Which one (plain and possibly dull) is the better classic?

[A500leroy]

In the blue corner we have the Suzuki GN250 from 1994, and in the red corner from 1989 we have the Honda CD250U.

Which one would be the easiest to live with, simplest to maintain and have the best parts availability.?
Which is the better ride? (all things being relative)

[sociopath]

Being of a certain age I'm in shock if that honda is considered a classic.

It was rubbish when it was new, I can't see how it can have developed character since then

[Jazoli]

They were both st, I used to outrun my mate who had unwisely bought a GN250 on my RD125LC, I don't know why on earth you would buy either one of them.

[TwoStrokeNut]

At least get a CB250RS. They were nice bikes in their day.

Not worth the bother now, though.

[Rick448]

Both rubbish. Sorry.

[lazybike]

Honda

[A500leroy]

Better have a rethink then?

[SteelerSE]

A500leroy said:

Better have a rethink then?

I only have experience of the GN250 and it was pants. If either one floats your boat then get stuck in but as motorcycles go they weren't up to much.

[Jazoli]

A500leroy said:

Better have a rethink then?

Why an 80's Jap 250? Cost? Is everything remotely desirable out of reach now?

None of them were much cop, the CB250RS was ok as previously mentioned, they were all mass produced cheap commuter bikes, I think I'd rather have a Royal Enfield or an old BMW flat twin that might be interesting to ride rather than an insipid Japanese 250, hell you can get a CB750 ( https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1373743 ) or a Goldwing for £2k,

have a look on car and classic for inspiration if you haven't already

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/classic_cars.php?c...

Edited by Jazoli on Monday 6th December 18:09

[ssray]

Honda but stick a turbo on it

[Mr Tidy]

Neither!

Why buy a 250 anyway?

If it had to be a 4-stroke I'd probably choose a Honda CB400N Superdream.

Although personally I'd look for an RD400 or RD350LC!

[KTMsm]

It would help to know what criteria was used to decide that these were the two best options

[srob]

A500leroy said:

Better have a rethink then?

What's your budget and criteria? Lots of options to suit all budgets out there, but it's hard to second guess if we don't know what you want to do with it or what era you want!

[Drawweight]

Does a classic bike have to be the best or fastest or most desirable to be worth restoring?

A spotless GPZ900R will get more oooh’s and aaah’s parked up at a popular biker spot than a CB900F in similar condition but should the Honda man not have bothered as it wasn’t the best bike of its era?

Restore whatever the heck you want.

[KTMsm]

Drawweight said:

Does a classic bike have to be the best or fastest or most desirable to be worth restoring?

It does to me - but that desire might just be that you wanted one as a kid or your dad had one

Obviously anyone can restore anything they like but it seems foolish to restore something that was never any good or you can't get the parts for etc

Although I think the intention in this case was to ride it rather than restore it

[black-k1]

Drawweight said:

Does a classic bike have to be the best or fastest or most desirable to be worth restoring?

Not for me, but it has to have had some level desirability when it was new.

[A500leroy]

srob said:

A500leroy said:

Better have a rethink then?

What's your budget and criteria? Lots of options to suit all budgets out there, but it's hard to second guess if we don't know what you want to do with it or what era you want!

2k budget, must be sub 160kg wet weight, prefer 80s/90s bikes.
I find 250s often offer better value condition wise at this budget and fit the weight constraints.

[srob]

A500leroy said:

2k budget, must be sub 160kg wet weight, prefer 80s/90s bikes.
I find 250s often offer better value condition wise at this budget and fit the weight constraints.

I'd be looking for a sports 125 then. Something like an RG125 or a Cagiva Mito. If you prefer upright, there were unfaired versions of many of them or the Paris Dakar style 125 two-strokes.