How does the Honda CBR250R handle compared to the Honda Rebel?

I know it sounds dumb, but I just finished my MSF course on a rebel 250 and I'm going to be purchasing a cbr250 as I'm too small for the rebel, but perfect on a cbr. I know they'll handle differently, but I'm just wondering how much? I learned on the rebel, will it be a huge jump learning with the CBR? I'm mainly worried about test riding one and totally messing something up because I'm not used to it. I'm sure it's just unneeded worry, I did really well on the MSF course.

Have you ever seen those little cars that Shriners drive around in in parades? They're maybe 5 feet long, with a little lawnmower engine and a plastic body. The body might be shaped like a Volkswagen Beetle or a Corvette, but the car is the same beneath, it's just a difference in styling.

That's kind of the difference between a Rebel and a CBR. It's not a fair comparison because 250cc motorcycles are actually serious transportation devices, not like little lawnmower cars. But the Rebel is not a cruiser, it's a cruiser-style bike. And the CBR is not really a sportbike, it's a sporty-styled bike. They are both very simple, light, small motorcycles designed to be easy to learn on. That's what 250cc motorcycles are for in the Western World, they are all meant as trainers.

If you can ride a Rebel you can ride a CBR. The CBR has a sportier, more forward-leaning riding position, and styling cues to tie it to its big brother, the CBR 600, which is a hot sportbike. But their styling is just for looks. I would guess the CBR might handle a little better, but it's still not a sportbike, it's a trainer, so it has to be relatively stable and easy to ride.

Entirely different, different in pretty much every way a bike can be.

Gearing, Bars, seat, riding position, geometry, all different.

I started on the cbr250r and it handles great. Rather its different or not, you'll get used to it quickly. Don't worry at all, its a great bike. I put 12k miles on mine and just upgraded to a gsxr 600, great bike

Both are starter bikes, not made for handling comparisons they are designed to get you comfortable on the road with little hp to get you in trouble… One is for aggressive stance, the other is for relaxed stance… As for the course test the rebel will be the most easy to ride… Once you get skills from riding FIRST then worry about handling performance on your next bike purchase

ANYTHING will be a Hell a lot better than the Rebel. Looking at http://cycle-ergo.com/ your knees would be hitting the handlebars. The CBR250R is a little thumper, a single, will be as easy to ride as the Rebel, just a bit faster on on top speed, but as you noticed a lot better for your height. If you are *non* Californian and a Suzuki dealer is nearby, check out the TU250, a true standard. And you could also use the slightly bigger but still not a "bad" beginner bike, again if the dealer is available, a Yamaha SR400.