Thread: Kawasaki z250

The CBR250 is 120k baht.

But hold on, I think they are replacing it with the CBR300 before the end of the year for not much price difference. So definitely do not buy a CBR250 soon.

I purchased a CBR250 about 6 months ago and found it to have an uncomfortable riding position. I am not a youngster anymore and like a more upright riding posture and the bike did not fit the bill. Now I am looking at a lot of bikes already mentioned on this site and will trade in the 250 for something else very soon.

If riding posture does not matter, then the CBR250 is a good buy. If anyone wants a hardly used CBR250, PM me and we can strike a deal. Currently, I am looking at the new Honda 500s and the Er6N.

The Kawas look like much better built, bigger bikes.

I think that someone in the city would prefer the Hondas, anyone doing some motorcycle riding would prefer the Kawas.

I am looking for a bike to do some touring and thought the 250 would be OK, but now I am looking for something a little bigger. I have ridden the Versys, er6N and of course some 250s and find the bigger bikes more to my liking.

No reason you can't tour on a 250 or even a 125 or 300, for that matter, but my personal preference for touring is something bigger. I do not want to give away the farm either for a Ducati or Harely, but the 500s or 650s seen to make me happy.

Originally Posted by Jimba

The CBR250 is 120k baht.

But hold on, I think they are replacing it with the CBR300 before the end of the year for not much price difference. So definitely do not buy a CBR250 soon.

Very true, in Thailand. Oman seems to be much more expensive. Just went to the Honda showroom; only have shite Chinese made 125s that look like theu're from the 1970s. The CBR125r was 200,000 baht. I asked them to check the price and said I'd have one for 100,000 baht...



I know a guy who has one, says it's utter shite. cost 52,000 baht here.

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

I purchased a CBR250 about 6 months ago and found it to have an uncomfortable riding position.

I'm sure you're right. If I got one here it'd be because: 1) nothing else is available; 2) life is very boring indeedy; 3) I could use it to go to work (15kms) and to Muscat 120kms).

My eyes are burning after seeing that picture.

Think it cracked my monitor n'all.

I am liking the 500 in red.










Here is my current Honda that I will be trading in shortly, unless I sell it.

The CBR500 rides nothing like it looks.

It's a boring, bland, parallel twin cylinder that redlines at 8,400rpm and hits it's limiter at 9000rpm.

A CBR that is finished before 8,500rpm, embarrassing really.

^yes, it's clearly a nice bike for the money; unbelievable value really...

I'll consider it when I'm back in Thailand. But for the next year or so here in the ME it's just not available...

This is available in Dubai; CB300r, abs, fuel injection, 26hp, seems to be an ok bike - I think it's about 165,000 baht (made in Brazil?)

^
Interesting.

That said I was on a Ninja 300 today. Fun bike but the styling is just too OTT. Looks like it was transform at redlight and stand up and run away. It sould be a bit much on a 1000cc 150hp superbike, on a 30hp twin it's embarrassing.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

^yes, it's clearly a nice bike for the money; unbelievable value really...

Actually not. Look at the forks, the swing arm, the single rotor, it's cheap and nasty (not in a good way ) underneath it's shiny clothes and nice name badge.

And it's not that good value for money, it's cheaper in America than in Thailand where it is made.

Originally Posted by Jimba

It's a boring, bland, parallel twin cylinder that redlines at 8,400rpm and hits it's limiter at 9000rpm.

Indeed, and every review I have read rates it as one of the best bikes of the year. Every review when comparing with bikes such as the Ninja 300, the ER6N, Versys ends up with the pick of the bunch going to the CB500. At least 3 bike mags have the a CB500 on the podium or a winner in their bike of the year awards - not many Kawas to be seen with them...

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by Jimba

It's a boring, bland, parallel twin cylinder that redlines at 8,400rpm and hits it's limiter at 9000rpm.

Indeed, and every review I have read rates it as one of the best bikes of the year. Every review when comparing with bikes such as the Ninja 300, the ER6N, Versys ends up with the pick of the bunch going to the CB500. At least 3 bike mags have the a CB500 on the podium or a winner in their bike of the year awards - not many Kawas to be seen with them...

