Honda CB250N Super Dream - Walk Around and Short Ride Out (Classic Motorcycle)

In this video, we do a walk around and short ride out of my 1981 Honda CB250N Super Dream. I've owned this for around 5 years, having originally owned one when I was just 17 years old. 40 years later, I'm reliving the (super) dream.

[@tmcgill2219]

I came to London in 1981 from San Francisco on an extended visit and bought a nearly new 1980 CB250N from Coburn and Hughes at Green Lanes London for about 1500 pounds. They mounted me a rear rack to hold my backpack and gear and I put 10,000 miles on it in the next three months covering most all of England, Scottish lowlands and Ireland crossing to the Continent through France, the Low Countries, Germany, Yugoslavia, Italy and back to London. I was between wives and jobs and it was an adventure not to be duplicated. The 250N was a near perfect choice for me as my chief concern was reliability. There were certainly times I could have used a bit more power but the Honda was able to comfortably cruise at 60+ MPH fully loaded. Changed the oil a couple of times, replaced the chain and rear tire but she never failed to start or gave me any problems. Not sure if any modern bike could provide similar performance for the relative cost. Thanks much for the look back!

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Great story. Thanks for sharing it.

[@markashby2622]

I also owned a 250 Super dream in the early eighties and used it for despatch riding for a few years in London. Happy days!

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Happy days, indeed.

[@dfluke3698]

I had one in the 1980s ! Fantastic reliability, and took me to and from work in all weathers for many years ! Happy days .

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Happy days, indeed. It's a reliable old thing, and I loved mine.

[@MiniOne82]

Ahhh the memories of riding on the back on my dads 250N (which was the exact same colour just with black wheels) with my dad on the way to school

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

I guess that was the Deluxe model. A little more fancy that the original.

[@pauld7827]

This was the first bike I bought new. I joined the army in the summer of '79 and had completed my basic training and was starting out on my 18 month trade training. I bought a 250N Superdream in black, from Phil Read's bike shop in 1979, I went everywhere on that bike. I used to go from near Reading to Bishops Stortford (near Stansted airport) and back every weekend. It never once let me down in over 16,000 miles. All my mates would be kicking over their Laverda's, Ducati's. Motor Guzzi's etc. Spraying WD40 over bits, looking at spark plugs and various other things to try and get them started. I'd wander over to the old gal, press the button and ride off! Same with the RD250's, 350's and 400's, X7's etc. Happy days. I would like to get a restored one, but am worried it would not be as I remembered.

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Our mechanic had his first SD in '79, too, and we're not far from Reading. If you get one now, the main difference will be that when you wander over and press the button, she may not always start...modern petrol doesn't help. There's nothing better to do on a Sunday morning that to clean your carbs, though.

[@cerealtiller]

Get the 400 version..more more lively

[@80s_kid.]

These still look better than most of the bikes today, in fact, nicer looking than all of the bikes today.

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Definitely, I’m no fan of the modern looking bike that looks like a transformer. There are still some nice bikes being made but I love the older bikes.

[@80s_kid.]

@@MotorcycleFettlers Absolutely, i'm in to older trial bikes, modern bikes all look the same, but look at a Kawasaki Kmx, Honda Mtx, Suzuki Ts, Yamaha DT, all have their own look and own style. the only way you can tell one bike from another now is colour, like Blue for Yamaha, Orange for Ktm, Green for Kawasaki. but spray them all one colour and you wouldn't have a clue which one was what. they should bring the classic look and style back.

[@gazzertrn]

Wow , i had the silver one back in the 80s . Bullet proof , look after it and it will keep on going . Great little bike .

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

I had a silver one in '79 and this one many years later. Superb bike with a solid old engine.

[@udayashan8166]

What a smooth and nice sound..superb bike

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Thanks ✌️

[@AndyWJP]

Sounds good. I used to own one back in the day and the 400N.

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

We like the sound of these. We like the extra power from the 400.

[@grahamwiddup7645]

I had one in 1981 when i was 17 5:33 ,id love to have one again, although not the fastest still a nice bike to ride😊

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

They are good old things. If I remember rightly, they sold 70k of these in the UK. Not so many of them left, now.

[@dcdriving2463]

Great seeing this video. I had one back in 1980 DGY871T really nice bike would love it back now.i remember swapping the tyres to I think Avon Roadrunners totally transformed the handling.

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Yep, I had roadrunners on mine, back in the day. Good and popular tyres.

