I know our cold friends up north have them already, but my little brother is looking to get into motorcycles (he just turned 18). I took him to a dealership and he said he'd much rather get a sporty bike then a cruiser or dual-sport, so I showed him the ninja 250 (being his big brother I don't want to start him off on a 600 as he has NO experience is motorcycles). I already told him he has to take the MSF course before he can even consider getting a bike. Anyway, I'd much rather have him on a Honda then a Kawi.

So has anyone heard if the 250 is coming stateside anytime in the near future? (possible 08 model?)

you could always get him a 250 hysoung (sp?) those korean made bikes. they looks alot better then a ninja 250 lol

I know that the 125 is being tested in Canada...but I am not sure about the 250. That would be a GREAT option for the states!!!

if they wouldve offered a honda 250 here i mightve started with that instead of going straight to a f3 i just couldnt bring myself to buy a ninja 250 [:'(]

Ohh, yea I was thinking of the 125 in Canada. Whoops!

Okay, here's the scoop. Honda America is not getting the 125cc let alone the 250cc. The list of new models for the year does come out in September, so things could change at some point. Honda Canada tested the 125 this year and they are all sold out for the entire year...that bodes well for bringing in the smaller CBR's at some point, in my opinion. If somethings tests well, there is obviously a market for it.

How hard would it be to just import and license one from Canada? I know i've seen a few bikes off of craiglist which were originally sold in Canada.

I've had my 125R for 2 weeks now. I know that the units are pretty much sold out. I've got to say, it is a total gas and since I'm a new rider it is a comfortable (safe) place to get some saddle time. The only thing that I'm concerned about is that with something this cool in the showrooms it'll be easier for the regulators to get rules in place that limit displacement for new riders. Personally, I think it is a good choice for people to make - I just don't know if we need more rules.

we in australia have a ton of honda cbr 250 RR. it's mandatory that we start on bikes no bigger than 250cc

that would make for a great business in the US

The Hysoung 250 is not in the same league as the ninja 250. While it may look prettier it is no match in either engine or in quality. I do know that there was discussion about entering them in a 250 production series. When the racers weren't allowed (rules) to strengthen the welds of the frames it seems as if the deal fell through.

The CBR 125 is a nice bike - certainly be good for commuting or for someone like myself who'd get a kick out of riding a small cc bike hard. It is a much narrower bike than the ninja 250 (simular length and reach). It is way way cheaper up here than our zzr ninja 250. In the states you still get the F model ex250 which is a quality time tested machine - don't fight too hard to get the zzr as it is justmore expensive, no real improvements save for tire selection, and a bit nicer looking. Not ideal for highway riding.

The fact the 125 sold well this year in Canada is good news. It might be a bit inflated to say it will sell as well next year as I think you'll find that a lot of people that wanted a cheap bike now have one... I hope it means that the cbr 250 and 400 class bikes will be considered. Seeing as honda doesn't run a 500 against the ex500 and the gs500f - the cbr 400 might be a good answer. It would run circles around both competitors and still be cheaper to insure.

Will the 125 make it state side? I'm guessing with how well it sold in Canada that it might just. The question mark is did the dealers selling them in Canada make enough money to justify the floorspace?

ORIGINAL: HAVOC

if they wouldve offered a honda 250 here i mightve started with that instead of going straight to a f3 i just couldnt bring myself to buy a ninja 250 [:'(]


ya, if they had a CBR 250, i wouldve easily gotten that instead of my f4i...just couldnt stand owning a kawi:D

lol i tried to get a kawi before my cbr ..the loan company denied the kawi and allowed my f4i ...note the f4i is a much better ride and value for my buck..but a new kawi here was 3200 ...i give 4000 for my used 04 f4i

I had never looked at any of these foreign models. I am looking at a ninja 250 for my daughter in the next couple of years. I was delighted to learn that other countries had lighter Hondas. I know nothing about them at all, though. What are their performance characteristics like? I checked the British site and found the 125cc bike, and the German site, where they did not have anything smaller than the 600cc bikes.

Can anyone tell me how the 125cc performs? What kind of HP and speed it has? What countries get the 250cc? What is the 400cc?

Don't quote me here, but I did a little "google-ing" yesterday on the 125's. They've got like, 17 or so horsepower. They top out arount 60-70mph... which isn't bad, since the Honda Rebel (250cc cruiser) that I had would only push 70-80mph. If you want to see people doing stuff on the 125's, check You-Tube out and search for "Honda 125rr". You'll get plenty of video's to check out performance characteristics of the bike.. from ride-alongs to knee dragging to whatever.

As far as where the 250/400cc "sport bike" honda's are sold... I'm of no help here. I have no idea. :(

and if you are interested in the Ninja 250 there is a very active forum on the web - check out ninja250.com

Please note the FAQ there is great for new riders or people interested in doing their own maintance.

cheers from 250 land,
Woot.

Woot, I didn't remember that you had a CBR as well as your Ninja 250! I sold my 250 a couple of years ago when I went overseas, and now that I'm back I graduated to an F4. You probably don't remember me on the ninja250.net forum.

Anyway, my two cents is that now that Kawi has redesigned the 250R to have a more modern body style, this guys brother might be interested in starting on a 250R

I agree - the Ninjette redesign and the rising cost of oil has me predicting that we will see more players in the 250cc class in the sates soon.

I bet Honda would make a killing on the 250's if they brought them to the states...

Any word??