Newbie rider advice please (kerryf)

[kerryf]

Hi guys.
Great site you guys have here, and I'm real glad for it.
I'm just getting my learners shortly ( I said newbie right? haha) and I'd be really greatful for some advice on a good 1st road bike to get.
I haven't got a big budget, which is good because I'm not looking for speed and power.
Also i'm 6ft and about 100kg
Really what I'm looking for is a good learners bike that will give me the joy of riding, and is forgiving of my newbie skills.
really hope you guys can give me the advice I need.
Thanks
Kerry

[Ocean1]

Not to put too fine a point on it this:


a good 1st road bike to get.

And this:


forgiving of my newbie skills.

Are mutually exclusive.

There is no such thing as a safe newbie on a road bike, not even merely slightly elevated risk. At some point you're highly likely to throw the bike onto the ground and the only variable regarding any safety involved in that event is how hard the ground is.

Seriously, find a 250 trail bike if you insist on riding on the road, but the more time you spend in the dirt picking the bike up the less likely you'll have to do it on the road.

Here: http://www.trademe.co.nz/browse/categoryattributesearchresults.aspx?mcat=0001-0026-1255-&search=1&nofilters=1&originalsidebar=1&key=1413589&page=2&sort_order=price_asc

[tigertim20]

Not to put too fine a point on it this:



And this:



Are mutually exclusive.

There is no such thing as a safe newbie on a road bike, not even merely slightly elevated risk. At some point you're highly likely to throw the bike onto the ground and the only variable regarding any safety involved in that event is how hard the ground is.

Seriously, find a 250 trail bike if you insist on riding on the road, but the more time you spend in the dirt picking the bike up the less likely you'll have to do it on the road.

Here: http://www.trademe.co.nz/browse/categoryattributesearchresults.aspx?mcat=0001-0026-1255-&search=1&nofilters=1&originalsidebar=1&key=1413589&page=2&sort_order=price_asc
well that was unnecasarily harsh. I have plenty or road riding friends whi have never had a bin, but never ridden of roiad either.

for a first bike, you need to test ride, so find someone who can start to show you the basics, and show you the ropes. youll need to do this BEFORE getting your learners.
Once you have a handle on the basics, then you go get your learners.

AFTER you have your learners, you want to go and test ride a bunch of bikes. TradeMe is a good source, but be sure to find someone motorcycle minded to go with you. DONT just take a car person with you, you NEED a person in the know with BIKES specifically, to give it a check over and see if its in good nick.

You need to test ride a bunch of different bikes, and each testride should include a little bit of city riding, more open road type riding, and some suburban type stuff, so you get a feel for what the bike is like in different types of traffic and road conditions.

good luck, and come back with pictures when you buy something

[kerryf]

well that was unnecasarily harsh. I have plenty or road riding friends whi have never had a bin, but never ridden of roiad either.

for a first bike, you need to test ride, so find someone who can start to show you the basics, and show you the ropes. youll need to do this BEFORE getting your learners.
Once you have a handle on the basics, then you go get your learners.

AFTER you have your learners, you want to go and test ride a bunch of bikes. TradeMe is a good source, but be sure to find someone motorcycle minded to go with you. DONT just take a car person with you, you NEED a person in the know with BIKES specifically, to give it a check over and see if its in good nick.

You need to test ride a bunch of different bikes, and each testride should include a little bit of city riding, more open road type riding, and some suburban type stuff, so you get a feel for what the bike is like in different types of traffic and road conditions.

good luck, and come back with pictures when you buy something

Yeh am going through riding school now, I wont be hitting the road without adequite skills.

[Gibbo89]

Welcome to Kiwibiker. As someone else pretty new to riding, I would recommend something with more than 1 cylinder... I may get some flak for that as the gn250 and yamaha scorpio are great learner bikes but are lacking a bit of fun in my opinion. They will be forgiving as you learn how to ride, but you may outgrow them quite quickly. (not saying you can't upgrade once on your learners)

The way I thought of it was:

I'm new to riding motorbikes (been driving cars for a few years) and a scooter or two, so was not brand new to driving as a whole and wanted something that was pretty good to learn on (my bike does not perform at the very top end of my rev range but nearer the middle) so learning around the block was fine, and now once I have mastered that I am benefiting from having a fun bike that will keep me happy whilst going through my licensing period.

Obviously my view may be slightly different from what you may be thinking.

Something like a v twin might be good for you. do a vtr 250 or spada, maybe the new ninja, but i assume that they are too expensive for you and you are 6ft tall.
A Hyosung may interest you if you dont mind riding something korean. (again they might be too pricey for you. there is a kawaski zzr for a kawasaki gpx too, these are both parallel twins and are a cheap commuter but can handle motorway speeds once you are on your restricted (if you do what your license tells you).

if you want something a bit more rowdy and revvy then there are the bandits, balius, zeal and hornet. (all naked and fun but more likely to get you into trouble if you are not careful)
the faired version is the gsxr, zxr, fzr and cbr.

i notice you live out in north canterbury (rangiora maybe?), so the northern motorway will be a factor you need to consider if you spend a bit of time on that stretch of road.

make sure you treat yourself to some good gear too...

I sat my basic handling in Chch recently, if you have a question or two, just ask me.

hope that helps you and doesn't confuse you too much

[helenoftroy]

Hi there kerryf

Some awesome advise from tigertim and Gibbo

Look forward to meeting you...
Hope you are riding with us CHCH lot real soon:scooter::yes:

[sugilite]

Welcome to the site!
I just checked out the helpful link that Ocean Posted and this one caught my eye.
Good for a taller chap such as yourself, handy for a bit of light trail work/skills building. Great learners bike, sweet price and good commuter. You won't lose bugga all of the purchase price when you move up either, and freaking low km's if they for real (looks about right for condition)
heres the link :yes:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-320323389.htm

[EJK]

Welcome to KiwiBiker Forum - The home of experts and geniuses.

[quickbuck]

Agree with most of above... Even Ocean1's post.
The best advise is Try EVERYTHING!
What may look good, may not be you.

I will also say that the new Ninja 250 is perfectly fine for 6" people.
Check out my album.

[A_Mans_Ruin]

really hope you guys can give me the advice I need.
Thanks
Kerry

They will indeed.... usually confusing and humourous too...

[baptist]

Welcome Kerry, I am a newbie as well and I love every minute of riding, should have done it years ago. I looked at a lot of bikes as these guys will tell you to do, it is worth it. I know it has been mentioned (not very well) but I ride a Scorpio and for what I do it suites (I'm a stumpy geezer though and it is comfy, you might end up bent in half!!!!:yes:). So try 'em out, find one that fits and have lot's of (safe) :scooter: fun.

[ExpertoCrede]

Welcome to KB.

Get a Yamaha Scorpio. New is cheap but there are heaps on Trademe for cheaper. It's a very forgiving bike yet nice to ride. Easy to service yourself and goes the distance with next to no fuel.

Just take it for a test first as at 6ft you need to be sure you are not too cramped.

[Haith Nux]

I too am looking for a first bike, and although lots of people seem to hate the gn250, an equal amount seem to worship it as a beginners bike, so I don't know if it is a good choice or not!? I've heard they have rust/corrosion problems...is this a major issue?

[Ocean1]

The build quality is crap, but you probably won't own it long. If you spend a bit on good tyres and keep them at the right pressure it'd be a good learners bike. Keep the brightwork clean and polished and when you come to sell it you'll get what you paid for it.

If you can stretch an extra hundred or two the Yamaha scorpio is a better machine in the same class.