My first post (Gibbo89)

[Gibbo89]

hi kiwi bikers,

I am a self confessed wannabe biker, so i thought i would do my first post. I have been lurking in the forum pages for a while now and thought id make my way out of the woodwork and show myself.

I am currently looking to buy my first 250cc bike, and am keeping a close eye on trademe (in the sports bike section). I do also like the look of some cruisers, but i want a bike i'd like to go fast on (once i know what i'm doing). i know that i'm restricted to 70 kph while on my learners but knowing me, once i buy a bike i'm going to have it for more than the 18 month period of getting my licenses.

im currently at uni so my budget... well is non existent at the moment. something around 2.5k to 3k. i wont buy a bike that isn't in the chch area and seeing as i wont be able to ride a bike to test drive it i think i will get my uncles help and get him to ride it, after all, the only thing i could do is look at it and sit on it. (my unlce just bought himself a 2005 kawasaki z750)

:scooter: i have owned two scooters, i used to have a wee suzuki sepia. but found it a bit unreliable (and barely kept up with traffic) so got myself a new baotian 2 stroke scooter which has been fine, ran it in from new and is unrestricted :shifty: so doesnt battle to keep up with the traffic (goes 65 - 70 kph if i want it to). :scooter:

basically i'm after a bike that is 90% for driving around chch, and the other 10% would be for sunday drives out in the country road where i can let the throttle loose.

some examples of bikes that are currently available in my price range are:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-287849989.htm

this above bike has been owned for 10 years by the same person/family but he can't provide the receipts for the last 10 years. this bike looks like a good learner bike because of the storage it has where the fuel tank is meant to be

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-284920087.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-284776973.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-286261309.htm

and then there is these two that are a bit more pricey.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-288240482.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-283813598.htm


and a good looking cruiser that i could afford would be this one:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-286261309.htm

so anyway, thanks for reading my rabble, feel free to give any advice or input. just a cheap bike to run is the main thing, i would do as much self maintenance as possible. im open to naked bikes too, just feel that i'll have this bike for quite a while so fairing might be better for open road cruises i do? naked bikes that look good are the balius, bandit and zeal. vtr and hornets are too pricey for me :done:

[PirateJafa]

If you can't afford the VTR (which is what I consider to be easily the best all-round learner bike), then this bike (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-284750800.htm) should probably be the next one you look at.

Although I must say, those Bandits are good bikes to learn on too, as long as you enjoy revving the daylights out of your machine. :)

Good luck!

[2wheeldrifter]

Well done for placing your first post, you have now entered the realm!

:)

[p.dath]

Welcome aboard Gibbo89. Lots of knowledge to be had, and ignore those that try to cause you grief.

[one fast tl1ooo]

Welcome to kb....

[Cheshire Cat]

Welcome to the site :banana:

[blackdog]

check out ninjananna's balius posted on here today....excellent value and quite quick enuf for a beginner

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/121796-Mrs-Nanna-s-bike-is-for-sale-Balius-1800-North-Shore

the only tardme that you listed that is value for money in my book is the first gsx250 (invader) also a good reliable machine if in good nick

[Gibbo89]

check out ninjananna's balius posted on here today....excellent value and quite quick enuf for a beginner

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/121796-Mrs-Nanna-s-bike-is-for-sale-Balius-1800-North-Shore

the only tardme that you listed that is value for money in my book is the first gsx250 (invader) also a good reliable machine if in good nick

yeah that does look in good nick, but it would be another $400 to ship it down to Christchurch right?
there was a balius for sale in chch that had done 30,000k's , was asking $2850 at a dealers.

thanks

[blackdog]

yeah that does look in good nick, but it would be another $400 to ship it down to Christchurch right?
there was a balius for sale in chch that had done 30,000k's , was asking $2850 at a dealers.

thanks

actually, looks like its sold already......

[Gibbo89]

If you can't afford the VTR (which is what I consider to be easily the best all-round learner bike), then this bike (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-284750800.htm) should probably be the next one you look at.

Although I must say, those Bandits are good bikes to learn on too, as long as you enjoy revving the daylights out of your machine. :)

Good luck!

yeah the gpx does look sweet, especially that one. just need to see a bike in that good condition down here!

