Cafe racer/Standard bike VS Ninja/CBR 250 | GTAMotorcycle.com

Cafe racer/Standard bike VS Ninja/CBR 250

W

West Coast

New member
Forum Sponsor
Hey everyone,

Everyone tells me a ninja or CBR 250 is a good starter bike, but I really like the idea of riding a standard bike or a cafe racer, I find them really nice. I was looking at the Suzuki S40 and the Honda CMX 250. Any suggestions of similar bikes that aren't too powerful (so insurance won't kill me - I'm under 25!) but similar?

Thanks,
WC
 
I dunno how insurance would play out...750cc, but tame, light, low seat, almost 50 hp, enough to keep you happy for years.....and beatiful looks and sound.

122-1302-07-o%2b2013-moto-guzzi-v7-stone%2b.jpg
 
The CBR/Ninja 250 are excellent choices because they have tons of parts availability, strong resale market, and are very easy bikes to build some solid skills learn on.

You can use a standard but it will be heavier, I don't know of a ton of current/common small cc standards off the top of my head. If you do go that route please make sure that you get something that is newish and in extremely good shape.
I can appreciate that standards/cafes are cool but the costs of keeping them on the road if you can't do work yourself is prohibitive.
I have had customers that have bought very cool café racers for a song as their first bike. The only problem is that the bikes will be in our shop of weeks at a time waiting on parts, getting sorted and costing their owners more than the purchase price of the bike. The worst part is that this is money that generally can't be recouped when they sell the bike.

If you are just starting out the priority should be getting as much seat time with as little hassle as possible and in that regard the CBR250 is a fantastic option. You get fuel injection, more modern than the Ninja 250 and currently you can by a brand new one for something like $3200!!!
 
Suzuki TU 250?
 
You really have to weigh in the wants and the costs. As someone have said, if you arent mechanically inclined and hate wrenching, then maybe a cafe/standard isnt for you. I have a '74 cb550 that i bought for $800. Its in running condition but it has a small carb overflow that the PO mentioned. It literally took 12 hrs to remove, soak in pinesol (10 hrs)clean, re-adjust float, reinstall and resynch the carbs.
The hardest part about the classics is the market for parts. Buy a standard with an excellent market for parts. The cb750 is known for this. I think a 400cc classic standard would be the lowest id go.

Even tho its an old bike, it can keep up with the 250s and 300s. Im 5'6 130 lbs and the fact that it was heavy was intimidating for a first time rider. However, after a couple days, it was tamed:) youll get the usual head turners and old people walking up to your bike mesmerizing (bonus)
 
CafeRay said:
TU 250 with Ryca kits:

cs1-11.jpg
Click to expand...

I was going to suggest that for the S40 but got the impression it might be to much to chew off for a noob. For that level of reconfiguration I'd just go with a factory lowered DR650, maybe with 19in. front wheel. Functionally that would be a better bike.
 
inreb said:
I was going to suggest that for the S40 but got the impression it might be to much to chew off for a noob. For that level of reconfiguration I'd just go with a factory lowered DR650, maybe with 19in. front wheel. Functionally that would be a better bike.
Click to expand...

The Ryca kits are pretty much bolt on, if he can make toast with jam, he could do this. I've seen one in person, they can be jewels, but the bike is very small.
 
Jimsun said:
You really have to weigh in the wants and the costs. As someone have said, if you arent mechanically inclined and hate wrenching, then maybe a cafe/standard isnt for you. I have a '74 cb550 that i bought for $800. Its in running condition but it has a small carb overflow that the PO mentioned. It literally took 12 hrs to remove, soak in pinesol (10 hrs)clean, re-adjust float, reinstall and resynch the carbs.
The hardest part about the classics is the market for parts. Buy a standard with an excellent market for parts. The cb750 is known for this. I think a 400cc classic standard would be the lowest id go.
Click to expand...

These days, you could almost build a new CB450 or 750 from aftermarket parts. These bikes are not for the novice. There are tons of quarter-finished project bikes on kijiji because people watch TeeVee and think it's as easy as they make it out to be.
On the other hand, there are lots of running restored cafe bikes for sale, and they typically selling for a lot less than they cost to build. But again, most bikes are done by amateurs and can be very scary hack jobs. If you buy one, make sure it runs, and has been safety inspected. Otherwise, run away.
 
