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 Used kawasaki vs new CFMOTO

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TSYash Qhayumm
post Jan 24 2025, 07:56 PM, updated 3w ago

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hello gang,

To preface,
im 23 years old , been riding <150cc bikes for 8 years (legally and illegally ) , been saving up money for a downpayment.
Im studying 140KM away from home , and i would like to come back home every 1.5 months ,
My daily commute currently is 80km everyday on mostly highways , and i would move closer to campus on next semester but i would still like to come home to KL every odd month or so.
my parents are saying i should get a CFMOTO 250 (around 17k), while it pains me so much that i can get a used ,2018~2020 Ninja 650(Pre-TFT display) for under 20k.

I do have a B Full license , i've been acclimating myself by riding my older brother's Versys 650 (quite heavy imho), this bike also can be quite scary at 80% throttle so i wouldnt be doing that.
Im also heavily invested into Sim racing ,so this will be my outlet for going fast , not in real life because i am aware of the dangers and aware of the pain(financially and most importantly physically) of every crash.
From my experience in sim racing, i think my car control skills are good , i know what to do when the car is understeering, rears locking up, whats gonna happen if i drive like a goon on cold tires and the limit of cold road tires vs slicks but i will be sure to be humble when riding because i know that riding and driving are 2 very different skills.

But they wouldnt listen to me about buying a used bike for the sake of reliability , even though i've done my due diligence and researching about kawasakis 250/650 platforms and how i've read multiple forums on how they've lasted for more than 100,000kms (650cc). Although im unsure on how the 250cc would last for .


The reason for this is that during this semester , my current bike a FZ150 has broken down twice , one being block went kaput and the other occasion was coil problems . Mind you , the bike was made in 2007 , it will be turning 18 years old this year of course shit is gonna hit the fan at some point.

The fz would do highway speeds , 100kmh at 8000rpm / 10,000rpm redline , therefore i dont think that is good for the engine .For comparason sake , a kawa 250 is gonna do 110 at 6k rpm , kawa 650 at 4k rpm.

i've also looked into the costs of owning these vehicles , the things that i can see is that the oil filter and engine oil are roughly the same costs , however the differences is the insurance + roadtax and the chains and sprockets price are different for 250 vs 650.

Im also planning to keep this bike for a very long time , so i would need to learn on how to do all the periodic maintenance and general taking care of it.

I also think that i am quite handy with tools , i am able to do an oil + filter change on my current bike (Fz150) quite comfortabily although things like valve clearence , fork services i dont think im able to do myself.

Ultimately , i think it just pains me to pay a fat price for a CFMOTO while i will always know that i can get a much better bike for the same price but im running out of ideas on how to convince them.

This post has been edited by Yash Qhayumm: Jan 24 2025, 09:43 PM
mADmAN
post Jan 24 2025, 08:19 PM

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Just remind them of chinas reputation with reliability issues. N also they need to bear the cost to fix the issues as itll be tough for a student to bear it. Also remind them of the possibility of downtime as some of these china bikes may have parts issues which can make ur commute to classes difficult n costly. Ask them what their solutions are for the downtime.

That said, cfmoto has been pretty decent...some issues here n there but mostly reliable.

The kawa 250s (the twin cylinder ones, not the single cylinder) can also go waaaaayyy past 100k km. That engine has also been around so long that any competent big bike.mechanic can work on them easily and most known issues have been resolved by now.

Cost of engine oil n oil filter will NOT be the same...the twins take more eo than the singles n ori kawa oil filters arent cheap...never ever use copy grade A or AAAAAAAA or however many As they put on it. Stay away from the kawa 250 singles (SL models) as those r kinda lemons.

If u manage to convince them of the kawa, aside from accident free n all the usual jazz, make sure to find one with proof of valve clearance done ard the 40k km mark (if its more than 40k km mileage) and/or every 40k km. Theres alot of ppl with the idiotic mentality that "its fine, no need to do... No issues, no need to do.. only need vc when something not right... etc". Thats not how preventive maintenance works....if got issue then only wanna do,.thats called repair...not preventive maintenance.

Side note... A versys x 250 would probably be better for ur usage imho
Patent
post Jan 24 2025, 08:19 PM

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Looks like your current problem isn't about choosing a bike, but rather convincing your parents that a used 650 kawasaki is suitable for you.

Maybe bring a mechanic friend or your brother to check the 650 kawasaki you are buying.
Can also say my money my problem laugh.gif

Also keep in mind that buying used bike, you need to prepare spare cash in case any breakdown happens after you buy it. Fork leaking, electrical problem like coil/rectifier, if you are unlucky will cost you a bit.
So you might also need to calculate how much you have after the downpayment.

Compared to buying new, it is covered by warranty.


nefashu
post Jan 24 2025, 09:27 PM

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New CFMOTO better, got warranty. At least for 2 years u worry free
TSYash Qhayumm
post Jan 24 2025, 09:31 PM

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QUOTE(Patent @ Jan 24 2025, 08:19 PM)
Looks like your current problem isn't about choosing a bike, but rather convincing your parents that a used 650 kawasaki is suitable for you.

