wjmark

The price won't go down when everybody stops buying them, because that is not going to happen.

What is happening is that there is significant interest and demand, while the factory has just begun to supply the market. In a month or two or three, the price will be at or very near the price-point set by Honda Thailand. When they are just another model for sale along with all other bikes, that's the time to buy.

Early-adopters always get whacked...

I know what you are saying, but in this case I don't know. It's a world-wide release and the factory can only do so many. So the Thai market is only secondary to them. They can afford to keep the price up here. They already realized they were too low, and bumped them up 10k and 15k.

And given that it is a much more approachable bike than the Ninja (150k), and a Honda, the demand is going to be high here. I am betting the ABS will end up at 145, and 130 for the non-ABS.

Why push Kawasaki to lower their price, when you can jump up into that hole?

Turned 2000km today. 1500km since I got back a week ago. 300km yesterday and 400 more today.

Mirror fell off yesterday. Honda tool kit didn't have the small Allen key needed.

Hit 156 on Superhighway yesterday.

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I've been riding all the mountain places I used to go on my 150.

Suthep and up to the lookout past Doi Pui. (After the turnoff, the whole road is brand new asphalt and barely half width. It's a hoot!)

Ma Sa Valley - (I've been doing it both ways these days)and Samoeng with the 50 km 'narrow road' loop behind (has 1.6 km dirt road). Mae Pa, I think

I like going to Phrao and through to Chiang Dao, and now I've found the more northerly way out of Phrao. That's where I did most of my 400km today (hwy 1346 - great!)

===

Can really approach acceleration and cornering in a much different way than the 150. It's allowing me to ride more technically - 'seeing through the arc' and really using the power of the bike to guide it.

Real confidence of how the wheels engage the road too. I'm not watching for every little rut or bump. Can feel the road really well. Great balance.

Way less shifting too. Only a single down-shift before a corner (good engine breaking etc). And it is such a treat to just give it gas and just pull through right through.

I did love my fast CBR150 - it could zip up anywhere and always had power (I had it reasonably built up). If you wanted or needed to accelerate fast, it was always one or two down-shifts and "praaaoooow" - away you go. The bike demanded that it be ridden that way. No choice! Attack hard, or watch the backs of scooters. (I assume the Ninja is like this. If you aren't punching it all the time, you are just limping along).

It's nice to be able to just climb a dang hill without making a scene!

Torque, my friends. Torque...

Even usable torque starting at 3k can pull up pretty quickly. Riding at 7-8k this bike is a monster!

On the highways, I bomb along between cars just like the CBR150. 120km/hr seems to pass more things on this bike than on the old one. Probably a more accurate speedo. Anything over about 135/140 is not so comfortable anyways. A different wind screen may make a big difference.

In the city it feels like my old 150. The mirrors are a little wider - but the bike isn't! Usually make my way up to the lights - even in tight traffic.

30-31km/liter always.

Absolutely love the kick stand. Sure.

I hit 156 yesterday. Twice - on superhighway once each direction. Don't know how that video got 165.

And I'm only 65kg. So if the speedo is off a full 10%, it's 142. And that's almost 90mph. (90 for sure if the speedo is like 7-8%).

Done 1500km (all mountain riding) since I got back a week ago. 300 yesterday. 400 today.

It just bounces through mountains. Pretty darn comfortable too.

I think Hwy 1346 is particularly fun (I did it both ways today) - Big chunky mountains with some nice open stretches and cool banked curves. Good pavement, no surprises. I preferred it South to North.

.

I have it here on my CM food map...

Places I Eat Map

ps - Learning to search ThaiVisa is a good idea!

I think it's fairly safe to say that Honda did not design their new CBR 250 to win races.

Cheap shot. I think it is fairly safe to say that Honda did not design their new bike to wipe out, or to look good in a ditch. (But please note that it does look good - even on its side!).

Then again, it's rather clear that it's not being marketed to would-be racers. If Honda wanted the new CBR 250 to be competitive on the track they should have at least engineered it to match the Hp of the Ninjette.

And easily "could have". My old 150 came from the factory heavily de-tuned. Just punching a few holes in the air box, adding a normal size down pipe, and enlarging the rear sprocket really opened it up.

