250 commuters??

[carb0n]

are they any decent ones? not really sure what's out there.

[stevo as b4]

New or used? and for what budget? Where are you riding it? in town or dual tracks/motorways etc.

I see you have had a YBR125, well just for a start there is the YBR250 with 21bhp, but what you buy depends on what you want it for and how many miles you ride, how much mpg your after etc.

for long trips on fast roads and for good mpg you need a faired bike. If it's an urban used bike then something narrow and light with lots of steering lock might be best?

[Nexus Icon]

New, old, nearly new?
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Greetings from Shitsville!

[JoeDougieDoug...]

Honda CB250 - King of the 250 Commuters.

https://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn303/DaveJ_05/IMGP0302.jpg
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CBT Passed - 22 / 10 / 11 >> Theory Passed - 16 / 02 / 2012 >> Mod 1 Passed - 07 / 03 / 2012 >> Mod 2 Passed - 18 / 05 / 2012.

[colin1]

I know you don't want a scooter but they are good for commuting. I had a yp 250 but the gilera runner 180 two stroke was a lot more fun. Faster, better handling. The four stroke 200 runner may be more economical while still having enough power to be fun. I had a ttr 250 dirt bike which was quite good for commuting but would have been better if I had got round to fitting the super moto wheels.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[carb0n]

[carb0n]

[stevo as b4]

Maybe a secondhand CBR250? the new style one not the superior rev to moon IL4 CBR250.

Kawasaki Ninja 250R?

Is MPG important? Do you want an easy relaxing ride to work, or something fun and engaging that demands more rider involvement, or do you want a quiet, efficiant bike with decent service intervals, and cheap running costs in terms of tyres, insurance, parts and service costs etc?

I'm dying to say buy a Yamaha TDR250 if your commute was back roads, towns, and the odd bit of ring road/ A-road etc. I've got a bit of a thing for wanting one of these now, but i would not suggest it as possibly your best option for what your looking for in a bike. How much fucking fun would one be though!!!

[carb0n]

[Rogerborg]

The Ninja is pretty small, you may be cramped on it.

On which side do you have Tossers Sprain? If it's right, have you tried a "cramp buster"? I love mine.

What was wrong with your Hyosung, and have you completely discounted the GT250(R)?

And finally, if you don't care about MPG, why limit your search to the small pool of 250s? Go to a 500 (restricted, I assume) and you'll get way more choice, likely get a cheaper bike, and running costs will only be marginally more while ridden at the same speed. Insurance may even be less, my GPZ was a £0 cost swap for a 125.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[G]

Why choose 250cc?

Massive range of bikes that are 250cc; from ones that will beat a superbike in an open class race to ones that will have trouble removing the skin from cold custard.

Might as well say "I want a bike with a 32cm mid fairing panel".

[Nexus Icon]

Hyosung GT250-R is supposed to be a good bike and should be better priced than an equivalent age/mileage Ninja.
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Greetings from Shitsville!

[Rogerborg]

[pepperami]

I have a Hyosung GT 250r and so far I have to say it aint half bad
fuel comsumpsion does`nt seem to bad,
not the fastest bike in the world but not as slow as many would have you believe,
A good size for a 250 (I`m big),
No handling issues,
The seat could do with a bit more padding, but then most of my trips on mine are long distance,

Dont compare a new 250 four-stroke with a 70`s - 80`s - 90`s stroker as there is no comparison.
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Nick_Giles]

[Rogerborg]

Ding!

[carb0n]

[frostage]

Restriction kits do not affect the price of insurance, well not with most companies anyway.

I got the GT250R when I passed my test, and to be honest it was great, felt quick compared to my 50, same frame as the 650 version so nice and roomy/comfortable. Insurance was very cheap on it as well. Also never had a problem with it, despite what everyone who's never owned a hyosung say about them I can't fault that bike at all. Also knew a few people who owned ninja 250's, slightly quicker but not as comfortable.

After that I moved on to an '88 Honda VFR400, great bike, really fun to ride, but I was hasty buying it as it turned out to have more problems than the seller let on. So if you go for one of the older 400's, just make sure you check the bike over thoroughly as some of them have had the shit kicked out of them. Insurance here was almost £800, twice what it was for the GT250.

Then I discovered that I could get a restricted ZX-6R insured for £50 less than the 400 was costing me! This in my opinion is a good move as you get the experience of riding a bigger, heavier bike, but don't have the power to throw yourself through a motorway sign at 1000mph. Also it means that as soon as your restriction is up you can just remove the restrictors and be on a 600 just like that, with no hassle of selling your smaller bike and buying a new one, and bearing in mind your smaller bike will have had another 2 years of depreciation, it will probably be cheaper that way.

I had my ZXR written off by an old woman pulling out on me and so moved on to a gixxer 750 anyway, but I think I would have kept the ZXR if that hadnt happened and just taken the kit out

Hope this is helpful!
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2000 Gixxer 750
1995 RM 250

[G]

Well actually restricting it to 250cc would be very costly and pretty stupid.

Do you actually live in the UK?

If so, are you sure you don't mean "restricting to 33hp"?
A lot of 250cc and less bikes need to be restricted for the 33hp laws too. While a lot over 250cc don't.

Most insurers won't add a premium for the restriction.

[Rogerborg]

Yup, restriction means slapping a couple of washers in the inlets (get 38 - 42mm washers, whatever fits, drill 20mm holes in 'em, call it a day or get it dyno'd),

Any insurer who tries to increase the premium because the bike is making less power is an effing retard - go with a proper bike insurer instead.

Or consider just not disclosing it. Is it a material fact? Personally, I think not - if anything, it's reducing their risk.

I once thought as you, but having ridden (essentially) a 25kW "250" for a year then stepping up to a 500, I'd suggest going straight for a (restricted) 500 just because they're easier to ride. They really are more stable, we're not just saying it for a wind up.

Thinking about it, your Hyosung uses a copy of the GS500 frame, so you're already used to the size. Going to any 250 (other than the GT250(R)) would be a step back down.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[carb0n]

[Rogerborg]

[carb0n]

do you think its possible for someone to fit a restriction kit, who has never touched any type of mechanics before? im just worried i will break the bike in some way :'(

[Rogerborg]

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