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New Duke 390! (vs) 3000km used 2013 non-abs CBR250R for 1.3L

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  • New Duke 390! (vs) 3000km used 2013 non-abs CBR250R for 1.3L

    Hi genius-bikers
    I know the answer to Duke390 Vs CBR250 bike to bike comparison...which will win! however, I am having a balance which is slightly tilted in the favour of a 'used' CBR250 with killer pricing. A colleague is selling his almost brand new CBR250 with less than 3000 km for Rs1.3Lakhs after negotiation. It is non-ABS and black with OTR price of 1.83Lakhs for new bike.
    test ride:
    Today, I test rode the Duke 200 to get a feel of Duke390 ergonomics and comfort.
    But, I havent ridden the CBR250..so relying on you to fill in the gaps

    Why 'this' CBR is good for me
    - More comfortable for two-up riding and touring
    - Already Rs50K off the sticker price - value! with only 3000km on the odo and 2013 model old-color black
    - Metal tank (I m old-school)
    CBR drwabacks
    - Service centres are everywhere..but not sure how knowledgeable the folks are
    - With Duke's pricing CBR may slowly become extinct and therefore spare parts may be in short supply
    - I have no idea how it is going to accelerate from rest, midrange grunt when compared to ZMA or Duke200 (my reference points)

    why Duke 390 is good for anyone
    - Power and acceleration
    - Image
    Duke drawbacks
    - My knee rubs against the tank bulge and is uncomfortable
    - hard suspension
    - not sufficient pillion accomodation (seat, footpegs, grab handles)
    - service network is weak and is present only in 'the middle of' major cities

    About me-
    31yrs with over 11yrs of biking. I ride in the city and (wish to?) tour a lot. Longest ride 800+km a day and have done 10+day trips.
    Though I dont have a budget, resale value is important because I could get 'transferred' anytime. There are not many buyers for relatively expensive and 'used' motorcycles(both Duke390 and CBR250). The same reason my colleague is selling his 'almost new' CBR250 for 50K off the OTR price.
    I worry about the pick-up of CBR250 as I have never ridden it and I dont have a frame of reference. My last bike was a 650cc...so that made even the Duke200 today 'seem' very puny and I was hitting redlines for every shift. This despite having been hibernating without a bike for 9months+. Needless to say, the salesguy was hanging on very tightly.

    Which one would you pick for me?

  • #2
    Re: New Duke 390! (vs) 3000km used 2013 non-abs CBR250R for 1.3L

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    • #3
      Re: New Duke 390! (vs) 3000km used 2013 non-abs CBR250R for 1.3L

      if you had a 650 CC bike earlier why do you want to go for anything less than a 650 CC now..??
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      • #4
        Re: New Duke 390! (vs) 3000km used 2013 non-abs CBR250R for 1.3L

        First ask the cbr owner why he is selling so soon... First 3000km is very important for a bike.. If not properly run-in, you will have low mileage and some other problems. If everything is OK, I would recommend cbr since you are a tourer and you love smooth, high revving engine which cbr will give (not that duke is not smooth, cbr a tad better). And it can accelerate as fast as duke 200 and zmr, infact better.. The only reason I would suggest you duke 390 is bcz you come from 650cc family.. So the power loss will be minimum. Moreover duke 390's 10.2l tank with a range of 300km disappoints a tourer like you.
        On the whole if cbr is in perfect condition(I mean run-in) go for it. You can negotiate a little bit too if it's a old model(year of manufacture)..

        Good luck

        Sent from my MT11i using xBhp Connect mobile app
        Last edited by siddharthsure; 06-27-2013, 12:53 AM.
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        • #5
          Re: New Duke 390! (vs) 3000km used 2013 non-abs CBR250R for 1.3L

          Originally posted by pitbull View Post
          ... resale value is important because I could get 'transferred' anytime. There are not many buyers for relatively expensive and 'used' motorcycles(both Duke390 and CBR250).
          Originally posted by princesirohi View Post
          if you had a 650 CC bike earlier why do you want to go for anything less than a 650 CC now..??
          [MENTION=15693]princesirohi[/MENTION],might be those word explain or answer your question.