[Gibbo89]

check out ninjananna's balius posted on here today....excellent value and quite quick enuf for a beginner

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/121796-Mrs-Nanna-s-bike-is-for-sale-Balius-1800-North-Shore

the only tardme that you listed that is value for money in my book is the first gsx250 (invader) also a good reliable machine if in good nick

so the fact that its done such high k's should not bother me? the nicks and dings look small and insignificant which is a plus.

[blackdog]

so the fact that its done such high k's should not bother me? the nicks and dings look small and insignificant which is a plus.

the way a bike has been treated and servicing and maintenance are far more important than actual mileage

[Gibbo89]

the way a bike has been treated and servicing and maintenance is far more important than actual mileage

oh ok, i emailed the seller asking a few questions etc. too bad it is in kaikoura now... perhaps he'll come into chch at some stage :yes:

[bittertwistedcute]

Welcome
Zeal's are fantastic, I loved mine. Sit on bikes and work out what fits you
Go and check out Just Motorcycles in New Brighton and have a chat to Ian, he won't put you wrong
Ride safe
btc:scooter:

[Gibbo89]

Welcome
Zeal's are fantastic, I loved mine. Sit on bikes and work out what fits you
Go and check out Just Motorcycles in New Brighton and have a chat to Ian, he won't put you wrong
Ride safe
btc:scooter:

ahh thanks. yeah i saw a 1991 zeal up nelson way for 3k but again. i can't buy a bike i havnt seen etc.
i havnt heard of Just Motorcycles. where abouts are they exactly?

cheers

[bittertwistedcute]

Hawke St New Brighton, near Couplands and some random liquor store, I think it is 57 Hawke st?
They are my choice of bike shop in ChCh, by a country mile
Honesty and reliability work for me

[Gibbo89]

Hawke St New Brighton, near Couplands and some random liquor store, I think it is 57 Hawke st?
They are my choice of bike shop in ChCh, by a country mile
Honesty and reliability work for me

ahh cheers mate, i'll head over to NB sometime soon. maybe they'll have a nice wee bargain for me. :rockon:

[Gibbo89]

Hawke St New Brighton, near Couplands and some random liquor store, I think it is 57 Hawke st?
They are my choice of bike shop in ChCh, by a country mile
Honesty and reliability work for me

i went over there today, spoke to a couple of them. saw a few 250's. saw a 1993 suzuki across (gsx f) for sale with like 11,000k's on the clock. looked not too bad. atleast if i bought it from a place like that there would be a warranty.

[scooute]

Welcome, Good to see your first post has gone better than mine did, :yes: I made a newbie mistake of not checking past threads before posting a question that had been on my mind for a while ooops :doh: (and still paying for it) I shall post some rep for you, you deserve it for asking advise from the wealth of experience on this forum, I always wanted a cbr250 or gsxr250 but I bought a cruiser because it was so comfy and good on my weekend rides (Suzuki gn250, nice safe power band for learning, although Ive been riding bikes for years off road and scooters for 2 years on.) plus my mates were always replacing fairings after dropping or damage in carparks, best advise as mentioned already is you buy what suits and feels comfortable for you!
enjoy KB and Safe riding when you get your first ride :scooter:

[Gibbo89]

Welcome, Good to see your first post has gone better than mine did, :yes: I made a newbie mistake of not checking past threads before posting a question that had been on my mind for a while ooops :doh: (and still paying for it) I shall post some rep for you, you deserve it for asking advise from the wealth of experience on this forum, I always wanted a cbr250 or gsxr250 but I bought a cruiser because it was so comfy and good on my weekend rides (Suzuki gn250, nice safe power band for learning, although Ive been riding bikes for years off road and scooters for 2 years on.) plus my mates were always replacing fairings after dropping or damage in carparks, best advise as mentioned already is you buy what suits and feels comfortable for you!
enjoy KB and Safe riding when you get your first ride :scooter:

thanks for the comments, is your gn250 a japanese made or chineses made? i only ask as i dont know when the chinese started assembling/(making?) them...
yeah i quite like the look of the yamaha virago. they seem reasonably priced too. i guess you either toss up damaging fairings, or on a naked bike, the engine/framing stuff itself? (i know that topic has been discussed on KB here in the past). i sat on a 1989 cbr today (4k with 50,000 on the clock) or the suzuki across was in the early 3's with 12,000 on the clock. lots to think about! how do you find the speed of the gn250 personally?

