That's a big mileage for a four-cylinder 250cc bike.Don't forget these things rev to some 14,000rpm, so it's done a lot of work.
gunhand,
Jan 2, 12:28pm
Go the VTR. But not knowing your circumstances and why you are buying a 250cc bike its hard to advise. Personally I think you will quickly get sick of a250 reving its ring out. Most new riders can't wait to get off them. If its just a commuter then maybe itll be ok. Of course now that LAMs bike are out there there is so many more bigger cc bikes to choose from.
bitsy_boffin,
Jan 2, 1:19pm
If you are not adverse to late 80s early 90's bikes, then look for a Honda Spada 250 (and make sure it has an original engine in it, not a transplanted late model VTR250).
The Spada, and it slightly earlier sibling the VTZ250 were the pinnacle of the VT 250 line, the later model VTR 250 such as you're looking at had a lower power version of the engine, and a 5 speed box, while the Spada/VTZ produced 40HP with a 6 speed box, making for a very capable bike.
Not that the late model trellis frame VTR250 isn't a good bike, after all it does derive from the Spada, but the 6 speed box for me makes the Spada the better bike IMHO, even if they are older.
bwg11,
Jan 2, 1:21pm
The 250 would be fine around town and commuting, but if you plan on touring, take gunhands advice and go for more cubes.
nick91111,
Jan 2, 2:19pm
I have been looking at a few bigger LAMS bike. For me the price is currently what the deciding factor is. I only have around 3k. Mostly commuting, with maybe a tiny bit of open road work.
nick91111,
Jan 2, 2:24pm
Yeah that's what I thought. Would the one with 33k still be ok mileage wise. The original black one apparently has 17 but with a dodgy history, I can't prove that. Hence a little reluctant to buy.
nick91111,
Jan 2, 2:25pm
Mainly commuting, a little open road, probably not very often. Would like to be able to if I needed to sort of thing.
nick91111,
Jan 2, 2:25pm
Thanks for the info. Couldn't find any Spada's on here.
sw20,
Jan 2, 4:01pm
I've got a 1990 Bandit 250. They are a bit more powerful than the later ones as they have 45hp rather than the 40 or so from the later ones.
It is quite a buzzy bike to ride, 100km/h in 6th is 10,000rpm. It gets along nicely though. Anything over 8000rpm through to 16,000rpm and she is singing along.
lmcrae,
Jan 2, 4:21pm
I had a 2000 250 bandit as my first bike. Didn't have any issues with it during the 33000ks that I did on it.
nick91111,
Jan 2, 4:47pm
That sounds like a lot! Yeah they seem to go ok. Just not sure on the history of this one being re-vinned etc
nick91111,
Jan 2, 4:47pm
That's good. What are they like on gas!
kazbanz,
Jan 2, 4:51pm
VTR250 for a bunch of reasons -torquey for a 250 top speed well into licence loss . Light. plenty of em on the road. -alsomoney where mouth is -I bought mrs kaz a VTR
nick91111,
Jan 2, 5:04pm
Yeah I haven't heard much bad about them. The one I looked at didn't have a rev gauge which is annoying. It also was a bit rough cosmetically, surface rust and the like which was a real shame
lmcrae,
Jan 2, 6:14pm
Mine used about 4.5-5L per 100k with mostly open road riding.
nick91111,
Jan 2, 6:54pm
Oh yeah that's not too bad.
nick91111,
Jan 2, 8:07pm
""
kazbanz,
Jan 2, 9:10pm
It looks fairly typical and really easilly cleaned up
pollymay,
Jan 3, 4:40am
It's the VT250F2 you want if you want the get up and go version. It'll do over 100mph. Mine is in bits after snapping a front camshaft in half. May or may not of been pulling 13,000 rpm when it happened.
They do like to do bottom end bearings though. Mostly cause they are standard shell, not roller bearing and don't hold much oil. People run them low then chuck em round then it picks up a shell; the end. They're not the most advanced frame and suspension/brake setup you'll ever see but it's low centred, throwable, predictable enough and faster than a lot of the bigger stuff on the lams list. I'm building a new motor up for mine, my prelude is almost done though so going to try finish that off if I can first. Too much to do.
nick91111,
Jan 3, 6:57am
Thanks for that. Not many of them around I see. Do you think its worth looking at the bandit that has been crashed in the past or not! It rode really well and was pretty tidy
nick91111,
Jan 3, 7:00am
The VTR felt quite soft in the rear suspension too. Can they be stiffened up!
nick91111,
Jan 3, 7:05pm
If you look at the k's its done on car jam it looked to have around 30,000 in about 2006! It doesn't help that the speedo isn't original either. I can't really prove the history, so a little hesitant to buy! I'd also struggle on-selling it because of that I would say.
Nice looking bike in that link, would you worry too much about the age of it or!
nick91111,
Jan 3, 7:12pm
Shame there are none in the South Island!
gunhand,
Jan 3, 7:16pm
Its only 6 years older than what your looking at. Ive ridden 2005 bikes that feel rooted and old. I had an 1992 gsx1100f not that long ago that was smoother and tighter than many much more modern bikes. My current ride is an 2002 FZ1 and it has 60000kms on it. I was dubious by the KMs but once I rode it it was/is as tight as one with 10000kms.Its all about its history. With bikes compare a few of same make and few years apart to see what they feel like. With older bikes they will all feel different. When you test ride if it dosn't feel right walk away. A rusty looking thing means the owner more than likely didnt really care a hell of a lot. But in saying that some do show light rust on some surfaces almost from new. Clutchs, brakes etc should all be smooth and snatch free. Question the owner about everything, twice as they trip themselves up at times. Don't rush any purchase. Go back and look a few times as you will be surprised what you find the next time.
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