Maybe bring a mechanic friend or your brother to check the 650 kawasaki you are buying.
Can also say my money my problem laugh.gif

Also keep in mind that buying used bike, you need to prepare spare cash in case any breakdown happens after you buy it. Fork leaking, electrical problem like coil/rectifier, if you are unlucky will cost you a bit.
So you might also need to calculate how much you have after the downpayment.

Compared to buying new, it is covered by warranty.
*
while that is also true but for 650s , most of them have ABS in the used market however for 250ccs , only like the latest generation have ABS.

currently my non negotiable is only ABS
TSYash Qhayumm
post Jan 24 2025, 09:34 PM

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QUOTE(mADmAN @ Jan 24 2025, 08:19 PM)
Just remind them of chinas reputation with reliability issues. N also they need to bear the cost to fix the issues as itll be tough for a student to bear it. Also remind them of the possibility of downtime as some of these china bikes may have parts issues which can make ur commute to classes difficult n costly. Ask them what their solutions are for the downtime.

That said, cfmoto has been pretty decent...some issues here n there but mostly reliable.

The kawa 250s (the twin cylinder ones, not the single cylinder) can also go waaaaayyy past 100k km. That engine has also been around so long that any competent big bike.mechanic can work on them easily and most known issues have been resolved by now.

Cost of engine oil n oil filter will NOT be the same...the twins take more eo than the singles n ori kawa oil filters arent cheap...never ever use copy grade A or AAAAAAAA or however many As they put on it. Stay away from the kawa 250 singles (SL models) as those r kinda lemons.

If u manage to convince them of the kawa, aside from accident free n all the usual jazz, make sure to find one with proof of valve clearance done ard the 40k km mark (if its more than 40k km mileage) and/or every 40k km. Theres alot of ppl with the idiotic mentality that "its fine, no need to do... No issues, no need to do.. only need vc when something not right... etc". Thats not how preventive maintenance works....if got issue then only wanna do,.thats called repair...not preventive maintenance.

Side note... A versys x 250 would probably be better for ur usage imho
*
Thank you , for the CF moto 250 cc and under , all of them are single cylinders still.

I would really like to graduate from singles and upgrade to double and not deal with my hands being numb after riding on a highway for a while, bearing the added engine oil costs and also fuel filters.
when comparing kawa 2cylinder 250cc vs 650 i think that they are roughly the same-ish?
if compared to the CFMOTO 250cc , then the cf moto would win yes
However , the only non negotiable i have currently is about ABS and yes the cf motos do have them.

i am 179cm but when i tried my brothers versys 650 , i still need to "jegket" abit if i wanna stand on both feet

for price , the cf moto new at 17k , i found a 2024 Z250 with abs , 1600km only on the odo for the same price but still they dont want ;/

This post has been edited by Yash Qhayumm: Jan 24 2025, 09:38 PM
TSYash Qhayumm
post Jan 24 2025, 09:40 PM

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QUOTE(Patent @ Jan 24 2025, 08:19 PM)
Looks like your current problem isn't about choosing a bike, but rather convincing your parents that a used 650 kawasaki is suitable for you.

Maybe bring a mechanic friend or your brother to check the 650 kawasaki you are buying.
Can also say my money my problem laugh.gif

Also keep in mind that buying used bike, you need to prepare spare cash in case any breakdown happens after you buy it. Fork leaking, electrical problem like coil/rectifier, if you are unlucky will cost you a bit.
So you might also need to calculate how much you have after the downpayment.

Compared to buying new, it is covered by warranty.
*
Honestly at this point , im comparing between a new CFMOTO , Z250 2024 or an older ninja 650 . I think that i would really like the kawas as i've read good things about them lasting for 100k kms online , cant say the same for cf motos as they are still pretty new , none of the owners have reached that far yet
Patent
post Jan 24 2025, 10:15 PM

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QUOTE(Yash Qhayumm @ Jan 24 2025, 09:40 PM)
Honestly at this point , im comparing between a new CFMOTO , Z250 2024 or an older ninja 650 . I think that i would really like the kawas as i've read good things about them lasting for 100k kms online , cant say the same for cf motos as they are still pretty new , none of the owners have reached that far yet
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reliability wise, kawasaki > cfmoto any time.
just because its used, doesnt mean its unusable.

have you tested either the z250 or z650? make sure to do so you get the feel of the bike if it fits you
blek
post Jan 25 2025, 06:40 AM

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QUOTE(Yash Qhayumm @ Jan 24 2025, 07:56 PM)

The fz would do highway speeds , 100kmh at 8000rpm / 10,000rpm redline  , therefore i dont think that is good for the engine .For comparason sake , a kawa 250 is gonna do 110 at 6k rpm , kawa 650 at 4k rpm.


