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Geo/Fred question
- Thread starter ojm bc
- Start date
This summer my neighbor bought one. He is in his 80's but used to ride big goldwings and harleys all his life. He bought the Rebel 250 new. Never rode. My older son had one also. Way under powered. No nothing. I took it out for Larry and drove it around and even the new ones are way lacking in power. Maybe in flat country running to the store for a few items, they might be ok, but here its hilly and it just didn't cut it. Long story short, he tried it a few times, and called the bike place up and sold it back to them for $600 less then he paid 3 weeks earlier. After riding his and my sons, even for a beginner, I would not touch. I have seen a few of the Ninja 250s at the club and they are far more zipper. They can be had on Craigs list for around $2000 to $2500 in mint shape. Ebay has them also and often local newspapers. People move out of them fast. but for sure good bike to get back into the swing of it. My son sold his for $250 bucks and it was mint also. He was having a refridgerator delivered and he liked it. It looks like a mini Harley, sits decent if you have short legs but zero power. They do allow them here on the turnpike if 250cc or more but I would never use it out there. good way to get run down. Thats my opinion on them. See if there is a used one for sale in your area and see if you can take it for a spin.
Or check with a local bike shop who has a big parking lot. They let you ride there from time time on the small bikes in site of them. I bet even just getting back into it you will not be thrilled at all.
Here is another persons view on it also. If you have ridden before, its like a bicycle, you never forget....
GeoHonda Rebel Review
Or check with a local bike shop who has a big parking lot. They let you ride there from time time on the small bikes in site of them. I bet even just getting back into it you will not be thrilled at all.
Here is another persons view on it also. If you have ridden before, its like a bicycle, you never forget....
GeoHonda Rebel Review
Kelley (Texas)
New member
Before you do anything, please enroll in the best independent safety course in your area. Check around and find out who has the best reputation...one that has small classes with good certified instructors. I do not necessary consider the riding course taught by Harley-Davidson to be automatically the best school to attend. The schools will furnish the bikes, usually 250 cc size bikes. The school that I attended had several different brands of 250 cc bikes.
I did not follow the normal route that is recommended by most experienced riders in regards to buying my first bike, nor did I follow the typical path of gaining experience. I purchased a Yamaha V-Star 1100 bike which is a 1100 cc size bike...a mid size cruiser motorcycle. However, I approached things just a tab different than most folks. I spent the first thirty days riding that bike "only" in my neighborhood, practicing my starts, stops, counter steering, shifting gears, u-turns and etc. I never left my neighborhood! I did this for a reason, but the most important reason was getting as much experience as possible in a safe riding zone. The reason that I did this for thirty days in only my neighborhood was that once I ventured out onto the open roads, I could concentrate on the traffic, not worry about how to operate the bike.
At the end of the thirty days of riding in my neighborhood, I ventured out into the local area, as well as spending time at a large school parking lot practicing all types of ways to handle the bike...used traffic cones to do figure eights, panic stops, and etc. When ever possible, I would try to ride when the traffic was light. I did this for several weeks.
After this, I made my first short ride on a few back roads of South Texas. After riding this bike for almost a year, I sold it and bought a larger bike, A Suzuki C-90 which was a 1500 cc heavy cruiser type bike. This was a much heavier bike, but I considered a safer bike on long rides on the back roads.
At all times, I rode this bike in a responsible manner, knowing full well the consequences of what the results could be in the event of a mishap. I always rode wearing a helmet, boots, and gloves...always! I was always aware of the other vehicles on the road, never drove in blind spots, and constantly tried to anticipate the actions of the other vehicles on the road. I am a firm believer in safety, both mine as well as the other folks on the open roads, and never even thought about doing something foolish to impress anyone.
OJ, your first bike will depend on the type of riding you want to do. I knew from day one that I wanted to ride the back roads of South Texas...it would be my ticket to freedom out of this city. I wanted to write a journal about old ghost towns, historical sites, and small town Texas...take pictures too! You will have to decide what type of riding you want to do, then use common sense in deciding on a first bike. I must again stress that you take a safety course before you purchase any bike. If you approached me and told me that you were interested in riding a motorcycle and what bike should you buy, I would tell you to take the safety course and then come talk to me.
OJ, I do wish you the best and if you do decide that you want to ride a motorcycle, I will help you best that I can, but again, please take the safety course. Kelley (Texas)
[attachment 149529 DSC01446.JPG]
I did not follow the normal route that is recommended by most experienced riders in regards to buying my first bike, nor did I follow the typical path of gaining experience. I purchased a Yamaha V-Star 1100 bike which is a 1100 cc size bike...a mid size cruiser motorcycle. However, I approached things just a tab different than most folks. I spent the first thirty days riding that bike "only" in my neighborhood, practicing my starts, stops, counter steering, shifting gears, u-turns and etc. I never left my neighborhood! I did this for a reason, but the most important reason was getting as much experience as possible in a safe riding zone. The reason that I did this for thirty days in only my neighborhood was that once I ventured out onto the open roads, I could concentrate on the traffic, not worry about how to operate the bike.
