lifetimeofwar

This is the supermoto I was thinking about. 2009 Yamaha WR250x.





It's only a 250cc but weighs 300lbs wet.

Some of the cooler features:

• Fuel injection (rather than a carburetor)
• Aluminum (rather than steel) frame
• Titanium (rather than steel) intake valves
• EXUP exhaust valve and electronically controlled intake valve
• Fully adjustable suspension
• Radial (rather than bias-ply) tires

and a little comparison,

http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs...out-87985.html

what do you guys think? Any other recommendations?

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

First bike?

The $6k MSRP freaks me out. Thats alot of cash for a 250.

If youre experienced Id go with the KTM 690 SMC. Its got a 650cc single, EFI, slipper clutch, 61hp, and is 305lbs sans fuel (~3.7g tank). Granted, its $2k more, but its much more bike for the money IMO.

But if you want to stay with the smaller bikes, the Suzuki DRZ isnt a bad bike either. Its a 400cc, and sadly it doesnt have EFI, but its 321lbs fully loaded, but its around $6500. The used market for them is pretty healthy though.

I miss the days when the 600cc sportbikes were $6k.

stogie1020

Awesome! Thanks.

lifetimeofwar

The price is on the high side. A few days ago I got an OTD price of $6500, list price was $6150 I didn't haggle.

From the research I've done, the DRZ is getting technically outdated and it's not an extra 150cc faster than the WRX.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

NP.

I ventured into the classified section of my bike forum today and spotted a custom tank on ebay with 8 minutes left, so I bought it

They chopped the bottom of the stock Hawk tank, and chopped the top of a CBR F2 tank and mated them together. Its about 5gallons now, compared to the stock 3.2g And its been sealed and tested too.



I cant wait till it comes in. Now I have this CBR F2/3 tank I need to sell.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Yea, the DRZ has been around for quite some time. Thats why I mentioned the used market.

SHYUperman

iTrader: (1)

Finally finished modding the GSXR 600, here are pics through the entire process (lots of pics).

Bike is a beast, rode it around for 30 miles yesterday, glad I upgraded from the SV650s. The Akra shorty sounds beautiful, but, started to get too loud for me, I might put the silencer back on.


How the bike looked when I first bought it:





Coolant flush



Fender Eliminator



Removed the rear foot pegs. Accidentally stripped one of the bolt, buddy had to dremel out the bolt, not fun. Picked up some bolt covers from Lowes and they completed the look





Changed the air filter and sparked plugs. How they looked at 4k miles.







Box of goodies- Woodcraft cut frame sliders, spool sliders, puig dark smoke screen, PCV, Akra shorty slip on



New Pilot Powers



Stock exhaust off, Akra on and PCV installed








Rim tape



Finished product, loving it

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Looks great. I like the wheel tape. ive been thinking of doing that myself.

knight rider

iTrader: (1)

Looks great! Akrapovic >* I put wheel tape on too... Patience, patience. Looks like you did a pretty good job I was about to take my rear pegs off too. I have a seat cowl so no need for those, but I thought they may help save my fairing in the event of a fall.

SHYUperman

iTrader: (1)

Thanks! Got the curved ones off Ebay, pain in the pass if you're OCD.

Yeah man, I was thinking about getting a Yoshi R55, but decided on the Akra and made the right decision. Yeah the rim tape was a pain, not perfect in all areas, but from a far they look good

Just be careful not to strip the screws, or you'll have a nightmare taking it out. Go with the one closest to the engine first. Suzuki put a lot of loctite on the screws so they're a pain. Yeah, I researched about the pegs being good for a fall, but, some people actually got hurt by them and a lot said it didn't matter.

knight rider

iTrader: (1)

I have a Ninja (ZX-6R). I think I'll just leave them on for now. I have a Yoshi RS-5. I got it for a ridiculously low price, but the CF on it is just a sleeve. On the Akra, it is a CF tube and very lightweight. I had an Akra on my old F4i and the sound, airflow and craftmanship was superior to the Yoshi Tri-Oval I replaced.

Anywho, enjoy in good health,...oh and make sure you check your air pressure on your CT2s regularly. They wear pretty fast.

SHYUperman

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, post some pics of the ZX6r!

teranfon

Congrats Jefford!




Terry

stogie1020

Thanks Terry!

Been riding around the neighborhood a bunch, and practicing the low speed stuff in parking lots. Getting more confident each day.

Despite my initial fears over the size of the bike, it's really a lot of fun to ride and doesn't scare me in and of itself. Other drivers, that's a different story.

jim165

Congrats on the purchase...that bike is awesome! You'll definitely remember this bike as your first bike...

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Awesome... congrats!!




