New Guy (Nzpure)

[Nzpure]

Hey there guys and girls. My name is Tim I'm 23, I've always loved riding bikes but only now have decided to get my licence. So im studying the road code like crazy and going to go for my learners soon. Just a looking for a little advice. I have only really ever ridden 2 stroke dirt bikes and never on the road.
Both my father and father inlaw are long time and well experienced riders and they think a 250cc roadbike for me is well to small and under powered, as i am 6ft3" and 120kgs. What is the likelyhood of me getting a dispensation to ride say a NV400 or a Virago 400cc taking into consideration my size?

[Mom]

Welcome to KB. There is a good chance you can obtain an exemption, have a search on here there are plently of people that have got one. I will see if I can find anything for you.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/126325-Licence-exemption?highlight=exemption

There is some info in here, but have a proper search and you will find lots of information on how to.

[MSTRS]

I think you will find that exemptions are granted at Restricted level, albeit rarely. Learner level - I don't think so.
But - you can try.
Alternatively, wait until the changes go through. Power-to-weight is finally on the cards. That will open up the possibilities immensely.

[Nzpure]

Just gave the LTSA/LTNZ who ever it is a phone call. They said I can apply for a Exemtption on my learners to ride a bigger bike. She said I needed to get a picture of me on a 250 a 500 and a 650 and get a dealer to suggest a size that would be more appropriate. It will cost $27 to apply and she said if I am as big as I say I am it will probably go through. I took a picture of myself sitting on my Old man's CX500 I make it look like a step through ahah

P.S. I have a crystal clean licence (never had a ticket in my life and never had any kind of crashes)

[Gibbo89]

Just gave the LTSA/LTNZ who ever it is a phone call. They said I can apply for a Exemtption on my learners to ride a bigger bike. She said I needed to get a picture of me on a 250 a 500 and a 650 and get a dealer to suggest a size that would be more appropriate. It will cost $27 to apply and she said if I am as big as I say I am it will probably go through. I took a picture of myself sitting on my Old man's CX500 I make it look like a step through ahah

P.S. I have a crystal clean licence (never had a ticket in my life and never had any kind of crashes)

Welcome Tim, my mate was looking to get a bike a while back (i think current funds have stopped him from following through at the moment). He is 6ft5 and and is about 110kg i guess.

There is a fella on here who goes by the name of R1madness. He is the owner of Just Motorcycles in New Brighton. He will gladly help you out regarding trying to get the exemption. He has a range of 250's that you can stand next to and sit on to prove you are too big for the 250cc class. He currently has a Yamaha 400 that you could sit on/stand next to and a honda bros 400 too (which will be smaller than the yamaha).

I think he has been through this before with other customers. He is a good guy and will help you out, Ian is his name. As for the 650's, you may be able to get yourself one depending on the style of 650 it is. i.e. parallel twin 650 might be possible, maybe less likely on a v twin although i may be wrong.

as for big 250's, the only sports one i can think of is the hyosung 250. my mate sat on it and said it felt not too bad (that was the sports version too, the naked should be a bit more roomy)

read through this if you like, it is the thread i started on bikes for tall blokes (he wanted a road bike, not a cruiser or dual purpose which you may be open to)

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/128074-What-sport-bike-for-the-taller-bloke?highlight=bike+taller+bloke

Ian's number at work is:

3829503

hope this helps,

Matt

[Nzpure]

Thanks for that mate ill go have a talk with him,Yea im actually more keen for the cruiser style which i know will make it a little easier finding the right size bike. Ill have a read through thanks for your advice.

[Gibbo89]

Thanks for that mate ill go have a talk with him,Yea im actually more keen for the cruiser style which i know will make it a little easier finding the right size bike. Ill have a read through thanks for your advice.

No problem, hope it works out well for you.

There are also weekly rides that happen in Christchurch. You'll find it in the meetings and events section. its called the Wednesday Night Ride.

[Nzpure]

Sweet and I'm dead keen to do the brass monkey next year too.

[Nzpure]

This may seem like at clutching at straws, But do bikes have a Maximum load rating?
Like a car has a maximum load rating including passengers etc?

[Nzpure]

Hey guys i was thinking about doing this course:

Geared Bike Basic Handling Package Deal. - (MCBHP)This option is aimed to teach you to ride a Geared Bike not just to Basic Handling Test Level but to a level that you can ride on the road. It is split into two parts. The first part is completed on a fully geared motorcycle. You will receive 1 and 3/4 hours of training, then the test. Total time 2 hours. This is normally enough time pass the Basic Handling Test on the automatic motorcycle. The next step requires you to pass the theory test at the AA to obtain your Learner Licence, then re-book with us for 2 and 1/2 hours of training on a geared bike. This section includes a training session in a large car park and builds up to riding on the road as your skills improve. This second part must be completed within 3 months of achieving your Basic Handling Certificate. This Package deal is currently subsidised by ACC to encouage training to lower the accident rate of learners.

