210 replies to this topic

[satyenpoojary]

Not a first hand user, but
1. Mileage will improve as the bike ages provided you run in it correctly
2. More speed, lesser mileage is a misconception.
You will get lower mileage in sticking to first gear and clocking 50kmph than you would get by being in second or third gear and clocking 50kmph. Be on the correct powerband for the optimal mileage. Doc would probably explain this better.
3. Read the entire thread again, doc has added some nifty notes about how to get rid of the vibes in the bike and about the early need for shim replacement to keep the engine 'calm'
4. You probably mean Radiator by Air cleaner... You could use a toothbrush and prill dishwashing soap to clean it. Doc do you have any other solution for this?
5. Check docs seat mod! You can do it!

[arn]

mukul, on 10 August 2011 - 10:59 PM, said:

Hi,
First of all, Doc, I would like to thank you for your intense review about the cbr 250r, which I felt the same way while riding mine. I have been following your thread since I booked my cbr 250r black. Finally I got my 250r after a long wait of 2 and 1/2 months on 29th july. I have placed a set of questions, hoping to clear my doubts here.
The  service person asked me to keep the speed of the bike within 80 kmph for  first 1000 km, so revving it at 4.5k max to keep the  speed at around 70-75 kmph. I am getting a mileage of around 32-34 kmpl mostly in highway.

As part of QC, bikes are redlined in all the gears, on the brand new engine before they make it out of the factory gates to the customer. Modern engines (and this is as modern as it gets) do not need running in in the traditional way. What the ASC has told you is to allow you to "run in" YOUR skillsets on an unfamiliar bike, not so much for the bike.

The engine will be a bit tight for at least 2K km, so do not expect optimum performance till then. You can rev it at whatever rpm you wish short of the redline, just do not hold it at 8K+ rpm for extended periods of time, vary the throttle. The most damage will be caused if you lug the engine in high gears at 3K rpm and then try to accelerate from there.

Already I have covered around 400 km. Will the mileage increase after the first service? Also I am supposed to increase the speed to 100-130 kmph. Does the mileage decrease with the increasing speed even in pgmfi system? And may be i should not ask this, but what is the optimum speed to get the best mileage in a cbr 250r.

The mileage and performance will increase once the valve clearances are set, and the motor has done 2K+ km. Setting the valve clearances is critical, and it will not happen until the ASC gets the shim kits. 70kph in 6th should give you significantly better than 40 kpl. As you go faster the wind resistance rises, and not in a linear rate either, so you will see a drop in mileage. This gives the same mileage at a steady 120 as you can expect from a ZMA at 100.


The engine feels much vibrant comparing to unicorn. Is this common with cbr 250r or it can be fixed?

At mid rpms the engine is a bit rougher


The air cleaner is damaged at few places. When I was trying to fix those by myself I got them disfigured. Does it have any severe effect on the cooling?

Dont try to clean the radiator, it only gets muddy in one portion, will have no practical difference to your cooling. Let the ASC use the low pressure jet


Also during this rainy days as i was traveling around in my town, i got lower part of my pant a bit muddy. Do I need to put an additional cover behind the front wheel?

You'd have to change the front fender, legwork reqd.  If you can fit a mudflap successfully, let us know, this is certainly a problem on this bike.


Also may be its a little funny, but I have passed over some cow dung on my bike unintentionally, and later found out it is going up to and inside the air cleaner .
Last of all, can the rear seat be made thicker as well as longer for the comfort of the pillion rider while going for a long tour? Because my fat a** friends, while seating on the rear seat they are pressing over the back-light cover, which is easily breakable.

Only a limited pressure will be placed onto the rear cowl, just have them hold the grab rails (it will position them properly on the seat)


thnx in advance.

[arn]

15000km review. Actually, 17000km.



Till date, the spends on the bike, especially extra expenditure.

Horrendous fairing rattle initially, fixed fully after some R&D, mechs clueless at that point of time
Failed footpeg rubber (substituted by RTR footpeg rubber, perfect fit) as the ASC had no stock. (rs 100)
Dead spark plug at about 10000km, due to improperly fitted plug adapter (worked loose due to ASC , Venetian Honda not fitting it back properly). The "repair" was charged (Matrix Honda, Mangalore) even though the bike was in warranty.(Rs 200)
Poorly fitted cam chain tensioner lost a bolt spewing oil all over after the shim change, rectified at Sai point Honda. FOC
Fork oil seal started to leak at 16000km, replaced since. (Rs400)
Pronounced engine rattle developed at 13K km, cured 90% by tightening the engine mount bolts, FOC

Apart from that, the regular oil change, and air filter replacement at 12000km. Oil changes - Honda synth oil at about Rs1000, air filter -Rs 200 + 2 oil filters - Rs 800. The first 3 oil changes were with the non synthetic oil, about Rs 300 a change (3).
One set pads, front and rear . Due to unavailability, P220 pads were used at the rear. Rs 500 incl fluid.
2 punctures on rear fixed by self.