I like standard bikes and find them nice looking and easy to ride. The Suzuki S40 has a long production run (1986-present) and is still sold new. The Honda CMX250C Rebel has a really long production run (1985-200?) and only stopped being produced just recently. You can check eBay to see if there are lots of parts available, and I'm sure there are. Both are very solid bikes with great track records. There is also the Yamaha V-star 250.

As stated, in buying an older bike the condition of the bike is critical and it really needs to run. If you do not wrench and are not interested in wrenching, then get a new S40 or a TU250. Insurance will be higher on any new bike. Search for the model and find if the production run was long, meaning there are lots of spare parts available.

For small standards or cruisers, there is not much that is new for you to buy. Kawi and Honda want you on a sporty looking bike.
 
Last edited:
I have a bit of an obsession with old bikes and i decided to build a cafe racer for a first bike. i picked up a complete but rough 1971 CB450 for $700 it took me a little over a year to build (i could have been riding) also i am constantly tweaking and adjusting things. Points/Ignition timing, Carb sync, Carb Mixture, Checking other various bits. I have been lucky but alot of these old bikes develop alot of electrical issues. (my bike is 100% rewired)

I have ridden dirt bikes for about 5 years but for a first street bike it has been a good bike. sufficient power (45hp) fairly light, easy to handle. my brother has a 2013 Ninja 300 and they run pretty close to each other when we go out.



Like one wasnt enough i decided to do another one. this time a $750 1974 CB750. only difference is this one was a abandoned project from the previous owner. so far everything but the engine has to be re-done. and too boot this one was missing alot of parts. after a summer of bartering and collecting i have 90% of what i need to proceed and now its getting to cold to want to work on it.

The reasoning behind this one is i want a bike my girl friend can ride on with me or im also interested in doing some touring / trips. the "cafe" isn't comfortable for any distance i need a break every 2 hours or so.

 
Last edited:
West Coast said:
Hey everyone,

Everyone tells me a ninja or CBR 250 is a good starter bike, but I really like the idea of riding a standard bike or a cafe racer, I find them really nice. I was looking at the Suzuki S40 and the Honda CMX 250. Any suggestions of similar bikes that aren't too powerful (so insurance won't kill me - I'm under 25!) but similar?

Thanks,
WC
Click to expand...

If it's your first bike, stay away from old cafe's or old bikes in general. They tend to need a lot more love... I suggest you take the advice of a newer (2005+ ) 250 to learn on. They are very good on the resale and you won't be stuck in your garage on a nice sunny summer's day.
You have your whole life to pick up a cafe racer.

Of course, this is all a matter of opinion.

Also, most insurance companies value the bike by the cc of the engine. So the moto guzzi above is out, as is a lot of "older" bikes.
 
Holy that 750 sure is looking very nice.
Dresden said:
If it's your first bike, stay away from old cafe's or old bikes in general. They tend to need a lot more love... I suggest you take the advice of a newer (2005+ ) 250 to learn on. They are very good on the resale and you won't be stuck in your garage on a nice sunny summer's day.
You have your whole life to pick up a cafe racer.

Of course, this is all a matter of opinion.

Also, most insurance companies value the bike by the cc of the engine. So the moto guzzi above is out, as is a lot of "older" bikes.
Click to expand...
i was quoted cheaper for the 550 vs the 250s and 300s.. Even the gs500. Just putting it out there.


Not all cafes need love. Almost all finished cafes are road ready with rebuilt carbs and top end gasket. Just buy one and make sure it runs with good compression. If you arent a wrencher buy a stock running bike and work on it (cafe) yourself over the years.
 
I own a TU250X. It's a fantastic standard in my opinion as my first and only bike. But seriously, EFI, air cooled, what's not to like? No, it's not as fast as a Ninja 250 which is a twin cylinder but the TU is rock solid reliable. It's manufactured in Japan too.

megu2y8y.jpg
 
OP, if you like standard bikes or café styled , find a newer one and enjoy it. Resale will be lower but so will be purchase price. As somebody that's owned home made, made by others and factory built bikes, unless your very handy, get a newer production ride. Pushing the start button and going for a ride is not to be underrated.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom