HERALD CAFE RACER 250CC RETRO GEARED MOTORCYCLE MOTORBIKE BRAND NEW*

2Wheeljunkie has been running a classic 250 for a week. most days it ends up muddy and dirty as we spend our lunch hours chasing big bikes and trying to break it. Have we chased down big bikes? Yes!Have we broken it? No!Taken from "More Bikes" After the popularity of the HMC Classic 125. a larger capacity bike was inevitable. The company is looking to develop a keen following with its range of bikes. so all new machines will carry the Herald Motor Company branding. Both the classic and the Caf? share the same price. engine and running gear. but they’re very different machines to own…The 250 air-cooled motor is simple and cheap with its single carburettor. but it’s very effective. Spinning up quite freely. it has no problem pushing the bikes comfortably to 75mph (with a claimed top speed of 80mph). The Classic and Caf? share this engine. breathing through exhausts styled to match the bikes’ designs. The twin-piston calipers grab single front discs. with a single-piston caliper on the rear. The tubular steel frames are identical. but like the upside-down forks. are painted to suit the bikes. The rear grab rail can be unbolted. which may interest those looking to personalise their bike. The rear shocks are upgraded Racetek piggy-back units. adjustable for rebound. compression and preload. while the 17” spoked wheels are shod with quality Avon Roadmaster rubber. Compared to some similar Chinese machines. the Herald carries a premium price. However. that includes the excellent Avons. the improved shocks (Racetek is owned by Herald’s parent company). a Yuasa battery. genuine NGK spark plug and cap. uprated EK drive chain. SBS brake pads and Silkolene engine oil and brake fluid. The real question is whether you should buy the Classic or the Caf?. I really was surprised at how much fun these machines are – the engine isn’t going to worry 600cc sports bike riders. but it’s plenty of fun both in town. and out on the country roads. The first time I barrelled into a roundabout on the Caf? 250 I had a slightly nerve-wracking moment as I tried to use just two fingers to brake: if you need to stop fast. use all four! That’s not to say there’s a problem stopping. but if you’re used to larger machines with more powerful anchors. you just need to recalibrate your brain. Not an issue for new riders. but there’s potential in these motorcycles for more experienced riders too. The Classic makes absolute sense as soon as you climb on it. but the Caf? felt strange at first – my natural inclination was to sit against the tank. which made the clip-on bars feel odd. and also created a rather twitchy feel to the front in bumpy corners. However. slide back and adopt the true ‘caf? racer’ pose and everything falls into place. The Avon tyres. as you’d expect. inspire huge confidence even on damp country lanes. and in town both machines are easy to control. Which you buy will depend on what you want to use it for – the Classic is an obvious choice for daily use. with its high. wide bars and comfortable. flat pillion seat. If Sunday rides to the local meet are more your thing. then know that the Caf? bought out more excitement from passers-by during our photo-shoot. one even asking excitedly if it was a Triumph Bonneville.

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