Yet another "which bike" thread :)

[sefer]

Well sorry to bore you all with yet another which bike should I get thread, but now that I've done a little research on a few bikes I'd like to know some others' opinions.

I've read through a lot of the older posts on the same subject, and some of the reviews that are posted here and have got some very useful info, but it's be great to get some direct comparasions with the bikes I've decided I like the look of...

Ok, a little about me:

I'll be pretty much a total newb, I've got some off-road riding experience (farm/trail) and very little on-road.

I have no problem getting my hands dirty, I've actually rebuilt a 1986 GSX250 when I was a little younger(and 10kg lighter), only to find it was too heavy for me to really ride. I've also got some electrical know-how, pretty much the type to try to fix it myself before paying someone else :)

I'm 70kg and about 5.8, so not a huge guy, and am thinking that anything much over 150kg is going to be too heavy for me.

Learner of course, so something under 250 is a must I guess (I'm glad to find there are some nice looking bikes 250 and under). Going to be used as a daily commuter to get to college and back (about 20K), maybe the g/f on the back once and a while for short hops, and ideally useful on the open road too

Ok so the bikes I've decided I'm going to take a closer look at are:
(Bold are the ones I quite like)

Cbr250(R)RR)
VTR250
VT250 Spada
NSR250
FZR250
ZZR250
FXR150
RG150
KR(R)150
GSX250F

Plus a few more (quite a few actually, but these seem to be the bikes that come up most often)

So, I'm interested to know what you think of the above bikes and what should I pay? I really don't want to spend more than $3000 (but could if I really wanted to :) ). Ideally of course less, say 2000-2500.

I have yet to have a good look at any of them in the flesh, due to all the local bike shops closing so early on Sat here (CHCH), but will hopefully get to have a look at a FXR and FRZ tomorrow.


Thanks for your opinions, the posts I've read have already been really helpful, so I know I'm in the right place :)

(and sorry for the over long post, but might as well give you as much info as possible :))

[Coyote]

Cbr250(R)RR) -Nice bike, smooth power, very fast
VTR250 -From what I know, a good bike, allthough pricey
VT250 Spada -Similar to the VTR, only older and cheaper
NSR250 -2 Stroke, fair bit more power than the others
FZR250 -Similar to the CBR
ZZR250 -Apparently pretty comfy, don't get sore unlike when your on a CBR, FZR or ZXR
FXR150 -Good begginers bike, cheap, best option
RG150 -2 stroke, about same power as CBR
KR(R)150 -Similar to RG, only RG has proper rims
GSX250F -No idea about them, but don't get the new GSX250!

also the ZXR, similar performance, supposedly the CBR is faster if only slightly, ZXR looks nicer, only its pretty pricey

So I say go for a FXR. That would be a good place to start

[sefer]

Oh, I should also point out that I'm not likely to buy for at least a month (going to OZ next week and will have to see what cash I've got left when I get back), and likely 2 months as I'm teaching at a school for just over a month over that and won't have a lot of free time to be looking till I finish up. On the plus side this should put us in winter and (hopefully) cheaper prices :)

[sefer]

Thanks for the quick reply alarumba.
Actually I had the fxr in mind until I saw the Spada and decided I quite liked that, but am still considering it and will have a close-up look at one tomorrow hopefully. I'm thinking that being reasonibly small/light I should get enough speed out of it, and the size of it doesn't really faze me (in some ways I like it).

The only thing I don't get is the private resale price (FXR), dealers here are selling for around 2900, so I'd have expected 2000-2200 private but it seems that most are closer to 2900...

I'm going to look at a FZR tomorrow for $1500 ('86), so I'll see what I think of that too.

[**R1**]

I personaly havnt ridn any of the bikes you have listed, but my advice would be .....go ride any you can get your hands on, dont rush and but the first thing ya like, and pick from the ones you have tried:niceone:

[Hitcher]

The Spada is the best choice on your list.

Other suggestions include the best 250 of all: The Yamaha FZX250 Zeal.

[onearmedbandit]

*HIJACK ALERT*

You never ridden an NSR250 Aaron? Thought you had?

*BACK TO TOPIC*

I had a Spada as my first bike after my accident (hence onearm..) and found it to be a lot of fun. Very light and flickable bike helped by an engine that performs very well but didn't outweigh the chassis. Topped out at about 165km/h, but the fun was to be had through corners. And as it would be with any of the bikes you listed. But the spada was cheap, reliable and was a lot of fun.

Also don't look at the licensing system as restricting you to a 250, rather an ideal opportunity to learn how to ride something (and eventually riding the nuts off it) without being scared of the power on tap. You'll learn a lot quicker on a 35 odd hp bike that weighs 150ish kg than a 100hp 165kg 600cc bike. After you've done all you can on the a, and it will take you sometime to even get close to that level, you'll be ready for a larger bike.

