My 2nd Bike-I Downsized.

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If I had the bucks and more room in the garage, I would get the new Honda CB250R. Light, fun, reliable and cheap.

I dropped my 600+ lb bike in an intersection and needed help to pick it back up. Light bikes rule!
 
Originally Posted By: Zoridog
If I had the bucks and more room in the garage, I would get the new Honda CB250R. Light, fun, reliable and cheap.

I dropped my 600+ lb bike in an intersection and needed help to pick it back up. Light bikes rule!


I actually went in the dealership to buy the new CB250R. I had read all the awesome reviews, and it was better looking in person than in the pictures. And the horror stories, of dealers wanting $1000 over MSRP for the $3995 bike.

So, I asked the salesperson, "How much for the CB250R?".

"$3995", she said.

And then I sat on it. Just not made for me.
 
I rode all the 250 offerings when I went shopping. I rode the Suzuki GZ250, the Rebel 250, the Ninja 250, and the Hysosung 250's, as well as the Virago. I actually liked the Hyosung the best but the lack of parts and dealers in the area made me go with the more proven and supported Virago.
 
I briefly rode a 1987 Virago 250 that a man was selling for I think $1500. Really nice little bike. I liked how well it ran (and it was really quiet) but it felt too small for me, much like the Rebel 250 feels as far as my 6' tall frame is concerned. I just kind of felt like a adult on a bike made for someone much smaller than I. If I was 5'4" it would feel much better, I'm sure.
 
The Rebel was what I rode in the training course. I'm 5'10, 200lbs. It felt small to me.

The VStar is pretty good. The Shadow had a little more room, I just couldn't handle the weight. Besides, I have long arms and 32" inseam.
 
While I am not going to downsize from my Harley Softail to a 250cc sized bike...I would like to bring up the point that you all on 250cc bikes are doing what we used to do in the 1970's with Mopeds. Meaning, you are getting darn near the same fuel economy but with much more power and convenience/looks. No way I'd ever ride a scooter or a moped, but if I were looking to downsize like you guys did, the 250's of today are right quick on their feet and with great mpg....but no embarrasing to ride like a moped.
 
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Originally Posted By: car54
I got a great deal on a Nighthawk 250 today. Now I have something for friends to ride.


I love the fuel capacity on the Nighthawk. Don't know why they didn't keep it and stop production on the Rebel.
 
Originally Posted By: MrCritical
Originally Posted By: car54
I got a great deal on a Nighthawk 250 today. Now I have something for friends to ride.


I love the fuel capacity on the Nighthawk. Don't know why they didn't keep it and stop production on the Rebel.


Because the Rebel looks like a "CHOPPER"..and is lower to the ground to boot. Not for me though. I bought the wife a 250 nighthawk out of a barn for her "learner" bike. She loved it. She now rides a 250 Ninja which is a much more sophisticated ride than the Nighthawk/Rebel.
 
I couldn't imagine downsizing, but I suppose it has a lot to do with how and where you ride. Maybe if I rode in a lot of heavy, stop and go traffic, I might want to go smaller, but I really like my 1800 better than any previous bike I've had. While it isn't so much about the power, though I admit having it and being able to use it puts a smile on my face every time, there are so many other reason why I like a big bike. Its higher weight means side winds don't affect it nearly as much as it does smaller bikes, it's also much less affected by the buffeting wind when riding near/around semis. Riding two-up I barely even notice there's another person on the bike. At highway speeds the engine's just loafing along, barely even working, and yet if I need to pass on a two lane highway, the engine's making so much torque I don't even have to downshift. Just twist and go. You can't do that on the smaller bikes. I don't think I could ever go smaller again...
 
Sounds like you have the perfect bike for you, and the way you ride. What's really a shame is that you can't test drive most bikes before you buy them.

BTW, filled up for the 2nd time today at 318 miles on the clock. A tad over 87mpg this time.
 
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Originally Posted By: MrCritical
Sounds like you have the perfect bike for you, and the way you ride. What's really a shame is that you can't test drive most bikes before you buy them.

BTW, filled up for the 2nd time today at 318 miles on the clock. A tad over 87mpg this time.


I was lucky enough to be able to test ride all of the big cruisers I was interested in before I actually bought one. I know I got the right one for me...
 
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