tonyb
Full Member
Posts: 100
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Post by tonyb on Mar 7, 2020 9:21:46 GMT
hi all i have a question that i would appreciate input from knowledgable folks me and my son are taking a bonding trip around Scotland (and beyond maybe) and i have a cb450dx / he has money ready to spend when i find him a bike suitable
i was thinking of getting him a 250 s/d but then thought i may buy myself the same as he has to make life simple i remember reading that the 250 has less complex charging/ignition system so should be more reliable -yes?  i know i would miss the power 250 versus 450 dx but i would have to go his speed anyway so question is really - how much difference would power / ride/ reliability be 250 versus 400/450 in your opinions ta tony
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Post by na44superdream on Mar 7, 2020 13:51:08 GMT
Just torque and braking, and cruising speed would be less for the 250, So if your trip is in short stages one-up with little luggage and no rush, a 250 maybe fine. But otherwise, may be better with a 400 and the dx. ( for that trip).
Reliability wise 250 & 400 about the same perhaps...The 400N has the same CDI as the 450 DX
The other way of doing would be to give the 450 most of the luggage vs the 250.
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Post by kickstart on Mar 7, 2020 19:39:03 GMT
The 400 certainly as more torque and long distance should be a breeze and the 250 is also a very capable bike , as above really heavier luggage on 450 and a 250 should be fine , a few breaks and leg stretches and either should be okay 👍
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Post by BritPete on Mar 8, 2020 8:40:56 GMT
I have a low power German 400, the cam is profiled to drop the 43ps to 27ps (same as 250).
I have now sold my 250 but the ride is no comparison - the extra torque from the 400 out performs the 250 even though the overall power is the same, also the gearing is different (I Think)
I am now rebuilding a full power UK 400 and will report on the difference in feel from the German 400 in due course (probably a year)
I concur go on the 450 and take the heavy luggage
250 will be fine for the trip, start looking around and if you spot a decent 400 then consider it
Start looking for luggage racks as well
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ian
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Isle of Man
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Post by ian on Mar 8, 2020 22:02:05 GMT
I've used my 250 for all the meets I've done, complete with loaded roll bag & top box, and haven't really found less power than my 400 to be a problem. What is more of a concern is the revs. Our first trip to Llandovery in 2015 was 140 miles, most of it on dual carriageways at 55-60 mph - 6k revs & more. This would be about 1000 rpm less on the 400 & a bit less stressful, so it would certainly be worth looking for a 400 for this reason. Mind you, we've been back to Wales several times since & have found a 250 friendly route avoiding dual carriageways we can potter along at 50 & I'll be sticking with the 250 for meets this year  |
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terryc
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Post by terryc on Mar 9, 2020 20:05:26 GMT
When I had my last 250 I fitted a 16 tooth sprocket to the front, gave me more torque and lazy gear changes (as it pulled better in each gear ) brought my top speed down a little but I found it gentler on the engine
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ian
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Isle of Man
Posts: 5,255
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Post by ian on Mar 9, 2020 21:37:01 GMT
I might try that Tel. A few days after getting my 250, my 400NA engine blew up. It was my only running bike at the time, so I got the 250 engine running & stuck it in the 400 to get back on the road. I used the chain & sprockets off the 250 to keep the gearing correct (as I thought) & assumed having to change down a couple of gears to get up hills was down to only having 250ccs . It was only when the 250 rebuild was finished, including new chain & sprockets, and shot up the same hills in top gear, that I realised it had been over-geared. That experience put me off raising the gearing, but I'd thrown the old chain & sprockets by then, so I've no idea what had been done. A small increase might be a good thing, as I've hit the 'e' in Seiki several times |
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