Riding a 250cc on the freeway?

"this bike would not be appropiate for 100kmh speed for long periods"
agreed.

 

I *almost* agree with you Tony - except that with any 250 performance
depends a lot on your body weight.

My wife started on a CB-250, and while I couldn't get it over 105kms, she
routinely got it up to 130+. (For reference I weight 85kgs, she weighs 50
kgs).

Manning

 

I don't know how relevant this is, but I ride a ZZR250, and it seems to
handle the freeway quite fine, I have done quite a few 100km trips, and I
have managed to get her up to 150km/h, being new to this, I really don't
wanna try any higher...

Tina

 

I'm looking at buying a Honda CB250 to get to work every day. The
trip involves about 40 km of freeway riding each way.

I've asked a few people about the bike and they seem to think that
this bike would not be appropiate for 100kmh speed for long periods,
however the same people have a vested interest to sell me something
bigger, so I don't know if I can trust their opinion.

Does anybody here ride a 250 for long periods on the freeway, or does
anybody have any opinons on the subject?

 

In aus.motorcycles on Sun, 11 Jan 2004 12:29:38 +1000

There are better 250s for that, ain't no doubt.

On the other hand, that bike will certainly manage 100 for 40km (as
long as you are a reasonbly sized bloke) without drama.

What it won't managed is much more than that, or much in the way of
passing manouveres.

All depends on your temprement and money requirements I suppose. I rode
a 250 MZ all over eastern Oz, a machine with a top speed of maybe 120kmh on
the flat in a dead calm with plenty of runup, but usually it was OK at
100 and struggling at 110. Yes being able to go faster was nice,
especially when stuck behind a truck in the wet at 90/100, but it wasn't
required.

If you are someone who can cope with not being the fastest out there,
who won't feel trapped and scared if you can't pass other vehicles, and
you want a bike with excellent fuel economy and very reliable, then a
CB250 will be fine.

If you prefer to be able to pass everyone, like to carve traffic, can't
stand not being first, you will find the CB250 too slow.

You may want to enquire at any bike hire places, some of the have that
model in the fleet, you could test it yourself. If not, then do your
damndest to get a test ride and determine for yourself how it feels to
ride at the speeds you expect.

Zebee

 

My (perhaps bias) opinion is based on the following:

1985 DR200 - poor to moderate stability, high engine speed at 100 kph
1981 XL250 - poor stability, high engine speed at 100 kph
1981 CB750 - excellent stability, low to moderate engine speed at 100 kph
1993 YZ125 - didn't use it on the freeway (much :])
1983 GS450 - moderate stability, low to moderate engine speed at 100 kph
1993 CBR250RR - moderate stability, moderate to high engine speed at 100 kph
2003 TA200 (borrowed) - moderate stability, moderate engine speed at 100 kph
(suspect it is geared high)
2003 VTR1000F - excellent stability, low engine speed at 100 kph (in 5th
gear, don't use 6th until ~110 kph)

Of course, engine speed can be altered by changing gearing, etc.
My opinion may be bias due to the bikes that I have owned in the past.
Perhaps someone who has owned other bikes can provide a more precise
opinion.

--
Tony Morris
(BInfTech, Cert 3 I.T., SCJP[1.4], SCJD)
Software Engineer
IBM Australia - Tivoli Security Software

 

My (perhaps bias) opinion is based on the following:

1985 DR200 - poor to moderate stability, high engine speed at 100 kph
1981 XL250 - poor stability, high engine speed at 100 kph
1981 CB750 - excellent stability, low to moderate engine speed at 100 kph
1993 YZ125 - didn't use it on the freeway (much :])
1983 GS450 - moderate stability, low to moderate engine speed at 100 kph
1993 CBR250RR - moderate stability, moderate to high engine speed at 100 kph
2003 TA200 (borrowed) - moderate stability, moderate engine speed at 100 kph
(suspect it is geared high)
2003 VTR1000F - excellent stability, low engine speed at 100 kph (in 5th
gear, don't use 6th until ~110 kph)

Of course, engine speed can be altered by changing gearing, etc.
My opinion may be bias due to the bikes that I have owned in the past.
Perhaps someone who has owned other bikes can provide a more precise
opinion.

