CB250RS

[manxie]

Mmmmmmmmmmm- i don't think the RS would be particularly suitable to run over the mountain and back daily-don't get me wrong they are light and would be ok but you'd have to thrash it a fair bit.

 

[timbo]

I looked at a TU250 in Ramsey, in a garage forecourt for sale last time I was over sixteen months ago. It was rough as hell. The CBX250s are about 30bhp, but didn't sell well, as I think the learner law changed around the time they came out, so nobody wanted 250s. Same engine that is in the lovely little jap market only GB250, which reminds me, I must get into the shed sometime soon 

[manxie]

How do you rate the TU Tim?

[manxie]

Well, had a skeet at the 1st RS today.

Nice tidy bike. In original black paint (patina`d) 15k on the clock, new rear shocks, new o ring chain, serviced, two new tyres and sounded pretty sweet. The lid of the tool box and it`s contents were missing, 2 into 1 exhaust in good nick.

Got the other one to look at on Monday.

Waiting to hear about a TU250 Suzuki (don`t know much about them) or maybe another Skorpion.

[timbo]

That RS sounds pretty good. I know nothing of TUs I'm afraid, just that they are sort of retro style, and one of the few models of that ilk, to be sold beyond Japan.
Xbally, I am real sorry you had such a shit year, and I hope things improve for you in 2018.

[spooky]

Think of a TU250 as a GN250 with a new dress, same performance,  slower than a honda but I like them a lot, they go for as little as £600 occasionally

[manxie]

Cheers Rufus. I`m reading by fitting a 16T front sprocket is the way to go for better top speed? How do you find the GN? Would it haul my lard a$$ over the mountain 

[xbally]

Thanks Manxie and Timbo for condolences..

The tool box lid cover falling off is a common fault.It's just a plastic joint that wears over time.You might get a good used one second hand.

[spooky]

Mmmmmmmmmmm- i don't think the RS would be particularly suitable to run over the mountain and back daily-don't get me wrong they are light and would be ok but you'd have to thrash it a fair bit.

i think this would apply to a gn or tu 250 as well..  i had a 16t on the front and a 39 on the back and it was pretty quick but sometimes i had to hold it in fourth for longer to keep it boliing,  i am never without one these days

[themoudie]

Aye Steve,

Having read through this thread and noted that a daily thrash through Mannin's cloak is being contemplated, then may I suggest these alternatives to the CB250RS?

CB250RS nice bike but you would wear it out pretty quickly on that run, whilst the wally YAHOO's in German and Japanese pseudo-rally, race and drifter models would take scant notice of you and put your life in peril coming over the top in the "Rush Hour"! 

Honda VFR 750 or early 800, with less than 50K miles they can be had for £1,000 to £1,500. Reliable, go like the chrome shovel, fairing protection etc.

Honda CB500 twin (1993 - 2004), again with less than 50K they can be had for £750 - £1,500. Reliable, quick enough and can be fitted with all sorts of accessories, or stripped for a scratch round Jurby!    Simon (TC member) uses one as a tug for a chair and gives it dogs'.

Honda Bros 400, motors run great and last for 100K miles plus without needing split, handles well or even better if you install CBR600 front end, Fireblade rear shock and VFR750 rear wheel. Capable of 100mph coming over the top and down to Kate's, Creg, Brandish and Hillberry etc. Going up from your place 80 - 90mph possible on the less steep parts towards the Veranda and Brandywell. Getting a bit old, but good ones to be had for the £750 - £1,500 price range.

If it needs to be a single, then a Honda Dominator 650, XT600E, Suzuki DR650, MZSkorp Tour, XT660 would be alternatives. I would prefer the first 3 air-cooled motors for simplicity and lack of weight. All are bomb-proof, go at a canter, have cheap spares and there must be plenty on the Island laid up in barns etc.

My apologies for complicating matters, but I am sure you know of some "collections" that need some "thinning", amongst your clients or fellow plumbers! 

My regards, Bill

[manxie]

Hey Bill,

what a crackin write up and all very true! Maybe I should have kept my 750 quid Fazer for a thrashing over the top? As I say, I`m far from a racer but like going quick when I can or want too.

I`ll still have a look at the RS on Monday, purely because it`s a one owner bike and the right price. As it`s been said, if it`s been stored properly over the years, she still could be in good nick? I`ll have a skeet at the TU too ... just in case??

I loved my Skorpion Sport and the only reason I sold it was the riding position. By the time I`d left mine and got to Windy Corner, both my arms / hands had gone to sleep, not clever when the Creg is just down the road  There is a Skorp Traveller for sale which I like the look off, but I don`t want to waste the sellers time looking at it, so I`m trying to negotiate a rough figure before I go to view. I`d definately like to own it.

Sadly, I don`t have any clients these days, been working for the government too long. Plenty of mates with collections but they`re not parting with any. One fella I know has put 16 bikes in the Motor Museum (for storage) oh, I mean "display"  but he sells NOTHING!!

Something will turn up, I want to buy locally if I can to save £250 shipping here from the UK, then having to get it through the test.

Thank you ALL for your advice, greatly appreciated and all makes perfect sense. I`ll keep you`s posted.

Cheers, Steve.

[xbally]

I can vouch for the VFR750 and 800i.Both are great and very cheap bikes for what they are. The 800i (not the VTEC model -which i haven't ridden)is a particular bargain and a fair bit sportier than the earlier 750.It would really fly around the mountain circuit but that may very well not be what you want .While the RS has its charms it is nothing,nothing like a VFR!

[manxie]

Thanks fellas.

I`m still looking. I like the VFR`s but tend to opt for naked bikes if I can. One of the best bikes I ever owner was a 1200 Bandit. Didn`t handle great but went like stink and did everything you`d want.

We`ll see? I need a bike in my life I can use....not like the two piles of ..... in my garage     

[trophydave]

I like the CB250RS but when I see some of the prices being asked for them I cant see myself owning one.Moving on to CB500s and VFRs.My CB500 was a good bike,scruffy but it ran like a sewing machine.Economical,easy to work on,I probably should have kept it.VFR750s,I have owned two of them.One was an early normal swing arm job,the other one of the last 750s before the 800.Very good bike,well made,will do an enormous mileage.Some work such as valve clearances is fiddly but doable.If you do look at them try and get one with a stainless exhaust or at least downpipes,they do rot.£1500 would buy a nice 750,Im often tempted to try another one.

[manxie]

Thanks for the info Dave 

Cheers, Steve.