jam911
Thrash Merchant
Posts: 376
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Post by jam911 on Mar 20, 2021 18:33:26 GMT 1
Hi Guys
I am looking to get and LC.
Had a 125 LC (21 HP due to it being supplied with the wrong exhaust) brand new when they first came out, yes it was a while ago now.
And I never scratched the 250 / 350 itch.
Now is the time.
I am looking for a very standard bike and it has to be the mars bar black but don't mind if it is a 250 or 350.
So my question is which one should I get?
And where is the best place to find it.
Thank you
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Post by fletche36 on Mar 20, 2021 18:41:41 GMT 1
hi and welcome. i suggest you get whichever you fancy as they will both make you smile. where to buy? i woluld put a wanted ad on here as you will be less likely to be dealing with bell ends. FB and e bay chancers are selling at silly prices at the moment but ultimately the market price is high at the moment for these. i have had a 250 and a 350 and im currently on a 250 and im happy enough with how it goes  |
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Post by steve h on Mar 20, 2021 18:42:19 GMT 1
You picked a bad time to be in the market for one... they appear to be going for mental amounts. Both are good, 350 has more hump...handy if your a fat old git! But 250 is just as silly as it was when we were 17! and should be a bit cheaper. Either will scratch the itch. Good luck and deep pockets. I personally think these bike are great for old farts...WTF do old people do with 180hp? when your reactions are well on the journey south? (no apologies to southern larger and lime drinkers...) I missed out the weight thing. Age catches you up.. and lugging a 1ltr bike around the garages is no longer a given.... sad, but bloody true  |
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jam911
Thrash Merchant
Posts: 376
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Post by jam911 on Mar 20, 2021 18:46:09 GMT 1
Thanks for the replies and the advice.
And exactly I don't need a rocket ship I would only scare myself !!
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Post by veg on Mar 20, 2021 18:47:19 GMT 1
Welcome, the perennial question. The 350 is more sought after therefore more expensive and isn’t that much faster (it’s all relative) sadly over the years many 250’s were converted to 350’s so there are probably more available. A decent 250 is still a nice bike to ride and if set up properly you won’t really notice much Between them.
Get to 10 posts and you can place a wanted advert on here that’ll get you probably a better bike at a more reasonable cost than going down the eBay route.
If your eye spy’s a bike put a link on here so you can tap in to the vast knowledge of the members to hopefully steer you away from a donkey towards a good honest bike.
Let us know a little bit about where you are based as well as that may impact on what is available and where.
👍
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jam911
Thrash Merchant
Posts: 376
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Post by jam911 on Mar 20, 2021 18:54:10 GMT 1
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jam911
Thrash Merchant
Posts: 376
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Post by jam911 on Mar 20, 2021 18:54:54 GMT 1
Sorry I am based in Warwickshire near Banbury
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Post by 29davyt on Mar 20, 2021 18:56:05 GMT 1
350 the better bike if your pockets are deep enough , if you want UK matching numbers dig really deep, EU imports sometimes a better bike and a little cheaper, non matching numbers cheaper still and converted 250’s must just about be free !! 😂
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jam911
Thrash Merchant
Posts: 376
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Post by jam911 on Mar 20, 2021 19:07:57 GMT 1
Is there any difference between EU imports and UK bikes?
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Mar 20, 2021 19:14:29 GMT 1
Not much between them really
Couple of small details
As a guide to the 250 on ebay currently at £6700 there was a good non matching numbers bike in the for sale section recently for £6000
Steve
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Post by 29davyt on Mar 20, 2021 19:14:46 GMT 1
Not really, steering lock is on left hand side of the headstock like the old RD’s, they don’t have the auto cancel indicator unit as standard, clocks are in KMPH and there’s normally a couple of extra holes in the rear muddy for an extension piece, there is a restrictor in some of the exhausts on the 250 bikes but can’t recall which ones , anything else fellas ??
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Mar 20, 2021 19:17:12 GMT 1
Self retracting side stand, headlight dips to right
4l2 is restricted
Steve
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Post by veg on Mar 20, 2021 19:56:30 GMT 1
Sorry I am based in Warwickshire near Banbury Know it well, worked out that way for many moons. Don’t buy into the old Uk matching numbers bollocks. Each and every Lc was built in Japan the Uk bikes didn’t magically have better build quality or diamond encrusted clocks. Non matching numbers is fine and personally I’d rather have an Austrian or German import that hasn’t been fecked about with (the tuv German mot didn’t allow many modifications) most Uk bikes will have been owned by 12 ham fisted adjustable spanner and Mole grip wielding apes. |
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Post by veg on Mar 20, 2021 20:00:36 GMT 1
Ffs chain guard sticker 🙄 Clock covers non original? Why? Is Speedo genuine? Mmmmmm? |
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Post by reedpete on Mar 20, 2021 20:32:05 GMT 1
Jam911
Once you can pop a wanted ad on here, the best thing to do is to be open about your budget.
Far easier to say I have £x to spend and see what you are offered than to do it the other way around. Of course you may be offered all sorts of things that seem far away from alignment with your expectations, but no problem to decline.
You can’t expect a gift, but generally folks will sell things on here lower than at auction on the bay or Auction house.
ps...you can always change the paint colour so might expand your option to start a search for anything and then evaluate....there's not huge choice right now at modest price points.
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Post by liffy16 on Mar 20, 2021 22:23:13 GMT 1
With prices of 350,s going mental the 250 prices are being dragged up with them, if you have the time/skills it's almost better to build your own,did a 250 a couple of years ago cost about £3500 to do,and the satisfaction of building it yourself 👍
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Post by donkeychomp on Mar 20, 2021 22:52:53 GMT 1
Welcome aboard!