[scooute]

My production certificate is all in japanese (2004) :blink: so assume it is japanese built, I was told they were switched to China in 2005??? cant be 100% sure on that though as I said just going off my production cert and things ive heard. Speed? :scooter: the gn250's werent really built with speed in mind more balance and control for the beginner, I find it has the torque down low to get me out of the way in a squeeze and is most comfy between 70 and 90, takes some revs to keep her up over that but soes it well and sounds good at it :lol: I like it because of its shape (reminds me of the old triumphs from back in the hay day!) and comfort to ride daily ( I avoid major traffic by traveling rurally but still, plus how cheap it is to run and maintain, the build quality and service history sold me on my particular ride! I have ridden sports bikes in the past, cbr250's, gsxrr's and even gst250rs (hyosung) didnt really like the later but the suzi' and Honda were heaps of fun, not so fun if stuck in traffic too long though but thats just me! I have dirt bikes for speed and fun but will upgrade to something faster when I get my full within the next 9months :clap: hope you continue to research as you are before the big decision:yes:

[bittertwistedcute]

They are well helpful afterwards too, even if you don't buy from them the workshop is good
Good luck on your hunt, I bought a few bikes before I was happy

[Gibbo89]

My production certificate is all in japanese (2004) :blink: so assume it is japanese built, I was told they were switched to China in 2005??? cant be 100% sure on that though as I said just going off my production cert and things ive heard. Speed? :scooter: the gn250's werent really built with speed in mind more balance and control for the beginner, I find it has the torque down low to get me out of the way in a squeeze and is most comfy between 70 and 90, takes some revs to keep her up over that but soes it well and sounds good at it :lol: I like it because of its shape (reminds me of the old triumphs from back in the hay day!) and comfort to ride daily ( I avoid major traffic by traveling rurally but still, plus how cheap it is to run and maintain, the build quality and service history sold me on my particular ride! I have ridden sports bikes in the past, cbr250's, gsxrr's and even gst250rs (hyosung) didnt really like the later but the suzi' and Honda were heaps of fun, not so fun if stuck in traffic too long though but thats just me! I have dirt bikes for speed and fun but will upgrade to something faster when I get my full within the next 9months :clap: hope you continue to research as you are before the big decision:yes:

yeah, regarding the look of the gn250... i personally couldn't really fault it. looks like a nice wee bike. will you upgrade to a faster 250 or a bigger bike?

yeah. i look on trademe most days for 250cc sport bikes. been doing that for a while now...

[scooute]

yeah, regarding the look of the gn250... i personally couldn't really fault it. looks like a nice wee bike. will you upgrade to a faster 250 or a bigger bike?

yeah. i look on trademe most days for 250cc sport bikes. been doing that for a while now...

Oh yeah deff. :yes: just wanna learn what I need to stay alive amongst traffic and road works before I spend money on somthing I dont want to break lol plus I dont really get bothered by the police :Police: atm even though my bike has a rather grunty exhaust note for a GN they still dont look twice, does alot for the confidence when your not worried about getting pulled every time you go past one!!!! I have a passion for the older cruisers as I kind of mentioned earlier, but still love to lie into a screaming sports and give it a good spanking :spanking: every now and then!

[Fatt Max]

Welcome mate, enjoy.......

[Gibbo89]

i was havin a browse through trademe, as you do... how does this bike seem? the price seems good enough coming from a motorbike/scooter store...


http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-290640965.htm

the price on this bike used to be 3000, then 2850 and now that price. they seem pretty keen to get rid of it... :yes:

[Ryder]

A belated welcome to you!

[Gibbo89]

cheers for the welcoming.

[Fatt Max]

Welcome aboard mate,
These KB peeps are a great bunch for advice about all things bike shaped. Dont tell 'em anything about your love life though eh, they get a little.....well......excited........
Keep safe and enjoy