Upgrading from a CBR250? (Possibly to a CBR650F)

[Sonx]

I am thinking of upgrading from a CBR250 to a CBR650F.

I have been riding for a year and love the ergonomics of my CBR250 but want something with more power/upgrade. I have looked into a CBR600RR but I don't plan on doing any track days in the near future and want a commuting/touring sports bike rather than a track bike. I have also looked at the CBR600/F4i/F and open to other opinions/suggestions. I like the look and feel of CBR's and would like to stick within the series but open to other suggestions.

Does anyone have any thoughts/opinions on upgrading from a CBR250?

I live in SF and have a budget around ~$4000-$6000 with a max of ~$8000 (used or new but probably used).

 

[secn8ure]

I am thinking of upgrading from a CBR250 to a CBR650F.

I have been riding for a year and love the ergonomics of my CBR250 but want something with more power/upgrade. I have looked into a CBR600RR but I don't plan on doing any track days in the near future and want a commuting/touring sports bike rather than a track bike. I have also looked at the CBR600/F4i/F and open to other opinions/suggestions. I like the look and feel of CBR's and would like to stick within the series but open to other suggestions.

Does anyone have any thoughts/opinions on upgrading from a CBR250?

I live in SF and have a budget around ~$4000-$6000 with a max of ~$8000 (used or new but probably used).

Have you sat on a CBR600RR, if not you'll be surprised how comfortable they are for commuting compared to other SuperSports. But man if I were in your shoes with that budget, I'd get a brand new Ninja 400. That bike is just too sexy.

Add a used SV650 on your list. Finding one in pristine condition with low miles shouldn't be too hard.

 

[davidji]

I like the look and feel of CBR's and would like to stick within the series but open to other suggestions.

Have you ridden these 4-cylinder CBRs on your list? You're on a thumper and the I4s will feel radically different. They also all (even the CBR650F) have more forward lean than the 250. You'll be spending a lot of time on this bike, and commuting and touring aren't necessarily where the 600 I4 or the sport bike ergonomics really shine.

I think don't think you're looking at the best tools for your stated purposes. I'd be leaning toward more upright twins.

 

[Sonx]

Have you sat on a CBR600RR, if not you'll be surprised how comfortable they are for commuting compared to other SuperSports. But man if I were in your shoes with that budget, I'd get a brand new Ninja 400. That bike is just too sexy.

Add a used SV650 on your list. Finding one in pristine condition with low miles shouldn't be too hard.

The new ninja 400s are definitely fire. ill definitely check out the sv650.

Have you ridden these 4-cylinder CBRs on your list? You're on a thumper and the I4s will feel radically different. They also all (even the CBR650F) have more forward lean than the 250. You'll be spending a lot of time on this bike, and commuting and touring aren't necessarily where the 600 I4 or the sport bike ergonomics really shine.

I think don't think you're looking at the best tools for your stated purposes. I'd be leaning toward more upright twins.

I am not going to be doing too much touring. I mostly ride around the city but I want to tour around the bay a bit which I can't do on my cbr250. I like sports bikes and I want some forward lean - I don't know how comfortable/practical a cbr600rr is in city stop and go traffic.

I am going to sit on some bikes today and keep and eye on CL for the next month or so.

 

[RightCoastBias]

FZ-07 can be had lightly used and with a few bits in the top end of your range.

 

[deathbug74]

ninja 650 comes to mind as another possible option, though not as much personality in the parallel twin as in the vtwin in the sv650

 

[davidji]

I don't know how comfortable/practical a cbr600rr is in city stop and go traffic.

Wouldn't be my choice. Honestly I think what you have now is one of the best for that. I only had a brief ride on one, but it seemed awesome for low speed riding. The worst bike I've had for riding in slow traffic was a 600 I4. Weak low end, and more work than it needed to be. Not saying they're all like that, or that you'll feel the same.

For going faster of course a 250 thumper isn't the ideal setup.

As far as wanting some forward lean, the 250 has plenty. Plenty of bikes are more upright than that, but still have forward lean. I don't see how having more forward lean than the 250 is good for city traffic, touring, or really any street riding. Other disagree of course.

