I think Im retarded

[banzairx7]

I've been seriously thinking about getting a smaller bike. This seems kind a ass backwards to me almost. I have a ninja 650 now and thats no beast by any stretch. I just don't find myself ringing it out. I thought most people got a 600 and then all they wanted to do was get a bigger bike.

I mostly commute and am thinking Id like something smaller with better mileage. Im not looking for a budget bike either. Id like something with decent brakes, suspension etc. I do like going out for some nice twisty rides but I could be riding a 50 at the pace I usually go. I do a lot of 2 up riding. These are always way relaxed rides so power isn't a big issue.

Ive done some looking around but nothing has really stuck out. I checked out the Ninja 250 and physically its just to small. Looked at the Hysosung GT250r. Its a full size bike which actually gets better reviews than the ninja. Has real brakes, tires and suspension as compared to the ninja. Problem for me is its not EFI. Thats a must, I want nothing to do with carbs. Checked out the DRZ400 motard. Not sure the single will be tolerable on the highway. The seat doesn't look to comfy for longer trips. The Ninja 500 is straight outta 1986 so its off the list.

Im open to suggestions or ridicule

[mycirus]

What are you getting for mileage on it? Why you against carbs? I got the KLR 650 and it is a blast to ride, I have been riding it more than the RC, it gets 50 mpg's.

Bruce

[banzairx7]

Im getting 55mpg now. Its not bad by any means, but 70+ would be better.

As far as the carbs go- To me they are super hard to work on and hard to adjust. If something isn't running right I have no idea how to fix it. EFI I know like the back of my hand. I know just as many people feel that way about EFI.

Those KLR's are giant! I don't think I could touch the ground on one.

[BCT748]

696 or nothing

[banzairx7]

Thats basically a nicer version of what I have now. Im talking sub 500cc here.

[OreoGaborio]

As far as the carbs go- To me they are super hard to work on and hard to adjust.

keep it stock & put stabilizer in it during the winter & there's no need to even look at em

[BCT748]

It's a 2 valve air cooled twin. It's only making 80HP but also has 50TQ to get you out of (or into?) trouble. It will be more comfortable than your bike and still have just enough power for a pillion. I'm pretty sure it has the best brakes in its class. It also has a very good suspension for when you want to hit up the back roads. I'm not sure about MPG but it wouldn't surprise me if it got better than your current bike, my 4 valve Duc gets 50mpg+ doing over 90mph on the highway. I think they are around $8,500 brand new and they come with a 2 year unlimited mile warranty. Maybe you should be taking a closer look at them.

[GixerJockey]

696 or nothing

Oooo... Just what I've been looking for. An underpowered, over priced, Euro twin...

[RandyO]

Im getting 55mpg now. Its not bad by any means, but 70+ would be better.

snip

Those KLR's are giant! I don't think I could touch the ground on one.

70+

get a scooter or maybe a GN125

yer dreamin if you think a hyosung 250 has beeter brakes & suspension than a ninja 250, just cause you turn forks upside down doesn't make the internals any better


a thumper 450 motard will prolly net you close to 70mpg, but I don't think they are any lower to the ground than a klr

you are retarded if you think modern carbs are not as good as the budget FI you find on a smaller bike, what do you need to know about carbs, if you don't try fucking with a carb for no reason, you won't have any problems

how bout that 125cc chinese made Tomahawk knockoff

[Thunderbisciut]

The general build quality of the Hyuosung 250 (however the hell you spell it) is supposed to be pretty bad. One reviewer complaining about rust in various areas on a brand new one, etc

My '07 Ninja 250 got 71 mpg this last fillup for around town driving.

[Ericthejet]

You have limited options considering your conditions.
I'd keep what you have.

[Evil_Weasel]

nothing wrong with getting a smaller bike. i don't even bother comparing bike "size" anymore. just think of it as getting a differant bike not a smaller one. i worked my way up from a 250 to a 1200. than my bikes started shrinking again. i eventually made it all the way back down to a 250...i'm on my way back up again with a 550 now.

depending on how much highway driving you do, honda makes a CRF230L dual sport (think mini KLR) that gets 93 mpg...tops out at 70 though.

according to my cycle world right here...the honda nighthawk 250, gets 90 mpg and tops out at 77 mph...not very sporty though.

