Advice on a first bike?

[atothek]

I've been riding a moped around Wellington for the last year and have decided that at 6'2" and 115kg it will no longer do. I've gone and sat on a few bikes in the Wellington stores to get a feel for what I'll like and so far the top of my list was a 1992 VT250 FN - the Honda Xelvis with about 30k on the clock. It was a good fit and he offered it for $3999 which was tempting. I've also sat on a couple of Hyosungs which were ok (the giant tank put me off a bit) but even the dealer was saying that they could be trouble. Those were the only bikes that really fit me. I'm off to look at the stores in the Hutt this Saturday and am keen to sit on a Hornet which is the bike I've really got my heart set on even though I've only got as close as starting at parked ones and those on trademe. Anyways I've got my eye on a couple on trademe at the moment and was hoping for a bit of input

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=228019615 - I've been in touch and he said he will freight and get a VTNZ check for the asking price. I was really looking closer to $4500 possibly $4750 at a stretch for the bike and shipping. What do you guys think this one is worth? It's from a dealer so it's covered by consumer laws which is a big plus for me but if i can't get it cheaper it will mean some extreme grovelling to the missus and even then i may not be able to persuade her (I'm fighting a battle with her wedding expenses).

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=236502532 - later model and less kms but its a private sale and i'd be taking that risk. again it may be out of my price range but any ideas of what i should offer (assuming shipping of $250 and a budget of around $4750 total)

any other suggestions are welcome.

If you are looking for a scooter in Wellington check out my auction - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Scooters/auction-236555139.htm

[Hitcher]

Inline four 250s are thirsty beasts. The Yamaha FZX250 Zeal and the 250 Bandit are also worth a look -- both are full-size frame bikes and easy to source parts for, just as the Hornet is.

[dogsnbikes]

I agree with Hitcher

Glad you want to try the bikes out for size its important that you feel at ease with what your buying and consider what your main use will be and what will your possible future use of the bike will be

you could try out motorcyclesonline at Bulls they tend to have alot of 250's

[atothek]

not too familiar with different types of engines - if i recall the guy said the Xelvis was a V-Twin. Most of my traveling this year will be around town and trips out to Hutt once a week or so. Next year there could be a fair bit of commuting between the city and porirua but this will all be against the flow of traffic. Not a speed freak at all and the missus is always telling me i drive like her grandma. Probably won't look at upgrading it for years to come (my car is a 1.3L and i'm more than happy with it) I'm more interested in getting a reliable good engine and one thats easy on the wallet to run and maintain. Any 250 i'm guessing is still going to be less thirsty than the car so that's not playing on my mind too much.

Haven't sat on a bandit yet, are they a bigger bike as well? i'll try and find one to have a sit on this weekend.

I did have a look at the bulls dealer online - they had a couple of auctions on trademe as well but the start price was well below what they were on their actual website. kind of annoying when you see what looks like a great deal only to have the reserve a thousand bucks over the start price. a bit of a waste of everyones time especially if it starts inside your budget but the reserve is miles over it.

[dogsnbikes]

yeah the Xelvis is a twin

oscarnz had one send her a message and get her views of what she thought of the bike

[Metalor]

If you're not looking to upgrade in the near future I'd say go for the Hornet mate. Only thing you have to worry about that's different from other 250s are the tyres. Big 180 on the rear is a bit more expensive than most 250s and the front wheel is a 16inch so makes it harder (and about $100 more expensive).


That said though, I rode a few 250s and the Hornet was the best of the bunch. Good resale value aswell.

[motorcyclesonline.net]

Hello
I've got a good selection of bikes up here in Bulls - Hornets Zeal & Zelvis
RMVT so you are covered by Consumer Laws
Open this Saturday - 10 - 12, most Saturdays all day - This weekend we've got Vic Club racing at Manfield

Regards
Bill
www.motorcyclesonline.net


I've been riding a moped around Wellington for the last year and have decided that at 6'2" and 115kg it will no longer do. I've gone and sat on a few bikes in the Wellington stores to get a feel for what I'll like and so far the top of my list was a 1992 VT250 FN - the Honda Xelvis with about 30k on the clock. It was a good fit and he offered it for $3999 which was tempting. I've also sat on a couple of Hyosungs which were ok (the giant tank put me off a bit) but even the dealer was saying that they could be trouble. Those were the only bikes that really fit me. I'm off to look at the stores in the Hutt this Saturday and am keen to sit on a Hornet which is the bike I've really got my heart set on even though I've only got as close as starting at parked ones and those on trademe. Anyways I've got my eye on a couple on trademe at the moment and was hoping for a bit of input

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=228019615 - I've been in touch and he said he will freight and get a VTNZ check for the asking price. I was really looking closer to $4500 possibly $4750 at a stretch for the bike and shipping. What do you guys think this one is worth? It's from a dealer so it's covered by consumer laws which is a big plus for me but if i can't get it cheaper it will mean some extreme grovelling to the missus and even then i may not be able to persuade her (I'm fighting a battle with her wedding expenses).

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=236502532 - later model and less kms but its a private sale and i'd be taking that risk. again it may be out of my price range but any ideas of what i should offer (assuming shipping of $250 and a budget of around $4750 total)

any other suggestions are welcome.

If you are looking for a scooter in Wellington check out my auction - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Scooters/auction-236555139.htm

[motorcyclesonline.net]

Thanks for the support man


I agree with Hitcher

Glad you want to try the bikes out for size its important that you feel at ease with what your buying and consider what your main use will be and what will your possible future use of the bike will be

you could try out motorcyclesonline at Bulls they tend to have alot of 250's

[SMOKEU]

Inline four 250s are thirsty beasts. The Yamaha FZX250 Zeal and the 250 Bandit are also worth a look -- both are full-size frame bikes and easy to source parts for, just as the Hornet is.

