Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider, 250cc motorcycles provide all the thrills of larger displacement motorbikes with fewer costs, ease of use, and higher than average resale values.
Simple but effective designs give 250cc motorcycles a few advantages over the other motorbike classes.
Most two hundred fifty cubic centimeter motorcycles tip the scales at around 400 lbs, providing excellent agility, control and confidence.
For the beginner motorcyclist the importance of control and ease of use is second to none.
Here, we will look at some of the best 250cc motorcycles on the market. Scroll down to see some of the top models from Yamaha, Honda and other companies!
250cc Motorcycles: The Pros and Cons
250 cc motorcycles offer several advantages to both beginner and experienced motorcyclists:
You’ll learn quicker than on a 600cc
Let’s face it, riding a motorcycle isn’t easy -at least when first starting out.
The best way to get started is by learning with one of the 250cc motorcycles from a top manufacturer.
A 600cc motorcycle can offer too much power to the beginner, potentially causing accidents.
Riding a 250cc bike builds a solid foundation of skills you can transfer to a larger motorcycle later on. You learn to shift properly, carry your speed into turns, look where you want to go etc.
Granted all of these skills are achievable on a larger motorcycle, but you can learn them quicker and more efficiently on a 250cc motorcycle.
They are cheaper to purchase and run
A brand new Kawasaki Ninja 250R can be purchased for under $4,000. A Honda Rebel goes for $4,190. In comparison, a new Kawasaki Ninja ZX – 14R is $14,699.
That’s a lot of cash to drop on a bike that you most likely going to drop at least once during your first year of riding.
250cc motorcycles get two to three times more mileage per gallon than larger motorcycles. A smaller engine will take you to where you want to go with less fuel, putting more cash in your pocket.
Most 250cc motorcycles are at least 100 pounds lighter than their 600cc counterparts, increasing their mileage even further. Insurance is even cheaper, too.
Smaller motorcycles sometimes have better resale value
There is a smaller supply of 250cc motorcycles than 600 cc motorcycles, helping to ensure these bikes retain their value. A lot of people buy a 600 cc first, then quickly dump them, realizing a less powerful model is easier to learn on.
Disadvantages of 250cc Motorcycles:
There are, of course, some disadvantages to 250cc motorcycles:
Lower speed
A 250 cc motorcycle may struggle on the freeway. Keeping up with the traffic at 80 mph may leave it screaming. You might want to consider a 500 or 600 cc motorcycle instead.
Older bikes have more mechanical problems
Motorcycles 10 years or older are prone to mechanical problems, especially brake and engine failure. You might want to avoid cheaper old models and buy something that is 2 years old or new, if possible unless you are comfortable with mechanical things.
Poor build quality
Some 250 cc motorcycles suffer from poor build quality, particularly the Chinese clones of brands such as Yamaha and Suzuki. Avoid these at all cost.
Popular 250cc Motorcycles:
Kawasaki Ninja 250R
The latest version of Kawasaki’s popular Ninja offers a short-stroke parallel twin 249cc engine that makes it a blast to ride.
This speedy little number can do 0 – 60 in less than 7.23 seconds and offers more than enough power to keep up with commuters. It looks awesome, too, and its 59.7 MPG will save on the gas. At under $4,000, it’s great value for money.
Honda CBR250R
Competing for your attention in the sub $4,000 range is Honda’s CBR250R. It offers a silky single-stroke 249 cc engine which can go 0 – 60 in under 7.85 seconds.
The Honda has better fuel mileage at 71.4 MPG and is more suited to riders who want to be upright. It sings on the freeway and makes short work out of most journeys. The motorcycle looks great with VFR Interceptor styling and bold colors.
Yamaha Virago / V Star 250
At $4,090, the Yamaha is only slightly more than the Honda and Kawasaki. It is the only V-twin in its class and offers plenty of torque for such a small motorcycle.
The seat is 27 inches off the ground for a thrilling ride and, although the Yamaha is slower, it is still capable of 0 -60 in 9.38 seconds. At 81 MPG, the motorcycle gives better mileage, too. The V Star 250 has a fantastic retro-look with dual chrome exhaust pipes providing plenty of rumble.
Suzuki TU250X
Suzuki’s new $4,099 TU250X looks beautiful with its chrome-plated front and rear wheels, and polished crank side case. Its 249cc single-stroke provides plenty of grunt, and the Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve (SDTV) fuel injection system provides superb throttle response. It can muster 0-60 in around 11 seconds and offers 79 MPG.
Hyosung GT250
The $3,799 GT250 offers the style and performance of its big brother, the GT250R, but is a more practical machine for everyday riding. The motorcycle is comfortable to ride and offers excellent fuel economy at 60.2 MPG. Precise handling from the rigid chassis and upside down forks, coupled with a high output 8 valve V-twin engine makes the GT250 an ideal motorcycle for commuting.
The Korean-made Hysosung can achieve 0 -60 in 8.64 seconds. The 2012 model features an all-new sport headlight and dashboard, a GT250R-inspired LED tail lamp, low handlebars and a narrow and higher seat which makes riding upright comfortable, particularly if you are a taller rider.
Ninja250 images by… CBR250R by… VStar by… TU250X by… GT250 by…
