“It has a habit of occasionally failing to select first gear from neutral, but if the clutch is released and then a second attempt is made, it then selects first every time -- a peculiarity of most Japanese bikes I guess. Taking bends and tight turns in the wet on the tires I currently have is a bit haphazard.
The seat itself is wide and comfortable.
For a 250, it has just the right amount of power for pulling away at junctions and and on hill starts and can cruise at 70 mph without too much trouble, although the revs are around 7500 rpm at that speed.
The headlight illuminates the road nicely. It is on all the time and cannot be turned off, so making the rider visible during the day by improving conspicuousness.
The brakes are quite good; the ABS does a fair job at not locking up the wheels when riding above 6 mph -- if you're doing 60 mph, you have a better chance of slowing down without locking up the rear wheel.
The ignition is very good. The bike has always started first time in the cold and I have found that I only need to warm it up for about 10 seconds or so before moving off without the engine slugging or stalling.
For tight maneuvering, it’s very good. For pushing and reversing on foot, quite easy, though a bit of muscle is definitely needed, after all, it weights something like 130kg.”
“Basically I bought the wrong type of bike - should have been a 'naked', with a lower centre of gravity and lower seat. I came off the Honda three times: decided it was not safe for me to ride and managed to sell it back to the dealer - losing £600!
I'm sure the bike is great for someone a bit taller ...”
“Bought bike in late september,have only been out a couple of times. I used to own a Honda 250 superdream in the early eighties, and it rides so much differently. Its faster and you do not have to use the brake much as their is so much engine pullback when thottling back.I am waiting for spring then i will ride and enjoy the warmer weather.”
“Lovely looking bike, which is what attracted me to it in the first place. It turns heads! Fuel economy largely depends on how you ride. More suited to long trips than commuting perhaps, although it isn't as flexible in heavy traffic as a 125. The ABS is good to have - the stopping power is very good indeed. The downside for me is the riding position. Coming from the upright position of a CG125 I found it quite a change. I've come to the conclusion that at my age (61), even though I am physically very fit, I should be riding an upright, because the racing position puts quite a strain on your neck and wrists. After a ride of about 2 hours my left wrist is particularly stiff. The bike certainly handles very well though, and gave me the confidence to try out a 500 - not something I thought I would ever do! It's extremely reliable and its performance is excellent. It feels like a bigger bike. If you're comfortable in the racing position and are younger than me (!) I would certainly recommend it as a step-up from a 125, on the way to progressing to a bigger bike.”
“I have like many riders started riding at 16 with a scooter and yes it was a Honda, I progressed through the bike sizes till I passed my test just before my 19th birthday, I looked at others but kept coming back to the Honda, I took it for a test run and was hooked, it is light, very responsive and for parent piece of mind I got the ABS model, you don't spend all your time bent over! but cornering is great! motorways, I travel M27, daily and have no problems, except I am a light weight so overtaking lorries have to be wider. I have never looked back and have driven this bike in all weathers, The service intervals are good, and have only had to have the chain replaced. My 250r is 2yrs old and would I trade her in, the plain answer is NO, great commuter, great for town and city and on the open road will sit very well over long journeys.”
“I have like many riders started riding at 16 with a scooter and yes it was a Honda, I progressed through the bike sizes till I passed my test just before my 19th birthday, I looked at others but kept coming back to the Honda, I took it for a test run and was hooked, it is light, very responsive and for parent piece of mind I got the ABS model, you don't spend all your time bent over! but cornering is great! motorways, I travel M27, daily and have no problems, except I am a light weight so overtaking lorries have to be wider. I have never looked back and have driven this bike in all weathers, The service intervals are good, and have only had to have the chain replaced. My 250r is 2yrs old and would I trade her in, the plain answer is NO, great commuter, great for town and city and on the open road will sit very well over long journeys.”