At the end of the thirty days of riding in my neighborhood, I ventured out into the local area, as well as spending time at a large school parking lot practicing all types of ways to handle the bike...used traffic cones to do figure eights, panic stops, and etc. When ever possible, I would try to ride when the traffic was light. I did this for several weeks.
After this, I made my first short ride on a few back roads of South Texas. After riding this bike for almost a year, I sold it and bought a larger bike, A Suzuki C-90 which was a 1500 cc heavy cruiser type bike. This was a much heavier bike, but I considered a safer bike on long rides on the back roads.
At all times, I rode this bike in a responsible manner, knowing full well the consequences of what the results could be in the event of a mishap. I always rode wearing a helmet, boots, and gloves...always! I was always aware of the other vehicles on the road, never drove in blind spots, and constantly tried to anticipate the actions of the other vehicles on the road. I am a firm believer in safety, both mine as well as the other folks on the open roads, and never even thought about doing something foolish to impress anyone.
OJ, your first bike will depend on the type of riding you want to do. I knew from day one that I wanted to ride the back roads of South Texas...it would be my ticket to freedom out of this city. I wanted to write a journal about old ghost towns, historical sites, and small town Texas...take pictures too! You will have to decide what type of riding you want to do, then use common sense in deciding on a first bike. I must again stress that you take a safety course before you purchase any bike. If you approached me and told me that you were interested in riding a motorcycle and what bike should you buy, I would tell you to take the safety course and then come talk to me.
OJ, I do wish you the best and if you do decide that you want to ride a motorcycle, I will help you best that I can, but again, please take the safety course. Kelley (Texas)
[attachment 149529 DSC01446.JPG]
Ron J
Active member
They are both, never big enough, and you need to learn how to operate either one slowly and smartly, Your life depends on it, as you already know. Fred and George are both correct...and you are being smart, inquiring before purchase. If your looking for Cruiser style, a Honda Shadow 750 or 1100 are the right size for a beginner, but again you won't be happy after awhile. A Yamaha Roadstar, Suzuki, Kawasaki or Victory, as George has are all Great bikes, with no headaches.Sit on a few,I think you are average height? Make sure you are comfortable, and your feet can reach the ground! All are alot of bike for the money. H/D are okay, but you pay alot more for the name. Besides, if you buy a Cruiser style as mentioned, everybody in you neighborhood will think its a H/D anyway! Ask George or Fred, I'll bet they were asked the same thing... Even though you plan on riding locally, that won't last. Its like giving a kid a new toy, and telling him he can only use it in his room! You will enjoy cruising on the highways once you get experience. You need the power and weight under you. Sounds like you will know what we are talking about within 6 months!! Go for it!
Just remember to be constantly alert! RJ
Ask George or Fred, I'll bet they were asked the same thing... Even though you plan on riding locally, that won't last. Its like giving a kid a new toy, and telling him he can only use it in his room! You will enjoy cruising on the highways once you get experience. You need the power and weight under you. Sounds like you will know what we are talking about within 6 months!! Go for it! Just remember to be constantly alert! RJtry to find a used Honda Helix. I love mine and have over 18,000 miles on it. It is a 250 but I have had it over Rocky Mountain National Park four times with both of us on it. That is over 12,000 ft! It will run around 75 mph with 70 mpg.
