Norse

So this was my first bike, a 2007 rebel which I paid $1,650 for. The guy I bought it from did some "custom" work on the pipes and seems he wasn't a fan of chrome. As you can see in the picture below. I bought this bike from a Christian preacher and it was smothered in cross decals, and other things, so i scrapped all of this off and let it be a free spirit once again. I call this bike Sleipnir, the eight legged horse which Odin rode to Hel. He hadn't changed the tires, or battery since he bought it, and I posted here in these forums asking about it before, the only issue with it was that it needed a new battery and well.. new tires which I don't have $217 to pay for the 80 something dollar back tire 60 something dollar front, new tubes, and changing fee. Let me say unless I get the 2010 Camaro(in black) this will be my prime vehicle. I've been riding around my neighborhood area and in town at the 35mph zone hehe. Just going by a video I seen on youtube I've been figuring out how to ride it.

Q1: Should I buy new tires?

Q2: What do you guys think of lighting kits? I thought a red lighting kit would be nice, I hear on a black bike at night you look like a fireball!

Q3: Why must I always adjust the choke? I had the choke wide open and I recall trying to go from a stationary stop and my bike seemed to stall and jitter, once I pulled the choke down it was alright. Perhaps this bike just takes forever to 'warm up' I don't know.

Q4: Bike seems to only do well in 1st gear up to 15mph, then it just sounds very windy. 2nd Gear seems ok.. until 25mph. Does this all sound correct?

Q5: Whats with my bike stalling a lot when leaving stationary stop? do I just need to gas it correctly as I'm letting the clutch out? And it seems I always have to go into 2nd gear right as I'm getting out of stationary stops.

Thanks!

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korge

You ride without mirrors?

And welcome to the forums!

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2005 Honda Rebel® 250 (CMX250C) - Black

Norse

Oh, I have a right mirror on the left side. But that's it lol. Not for sure if it's legal or not.

Thanks!

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Buickguy

1. How many miles are on the tires? Tires are a critical component. Worn, dry rotted, split, or damaged tires are just plain not safe. If the tires are bad, replace them.

2. Be careful with adding too much electrical load. The Rebel charging system wasn't designed to put out gobs of power. It was designed to keep a good battery topped up but not much else.

3.Welcome to the world of the Honda 250 twin. Yes, they are cold blooded and need a fair amount of warmup. Just today I had to warm mine in the driveway for a couple of minutes and the first two miles or so it still needed a bit of choke for the throttle to respond properly. It will vary a little with ambient temperature but it will need a warmup anyway.

4.Yes, it is rather normal. If you notice the red gearshift lines on the speedometer, you will see the redline point for each gear.
The Honda 250 twin in a high revving engine and makes its power in the upper part of the rev range. You can wind up the engine and not hurt anything.

5. Mixing the gas and clutch is an acquired touch. You do need to roll on some gas and feather the clutch. There is a friction point where the clutch just starts to catch out to fully engaged. Using that friction zone and throttle will move you out properly.


Please consider taking the MSF course. Get you motorcycle endosement on your license. Teaching yourself to ride from a video isn't the best method to learn all the needed skills to survive out on the streets.

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1987 CMX250C Rebel

2002 FSC600 SilverWing

1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago XV920MK

Put your bike's year and size in your signature.
It helps others help you.

cagie

Q2 Check your state laws regarding auxiliary lighting, assuming you are talking about LED 'show' lights. Some states will not allow it, others allow but not certain colors, others have no regulation at all.

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Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'

flitecontrol

Once the bike has warmed up, you shouldn't need any choke for it to run properly. If you do, it may indicate a carb problem.

X2 on taking the MSF basic rider course. Self taught and taught by a friend are in the group most likely to be involved in an accident.

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I'm keepin' all the left over parts. I'm gonna use 'em to build another bike!

2001 Rebel 250, 1989 Vulcan 750
Putting your bike info in your signature helps others help you!

minionofsammy

As a new rider yet to take the class I will agree with them about taking the class especially if you don't have any real experience with a manual transmission or bike. While I havn't had any close calls, I still mess up all the time (letting it die or forgetting to put it in first). I have mostly had all manual trans. so clutching is easy for me but, there is still alot I hope to learn taking the class in the near future. What is the c shaped bar between the front wheel and engine? Hope you enjoy the bike like I am. Also, some may say it doesn't matter but, I would avoid shifting into 2nd during a turn from a stop. I think it could turn into a bad habit.

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2006 Rebel 250

Norse

I really don't know what the C shaped bar is for either, I thought maybe if you had to lay the bike down. Idk.

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Buickguy

That bar looks like some sort of makeshift highway peg mount.
It would have little if any benefit as an engine guard with only one mount point.
Please take the MSF course.
There is no "had to lay the bike down" you do that and you have given up control.
Dropping a bike IS an accident, control is not.

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1987 CMX250C Rebel

2002 FSC600 SilverWing

1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago XV920MK

Put your bike's year and size in your signature.
It helps others help you.

cagie

Norse, that bar looks like either the remains of an engine guard or an attempt at some form of foot rest. But, IMO, it looks like it could be a real problem if you did lay it down. Those sharp edges could grab into the road and really cause some damage, Or worse, the bar could easily get twisted and do some serious damage to you. I would remove it. JMTCW.

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Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'