I have had previous experience on motor bikes, But figure it wont hurt to have a little extra training. Is this a good course to do or are there better courses to do.
Plus i figure it will be easier to apply for an Exemption with extra training under my belt.

[Gibbo89]

In regards to the maximum load thing. I would assume that almost any bike should be able to carry 150kg or more. (i think my scooter max load was 150kg, obviously on a scooter the 'performance' of it becomes almost non existence). The max load will most likely vary on the type of bike your after. I.E. a wee ninja max load might be like 150kg (i'm just guessing that), but a Kawasaki eliminator (a big mother of a 250cc cruiser may be more like 200kg? i am guessing that too). some googling might aid your query.

The course you mentioned seems pretty damn comprehensive. I don't think anyone will say 'do not do this'. It will be plenty extensive and thorough for a newbie.

I personally went to Mainland Driving School and did the hour long lesson + test. So about 45 mins of how to nail the test, then 15 mins of the test. You will also get a few tips in the one I did too. For example how to corner well with 'target fixation' and all that.

My previous experince before hoping on the wee gn125 they offer for the lesson plus test was just riding mopeds for a couple of years.

hope this helps

[Hurrie]

Hey guys i was thinking about doing this course....

Welcome to KB Tim!!
that course is pretty good, it was my first proper bike ride and it was awesome, i remember thinking the gn250 was fast as hell (i was only going 30km/h and holding traffic up) lol but yeah the bike they give you is perfect for learning on and the instructors are pretty good. definitely worth the money for what you learn in one day and i honestly wouldnt have wanted to learn any other way.

i hope you enjoy riding as much as the rest of us!

Mena

[Nzpure]

Cool so i have the BHT + training booked and i have decided to can the idea of going for and exemption as i have found (and fell in love) with a 250cc bike that sounds like it will do me just dandy. I'm going to get my self a Hyosung GT250r i think they look like sex on 2 wheels, I went into a dealership today and sat on (couldn't test ride it obviously) and the seating position and general fell of the bike was great. I am aware that i will not truly know what the bike is like to ride untill i ride it. But i don't care if the thing can only hual my 125kg ass up the port hills at 20km/h atleast the bike will look bad ass.

[tigertim20]

Hey there guys and girls. My name is Tim I'm 23, I've always loved riding bikes but only now have decided to get my licence. So im studying the road code like crazy and going to go for my learners soon. Just a looking for a little advice. I have only really ever ridden 2 stroke dirt bikes and never on the road.
Both my father and father inlaw are long time and well experienced riders and they think a 250cc roadbike for me is well to small and under powered, as i am 6ft3" and 120kgs. What is the likelyhood of me getting a dispensation to ride say a NV400 or a Virago 400cc taking into consideration my size?

hi and welcome!

as for the dispensation request, chances would be pretty damned good I would think, if you ask for one of the bikes you ask for, as they arent exactly power horses, theyll do the job, but its not like youre asking to be allowed to ride a cbr600!

also, sent you a PM

[Hurrie]

Cool so i have the BHT + training booked and i have decided to can the idea of going for and exemption as i have found (and fell in love) with a 250cc bike that sounds like it will do me just dandy. I'm going to get my self a Hyosung GT250r i think they look like sex on 2 wheels, I went into a dealership today and sat on (couldn't test ride it obviously) and the seating position and general fell of the bike was great. I am aware that i will not truly know what the bike is like to ride untill i ride it. But i don't care if the thing can only hual my 125kg ass up the port hills at 20km/h atleast the bike will look bad ass.

lol the hyosung will easily do 100 over the port hills

[Nzpure]

I haven't sat my licence test yet but whilst surfing on trademe i stumbled across a bike i thought was a really good deal so i got it =D Its a 2007 Hyosung GT250r only 3,500kms lol it was only $3,700 so i thought it was a pretty good deal.

[Nzpure]

It's official i got my bike licence yesterday and took me bike out for a blat. Shit i love winding corners. Still taking it easy but so far its going well and its been awesome.
I'll get some more riding under my belt then i'll start meeting up with you guys on wednesdays.

[nomnomnom]

Congrats on the License!! Welcome to the road :) (iv been on it about 3 months woooo!)

[Gibbo89]

Congrats, how did you find the test? Ignore the bullshit on the Wednesday Night Ride thread, the rides themselves are good fun.

Is the bike stock or have is there an aftermarket pipe etc on it?

[Nzpure]

Test was good, The guy at Mainland Driving school Mike i think his name was. He was excellent very very helpfu,l would recommend to anyone who's about to do their BHT to go there and see him. I managed to do both the BHT and Licence test on the same day which was great then went for a 3 hour ride, was the best fun i have had with my pants on lol.
Bike is dead stock and will prolly keep it that way, can't bring myself to spend $500 on any kind of muffler not matter how shiny.Unless there is something i can do myself that won't look like shit, as i would like it to have a nicer exhuast tone.

