[Ren8]

The competition in the 250cc segment is getting more heated by the day, never seen a 2 wheeler segment grow so fast. 6 years back the Ninja was the only 250cc available in India, fast forward to 2014 we have all the major players trying out their luck in our humble Indian market.

Also, the Honda Cbr 250r just got updated in the Indonesian market. It looks more Firebladeish now, and it also it produces 29ps but not a new 300cc engine though.
Link http://www.motorbeam.com/bikes/honda...-in-indonesia/

Its surprising why not even a mention of Karizma anywhere here. Its the first affordable 200+ cc in India, which was all the rage in the 05' and 06's.Every home grown manufacturer is seeking techical assistance by partnering with global brands, whereas Hero is taking the exact opposite route, this shows their interest to grow as an individual global brand. To do so Hero does needs to wake up,and their partnership with EBR is a step in the right path. New Karizma twins looks interesting, reliability being its usp, looks may be subjective but you definitely cannot ignore them given the price point it is offered.
Bajaj, whose revenues are in red, need of the hour being making people believe in the reliability of their products. They've been playing just the CC game for the last 10-12 years. Just look at this- 2001, where the 'BIKE' literally means a 100cc, Bajaj came up with Pulsar 150/180 at almost the same price point playing their Price/Performance card.2007- where 150cc is becoming the norm, BANG -The 220FI, again playing their Price/Performance card smartly. Now come 2014 where competition is at 250cc, Bajaj with their same strategy coming up with Duke 390, SS400,CS400. They cant just dodge people with Price/Perfomance mantra for too long without excelling in technology.

[Samba]

Well the Yamaha R25, Duke rc 200/390 are more of a track tool. They offer some impeccable handling and cornering abilities. Thanks to the deltabox frame from Yamaha. As a second bike i will prefer a R25. When i get a Yamaha i wont go for a Duke.

The Duke 200/390 is mainly for those who want to enjoy the raw power. Not my types. I prefer cruising.

Currently riding a Hero Honda Karizma i want to see how Hero made the HX250R. But i wont buy it, as Hero is no longer with Honda.

If i have to choose i will choose between Hyosung GT250R ,Suzuki Inazuma, Honda CBR 250/300 or the Ninja 300 as these are the sports tourers.

The Hyosung GT250R is a good combination of a sports tourer. But am not a fan of this bike. A bit skeptical over its over all quality. I may be wrong over here. Plus some how for me it looks like a copy from Suzuki Hyabusa.

The Suzuki Inazuma is a very capable bike but i wont buy it. Paying a tad extra i will go with the Ninja 300. People say these to be over priced but one thing every one misses is these two are twin cylinder bikes. So that's one valid reason for there higher costs compared to the CBR250.

If the budget is less i will choose the CBR.

Regarding Pulsar 400, i wont buy that as am not a Bajaj fan. No offense to the Bajaj owners.

I hope Yamaha to launch the Fazer 250 as they launched the FZ16 following the launch of R15. Fazer 250 can be a combination of a nice sports tourer.

Just a thought for the hardcore tourers or Royal Enfield fans you could have given the option's like the Thunderbird 350/500 or the other Royal Enfield models. There may be so many new bikes in the market but Royal Enfield always have it own set of fan and followers. Though am not a Royal Enfield fan i liked riding my friends Thunderbird few months back

[kingofmyworld]

Originally Posted by gemi_kk

And no Hero's please, i am planning for a super bike not an economy bike.

Technically, None of the bikes mentioned here are qualified to be called " superbikes" and yes it also includes the ninja 650 that has been mentioned above in a post.

Among the bikes listed above, N300 would be my pick. hands down. Again, it is a personal choice. I've used a cbr, ninja 250 and a ninja 650 and I can say ninja 250/300 are far better than cbr250, duke 390, gt 250 etc if you look at the bike as a whole and not consider their pricing. Bring in the pricing and its a different thing all together.

[parrys]

More images of the Yamaha R25 available on the web:











Source: iwanbanaran.com

[parrys]

The new CBR250R has also been launched in Indonesia. Gets a bump in power output as well (29 PS)
It now looks more in tune with the CBR family, with the redesigned headlamps.







I love black, and all my two wheeler purchases have been in the black shade, so just thought of how it would look after a tail tidy job. Not bad, gold painted rims anyone?

[kingofmyworld]

R25 headlight looks very identical to that of a ducati 1199. Looks good. If yamaha does well with the pricing, they have a winner. (provided they maintain hey quality standards like they did in r15)

[man_of_steel]

Originally Posted by kingofmyworld

If yamaha does well with the pricing, they have a winner. (provided they maintain hey quality standards like they did in r15)

Doubt it! That parallel twin and quality will demand its premium. But I am sure nobody will complain!