It seems possible (and even likely?) that a few mods will easily jump it close to the Ninja hp range. And my guess is that it will be easier to 'mod' a big jump in power out of the Honda than the Ninja.

Maybe they engineered it to "mod up" easily. Honda smart - not stupid. And maybe it will win races.

Correct me if I am wrong, but if it handles better than the Ninja, couldn't it win races - even with substantially less hp?

I'm sure we'll see a head to head comparison of the two bikes soon and I also hope I'll be able to take a CBR 250 for a spin at a track one of these days to see how it handles.

This is what I am really interested in. People talking about handling characteristics. How a bike feels as it leans - where it starts to slip, stuff like that. As a novice that kind of talk is far more interesting than 'lap times' and 'my hp is bigger than your hp'!

...

Maybe I am missing something, but this argument (a uselessly ugly argument, btw), seems to focus on whether or not the Ninja is infinitely superior because it has a few more hp, and whether or not the CBR is a piece of crap because Honda had the gall to name it "CBR" and not "BBNR" (Beginner's Bike Not Racing).

The ugliness also seems to be about whether anyone buying a new CBR250 is an asshol_e or not...

No it isn't the old CBR250 18,000rpm 4-cyl 40hp screamer. It is what it is - slower than the Ninja, but with a wider lower power curve.

But maybe I missed it, but nobody sees to talk about handling? Isn't that also important in a motorcycle?

JonnyF keeps using the word "better" when he seems to mean "faster". Not exactly the same thing.

Which handles better? The pro-racing, incredibly ultra-fast, over-priced, speed-demon rocket, 133hp Ninja250 or the crappy, cheap, slow, beginners, 6hp CBR250?

Being a novice, and moving from an old CBR150, I can't imagine anything in the world handling better than my new CBR250 (non-ABS). In three rides I put over a thousand km in the mountains all in the Mae Sa Valley and up Doi Suthep, and am absolutely in love.

I wanted a stronger CBR150 with bigger tires, and that is what my CBR250 is to me - faster, more secure, and handles like a dream (not a Dream).

So which handles better? Ninja or CBR. I am asking both about "racing'" handling, and "real world" handling.

So for those 'pros' who know so much about bikes (and belittle the new Honda for what it isn't), why not tell us if one is a better handler than the other. And how about telling us novices "how and why" one is a better handler than the other. It's all a great learning curve for me!

ps - And if you want to make fun of my name because your Ninja is faster, shame on you! Really!

pps - and to KRS1, "yes" the new CBR250, with its lower-end torque, pulls through a lot of curves with minimal down-shifting (compared to the regular double down-shifts of the old 150). That is part of why I love it!

Hey guys,

I'm heading down to Honda on Monday.

Can I pay for my bike with my UK credit card??? If i transfer money over here it cost an arm and a leg!

Getting quite excited now

Hummm, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to, especially if it's Visa or Master Card.

Thats just the response i was hoping for! If all goes to plan I'll be doing the entire south coast on Monday morning. Maybe i'll post some pics!

Fingers crossed....

I think Honda will probably add the 3% credit card fees onto the transaction tho no ??

For me using my credit card isnt any savings as transferring money to my Thai bank.

I was charged 1.5% on my VISA card

so which is the better brand for quality, INDEX or REAL. They look pretty much the same for me.

REAL.

Also, Honda is supplying HJC helmets with the CBR250. They are also DOT approved. You could probably get one from Honda...

New Delhi is listed on my food map:

My Food Map

There is a place that repairs all sorts of power tools. I think it is on Rathawong Rd (on the river side of the street) between Wichayanon and Chang Moi Rds. But it might be on the parallel road closer to the river.

Sorry I cannot be more accurate.

I'll be back in a few weeks and can let you know for sure where it is then.

Hili---First bike for me was the 350 Honda CBR. After a year or two I traded up to the 450 Honda CBR. I think you're having gotten used to the CBR 150 then moving directly up to the ER6n would be roughly comparable to what I did.

You had a 350 CBR ?? And then traded it up to a 450 CBR ??

Any link to these bikes ??

