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I just committed to buy a 2000 Honda 250 Nighthawk. I'll pick it up Wed-$900. It is slightly distressed-dead battery, so has to be pushed started, broken front brake lever, twisted gear shift foot lever, and other mainly cosmetic "stuff".

I'm getting it because I do lots of short trips-to various schools to Sub teach and for teach certi, also to the grocery etc. The Suburban is very reliable,and fairly comfortable, but on very short trips -1-3 miles- it only gets 10-13 mpg.From dead cold it will just barely average 10 mpg on the .8 mile trip to the Dollar store.
My SR500 will get about 40 mpg on short trips, but it is kickstart only with a 11/1 piston/hopped up cam etc.

What can I expect with this little Honda? It is the same engine as the Rebel-250 cc air cooled, 2 valve -probably early 70's tech.It has drum brakes-front and rear-not a big plus. I might see if I can retro fit a Rebel fork/wheel/caliper/disc etc.

Thanks,
Charlie

Hi Charlie:

___That bike should be fin once you get it back to a street legal and running condition. I bet you will see north of 80 mpg if you are driving it like we do our cars and trucks.

___Keep us updated as that little guy sounds like a lot of fun!!!

___For those interested in new, the 08 XT250 had a $1,000 rebate attached bringing the price down into the mid 3's new IIRC?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Wayne,
Yes, I'm expecting to get an easy 65 mph average on my extremely short-motor cold trips. I do at least six .8 mile trips per week , another six 4 mile trips per week and misc. other very short trips. These trips kill the city tanks in the Suburban, and hurt the Prius city tanks.

The carb on the 250 is obviously gummed up-MJ and PJ plugged and the vacuum actuated throttle slide isn't rising much judging from how it runs, and the owners comment that"65 mph is all it will do". It should do about 75 mph at WOT, not that I plan to ride at 75 mph on such a tiny bike with drum front brake.

I'll keep you posted. I'm expecting 70 mpg mixed tanks once it is "fixed". I'll probably gear it up a bit eventually-no tach, but I suspect it turns maybe 8000RPMs at 60 mph.
Thanks,
Charlie

i have a 2001 yamaha virago 250, and 70mpg is really easy, i think yours is more fuel efficient natured too, so you should be able to get 80mph no problem
highway speeds are fine, although it bothers me a lot to rev the engine as fast as i have to to keep up with traffic, gearing change would be a good idea

Phoebeisis,
For those short trips please consider walking or riding a bicycle. A bicycle may even save you time for these short trips, parking is usually really easy and the safety gear is easier to use and then store when you get there. Plus, it's a great stress releiver and good for your health to boot!

Hey, I'm all about getting more people riding motorcycles, but like anything there are times when it's not the best tool for the job.

The 250 deal fell thru- problems with the title etc.
It looks like I'll stay with the SR500. I'm considering a Blast-I hear they can get 70mpg plus.
I bike quite a bit, and used to bike to the store etc. The main problem with biking is bike stealing. Even a really good lock isn't much of a deterrent around here. I have a big heavy motorcycle U-Lock but it is not much fun to carry, and it takes up knapsack space.

I'm thinking about converting one of my rolling chassis SR500 to electric.It would be perfect for my short-.8-4 mile trips.

Thanks,
Charlie

I went out for some errands today at lunch. Only 1/2 mile away, so I could have walked...

Except...

There's a 4-lane 55mph highway between here and there. I drove, for my own safety.