Another newbie that's been lurking a while (livee) [Archive]

livee

8th February 2011, 11:07

Hey all

I'm Liv, been here before but couldn't remember my old log-in, and I only lurked then too! Best I say 'Hi!'

I'm a chick rider, been riding for about 4 years now, though only sat my restricted a couple of months ago. My first bike was Lifan 250, now I'm looking for my second as that was stolen.

Keen to get out on rides around Hawkes Bay, and further afield too. Msg me! I have a couple of friends with bikes - usually too busy to come for a cruise though!

Finding it hard to choose my 2nd bike, though I get my full soon, I don't necessarily want to buy a bigger bike, just need to get maybe 10k/h faster than the lifan did... Suzuki Intruder has snuck its way into my heart, found what looks like a beauty in Kawerau - anyone keen to give it a good lookover for me??

Gibbo89

8th February 2011, 17:25

livee

8th February 2011, 18:54

Thanks Gibbo!

Yes, I've been eyeing up Virago's too, my Lifan was a replica Virago! They seem to be a bit pricier than an Intruder though... I think I am better to stay in the less than ten year age bracket? I am planning on riding this bike for at least the next 5 years.... master plan doesn't quite extend to a new bike before then!

MIXONE

8th February 2011, 18:59

My advice is to go for something a little larger as it wont take too long before you want a little more power.Try an yamaha XV535 if you can find one.
Oh and welcome aboard.

phill-k

8th February 2011, 19:01

Someone stole a lifan, sure u didn't leave it somewhere by mistake.:facepalm:

Oh welcome to the great NZ on line bike scene.

livee

8th February 2011, 19:06

Hi, and thanks you both, lol yea someone stole a Lifan I was shocked! (and gutted!) haha and yea I had left it out overnight by accident :(

Would it even be possible to find virago 535 under 3.5k? I'm struggling to find a decent 250 let alone bigger!

Was quite happy with the Lifan, just want slightly faster, that only got up to 110 if I was lucky, and not itching for more power yet, even after 4 years lol so I should be ok with only something slightly better :yes:

blackdog

8th February 2011, 19:07

value for money, very low mileage, and in your price range :)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-351908299.htm

livee

8th February 2011, 19:16

value for money, very low mileage, and in your price range :)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-351908299.htm

hmmm do I dare get something bigger??

Only single cylinder - does it matter when getting to bigger engine? & I was told to stay with newer bikes.... could that odometer have clocked round?

blackdog

8th February 2011, 19:21

hmmm do I dare get something bigger??

Only single cylinder - does it matter when getting to bigger engine? & I was told to stay with newer bikes.... could that odometer have clocked round?

very little chance its been round the clock (carjam will confirm), and they still make essentially the same model new so parts are plentiful.

the condition a machine has been kept in is so much more important than how old it is

a single will be much cheaper for maintenance, and you will notice a fair power increase over a 250.

livee

8th February 2011, 19:23

very little chance its been round the clock (carjam will confirm), and they still make essentially the same model new so parts are plentiful.

the condition a machine has been kept in is so much more important than how old it is

cool, definitely going on my to-look-at list

though any thoughts on the single vs twin cylinder issue? I'd really only been considering 250cc so a bikie friend said stick with twin as I will hate single after having a twin... but will the larger engine mean I won't notice?

OH Don't worry! somehow I didn't see that whole sentence in your post! my bad!

blackdog

8th February 2011, 19:25

cool, definitely going on my to-look-at list

though any thoughts on the single vs twin cylinder issue? I'd really only been considering 250cc so a bikie friend said stick with twin as I will hate single after having a twin... but will the larger engine mean I won't notice?

the larger single will be more powerful than a 250 twin and maintenance will be cheaper (half as many sparkplugs, valves etc)

i can assure you it will be superior to the lifan in every way

Edbear

8th February 2011, 19:26

value for money, very low mileage, and in your price range :)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-351908299.htm

very little chance its been round the clock (carjam will confirm), and they still make essentially the same model new so parts are plentiful.

the condition a machine has been kept in is so much more important than how old it is

a single will be much cheaper for maintenance, and you will notice a fair power increase over a 250.

That would be a good buy! Easy to ride, can be a bit vibey at higher speeds from what I hear, but utterly reliable. No worries about the mileage!

livee

8th February 2011, 19:33

Virago I found: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-352332510.htm

I do like the idea of cheaper maintenance though! Who wouldn't!? lol

How would you guys compare the savage to a virago if weren't too fussed on necessarily speeding around everywhere?