--
Tony Morris
(BInfTech, Cert 3 I.T., SCJP[1.4], SCJD)
Software Engineer
IBM Australia - Tivoli Security Software

 

Dunno about the CB250, but if you were to go the VTR250 (very nice looking
thing) or CBR250RR (which is what I've got) I think you'll find yourself
having more of a power reserve. Mine is good for 190 on the island. This is
indicated, real spead probably 170 or so - haven't had the chance to
calibrate with GPS at that speed.

I'm just shy of 1.90m tall & some 90-95kg with all my gear on. I think it
helps being flexible for longer trips, however 40Ks should not be a problem
at all.

j

 

Well it's not the first bike I would choose to do regular freeway runs on, but
it should sit happily at a 100-110 day in and day out without too much issue.
The reason it wouldn't be my first choice is unless you're very light it will be
at the top end of it's rev range, if you choose something with a bit more go it
may be a bit less like hard work, you'll not find yourself dropping back to 80
when you hit a steep hill, that sort of thing, not struggling to overtake a car
doing 95 etc.

Consider VTR, Spada, GPX, ZZR, across, Balius, bandit, zeal as alternates that
will sustain 140 happily and hence will be less stressed at maintaining 100.

Noting that the twins (VTR, spada, GPX, ZZR) will probably be slightly cheaper
to maintain.

JL

 

I can't see that being a problem.

eg: you'd get bored if you were riding around Australia entirely
on Highway 1. 80km a day is _not_ "long distances". 800km a day
and you'd be starting to go beyond the design of the CB250,
but even then I doubt the bike would suffer too badly.

The only problem with the CB250 is you might get bored of it
sooner than a more exciting 250 such as the Spada that IK is
trying to sell

Cue the obvious Around-Australia-On-A-GPX250 story:
<http://members.optusnet.com.au/~za2bb/odyssey/>

-----sharks

 

And I disagree. Jeanette had a CB250 and we regularly used it for lengthy freeway runs. Sure it had
to work hard in a headwind to stay around the 100 km/h mark, but it soldiered on quite happily. On
low wind days it would cruise at 110+ km/h. An excellent commuter that we used to great affect in
that capacity.

And dead easy to work on should anything need replacing or repairing.

 

Strange that you'd choose to give advice on the suitability of a CB250 by
giving information on a whole bunch of bikes which are really nothing like a
CB250. Cat did lots of freeway commuting on her CB250 I think... you have any
advice Cat?

Nev..
'03 ZX12R
'02 CBR1100XX

 

.... eg: you'll have to downshift to go up hills? Probably. But
freeway touring it'll go okay in top, I imagine, and the gearing
won't be effected by the riders weight ...

-----sharks

 

The humble CB250 is also a twin. But agree, unless you're 70 kgs or less it
will struggle to get much over 110.

 

The CB250 is a great little bike but if you're doing regular freeway runs as
you say and you weigh 80kg or more you'de probably be more comfortable on
something with a little more go. Yeah, they DO go the speed, but might be a
different story when you want to overtake or a huge hill. Being a 250 it'l
depend on the wind speed, temperature, when you last brushed your teeth etc
as to whether or not it'l cruise happily at 110.

Cam
'03 954

 

On 11/1/04 12:32 PM, in article

Damn staright. I'd blow up. I read that they aren't supposed to go above
80 km/h for more than 20 minutes! Did you get the same letter?

Cheers

Hammo

PS I sold my 250 as I found out I was very lucky it didn't fall apart below
me at the speeds I was travelling at!

 

Now a serious answer!

I rode the freeway so long on my 250, I put Highway pegs on it for improved
comfort.

Sounds like the opinion you have been given are shite, and so are the
salespersons. **** them off with a big stick, and then snap of a cable on
their front doorstep.

Hammo

 

The humble CB250 is also a twin. But agree, unless you're 70 kgs or less
it

Top speed is based on maximum engine power, not vehicle mass.

The only difference a heavier rider could possibly make is to increase wind
drag slightly.

 

"Morphet" wrote

40 kms at 100 is only 24 minutes. Hardly a long period. My neighbour
rode to work every day down the Freeway on his Dream 305. A CB 250
will have no problems. Go for it.

Not whilst there's another choice.

Theo

 

I agree, A CB250 wouldn't be suited to such a trip. I had a GPX250 &
that was a well suited 250 for such trips. One of the guys here would agree
with me, He rode his around Aus.
--

Aido >
2000 Honda Hornet S
www.hondahornet.co.uk