Honda Rebel 250 vs Yamaha V-Star 250

[@reddstripe1]

I couldn't find a Rebel in good shape near me. I found a 2013 V Star 250 with 2600 miles and paid less than $2500.00 for it. I've owned (2) rebels in the late '80s early '90s, a 1985 Honda Shadow 500 and a 1987 Honda Magna 700. In most recent times, I had a 2003 VTX 1800. I like the Honda brand, but I am impressed with this XV250!! I feel I got a good deal for a 1 owner low-mileage bike for my 16-year-old to ride. Thanks for putting out Great videos!!

[@DirtRider22a]

Sounds like a great deal on your end, I agree they are great little bikes 👍

[@dr.lazarus912]

I also had an 85 Shadow, that was a great bike.

[@reddstripe1]

@MorgagorI’m happy you got a great deal!! What color is your 2018? I had to have some maintenance done, carb cleaned, choke cable replaced. Oil, filter, air filter. I had the front forks re sealed.

[@brb653]

What do you prefer? I am debating getting a rebel or vstar(virago) 250. Is the rebel easier to work on? Also I prefer midcontrols, the Vstar seems more forward in pictures.

[@DirtRider22a]

@brb653 I liked the vstar more but only once re-geared for more top end, they are geared way too low from the factory in my opinion

[@Icanreadgood1]

I have a vstar 250 with a modded 17T front and 40T rear sprockets, made a world of difference and is a great bike.

[@DirtRider22a]

I can’t remember exactly what sprocket sizes I went with on my vstar 250 but I was pretty pleased with it.

[@HighAway]

Where can I get those sprockets? the mechanic at bike shop told me they don't stock it.

[@DirtRider22a]

@@HighAway I ordered from revzilla I believe

[@Icanreadgood1]

@@HighAway front sprocket I got from amazon its a JT brand. The rear I ordered from ebay Sunstar brand because I wanted a steel colored one. JT makes a rear in black if you want the set.

[@dangerdylan5005]

I did both sprockets and it helps alot with long term cruise rpm

[@DirtRider22a]

What sizes do you choose?

[@dangerdylan5005]

@@DirtRider22a 15 31 last time. About to go 15 30. It helps to de baffle and rejet

[@DirtRider22a]

@@dangerdylan5005 I’ve read that some people say a 15t front won’t fit and others say it does. Glad to hear from someone using a 15t that it will work

[@dangerdylan5005]

@@DirtRider22a may have to gring I don't think so tho

[@dangerdylan5005]

I just went and put a 30 rear and new chain on and the old one was 32. People act.like a few teeth just bog the bike down but for me it was a very small improvement I am very happy with

[@jamespatrick3774]

One major difference to me when mentioning ergonomics is the Rebel has mid controls and the V Star has forward controls, even at 5' 8" I felt cramped on the rebel. V star hands down for me.

[@georgechambless2719]

I think the Rebel 250 has put more new butts on motorcycles on the last 40 years that any other bike. Just enough power to decide if you really want to be a 'bike rider' or not. I've got bigger bikes, but I'll always keep my 'Little Buddy'' '01 Rebel.

[@DirtRider22a]

I agree 100%

[@jorgeeltoritoperez7238]

What do you think of the 2018 Honda rebel with 5k for $3400

[@DirtRider22a]

What size engine?

[@kyokushingabe370]

The sound of a vstar 250 is so good with the right exhaust, underated little vtwin.

[@dangerdylan5005]

I really like small bikes. I have a old clapped out rebel 250 2001

[@timothymidkiff2894]

I did 15/32 on a 2006 model so chain length stayed the same. I was getting like high 80's and lower 90's in mpg's. It still felt low gearing but it's harder on clutches if doing a lot of stop and go city driving.

[@DirtRider22a]

That sounds like a good idea

[@ericx7476]

I prefer the v star 250. Much better bike.

[@DirtRider22a]

I lean in the same direction as well

[@ohwell2790]

Could you expand on why you think the V star is a better bike.

[@DirtRider22a]

For me, better engine less vibration specially after properly gearing it with different size sprockets, better foot position not as cramped, and it wasn’t as cold natured as the rebel to get started/warmed up. But to be honest, they are both great little bikes, you can’t go wrong with either but if I had to choose between 2 of them for the same price I would get the vstar

[@thomasr.7975]

@@DirtRider22a Would you say the Yamaha has that extra power to get to 75 mph and remain there comfortably ?

[@DirtRider22a]

@thomasr.7975 depends on your weight/height. If you regear it like I did mine it would lower rpm a lot at those speeds

[@adamdelarozza1985]

I have the 2015 Rebel and I like the bike with the exception of the two piece seat, I replaced mine with a one piece saddle seat from a Honda cm 450!

[@Sleepycatcreations]

Did yiu have to do anything to make it fit

[@adamdelarozza1985]

@@Sleepycatcreations relocate tail light lower

[@nikrbawker]

I have a bias towards Yamaha (no bike experience) but this kind of settles it for me, I'm going to get a low miles V Star Yamaha as some point in the future. The 1jzgte is still my favorite car engine design which Yamaha had a large part in.

