Re: Honda CBR 250R

Hello everyone! Need help with my CBR250r non-abs, I suspect I was handed over a slightly test ridden bike, when I bought it in Jan 2016. the ODO now reads 44K. I have done all I could (I think)- Valve clearance, replaced chain tensioner, regular service, conesets change, etc. but the bike just wont run smooth beyond 90 KPH. The tappet noise resumes every 3K to 4k kilometers. I am tired of taking it to the ASC every 3-4 months for Shim replacement. There are engine vibrations once I go past 80-90 speed (the bike is very smooth till that speed).

I have little knowledge about bike engines. I am confused whether to invest in a major overhaul involving changing piston cylinder kit, tensioner, valves, bearings, or other things that can significantly improve the bike condition (the mechanic at ASV- Kothari Wheels, Tilak Road, Pune- is quite reliable and proficient). The mechanic suggested spending 20-30K can make the engine as good as new.

I am willing to give it a last shot if things can improve. Otherwise, I am planning to sell it and go for a new CBR ABS version. I test rode the new 2018 CBR and it runs butter smooth.

Please advice if buying a new CBR will be worth it. My bike's exchange value would be around 80K at the max. So I would need to spend 150K more for the new ABS version. OR should I spend 20K-30K on the engine repairs on my current bike? I am also curious to know the cost of getting a BS4 engine and if that would be worth it. Please help!!

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Just to add, in the last ASC visit, I have replaced the chain kit, cone sets, tightened engine mounting bolts, changed Coolant. I have always been using Shell FS 10W40, Motul lube. The problem still persists and seems to be related to piston, value clearance.

Re: Honda CBR 250R

I think going for replacement of shim every 3-4 months is very unusual , I have been using bike since 2011 and I got it replaced only once so far.
Does the bike become smoother after shim replacement ? If it does then you might wanna check the way you ride the bike because most shim problems are because of the way people ride the bike in my personal experience harsh accelerations/deceleration's and also using clutch for riding instead of just using it for gear change.

If the bike doesn't become smooth after shim replacement then it could be something else as suggested by the mechanic.
Should you overhaul or buy a new one ? You bike is just roughly 2 years old spending anything beyond 1 lakh on same bike makes no sense.
In my opinion going with overhaul is much better option and what parts to be changed is something you can cross verify with another SVC also see if you can trick the insurance company somehow.

Re: Honda CBR 250R

Thanks Mohan, recurring Shim problem is strange indeed. I hardly ride aggressively due to the vibration issue. And mostly keep it below 100. I am pretty sure my riding style is fine. I mentioned I might have been handed over a test ride bike. The vibration problem has been there since day 1 of purchase, along with Shim and Chain tensioner problem. The shim issue ticks in even if I ride a little hard sometimes, and then persists, and over time the bike starts getting rougher.

Yes, the bike does get quite smooth after shim replacement, and remains so, but ride just a little hard, in excess of 100 KPH, and the tick tick sound starts to come back. My problem is I want to be able to ride my bike at 100-110 KPH at least, all day long, but it wont just run smooth beyond 90 max.

Re: Honda CBR 250R

If your riding style is not aggressive then it could be a mechanical issue as stated by SVC better cross check with another SVC and get an overhaul and see if you can claim insurance, also one thing that came to my mind is that pretty much all Honda showrooms had ABS version bikes as test rides bikes I might be wrong too . From my experience you can do 120 KPH all day long without vibrations.

Re: Honda CBR 250R

Hey Pavi,

Had seen your post but wasn't able to reply to the same due to some issues faced with logging in.

On a motorcycle the clutch is only present to disrupt power from the output shaft to the transmission so as to take load off it to facilitate shifting.

In short, you do not need the clutch to shift if you know what you're doing which I guess you do since you've already mentioned that you've experimented with clutchless upshifting.

So if the transmission shifts fine without clutch but is notchy only when using the clutch then that means the clutch is not disengaging properly, and to find that you could simply trace the clutch cable route to observe for any snagging or undue resistance.