Cos I have owned a 400 CBR (NC29 Gull arm) and seen the early pocket screamer of the CBR250 (MC22), had a VFR400 (NC30) to use for a while.. All great baby sporters for mid size guys IMO.

Yet I have never heard of either of the bikes you claim to have owned.

If I know the bikes he's talking about, and he's old enough to have had them newish, than perhaps it's the fog of time creeping in?

Honda CB350(68-73)

Honda CB450(65-74)

And aren't they just fuc_kin gorgeous!

Ok, a couple of weeks back the Honda showroom in CMX had a couple of brand new Honda Steed's. 400cc, Kind of like a Phantom on steroids. But they only lasted a couple of days and then were gone.

Yah - I saw some big banners advertising them. 159,000+

Not new at all! They are factory refurbished with tens of thousands of kilometers on them...

(And kind of an unpleasant bike I thought when I did a visa run on one)

And just for the fun of it...

I just spent 40 hours from Chiangmai to Winnipeg. It's about -20 out, and clear night with everything covered in snow.

It's 4 in the morning, I have five layers of clothing on, and Kodiak boots (!!!).

I'm going for a walk, and I will dream about riding!

Glad people are finally getting bikes.

cool, my GF is talking about replacing her airblade.

Airblade to a 250? That's a pretty big step up.

I've seen it promoted as the ideal beginners bike.

Nothing to a 250!

Depending on whom... sure. I'm recommending my cousin grab one here in Canada - he's 55, had never ridden and learned ok last summer in a couple of hours on my 450 Nighthawk.

I reckon the 250 will be a doddle for many beginners.

Although, I remember after doing my 360k run I sat on a new 150, and for sure it was lighter (step-through kinda light), but the seat also seemed lower than the 250. But I read the new 150 was higher than the old 150 and the 250.

I'm certainly not flat on both feet, but it's not tippy-toes. The bike is light and I can move it around with my feet fine (I'm 5'6).

Did you check if they had disconnected the speedo, so it doesn't show any extra mileage from the test drives?!

I betcha WJ will book an early flight back!

(I kept the keys!)

So, just how many people, in Chiang Mai, will have sat and played with WJMark's bike well he's in Canada?

Our whole darn family did today.

So if there is chocolate ice cream dripping all over it, I'll know who to blame!

WJMark, after your day of riding, did you notice anything about the rear brakes? I've heard people on the 150 got them adjusted for being too soft, and reading the Thai forums one guy way saying that they felt a bit weak on the 250 too.

Mine should be delivered early next week, so thinking of getting them to adjust them before I drive it away, if it's needed (and maybe lower the front a few cm too.)

120km last night.

Today: CM to Phrao to Chang Dao to Mae Rim through Mae Sa to Hang Dong to Samoeng to Mae Rim to CM. 360km

Started booting it around 300km. It's nicely quick, but I wouldn't call it "fast". Pulls well from 5k and seems to peter out a bit after 8.5k.

Handles fantastic! I was taking switchbacks with ease and it would pull even from 4k.

Took her up to 140 - pretty easy, but not rocket acceleration up at those speeds. Felt there was a lot further it could go - I am betting 160 with me on it (65kg).

Brakes seem fine - I use the front mostly.

I think 31km/liter.

Gotta go to Canada now - enjoy everybody.

(So which is gonna handle best? Ninja or CBR250?)

I've got mixed feelings about that positive neutral finder; when I first started riding the Ninja it was a pain since I was so used to just dropping down how many gears to second and then a slight tap into neutral on the CBR 150. The Ninja forced me to concsiously go all the way down and back up. Feel a little bit dumbed down doing it actually.

Make sure you give us a full report.

Well, I did notice that I could also get it into neutral from 2nd pretty easily. So I guess it doesn't have one of them positive neutral finders then...

I will certainly notice in about ten minutes.

if ducati could make a 250, that looks like the 999, and charge us 200k for it... Would you buy it? I would probably:-)

I find it interesting (and scary) that the Ducati Monster 696 has 80hp, and is only a few kilos more than the CBR250 (Ducati dry weight = CBR250 wet weight).

Oh to have half a million baht to throw around...

Wooo Hooo! Nice one WJ!

