HERALD CLASSIC 250 (2015 - on) Review

Not very good with a pillion as its a small bike and it impacts the performance, OK on urban and single A roads with a passenger. Handling is firm and confident.

Generally good, but gear change can be clunky if you're not careful, so that's a 4. I can get 80mph out of mine, but I weigh 8st so that's a big factor. Cruises OK for me at 70 if I want.

A few minor niggles the speedo cable loosened itself but easily fixed and a squeaky front disk brake, easily fixed by cleaning excess lacquer of the back off the pads, and again an easy job to do there's something to be said for a low tech approach to a bike.

I do my own servicing so cheap for me, then again the low tech concept makes this simple.

Basic but I added my own tacho, clock, and thermometer, plus a louder horn, controls are easily reachable and do the job.

THE BRAKES ARE FINE FOR A LIGHT BIKE , THE SUSPENSION ON ROAD OR OFF RAOD IS EXCELLENT ,NEVER BOTTOMING OUT AND SOAKING UP ALOT OF PUNSHMENT, HAS SEEN ME THROUGH SOME HAIRY MOMENTS OFF ROAD WITH NO PROBLEMS, THE SEAT IS OK ,PILLION HAS A GRAB RAIL, BETTER OF AS JUST A RIDER THOUGH, ITS ONLY A 250. IT CAN CHUGALONG OFFROAD WITH EASE,STANDARD NOBBLY TYRES ARE GREAT, CAN COMMUTE OR JUST POTER OR DO THE DISTANCE ON THE MOTORWAY AT LEGAL SPEEDS,

ITS A SUPRISINGLY GOOD ENGINE, ECONOMICAL, HAS LOWDOWN TORGUE FOR JUST CHUGGING ALONG AT LOW REVS OFF ROAD OR WIND IT UP AND BLAST IT DOWN THE MOTORWAY ,WELL IT WILL DO 70 MPH ALL DAY, IT IS A FUN BIKE.

ITS AWELL TREID ENGINE , LIGHT, GOOD SUSPENSION ,HAS BEEN VERY RELIABLE, PUT TOGETHER WELL, NO COMPLAINTS NO PROBLEMS,

iT DOES ALOT OF MPG , SPARES ARE CHEAP, SERVICE ONCE A YEAR, CHANGE OIL ESSENTIAL REGULARLY, CHEAP TO RUN ,

IT HAS JJUST THE BASICS ,AND A VERY LOUD PIPE AS STANDARD ,SOUNDS GREAT, GOOD KNOBBBLIES CAME WITH THE BIKE FROM NEW, THEY GRIP IN ALL CONDITIONS, ITS A SIMPLE BIKE AND IS ALL THE BETTER FOR IT, LESS TO GO WRONG AND LES STO BREAK OFF ROAD, THE SUSPENSION IS VERY GOOD ESPECIALLY ON GREENLANES, ITS A GREAT LITTLE BIKE. I AM LUCKY TO OWN SEVERAL BIKES THIS IS THE ONE I USE DAILY,

I have 4 other bikes (1950's Brit ones) but I've covered 9500 mls in 3 years including to Spain touring with camping gear and back. Never let me down. Only routine maintenance been needed and pleasant to tour at about 60 - 65mph. The clutch adjustment is critical to ensure clean gear and Neutral selection. There's too much travel on the rear brake pedal (fully adjusted, pads not particularly worn) and the rear chain cover has rusted but it's good value for money. I believe Herald has now discontinued it.

Before it broke the ride quality was bouncy, expected for a small bobber. Power was ok for a 250 (hits about 70mph if you're lucky) and the brakes are far better than a 125 Herald that I had as a courtesy bike.

Engine is based on a good reliable unit. Choke takes some fettling when cold to keep it going, but once warmed up seems fine. It's not powerful by any means - you couldn't break any laws or do wheelies if you wanted to.

After only 120km the speedo stopped working (taken in and repaired by dealer) and then at 533km the rear mudguard detatched itself while riding, flicked down under the rear tire and caused me an unexpected/unprecidented lowside accident. Bike written off with zero rider error.

Was booked in for first service on 30th May this year, but it destroyed itself a few days before hand. It's difficult to put a value on my own life, but I clearly value it a little higher than Herald, as Herald ended up making me go through my own insurance to recooperate costs and have so far not acknowledged factory fault I'm totally out of pocket three months later, having not been given compensation or an apology.

Minimal equipment and dials.

Fine for the max speed

It's a 4-stroke single.

After a 330mile 2-day journey on non-motorways, at fastest pace feasible, I can say it does 83mpg and has a 240 mile tank range.

You can fit panniers and screen.

