| Author | Message | ||
     Badlionsfan |
I've wondered for a while all the big 4 didn't have a 250 street bike. Honda has finally figured it out. http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?artic le=42456 | ||
| 86129squids |
Well, I do believe this qualifies as good news. Surprising to see linked AND ABS brakes available- wonder how this option and having to choose one/other will be approached by beginners? The Ninja 250 has been "THE" bike for many beginners- sure, this is a small market segment, but a VERY important one- I'm looking forward to Kawasaki's response to this. Not to mention IF the other 2 ricer brands step up... Further evidence that HD has NO IDEA how to handle the demographics of the future. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Looks like a mini VFR1200. I like it. | ||
| Bcordb3 |
Looks like a great coffee getter | ||
| Buellkowski |
It's high-compression thumper. How fast do you think that engine can turn? The beauty of the Ninja 250 is its 14K redline. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Can't wait for the shoot out between the two. | ||
| Slaughter |
Different system with similar styling. Don't see a 250 thumper taking a 250 twin The thumper might be a way cool 'round town bike. Though for the money new, I could buy a couple good condition XBs. | ||
| Strokizator |
KTM has or is coming out with a 125 duke-looking machine, maybe a 350 too. It has USP forks and everything the big boys do. Looks cool. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfEgV7PgCKY&feature=player_embedded (Message edited by strokizator on October 27, 2010) | ||
| 86129squids |
"It's high-compression thumper. How fast do you think that engine can turn?" They said it was a "counterbalanced" single. Ummm, didn't Ducati build a fancy/legendary racer like that? | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Ummm, didn't Ducati build a fancy/legendary racer like that? Yup Desmo, couple of mates race one in the Classics here. | ||
| 86129squids |
"supermono", right? | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
It's a '69 Mach 1 with right foot change. . Runs in the "TrofeoRosso" amongst others. http://www.trofeorosso.org/ | ||
| Fast1075 |
With a 55mm stroke, and the generally recognized upper piston speed limit for a streetable engine at 4,500fpm...the engine has an upper rpm limit of around 12,000rpm. How efficient the engine is thermally and how much pumping efficiency it has will be the determining factor for power. Unless it has a lot less frictional loss than the Ninjette, it will have less power...my guess is that it will be very mildly tuned. How fast it can be ridden will depend on how it handles...it just takes more skill to go fast on a slow bike than to go slow on a fast bike...I had forgotten how much fun it is to ride a small, light bike until I built "Hulie" my Hooligan 400 mutant motard...I like it so much, I am thinking of building a CRF450 powered mutant with full fairings and an R6 front end... Little bikes rock....one day if Erik and crew ever build that 600...I will be at the front of the line. Honda 250 yup...headed in the right direction...they still only get the good stuff outside the US... | ||
| Crackhead |
it is to bad it weights 360/ 368 lbs. drop 100lbs and it would be a Blast replacement. | ||
| Xl1200r |
it is to bad it weights 360/ 368 lbs. drop 100lbs and it would be a Blast replacement. The weight listed is curb weight. A Blast! is 400 lbs wet, so this Honda is actually lighter. How efficient the engine is thermally and how much pumping efficiency it has will be the determining factor for power. Unless it has a lot less frictional loss than the Ninjette, it will have less power...my guess is that it will be very mildly tuned. I read in another article that it was making 33hp, which is pretty much the same as the Ninja. Not a coincidence as I think 33hp is the limit for 'first-tier' licenses in many countries that have tiered bike licenses. | ||
| Jaimec |
250 sportbikes have been available for YEARS. It's just that the manufacturers don't bother bringing them to the "bigger is better" United States where the dealers routinely tell buyers that anything below 1000cc is "too small." | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I read in another article that it was making 33hp, which is pretty much the same as the Ninja. Isn't the Ninja in the low 20's at the RW? | ||
| Xl1200r |
I was talking crank hp, Fresno. | ||
| Fahren |
Jaime is right - other countries have way more bikes on the roads. The sad lack of small displacement bikes for cheap in the US only makes motorcycles in general less mainstream. Imagine if there were tons of bikes on the road instead of the tiny percentage you see. I see tons of <49cc scooters on the roads in MD, because they are economical, fun transportation and you don't need a license or registration. It wouldn't take much for those riders to step up into a small motorcycle category. | ||
| Buellkowski |
I'm reading more about high-rpm singles. 35+ hp from a properly designed engine is apparently quite possible. I suppose that when I saw that Honda's bike was coming from Thailand I assumed it would have a low-tech carryover mill from a scooter. An experienced rider I know spends most of his seat time on a Ninja 250 to keep his insurance expense low. | ||
| Strokizator |
I like it so much, I am thinking of building a CRF450 powered mutant with full fairings and an R6 front end... My brother motarded his CRF450 and promptly threw the connecting rod right through the case during a track day. These MX engines only have about a quart of oil in them so you may want to address that. | ||
| Fast1075 |
Good info Strokizator...I have also given some thought to staying with the Kawasuki 400 with mods...big bore kits, cams and such are easy to get and by most accounts, the motor is very tough...competition modded engines make power in the low 50's.. Still the 250 thing is awesome cool...way before "motarding" I took a Honda MT250 enduro, used the Honda "Optional" cylinder, pipe and carb for a CR250 and tossed on some different suspension parts, and "cafe" seat and front fender...used the disc brake front end from a CB200...it was an awesome streetfighter for it's day...it would wheelie in third gear using the throttle. The little Honda won't be anywhere near as light or as powerful...but it should be tons of fun. Jamiec is definately correct about the US being excluded from having some pretty exciting small displacement bikes....in Europe back in the day, the most popular GP class was the 50cc class because MOST of the bikes that ordinary people rode were in that range...Honda and Suzuki had some extremely sophisticated 50cc race engines....the Honda was a twin, and the Suzuki was a triple!!! with a 14 speed gearbox.... Before I bought Hulie, I was considering a 250...but none of them (street bikes)except the ninjett have any aftermarket following for performance items (I wanted a thumper...and "you can't do that" is a major incentive for me to prove them wrong)...(I love to fabricate stuff, but making cams and bore kits with my home equipment is a bit beyond me)... | ||
| Crackhead |
It is also FI, it might make Kawasaki finally import the FI 250. Some how America gets stuck with carbs The curb weight for the dual sport CRF230 is 260lbs. I was hoping the CBR 250 would be close to the same weight. (Message edited by crackhead on October 28, 2010) | ||
| Xl1200r |
Crack - the CRF230 is also an air-cooled engine, which eliminates a lot of parts - radiators, hoses, coolant, water pump, etc. The CRF also probably less and lighter weight body work as well as some other parts. I agree - a 250cc streetbike in the sub 300lbs range all gassed up would be a hoot. I wonder if this Honda could be lightened up any? | ||
| Rainman |
Sounds like it's putting out the same HP as my stock Blast, but half the size. Why does that seem unfair? Give me a 60 hp Blast, Erik!!! |