[@timparker9235]

that sound took me back to when I was 19 - gonna get one to restore when I retire in a few years

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

For such a common 80s bike, they are starting to get a little rare. Goor luck for when you start your project...

[@timparker9235]

@@MotorcycleFettlers sounds like I'd better retire smartish then 🤣

[@chrisweeks6973]

Nice to see one of these simple yet effective machines. Such a pity that no-one seems to make a comparable one today. Back in the day I had a new 1963 Jawa 250 then, in 1968 a used '66 Honda CB77, then much later a new 1978 Yamaha RD 250, all being air-cooled, of course. All were simple, reliable and fun bikes.

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Hi Chris. Some nice bikes, there. We're hoping to have a chance to do a rideout of '77 RD250 in a couple of weeks.

[@chrisweeks6973]

@@MotorcycleFettlers Would be nice to participate, but it's a bit far to come; I'm in Western Australia... 😄

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

@@chrisweeks6973 that is a little far…join us in spirit

[@Paul.Gascoyneuk]

Great bike and I really enjoyed the video , down to earth brilliant 👍

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Thanks for the comment. It is a wonderful thing.

[@kevinpollard1550]

ì have a 250 from 79 and i love riding it in the countryside nice bike

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Loved mine. I've had two. One in 1979, and this one that I sold a while back.

[@sjk8273]

The bike (silver too) I learnt and passed my test on in the early 80's. Given it's size and relatively poor preformance, I thought it a much better choice for doing so than an LC or X7. It served me well and never let me down. Like many I suppose I eventually found it too 'small' and upgraded to a CX500, then a GSX1100E and finally a GPZ900R. Ride safe!

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

They were definitely heavy and slow, when compared to their 2-stroke alternatives. They seem even slower, now. I think the horses are old and tired, or we remember them being faster than they were. Thanks for your comment.

[@braikka]

I had one years ago. It was my first 'big bike' after paying my test.

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

It was definitely a big (and heavy) 250.

[@braikka]

@@MotorcycleFettlers yep you're right. And certainly not too powerful🤣

[@user-bj2nd8ge7x]

lovely purr out the engine

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

It was a nice sounding thing.

[@mountainbearoutdoors]

My first motorbike when I passed my test in 2001, mine was blue and missing the tank decals, I seem to remember it would do about 70MPH at the very most. it was a proper bike though even if I did have to put a clothes peg on the choke lever to stop the plunger sinking back in.

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Yes, why is it that the chokes do that? Nice idea with the peg.

[@trevorroberts73]

Nice bike I've got the 400

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Nice. You’ve got the fast one 😀

[@flybobbie1449]

I also had one in 1980, new, till 1986 sold, 20 k miles. Had break from biking till 2000. I always remember the 250 was wanting more power. So i bought 1984 Gpz900. No comparison really, bloody missile! But the 250 turns better.

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

It was a big heavy thing and a little lacking in the power department.

[@flybobbie1449]

@@MotorcycleFettlers Yes i was a bit disappointed in the 250, not as nippy as the Yamaha RS125 2 stroke it replaced.

[@thomasmichaelnoon]

Had one back in 1981, loved it 👍

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Very underrated back in the day. I loved mine, too. Now I’m reliving the (super) dream, 40 years later.

[@thomasmichaelnoon]

@@MotorcycleFettlers Yes fantastic bike . I had the same Silver with front and rear engine guards and Invader fairing. Thought it was such a big bike, nearly bought one last year but was just to late in phoning. Keep posting the videos 👍

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Thanks, Thomas. We try to post at least one classic motorcycle video each week and we have plenty in the pipeline, including lots of old Hondas.

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Thanks, Thomas.

[@garydunn3037]

I had one back in 1979 in red and I fitted a colour matched "Invader" fairing, complete with side panel decals. It looked the Biz, and I was out on it most days, especially Saturday afternoons. It ran like a Swiss watch, just as long as I changed the oil and the filter every 1000 miles. adjusted the counter balance chain in the engine, and the cam chain. Then these bikes just run and run for ever. I'm just over 6 feet and this bike, despite being a bit on the heavy side for a 250, it was designed as a 400, but it suited me down to a tee.

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Thanks for the comment. I do like a fairing although the Camerman is not so keen. The Superdream is a good solid bike and big enough if you're a little bit taller.

[@garydunn3037]

@@MotorcycleFettlers It was only a cockpit fairing, colour matched, and even had the 250N decals on it. It really looked good.

