CBR500R fuel economy

[user removed]

I'll take my GS500E for $1200, $36 tax, tags another $35, with title transfer $10 and $100 for insurance for a year. Add another $300 to get it running and riding right.

Whats that $1681? Property taxes are a joke on 20 year old bikes here and it has almost 11k miles on the odometer, and 62 MPG.

I do find it amusing that they are building bikes similar to what they built 40 years ago. I measured my Ninja 300 compared to my now 42 year old CB 350. Basically the same with the Ninja handlebars being 1 inch more narrow, probably for lane splitting in California.

I told my wife today that If it was up to me I would sell the Fiesta and just keep the truck and the bike. She doesn't care for being chauffered around in that old banged up ratty truck and I don't want her on the back of the bike.

regards
Mech

[beatr911]

Originally Posted by sendler

I was lucky enough to grab a test ride on the CBR500R at Americade. I had high expectations for the bike after putting 19,000 miles on my CBR250R and was still pleasantly surprised. The ride leaders were very generous at letting the front of the group stretch it out. We went on a 20 mile mix of 70mph super highway and a twisting canyon decent back into town. The best word to describe the CBR500R is dialed in. The shifting, clutch, trans and brakes feel silky smooth and very high quality. The smoothness of the engine at lower revs is shocking. The nested counterbalancer works so well you can hardly tell that the engine is on when you key the starter. The air over the front of the bike at speed is nicely controlled. The CBR500R is just enough bigger for 6 footers, just enough more power for 250 pounders, and just enough heavier to feel really stable while passing big trucks. It is not a supersport. The handlebars are fairly high and 44hp will never lift the front wheel unintentionally. And the front springs are on the soft side which I prefer for soaking up miles of super slab at a sitting. The low revving, square stroke engine is bringing back preliminary economy reports on Fuelly showing mid 60's mpgUS. The CBR500R will make a great highway commuter/ minimal sport touring bike.

Nice summation Sendler! This bike seems to really fit the bill for me by exactly what you defined it to be. Looks like I'll be searching for a good used one in a couple of years. I'll be keeping an eye out for talller gearing options and aftermarket touring support.

Thanks!

[beatr911]

Old Mech, while I truly love cheapness (bought my Chinese Yamaha clone for $160, total investment now still under $200) I really want to get a platform with the good technology and improve on it from there.

The O2 feedback EFI, dialed in yet basic suspension, smooth, torquey engine, great instrumentation, and fantastic looks all create big value for me. Oh, and it seems to fit my body very well. While I love cheapness, value is where my money goes so I'll be looking for a screaming deal on a used one.

Yeah, pickup and a motorcycle is a great combination. Maybe a nicer truck could replace the Fiesta. The newer ranger with the Duratec 2.3 4 cyl, and swap in the 2.0 Focus motor should produce high 30's quite easily.

Hmm. Maybe I should do that.

[cosmic_kid]

Originally Posted by beatr911

*snip*

Yeah, pickup and a motorcycle is a great combination. Maybe a nicer truck could replace the Fiesta. The newer ranger with the Duratec 2.3 4 cyl, and swap in the 2.0 Focus motor should produce high 30's quite easily.

Hmm. Maybe I should do that.

Where are you going to get a Ranger with a Duratec? Or a Ranger period?

[beatr911]

Ford Rangers are all over the used market. Check craigslist. Ford doesn't sell them new anymore. I think they stopped in 2012. US market anyway.

The 2.3L engine available in the Ranger is the Ford Duratec/Mazda MZR 2.3L engine with the 2.0 head for better torque and doesn't have the balance shafts that the 2.3L Focus/Mazda3/6 variants have.

[cosmic_kid]

Originally Posted by beatr911

Ford Rangers are all over the used market. Check craigslist. Ford doesn't sell them new anymore. I think they stopped in 2012. US market anyway.

The 2.3L engine available in the Ranger is the Ford Duratec/Mazda MZR 2.3L engine with the 2.0 head for better torque and doesn't have the balance shafts that the 2.3L Focus/Mazda3/6 variants have.

Oh a used one! That makes more sense. For some reason I thought you were thinking of importing a new Ranger with a small diesel.

I'm partial to early 2000s Tacomas myself, they're what my dad drives.