Pending issues:
Oil being thrown into the air filter. Not resolved, will be opening up the airbox in a few days to find the source when doing the 18K service.
Engine rattle/resonance starting at 5.5K rpm, not resolved fully.

How the bike feels at this point
Engine gearbox combination.

Still a bit rougher than the ZMA engine at the 4-6K rpm point, a lot  smoother after that. Lovely slick gearbox, NO false neutrals. Engine wakes up instantly on hitting the starter, for the power at hand, very stingy on the fuel.

Suspension

Still a bit hard, but gets plant as the speed increases. I've taken the bike to 140 GPS, bike was totally planted. Crosswind behaviour is not bad either, only noticeable when turning.The front is a bit overly soft, but that prevents bumps at speed hurting you so I'm OK with that. VERY good handling at speed, esp corners.

Brakes

No complaints, but definitely improved in terms of feel by the SS braided line fitted recently. Very good stopping power.

Tyres

Contigo, some of the best tyres I've used. I'll be fitting Bridgestone rears to compare. The ContiGos still hold the road like a leech in corners at 17000km. No other tyre I have owned has done that. There is some unevenness in tyre wear which leads to a slight, momentary odd feeling when starting the lean. The tyres ae due for a change now, about 2mm tread on the ear remaining. The only surface these tyres do not like - freshly wet roads (beginning of monsoon/after a tanker leaves a water trail. Also, be careful on metal gratings/sheets on the road.

These tyres are rather poor off road though - large footprint, road pattern - low loading  - easy to have then spinning all over the place esp on slush. Not done much off roading though.

Seat

I hate the stock seat, too little padding on bad roads. Cured completely with extra padding

Lights

The headlight had a very poor high beam pattern. I think this is a bike specific problem. Have fixed it since, running 130/100 on relays. Adequate for the highway, unlike the stock light. The alternator an easily handle the load (checked). Cheaper han HID mod (bulb + relays = about Rs400/). HID would be a lot better, though. Setting the light is a NUISANCE, not because of accessibility (good), but the result is erratic. also, the stay for the eadlight has too much play - if the bolts are not VERY tight the orientation of the front end changes and you have to reset the lights or tighten the bolts.

[pulsurge]

Doc, after reading all your grievances...I feel am lucky not to be suffering any of such issues

[spinz]

Doc when r u putting in the CI4? I'm using Delvac after the bike clocked 50kms. Max speed achieved 154 which means clutch not slipping or engine under stress

[spinz]

Got the 2nd service done at 4000kms ( I know its not the proper mileage but the it was over 6 months and I wasn't able to ride the bike cos of the bitter cold winters), expenses paid were only for the oil filter and chain cleaning and lubing. Got replacement kit installed along with engine oil exchange. Total cost Rs.501/-

Bike is revving freely. Below 5k rpm its the engine feels ticking but above it there's just a pleasant buzz, and after revving beyond the 8k rpm the ticking below 5k rpm isn't felt either. I think the bike urges you to keep it revving in the post 5k rpm range and I like it

The chain feels and looks like new. There was no need to adjust it.

The steering was adjusted and now the bike feels very light too steer, almost Intuitive steering I must say.

Honda you have done a great job. Keep it up...

[pulsurge]

Very nice..I simply love the bike when it goes past 6000 rpm

[arn]

An update of the airbox issue has been posted on the relevant thread

Now in - the Motul CI -4

[pulsurge]

Doc when is your CBR getting its pair of clothes

[pulsurge]

Happy news I would say, but how soon and how good is to be seen.

http://www.motorbeam...d-2012-cbr250r/

The plastic quality has been improved as well with the ECU getting a new map to make the Honda CBR250R quicker and more frugal. These minor changes are said to make a big difference in the way the CBR250R rides and Honda should offer the upgraded map settings to existing owners too.

[pulsurge]

I think am unnecessarily somewhat putting the entire blame on the tyres during cornering. Yday night found a nice vacant backroad near my place...and tried braking as hard as I could to the extent of stoppieing. The tyre holds up well, in fact even the rear was holding up better than I imagined. The scary feeling is due to the cone set...now I get that while cornering the apprehension is mostly due to the cone settting than the tyre. I have tightened and loosened it so many times, at one point of time it was overtightened. Now with so many adjustments- I think the coneset is damaged and the bike pulls to the right when i leave the handlebars. Also the 1st and 2nd gears are still hard and still haven't normalised even after 4000+ kms. Will go this Saturday to Vihaan Honda to get it rectified. Hoping the coneset will be replaced under warranty.

[pulsurge]

Doc, looks good for offroading, doesn't it ')

[Silver Phantom]

pulsurge, on 07 March 2012 - 04:15 PM, said:

Doc, looks good for offroading, doesn't it ')

THAT IS ONE MEAN LOOKING BIKE

[pulsurge]

What about this then:



...and Mama's bike

[rahul_rn]

pulsurge, on 07 March 2012 - 04:55 PM, said:

What about this then:

...Wait a sec that a cbr..?? God it looks pretty..

Quote

Guessing this is a cop bike