[@edwardwilliammorris1340]

I loved mine and had the 400 too . Honda quality.

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

They are great old bikes.

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

Lovely condition. I had the CB250RS instead.

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Never had one but love the RS.

[@RockDinosaur695]

Great bike, I always wanted the cb900, never got it😢

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Thanks for the comment, Andy. I love both the 750 and 900 and, of course, the good old Super Dream. Great styling.

[@richardwigley4942]

Thanks ❤ them

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Yes. We love them too.

[@stevepage2541]

Ah yes,the 250N was a great all-rounder. In fact,I think it was a better bike than the much-vaunted CB250RS!

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

I always fancied a CB250RS. I remember when they first came out and I so wanted one. Hopefully, we'll get one on the channel one day.

[@pauld7827]

I fancied one of those, but wasn't a single?

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Yep, a single it was.

[@pa.laubel3696]

I had a red 250 then the 400. Both bullet proof.

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

They are pretty solid engines.

[@1SeanPG]

My mate had one and it was the most gutless bike I ever rode, heavy too for a 250.

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

It is definitely heavy, and not the fastest. We can't argue with that.

[@STho205]

BTW, thouse of you with the next gen CB250 (the 234cc Nighthawk) that hate the thin seat....you can buy a seat cover for this bike and pad out your existing seat pan....they are comparable. It might even be the same pan (or almost) once you strip everything off it. Too bad they didn't keep this motor into the mid 80s. It makes more power and peo than the 234s.

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Thanks for the comments and suggestion.

[@mikebaker3585]

Great video without all the nerdy info. I do have a question though do these 80s machines run ok on todays fuel or do you have to use additives?

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

I run my older bikes on E5. They run ok but if I am not going to use them for a couple of months or so I do put a drop of fuel stabiliser in the tank.

[@mrodriguezangel1]

Hehehe made my z8 e-bike look like this over here in the states ,still prefer the real deal tho ,nice ride

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

That's cool!

[@barnbersonol]

Omg I used to ride them but only because they were very cheap and I had no money. Best 250 out of that era was the MZ but sadly the disc brake version came out too late for the learner market.

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

All of these bikes used to be cheap...MZs are great. We had an MZ250 for a while but were, sadly, not filming them at the time. It did arrive as a box of bits, though; an expensive box of bits.

[@barnbersonol]

@@MotorcycleFettlers The MZ TS 125 was my learner bike bought new (1985) and a good choice because it was the only 125 physically big enough for me. When I passd my test I would've loved an ETZ 250 but they were nearly £800 and used ones were like hens' teeth. I then bought a Superdream for £395 from a bike shop and it was like new. Ones in the paper were half that price. You could spot a genuine low mileage one by the rim on the OE rear sprocket. The bike press claimed it'd do 90 but that was crap because it barely did 70 and you never knew whether to be in 5th or 6th. Then I cheaped out by fitting a 350 rear tyre which was genius by me because it went on really easily and dropped the gearing a bit and as a bonus even improved the bike's mpg. Sorry to waffle on but I could talk bikes all day long. I've possibly covered more car miles in my life than bike miles but have zero interest in car chat (if such thing even exists)

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Waffle away. I (Camerman) I had a Superdream when I was 18, I bought it of my mate (our Chief Fettler) when he upgraded to a Laverda 750SF. I think I gave him £425 in the very early 80s, If I remember rightly, In my mind, it was good for 85 but I think that's just looking back through my rose-tinted glasses or was down a very steep hill. I owned one a few years ago and was very lucky to see 70 on the clock.

[@Polecat54941]

I had a brand new 1979 xs250 on offer for £750 as it had the spoke wheels

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Spoked wheels. Nice.

[@stephenwalsh8184]

🏍👍

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

Thanks for the thumbs up

[@k1200ltse]

I preferred the CB250RSA. And the CB200 I had was a better bike, IMHO. It was quicker, better economy & a fair bit lighter. The 400 Super Dream was, and is, a lovely machine.

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

I’ve always wanted an RS since the day they came out. Yes, I bet they’re quicker than a Super Dream!

[@garywinterbottom4930]

These were everywhere in the 80s along with rd 250s x7s n the like now very rare ages since i saw one did see a 400 dream a few years back think it was a 78 model.

[@MotorcycleFettlers]

They were certainly popular. The best seller as I recall. 80k sold in the UK.