*
my kawa 250 100kmh is 8000rpm

2024 kawa 250 go 110 at 6k rpm?
TSYash Qhayumm
post Jan 25 2025, 09:24 PM

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QUOTE(blek @ Jan 25 2025, 06:40 AM)
my kawa 250 100kmh is 8000rpm

2024 kawa 250 go 110 at 6k rpm?
*
ok mb you are correct , after i looked up even more on board footages on youtube, that is correct.
Hows the ride quality , cruising at highway speeds at 8k rpm over a long period of time?
WH4CockcooBird
post Jan 25 2025, 09:32 PM

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For your purpose of traveling back and forth to uni, price tag of around 20k, presumably reliable and cheap to service.

My take:

1. New Kawasaki Versys 250, comes with all the add-ons at ~rm20k+
2. New Dominar 400 at rm17k

Both have ABS.

I know a guy doing daily travel Kajang <-> PJ on a new Versys 250.
He switched from Versys 650 to 250 because servicing 650 does not come cheap and bike is heavy.

This post has been edited by WH4CockcooBird: Jan 25 2025, 09:39 PM
blek
post Jan 26 2025, 07:31 AM

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QUOTE(Yash Qhayumm @ Jan 25 2025, 09:24 PM)
ok mb you are correct , after i looked up even more on board footages on youtube, that is  correct.
Hows the ride quality , cruising at highway speeds at 8k rpm over a long period of time?
*
not sure about long period. if bike top speed 160km/h, cruising 120km/h long period should be doable


blek
post Jan 26 2025, 07:37 AM

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i would only go for cfmoto 250 if its below 5k used unit. for 20k new bike you got plenty of choice. why cfmoto.
Jason
post Feb 4 2025, 11:20 AM

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QUOTE(nefashu @ Jan 24 2025, 09:27 PM)
New CFMOTO better, got warranty. At least for 2 years u worry free
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I would rather go with Kawasaki since the bike's issues are well documented, parts are widely available.

Here's the truth about warranty people never think about.
1. What's the use of warranty? Your bike not available to you to use.
2. So what got warranty but no parts? Your bike stuck there can't use

Would I rather own a X70 with warranty or a Toyota Altis without warranty? Limpeh choose the Altis every single time. Got warranty so what? No parts means the car parked in workshop cannot pakai. tsk tsk tsk. Toyota got what problem also can settle within a day since parts abundant and every mechanic under the tree also know how to fix.

My personal view lah.

TS.. you student lah.. just buy a used Dominar D400 UG.. that's the smart choice, you save a lot of money. Or get a Ninja 650 or Z650 with ABS, you would spend near double the D400 which I do not recommend. At least with D400 UG you got money leftover.. for bike problems or life problems.

Last thing you want is some Chinese motorcycle with unproven track record (not just the bike itself, but the availability of parts)

QUOTE(blek @ Jan 26 2025, 07:37 AM)
i would only go for cfmoto 250 if its below 5k used unit. for 20k new bike you got plenty of choice. why cfmoto.
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*sebab bodoh kena jampi. Gonna lose money on that shit faster than your own shit can hit the water in the wc.

*sebab, if its a hobby, suka sama suka la. but this guy needs it as a reliable workhorse.

This post has been edited by Jason: Feb 4 2025, 11:23 AM
jaycee1
post Feb 4 2025, 11:31 AM

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If you are a student. Just get something cheap to run. Big bike running costs can be high.

If you just need a bigger bike, just get a kawa 250 or dominar. They are cheap to buy, simple, cheap to run, parts are easy to source and there are enough of them in the scrap market for parts.

My 800NKs running costs is about 7000 a year including insurance and road tax (excluding fuel) given my high annual mileage. 650s are cheaper but not by that much. That would buy you a used dominar every year. Big bikes are not cheap to run.
cawan
post Feb 4 2025, 12:00 PM

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own kawasaki, still as now. motor tua 12 year counting. it Z800.

all i can say, such spare part easy to cari. some compatible with kawa model. shop juga senang repair2, contoh sana sentul. murah juga.. done radiatorm bocor / fans, done folk service..

part i sendiri repair like light bulb, down sensor, starter relay, fius relay, rectifier ..
shyan90's
post Feb 4 2025, 01:30 PM

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so TS buy already?
JLA
post Feb 5 2025, 12:32 PM

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23 years old
150 > 650cc

why need so much power
bike is dangerous

Jason
post Feb 6 2025, 08:51 PM

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QUOTE(JLA @ Feb 5 2025, 12:32 PM)
23 years old
150 > 650cc

why need so much power
bike is dangerous
*
Because internet said so
650cc is small bike in MURICA.

Bike is dangerous regardless 150cc or 1200cc
But if can start at 250cc la, some power to accelerate and overtake.
alexei
post Feb 7 2025, 09:09 AM

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listen to your parents

 

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