And just for Info's sake do be aware that auto-rickshaw clutch cable inner's are available with the lock for Rs.30/- non-OEM and Rs.60/- OEM, they're freely sizable as the clearance is set at the locking end.

Cheers,
A.P.

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Do a considerably low speed in final drive and crack open the throttle to WOT, if the clutch slips and RPM shoots then you need to replace the clutch.

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Doing that would prematurely wear out a lot of things inside your motorcycle but it won't be a matter of concern if you do not intent to keep the motorcycle for the long run.

Thumb rule is to up-shift when you're near the peak torque range.

Re: Honda CBR 250R

Thanks for your inputs. Any idea what all should be replaced if one is willing to spend in the range of about 20K -30K for a major transformation in engine performance and smoothness. Cylinder piston kit, camshaft, valves, and what else? I am a novice in these matters. Need help urgently!

Re: Honda CBR 250R

When vibrations are a matter of concern in a single cylinder then in a good number of cases the obvious culprits are;

1. The engine foundation bushes and bolts.

2. The crank balancer.

I have heard of cases where the crank balancer has even popped out of the CBR250R after cracking a hole through the crank case. So it would be a good idea to pursue the case before you consider a complete overhaul, but first it would be best to fix what can be easily fixed i.e engine foundation bushes/bolts.

Cheers.
A.P.

Re: Honda CBR 250R

Thank you so much. Looks like a great post so far. LOL!

Re: Honda CBR 250R

Thanks for the inputs guys. The problem was because of the faulty shift return spring. I gave the bike to the another svc in Thrissur. They diagnosed the problem pretty quickly. It costed me around 800 ruppes including labour

Re: Honda CBR 250R

Guys do we have a WhatsApp group for CBR owners?

Please do reply. I would love to be in some.

Re: Honda CBR 250R

Thats shocking i am yet to replace my shims or do any engine work at 50k km, my bike is a 2014 non abs, bikes actually butter smooth with the shell oil, i am able to take my bike 110+ daily without any issues, i ride in a mixed manner, did u encounter this issues at the beginning?

Re: Honda CBR 250R


Shim replacement at frequent intervals isn't the right direction we're going into. Usually a shim inspection is warranted post 10k kms, though it can go up or down depending on the service history of the bike. Nevertheless, frequent shim replacements every other month would mean something that's more than that meets the eye. Smoothness can be attributed to a lot of factors and not just engine. Apart from using the right grade and level of engine oil, your chain slack and chain condition too plays a vital role in keeping the ride experience smooth.

If your engine is harsh, stitchy after repeated attempts, then you can consider a through half engine job, the replacement procedure that you mentioned. This involves replacing the cylinder/piston kit, entire valve train, timing chain and what not. This is cost effective, saves you 150k. Try this method as a last ditch method. The key is giving the bike to a skillful hand, as opposed to a local mechanic, who mostly are ill equipped to handle or lack the know-how to handle the machine. It's always wise to get such procedures done at reputed HONDA SVC.

You can consider replacement of the valvetrain. This includes, the entire components that sit on the head of the motorcycle, valves, springs, shims, cam shaft, timing chain, TCT. You can also replace your piston/cylinder kit if need be, but if that's okay, you can get your job done for even lesser.

Hope it helps. Good luck.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: Honda CBR 250R

I recently bought the new cbr 250r with bs4 engine, i have done about 390 kms. But from the past 3-4 days i have noticed some significant amount of vibrations from the front end, which were not there when i bought the bike, so is this normal and will this issue be solved after the first service?

Re: Honda CBR 250R

What exactly do you mean by frontend ?
If its mostly from engine then you have to wait till first 1-2 services as the bike fairly new and engine is breaking in.
If its not from engine then there's issue.

Re: Honda CBR 250R

Thank you VJ, this is really helpful. I will give it a last shot with an engine overhaul, and see how it turns out to be. Please let me know if there are any skillful, reliable CBR250 mechanics in Pune. Thanks.