Im 17, going on 18 in September, and was thinking of getting a ZXR 400 or a Pril RS 250, but being 17 i have to get it restricted to 33bhp.

I know the pril would cost more to buy and more to insure, but was wondering if you people had anything to say about this, what bike would be best?

Regards

[Frost]

An RS/RGV250 would cost alot lees to buy than a ZX4. a decent condition ZX4 would cost aroudn £1500, with a decent RGV/RS costing £800-£1000. Most insurance companies base their quotes off your ace and the bikes capacity. 18 and 400cc normally results is a steep insurance premium. 250's on the other hand due to their low capacity are generally cheaper to insure.
Aged 20 i insured a 250 with AXA for £200 TPFT and they didnt even ask for proof of restriction.

Which bike to get depends alot on what you want to do with it. But 9 times out of 10 the 4 stroke is the better bike to go for.