I turn 17 next march, and I’m planning on taking my A2 test in the weekend after my birthday, passing it (we all know I’m just that good) and getting a 250cc bike. I don’t like 125s because they are small and lack power, and I really don’t want to restrict a 600 because I don’t live in a mansion and bathe in vats of money.
So I’ve been looking at 250cc bikes, mainly in the sports range, because I likes me some sports bikes. It seems to have come down to two, the Kawasaki Ninja 250R, and the Hyosung GT250R EFI. I’m leaning very heavily towards the Hyo at the moment, but I wanted to know what people thought or if they had any other suggestions. I’ve been to a dealer, sat on one, found out how it’s sized compared to me (perfectly), its positioning and weather I actually like the look of it IRL, which I definitely do. Stacked headlights are always win for me, reminiscent of the old Ducati 999s.
And before everyone goes ‘IT’LL FALL APART LOLZ IT SUX’, Hyosung have vastly improved their bikes and manufacturing since the 2003 - 2008 model range. Most of the recent ones have been fault free. Indeed, my friend has a 58 plated GT125R and it hasn’t put a foot wrong. Most of the people I’ve asked have told me they are solid these days, pukka engine and pukka engineering. The updated 2010 models also look stupidly pretty, especially in white and black, as well as coming with Electronic Fuel Injection, Digital display, an updated aluminium frame and a Blue Flame exhaust as standard.
So yeah, what do you think? Get the Hyo or go for a different model? The Kawi is ugly, so if there are any other sporty 250s out there… tell me!
a mate had a hyo thingy, the 250 one, he had an 08, one day it died…literally, just wouldnt work properly, so they GAVE him a 2009 one… wich he kept for a bit but still wasnt happy so he bopught an xj6,stay away is my advice.
get teh kwacker 250, much better bike, if you could afford it an Aprillia RS250 would be the dogs, AWESOME bikes;)
just noticed your on a restriction, SV650’s dont cpost ther earth to restrict and insure, and they ALOT betetr than a 250:)
instead of buying a brand new bike get a good 600 second hand and restrict it! u get the extra handling and the big bike looks too. hell ive seen GSXR600 2004’s for only 3k on ebay!! [the money u save can go towards insurance]
Unless you’re realy hung up on having a new bike, get a “proper” bike (500cc or over) and get it restricted with a dealer certificate.
Apart from the obvious of better brakes, suspension and the like, you get a full size bike that fits a full sized European male and comes with a decent riding position and (some with) a decent seat.
There’s been a huge slump in the new bike sales this summer (30% down on August last year) so if you shop around there are going to be some good deals this winter.
I know it’s a bit Universal Japanese Machine, but the Bandit is a great first bike and the restriction is a quick re map of the CPU and easily reversed for peanuts money. Last year, Suzuki dealers were offering discounts + 0% finance.
Just a suggestion that I think makes sense, but it’s your call.
I suppose a 2nd hand 500/600 restricted wouldn’t hurt, the only problems might be:
A: Insurance costs, but that should be offset by the saving made on the bike in the first instance.
B: Dad hates the idea of me having a 600. He’s pretty much said there is no way he’ll let me get one, even if it’s restricted.
However, I shall look further into it and make a final decision closer to the time.
Well you’ve got 6 months to check things out, so no rush, but I’d suggest taking some time to check out 400s stuff like the ZXR/FZR/CBR/VFR are seriously tasty bits of kit, reasonably priced & more insurance friendly than their 600cc brothers.
I think the Hyosong might seem like a good deal to start with, but the Ninja will prove a better bike in the long run, mainly with second hand values. A good friend of mine has the 250 Ninja as a first bike, because she didnt want to go straight to the 600’s off the back of her test.
As bikes go, it looks damn good in black, seems well built and she’s had nothing but praise for it, nocking in a decent amount of use in the last 6 months.
Myself, I went straight in on the bandit 650, mainly for 2 reasons: A) 0% finance over 24 months with a tiny £200 deposit & B) A years free insurance - Worth over £1k to me from their providers when i call to check…
As such, i got a new bandit for the equivelent of £3k over 2 years!
If i were in your shoes, id look about for a second hand 600 thats been restricted or a decent unrestricted one and get it sorted. As far as your old man goes, if he’s prepared to let you get a 250, he’s got no leg to stand on really, as your restricting the 600 to the same power output - 33BHP for an A2
The bonus with the 600 is that you can de-restricted it when you’ve done your time (2 years?) and you already have a ‘full size’ bike… so no buying again!
