Hi all,

I'm 23, living in Ontario, Canada. I'm a Honda nut. I just got my M2 license, learned to ride on a CBR125 and have been looking for a nice starter bike. The 125 seemed too small and I was already feeling ready for a bigger bike by the end of my course.

First question: I like the CBR250RR. Seeing how it was never sold over here, how are they in terms of parts and resources over here in NA?

Second: Would you recommend one as a beginner bike?

I've been looking at GS500s but the 250RR is way cooler.

Thanks for any tips!

 

Welcome to the forum DallasCRX!

The best starter bike question is very subjective...depends on maturity, experience, ability, etc. Since you have some experience, you most likely have the ability to ride a 250 very easily & most likely something larger like a 600. In an ideal situation for new riders, many of us typically recommend the 250 route to gain experience b/f moving up to a higher cc machine.

The 250 is readily available in the U.S.

 

welcome to CBRF.....since you already have some experiance with a bike, i would say just go with an older 600. i went with 600 coming of off 125 dirtbike. it was different but got use to it by the end of my first ride (about 7 miles)

 

It seems as if times have really changed I preference to what size of bike you should start out with. I say depending on your size, should make te most of it and maturity and how responsible u can be. A 250 isn't much bigger then that 125 and u will get bored with it by the end of your first day. I started put on my 600RR and I do not regret it at all. I had ne'er rode a different sport bike before either. U just have to remover that the bike is a whole lot stronger then you are and give the bike respect that it deserves while you are first getting use to it and u will be fine. Good luck with your choice and we can't wait to see what you get!

 

Start small and learn to ride the hell out of it. Its easy to get into situations that are beyond your ability with a 600. Find a good deal on a used 250 and sell it 6 months later for the same price. You might get bored but that's better than serious injury or worse. Best riders I know started small and worked through the ranks.

 

...and those bigger aka "real bikes" (600 and up) are from a whole different planet than those flimsy toy-like weed whackers like 125s and 250s. I bought my first big bike (600f2) just at the end of this summer, was scared stiff of it being so heavy and big, for the first three days. Then I got used to it and ride it like nobodys business, and am already planning to swap it after next summer to a 900 fireblade, suzuki TL1000R or some other like that... Or the ideal situation, get my misses to get a bike license and give it to her. And pigs fly...

anyhow, welcome from my behalf too! You'll find a lot of help and some nice ppl here! Btw. Does it snow there, being roughly at the same latitude? It did here for a few days but it melted away...

 

Thanks everybody. My primary reason for not jumping to a 600 is insurance. I simply can't afford it lol. Lots of companies wont even look at insuring someone under 25 with a 600 and the ones who do want more money than I have. Hence looking at 250s and 500s. I've been going about it in a similar manner to what gregpa is saying. I'd like to start small and master the basics before going too big. I just found by the end of a full day on the 125 that it seemed small for me.

Thanks for all the advice though!

Mattson, it sure does snow here, we just haven't had any yet down in the Toronto area. It's killing me! I'm dying to get my skis out!

 

Then i would advise to get the 500 if u can afford it. more power and a sturdier frame. Feels more rigid and handles more stable. More of a "big bike" feel to it. Funny that the insurances seem to be totally backwards here. They are counted to power/weight ratio, taking to account the owners age and how much that particular model is involved in accidents. As a result, my bikes:

Cagiva Freccia C12r 125cc`89, reduced to 11kw, 899 euros/ year.
Cagiva Freccia C12r 125cc`91, full powered 23kw, 1250 euros/year.
Honda CBR F2 600cc`91, full powered 74kw, 428 euros/ year.

As for myself, being a lorry truck driver, reeeally not looking for the snow and ice...Got so totally fed up with skeeing (?) in school that I`m not gonna get onto a pair of those unless there`s a big downhill ahead...

 

Good call. Mastering a bike with less ability makes for a better rider. Sounds like you are well on your way!

 

See, i went the way of the first bike i will ever ride will be the 600 f3 i just bought. I cant say if its a good or bad idea, but it is what it is