Honda answers the call for non literbike in america

[ducpainter]

359 lbs for a 250 single? 

If it makes you feel any better that's a wet weight.

[ducatiz]

OK, but that really doesn't make it that much better.

Pick up a 600SS... 53HP...172 kg (380 lbs)... Desmo goodness.

That's with all the factory steel, ABS fairings, etc.  Swap the wheels, brakes, fairings with CF, lighten the engine components and you can get it close to 330-350.

[Speeddog]

For comparison, here's a bike from over 20 years ago:



http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_srx250f%2087.htm

32 HP and 123 kg claimed dry weight.
In that era, Yamaha's claimed dry weight was about 10% short of reality.
So, ~135 kg, 300 lbs.

Saw one on the freeway about a month ago, looked like it had just rolled off the showroom floor. 

[Ducatl]

All of these are nothing compared to this:


http://suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/TU250/2011/TU250.aspx?category=standard

I think there are plenty of options, the problem being, nobody wants to pay what these are worth new. Does anyone actually buy anything under 600cc anymore?

[Goat_Herder]

I like it!  It's about time somebody step up to the plate to compete against the Ninja 250.  I hope Honda continue to bring more small displacement bikes over here.  The CBs and VTR are fantastic bikes!

[derby]

I think there are plenty of options, the problem being, nobody wants to pay what these are worth new. Does anyone actually buy anything under 600cc anymore?

not in the states, really... no tiered licensing (read, there is no built-in market of people that can't buy anything bigger), and the buyers that would be interested find it hard to justify the cost vs performance when they could buy a 650 twin or 600i4 for a few thousand more.

[Ducatl]

the buyers that would be interested find it hard to justify the cost vs performance when they could buy a 650 twin or 600i4 for a few thousand more.

The thing is, it's not even that much.  You can buy the common 600+cc bike for less if you shop around and don't mind a used bike.

[JEFF_H]

We used to have a KLR250 that made 22 hp.
it was a giggle to ride in the twisties, and you didnt have to worry about letting off the throttle.

My current favorite scoot to ride to work has 4.9 hp  

[ducatiz]

Its was the weight:hp ratio that did it for me.

A 50 hp bike weiging 400 lbs is a dog but the same hp at 300 or less is a blast.

Flick flick flick!

[the_Journeyman]

Why not updated versions of the CBR400RR, GSXR-250 or GSXR-400?  Those were all inline-4s and didn't weigh as much as the one above ~

JM

[Stinky Wizzleteats]

I'd like one of these if/when they are sold. Wonder what they would go/look like. 

http://www.smh.com.au/business/honda-hits-the-road-with-600-motorcycle-to-cut-off-lowcost-rivals-20101007-169qc.html

[speedknot]

Keep it.  I'm sure any one of you that would buy it would have it for a few months only to realize that you can only hit 70mph on a downhill with the wind at your back.

[the_Journeyman]

I still say GSXR-250.

304lbs, 45HP @ 14,000 RPM.

All the way from 1990.

JM

[Duck-Stew]

Wasn't there a re-done VTR250 that Honda came out with last year or so?  Looked like a mini-Monster?!?  Why didn't they put that motor in this bike?  Oh wait, $.

[Speeddog]

The production cost of I4 or V4 250 isn't that much less than a 600.
The bike is smaller and lighter, so it can be a bit cheaper due to that.

Enthusiasts can appreciate a nice small-bore, but they just don't buy many.
I remember when that SRX250 came out.
Since then I've seen 'em on the road about five times here in LA. 
I've seen way more Ninja 250's, but even those aren't very common at all.