Author Topic: Am I expecting too much?  (Read 1788 times)

xbally

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Re: Am I expecting too much?
« Reply #15 on: October 07, 2022, 07:36:18 PM »
Sorry you are not getting along with your RS  as you had hoped Ian.
We could do with a few more RS owners on here maybe.
I do understand where you are coming from.
Now I have sold my XBR and swapped my RE Continental GT 535 the RS is the only single I own.
I have often considered moving my RS on but more often than not when I ride it, although it's not the most powerful of bikes and can be a bit snatchy I always come back to liking it.
You do need to use the gears as well, particularly at sub 40 mph.
As Kev says they will hold a higher (but not too high) speed-mine will happily run up to 60-70 mph on the clock if needs be.
I'm planning to keep mine long term-all being well- as I hope the light weight will be a factor in this as I get older (and no doubt weaker).
I was out on mine this morning doing about 25 miles and very much enjoyed the experience.
I was also heartened upon speaking to a youngish lad (aged about 30 ish) today who was working with his Dad re-fitting a door and panels at our bungalow and he was very interested in the RS being a biker himself.
HONDA CB250RSA ROYAL ENFIELD CONTINENTAL GT535

Ian

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Re: Am I expecting too much?
« Reply #16 on: October 07, 2022, 08:48:46 PM »
Some years ago I tried a Mash 400 and think one of those might suit my "second bike" needs.

Just be careful Ian, I briefly owned a Mash400 (mistakenly called a 500!). I was astounded at the lack of quality of the bolts and fittings. It was a reasonably smooth motor, but I moved it on very quickly. If you do decide to have one I think you'll be disappointed with the quality, especially after owning a Honda.
Just my own personal thoughts and experience.
1 SRX 1 C400X -2 thumpers

Rossco500

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Re: Am I expecting too much?
« Reply #17 on: October 07, 2022, 09:41:58 PM »
Hi Ian - I've ridden quite a few thumpers over the years but surprisingly never a CB250RS. Always liked the look and the concept though. As for the Mash, to be honest I'd be more tempted by one of the Jap market Hondas such as a CB400SS. Although you'll pay more for what is an older bike I think that is reflected in the build quality - depreciation should be lower too.

Regards

Tony

iansoady

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Re: Am I expecting too much?
« Reply #18 on: October 08, 2022, 09:17:21 AM »
Yes, I take the point re build quality... Of course I would be looking at a used mash, so depreciation would be a benefit rather than a problem! There are always a couple around the £2,000 mark so not too hard to find. I did have a Honda 400 4 (The "big one") grey import for a while but hated it - with a rev limit of something like 14,000 it was just not my style at all.

I have been looking at the facebook mash users' pages and there are definitely issues with some, although the majority of owners seem quite happy.

It is a shame the little Honda and I haven't really bonded. It definitely has many good points and is an easy ride whereas the Norton is much more engaging (read if you will hard work although rewarding). I should probably have kept the Guzzi V50 I sold on a couple of years ago but we live and learn.
Ian.
1952 Norton ES2
1986 Honda XBR500
1958(ish) Grumph.....

kevberlin

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Re: Am I expecting too much?
« Reply #19 on: October 08, 2022, 02:01:22 PM »
Hello Ian,
I’ve just done a 50 mile round trip to Church Stretton on my Cb250rs and was thinking about your post.
It was a great ride out on a superb October day, but it reaffirmed my view that the bike is no flyer. I just can’t imagine wheelies and the such like.  I just rode at 50mph, showing 5k revs and enjoyed the sweet little gone buzzing away and the light weight of the machine.
I also run a 1979 Yamaha SR500 that I bought a year ago. Strange thing is that, to date at least, I have not fully bonded with it and can’t put my finger on the reason behind it. It’s a great bike but, to date, doesn’t give me the elusive grin factor that I get from the little Honda.
Riding bikes is highly individual. Fortunately, we, and our bikes, are all different.
All the best,
Kev
1983 Honda CB250RS
2023 BMW G310GS

iansoady

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Re: Am I expecting too much?
« Reply #20 on: October 08, 2022, 03:14:54 PM »
Yes, it is strange - one man's meat and all that. TBH if I'd gone for the later electric start model I may have been happier (although I believe they have their own issues). Advancing age and associated inflexibility mean I can't lift my right leg high enough to start the Honda when astride it although can when standing beside it. Oddly enough I don't have that problem with the Norton. I'm also not keen on the auto decompressor.
Ian.
1952 Norton ES2
1986 Honda XBR500
1958(ish) Grumph.....

