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-   -   Honda CBR 250R - Initial Ownership Review (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorbikes/101508-honda-cbr-250r-initial-ownership-review-17.html)

Thanks, that was helpful.

Will look forward to your pm (about the lube) and also any updates on the new rubber.

Do let me know if you need any help with the shipment of stuff you might want to buy from Mumbai just in case the store guys are not too keen shipping it.

Guys, How to decode the VIN for the CBR ABS?

PS: Mantrig, Do you still have the bent radiator fin pics? If yes, please post them it will be helpful for PDI.

Do you know how to decode it?

No. But did not really follow it up also.

Regards
Sutripta

A short update from my end:

1. Second service was done last month at 6000 kms. The odo reading now is around 6500 kms. The bike usage has been less as I mostly use my car and Fiero in city.
2. I have been changing the engine oil every 2000 kms as the engine starts losing the refinement then. I like the bike to be smooth.
3. I love to ride the bike on highways. I prefer my Fiero in bumper to bumper city traffic.
4. The tires are decent on tarmac. It is pathetic on gravel and wet conditions. It seems to last easily for 20k to 30k kms. I regret not getting ABS version of the bike.
5. I lost the indicator relay, got it replaced from Dream Honda for Rs.550. The headlamp stopped working after service as water got into the holder after water wash during service. I stopped getting the bike washed during service.
6. Changed the headlamp from stock to Philips Extreme. Stock bulb was good, Philips extreme is better than stock.
7. The bike is very comfotable for touring. It is very stable at high speeds, though heavy cross winds can unsettle the bike slightly at speeds over 140 kmph.
8. The ride comfort is too good, it just slides over potholes and the weight also helps in stability.
9. The handling is decent, not as good as R15.
10. There is a slight rattling from fairing at high speeds, above 140 kmph. I have to get it checked during next service.
11. The maximum speed I have done is 161 kmph. It goes to 140 kmph easily, take some time after that.
12. I do not face any rust/ quality issues.
13. I have been using only Shell Super for the bike.
14. The silver panel below the tank is getting scratched from my knee pad. I do not mind it as is quite cheap to replace. :D
15. Overall it is a very versatile bike - perfect for touring, good for city and decent for track usage. I am very happy with the bike.

Good to see you back updating the ownership after long time.

Get the fairing clips changed, costs you INR 30 for the whole set. You need to get this done atleast 3-4k kms once.

Hi!

Can you post the picture of the clip? I can better understand what you are pointing at.

Thanks :)

I do not have the pics of it as of now. If you have noticed, when the fairing is removed, there are white plastic clips inside. I am talking about those.
I will try and get a pic tomorrow.

Hello Guys,

Sorry have been kept away for a long time now. Have just managed to clock 6K kms on the bike given work constraints and am planning to start piling on the miles faster now.

So far the bike has been trouble free. No vibes, rattles, heating issues or anything such yet. Will keep the thread posted with any fresh updates post last free service next month.

Some pics post weekend pampering.

What oil are you using Shammil? I would suggest Motul FS 7100 since it lasts very long and the bike runs like butter with this oil. Tried and tested for a little over 10,000 kms. :)

Is it possible to add the ABS kit on the bike now? Apart from the cost, would it involve any complex modifications (to the electrical system or such)?

Shell Regular and Shell Super are both 91 octane fuels. Shell Super has some additives in it. I dont see any difference in Shell Super apart from the cost factor. You'll be fine with the regular variant. :)

@mantrig: You have company, I have clocked 8k kms only, including a 1200 kms run to Cochin couple of weeks back. I have a couple of solo rides planned next month. So I should hit 10k kms soon.

I am using the FS oil (10w30 i believe) provided by Honda. I have been thinking about changing to Motul, I will check with City Honda during next service. I believe Honda is strict about using their stuff, for obvious reasons.

What I learnt from CBR forum is that it is not possible to fit ABS on a non-ABS bike. I do not know the extent of modifications required. I found that even the front rim (an extra slot) is different for ABS model. Considering the skill involved and the cost involved, I would sell the bike and get a ABS one if I badly need one now. As far as I know, no one has done it until now.

I find the bike having more smoothness and a slightly better response with Shell Super and Power. It may be psychological. :)

@n_aditya, PatienceWins: The process of converting the standard bike into an ABS one would involve the following:

1. Add the hydraulic unit (with the ABS ECU) to monitor and operate the ABS
2: Change the disc plates or maybe even the wheels to incorporate the sensors for the ABS units
3: Change the front brake calipers from 2 pot on the front to 3 pot, for the Combined braking system,
4: Change the rear brake calipers

All of the above would cost more than just the difference of the spare parts, not to mention skill to install all the systems.

As of now, I've only heard rumors of Bosch and Delphi planning to come out with after market, bolt-on ABS units, which might be possible to retro-fit on the current bikes. Let's see how that develops

The front wheel needs to be replaced for sure.

I had set the suspension to the hardest setting for the recent track event. I took the bike to City Honda to set it back to the normal position. The mechanic could not set it back to normal without removing the rear tire. I remember someone mentioning that it can be set back to normal setting from a higher setting without changing rear tire, but it does not seem possible from the hardest setting. The bolt which holds the rear tire could not be removed while changing rear tire as it was hitting the silencer. My rear foot rest holder, which holds the silencer too, had come off during the trip to coimbatore for an earlier track event - Adi and Mahesh would remember that. The bolt was hitting the silencer as the holder was bent. Got it changed for Rs. 500. In a hurry, the mechanic at city honda removed the silencer and hammered it keeping it on ground leaving big scratches on the bottom of the silencer, not happy with the carelessness. The damage was done before I could stop him.

I am busy during weekends, so the bike has not clocked much miles since last service. Planning for a long ride this month.

I have ordered OWS 800 Syntholite. I intend to use it during third service after couple of weeks. I will keep you guys updated if I notice any change.

Products

I have tried from 1 to 4 and back. Could do it easily. Will try to set to 5 during weekend ride this time and update you.

Also do update about the performance after the oil change.

It's quite long since I updated the bike. The reason is that the usage was very less with an out station trip last year. The bike is mostly used for commuting to office as I do not have much time for long rides nowadays. The odo stands at 11700 kms now. The third service was done when the odo was around 9000 kms.

I am very happy with the bike and it is totally trouble free. This is one of the best purchasing decisions in my life. It is comfortable, good for city ride with good torque at low and mid range, and awesome for touring. My office has shifted and I have pretty good roads to enjoy CBR. So I use it more for office commuting nowadays.

I added some extra foam to the seats and loving the comfort.

Got a local radiator guard fitted (same as rk_sans).

A picture taken from the track event in Coimbatore sometime back.