Tanshanomi's Snap Judgments

Honda VTR250

Tue, April 13th, 2010


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1988–90 Honda VTR250
Performancewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The little V-twin was a bit down on raw power compared to its rivals, but could be made to hustle if revved in a very un-vee-twin manner. The 90-degree angle kept it admirably smooth.
Handlingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The '88 and '89 VT250Rs handled okay, but were let down by an innovative but substandard inboard disk and 16-inch front wheel. The 1990 model got a 17-incher and a proper, traditional disc which made all the difference in the world. Rear shock was cheap and wore out quickly.
Lookswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The VTR was nicely sculpted, but the graphics were abominable every year. The late '80s never looked so bad.
Reliabilitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The VTR250 engine was basically half an Interceptor 500. (The bike was named the Interceptor 250 for 1988 only.) Neither one was Honda's most trouble-free design.
Practicalitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Like I said, it was half of an Interceptor 500. So, why not get the whole V-four, and have a more capable bike?
Desirabilitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Since experienced motorcyclists didn't buy small bikes, Honda tried to position the VTR250 as a step-up for the new, trendy, scooter crowd. It ended up appealing to no one.
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The VTR250 was an unremarkable motorcycle, with remarkably bad graphics, which ended up being a remarkably bad marketing move.