They don't make it any more but the new scooters look much like motorcycles. If you are out to just enjoy riding and the wind in your fact,it is the way to go in my view. If you are out to do the macho thing, it is not for you. If I had to buy another bike it would be one of the new Scooters
They don't make it any more but the new scooters look much like motorcycles. If you are out to just enjoy riding and the wind in your fact,it is the way to go in my view. If you are out to do the macho thing, it is not for you. If I had to buy another bike it would be one of the new Scooters
I will put this review below this another guy posted in about your situation. That being said. Training is a given. We teach at our club but its for racing motocross. Way different. There are major differences between 2 strokes and 4 strokes say 250cc. We have a few 125cc racing bikes here that will scare he11 out of you on the track. Most of our 250 racing machines pull so hard that if your not used to it, arm pump is a big deal in about 2 laps. Then there are 4 stroke Thumpers, or 4 storkes. Again, all kids from anemic, to rip snorters. The Rebel has been out a long time but the engine is and older style air cooled unit and I doubt you would find it useful. It sings off almost as soon as you grab a handful of throttle. It does sit great for people with short legs, but so do many others. These small sport bikes in 250 class really are pretty doggy. Most of the scooters are faster, just how they set them up. In thinking it over, we just picked up a nice 500 yamaha Virago for my daughters, boyfriends mother. Also a small person,and she is loving it or was until the snow dropped. She paid 500 bucks for it. My son and I went all over it, tweak it up and its actually very nice. Its a 500cc but again, they are not that powerful but sure way above the 250 engine in the Rebel. Trust me, there are plenty of 250 engines out there that will get your attention but they are in bikes set up for running hard. I see lots of low mile virago's for little money... Less money, same seating style, low so feet touch. Controls are set up person for shorter people and just enough power to make it fun. You can have 200 hp,, if you don't twist the throttle, its not a problem... I run 1500cc, 106 cubic inches, tweaked out to just over 100 hp. yet I can ride with anyone on any road. I don't like it real slow on back roads as I have to be in lower gears, but on normal roads, I can run it 5 gear from 35 mph up and the torque will take me to any speed I want and then some in short order. But I usually run 50 to 55 if just running back roads. Turnpikes, we run 65 to 75. No problem doing it, if you like wind ripping at you mile after mile. I don't any more so run a tall windshield and usually pick the slower speeds, or ride sweep. Sweep position is the last guy in line. Keeps and eye out for others breaking down etc. I like it there in the pack as no one behind you to be concerned about or on the side of you. Nice safe spot to be, at least for me. I'm always looking for picture shots so can stop at will to do it.
Anyhow, just found this and though you might find it good food for thought.....
Geo-Ct
Super bike! Don't leave home without it!
Written: Jun 22 '05
Product Rating: Product Rating: 4.0
Reliability:
Comfort:
Handling And Control:
Quality and Craftsmanship:
Pros: So easy, so fun to ride.
Cons: Don't care for the ram style handlebars. Gas tank is too small.
The Bottom Line: Great all-around bike, dependable, reliable and incredibly fun.
apenders's Full Review: 2000 Yamaha Virago 535
First bike Rebel 250. Got rid of that within a month - needed more power. Second bike Triumph Legend 900cc. Scared the bejeebers out of me - too much power. 3rd bike Virago 535 - right size, right fit, loved it but thought sport bike would be more fun. Sold it and got a Suzuki SV650. SV was fun bike but kept dropping it in driveway (too heavy to maneuver for a shorty like me - 5'5" girl without broad shoulders). Sold SV650 and returned to a different Virago 535. Love it and won't be changing any time soon. So I was able to try a variety of bikes, went to motorcycle shows to sit and research them. Everyone tried to get me into a Honda Shadow or Yamaha V-star. Although those bikes looked nice and yes, they fit me. They were so much heavier than my Virago. I can ride anything once it's moving but I hate maneuvering large bikes at low speeds. Am modifying my Virago with new modern-styled handlebars and a nicer one-piece custom seat. Now it's perfect. Would recommend this bike to all riders from beginner to advanced - as long as you are on the shorter side.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 2300
Condition: Used
Model Year: 1996
Anyhow, just found this and though you might find it good food for thought.....
Geo-Ct
Super bike! Don't leave home without it!
Written: Jun 22 '05
Product Rating: Product Rating: 4.0
Reliability:
Comfort:
Handling And Control:
Quality and Craftsmanship:
Pros: So easy, so fun to ride.
Cons: Don't care for the ram style handlebars. Gas tank is too small.
The Bottom Line: Great all-around bike, dependable, reliable and incredibly fun.
apenders's Full Review: 2000 Yamaha Virago 535
First bike Rebel 250. Got rid of that within a month - needed more power. Second bike Triumph Legend 900cc. Scared the bejeebers out of me - too much power. 3rd bike Virago 535 - right size, right fit, loved it but thought sport bike would be more fun. Sold it and got a Suzuki SV650. SV was fun bike but kept dropping it in driveway (too heavy to maneuver for a shorty like me - 5'5" girl without broad shoulders). Sold SV650 and returned to a different Virago 535. Love it and won't be changing any time soon. So I was able to try a variety of bikes, went to motorcycle shows to sit and research them. Everyone tried to get me into a Honda Shadow or Yamaha V-star. Although those bikes looked nice and yes, they fit me. They were so much heavier than my Virago. I can ride anything once it's moving but I hate maneuvering large bikes at low speeds. Am modifying my Virago with new modern-styled handlebars and a nicer one-piece custom seat. Now it's perfect. Would recommend this bike to all riders from beginner to advanced - as long as you are on the shorter side.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 2300
Condition: Used
Model Year: 1996