Edbear

8th February 2011, 19:41

Either the Savage or the Virago will be cheap to own. The VL250 Suzuki is a fraction bigger and a tiny bit faster than the Virago. I recall the Intruder was clocked at an indicated 115km/h two-up with a tad more on hand in a Kiwi Rider test a few years ago. All three are reliable, economical, easy to ride with the Savage having a bit more grunt for the hills. Whatever you get you will probably love it!

sir.taz

8th February 2011, 19:47

My wife started with the 250 virago and moved up to the 650 s40 savage. She had a lot of attachment to the virago but she feels more confident and able to ride further with her new one.

sil3nt

8th February 2011, 20:36

You must be the luckiest Lifan owner around.

livee

8th February 2011, 21:07

You must be the luckiest Lifan owner around.

Haha! Now, Now, that bike gave me trouble-free riding for 3.75 years! It did start to have have starting issues after I'd ridden into town a couple of times, but that could have been fixed.... For a cheap bike, it looked cool, rode well, bit of a struggle in a head wind on the open road but hey I was meant to stick to 70 anyway! Not really a bad little bike :woohoo:

Thanks heaps for all the advice guys, I've got a lot of decision making to do!

MIXONE

8th February 2011, 21:19

Go for the big one because size does matter.:innocent:

livee

8th February 2011, 21:26

I just found a 1997 suzuki intruder 400cc

I like it best of all BUT... can't find specs for one for that year, found specs for a 2011 same size... more than twice as heavy as the lifan

The virago is about 2kg heavier, the savage 30kg heavier, and this intruder is approx 160kg heavier!!! please someone tell me the 1997 model is no where near that heavy??

I'm only little, there's no way I could pick up that if I dropped it! I'm curious to know if I could even pick up the savage! :shit:

blackdog

8th February 2011, 21:32

400 intruder was a jap-market only special with very very few ending up in nz

i would be concerned about parts availability

only my 2c but i haven't seen anything that would be a better buy than that savage (put it in context with the virago at red baron, and compare age, mileage and price)

livee

8th February 2011, 21:52

ooh thank you, I'm so glad I came on here! You're a minefield of information!
It is looking like the savage is a very good choice, I'm a bit nervy about the size but its not more than I ever thought I'd go, worth a shot! I'll call them tomorrow :yes:

livee

8th February 2011, 22:26

blackdog

8th February 2011, 22:33

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser//auction-329022695.htm

Virago 400?? Cheaper rego p/yr than the savage....

FORGET that! Got my price range muddled... TM isn't exactly very good at keeping the search options within the parameters you specify!

:lol: don't panic

most of the 400's are jap market only so rare in nz

the savage will be no heavier than they are and i still reckon more bike for the $$

look forward to finding out how you get on, best of luck:)

livee

8th February 2011, 22:45

Thanks heaps black stig, will def keep you posted!

I'm leaning all over the place! My master plan is to keep costs down - want to buy a house - so I think I should stay under the 600cc... keeps the rego down... i thought I had a Virago 535 suggested to me, can't find it though... need to keep my eye out for one of those to pop up...

No rush no rush..... (though this search has been boring holes in my brain all day!) Only been bikeless 2 and half weeks, I'm getting itchy! :violin:

blackdog

8th February 2011, 23:06

:lol: rego smedgo!

the difference is less than a latte a week :)

The Everlasting

9th February 2011, 14:56

Welcome to KB,yeah if you can get a bigger bike,go for it,since your 250 was stolen,as long as you have friends that ride 250's,because you will need one when sitting your full.

gatch

9th February 2011, 22:03

Don't let rego cost put you off if you are intending on getting some miles under your wheels.. As was mentioned, spread out weekly it's a cup of coffee..

I would recommend something bigger than a 250 if you intend on keeping it..

You WILL ask for more after a while. Not necessarily for high speed cruising, but for passing cars without needing a run up, going up hills, carrying luggage etc.

Go the 650..

BTW go hard, as you well know, bikes are the shit. Shoot me a message if you come through palmy for a ride. Always keen.

livee

9th February 2011, 23:37

Heya

So would the virago 535 need a run up to pass cars, carrying luggage etc etc?? Still leaning that way.... I don't drink lattes lol but yeah you're right, it is only $2 a week difference... but would the virago be big enough anyway?