 

[davidji]

I mostly ride around the city but I want to tour around the bay a bit which I can't do on my cbr250.

Ah now I get it. By tour you meant day rides. When I use that word it means road trips.

FWIW I see guys on the freeway at commute time on CBR300s--it doesn't look like they have any issues riding around the bay.. I was actually considering trying a CB300F as a freeway commuter.

 

[Old&InTheWay]

If you're looking for a middleweight commuter/sport tourer, then the CBR650F would fit the bill nicely. The riding position is just slightly forward leaning so it's not too committed - a comfortable compromise. The suspension is a tad bit on the soft site but surprisingly capable at the same time. Freeway stability is exceptional, yet with a couple of clicks on the rear preload, the handling is pretty decent on the back roads. Finally, the fairing does a decent job of keeping you from feeling beat up on long freeway rides. Oh, and it gets great gas mileage - in the 50s without trying. It had decent torque so you don't have to wind it out to get it going it but still has that 4 cylinder feel.

There are a few negatives: It's a heavy bike, which may explain why it feels so smooth and stable on the freeway. The stock mirrors are worthless. If you like to hear the engine, the CBR650F is nearly silent at low speeds. Gear changes are a bit abrupt - takes some practice to be smooth. The bike when new vibrates at high engine speeds but it does smooth out quite a bit after a few thousand miles.

The CBR650F has been called a mini-viffer and is often likened to the old F4i. If you like it's looks and can handle the weight, I'd say go for it.

 

[Sonx]

Ah now I get it. By tour you meant day rides. When I use that word it means road trips.

FWIW I see guys on the freeway at commute time on CBR300s--it doesn't look like they have any issues riding around the bay.. I was actually considering trying a CB300F as a freeway commuter.

yeah my bad, I used the term loosely. I took my CBR250 across the golden gate a couple of times and had a rough time riding the throttle and getting tossed in the wind (it's a light bike). I rather a larger upgrade than a 300/500 so that's why I was looking into a CBR650F.

If you're looking for a middleweight commuter/sport tourer, then the CBR650F would fit the bill nicely. The riding position is just slightly forward leaning so it's not too committed - a comfortable compromise. The suspension is a tad bit on the soft site but surprisingly capable at the same time. Freeway stability is exceptional, yet with a couple of clicks on the rear preload, the handling is pretty decent on the back roads. Finally, the fairing does a decent job of keeping you from feeling beat up on long freeway rides. Oh, and it gets great gas mileage - in the 50s without trying. It had decent torque so you don't have to wind it out to get it going it but still has that 4 cylinder feel.

There are a few negatives: It's a heavy bike, which may explain why it feels so smooth and stable on the freeway. The stock mirrors are worthless. If you like to hear the engine, the CBR650F is nearly silent at low speeds. Gear changes are a bit abrupt - takes some practice to be smooth. The bike when new vibrates at high engine speeds but it does smooth out quite a bit after a few thousand miles.

The CBR650F has been called a mini-viffer and is often likened to the old F4i. If you like it's looks and can handle the weight, I'd say go for it.

thanks! this is really helpful. I would probably buy/switch out some parts anyways and do some of the light replacements myself. my CBR250 has an akrapovic exhaust and I would look into getting an aftermarket exhaust if I were to get a CBR650F.

I sat on the CBR650F, Ninja 650, FZ6R, CBR600RR, and others and from an ergonomic standstill, I am leaning towards a CBR650F or Ninja 650.

I would love to continue to hear your guys opinions though!

 

[motomania2007]

I suggest you invest in more skills to see if you can bring more out of your 250.

I learned a long long time ago that speed and handling and motorcycle capabilities have more to do with the skill of the rider, than they do with the bike.

Take the Total Control Intermediate Riding Clinic offered at many local CMSP training sites and you may find that the added skills you learn can translate to more confidence and more speed.

 

[davidji]

I took my CBR250 across the golden gate a couple of times and had a rough time riding the throttle and getting tossed in the wind (it's a light bike).

