First Ride: Herald 250cc

Birotar Jonjo test riding the Herald Rambler off-road

The small brand, making a BIG noise.

Ever since we first set eyes on the Herald brand at Motorcycle Live in Birmingham last November, we were intrigued. A retro looking yet modern bike for an affordable price. But did the bikes ride as well as they looked?

Herald Rambler posing!

We recently took a trip to Herald HQ to find out more about the brand, the bikes and what really goes in to making a Herald motorcycle. Our day was spent on the carb fed, air cooled, 250cc single cylinder range.

The Herald range is built in a Chinese factory and shipped across to the UK. 'Oh not another cheap Chinese brand' we hear you say!

...And that's what we thought too. Herald put us at ease by telling us that, once the bike comes out the crate there is a whole list of parts they change to improve reliability. These include: chain, sprockets, brakes, oil just to name a few.

RaceTek rear shock on the Herald Nomad

For BirotarUK, most of the time is spent on bikes with well in excess of 100bhp so imagine the feeling of throwing a leg over a bike with just 21bhp. The 250cc range isn’t slow though, with a dry weight of about 130kg the small, punchy engine is more than capable of arriving at 70mph quickly and cruising there in relative comfort.

The clocks on the Herald Rambler

The bike lacks a rev counter, but does have a gear indicator which is really nice to see on a bike of this price. As standard, a buyer is treated to some other goodies which put the Herald 250cc range above its imported competitors; RaceTek adjustable rear shocks, braided brake lines, premium tyres, and uprated chain and sprocket. These changes absolutely transform the way these bikes ride.

The Herald life style

The whole range seems very well made and the bikes are really enjoyable. At the time of the test ride, all the bikes we tested were due their first service and there was no indication that things had started to come loose and perish before they should.

With the bike being so light and having a decent suspension set up, it handles really well, and makes everything predictable. You can chuck the bike into a corner and know exactly what to expect. It's stable and confidence inspiring which was surprising to us given the price and stigma attached to Chinese important machines. The brakes have plenty of feel, meaning you can brake later and with more confidence than you'd expect.

Birotar Jonjo hugging the corner on the Herald Rambler

The one thing the sales brochure won't tell you is how this bike makes you feel. Is it plain, slow & boring? Completely the opposite, the whole 250cc range oozes attitude, class and bags full of 'look at me'.

From the moment you fire up the bike, the exhaust barks and you automatically slip into the roadster life, it's all about looking and sounding good. For us, coming from large tourers and sports bikes, the 250cc range having just 21bhp means you can really have wide open throttle 90% of the time without breaking the speed limit which is something sports bike riders should save for the track.

Hand full of 'look at me'

The whole range is completely customisable meaning you'd never get bored with the look as Herald stock a whole load of bolt on options to keep your ride looking different.The Herald range proves you don’t always need to have big BHP to have fun and we can see the bikes appealing to anyone from a new rider to an inner city commuter. It's certainly a bike we'd consider having in the garage to pootle around on in any weather or enjoy on a twisty country lane bash.

Herald Nomad - just chillin'

The Specs

Weight(Dry): 130kg

Seat Height: 780mm

Engine: Single Four Stroke

Displacement: 249cc

Max Power: 21bhp

Max Torque: 19.5N.m

Transmission: 5 Speed Manual

Top Speed: 80mph

Fuel Tank: 12L 

We believe that the Herald 250cc range isn't necissarily the the premium choice on the market, but that doesn't mean that it's the cheap one either. Someone looking at the Herald as their next purchase, can rest assured that they are making a unique, authentic and informed choice.

Herald say: "Life is a journey not a destination, so enjoy the ride".

After all, riding a motorcycle is all about having fun, and the 250 range  does exactly that. It puts a massive smile on your face without putting a hole in your pocket.

All the best

BirotarUK 

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Photography and videography are ©BirotarUK 2016