Re: Ninja 250r vs CBR 250r

[Lastxx7xx]

im buying a bike soo and i stopped the the shop today and they told me they had brand new CBR 250r's and that they were brand new and a new model to the market. i was planning on a ninja 250 but with the cbr 250r in the running i need more opinions.

[CBR600RRebecca]

here's the write-up i did on mine
http://viewfrom60.wordpress.com/2011/06 ... mpression/

[revolvercube]

I've been looking at the same comparision, have a look at youtube they are a few comparisions/reviews
Brain says honda heart says kawasaki for me.

Most seem to agree the honda is the better commuter around the city and the kawasaki is the better freeway/fun bike

[kiske]

I rode the cbr250 for a few weeks. I thought it was a GREAT bike, but boring.

The brakes are REALLY good on the cbr, and the clutch felt really nice too.

I heard the cbr250r runs the cylinder etc. from the 1000rr - and as such is high quality. Can anyone confirm this?


We took the cbr on a 600km ride up to the Burmese border, and it was getting outpaced -easily- by a little nsr150. Both in the corners and on the straights.

I would personally take the ninja, as it's a v-twin, runs carbs (so I heard?) and is more of a sports bike, rather than a sports tourer. If I had to take the cbr, I'd want to tune it ALOT - as it's simply too slow. Ours capped out at 156kmph.

I read somewhere that a guy increased the compression and rpm to match the 1000rr, and as such got his 250 producing 40+bhp (12:1 - 10:1 / 14k - 10k). Sounds a little like bullshit, anyone got any info to share re: this?

I'd rather buy an old cbr250, those inline4 rpm monsters.

[macminter]

I rode the cbr250 for a few weeks. I thought it was a GREAT bike, but boring.

The brakes are REALLY good on the cbr, and the clutch felt really nice too.

I heard the cbr250r runs the cylinder etc. from the 1000rr - and as such is high quality. Can anyone confirm this?


We took the cbr on a 600km ride up to the Burmese border, and it was getting outpaced -easily- by a little nsr150. Both in the corners and on the straights.

I would personally take the ninja, as it's a v-twin, runs carbs (so I heard?) and is more of a sports bike, rather than a sports tourer. If I had to take the cbr, I'd want to tune it ALOT - as it's simply too slow. Ours capped out at 156kmph.

I read somewhere that a guy increased the compression and rpm to match the 1000rr, and as such got his 250 producing 40+bhp (12:1 - 10:1 / 14k - 10k). Sounds a little like bullshit, anyone got any info to share re: this?

I'd rather buy an old cbr250, those inline4 rpm monsters.

Inline-2. So, more of a higher RPM band over the single and twins, but more power overall
And, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE one of those CBR250RR's, those tiny 4 cylinders are wonderful.

I'm looking at buying another commuter bike, and am considering both of these, or the blast. haha.

Let me know what you end up getting, I'll be in the market as well.

[RicoGC]

I had the same problem and went for the Ninja - it was mainly a heart decision but I've read some tests in magazines and on the web and if you're more into sporty riding and not afraid to give it a good go on higher rpm then you should choose the sexy ninja over the more sensible (although more torque at low rev city speeds and newer technology) cbr..

The great looks and acceleration graphs did it for me.. it's a shame that the ninja doesn't have abs, fi (in australia) and all these toys and I hope they won't upgrade that stuff in the 2012 now that I got the 2011 but what the hell...

take a look at them, test drive if possible and you'll know

[CBR600RRebecca]

We took the cbr on a 600km ride up to the Burmese border, and it was getting outpaced -easily- by a little nsr150. Both in the corners and on the straights.

yeah but the nsr is a 2-stroke so it should be quicker, and it's a more race oriented bike so that's to be expected.  the cbr250 wasn't built for performance riding

[Heartlesspinto]

We took the cbr on a 600km ride up to the Burmese border, and it was getting outpaced -easily- by a little nsr150. Both in the corners and on the straights.

yeah but the nsr is a 2-stroke so it should be quicker, and it's a more race oriented bike so that's to be expected.  the cbr250 wasn't built for performance riding

Exactly. Don't buy a 4 stroke 250cc street bike if you're looking to go fast. The ninja wasn't built for it either. It may be pretty sporty looking, but if you look at the specs and dimensions, it's just a small street bike made for everyday riding in populated and congested areas. If you find yourself looking for the quicker of the two, then maybe you shouldn't even be looking at 250s because you're only setting yourself up for disappointment.

Edit: Well if you're in a place like the UK where you're limited then i guess it makes sense to consider the horsepower advantage.

[leafsfan9917]

I would have to disagree with that based on one issue, depending on where you live freeway riding may or may not be a big deal, the extra bit of power the ninja has may just be enough to allow you to ride on the freeway more comfortably than on the CBR, all around the CBR seems more suitable to me although I am worried about its usefulness on the 400 series highways up here...

[Heartlesspinto]

The cbr can handle occasional freeway riding. But like i said before, if you're looking for a bike to do freeway riding all the time then you shouldn't be looking at a 250. If you're looking at a 250 because it's beginner friendly and you're a beginner, then maybe you simply shouldn't ride the freeway.

[kiske]

I rode it on a super highway, it was quite happy to sit at 100mph (max speed) for long distance. Which should be enough speed for most. But yea, it's a bit light for motorway use.

[leafsfan9917]

Kiske are you talking about the CBR or the kawasaki?

[CBR600RRebecca]

The cbr can handle occasional freeway riding. But like i said before, if you're looking for a bike to do freeway riding all the time then you shouldn't be looking at a 250. If you're looking at a 250 because it's beginner friendly and you're a beginner, then maybe you simply shouldn't ride the freeway.

i commute 50 miles each way mostly highway on my cbr250 and she does well.  i easily can do 85 and out accelerate the other cars.  i don't know first hand but i have heard that the vibrations are worse on the highway for the ninja.

btw freeways are safer for motorcycles than around town

[leafsfan9917]

oh ok, its just the way people talk about the 250 class you would imagine they could barely do 100kmh, 85 is what, 135? somewhere around there, that should be more than enough to drive on most highways, would be nervous about driving down to Buffalo though...

Thanks Rebecca although if this isnt too intrusive, for the sake of comparison how much do you weigh? I way about 175 so if I weigh say 25 pounds more than you we might get entirely different results...

[Heartlesspinto]

The cbr can handle occasional freeway riding. But like i said before, if you're looking for a bike to do freeway riding all the time then you shouldn't be looking at a 250. If you're looking at a 250 because it's beginner friendly and you're a beginner, then maybe you simply shouldn't ride the freeway.

i commute 50 miles each way mostly highway on my cbr250 and she does well.  i easily can do 85 and out accelerate the other cars.  i don't know first hand but i have heard that the vibrations are worse on the highway for the ninja.

btw freeways are safer for motorcycles than around town

No doubt freeways are safer...no intersections. A 250 won't have the acceleration many other bikes have though. They can do the speed, it just isn't as easy to pass. You shouldn't complain about it though...it's a 250. If you don't think it's fast enough for the freeway, but can't trust yourself to get something bigger, then simply stay off the freeway.