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          • #6
            Re: New Duke 390! (vs) 3000km used 2013 non-abs CBR250R for 1.3L

            Originally posted by sumitro_d View Post
            [MENTION=15693]princesirohi[/MENTION],might be those word explain or answer your question.
            depends... being "transfered" means - if within india, then no problem, if outside india, then only problem. apart from that a used 250 CC Vs a new 390 CC is no comparison at all, both are so different. a used Duke200 may be a better comparison to used CBR250.anyway, from resale point of view a used CBR makes more sense.
            sigpic

            Tyre Sizes _ Spark Plugs

            Headlight Focus _ Fork Oils

            All India xBhp Couple Riders Thread

            Ashtavinayak + Shirdi
            Purandar
            Raigad
            Dapoli
            Aurangabad
            Kaas Plateu & Thoseghar Waterfalls
            Purandar

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            • #7
              Re: New Duke 390! (vs) 3000km used 2013 non-abs CBR250R for 1.3L

              thanks guys, I think CBR appeals to the left n logical side of the brain! I ve lost far too much money listening to the right/passionate side - hehe... I am left with 2 sets of riding gear including 2HJCs and 1AGV...and no bike now. I will anyway test ride the CBR on Saturday and buy it.

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              • #8
                Re: New Duke 390! (vs) 3000km used 2013 non-abs CBR250R for 1.3L

                [MENTION=18852]pitbull[/MENTION]- What is your height, may I ask?
                The man who designed the Tower of Pisa was the First Biker ever...

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                • #9
                  Re: New Duke 390! (vs) 3000km used 2013 non-abs CBR250R for 1.3L

                  @pitbull : cbr is suitable for under 5'10' height of guys. for the taller set, the reclining posture will take its toll on lumbar-support, shoulders & wrists. after riding a cbr [1st gen] for 2 months i went back to my avenger200 since the daily commutes became downright painful. riding comfort matter a lot after u r on the bike for more than 40mins. @ a stretch - so pls dont ignore that component.
                  i've ridden the D200 extensively as well & between the two, i would vouch for the D200 [as stated above, u really cannot compare the cbr250 w/ a D390 - although no one has ridden it just yet, the stats & tech specs indicate that its a machine in a completely different stratosphere]

                  i.m.h.o...
                  cbr pros:
                  - free-revving gem of an engine
                  - near zero vibes even @ sub-100 speeds
                  - good saddle for the rider & the pillion [in comparison to D200]
                  - is a looker
                  - full fairing gives is a certain edge in aerodynamics section & on tackling cross-winds on wide open spaces
                  - has good quality stock fitments / tyres / etc.

                  cbr cons:
                  - riding posture
                  - known issues w/ availability of parts
                  - known issues w/ availability of qualified service personnel
                  - incidents reported on nuts / bolts / parts catching rust in 1st year of running - this is the flaw @ the OEM suppliers & not Honda, but nevertheless, a flaw anyway
                  - a tad impractical for taller guys

                  d200 pros:
                  - a joy to ride & puts a grin on ur face everytime u crank her up
                  - erect riding posture waist-above
                  - u sit shockingly close to the handlebars, inspires unprecedented confidence in u throwing around the bike @ insane speeds w/ confidence
                  - is known for its near-flawless / technical superiority [the odo, the exhaust, the water-proof abilities, the overall build quality]

                  d200 cons:
                  - pillion seat is a joke
                  - hard-set suspension guaranteed to give u sore butt till the time you break-in
                  - few instances reported on the engine vibes felt in footpegs
                  - a street-naked structure means its gonna feel the cross-wind drifts a tad too much

                  guess i am the D200 type of person... u gotta decide which one are u... but it will be unfair to pitch the cbr250 against the D390
                  hope this helps!
                  Last edited by whymail; 06-29-2013, 05:42 PM.
                  ◦ ● 4-wheels move the body... 2-wheels move the soul ● ◦

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                  • #10
                    Re: New Duke 390! (vs) 3000km used 2013 non-abs CBR250R for 1.3L

                    Originally posted by whymail View Post
                    [MENTION=18852]pitbull[/MENTION] : cbr is suitable for under 5'10' height of guys. for the taller set, the reclining posture will take its toll on lumbar-support, shoulders & wrists. after riding a cbr [1st gen] for 2 months i went back to my avenger200 since the daily commutes became downright painful.
                    i.m.h.o...

                    cbr pros:
                    - full fairing gives is a certain edge in aerodynamics section & on tackling cross-winds on wide open spaces

                    cbr cons:
                    - riding posture
                    - a tad impractical for taller guys
                    Last edited by DeVille; 06-29-2013, 05:24 PM.
                    The man who designed the Tower of Pisa was the First Biker ever...