Yamaha makes a nifty WR250X minimotard thing. looks fun if you like motards.

stay away from hoyosung...i worked at a hoyodung dealership..the bikes are fine mechanically, but they turn into balls of rust if you sneeze on them. i saw a one year old bike get traded in that had more rust and pitting on it than my 1974 honda...and both bikes were garage kept.

[schleppy]

I think you would be fine on a DRZ. Upgrade the seat and put a 16 tooth sprocket up front and you should be golden on the highway. Plus they can be had for next to nothing used.

[KillBill]

Bergman Scooter

[markbvt]

You're going to be hard pressed to find anything under 500cc that's going to have enough power for two-up riding. If I were you I'd look at a Suzuki V-Strom 650. It'll get 55mpg two-up, better if you're easy on the throttle, and it's a terrific commuter.

If you really want 70+ mpg, you're going to be very, very limited. Even many of the single-cylinder bikes on the market don't approach that. And I'm pretty sure that no bike that gets that kind of mileage will be suitable for two-up riding or long distances.

But that said, I kind of agree with you -- I want a small bike too. They're fun to ride. But the problem is that they're usually physically small bikes, and I'm 6'4"/250.

--mark

[BCT748]

Oooo... Just what I've been looking for. An underpowered, over priced, Euro twin...

Spoken like a true Suzuki salesman. Unless Suzuki has made some recent changes, which is very possible because I don't really follow them, the 696 makes more HP and more TQ than a SV650 while at about the same weight. The power even comes in at a lower RPM on the 696. As far as the over priced comment goes, you get what you pay for. Upgrade the suspension and brakes of an SV to what the 696 comes with stock and see if you pass the $2,500 difference in the price tag. The 696 warranty is twice as long as the SV too.

[Currently]

Before buying a Hyosung ... do a search on the internet for "happy" owners.

There is a plethora of pissed off owners out there.

Pay attention to the ones that have had them for a while. The new people rant and rave about them until it is time to service them. The attitude changes then.

Back on topic ...

Yamaha 250 WR250x motard ... they are getting a great rep in this area and mpg is 65+

[banzairx7]

I was checking out the WR250 last night online. Seems like a fun mount. But the price seems way to high for what it is. Yamaha MSRP is $6k. I paid $6400 for my 650 which is way more bike. It looks especially bad next to the Ninja 250 which runs $2500 less and is faster.

If I was doing 100% city driving Id consider a scooter. My brother lives in austin and drives a 50cc yamaha. He's getting over 100mpg with that. It wont go over 45mph though. I also like shifting to much.

A couple of the hyosung reviews did mention rusting. Sounds like its a bigger issue than I wanted to believe.

Im actually surprised you guys arent tearing into me, yet..... So far some sound advice.

[spicy]

haha, why? you seem to know exactly what you want -- nothing wrong with downgrading.

technically, i "downgraded" from a 1993 katana 750 that was eventually running on 3 cylinders to a brand new SV650S. if the new ninja 250 came with better components (just competent suspension and dual front brakes, nothing fancy) and maybe 8-10 more hp, even if the price were bumped to 4-4.2k, i wouldn't think twice about buying it as a second bike (if i had the funds), and i'd even have a tough time seeing myself discounting it as a single bike.

[banzairx7]

I think Im going to go check out the WR and the Ninja in the next couple weeks.

Any want a ninja 650?

[highsider]

I owned a DRZ400SM, I never did any better than 55 MPG while commuting.

I think you're over thinking this a bit. If the bike you have now gets 50 MPG and keeps you happy, why go through the hassle of swapping around? The extra 20 MPG isn't going to save you what you might lose trading around for a very, very long time.

[banzairx7]

The other part of this is Im moving to Texas in a few months. I want the smaller bike since Ill be in the city there. I also don't want to move my current bike across the country.

[Paul_E_D]

The WR250 FTW. Don't underestimate how good this bike could be. It's likely worth the money.

[banzairx7]

Im leaning towards the WR right now. I like the fact its 70lbs lighter and has EFI over the ninja. Ill need to check it out still though. Im wondering how the seat will feel for longer trips.