My CBR250 uses about 25% more fuel than my old 2 stroke 50cc scooter. I can get 4L/100km around town, I don't see how that is thirsty.

[Metalor]

My CBR250 uses about 25% more fuel than my old 2 stroke 50cc scooter. I can get 4L/100km around town, I don't see how that is thirsty.

Shiiiit, you must be taking it pretty easy. I get about 16 to 18 ks/litre BUT I am doing mostly highway riding and definitely not sticking to 100ks.....

It was idling at about 3grand though, just turned it down yesterday to sit at 1300 rpm (which it's supposed to be at) so that may make a difference when sitting at the lights etc.

[Hitcher]

My CBR250 uses about 25% more fuel than my old 2 stroke 50cc scooter. I can get 4L/100km around town, I don't see how that is thirsty.

Given that you'll probably get the same economy out of a 1200 or 1300, I reckon it's thirsty!

[Maki]

Given that you'll probably get the same economy out of a 1200 or 1300, I reckon it's thirsty!

Does that mean my 600 that gets 7L/100 is thirsty?

[madbikeboy]

Given that you'll probably get the same economy out of a 1200 or 1300, I reckon it's thirsty!

Hitcher, perhaps you can help. My little Scoot seems to return about 12-14l/100k's. When I open the rotary propulsion modulator on the right bar, a strange sensation occurs, if you look down, you can see the sides of the tank suck inwards... Any advice?

[Metalor]

^^^ :laugh:

[madbikeboy]

Does that mean my 600 that gets 7L/100 is thirsty?

7L?

Hmm. Perhaps you should check to see if the throttle is opening all the way?

[SMOKEU]

Shiiiit, you must be taking it pretty easy. I get about 16 to 18 ks/litre BUT I am doing mostly highway riding and definitely not sticking to 100ks.....

It was idling at about 3grand though, just turned it down yesterday to sit at 1300 rpm (which it's supposed to be at) so that may make a difference when sitting at the lights etc.

Your bike is probably not running right then, check your plugs, leads etc, when I took my bike to Ruapuna I got around 7L/100km on the track when I was thrashing the fuck out of it redlining it at every shift. Even a V8 can be economical if it's tuned properly.

[Metalor]

Well, it's had a full service a couple of weeks ago and the guys at the shop said it's perfect.

I had read previously that other hornet riers get about the same mileage... I'll see how taking it easy does (maybe).

[tigertim20]

Does that mean my 600 that gets 7L/100 is thirsty?

depends, that open road, or some commuting and some highway? last trap I did I got around 23km/l on my 600. if thats a bit of commuting as well you are doing OK. Bikes arent really famous for being light on gas in general, just light compared to cars...

[atothek]

I went and sat on a couple of Hornets and Bandits today. Liked the look of the Hornets but I think the Bandits were a bit more comfortable. My main poblem with the Hornets were the gear levers and foot brake. I have fairly long legs and big feet (13-14). I found that the angle of my foot was a bit acute and It was a bit of a problem getting my foot round to shift down and I was putting a bit of pressure on the brake while sitting normally. Am I able to get a replacement gear levers and brake with a bit more room for my feet (or can I adjust the current ones) or should I just look at the Bandit?

[Harvd]

The levers are adjustable so you should be sweet if thats the only problem.

[Markw336]

Refer to this guide

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=26572

is very useful to have aa read of

[atothek]

ok, so assuming i can adjust the levers i'd like an opinion on a few bikes. Which of these is best and what should i be looking at offering?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=236502532 - later model and lower kms but i'd have to transport to wellington which eats into the budget.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=228019615 - higher kms but from a dealer. again the transport issue.

the bandits
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=233238617 - late model lower kms and again shipping but a bit cheaper overall.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=220825384 - from a local dealer

Any opinions are greatly appreciated.

[Emmerson]

Well my first bike was a twenty year old GN250 which lasted for nearly a year before dying. I just got a Hyosung 250gt - and although it suits me fine, I wouldn't recommend it as a first bike. The main reason is that I think it is absolutely huge compared to the other 250s I tried. There is a massive fuel tank, I cant see my feet and it stands up so straight on the side stand that I still have to have a couple of goes at getting off sometimes.

Having said that, if you are confident about using the gears etc (i.e. you don't need to check if you really are moving the gear selector like I did when I started), then it has been a good, well mannerred and handling bike. But all I have to compare it to is my old near-antique GN.

[ready4whatever]

something reliable, common. the hornets are fun little bikes. not sure how they tie in with being reliable. but i know when it does blow it'll be way more expensive to fix being an inline. plus double the sparkplugs, or quadruple. more gas more oil. suck more air out of the atmosphere!

[KelvinAng]

I get about 16 to 18 ks/litre BUT I am doing mostly highway riding and definitely not sticking to 100ks.....

In my experience I got the same level of fuel economy on my lil' ol'hornet on the open roads, and about 13km/L in the city. I don't know why the lil' ol'hornet is so thirsty compared to other inline-4s but it definitely is a fun bike to ride. Are there 250cc inline-4s with just 8 valves? The Hornet has a 16-valve carburettored engine so I think that is part of the reason for the thirst?

I've sold my lil' ol'hornet a little while ago and am missing it dearly.

[no_8wire]

Hey just sent you a PM that you might find interesting re a bigger bike.

[I'll C U Jimmy]

Dude, you are going to want to flick this bike on as soon as you can and throw your leg over something with a bit more grunt, so look at it from the view point of "which bike will be the easiest to re-sell?" Answer, probably the good 'ol GN250. Ideal learners bike, economical,forgiving and bullet-proof. best of all, you will probably get back what you paid for it when you step up.