Honda Nighthawk 250 reviews

I bought a 2002 CB250 in 2004 and have kept it ever since. They're often dismissed as 'beginners bikes,' and they do serve well in that function - but it's also one of the last small, basic Honda motorbikes that you can find - simple, low maintenance drum brakes, super easy oil change, cheap tires - everything about them is basic and fun. We've done a few tours through the western mountains and deserts, and this little bike has never let me down. It did blow an oil seal once (common with Rebels, which share the motor), but this was fairly easy to repair and has given me no trouble since. These make great city or suburban bikes as well as lightweight touring machines. I replaced the front sprocket with a 15 tooth to give a little better freeway performance, but otherwise it has remained stock (with an aftermarket rear luggage rack). Parts are dirt cheap (should you require them) and maintenance is bone simple. A cool little Honda like they used to make them - zippy, fun, simple and economical. Show less

My first vehicle purchase was a new black '82 450 Nighthawk. I put almost 40,000km on it, and found it to be a very good starter bike, but found it a bit small for the multi-lane highways that I was often travelling on. I bought a new black '84 650 Nighthawk from a dealer in March of 1985. The extra weight and superior suspension of the 650 made it a much nicer platform for highway cruising, and I loved the no maintenance aspects of the bike: shaft drive, hydraulic lifters, etc. My only real complaint about the design and engineering of the bike is that the alternator was not strong enough -- the battery is discharging whenever the engine drops below about 2500rpm. I put just over 70,000km on it when it suffered a catastrophic engine failure. The exhaust valve guides had worn oval, and the exhaust valves had worn through the valve seats, and into the head, so there was zero compression in the middle two cylinders, and the lobes were almost gone on both cam shafts. In the 10 years of ownership, I had only had to replace the sender for the gear-position indicator (over-and-above the usual maintenance items such as oil/filter changes, tire replacements, etc.) It was speculated that one of the small feeds that sends oil to the top of the engine had become blocked, and starved the top end of oil -- no engine would survive that for very long. This bike "died" during the summer of '95, and I sold it to somebody who was going to do a full engine rebuild. (I did not have the funds or the time to take on this project, which in hind sight was too bad, as the rest of the bike was in beautiful condition). I did not have a motorcycle again until the summer of 2020, when I came across a used '84 650 Nighthawk with 73,000km for sale not far from me. The owner had completed a complete engine over-haul at 70k, and was asking a reasonable price, so I decided to take a chance, and get back on two wheels. I was not sure how I would do, as a 58 year old who hadn't been on a motorcycle for 25 years! After a few tentative launches, I started to feel like I had been reunited with an old friend. This bike has the typical Nighthawk whine, and feels very similar to what I remember of my previous bike. The paint was not in very good shape, but the previous owner had included a full set of replacement decals with the bike, so I took it to be professionally painted. I chose the '83 color Siren Blue, as I was not a fan of either the red or black colors from '84. I will be VERY careful to use only top-quality motorcycle oil in this one, and hope to get many more riding seasons out of my new/old friend. Show less

I bought this bike for my son to learn on. We had a 250 Ninja, but I wanted something more sedate. He got his license and moved on to the ninja. I thought of selling the nighthawk, but it was fun and I decided to add some foam grips and a 15 tooth front sprocket a couple years ago. It can cruise comfortably at 65, but can struggle on hills and high wind. I'm approaching retirement and wanted a bigger bike, but my wife said she won't ride with me, so I figured the nighthawk will get the job done if I'm soloing it. I added a center stand and a rear rack. The most I've done in a day is about 250 miles, but I know I can take it farther with no problem. I will replace the chain and both sprockets and change the fork oil to a heavier weight, and while the rear wheel is off, replace the rear brake shoes. It delivers up to 80 MPG in good conditions, and never gets below 65 MPG. No repairs needed yet. I would recommend it to anyone who wants cheap, reliable transportation and doesn't care about impressing the Jones. Show less

I've had this bike for 12 years 22k miles to date.4 sets of Dunlops,4 air filters 5 oil changes,3 chains,1 set of shoes and one headlight bulb is all I needed to do. I have never taken the valve cover off. The brakes are a little wooden and I wish it had a fifth gear. She's air cooled if course and always been a little but cold blooded but after 5 minutes the bike is s pleasure. It feels solid and it pulls very nicely. It's sure footed and handles it's weight surprisingly well. I love the way it sounds. Mine is extra clean and people dig the now retro look. It's become cool looking with that black motor and 4 gleaming pipes shooting out. I don't think you can do better for the money. Pros: Reliable, Great motor, Comfortable, Good power. Cons: Weakish brakes, Cold blooded in the morning. Show less

I bought a 91 nighthawk from its original owner with around 9000 miles. It’s been an excellent bike, but for a taller individual like myself (6,2) it hurts my back and legs on long trips. It also in my opinion could greatly be improved if it had a sixth gear. Other then that it’s been fantastic. I’d recommend one to anyone. Show less

found my Honda rebel on cycle trader. this is my first street bike and I must say it is awesome. Nothing like cruising around on a bike , so much fun. Show less

Very smooth ride - Great starter bike. Lots of power and easy to control. Comfortable seat. But needs higher RPM to keep battery charged. Show less

No, I'm not a new rider. No, I'm not returning to the sport. I've had many bikes, mostly Honda, mostly cruisers - from a Rebel to a VTX1300R and all size points in between. The Nighthawk CB250 is just plain fun! Warning - do not get one if you want to impress the profile group or the sport bike group. If you can find one,(mine had only 500 miles on it when I bought it last week). Do yourself a favor - ride it. 2nd warning - you might impress yourself. Show less

I'll probably never sell this bike. It's a solid all-around bike for people who'd rather ride than wrench all the time. PROS: Comfortable 1-up/2-up, easy to work on yourself, cheap to buy/insure, pretty fast, handles very well at speed, extremely reliable and no-maintenance hydraulic valves. CONS: Almost useless rear drum brake, so-so gas mileage (38 mpg. mixed city/hwy.), heavy for a 750cc @ ~500lbs wet, shifter is a bit clunky for a Honda and odd size bias ply tires. If you can find a '91-03 Nighthawk 750 in decent shape, buy it. It'll do just about anything - commute, tour, canyon carve - and won't ask for much in return. I wouldn't recommend it for a first bike because of the weight, but it'd be a perfect first "big" bike. Show less

I had not owned a street bike in years, and that was a late 80's Yamaha Virago 750, which I commuted the freeways of So Cal. December of 2011. I sold a trail bike and had about $2k in my pocket when I stumbled into a 2001 Nighthawk for $1,250. The tires were about to rot off the bike. The Corbin seat was ripped. It had about 22,500 on the clock. New tires, seat repair, and saddle bags with cash left over and a great ride. I was a kid when I first saw the CB750. I should have bought one instead of the Virago back in the day. Mpg. in the 40's unless I ride it like it's stolen. Best money I ever spent. Show less