Rossco500

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Re: Am I expecting too much?
« Reply #21 on: October 09, 2022, 08:44:59 PM »
Hi Ian - CB400SS is not the 4 cylinder model but a tidy looking 400cc 4 valve single. Think they were made between 2000 and 2010 for the Japanese domestic market (they seem to keep the most interesting for themselves!). Later ones were electric start,139kg and 29hp. Some of the importers have brought them to the UK although they do seem to hover around the £3k mark

Regards

Tony


spooky

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Re: Am I expecting too much?
« Reply #22 on: October 09, 2022, 09:20:50 PM »
How about getting aTU250 ?   basically a GN250 with a new frock....
Classic efi squadron blue, CG125, Terrot 125, CM200 sprinter,

iansoady

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Re: Am I expecting too much?
« Reply #23 on: October 10, 2022, 09:10:08 AM »
Tony - I didn't know about those but it looks quite tidy and probably something I could live with. I'll check them out. Spooky - I think I need more than a 250.......
Ian.
1952 Norton ES2
1986 Honda XBR500
1958(ish) Grumph.....

kevberlin

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Re: Am I expecting too much?
« Reply #24 on: October 10, 2022, 04:34:09 PM »
Ian,
There’s a cb400ss single cylinder on eBay quite near you in Evesham.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284965589438?hash=item425945d1be:g:32kAAOSw7fljIKWK
They seem similar to the Yamaha sr400, only with the benefit of button start.
I toyed with the idea of one, but ended up buying a sr500.
All the best,
Kev
1983 Honda CB250RS
2023 BMW G310GS

iansoady

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Re: Am I expecting too much?
« Reply #25 on: October 11, 2022, 09:09:52 AM »
Thanks Kev, noticed that one. It looks very nice apart from the tyres - why put scrambler type tyres on I wonder? I may pop over and have a look although it's not very sensible to buy it while I've still got the 250. Also its price is a little on the high side.
Ian.
1952 Norton ES2
1986 Honda XBR500
1958(ish) Grumph.....

kevberlin

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Re: Am I expecting too much?
« Reply #26 on: October 11, 2022, 01:34:08 PM »
Ian,
I don’t get the scrambler tyres either but a viewing may give you a clearer idea of set up, weight and the such like.
Let us know what you think if you decide to check it out.
Kev
1983 Honda CB250RS
2023 BMW G310GS

iansoady

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Re: Am I expecting too much?
« Reply #27 on: October 12, 2022, 09:29:03 AM »
Yes, I see the ad's nearly at the end of its run so may let it run out then give him a ring. There's a silver one in Bristol and a snazzy yellow one in Norfolk (a bit far for me) as well.
Ian.
1952 Norton ES2
1986 Honda XBR500
1958(ish) Grumph.....

Rossco500

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Re: Am I expecting too much?
« Reply #28 on: October 12, 2022, 09:41:16 PM »
Just make sure it's the right bike for you Ian - handy if you can wrangle yourself a test ride to be sure. Some seem to be fitted with aftermarket (generic / loud) pipes which is ok if you can live with it but handy if the original system is included. Also check that it is one of the electric start models - I think the later ones had both kick and electric start. They do crop up for sale occasionally so you'd probably be better taking your time 'til a good standard one turns up. There's also a high pipe version called a CL400.

Regards

Tony

iansoady

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Re: Am I expecting too much?
« Reply #29 on: October 13, 2022, 09:09:36 AM »
Yes, good points. I definitely want an electric start so looking at the slightly later ones. I'll keep an eye out for the CL400 although I'm not really a fan of high pipes having been burnt(!) before.
Ian.
1952 Norton ES2
1986 Honda XBR500
1958(ish) Grumph.....