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Hi! New Rider and Bike Purchasing question.

Discussion in 'New Members - G'Day!' started by thatdudematt, Aug 11, 2015.

  1. thatdudematt
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    thatdudematt New Member

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    Hi all,

    My name is Matt, and I'm keen to join the Canberra RIding Scene! I recently moved to Canberra from Sydney for a grad program. I went back to Sydney to do the pre-learner course recently, and hope to get my L's tomorrow - apparently there isn't a computer test in the ACT?!
    Anyway, part of my reason for posting was to see if I could gauge the opinion of this bike: http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/campbell/motorcycles/2004-honda-cb250-lams/1079063616
    I like the type of bike and the price. Are the kilometers and age too high? It would just be to learn and get a feel for riding.
    If there is anyone out there that knows bikes well and would be willing to check it out with me that would be awesome!

    Cheers,
    Matt.
     
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  2. RobBy66
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    RobBy66 Member

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    Greetings Matt & welcome to CR.
    Sorry, I'm one of those idiots who pays mechanics a fortune every service, so can't help you on those bike questions.
    Just be wary of worn tyres, that last 50% on the rear tends to wear out rather quickly.
     
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  3. zaccy182
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    zaccy182 Member

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    Easy bike to ride, but a bit down on power if that's a concern to you. If you check .petes thread, he's almost rode his around Australia
     
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  4. Binksy
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    Binksy Member

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    Welcome to Canberra.

    Not sure I'd go near a CB250 that used to be owned by Stayupright. Clutch has probably been completely flogged(even compared to most learner bikes!). Although for 2k neg you can afford to fix the odd thing up. I like bikes with more poke even when I was on my L's but anything is possible. I'd look more at ER5 or GS500's personally but depends what your going to do with it.

    Could be of a bit of help, I know most of the basic things, chain wear, bearings, pads etc. But certainly no qualified mechanic
     
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  5. supamodel
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    supamodel Secret Aaaaaagent Man Staff Member Moderator Supporter

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    Most learner legal things don't depreciate below about $2k so yeah the price is about right. Km wise, not so bad. Mechanically yes, the stay upright ones cop more abuse on the clutches but they're not hugely expensive if it does start slipping and need new clutch plates.

    If you're stuck I can go have a look... I did ride a CB250 from here to the sunshine coast for one of the CR members, and looked at .Pete's CB250 as well (plus did some stuff to it before he left on his adventure). Good robust bikes. They aren't the fastest but they are solid and reliable and easy to ride. Some people do feel they outgrow them speed wise prior to finishing their restrictions, that's perhaps the biggest negative I can give on them.
     
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  6. Humptey
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    Humptey Member Supporter

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    Cheap. Crash bars. A Stay Upright bike so could expect proper maintenance during that time.

    As for checking it out, do a google search for motorcycle buyer's checklists. There's heaps, print one out, take notes then do a price search for any fixes that need doing. It'll get you %90 of the way there.

    Oh, welcome to CR!
     
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  7. Paris Hilton
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    Paris Hilton Member

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    I say go for it, my learner bike was a Honda 250 (CBF250, the CB250 you're looking at is a way better bike)with unknown history and a "motor rebuild" where the previous owner had put the exhaust collets on upside down so the valves were stuck open, so they sold it as it wouldn't run properly. Mate of mine pulled it apart, chuckled to himself and flipped them... as soon as that was rectified, the bike fired up and was 100% fine. Bulletproof. It had 45,000km's on it, so 33,000km's would be even better

    dotPete's bike has done a bazillion km's being bashed through the worst trails in Australia for how long now without anything (driveline related) breaking...

    Offer them $1500 and go from there I guess...
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2015
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  8. thatdudematt
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    thatdudematt New Member

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    Thanks for the help everyone!
    I managed to get my L's today and confuse the RTA lady again with a rider certificate from NSW. It was about 40 bucks cheaper than my friend that did it in NSW at the same time :p
    The CB250 is sounding pretty good. There was also a CBR125R being advertised for 2.5k with only 6,000kms and a service. The guys been advertising it for weeks too.
    I'm thinking the 250 might be nicer for the (slightly) extra grunt...I rode one of them for the pre-learner course.
    Aahh decisions...
     
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  9. RobBy66
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    RobBy66 Member

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    NIke (just do it). Any bike you get that puts a smile on your dial is worth the price. Even if you outgrow it, you'll re-sell it without much of a loss.
     
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  10. supamodel
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    supamodel Secret Aaaaaagent Man Staff Member Moderator Supporter

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    The CBR125R handles better and actually makes about the same overall grunt: that's the advantage of more valves and being water cooled (and a newer design, and fuel injected). So I wouldn't discount it. In practise they both cruise most comfortably at about 90-95 km/h, and they top out at similar top speeds. (CBR125R being 6 speed and CB250 being 5 speed also assists with this). Tyre choice is better with the CBR125R.
     
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