Took me a while as well. In fact, I didn't go on the freeway at all with my Ninja 250cc. Was just afraid I wouldn't be able to get out of the way in certain situations. Once I got my new bike I had more confidence I had no problem freeway riding... but it took some time overall to get to that level.

No rush though... freeways are BORING. More fun on the back roads

stogie1020

Thanks Jim!

Junior, You know, I really have no motivation to go on the freeway. Party out of fear, but also because in AZ there are so many back roads and state 2 lane highways, I just don't see the point. I am not using the bike as transportation, it's purely recreation!

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Same with me which is why I was able to avoid freeways for so long. However, I have taken the bike on road trips and had to get on the highway, but that was over a year after I started riding, so the fear was gone by then. Plus, to get to the Blue Ridge I need to take some freeways... but it's a small trade-off for the reward!

stogie1020

Went out for about 2 hours today. I wore a backpack to carry a Nalgene bottle of water and a few other items. It didn't seem to bother me at all. I left a little later than I had wanted to, so traffic was heavier than I hoped, but it wasn't really a problem. Lot's of fun.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Looks great. Hows the bike running?

stogie1020

Good, thanks.

I need to work out some buffeting in the front suspension around 50mph, but otherwise, it's a lot of fun!

It will be even more fun when it's not 110 degrees, but the JoeRocket Phoenix5.0 jacket does a superb job of venting.

mmafighta

If you were in the market for a brand new...pricey racing bike, which one would you guys buy?

I've heard mixed reviews on BEAMERS not that they're bad, but either people say it's better than overpriced Ducati, or people are just clueless about em.

thx for the help.

teranfon

I've owned two BMW motorcycles. Not the sport, but the adventure GS series. Lovely bikes with plenty of engineering and sophistication. Except for vibration, they were both relatively comfortable with great seating positions. Unfortunately, they were also very unreliable and expensive to service. Would I take one out for a day ride? Probably. Would I take one if I was traveling for any sort of distance? Absolutely not. My Japanese bikes have been far more reliable, and in most instances, built better than the BMWs.




Terry

PortlandRL

I just can't see myself riding a sport bike. Now a new Honda Gold Wing? Yes please. Now that being said, if I were to be into sport bikes, I really like some of the offerings from Honda and Yamaha.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Ducati. Rarer then your other options.

What about Buell?

However, just like automobiles, if you want reliability, go japanese.

tmnhs81

I know nothing about motorcycles but if I were to pick one I'd pick Honda for sure.

teranfon

Hi Jefford.

I'm glad you're enjoying the ride. What do you mean in regards to buffeting from the front suspension? Is it vibrating? The bike weaving? You may have a wheel balance problem, or even experiencing worn steering head bearings.


Terry

mmafighta

Yea, but I really love the S1000RR....but expensive.

BeemerKiller

Try Triumph 675, you'll love how the triple engine sounds.

knight rider

iTrader: (1)

If expensive and/or exclusive is what you are looking for you don't need to venture to German or Italian manufacturers. Get a Honda 1000RR Repsol race replica or Yamaha R1 Fiat race replica. After picking one get your upgrades (Akrapovic exhaust, Power commander, Marchesini wheels, braided brake lines, Ohlins suspension, K&N air filter, etc...). A Duc couldn't touch you (no need to mention the Beemer here), and you'll pay about the same.... and look better doing it IMO. You'll for sure have a lot less and cheaper visits to the mechanic.

SHYUperman

iTrader: (1)

X2

German/Italian manufacturers make some beautiful bikes, but I'd rather go with a Japanese sports bike. Like Knight Rider mentioned, get yourself a litter Japanese sport bike, load it up with upgrades and you'll own the European competition.

Are you going to track the bike? Or just have it as a nice toy to ride? All of the bikes you mentioned are powerful/great bikes, but the most skilled and experienced rider will beat you on the track. Either way, make sure you take the MSF course, get some good protective gear and be safe with whatever you get.

pttl

For "racing" bikes, go with Honda/Yamaha.

TS_eXpeed

Ducati 1198r. Or s.

CLpower

my favorite bike, i loved riding the triple


that said, the new BMW looks absolutely sick from all the reviews i've read

HI OFECR

Honda FTW

TheMirror

All my friends with Ducatis love/hate them.

They love riding them, they hate getting nickel and dimed for repairs and little broken stuff. $250 here, $500 there.....

stogie1020

It's up/down buffeting, like I am going over washboard, when I am not. Usually happens around 50-55mph.

CLpower

buell went bye bye

mcflyguy24

And even though I don't ride I find that to be an utter shame.

Legend2TL

Sounds like the forks are under-dampened. Check the fork fluid level and see if it is the correct amount from the top of the tube. This is usually in the shop manual. Also the viscosity of the fork oil can affect the damping, most 70's era Japanese bikes use ATF viscosity (7.5W).