Nobody will buy High spec 250-400cc sportbikes.

Meter Man · 12-31-2010, 10:36 AM

Nobody will buy them. They will be too expensive.

Dave in Wi · 12-31-2010, 10:48 AM

I do believe you are correct. They would not sell in the US in any significant numbers. A high spec 250 for instance would probably cost about the same as a Ninja 650. I suspect most in the US would pick the size over quality. This is the land of the "Supersize Me" after all.

LuciferMutt · 12-31-2010, 10:48 AM

Yep.

scorch · 12-31-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meter Man

Nobody will buy them. They will be too expensive.

i know of one guy that will buy one ;)

thanks for starting this thread.

its not that i would not buy a high spec 250. but i dont think id buy a 250cc for 7000-8000 dollars when that is in the same range as a 600cc bike.

Navin · 12-31-2010, 10:55 AM

If I ever buy a bike it wouldn't be one of these, too expensive!

fast4d · 12-31-2010, 10:57 AM

I wanted an 88 fzr400 when they came out but the price was too high.

10/10ths · 12-31-2010, 11:47 AM

luckyduck · 12-31-2010, 11:54 AM

Nobody except for me. I am looking at trading my Versys for a WR250x. Similarly spec'd components and price. The WR is 150lbs lighter and has the motorized bicycle feeling that I miss with a big, heavy bike. IF there is a KTM Duke 300 in the near future that would be the ticket for me. (Probably tickets if they can get 30hp and 285lbs)

Paul

Grainbelt · 12-31-2010, 11:56 AM

A screaming 400cc I-4 with decent suspension for just a wee bit more than a Versys... I would consider buying.

Not a 250 though.

And I'd want EFI and ABS.

Meter Man · 12-31-2010, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10/10ths

I am trying to draw some of the Inmates out of the CBR250r thread, they keep nattering on about these kinds of bikes and ignoring the topic in that thread.

Waco · 12-31-2010, 12:06 PM

Well, yeah. Why buy a temperamental, overly-complicated, overly-stressed small engine when you can bump the displacement and get the same power out a lower-tech, low-maintenance engine? It's kinda like buying 500 cc with a turbo when you could have gotten a 750 with similar power.

vbl · 12-31-2010, 12:12 PM

Tell KTM. Maybe there's still time to make their 400 Duke reasonable.

Crow · 12-31-2010, 12:18 PM

Where's the "a good rider doesn't need ABS, traction control, 'yada, yada, yada'" thread?

Crow · 12-31-2010, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meter Man

I am trying to draw some of the Inmates out of the CBR250r thread, they keep nattering on about these kinds of bikes and ignoring the topic in that thread.

How about creating an "I hate the Honda CBR250R!" thread, just for Navin?

MiamiMotorcyclist · 12-31-2010, 12:21 PM

A bunch of us in the WR250R/X thread HAVE bought expensive 250's and are happy with them.

It's not my only bike though.

The original point is basically true though, without tiered licensing to force people to start small, the bikes won't sell in large numbers.

Though with the prices of the newest 600's there might be some room to argue.

It's hard enough to sell someone on a 600 if it is only $1000 or so cheaper than a 1000. Especially if they are financing.

Only suzuki still sells a 750 sport for basically that reason but they did that more out of pride and it fits a niche market for those want them.

1000's weigh about the same as a 600 but some people realize the bigger engine changes the way the bike rides due to internal moving pieces so they go with the 750 as a good compromise.

12-31-2010, 10:36 AM	#1
Meter Man ^OP Living on a prayer Joined: May 2005 Location: Montana Oddometer: 6,133	Nobody will buy High spec 250-400cc sportbikes. Nobody will buy them. They will be too expensive.

