Yamaha YS250(YBR250) 2014 vs Honda CBF190R 2015

I'd like to know peoples thoughts on these two machines... the YS250 with 21bhp or the Honda around 15bhp.

The Yamaha looks a better bike for long journeys but the Honda is probably more nimble and is also cheaper. I always thought that the Honda wings give unparalleled reliability but people have often quoted the Yamaha engine as "bomb-proof".

I'm looking for weekend rideouts and occasional multi-day journeys. My city (Zhongshan) has supposedly banned bikes and I work in Zhuhai where they're definitely banned so I won't be doing any day to day riding on the bike.

However seeing the Honda advert of the CBF running on a go-kart track is very tempting as I will be giving up my Kayo MiniGP (small racing bike) in order to buy a road legal bike, and if it is feasible to have some fun on the track with the Honda then it gives it an edge...

Prices according to new motor are:

Yamaha - 19800 http://motor.newmotor.com.cn/2014%20YS250%20Fazer4438/
Honda - 15800 http://motor.newmotor.com.cn/CBF190R6658/

Oh, decisions, any other suggestions for a really multipurpose bike?

You are selling your racebike to buy a road bike so Yamaha for sure. Apart from slightly below par suspension the Yamaha is a fine touring bike and the engine is well proven.

Pictures in ads are just that .

Thanks for your feedback.

Certainly looks like the best bike for me.

The Yamaha will deginitely be ultra reliable, but maybe slightly underpowered compared to other 250s. The recent price drop is definitely a bonus.

In this price range, I'd also seriously check out Benellis newish BN-250
I think it's 17-18k and around 24hp.

http://motor.newmotor.com.cn/BJ25015A2979/

Actually that benelli qijiang is probably worth a look . I have seen a lot of them riding around and they offer a better than average warranty .

So I think cb190f is out of the running... but in comes the Benelli 250, it looks really decent for the price, certainly better value than the GW250. Then looking on Benelli's site I saw...

http://motor.newmotor.com.cn/BJ300GS5043/

The Benelli 300 looks like what I've been hoping for... a bike small and cheap enough for my part of China, good for shorter and some longer rides and can probably handle itself on a track occasionally. Shame that the reliability may be an issue.

That would make it a proper Italian Benelli then. Because back in the day Benelli's Laverda's Ducati's Morbidelli's Aermacchi's or Fiats where not renowned for their reliability.

Edit; Moto Guzzi , Lambetta , Vespa.

To be honest they are both a bit gutless, having owned the CBF150 and ridden the YBR250. Actually I think the Honda is much better made than the Yamaha, and will last and resale better.

However if I were in the market I'd go for a Thai imported Ninja 250/300 or Z250/300. The Benelli looks good and actually has a good reputation, but Qianjiang think Benelli is a premium uber brand and demand crazy parts prices, plus everything I've heard about it is short term review. We know that the Chinese can make a bike that can impress out of the box, but long term durability is still pretty much unknown, whereas the Honda and Yamaha are building off much longer term sales and R&D.

The sporty 300's are a bit out of my price range... only the Benelli 300 is a possibility. Think I could put up with some reliability issues as zhu says it's an italian temperament.

Still my cash flow is the main issue... I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for any 2nd hand bikes that seem suitable, go with a cheap one for now and see how I get on, then see whether I want to move to a more sporty or more touring style bike in the future.

Thanks for all your advice guys.

How about the Haojue Suzuki GW250? Super popular bike with the locals and a twin too.

If you buy 2nd hand make sure you get the names changed on the documents. Nobody will want to do it as it's a hassle, but you absolutely want insurance as if you are in a collision with any ebike, bicycle or pedestrian you'll pay even if it's their fault. Plus the cops can bust you without insurance.

My goal is to find a decent YBR250 or GW250 2nd hand and fully legal. You say it's a hassle, is that because the buyer and seller both need to go to the province it's registered in? Probably on a weekday too?

http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/sh...R-250-for-sale

Noelies is still for sale , super low km mint nick . Down in Guangzhou.

Thanks, I am speaking to him about it.

Ive had YBR250 for last 3years. Nearly 40k on the clock now and no major issues. I never had to push it.
Had problem with clutch at around 7k, it was difficult to shift gears when really hot (in the city for example) on the road was all good. Yamaha dealer opened the engine and loosen some nuts so in 1h it was fixed.
Then some electrical part broke under the seat and bike wouldnt start when hot, fixed for around rmb100 (20k km or so).
Recently it would die in the rain, I found a little cracked cable, fixed with some tape and its all good.

Over all, reliable bike.

Looks like a good option.

Been riding the YS250 now for almost 20,000km and had no problems. Took it literally over every kind of surface. Heard the GW250 is a nice bike too, but is worse on shit Sichuan roads and next to that it's more expensive. Best choice depends on where you live I guess.

Yamaha Reliability
I owe 12 YBR250 (actually 1 is a YS250) . Must have been using them for 800.000+ km´s. NO major issue though me had to replace the fixing of the rear shock on more than half of the bikes (and but sturdier "hand made" one´s in). Riding up to Mt.Everest Base Camp and doing so 2up at times proved too much for them. Had it fixed by a roadside shop. Works well. I am in love with them - what can i say.

I am always looking for an upgrade for my ybr but cant fine any shocks made for it. There used to be some shocks on ebay but costed 5k.

I found these on taobao but dunno what to think about them

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.43.SyqlDo&id=42318329175&n s=1&abbucket=1#detail

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.69.SyqlDo&id=35749047878&n s=1&abbucket=1#detail