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First Bike
Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 10:08 pm
by boingk
Hi, i'm a student, and am thinking of getting my riders licence in the school holidays, and may have a ride lined up. it's a honda CD250u, and looks to be in fairly good condition. can anyone tell me what these bikes are like to ride and own?
thanks - enoch
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:18 am
by bikeguy joe
boingK,
I hate to generalize, but any Honda is a good bike. I've taught several people to ride with the "Twinstar" series, Rebel, and a few other small Honda road bikes, all similar to the CD 250.
Welcome to the riding world.
Joe
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 7:09 am
by Kal
We have a winner!!!
Generally Honda's are good, cheap motorbikes and this one sounds pretty sensible for a starter bike.
You didnt say how old the one you've lined up is but I am guessing about 10 years. age can make a difference to how easy a bike is to look after.
http://www.custombike.org/honda_cd250.htm
If you are starting out I recomend spending a fair wedge of cash on Safety gear - I'm sure there will be a post along about it soon. You'll own many bikes but only the one body.
I'd also recommend getting whatever the american version of the Haynes technical maunal is, any ride needs a certain ammount of maintainence and there are many jobs that you can do with the help friends to keep costs down.
From my own experience you cannot buy a big enough lock. Bike theives should be hanged or possibly crucified but until we have enough votes to get that vital peice of legislation through we just have to limit the opportunites thieves have to damage and steal our rides.
Welcome to the club. You're going to love it.
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 9:21 am
by totalmotorcycle
Hi Enoch,
I'm just reposting the email I send you for others to read as well.
As you know, there is not much information on that model, but what I do know is that it will make a great first bike as it has forgivable power, is light, and a parallel twin which is a very reliable engine. Great choice. Here are the stats we have for the bike:
HONDA CD250 - 1988-94, 249cc Parllel twin, - 20hp, 80mph, 70mpg, 350lbs
Last of the line CD twin with relatively sophisticated ride and handling. Mild motor lasts okay but finish on early examples has gone off already. Front disc degenerates after two to three years, as does the suspension. Avoid any engines with knocks, rattles or oil leaks. Still made in Japan, they make ideal town hacks in Tokyo.
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 1:59 pm
by boingk
Thanks for the feedback, seems like i might actually be making a fairly decent choice here. The bike is a 1989 CD250u, so it's not exactly new but its in pretty good condition - starts first time, good ride, no weird noises and so on and so forth. haha, it's going to be funny seeing it next to my dad's bike: a BMW R1100S
Oh yeah, thanks Kal for the tip about the safety gear, thats exactly what i had in mind. Somehow i dont think i'd feel comfortable learning to ride without a decent helmet/jacket/everything else. And yeah, theres definitely some scum out there, so a lock is one of the first things on my list.
Have a good one
- Enoch