12-31-2010, 10:48 AM	#2
Dave in Wi Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2007 Location: 40 Square Miles Surrounded By Reality (Madison Wi) Oddometer: 1,462	I do believe you are correct. They would not sell in the US in any significant numbers. A high spec 250 for instance would probably cost about the same as a Ninja 650. I suspect most in the US would pick the size over quality. This is the land of the "Supersize Me" after all. __________________ Dave in WI 2002 ZRX1200R 1975 XL100 1988 DT50 "Daddy, it's five o'clock sometime!"

12-31-2010, 10:48 AM	#3
LuciferMutt Rides slow bike slow Joined: Aug 2008 Location: New(er) Mexico Oddometer: 9,543	Yep. __________________ You couldn't hear a dump truck driving through a nitro glycerin plant! Cobbie Award Winner

12-31-2010, 10:57 AM	#6
fast4d Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Oddometer: 1,547	I wanted an 88 fzr400 when they came out but the price was too high. __________________ Alan 2011 KTM RC8R 2012 BMW S1000RR 2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100

12-31-2010, 11:47 AM	#7
10/10ths Road Trip Fool Joined: Aug 2007 Location: Bayou country Oddometer: 758	Really?........ __________________ 1997 Ducati Monster 750 2004 Suzuki V-Strom 650 2004 Honda RC51 10/10ths screwed with this post 02-13-2011 at 05:07 AM

12-31-2010, 10:55 AM	#5
Navin Unwounding Joined: Sep 2009 Location: Mudville Oddometer: 4,318	If I ever buy a bike it wouldn't be one of these, too expensive!

12-31-2010, 11:54 AM	#8
luckyduck Lost Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Dbq Iowa Oddometer: 54	Nobody except for me. I am looking at trading my Versys for a WR250x. Similarly spec'd components and price. The WR is 150lbs lighter and has the motorized bicycle feeling that I miss with a big, heavy bike. IF there is a KTM Duke 300 in the near future that would be the ticket for me. (Probably tickets if they can get 30hp and 285lbs) Paul __________________ "My mother always told me you had to be very smart or very pleasant to succeed. I tried smart for 35 years, pleasant is much better." Elwood P. Dowd

12-31-2010, 11:56 AM	#9
Grainbelt marginal adventurer Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Minnyhappiness Oddometer: 25,025	A screaming 400cc I-4 with decent suspension for just a wee bit more than a Versys... I would consider buying. Not a 250 though. And I'd want EFI and ABS.

12-31-2010, 12:06 PM	#11
Waco Renegade Sickle Hound Joined: May 2002 Location: Waco, Texas Oddometer: 14,896	Well, yeah. Why buy a temperamental, overly-complicated, overly-stressed small engine when you can bump the displacement and get the same power out a lower-tech, low-maintenance engine? It's kinda like buying 500 cc with a turbo when you could have gotten a 750 with similar power. __________________ Support the AMA.

12-31-2010, 12:12 PM	#12
vbl Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2007 Oddometer: 129	Tell KTM. Maybe there's still time to make their 400 Duke reasonable.

12-31-2010, 12:18 PM	#13
Crow Corvid Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Oddometer: 1,288	Another. Where's the "a good rider doesn't need ABS, traction control, 'yada, yada, yada'" thread? __________________ "Don't believe everything you think!" 2003 Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird

12-31-2010, 12:21 PM	#15
MiamiMotorcyclist used to be -MiamiUly Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Miami, Fl. Oddometer: 1,833	A bunch of us in the WR250R/X thread HAVE bought expensive 250's and are happy with them. It's not my only bike though. The original point is basically true though, without tiered licensing to force people to start small, the bikes won't sell in large numbers. Though with the prices of the newest 600's there might be some room to argue. It's hard enough to sell someone on a 600 if it is only $1000 or so cheaper than a 1000. Especially if they are financing. Only suzuki still sells a 750 sport for basically that reason but they did that more out of pride and it fits a niche market for those want them. 1000's weigh about the same as a 600 but some people realize the bigger engine changes the way the bike rides due to internal moving pieces so they go with the 750 as a good compromise. __________________ Okay it's a sportbike... but riding is not a sport, it's a necessity. Same goes for the Dual Sport.

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