[Gibbo89]

Test was good, The guy at Mainland Driving school Mike i think his name was. He was excellent very very helpfu,l would recommend to anyone who's about to do their BHT to go there and see him. I managed to do both the BHT and Licence test on the same day which was great then went for a 3 hour ride, was the best fun i have had with my pants on lol.
Bike is dead stock and will prolly keep it that way, can't bring myself to spend $500 on any kind of muffler not matter how shiny.Unless there is something i can do myself that won't look like shit, as i would like it to have a nicer exhuast tone.

Well put regarding your pants, I guess if you were to step it up then you could try doing a 3 hour ride with no pants on? haha.

Regarding the exhaust, I believe you can 'remove' the baffle from the stock exhaust on a stock hyosung exhaust. I would google it or search it on here if it comes up with anything. Or furthermore you should go to emoto on st asaph street and see what they sway about it. If I'm correct then it will make the v twin sound a lot nicer.

I say emoto as opposed to Norjo's which I think are both hyosung dealers as I have not heard many good things about norjo's.

good to see you had a good ride, where did you go? Are you sticking to the 70k limit? :sick:

[Nzpure]

I just rode right around town a couple of times went to 100km/h once but thats because I was on the motorway and everyone else was doing it and it would have felt fukin dodgy if I was only going 70. I enjoyed riding down centauras rd the most I love those corners a. I'm keen to come for the wednesday rides but dunno how confident I feel about riding in a big group on any kind of busy road I'm sticking to the quiet ones for now. I'm mainly just practicing all the tips mike gave about where my eyes should be around corners etc. and just generally dealing with traffic. Once I have got a bit more confidence I will be out every wednesday lol.

[Gibbo89]

I just rode right around town a couple of times went to 100km/h once but thats because I was on the motorway and everyone else was doing it and it would have felt fukin dodgy if I was only going 70. I enjoyed riding down centauras rd the most I love those corners a. I'm keen to come for the wednesday rides but dunno how confident I feel about riding in a big group on any kind of busy road I'm sticking to the quiet ones for now. I'm mainly just practicing all the tips mike gave about where my eyes should be around corners etc. and just generally dealing with traffic. Once I have got a bit more confidence I will be out every wednesday lol.

good call regarding getting the confidence up eh. I drove around the block a few times (over a week or two) before taking on a main road. That was just getting used to clutch control on a bike that likes to rev. just make sure you have your indicators off once you come out of the corner, heaps of bikes forget about that. It can be a bit dangerous if a car thinks you are turning.

If you want, someone I'm sure would be keen to go for a ride with you. I could be keen if you wanted, I'm on my learners too. But I wouldn't copy my habits, I'm not exactly a good mentor :innocent:

Yeah going 70 in a 100 zone is dodgy, as a learner you are supposed to avoid those roads if you can... not saying that I do though. But while you are completely new to your license and your bike then I can't recommend it. I bet it felt like you were hauling ass going 100 eh?

[Nzpure]

It didn't actually feel like i was going that fast and it certainly didn't feel like i was even close to the bikes limits, what freaked me out was the wind buffeting my helmet and it was really hot and i had my jacket open which is something i will NEVER do again lol. was very fun. I havn't gone out thisafternoon because it's raining and i'd really like to get used to my bike before i try that out, but i'm gunna go for a ride 2morrow if the weather is good. txt me 021 151 8106 we can sort out some time to go for a cruise.

[Gibbo89]

It didn't actually feel like i was going that fast and it certainly didn't feel like i was even close to the bikes limits, what freaked me out was the wind buffeting my helmet and it was really hot and i had my jacket open which is something i will NEVER do again lol. was very fun. I havn't gone out thisafternoon because it's raining and i'd really like to get used to my bike before i try that out, but i'm gunna go for a ride 2morrow if the weather is good. txt me 021 151 8106 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 021 151 8106 end_of_the_skype_highlighting we can sort out some time to go for a cruise.

Oh I see, I suppose that the type of bike you have might help with the feeling of speed. I'll save your number now, but my bikes getting picked up tomorrow by the mechanic, I'll give you a text or message you on here when it's back. Hopefully it's a simple thing to fix. But I'm keen for a cruisy learner ride at some stage

[Nzpure]

Went for a nice ride today went up dyers pass road and across the summit road. Was wicked fun,Tad scary but awesome.

[Nzpure]

Well unfortunatly i believe i'm going to have to part ways with my Hyo GT250r, I have been trying to put up with the wrist pain but it's just getting worse. I smashed my wrist about a year ago had a couple of surgerys and was hoping i would be able to ride a sports bike. Unfortunatly i don't believe i'll be able to, so im looking at going for a cruiser the more neutral hand/wrist position will allow me to ride without too much discomfort.
What does everyone think of the hyo gv250 aquila?

[motodrummer]

Good luck with the exemption- and welcome to KB!