Just bought my first bike

[Kootenanny]

Courtesy of the OP in post #8:

Yeah, I saw that...and my advice stands: keep it stock! The CBR250R is a pretty carefully engineered bike, and I can't imagine any "slip-on"--especially something like those "cherry bombs" you're suggesting--would do anything other than screw it up.

There's also the concept that, if the first thing a newbie wants to do to a brand new bike is put on a new exhaust, specifically for looks, he might be getting into riding for (what I would consider to be) the wrong reasons--that is, image first. I say, learn to ride the bike, then start modding it.

[Shadow Shack]

Yeah, I saw that...

Well if you saw it, why'd ya ask?!?

and my advice stands: keep it stock!

I won't disagree. Backed by the very reason you cite: "I say, learn to ride the bike, then start modding it."

But don't tell me everyone here had a completely bone stock bike for their entire learning curve. I started modding mine from the get go --- first a sticker, then some saddlebags, then some extra chrome...it's merely a spin-off of SMAS I like to call "Sudden Modification Acquisition Syndrome", it's just as tough to stave off as regular SMAS.

The CBR250R is a pretty carefully engineered bike, and I can't imagine any "slip-on"--especially something like those "cherry bombs" you're suggesting--would do anything other than screw it up.

Possibly. Once you start futzing around with intake and exhaust you get more noise, more power, or more fuel economy. But without spending a fortune, you only get to pick from one of those categories. Spend the fortune and you might get to pick two

There's also the concept that, if the first thing a newbie wants to do to a brand new bike is put on a new exhaust, specifically for looks, he might be getting into riding for (what I would consider to be) the wrong reasons--that is, image first.

Well if it truly was an "image first" issue, it would be safe to say the OP would have picked up an inline four of at least 600cc and "respected the throttle, dude" over buying a 250.

Believe me, there are far worse things you can do to a 250 than swap a fart can. One of the small bike forums I frequent is a constant source of brain bleach ingestion, populated with guys who think running no front brakes, no suspension on either end, and cutting the head pipes before the first bend is a good idea. Or better yet, they want a chopper but rather than go the proper route and do it right they instead slap a set of 8" over forks (or worse yet, fab up some ridiculously long extensions that replace the fork caps and have the seam below the bottom tree) and stick them on a stock frame/stock tree only to carry a railroad tie around to make the kickstand useful.

This guy wants to change his exhaust, I don't have a problem with that. More so considering he stated it for the right reason: he doesn't like the stock system. Frankly, I can't begin to express how refreshing that is...had he fired off with the usual "Loud Pipes Save Lives" agenda I would have referred him over to said small bike forum for some like-minded intellectual discussion.

[Kootenanny]

Once you start futzing around with intake and exhaust you get more noise, more power, or more fuel economy. But without spending a fortune, you only get to pick from one of those categories. Spend the fortune and you might get to pick two

Yes, exactly. Unfortunately, most people opt for the "more noise, less performance" option...

The CBR250R my friend owns runs very well...smooth, quiet, and the fuelling is good, even at low throttle openings and "parking lot practice" kind of use. It's a great bike to learn on...I just think it'd be a shame to ruin that user friendliness with a poorly matched exhaust mod. You can't see the exhaust can when you're riding it.

[Shadow Shack]

Yep. But our OP later asked for options that aren't loud. Hence the move I made from a Cherry Bomb suggestion to an easily tuned Supertrapp...assuming "ugly for slightly less ugly" was an acceptable option.

In the end, the options are few and far between. More so when dealing with a 250, and to an even greater degree with one that is relatively new to the market. Self-fab is really the only viable option (a quick google search yielded nothing available for the bike, but it wasn't an extensive search by any means), and some research would be a good idea. That's all I would encourage...make an informed decision. I just get carried away with the idea process myself, but once I have a course of action I start looking into it deeper and deeper.

After all he initially stated "I just don't like the way it looks" so I thought "Hey, a Honda red muffler might look good"" = Cherry Bomb. Once he said "Not loud" I shifted the idea process accordingly.

[ericwill]

That's all I would encourage...make an informed decision.

As a college kid, she gets to stay stock seeing as how I don't really have the time nor the money to throw into modding. I'm pretty sure that will be the first thing to do, but it certainly is not keeping me from enjoying the bike right now. When I say less than attractive, that does not mean I do not appreciate the bike. It is absolutely everything I wanted and more. I've already had plenty of mistakes riding this bike, and I thank myself every time something happens that I did not get a bigger one. Plus, she drives plenty fast enough for me to do any kind of riding around Athens.

As a new rider, I have some other information to ask apart from modding. What do most people do for day-to-day maintenance of bikes? I feel like I'm not taking proper care just because I'm not doing something to clean or care for the bike every day. I do go through a quick check of both brake fluid levels and my oil level, as well as check the tires and suspension before I ride. Other than that though, I don't really do any maintenance. What do you guys suggest I do to ensure continued performance?

[Shadow Shack]

Stick with the service schedule in your owner's manual and you ought to do well.

[Trials]

My son-in-law bought a black/silver CBR250RC last week and so far I've put a lot more miles on it than he has, sweet bike! Speedometer is optimistic but she will stick with the trucks at 7000 rpm which leaves 3500 rpm to spare (after some break-in). Exhaust is perfect as is; I wouldn't change it. Honda did an exceptional job with the anti-vibration, there is practically no primary vibration and just a buzz from the chain drive. Riding position is very standard for a bike styled like a sportbike, new riders need not be concerned with the ergos it's not a crouched riding position at all, in fact the only way I could find to make it more wind slippery was to put my toes on the passenger pegs. Plenty of motorcycle for one up street riding.

The chain needed a little initial slack adjustment after an hour or two of riding and so far that's it.

If it was mine the only thing I might change are the mirrors and levers. She's too heavy to ever be a real race bike but if you really needed to squeak some more power out of one I would consider popping four or five 3/8" drill holes in the air filter box lid (easy to reverse if it didn't work out).

[Kootenanny]

As a new rider, I have some other information to ask apart from modding. What do most people do for day-to-day maintenance of bikes? I feel like I'm not taking proper care just because I'm not doing something to clean or care for the bike every day. I do go through a quick check of both brake fluid levels and my oil level, as well as check the tires and suspension before I ride. Other than that though, I don't really do any maintenance. What do you guys suggest I do to ensure continued performance?

Tire pressure is the biggie...keep the chain lubed (I prefer a dry lube) and keep an eye on the chain slack. Other than that, there's just not that much that should need daily attention.