[abhipuri]

I would like to go with the CBR with vitamin M being the primary constraint. CBR could very well serve as a learning machine till i graduate to real 250(or may be higher) cc monsters like N300 and R25. Hope the fit and finish are of acceptable levels and at least a notch above current CBR. I would have gone for duke siblings but those tiny pillion seats are nothing short of torture for the pillion rider.

An added advantage of Honda would be wider service network and cheaper spares relative to its Japanese counterparts.

[Octane_Power]

If money is no-bar then it has to be the Ninja 300. Have encountered it just twice here in Mumbai, but gave a "Great bike sir" with a thumbs up both the times, just love the Ninjas, one can never go wrong with them.

If money is restricted then it will be the Yamaha R25. And if there is a further restriction on money then it will be the Pulsar 400 (assuming that it will be cheaper than R25).

-Bhargav

[pratap.pratu]

This is a interesting topic initiated by our fellow BHPians. My thoughts are that Yamaha R25's pricing will be the driving factor in my opinion. Single or twin cylinder will only be an added advantage or a justification for a high price.
More-ever the litmus test will only come out weeks after release of Yamaha R25 in its fight against the leader starter sports bike a.k.a Ninja 300 and Duke 390. So we must buckle up for an intense showdown from Yamaha's R25 release and await still a lot more big brands from making their presence felt in this segment. (Such as triumph 250/300, Aprillia 250/300, TVS 250/300 - Design similar to their concept model Draken & Honda CBR 300).
So we should be having a proper winner in this segment by 1st Quarter 2015.
The competition in this segment reminds me of World Super-bike championship results where we observe bikes from all top makes and only one taking the Pole position and winning it. Can't wait for what is to come !!

[ebonho]

The Yamaha R25 looks very yummy Parrys. Any idea baout the bhp figures?

I know that you are going to buy it. The rest of this thread is simply idle intellectual window dressing to pass the time.

You do not need to agree or disagree.

[parrys]

Originally Posted by ebonho

The Yamaha R25 looks very yummy Parrys. Any idea baout the bhp figures?

I know that you are going to buy it. The rest of this thread is simply idle intellectual window dressing to pass the time.

You do not need to agree or disagree.

They are claiming 30+, let's hope for the best.

Actually, my mind is pushing me towards the Honda badge.
One primary reason, I know there will be an ABS option.

A bike which can achieve 150+ kmph, for sure there will be a time when you will lock up that rear on a non ABS bike, and I don't want a piece of that.

Next purchase HAS to have ABS.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by parrys

They are claiming 30+, let's hope for the best.

Super!

Actually, my mind is pushing me towards the Honda badge.

One does not buy a bike with ......

Aah forget it. For a moment there I forget our last debate.

Mea culpa .....

[parrys]

There she is: (Official)

R25 Specs:
Engine Type : 4 Step , 8 valve DOHC
liquid cooled
Number of Cylinders / position : Two / Upright
Diameter x measures : 60.0 x 44.1 mm
Comparison Compression : 11.6 : 1
Fuel System : Fuel Injection
Ignition system : TCI ( TransistorizedControl
Ignition )
Spark plug type : CR9E
Battery Type : GTZ8V ( MF Battery 7.4 Ah )
Starter System : Electric Starter
Lubrication system : Wet
Engine oil capacity : Total = 2.40 L ; periodic
= 1.80 L ; Replace the oil filter = 2.10 L
Length x Width x Height : 2,090 mm X 720
mm x 1,135 mm
Seat height : 780 mm
Ground clearance : 160 mm
Wheel base : 1380 mm
Caster angle : 25 degrees
Trail : 95 mm
Maximum power : 26.5 kW ( 36 PS ) @ 12,000
rpm
Maximum Torque : 22.1 @ 10,000 rpm N.m
Fill Weight : 166 kg
Tank Capacity : 14.3 L ( Res : 3 L )
Frame Type : Diamond
Transmission Type : Manual , 6-speed
Clutch Type : Wet , manual clutch ,
Multiplat
Front & Rear tire : Tubeless
110/70-17M/C ( 54s ) & 140/70 - 17M / C ( 66s )
Brakes Front & Rear : Ø Floating Disc
298mm , Dual Piston & Disc Ø 220mm
piston Single
Suspension Front : Telescopic Fork ( diameter 41
mm )
Rear Suspension : Suspension Monocross
Headlights: Halogen 12V DC , 55W ( H7 )
Rear lights : LED

[ebonho]

So on paper at least it should and probably will chew the venerable Ninja 250.

Any news on the expected pricing?