As has been mentioned there isn't that much difference between the 250 and 350. Both will leave you grinning like a looney. However the 350 is the one everybody wants. More kudos I guess. I've owned a few of both and unless you are really caning it, and let's be honest on todays roads that's a rare experience, you really won't notice any real difference. As Veg said a German import is a good option as they can't modify the bikes over there so you'll likely get a very nice pampered bike for a lot less than a UK one.
Good luck with the hunt!
Alex
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Post by Tobyjugs on Mar 20, 2021 23:15:50 GMT 1
I've used s few different configurations of the LC engine and I am a bit smitten by the 250 version.
I do think there is a difference. The 250 is silky smooth and you have to shift more to keep it fluid.
The 350 is more gruntier and more rough or vibey.
If i would be driving any distance and using motorways I would prefer the 350.
If I am going to be riding around in the small roads in my area for a bit of fun I love the 250.
I guess for a lot of people the 350cc means more willy waving and this costs more.
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jam911
Thrash Merchant
Posts: 376
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Post by jam911 on Mar 20, 2021 23:22:02 GMT 1
As I was planning on keeping it in my trousers, not riding any distance and like a smooth ride a 250 sounds enticing and a 250 is also what I couldn't have when I was 17 but now I can...as I am old...and I really don't have the time or space to do a rebuild
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Post by steve h on Mar 21, 2021 0:00:49 GMT 1
As I was planning on keeping it in my trousers, not riding any distance and like a smooth ride a 250 sounds enticing and a 250 is also what I couldn't have when I was 17 but now I can...as I am old...and I really don't have the time or space to do a rebuild Thing is...its a 2 stroke. And having no time or room to do a rebuild is tempting the law of sod. Hope that will never be the case but...... |
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Post by arrow on Mar 21, 2021 0:31:00 GMT 1
Welcome in.
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Post by JonW on Mar 21, 2021 0:51:23 GMT 1
Ffs chain guard sticker 🙄 Clock covers non original? Why? Is Speedo genuine? Mmmmmm? I looked at the pics and my thumb nail started to automatically sharpen when I saw that lol |
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Post by jon on Mar 21, 2021 9:29:21 GMT 1
It’s strange some of you guys see little difference between the 250 and 350?
I guess if your just pottering about on a Sunday ride they are similar.
However my own experience of my mongrel hybrid non matching 250 converted to 350 is that the 350 is far better.
It’s much less hassle to ride in modern day traffic. You don’t have to work it as hard.
Jon
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jam911
Thrash Merchant
Posts: 376
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Post by jam911 on Mar 21, 2021 9:41:54 GMT 1
Thanks for your input, please keep the info coming
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Post by 29davyt on Mar 21, 2021 10:29:06 GMT 1
It’s strange some of you guys see little difference between the 250 and 350? I guess if your just pottering about on a Sunday ride they are similar. However my own experience of my mongrel hybrid non matching 250 converted to 350 is that the 350 is far better. It’s much less hassle to ride in modern day traffic. You don’t have to work it as hard. Jon +1 here Jon, I’ve had both in the last few years so am not relying on a distant memory , also I can’t remember the last time I heard of anyone converting a 350 to a 250 , so that probably explains a lot .. |
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Post by reedpete on Mar 21, 2021 15:08:12 GMT 1
The 250/350 context started with reference to a noticeable step up from a 125, and a desire to have the benefits of the bigger bike. So through that lens a 250 would be already very satisfying. The issue is how much more would the 350 be so. If you don’t want to be hanging on in 3rd just hitting 90mph, with bars wiggling..down some B road..then 250 looks attractive. And cheaper and more engine spares etc..
Of course those of us that find even a stock 4L0 flat are bound to go 4L0 if given a one or other choice.....but having both ( and more) is best!
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ajh
Thrash Merchant
Posts: 415
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Post by ajh on Mar 21, 2021 15:45:15 GMT 1
+1 for a German bike. and if you get it from Germany its 1/2 the price of a UK bike even with transport back to Blighty. Or was before Brexit Stupid stand easily fixed, more secure steering lock, changed the clocks to MPH then no real differences to a uk bike other than considerably less thrashed and smashed |
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Post by yamman1066 on Mar 21, 2021 15:57:15 GMT 1
no more bikes coming in from germany now because brexit , customs fees both ends and nova tax now
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dc
Thrash Merchant
Posts: 348
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Post by dc on Mar 21, 2021 16:06:12 GMT 1
Interesting thread because the op requirements were / are pretty much what I started out looking for. Standard, black and ideally for me, built by Yam and just maintained. A lot to ask but things do come along. I eased off somewhat after so many ads are missing obvious details which would not be in their favour and in the spirit of lockdown, unecessary trips etc.
There has been a couple on here which I would feel happier about being rebuilds than the unknowns on eBay but again, not just on the mark at the time plus LD hasn't helped. But, let's see what happens. I quite like the look of the YPVS on here but it's not what I originally wanted and a way off tax free status etc. which is kind of nice with a few vehicles already to pay for.
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Post by abar121 on Mar 21, 2021 16:08:42 GMT 1
Both are nice. A non-matching numbers bike, import or otherwise is the best value. A 250 is fine on it's own. If you are riding with more modern stuff, then it can be harder work. A 350 will do the job in that case, assuming they are reasonably law abiding. I sold my 98 r/w R1 last year. Use it as intended and your license doesn't last long. Also rode the current GSXR1000RRRR. Come out of a corner, give it some beans and you are already upto 120mph before it's upright. Just pointless here. So I mainly ride a tweaked 350 YPVS with modern brakes / shock. Perfect for today's roads. For an old git anyway |
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