Newbie looking for a sports bike

[Damage88]

Hey guys, I'm a complete newbie to road bikes and I reckon a nice sports bike would be the tits, but have no idea of what to get.

I have a budget of around 3-4k and would be needing a 250 just because I'm a learner, what would you chaps recommend?

My brother had an aprillia 125 which was pretty sweet until it was written off but I think I'd be wanting something a little less tinny sounding and with a little more grunt.

Any help would be great.
Cheers,
Casey.

[vindy500]

How do you feel about the idea of a bike that breaks down every second week?

[Damage88]

Yeah mate that sounds great!...
Been having a look around on trademe and theres quite a lot to look through, what sort of kms are acceptable?

Really new to the whole scene, what are the majors to look out for when buying also?

[blackdog]

you could prob find a decent hyo gt250r for $4k. the advantages with them are they are full-sized, reliable enough, ultra economical and parts are cheap and plentiful.

(don't listen to the knockers, i know a guy with a 999 and another with a late model thunderbird and both of them have kept the hyos they learned on, and they still rate them)

the downside of 250 sprots bikes now is they are all so old........(zxr,fzr,cbr,gsxr)

another good option for something sprotyish is a gsx250 (invader). reliable and you can find late model ones in pretty good nick.

mileage isnt nearly as important as how well a bike has been maintained, serviced and cared for.

[vindy500]

Basically, unless you like fixing things dont get a 2 stroke, Ive heard good things about the cbrs, but never had good luck with any older bikes, hence why i have the hyosung now

[Damage88]

To be honest I can't say I actually enjoy having to fix things, I don't mind working on or maintaining but fixing is a nuisance. I've heard mixed reviews for the hyosungs, most say they perform really nicely but some say the build quality is pretty low so I'm not sure.
Suzuki invaders are nice looking bikes and being a 4 stroke is a big plus.

So I'm after:
4 stroke
3-4k price range
250cc
sexy but not naked

what are my top 3 options?

[blackdog]

To be honest I can't say I actually enjoy having to fix things, I don't mind working on or maintaining but fixing is a nuisance. I've heard mixed reviews for the hyosungs, most say they perform really nicely but some say the build quality is pretty low so I'm not sure.
Suzuki invaders are nice looking bikes and being a 4 stroke is a big plus.

So I'm after:
4 stroke
3-4k price range
250cc
sexy but not naked

what are my top 3 options?

the build qual on the hyos isnt bad at all. hyosung have been making engines for suzuki since the 70's and the r&d for their bikes was done by suzukis guys as well. like any bike they respond to how they are treated, so if you look after them they look after you.

i think you know your options

invader
hyo
older jap sprots but be prepared to spend more on maintenance/repairs (and people want ridiculous money for what you're gonna get)

shame you don't want a naked because that would bring the hornet into the equation, and in my opinion it's the best of the lot (size, wide rear tyre, good power)

also bear in mind you're not gonna keep it forever, you'll want to get you're full license and a bigger bike asap, and this opens up a whole new world and much better value for money

[sil3nt]

To be honest I can't say I actually enjoy having to fix things, I don't mind working on or maintaining but fixing is a nuisance. I've heard mixed reviews for the hyosungs, most say they perform really nicely but some say the build quality is pretty low so I'm not sure.
Suzuki invaders are nice looking bikes and being a 4 stroke is a big plus.

So I'm after:
4 stroke
3-4k price range
250cc
sexy but not naked

what are my top 3 options?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchType=0001-0026-1255-&searchString=FZR250&type=Search&generalSearch_keypresses=14&generalSearch_suggested=0
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchType=0001-0026-1255-&searchString=CBR250&type=Search&generalSearch_keypresses=7&generalSearch_suggested=0
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchType=0001-0026-1255-&searchString=ZXR250&type=Search&generalSearch_keypresses=59&generalSearch_suggested=0
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchType=0001-0026-1255-&searchString=GSXR250&type=Search&generalSearch_keypresses=11&generalSearch_suggested=0
In no particular order.

They are all old but fairly reliable bikes and easily the fastest 4 stroke 250 sports bikes out there.

[blackdog]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchType=0001-0026-1255-&searchString=FZR250&type=Search&generalSearch_keypresses=14&generalSearch_suggested=0
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchType=0001-0026-1255-&searchString=CBR250&type=Search&generalSearch_keypresses=7&generalSearch_suggested=0
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchType=0001-0026-1255-&searchString=ZXR250&type=Search&generalSearch_keypresses=59&generalSearch_suggested=0
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchType=0001-0026-1255-&searchString=GSXR250&type=Search&generalSearch_keypresses=11&generalSearch_suggested=0
In no particular order.

They are all old but fairly reliable bikes and easily the fastest 4 stroke 250 sports bikes out there.

the money people expect for these things makes me cringe. in some cases they want more for them than they sold for brand new!

just be done with it and buy this instead
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/118444-naked-1200-bandit

[HappyGOriding]

Go for the GSX 250. I had mine for almost three years and loved it never had any problems with it but get a grey one the blues are just frickin ugly.
Have a look at the link below to read sidecar bob's posts to give you an idea of what you can play around with on them (the sprocket is definitely a must)

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/115529-2004-Suzuki-GSX-250...

[Damage88]

Thats a nice bike stig, maybe once I've lost the L's.

So far I think I'm leaning more towards the Hyosung, mainly due to all the reviews online and it looks like a "real" bike.

Would there be much advantage in saving a few more pennies and buying new or would 2nd hand be legit?

[PirateJafa]

Buy second-hand to avoid the instant depreciation as you roll out the dealership door.

[EJK]

Buy second-hand to avoid the instant depreciation as you roll out the dealership door.

Don't think he'll find any brand new "Sports" bike for around $4,000

[Damage88]

Don't think he'll find any brand new "Sports" bike for around $4,000

Add 2 grand and you can get a gt250r new but I think I'll go 2nd hand

[Hiflyer]

If you're getting a hyosung try and get on 08 onwards if you can. 07 is fine so long as you can confirm the cam chain tensioner has been replaced and they have been given new chain and sprockets. Otherwise they are quite reliable. And yea Like PirateJafa said, go second hand, and if you see one with ~20,000kms (Which people seem to think is high) see if you can beat them down to a good price. Should be easier than trying to bargain with a guy selling a bike with ~5,000kms

[CookMySock]

Bro we have a shed full of hyo's if you want to sit on them start them up. Got a yellow 250R for sale as well.

Steve

[trailblazer]

the late model hyosungs are all good. They are a good feeling bike to ride and there size and weight prepares you for when you step up to a bigger bike. If you can spend an hour shoot over to db's and get the feel for 1 on 1 of his bikes as every member of his family has 1.

[Damage88]

Ok cool, I'll work out the finances and then start shopping around.
DB I may have to take you up on that offer sometime.

Cheers for the help guys,
Casey

[EJK]

the late model hyosungs are all good. They are a good feeling bike to ride and there size and weight prepares you for when you step up to a bigger bike. If you can spend an hour shoot over to db's and get the feel for 1 on 1 of his bikes as every member of his family has 1.

What he said. Yamaha R6 (06+) is actually "smaller" than the Hyo 250, belive it or not.

[trailblazer]

yeah just the r6 is 5x faster. :yes: