Is a CB250 going to be too small

[robocog]

Riding for just over a year and managed to do just over 1k miles on my CG125 (fair weather commuting miles mainly)
passed my restricted licence this week just gone
Not overly confident and find myself having good days and bad days still (lack of confidence/ milage and hours in the seat)

I was planning on using my CJ360t after passing the test, but it looks like it's not going exactly to plan (think the engine may have issues that are not worth delving into)

I'm itching to have a bike that can cruise at 70 with a little in reserve (for relaxed motorway use) and will still be a pleasure to cruise to and from work on

Don't want anything remotely sporty and am really after something forgiving like my CG but with just a 'little' more power

Been offered a VFR400 that I had a look at - my god it was fugly! and also sounded like it could get me into some serious trouble

Would also prefer something really basic and simple (so thoughts of a water cooled V4 instantly turned me off)

Would something like a CB250RS cruise at 70 comfortably with a little in reserve?
(eg not pinning the throttle wide open or thrashing the machine)
Is it going to be a massive leap in power from the 10hp CG125?
or docile as the CG125
Like the idea of the simplicity of an air cooled single cylinder 4 stroke

Or should I be looking at something bigger CC'd like a 500 but restricted ?
(bloke with the VFR 400 did sugest his bike possibly wasn't for me, but also had doubts a 250 single cylinder would fit the bill and reconed it would not do a 70mph cruise any more than my CG would and it would be at at WOT for motorway use with nothing in reserve)

Your thoughts on 250 commuters?
unsuitable for motorway A>B 70mph mile crunching?

Regards
Rob
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Needs a bigger garage...

[Paxovasa]

It will do 70 mph but there will not be much left.
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Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[hmmmnz]

.yeah the cb250rs/xl/xr engine while good isn't fast,
i would be looking at perhaps a 500 twin, or even a 500 single,
the twin will do around 110mph while the 500cc single should do around 90-100,
i have a 500cc rotax powered bike and it will do 100mph but you don't want to maintain that speed for any length of time buit it will happily sit at 70 all day,
and even goes off road.. kind of

a gs500 cb500 ex/gpz/er/kle500 would be your best bet i think,
they are all good reliable commuter bikes, not too fast, but fast enough to tour on if need be
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the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[27cows]

I'd go for a GPZ500, for the kind of use you're looking at. A CB250 will struggle into a wind to even hold 70, and certainly not comfortably.
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The RXS100: vehicle of choice for Chuck Norris

[bacon]

I had a 1993 cb250 two fifty (was actually 234cc i believe), think the spec was 20bhp.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/mikejbry/beefcake/26022010530.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/mikejbry/beefcake/26022010531.jpg

It was ideal for commuting really, i got 70mpg at least on every tank of fuel, that is even when using it on the motorway with the throttle pinned open the whole way the entire time.

Speed wise most i had from it was 88 indicated down hill. On a straight you will be looking at 80 indicated, 85mph if you hide behind cars etc to slip stream them heading into winds your likely to be sat at 70ish though (throttle whacked open all the way), and hills also might bog down to about 70.

There isn't really much power in reserve however for overtakes etc, and it takes a while to get to these speeds to begin with. If you can find one for a nice price then go for it, but dont expect it to be exciting or quick or anything. It will however be very cheap


Imo id do as cow says and grab a gpz500, or maybe even a cb500, though the gpz will have wind protection and can be found for the price of pretty much fook all

[Pete.]

You need a Divvy!
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

I'm a CB250RSA rider.

I keep clear of motorways if i can. Average outside lane speed is too fast for my bike to keep up.

NSL are better suited. B roads is where its at.

I'd get a bike with some sort of screen/fairing if i were to do regular motorway trips. And +500cc

Makes for an involving ride tho


Pat
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[robocog]

Awesome replies, thanks

Looks like you have just saved me a few hundred quid and a big dissapointment there so thanks to all for the heads up on it

CB500's look 'nice and normal' to me...but also look like they are water cooled?
I guess I could live with the added complexity

Will keep my eyes open for a cheap tatty one and maybe ask the local riding school to see if I can book a 1/2 hr ride out on one or something to make sure I'm not going to be overwhelmed

I guess tatty ones come up now and again from riding schools and people that want more performance/power

I may have another go at getting the CJ360t running properly (or at least running on both cyls at the same time for more than 10 mins) before fully throwing in the towel on it and going all modern

Thanks once again

Regards
Rob
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Needs a bigger garage...

[27cows]

Would choose a GPZ over a CB because the latter are frequently despatched. A low priced one will very likely have done a huge mileage and be full of expensive problems just waiting to happen. Nice bike if you can find one that hasn't had a hard life.