[sefer]

Thanks, that's good advice. When I first thought of getting a bike awhile ago (petrol prices and the fact I no longer have my dog are what have made me decided I'll go for it) I was thinking I'd get a 400 no matter what, but after looking at a few bikes I've come to realise that a 150/250 will meet my needs (and their nicer looking than I remember).

The Spada is probably the bike I'm liking the most right now. How often do they come up for sale, and at what kind of price? I've only seen one on trade me so far for around the $2800 mark.

[sefer]

Thanks for your input so far everybody.

To narrow it down a bit for the present time:

Fzr250
VT250 (spada) (if I can ever find one :) )
FXR150

and maybe

kr150
rg150
nsr250
(due to this being for near daily use, and the fact that the idea is to save money I'm not sure about a two stroke.)

Anyway, focusing on the first three for now (feel free to make sugestions thou, you've probably got a good idea of the style of bike I'm looking for).

What do you think I should look at paying, ATM I'm thinking 2-2.5K for the FXR, 2-3K for the Spada and FZR, but I could be way out. (private)

Also any owners/past owners, what am I likely to be looking at as far as costs go (service. gas, tyres ect?)

Thanks again guys.

I'm going to look at this tomorrow:
http://www.bikepoint.co.nz/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=812633&TabID=3553&Alias=bikepointnz
And see what's wrong with it (something clearly, but maybe it's just rough). Had a bit of a sit on one yesterday and it was a pretty good fit. Can't ride one until I get my learners set thou :( Still I can get my father to take it out if I'm interested.

By chance has anyone looked at it?

[zooter]

Helmet, gloves, leathers, boots add up to a fair whack too!
Th only bike I rode any distance before my 1100 was a 1989 VT 250. Nice ride but might be a bit tall in the saddle for you.
If you're planning on doing long rides I wouldn't recommend anything with a "R" in it.

[inlinefour]

Well sorry to bore you all with yet another which bike should I get thread, but now that I've done a little research on a few bikes I'd like to know some others' opinions.

I've read through a lot of the older posts on the same subject, and some of the reviews that are posted here and have got some very useful info, but it's be great to get some direct comparasions with the bikes I've decided I like the look of...

Ok, a little about me:

I'll be pretty much a total newb, I've got some off-road riding experience (farm/trail) and very little on-road.

I have no problem getting my hands dirty, I've actually rebuilt a 1986 GSX250 when I was a little younger(and 10kg lighter), only to find it was too heavy for me to really ride. I've also got some electrical know-how, pretty much the type to try to fix it myself before paying someone else :)

I'm 70kg and about 5.8, so not a huge guy, and am thinking that anything much over 150kg is going to be too heavy for me.

Learner of course, so something under 250 is a must I guess (I'm glad to find there are some nice looking bikes 250 and under). Going to be used as a daily commuter to get to college and back (about 20K), maybe the g/f on the back once and a while for short hops, and ideally useful on the open road too

Ok so the bikes I've decided I'm going to take a closer look at are:
(Bold are the ones I quite like)

Cbr250(R)RR)
VTR250
VT250 Spada
NSR250
FZR250
ZZR250
FXR150
RG150
KR(R)150
GSX250F

Plus a few more (quite a few actually, but these seem to be the bikes that come up most often)

So, I'm interested to know what you think of the above bikes and what should I pay? I really don't want to spend more than $3000 (but could if I really wanted to :) ). Ideally of course less, say 2000-2500.

I have yet to have a good look at any of them in the flesh, due to all the local bike shops closing so early on Sat here (CHCH), but will hopefully get to have a look at a FXR and FRZ tomorrow.


Thanks for your opinions, the posts I've read have already been really helpful, so I know I'm in the right place :)

(and sorry for the over long post, but might as well give you as much info as possible :))

There is a reason why its on the top of the list, as its the one you should get! Go for the RR model :2thumbsup

[Indiana_Jones]

Just don't buy that same FZR as magua lol :D
Don't buy my Fixxer too lol

FXR is great to learn on, though lacking compared to a 250, it's great for a 150

-Indy

[riffer]

Go the Spada mate. You won't regret it.

Damn good bikes.

[sefer]

Well I checked out the FZR250 at CHCH motorcycles today. Not bad looking and fits pretty well... But has a electrical problem (like, there is none :) )

Got it to turn over by bypassing the starter solinoid. Other that that it's actually not bad condtion wise, a bit of pretty minor scratching on the faring, and the faring has some broken clips(no big deal). It has a big drop mark on the gear casing, and a dent in the muffler on the same side but doesn't look bad.

So I'm wondering? A) Can anyone point me towards a manual

B) It's also a import and hasn't been licenced yet, assuming I could be sure what's wrong and fix without too much effort is it really worth the effort when I can most likely buy something reg'ed-wof'ed and similar/slightly worse condition?