2011 Honda CBR250

[65impalass]

I am starting this thread as should I buy-informational thread for anyone considering this bike.

In case you haven't heard the Ninja is getting some new competition. The Honda dealer claimed 36 HP, 7000-8500 power band and 10500 red line. It is a fuel injected single, 320 pounds. He also claimed 88 MPG combined.

I am starting a new job with a 30 mile each way commute. It is 28 miles of country roads then 2 miles of small city with 5 traffic lights. My commute would be 300-420 miles per weak. I own an S10 (20MPG) and a 1200 Goldwing (40MPG). I plan on running the GL as much as possible this summer and picking up a under 2K 35mpg car Honda, Metro, yoda , ?. Next spring I would plan on the CBR.

Here are some questions I have

How many miles can I get out of this bike?
How often will I need Tires, chain, oil change, valve adjust?
What will the cost of all this be?
I want to add all purchase and operating cost up and determine a cost per mile to make my decision. Help from the Ninja guys would be great. I haven't rulled out the Ninja yet, but I am a Honda guy and I like FI. Thanks!

[mully]

Honda CBR250R vs Kawasaki Ninja 250R - Motorcycle USA

[kawboyCAFE]

the truth of the matter is, if you buy this bike new, it will never pay for itself because of the cost of ownership: bike price, maintenance, insurance, fuel, tires, gear, taxes, and a few other things. if you are just getting this bike to save on gas, you never will. if you are getting this bike just because you want it, then it probably would be a good commuter bike too. i have a ninja myself, and i think honda really screwed the pooch with this bike. i just dont like the way it looks. it looks just like a mini VFR. they should have called it the VFR250R. look at pics of this bike and a VFR1200 side by side and tell me what you guys think.

[65impalass]

Thanks for the relies so far. Can anyone tell me how long tires and chains will last, and how long the whole bike should last? What I want to do is figure the costs over the life of the bike.

[roosterk0031]

Can't call it a VFR (vee four), VTR (vee twin) it would have to be a VSR, but that doesn't make sence as it's not a Vee. 1SR, nevermind CBR works. (they did sell a vtr250 in the states back around 88-89)

The big question is how long will it last, Ninja 250's have been reported to do over 100,000.

I had a KLR650, 1st chain lasted about 15,000 miles, on a FZ1, sold bike with 28,000 mile on original chain. How clean do you like your bike, chains like lube, lube goes all over. I lubed the FZ1 chain more often. I'd never use chain wax's again the buildup on swingarm was really tough stuff.

Tire size 110/70 x17 front, & 140/70 x 17 rear, it didn't mention radials or not, I'd expect them to be radials, price a set them and use 10,000 miles for life costing(could easily be 7-15k). Will you install tires or have dealer/shop? Since you already have a bike I'm sure you've dealt with dealer vs mail order tire prices.

[theycallmeebryan]

Originally Posted by 65impalass

Thanks for the relies so far. Can anyone tell me how long tires and chains will last, and how long the whole bike should last? What I want to do is figure the costs over the life of the bike.

On my Ninja 250, i have Kenda K671 touring tires (inflated to 65psi, they are rock hard) and have 20,000 miles on them, and they don't seem worn out at all considering their use. If i had to guess there is about 70% tread left. They are AWESOME touring tires for the money. My bike will never have another tire brand and model on it for as long as i have it. They are the best bang for the buck.

The stock chain on my bike lasted pretty long. I had to replace it because my sprocket setup moved the rear wheel rearward (moreso than stock) and the chain stretched, and i could not tighten the chain any more. I opted for a RK XSO X-ring chain, and it's holding up really well. Some forum members have over 20,000 miles on the chain with not one single problem. As long as you clean and lube it regularly, it will last a long time.

There are people who have put over 100,000 miles on their Ninja 250's with an original drivetrain. These bikes certainly last a very long time as long as you take care of it.

[roosterk0031]

I had a Kenda on my Ninja 250 as well, but I think was a 16" rear. I don't know if economy tires are available in 17" rims yet. I have no problem running radial front & non-radial rear, but some people do.

I think newer Ninja 250 got 17" rims too, so hopefully there's some tires out there to choose from that will last longer than OEM. If it shares rim/tire size with the newer Ninja, a 250 Ninja forum would be the place to go.

[kawboyCAFE]

the bike should last a very long time, as long as you take care of it. change oil and filter every 4000 miles, etc. keep the chain lubed every 500-700 miles, adjust every 4000 miles or so, and i have got close to 30000 miles on a chain. but chains and sprockets are pretty cheap anyway. if you want some real good, real long lasting tires, get the MICHELIN ME880 high mileage cruiser tires. they come in pretty much every size. this is what i will replace mine with, and i have used them on a few other bikes as well. they last a very long time. i think i got about 27-28000 miles out of them on my vstar i had, and that was a heavy bike. on a light commuter bike, they should last alot longer. plus, they're michelin, so you know they're good quality.

[65impalass]

Thanks for the input. So lets do some math for 60,000 miles, anything more is a bonus.
purchase price including tax 4,250
4 sets of tires15k each, installed $300 1,200
3 chain sets@$175 525
valve adjust @ 16k 4@$150? 600
Gas figuring at 75mpg = 800 gal x 3.40 2,720
3 Batteries @$60 180
1 major repair 800
2 Helmets 400
insurance and reg over 8 years @$200 1,600
Total$12,275
divide by 60,000 price per mile $.204
under 21 cents per mile, how does this sound?

[kawboyCAFE]

your numbers are kinda close, but like i said before, if you are getting this bike just to save money, you never will. i dont mean that bad, i am just trying to point out some stuff. well, i guess the bike might pay for itself in about 20 years, but most people dont keep them that long.