Sure, and the best selling car out there is probably a Toyota Yaris. Probably car of the decade in 7 car mags out of 10.

Putting it in the body of a lotus elise is then a bit embarrassing.

The F and the X models look more like it should. Just don't kid yourself or anybody else in thinking they are getting a sports bike when they buy the CBR500. They are getting a cheap (look at the forks, frame, swing arm, brake rotor etc.) bland (redline before 8500 rpm) bike made for beginners and oldies, the 'CBR' badge shouldn't be anywhere near it really.

Originally Posted by Jimba

Just don't kid yourself or anybody else in thinking they are getting a sports bike when they buy the CBR500.

Of course not.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Originally Posted by Jimba

a boring, bland, parallel twin cylinder that redlines at 8,400rpm and hits it's limiter at 9000rpm.

For somebody with tiny testicles such as meself, sounds like a fukin monster!

Now, a brief question for the folks who know... Apart from putputs in Thailand, the only 'motorbike' I've owned is a 125 2 stroke (as below, in orange...). How would it compare powerwise to a new cbr250r? Pretty similar? If I rember correctly, the nsr125k was 'unrestricted' and had 32hp.



vs



samesame?

I ask because although the nsr was lots of fun, it wasn't quick and even downhill on a long straight it'd only just hit 80mph and felt very light/unstable at such times (a crosswind or a truck/van close by was quite unnerving).

Same same?

No. Your NSR 125 had much more power.

The CBR250 has around 26HP on the rear wheel. If your 2-stroke had 32 it had almost 25% more power and I would guess a lot less weight.

What are you riding currently Jimba?

^^^maybe my memory is wrong, maybe it was mid/high 20s because it just wasn't that fast - me mate had a yamaha 350 and it was sooooo much quicker. The difference between a kid's learner bike and a proper motorbike... I used to shite meself going up the road on his Yamaha...



So, why are these 250/300 machines so slow? Is it an effort by the governments and manufacturers to help emissions down, speeds down on the smaller bikes, etc.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

I paid 219,000 with 1st class insurance for my CB500FA.

Did you post a pic of it yet, Matmite? How are you finding it - great value for money...

Originally Posted by Satonic

What are you riding currently Jimba?

Multistrada at home.

The new V-Strom is interesting for here, though I will wait until the end of the year to decide. The rumoured inline four CBR650, the new range of Sukuzis, the new Thai Ducatis, all interesting really so will wait.

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

Betty haven't we been through this before??

Many times, he will never buy, he just gets off hearing from and visualising leather clad, penile extension enthusiasts

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

I am not too keen on going fast on Thailand roadways.

I agree, but the kinda power/weight I had with me old NSR would be too limiting; nice for around Bkk traffic, but no good on a motorway or a fun trip longer than 2 hours or so. I'm increasingly understanding what some of the bikers on here have been saying about the 250/300s being limiting after a short space of time. I initially presumed they'd be a lot more powerful and flexible than me old 125, but if that isn't the case then I'd probably be best not to get one (might get one here if there's nothing else because I'm so bored...). Thus the CB500f like, Marmite picked up, could be a really nice bike for me.

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

but will not bread the bank.

This is another issue. The kwakas look nice, the ninja 6 looks fantastic (yes, I'd probably kill meself...) as do the selection of 650 bikes they have, but moneywise... I'm going from a potential 110k for a 250/300 bike with abs to 250k+ I don't wanna do that...

A thought, me mate with the Yamaha (sure it was a 350 not a 250...) went to do his test and then get a bigger bike. We planned to do it together, but I had to bail out due to work commitments. He then bought a CBR600, the clasic middleweight allrounder of the time; he loved it, and it was clearly a powerful Mofo to me... Within 3 months he'd outgrown it, found it gutless... sold it, bought an R1! He never told me that was gutless...

Now, I saw this bike for sale locally, any thoughts?





Kawasaki ER6N in perfect condition owned by an expat. Two brand new Pirelli Diablo tyres. A great looking bike with rear seat cowl and Ixil exhaust. Perfect riding position for daily use. Great entry level bike and also daily use work bike. 2009 model but registered in 2010. Only serious buyers please.

95,000 baht - might just be able to afford it. Should I even think about it?

This might be comfortable enough for some touring.