From the little test ride i did, the bike did feel easy to ride. I didn't even notice that it was 40-50 kgs heavier than the old 150....

From the research I did, I believe that the dry weight is not even 35kg more.

So you are gonna leave it with the dealer! Now all the Changmai boys know where to go for a test ride!

You used the wrong smiley.

:( :( :( :(

First question; does it have the positive neutral finder that the Ninja has? I.E. you coming to a stop, shift all the way down to first and then back up like you're going to second and it drops into neutral? I'm sure that with use the gearbox will loosen up for you and you'll be able to just nick it into gear.

How much does it labour? I know that on the Umphang trip and the Loei trip anything below 7000 and I was getting engine 'lugging' and anything below 4000 was just an excuse to burn up the clutch on the Ninja 250.

Hey Dave - I bet it does have a positive neutral finder - I noticed exactly what you described - into first and easily into neutral.

About the labouring I can't really answer yet. But even in low gears in the city, there was a definite lugging at 3k. I am about to do a long ride today, so I can report more later...

Just a few more thoughts.

The engine was indeed really smooth, and unlike the 150, it labours below 3,000 rpm. Have to keep the revs up. But the pull from 4k up was really firm. Decent sound (haven't made her scream yet), and underneath is subtle but nice bass note. A different pipe could make this bike sound quite throbby.

Shifting into first seems to need a firm kick, but the gearbox seems much smoother than the old 150. Neutral is easy enough to find. Neutral and turn signal lights are smaller - too small I think.

Digital speedo is very readable, and the big tach is the only analogue. The digital temp and gas are easy to see, but the odometer, time, etc are pretty small.

Definitely can handle two people - 2nd climbing on didn't shake it, and way more stable than the 150 when riding. Only had a friend on for a few km, so don't really know yet. Plenty of power for it...

And finally; the two fasteners that hold the windscreen on reflect under street lamps, and it seems like two little lights flashing on the dash

hmmm ;>]

.

Well, I guess it's me!

I just put 100km on my new CBR250. Picked it up at 7:30pm (with 45lb tire pressure - changed that quickly!). Couldn't get it earlier as they wanted it for display. I'm off to Canada on Monday, so I am going to let them have it back for 2 weeks of display.

What can I say. It is a bit bigger, a bit heavier, and clearly faster than the old 150. Also the seat seems a bit higher (but that might be the shock set on full). I haven't really cranked it open yet - think I'll follow Honda's advice and give it 500km of easy riding. Hope to have that under my belt by tomorrow evening.

Nice to have the bigger tires - corners so easily and confidently. Comfortable too. The riding position is virtually the same as the old 150...

No real surprises to this bike, except it seems to be pretty noisy at idle - lots of mechanical bits doing their thing. What else? There is a tickling kinda buzz to the inside of my legs from some gas tank vibration - no big deal. Don't feel that vibration in the hands.

I don't think it is going to be super fast - but nice torque, and I bet it does a tonne.

Also feel that the speedo is accurate, as opposed to the 10+% optimism of the old 150. Headlights are way better - can actually see at night in the mountains. Someone reported that the kickstand is in a stupid place - indeed it is...

Light, quick, stable, and minimal learning curve coming from the 150 - feels like what I wanted and expected.

Think I'll give it a few thousand kms before I look into any mods...

What was nice was I had never seen one or sat on one, and I came in this evening, started it up and rode away!

Oh - it's red. And no ABS.

Of course it is very unhealthy to inhale petrochemical fumes.

I am assuming you mean the large tanks (30-40cm or bigger). Those are LPG - Liquified Propane Gas.

'Propane' for short...

Not healthy - don't know the results. Don't want to.

It sounds like your neighbour's tanks are leaking. Usually can be fixed with a tightening of the connection at the tank. Or may have to replace the small rubber 'O-ring' (mini-gasket). Cost about 3 baht.

Or get some good ventilation!

Or a few lit cigarette butts tossed in the direction of the leaking tank. (That is a joke kids. Don't try this at home!).

Tsunami is popular and fresh, but their fish slices are getting kinda paper-thin.

I was there last night, and 140 baht for 8 pieces (nigiri) (6 tuna, and 2 unagi) - good, but very thin. So thin that light comes through them...