Getting a Honda Rebel 250!!

[boraticus]

Originally Posted By: Robenstein
I rode a Rebel 250, Ninja 250, and ended up with the Virago 250, now the V Star 250 from Yamaha. Much better low end than the Rebel, uses an oil filter, and is better if you plan to go on the highway.

I modded mine by going up one tooth on the front sprocket and down two on the back. I am 6 feet tall and 225lbs and it holds me at 70mph all day and gets almost 90mpg.

Try one out if you can. I recommend them. I put 19k on mine and all I have done is change plugs, oil, and a worn set of tires.


Just curious.

Why would a person your size want or ride a 250cc bike? Wouldn't you be more comfortable on something larger, say in the 500cc to 1000 cc range. Not challenging your decision. Just wondering why a big guy would be riding a relatively small bike?

 

[Robenstein]

I got it cause I commute 100 miles a day in the summer while I am out of college and hence work as a teaching assistant, I needed cheap and economical transportation to my summer job.

When gas was 4 bucks a gallon and this thing gets upwards of 90mpg it was a no brainer.

My bike is not much smaller than an 883 Sportster if you park it next to it.

When I get out of grad school and make more than 13k a year, I will get something bigger and the wife gets my Virago, which she loves.

 

[boraticus]

I ride a KLR650 dual sport. If I ride below 70 mph, I get well over 60 mpg. If I ride at or below 60 mph, I can get around 65 to 67 mpg. Not bad for a big single, geared more for mixed on/off road riding.

You've got a very good ride there from an economics perspective. I know that I like to have a bit more power on tap when I need it. Larger displacement bikes can deliver very good fuel economy provided they're not ridden at excessively high speeds.

 

[Robenstein]

I had a Suzuki GS550 and it never got above 50mpg.

But the thing had some electrical gremlins and now its in piece while I make it into a cafe racer. Its a long term project.

On a good flat road the Virago can do well over 85mph if the wind is in my favor.

 

[boraticus]

Sounds like something was wrong with the GS550. That's for sure. My Valkyrie will deliver between 38 to 40 mpg if ridden conservatively. Turn up the wick and it really sucks the fuel. Even my old two strokes RD400 and RD350 will get 50 mpg provided I ride sensibly. That can be cut almost in half if ridden aggressively. Those old modified two strokes are like Jekyll and Hyde both in power band and fuel consumption. Under 5000 rpm, they're pretty tame and sip fuel economically. Over 5000 rpm, it's hang on and stay close to gas stations.

Is that virago a V-twin or a single?

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: boraticus
Sounds like something was wrong with the GS550. That's for sure. My Valkyrie will deliver between 38 to 40 mpg if ridden conservatively. Turn up the wick and it really sucks the fuel. Even my old two strokes RD400 and RD350 will get 50 mpg provided I ride sensibly. That can be cut almost in half if ridden aggressively. Those old modified two strokes are like Jekyll and Hyde both in power band and fuel consumption. Under 5000 rpm, they're pretty tame and sip fuel economically. Over 5000 rpm, it's hang on and stay close to gas stations.

Is that virago a V-twin or a single?


How many bikes do you have?

 

[boraticus]

I four licensed and insured for the road. One strictly dirt bike and three old Yamahas waiting their turn to be restored. So, that makes eight.

 

[Robenstein]

Originally Posted By: boraticus
Sounds like something was wrong with the GS550. That's for sure. My Valkyrie will deliver between 38 to 40 mpg if ridden conservatively. Turn up the wick and it really sucks the fuel. Even my old two strokes RD400 and RD350 will get 50 mpg provided I ride sensibly. That can be cut almost in half if ridden aggressively. Those old modified two strokes are like Jekyll and Hyde both in power band and fuel consumption. Under 5000 rpm, they're pretty tame and sip fuel economically. Over 5000 rpm, it's hang on and stay close to gas stations.

Is that virago a V-twin or a single?


Virago is a V twin.

 

[Robenstein]

Here is my Virago 250. Some upgrades to better mirrors, changed it to a one piece seat, and added some chrome trim. That and made the gearing higher to lower highway RPM by about a grand.

 

[ZGRider]

You can upgrade a Virago 250? News to me....

Just kidding -- don't lose it

 

[VicL]

I've owned a handful of small engine motorbikes. First bike ever was a Honda 175 inline-twin scrambler. Rode it for about 2 years, learned a lot of what I currently know about safety and proper handling on it. Half-a-dozen wrecks, nothing major. Yes, beginners have a much bigger chance of laying it down.

I've also owned the Kawasaki 125 street bike (single) which I bought primarily for my wife to learn on. Got that same model Yamaha Virago 250 that was nicely pictured above - not a bad bike, would go 75 on the highway without too much difficulty. I'm currently on a Kymco Xciting 250 scooter.

Best thing about these small bikes.... well, there's two good things. They tend to be excellent on gas, and they also (IMHO) are the most maneuverable, nimble-handling street bikes. The bigger the bike, the more sluggish and awkward it will feel in the curves. They tend to be fun if you don't need to drive freeway speeds. There will be nay-sayers to this, but I've owned bikes ranging in size to include 400cc, 750cc, 1100cc, 1300cc and 1800cc. Anyone who says big bikes are nimble in the curves hasn't ridden a small bike.

Anyway, to the OP, good luck, good choice on the Rebel, you may keep it longer than you are planning. If you buy it used, expect the PO didn't maintain it well. A lot of people buy these small models just to learn on, and don't give a rat's a$$ about any keeping it running well.

Vic

 

[Robenstein]

Yeah my Virago would not do better than 75 with the original gearing. Not to mention the non sealed chains from the factory are garbage. The X ring on it now is so much better. It really needed a 6th gear. But the long stroke of the motor gives it enough extra torque that allows you to gear it up. Made all the difference in the world on the highway.

There is a fellow student with a Suzuki GZ250 in my department, and his just cant keep up acceleration wise with the Virago.

 

[grampi]

I rented a guy's Rebel 250 to take my road test to get my license. Probably the most flickable road bike I've ever ridden. It cetainly made the going through the road course an absolute breeze! I never would've gotten through that course on my M109.

 

[Robenstein]

Very true on that point Grampi. I say a man out there on a Fatboy taking the test before my group's turn lay it down trying to weave through the moto course. It was brand new as well. I was smart and just rented a 150cc scooter for the test so I would not have to risk laying my new bike down.

 

[ZGRider]

Best handling small motorcycle I ever owned was a VF500 Honda. You could throw that thing all over. Next best was a SR500 Yamaha.