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                    • #11
                      Re: New Duke 390! (vs) 3000km used 2013 non-abs CBR250R for 1.3L

                      @DeVille : correct... i am 5'11' and hence posted a tiny 'i.m.h.o.' before the post. u being 6'1' wud have naturally felt different on these rides allowed hain!
                      as for ur observations on the r15 - its way out of my league despite being a corner carver... the riding posture is just too aggressive for my tastes & physical abilities. hell i found the cbr to be unsettling on my back & wrist too... there is a reason why i have chosen rides that give me waist up straight posture.
                      Last edited by whymail; 06-29-2013, 05:47 PM.
                      ◦ ● 4-wheels move the body... 2-wheels move the soul ● ◦

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                      • #12
                        Re: New Duke 390! (vs) 3000km used 2013 non-abs CBR250R for 1.3L

                        ^ cool. Though I still think you were confused between CBR n R15 while typing
                        Agree with the posture bit- I too have started liking Sport/ urban/adventure tourers n streetfighters more than Supersports.

                        [MENTION=18852]pitbull[/MENTION]
                        The man who designed the Tower of Pisa was the First Biker ever...

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                        • #13
                          Re: New Duke 390! (vs) 3000km used 2013 non-abs CBR250R for 1.3L

                          Didya buy it?? If not, two cents:

                          I keep my faith on Duke, though I would suggest you to consider the following -

                          Purpose/Utility
                          Comfortability
                          Maintenance
                          Reliability
                          & of course budget

                          Please take test-rides on both & clear your mind on the above - I am sure, you'll be able to decide!!
                          Last edited by chaosaddict; 07-02-2013, 02:26 PM. Reason: typo(
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                          • #14
                            Re: New Duke 390! (vs) 3000km used 2013 non-abs CBR250R for 1.3L

                            I have ridden a Duke 200 too but, I didn't find it better than my RTR 180 (sold and now, bikeless!) in terms of volume of adrenaline pumped/sec. I felt as if, I am sitting on the tank! Although it makes more horsepower, has 20cc more and has a 6th gear, it didn't hit my brain. Well, a few days ago, I happened to see a KTM 990 with Akropovic on the street and it was a pure riot!
                            If, you like a streetfighter, you should look at a KTM - may be get an after-market exhaust if, it doesn't sound good.

                            But, if, you enjoy a sports bike, you should go for Honda. Simple. I have ridden it for a few kms. I did like it!
                            I presume that you 'll give a thorough look at the bike even though it's your friend's and is just 3000kms old. Keep the emotions away. Work with your brain and instincts.

                            May be, 250 owners can help you out in this regard.

                            At the end of the day, 250 and 390 are like chalk and cheese. You should know what you want. Good luck.
                            Last edited by Makky; 07-02-2013, 08:20 PM.

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                            • #15
                              Re: New Duke 390! (vs) 3000km used 2013 non-abs CBR250R for 1.3L

                              Thanks everyone! I test rode the 'used' CBR250 and liked the way it performed. The riding position is sportier than what I prefer, however, I can always get a bar-riser if required. Or, change over to a ZMA handlebar. I was horrified to find that one area of the silencer (1sq.cm ) already has rust! and the radiator fins were a bit off. The bike comes with extended warranty for almost 5yrs. As mentioned already, I value 'resale' value and depreciation too as I am likely to be 'moved' around (sans my bike). by the way, the bike has done 4000+ km by now. I am getting this CBR250 today. Thanks a lot for responding to my queries and helping me decide. I ll be back with some pics later this week.

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