GPZ is a nice, simple, easy to live with bike that will do most things pretty well. Cheaper to maintain than the CB. Immense amount of spares available on ebay and via breakers. Think I might start looking for another myself, now I've remembered how good they are
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The RXS100: vehicle of choice for Chuck Norris

[krytenboog]

I would second the vote for a Divvy, I have a 600, 99 reg with 21k, will do 90 on the motorway all day and never goes below 55 mpg

[Ingah]

[hondapartsman]

[Seb]

The 500 twin commuter gets my vote as well, I absolutely hate 70 limits on a 125, and switching to a GS500 was a revelation, not only did it have the power to actually sit comfortably at those speeds, the ride was much more stable and planted as well.

As far as the 500s that I know well... The GS500 is simple and crude, utterly uninspiring engine and as standard, waterbed handling too, a bit of suspension tinkering transforms them though, an RGV shock, fresh fork internals, some engine bars and a decent set of tyres and the end result is surprisingly capable.

Whilst I never actually had a go on one, CB500s seem like a dependable option, given what I've seen one of them go through and still merrily carry on running they can't be half bad
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[bacon]

[dextersaurus]

I say GPZ500, enough power to get you to 100+ so should be what you're looing for.

i'm just shocked that 27cows has reccommended a bike with plastics...

Dunc

[wilbur]

[27cows]

[hmmmnz]

i ve had most of the parallel twin 500's over the years, and i liked the gs500 most of all,
it never let me down, it wasnt the fastest, or the best of the lot,
but it was a good wholesome no frills bike
____________________
the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[gravien]

You can Upgrade it to give more power on it

you can start to upgrade the Standard CDI to UNLIMITER CDI (i recommend REXTOR CDI) That Programmable CDI unit. just like here you see it use to HONDA CB100 1975 issued.
https://prado2.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rextor-300x297.jpg
it will upgrade 20% Power of your Bike (if you can find Good Curve and Jetting on it carburator)

and if you like you can Replace the engine with DOHC Cylinder Head just like this :
https://prado2.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/agus.jpg
This CB100 1975 use The HONDA CBR150 Head Cylinder
https://prado2.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/kanan.jpg

and it will upgrade the Power on it... i think you can upgrade the power up to 70% for daily use with 20% more Fuel consumption..
and you can upgrade the power more than 100% but it for racing not for daily use.

In the case my Honda GL200R the normal speed is 93MPH, now it speed can reach 110 MPH with 30% more fuel consumption than standard.. without any Bore Up in that cylinder.

sorry for my bad English

[stinkwheel]

A CB250N "Superdream", while getting a bit long in the tooth, ought to do 90-100mph. 28bhp claimed.

The later CB "two fifty" was significantly de-tuned into a shadow of its former self. 16bhp claimed.

The very early ones (late 60's, early 70's K-models) were flying machines.

If you like that style of bike, look out for a CD250J. Not quite as powerful but they were in production more recently and are well put together. 20bhp claimed.

On balance. A CB/GPZ/GS 500 might be a better option.

Also consider the CB1/CB400 super four. A lot of japanese imports about which are very robust and well finished wee bikes. This would also need to be restricted.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Swim41]

[robocog]

Managed to get the CJ360t running again today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRtgB-yztPY

Insurance on it is very cheap from the quotes I got back
If it starts every day I try it (and runs on both cyls for more than 10 mins) I will get insured on it and book it in for an MOT and see how much more money needs chucking at it to get it roadworthy and reliable

All the 500's as sugessted seem to be more expensive than I can really afford right now (apart from the tatty CB500 way up north currently on eBay - but the guy hasn't got back to me or darent tell me what milage it has!)
keeping my eye out and if I spot something local and needs a bit of tidying up I'll get shot of the CG and the CJ and delve deep into the new bathroom fund and thoroughly pee the mrs off by blowing it on a new toy

I'm hoping worst case scenario the CJ360 would be worth a little more with a current MOT and TAX despite its breathing issues?

Lumber on or ditch it at this stage?

Regards
Rob
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Needs a bigger garage...

[UnspeedySam]

Lumber on I say! Getting that bike sorted out will be a hell of a lot cheaper than buying a 500 commuter...
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Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[hmmmnz]

keep your eyes open,
i picked up my gs500 for 600quid, but they quite often go for close to half that
____________________
the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[Clanger]

Honda Bros 400 is a good smaller bike, very forgiving, and a good work-horse. Looking at 115mph maximum (if you're lightweight). I owned and rode mine for four years before moving to a larger cc bike.
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