Huoniao 250 - any more info?

[davidqc]

Here are couple of pics of a 2008 Huoniao 250 cruiser, recently sold on TradeMe in NZ for NZ$2,010 (about GBP£ 890). I have been unable to find info (spec, common parts, etc) on this cute looking machine. Please can any one in this leading international forum of highly knowledgeable experts and enthusiasts help with info or info sources on this?:





Is has a great similarity to the new Qingqi QM 250:



and the Jinlun 250-5:



...evidently many common parts typical of Chinese bikes - the Uk bike industry wot wus did the same of course e.g. bits on an 1950's AJS will fit a 1930's BSA, etc.

[ZMC888]

David, generally the engine is a 233.8cc parallel twin, as used by Honda in the CB250N and the CMX250 rebel.


CB250N


CMX250 Rebel

Some of the other parts however appear to be from the common Chinese 150cc cruiser bikes. Footplates and exhausts going down one side seem to cause fairly easy ground contact when leaning!

Be careful with the tyre quality on some of these wheel sizes, Kenda are OK. Duro Sakura and Cheng-shin are almost good, depending on the size and compound!

[davidqc]

Thanks for the info ZMC888...

[iamcanjim]

It's a Honda CMX 250 (233) cc engine in a Suzuki GZ frame. Note the distinctive Suzuki side panels and fuel tank. Cobbled on for your amusement is a completely different rear fender.


Commonly done in China, as the Suzuki parts are more common but the Honda engine is better (and the Suzuki 250 cruiser version is not seen in China).

Oddly, I found my GZ150 handled much better than my Honda CMX 250, so that engine frame combo might work.

[ZMC888]

Noted, does seem to be a GZ 150 frame Jim.
So your old GZ had those tire sizes too, handles well?

My bike has the same tire sizes as the CMX an it handles well

[iamcanjim]

ZMC, the GZ has a larger front tire and less rake. This improves handling at the expense of looks.

The raked out front tire on the Rebel/CMX causes less weight to transfer to the front tire in heavy braking. However, the braking forces are similar. Therefore, the front tire is more likely to skid. Added to that, the CMX has a much smaller (in width) front tire. This reduces contact patch, also decreasing grip.

Skidding a rear tire on a motorcycle is bad but not terrible, skidding a front tire is usually a cause of serious concern. Read my report in the ride reports regarding that.