Accelerates well for a little one, and stays smooth up to 60mph. The big rear cog makes the 1st gear very narrow and brings maximum engine speed at 70mph. The seat becomes uncomfortable after 50 miles. The lights are ok for town use but a bit feeble for any speed on dark roads.

It is a single cylinder 4-stroke built to a Japanese design and with a Japanese carburetter. The air filter bolts must be properly tightened or it will 'backfire' a lot and lose power. The choke is necessary but can be difficult to keep pulled out. Gears are one down four up. They are a bit close together with the over large rear cog supplied.

An initial unreliability was caused by the air filter being inadequately tightened to the frame. Easily solved by an adjustable spanner.

The Avon Distanzia tyres are very good indeed for road use. Strangely this bike has a slightly off-roady rear cog so only manages 70mph. I would need to get a smaller cog to reach the stated 80mph, so I avoid motorways. That does give it a pleasant liveliness up to 60mph.

Stable ride quality from what I could tell. The exhaust sounds funky but handling not so good compared to other bikes I have ridden. Brakes were average.

Based on 1980's suzuki derived engine.

Serious mechanical failure whilst driving 7 days after receiving the bike directly from Herald Motor company. The only response Herald gave me for the cause was, and I quote the manager ‘We have never had a problem with any of the other Classic 250’s we’ve sold, one of our Sales representatives is using a similar model nearly every day. So we cannot understand why this particular bike should suddenly have a problem now’…

Advertised as £2750 new on Herald Motor company's site. £850 was the best offer Herald Motor Company could find for the Classic 250cc 2015 despite having 1300km on the odometer and being in good aesthetic condition.

The bolts on the European JT rear Sprocket Herald Motor company told me they put on themselves mechanically failed before I had driven 100km on the bike.

Stable ride quality from what I could tell. The exhaust sounds funky but handling not so good compared to other bikes I have ridden. Brakes were average.

Based on 1980's suzuki derived engine.

Serious mechanical failure whilst driving 7 days after receiving the bike directly from Herald Motor company. The only response Herald gave me for the cause was, and I quote the manager ‘We have never had a problem with any of the other Classic 250’s we’ve sold, one of our Sales representatives is using a similar model nearly every day. So we cannot understand why this particular bike should suddenly have a problem now’…

Advertised as £2750 new on Herald Motor company's site. £850 was the best offer Herald Motor Company could find for the Classic 250cc 2015 despite having 1300km on the odometer and being in good aesthetic condition.

The bolts on the European JT rear Sprocket Herald Motor company told me they put on themselves mechanically failed before I had driven 100km on the bike.

Suspension and brakes take a bit of getting used to. You just have to put them into perspective with the £2,750 price tag.

Great little pokey Suzuki derived single. Exhaust note is lovely!

No corrosion yet and engine has fired up after over 3 weeks of standing. Something my previous big name bike would never do. Yes, the suspension is firm and the rear brake is ineffective but somehow that can be forgiven, especially when it's only ridden around town (the 250 engine is the perfect urban cc).

Avons inspire confidence. EK chain and sprocket are particularly chunky. Manual choke could take some getting used to (my previous bike had this feature so it's home from home). Gear number indicator on speedo face is a useful touch with an engine of this size. The side panel tool space is hilarious... just enough room for a toothbrush!

Painfully hard front suspension.

F/ree revving and punchy

Although the Neutral light illuminates it is still in gear 7 times out of 10. Initially I could only select Neutral with the engine turned off but clutch adjustment has improved it. It has also became stuck in 2nd or 3rd a couple of times and I had to pull over and stop the engine to move the gear lever before starting off again. The speedo reads in MPH but the odometer in KPH!

Too early to say.

Neutral indicator untrustworthy.

While the bike is generally smooth enough, at low speeds it tends to 'snatch' a little in 1st and 2nd when gently applying the accelerator. The dampers are easily adjustable and handle lumps without too much bother. The rear brake on my particular bike is poor, and the front needs a handful to be effective, though both do the job due to the overall light weight of the bike.

5th feels more like an overdrive gear, but the engine delivers enough power in the lower gears to enjoy the accelerating around town and country roads. At speeds upto about 50mph the bike is in its element, any faster, and the engine starts to feel underpowered.

From new, the gear indicator display failed to show top gear due to what appears to be a connection fault within the gearbox. After around 6 months of use, the number plate fell off due to corrosion on the bracket holding it in place. Finally, the odometer stopped accumulating miles along with the trip as it rolls over from 9. (Something that now needs replacing). Aside from these few QC issues above, the bike runs flawlessly, starts without issues, and looks to be holding up well aesthetically.

I typically get over 200km before needing to switch to reserve.