Honda CB250 (1992-2003) Review

Version: Nighthawk

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £700

Brakes are poor

Buying experience: Bought it privately

Year: 1993

Bought this as a lock down project. In a very poor state the brake fluid looked like engine oil it was that bad. Frame needed some welding so I chopped the back of the frame off and fitted a loop. Fitted some knobbly tires. Powder coated the frame and loads of other bits. Put it all back together and replaced the clutch. Fired up first time without any stuttering. Puts a smile on your face every time you ride. It won’t pull up any trees with its speed but for fun and good economy you can’t beat it

Version: nighthawk

Year: 1992

SUPER SIMPLE OLD SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY MEANS VERY EASY TO MAINTAIN AND HONDA BUILD QUALITY GIVES PEACE OF MIND. PERFECT POTTER ABOUT BIKE FOR OLDER RIDER :)

Buying experience: BOUGHT OFF EBAY PRIVATE SALE AND A BARGAIN FOR £1200 AND FULLY RESTORED ORDER.

Version: CB Two Fifty

Year: 1994

Annual servicing cost: £40

Best feature is definitely it's reliability and simplicity there seems to be very little to go wrong. It is light and easy to handle. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a willing lightweight bike. More versatile than you would think. It is too quiet! Even with an aftermarket exhaust it is still the quietest bike ever made this side of an LE Velocette. It might be a little out of it's depth on a track day but on the bright side it would have no trouble passing the noise test....

Buying experience: Bought privately for £675 a couple of years ago. I think it was advertised at £700.

Year: 1994

Annual servicing cost: £100

I cant fault my CB250, I bought this one in May having not been run for four years. Starting at the front I replaced front tyre, brake disc and pads, handlebars, carb jets, air filter, seat cover, battery, mirrors and rear tyre. I fitted it with a full Rickman fairing, Rickman panniers and a large top box. Just today I fitted heated grips. It is now a year round machine in almost daily use.

Year: 2002

Annual servicing cost: £30

Read all the reviews and agree with them all, it's a cracking little bike that keeps me sane now I'm retired.

Buying experience: bought on ebay, well pleased.

Hi there, I have a Honda CB250 Super dream 1997 which I purchased last October as a winter hack. It had 28000 miles on the clock. My BMW K750S is a great bike, but getting a bit expensive & heavy for the commute especially in snow/ice. The little Honda is an absolute cracker. Its like a motorised push bike! Great for use in the winter in the snow/rain/ice (I didn't see many big bikes used during that time!!) Good points:- 1) Cheap to Insure & tax 2) Approx 110-130 mpg for my commute of 13 miles each way to London & back from London Suburb.(keeping the chain lubed aids this)easily get 350+ miles before reserve tank needs to be used. 3) Parts are inexpensive & readily available from non Honda outlets 4) Light (approx 130 Kg)and easy to maneuver in the rush hour & around pot holes. 5) No expensive oil/filters required..simple gauze that can be cleaned and replaced. 6) Doesnt use any oil. 7) Fun to ride & can park almost anywhere without fear of theft 8) Easy to maintain by novice rider. Can find plenty of maintenance tips on YouTube. 9) Air cooled. Bad points:- 1) Chain to clean/lube (guess i am used to the shaft drive of my K75s) 2) Feels a little under powered for my 95Kg body :)..or maybe its my bike? 3) On the motorway, you can feel large vehicles overtake. Max speed is approx 70mph..but not a great idea to do this type of speed. 4) No windshield on my bike as standard. 5) No cig lighter socket for GPS/ heated grips. 6) TOO quiet!!...cars/pedestrians cant hear you coming!! If you want a solid reliable bike to commute on or just get around, I would highly recommend the CB250. (try and get one with a top box..soo useful). I might consider a scooter as an alternative, but thats only because I dont like to lube the chain.(assuming that it gives me the same MPG). I hope that this helps. Safe Riding Regards Ben

I've just started training as a motorcycle instructor so I got this 1995 model for £400 so I don't wreck my Z750S and I've got to say for a 250 it's a right laugh, yes you've got to rev it and use the gears to get up to speed and the handling isn't as good as some others but it just gives it a bit of character and for town use it's got plenty of go and is light and nimble for nipping through traffic, probably easier than my Z to be honest, so over all don't take it on dual carriageways or motorways and it'll be a good little bike for you.

This is the ideal commuter bike. I've changed from a Sprint RS to this for commuting and it is an absolute hoot. Light, easy to service and very little maintenance to carry out. Do check that the caliper is in decent condition though as they do corrode. Valves are accessible and apparently a 45 minute job to check. Oil service is a doddle. 1.5 litres of 10W40 Halfords Motorcycle oil every 4K. To clean the oil screen, drain oil, take off the clutch cover - right hand engine case - remove oil pump and then remove the screen to clean it. Put all back together for a further 12K miles of riding. Tyres are 29 psi front and rear - but I run it with 31psi rear as I'm 115kgs and 1.96m tall. I cannot fault the bike as a reliable commuter. I've put Fazer 1000 bars on as they are more comfortable and a nice Airblade screen. Bike came with a Motad 2into1 exhaust, which is nice. Braking power is adequate, but putting a new disc on as the current one is worn. So far I am averaging 75mpg on a 28 mile round trip into London each day. No motorway riding - too slow for that... just city riding. The engine is relaxed and easy going, clutchless gear changes up and down the box when blipping the throttle are a doddle. These bikes are a cracking bargain and a sensible tool for getting about cities. Although it only tops out at about 65mph with me on it (gets there eventually) it is happy to sit at 50mph all day long.

This is a fantastic bike, providing a very comfortable, and economical ride (at least 80mpg). It is a perfect commuter bike, especially for cities. It is also the absolute best choice if you have a restricted license. I love my CB250.

although quite slow for a 250 when compared to the modern equivalents i.e. the new 250 by kawasaki, this little bike is alot more fun than you are led to beleive. its down points are that all round the bike is basic, the top speed is small and the handling average, but mix with that; exceptional fuel economy, high quality finish and a low seat for slow riding. this bike isn't all that bad... i've had my little 250 since 2006 and was a step up from a suzuki ts50er. and apart from having to replace the exhaust prematurely after the balance tube snapped due to over corrosion (caused by the previous owners lack of care) ive had little else to replace other than the chain and sprokets and the tyres. this bike however does complain alot with two up riding but will reach its top speed even with a full top box and tank bag. i enjoy riding this bike however at 18 going on 19 my sights are now set for a sports tourer middle weight. but i will say though that i've had more than 80mpg before and 89 miles an hour out of the poor bike (albeit down hill with the wind behind and leaning on the low slung petrol tank.) and with dunlops on the rims its possible to grind the foot rests around the twisties... just remember though that it's not a sports bike by any stretch of the word or imagination... but is a good solid bike...