2011 Honda CBR125R. Hypermiler's dream bike

[sendler]

Great bike. Sadly, not offered in the US either.

[jkv357]

Originally Posted by sendler

Great bike. Sadly, not offered in the US either.

Supposed to be -


This Cycle World article is from Nov 2010, but mentions it as a 2012 model - 2012 Aprilia RS4 125- Aprilia RS4 125 Coming to U.S.

More info about the RS4 - 2012 Aprilia RS4 125 Review

2011 Aprilia RS4 125: Preview | Motorcycle News - this one says "The RS4 will be landing in dealers in July 2011 with a price of £3,999 ($6,500 USD)." (!?)

That last link said $6500!! They don't really think they would sell any at that price do they? Hopefully that's not really what they list for.


Jay

[sendler]

Not too many people interested in motorcycles here apparently. For real, everyday riding and hypermiling, the CBR250R is the best. I love it. Average rider sitting up will get 70mpg and feel there is just enough power to pass at an 85mph top speed. Lay on the comfortable tank without really tucking, air over shoulders, and it is a dart. 93mph top speed and magic ride in sidewinds and truck blasts at 80mpg. Ninja250 is also nice but only 66mpg if you tuck and it's carbureted. I never ride the Ninja anymore. Could probably top 100mph. Next would be a 650. 55mpg.

[sendler]

I got great financing on my CBR250R. Nothing down. rolled in the tax, tags and accessories for 3 years at 1.9%. Or you can save $1000 and find one used. Very few of them get abused by kids. The demographics are interestingly 35-70 male commuters and a few women and beginners. check out the forum. ABS for $500 more is nice if you can get it. They are more rare to come by.
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Honda CBR250R Forum : Honda CBR 250 Forums

[beatr911]

Sendler,
I really like this thread on the CBR250R, thanks for keeping it going. I've been following it's introduction and rider discussions since about this time last year and it really appears to be turning out to be a well sorted bike.

Hondas new philosophy of championing fuel efficiency and utility in motorcycles is a key attribute that has been lost on motorcycledom in the last 30 or so years. This could be a real winner for Honda in terms of reputation and product success.

I'm particularly interested in your claims of weather protection on the little CBR. Sitting on one, it didn't appear to have much of any protection for the rider at all, but I'm used to the Concours which as some of the best weather protection of any production bike ever produced. Do you think some deflectors would be easy to fabricate to increase protection to the hands, chest and legs/feet? Possibly a large windscreen as well? What are you doing that leads you to say it has good protection? I'm 6'1" and 185, maybe dimensions play a part?

I'm looking to buy a CBR and have two possible courses of action. 1. Keep it relatively stock and increase the weather protection. I'm seeing it as a test bed for producing accessories if there is demand. 2. Get a lightly crashed one and cut/weld in an Alligator low seating position with significant aerodynamic improvements, prolly just a one-off for myself.

Just considering which course of action will be best depending on the circumstances that present themselves. The CBR is a winning platform and further developing this bike seems like a logical way to go.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by beatr911

Possibly a large windscreen as well? What are you doing that leads you to say it has good protection? I'm 6'1" and 185, maybe dimensions play a part?

The ergonomics of the CBR250R are perfect to ride while laying on the tank but you are too tall. I'm 5'9 150. You would have to change the windscreen. There are two nice ones to choose from. There is a lot of room on the seat and for your knees at the tank though. Much roomier than the Ninja. My hands get a little wet but I am going to move them in another inch with new bars. My toes get soaked but that is about all. The thing that impresses me is the self correcting ride in crosswinds. The CBR250R automatically leans into the wind. It feels more like you are riding a low flying airplane. And, there is a two inch slot, just above the windscreen where it is basically not raining. Even in a downpour. Perfect visibility.
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Of course the engine is very efficient and could easily surpass the Vetter Challenge with a full dustbin and recumbent seating if you wanted to chop it up.

[user removed]

beatr911

I'm 61 years old, a little over 6 feet and a little under 210. You can see my mileage compared to Sendler's. I have too many old injuries to tuck like he does, but I can get down some behind the screen. My daily ride is 20 miles each way with average speeds of right at 39 MPH through 46 traffic lights. I know this route intimately from driving and riding it for 7 years. The CBR250 is just about perfect and I don't really use any advanced techniques. My ride requires me to maintain certain speeds to stay in the light timing envelope, or I would get nailed by a significant number of the lights versus my normal 6.

The fuel injection makes a huge difference in cold weather. I rode my Vulcan 500 the other day and the carbs do not like air at anything lower than probably 55 degrees. I could smell the unburned fuel in colder temps and a couple of times I could feel the effects of icing in the variable venturi carbs.

The CBR has none of these issues. Cold weather mileage has dropped from low mid 80s in summer to about 74 here in cold weather (high 30s low 40s). On the Interstate you have plenty of power. Here anything over 80 is a reckless driving ticket so I don't usually mess with anything over 72 in a 65 or 75 in a 70 zone.

Closing in on 4k miles, when I will do the second oil change. I got two quarts of Amsoil bike oil when I bought the bike. I think the factory recommended change intervals are 6k.
Other than the valve adjustment the maintenance is simple. I have no even had to adjust the drive chain since I bought it with 684 miles with the dealer first service already performed for $3750.

regards
Mech

[beatr911]

Thanks both of you for your ownership reports. It's wet here 9 months of the year so weather protection is an issue. A weather deflector for the feet/legs seems like a good idea as well as a larger and wider windscreen. Narrower bars should help as the bike is light and not too much leverage is needed. Can the existing bars just be cut narrower or is there another bar setup offered yet?

I would also consider lowering the rear suspension an inch or two, it would slow the steering some and reduce the forward lean a little as well. As I'm aging, the racer leg position might become an issue on longer rides in summer. I will need to be sure I can fab up a peg reposition bracket to put them forward a couple of inches. Or maybe just highway pegs inside the weather enclosure.

Kinda wish they would've introduced a motard or adventure or "urban assault" variant of this bike.

The closed loop FI is a big plus. The open loop FI on many bikes seems just plain senseless. Why have the variable mixture control capabilities of FI and not use it to optimize output?

The mpg numbers you both are posting are quite good and I would likely beat what my 200 is doing on my commute. Guessing 85 mpg or so. I do 10 miles at about 45mph and 20 miles at about 60. Two or three stops. It's a pretty optimal commute for mpg. The 200 is tapped out going up steep freeway hills at 60 with the really tall gearing, so it's just enough to get the job done. The CBR would accomplish this same commute with nary a sweat.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by beatr911

Thanks both of you for your ownership reports. It's wet here 9 months of the year so weather protection is an issue. A weather deflector for the feet/legs seems like a good idea as well as a larger and wider windscreen. Narrower bars should help as the bike is light and not too much leverage is needed. Can the existing bars just be cut narrower or is there another bar setup offered yet?

I would also consider lowering the rear suspension an inch or two, it would slow the steering some and reduce the forward lean a little as well. As I'm aging, the racer leg position might become an issue on longer rides in summer. I will need to be sure I can fab up a peg reposition bracket to put them forward a couple of inches. Or maybe just highway pegs inside the weather enclosure.

Kinda wish they would've introduced a motard or adventure or "urban assault" variant of this bike.

The closed loop FI is a big plus. The open loop FI on many bikes seems just plain senseless. Why have the variable mixture control capabilities of FI and not use it to optimize output?

If you are thinking feat forward and sitting up but still not get wet in the rain, it would take a complete rebuild of the seat and bodywork such as Vetter is working on with his "Last Fairing". I can't think of any bike shy of a Concourse or Goldwing or big BMW that can do that stock and they get less FE than a car. Most of the 650 adventure bikes can break 50mpg such as the Versys or the V-Strom but don't have any fairing lowers for your legs. The CBR250R would be a great place to start when he starts selling the fairings as it will do 15% better FE than the Ninja.The Honda Integra would be pretty nice stock but is not slated for sale in the US as they have decided only to bring the naked adventure framed version here.

[COcyclist]

Thanks for starting this thread Sendler. I used to ride everywhere on a Suzuki GT 550 two stroke triple. I commuted in all sorts of weather, kept a full rain suit in the tank bag with waterproof glove and shoe covers. I drove it like I stole it and averaged about 40 mpg plus topping off the two stroke oil tank every once in a while. I am intrigued by these fuel economy numbers. I live in the mountains so fuel injection would be great for altitude changes too. I have a short commute to work so I ride a bicycle. Lately, most of my driving involves hauling a bicycle or skis or a carload of passengers. It would be fun to have something that you could potentially get 100 mpg with though.