Newbie please help ...

[marco77]

hi ave recently moved to Auckland from Scotland and i am currently living on the north shore, i have decided that i would like a bike for my form of transport, i am due to sit my test next saturday then hopefully gain my learners, which will enable me to go for something upto a 250cc

were do i start bike wise ??? i realy dont know what i am looking for etc i have had a look at some bikes over the last week or so just to get an idea of the different styles of bikes etc and i think i like the cruiser style but also like the dual purpose even though they differ from each other but wont know until i have test driven one "am maybe getting ahead of myself" i have been looking on trade me with my dad at some bike's am around 6ft1 not sure if this makes a difference,

i had found one that i liked the look of again wouldnt know till tested it's made by a company called jincheng in china now i was told to maybe stay clear of imports etc but further investigation into the company and i have found out that aprila are teaming up with them to make a bike, this had made me think maybe there not that bad ??????? the bike has been serviced no bother in auckland as well and you can obtain parts if need be from them direct

this is the bike http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-225093142.htm

could you please share some knowledge and wisdom with me what i should maybe be looking for i know i am not going to know until i have actualy tested some bikes, whats a good first bike ????????

thanks for your time

mc

[YellowDog]

Welcome to KB Marco,

There are many threads on here about good bikes to get started on.

My advice FWIW:

However nice and shiney and great value those Chinese bikes apear to be DON'T BUY ONE. They are crap.

The only way to find the right bike for you is to go and sit on all of the ones on your shortlist before making up your mind. I am also 6'1" and I have long legs for my height. It is very easy to say: "Get a GN250 - everyone else can't be wrong" but it took me a long while to find a bike that I could feel comfortable on. Using the rear brake and changing gear are pretty important, so make sure that the bike you choose makes it easy for you to carry out these tasks.

Check out the other 'new learner bike' threads.

Good luck.

[marco77]

thanks for that do you also know of any reliable places to go that deal in 2nd hand bikes etc that could help me out ????

[NOWOOL]

I hate adding my voice to the 'parrots' but the GN's and the scorpio's are by far the best bikes to get your licence on. Not only are they reliable and comfortable but you'll also have a "better chance of passing on a GN wearing a safety vest then you will on a crotch rocket." that's a comment a tester told me when I showed up on my GN wearing a safety vest for my final licence.
Remember, the purpose of a 250 is either just city commuting or getting a full licence. The ladies are more impressed with a 20 year old big bike than a shiny new 250.

for a used bike either shop with a biker friend you trust or buy from a dealer. at least with the dealer you get a warranty. the newer the bike the better. the 'cooler' the style the bike probably the more its been ridden hard.

[YellowDog]

I hate adding my voice to the 'parrots' but the GN's and the scorpio's are by far the best bikes to get your licence on. Not only are they reliable and comfortable but you'll also have a "better chance of passing on a GN wearing a safety vest then you will on a crotch rocket." that's a comment a tester told me when I showed up on my GN wearing a safety vest for my final licence.
Remember, the purpose of a 250 is either just city commuting or getting a full licence. The ladies are more impressed with a 20 year old big bike than a shiny new 250.

for a used bike either shop with a biker friend you trust or buy from a dealer. at least with the dealer you get a warranty. the newer the bike the better. the 'cooler' the style the bike probably the more its been ridden hard.
This is really good advice for you from NOWOOL.

So far as a reputable dealer for servicing, there are lots of good ones and also lots of bad ones. I use Holeshot in Takapuna who I like and do a good job for me. They sell and service Suzuki and Triumph.

There are many places to buy bikes. Trademe and Biketrader are good places to look as well as dealers. There are some excellent value deals around so don't rush out and buy the first bike you see.

Good luck.

[marco77]

thanks for the info guys appreciated

mc