[@DirtRider22a]

The vstar is a great option, can’t go wrong with a nice low millage one

[@schneir5]

I just got my first motorcycle, which is a 2006 Virago 250. I had a Toyota MR2 turbo about ten years ago, and that had a straight 4 turbo engine with the Yamaha designed cylinder head too, the 3S-GTE engine. I miss that car so much!

[@dragata1]

I have owned a 78 Harley a 83 Goldwing a Magna V65 Magna V30 and V45 ended up with a Rebel 450 engine slung a rod can't tell you how many miles it had no working odometer for like 3 years of daily riding did barrow a buddies wifes XV250 while my 2003 Rebel was in the shop for warranty work i honestly loved the XV250 it rode very nice but felt like it had a bit more low end power now i sit with a 09 Rebel 250 with right at 73k on the clock and starting to think i might give the XV250 a chance my health prevents me from riding larger bikes.

[@GunCollector007]

Good review. Just got the Yamaha as my first bike. Have 5 more bikes on my list now. Very addictive hobby.

[@davidwhocares3293]

Is the v star also known as a virago ? Or is that a different bike ? AND are the valves easier to deal with than the rebel's valves ?

[@DirtRider22a]

Yes, to my knowledge all virago 250’s are the same as the vstar, not sure about the valves. I’ve never had to adjust them on either a rebel or a vstar.

[@masongrainger2271]

Did you notice a difference in mpg? Course they are both so good on gas it don't really matter, but I read reports of the rebel getting around 65-70 and the v star getting 75-80. If it's really a 10 mpg difference then that's money in the bank if you ride a lot.

[@DirtRider22a]

I never really checked the vstar and mine was regeared pretty drastically

[@encinoman903]

I'm 6'2", 196lbs with a 32" inseam. How would I fit on a v star, in your opinion?

[@DirtRider22a]

Your knees shouldn’t be that cramped, I’m also 32” inseam. You might want slightly taller bars

[@encinoman903]

@@DirtRider22a Thanks, I'll keep that in mind while I'm shopping around.

[@wheeliebiker4941]

thank you for this i wanna smaller bike and this helps alot buddy!

[@DirtRider22a]

Glad I could help, which bike are you leaning towards??

[@wheeliebiker4941]

@@DirtRider22a probably gonna get the v star cause the reliability, Hondas carbs I have had much luck on lol.

[@wheeliebiker4941]

@@DirtRider22a thanks again buddy 🥂🙂

[@DirtRider22a]

@@wheeliebiker4941 anytime!!! Hope you enjoy it 👍

[@wheeliebiker4941]

@@DirtRider22a I did, greatly brother 😊 if you smoke, then smoke a bowl for me! If not cheers in spirit bud! 😄

[@mr1bienvenu1]

Which one has more buzz in the handlebars at hwy speeds? I'm not a fan of a buzzy engine.

[@DirtRider22a]

Well I regeared the vstar and after doing that I would say the Honda was more buzzy but stock the vstar had more vibration at highway speed

[@centralcal6604]

How many miles do you go before you have to do an oil change on those

[@DirtRider22a]

I think every 2k miles because it doesn’t have a oil filter but mine doesn’t have an owners manual so I’m not 100% and I haven’t googled it. Just going off of memory from the one I owned a few years ago

[@centralcal6604]

​@@DirtRider22athanks

[@SoapHorizons789]

I have a vstar 650 and an 1100 they are amazing bikes that are as reliable as hammers, I want to get a v star 250 so I can have the complete set

[@dennisgreene5055]

changing both worked great for me. the seat and rear suspension on the rebel are horrible

[@eomermartinez7916]

I was taking motocylce coruse had a v star 250 and enjoyed it Planing on buying one but then i seen that the honda is cheaper just woudering if they are about the same (size as in hight)

[@DirtRider22a]

Very same in seat height

[@pitsmcgoo]

Vstar sounds awesome stock Rebel sounds like a leaf blower.

[@DirtRider22a]

That’s true lol vstar does sound way better

[@arcticgummibear4500]

I have both the rebel 250 and the v-star. The vstar is a bit more comfortable to ride.

[@DirtRider22a]

I agree, the rider triangle is a bit larger on the vstar

[@Monkeybongoes]

Any difference in mpg? Or handling?

[@arcticgummibear4500]

@@Monkeybongoes The MPG on the Vstar is perhaps better. I've seen a few posts putting the mileage in the 70mpg range. Handling they're very similar. I admire both.

[@DirtRider22a]

Worst I’ve gotten on the Rebel is 69mpg best is 76 and that’s with a -3 rear sprocket

[@nguyentuannguyen2203]

@@arcticgummibear4500 for real, virago 125 vs 250 which is better save mpg

[@dbnzone4845]

does it ride uphills easily??

[@DirtRider22a]

The vstar250 being a v-twin has more torque and is better in hilly terrain then the Honda is. That being said they both get around just fine as long as they aren’t loaded down with a ton of weight.

[@l3dtrasdisenoletrasylogos.533]

I want it, the Yamaha V Star u are aelling

[@DirtRider22a]

Sold a long time ago, sorry