I think weight is a factor. But the plastics are a factor too--they can make a nice sail, and sometimes it seems like there's a direct relationship between how much a bike protects you from the wind and how sensitive it is to side winds. Another factor can be forward lean, though technique is part of this one too: If you're putting weight on the bars when the wind moves you, it may translate into unintended steering inputs to the bars.

 

[Sonx]

I suggest you invest in more skills to see if you can bring more out of your 250.

I learned a long long time ago that speed and handling and motorcycle capabilities have more to do with the skill of the rider, than they do with the bike.

Take the Total Control Intermediate Riding Clinic offered at many local CMSP training sites and you may find that the added skills you learn can translate to more confidence and more speed.

I do want to take this course whether it be on my current bike or my next bike. If I wasn't traveling, I would do the one in May. Hopefully, more will open up in SF.

 

[Sonx]

I think weight is a factor. But the plastics are a factor too--they can make a nice sail, and sometimes it seems like there's a direct relationship between how much a bike protects you from the wind and how sensitive it is to side winds. Another factor can be forward lean, though technique is part of this one too: If you're putting weight on the bars when the wind moves you, it may translate into unintended steering inputs to the bars.

that's true, definitely has to do with a lot of factors.

the cbr250 has 23.7 hp/top speed of 87mph which is further reduced in the winds around the bay. going over the bridges on a 250 isn't the smoothest.

 

[antwon412]

And here I am desiring to trade my FJR for a cbr250!

 

[motomania2007]

I do want to take this course whether it be on my current bike or my next bike. If I wasn't traveling, I would do the one in May. Hopefully, more will open up in SF.

The IRCs come up all the time. Check the websites of your local training sites.

If you can't find one, just pm me and I will help you find one.

 

[ScottRNelson]

You have my permission to get the CBR650F.

Yes, the bike will be a bit different from what you're riding now, but so? I mean, there's a guy (kpke) who rides both an RZ-350 and a Goldwing up Mines Road and post pictures regularly, it's hard to get much more different than those two.

You'll have a new learning experience as you get used to more power, more weight and a bit different handling, but that's how we make progress. Find one, buy it, and have fun.

 

[Kestrel]

I've ridden a friend's CBR250R around quite a bit. Rode it home for her after purchase, ferrying back and forth to practice areas, and so on.

It is definitely gutless approaching highway speeds, and had a bit of vibration. If anyone has ever ridden the old Ninja 250s... they're far better at those speeds than the CBR, and that says something I think.

Ninja 650, SV650, FZ07, CBR650F... All of those would be fantastic second bikes, with my preference going to the SV650 and FZ07. I've logged about 30k miles on an SV, and have only heard wonderful things about the FZ07.. (The FZ is LIGHT!) I prefer Yamaha's execution of the parallel twin to Kawasaki's, but I also took an 8k mile trip around the USA on a Ninja 250 last summer, and it wasn't all that bad

Ninja 400 would also be a fantastic step up from the CBR.... or a used CBR500R (or any of the other variations of that bike).

There are a lot of great options out there, to be honest. Hard to go wrong these days.

 

[Roadstergal]

CBR650F is a fine upgrade for that bike. The current-gen Ninja 650/Z650 has some improvements over the gen before, but either is also a good option - and are parallel twins like you're used to. The FZ-07 is sweet, but unfaired - you can decide how much you like the wind protection.

The SV650 is classic - inexpensive, reliable, lots of aftermarket - but I have to admit, the current crop of small, light, flickable bikes makes it feel a bit old and ponderous, IMO.

 

[MysterYvil]

I had an '09 Ninja 650. Wonderful moto, did everything I ever asked it to plus it was affordable and reliable. Twisties, touring, commuting, Friday Night Rides, unpaved rutted roads; the power, brakes, handling, and comfort were perfect for me. I much preferred the parallel twin power delivery compared to my old I4 600; two-up or carrying my luggage even steep uphills at low speed were no problem.

If I could still ride I'd still have it.