And yep, my cuz still has her 250 so I'm sweet for the test... just gotta risk a big ride home when I buy, and riding round til the end of May :)

Haha Gatch, yea I know, bikes are the shit! Spent the day justifying to my boss why I need another bike rather than pay off some debt with the insurance money lol... I actually save money by having both forms of wheels! who would have thought! (as long as the bike gets more usage than the 4wd lol)

So anyone in Hamilton wanna go give a savage a good looking over and a test ride for me?? :innocent:

gatch

10th February 2011, 17:25

Heya

So would the virago 535 need a run up to pass cars, carrying luggage etc etc?? Still leaning that way.... I don't drink lattes lol but yeah you're right, it is only $2 a week difference... but would the virago be big enough anyway?

I've never ridden a Virago so I couldn't tell you for sure. But I imagine it would be streets ahead of any 250 cruiser you could get your hands on..

I doubt it would need a run up.. So long as you aren't intending on passing sport bike loonies at 100mph..

I've been riding constantly for nearly 10 years and my bike is a 400.. Good enough for me.

rwh

10th February 2011, 18:57

a single will be much cheaper for maintenance, and you will notice a fair power increase over a 250.

I test rode one when I got my full - and noticed almost no performance improvement over my vt250f. It remains, however, the only bike I've scraped in a corner.

Mind you, that had been dead for 3 months by then, so I might have just forgotten.

Richard

rwh

10th February 2011, 18:59

ooh thank you, I'm so glad I came on here! You're a minefield of information!

Lol - sounds right for KB. Information all around, and occasionally it blows up in your face :)

Not trying to dis blackstigdog though; he seems to be mostly worth listening to :)

Richard

blackdog

10th February 2011, 19:06

I test rode one when I got my full - and noticed almost no performance improvement over my vt250f. It remains, however, the only bike I've scraped in a corner.

Mind you, that had been dead for 3 months by then, so I might have just forgotten.

Richard

lol must be just the way you ride (am i allowed to say pussy?)

to put it in context

vtr250 21.5Nm

ls650 46Nm of torque

rwh

10th February 2011, 19:20

lol must be just the way you ride (am i allowed to say pussy?)

to put it in context

vtr250 21.5Nm

ls650 46Nm of torque

vt250 35hp (or 40 for the spada, which I think was the same engine as my fp)
ls650 30hp (or 27 on another website)

I can never get my head around the torque thing - it's not that I haven't studied the physics, and know what it means in terms of numbers; I just can't figure the relationship to how it feels to ride/drive.

Richard

blackdog

10th February 2011, 19:27

vt250 35hp (or 40 for the spada, which I think was the same engine as my fp)
ls650 30hp (or 27 on another website)

I can never get my head around the torque thing - it's not that I haven't studied the physics, and know what it means in terms of numbers; I just can't figure the relationship to how it feels to ride/drive.

Richard

nice work lol

( manufacturers website says 36 for the LS but you are bang on with 35 for the vtr)

think of hp as the way it winds up when you are giving it stick

think of torque as the way it snaps your head back from a standing start

livee

10th February 2011, 19:50

Waay over the top of my head!!

Update : (if I haven't already)... I'm going for the black Virago 535 in auckland - 21thou k's on the clock, 1994, I don't know if I have anyone to look at it yet at this stage (will know if i do or don't when I get back to work in morning - hoping I do otherwise i'm at risk of losing the bike to the next chick or bloke who falls in love with it!), and trying to get a ride to auckland on saturday so i can take ownership (providing the viewing has good results of course!).... tense times!

livee

10th February 2011, 19:58

sil3nt

10th February 2011, 20:42

vt250 35hp (or 40 for the spada, which I think was the same engine as my fp)
ls650 30hp (or 27 on another website)

I can never get my head around the torque thing - it's not that I haven't studied the physics, and know what it means in terms of numbers; I just can't figure the relationship to how it feels to ride/drive.

Richard
Hose power – How fast you hit the fence.
Torque – How far you took the fence.

MIXONE

10th February 2011, 21:36

If that's the style of bike you are in to I'm sure you'll love the yamaha.Good luck with getting it.

livee

11th February 2011, 22:18

heading to auckland on the bus tomorrow morning! a work colleague based in auckland looking it over for me in the afternoon! fingers crossed or i'll be bussing home again!

The Baron

12th February 2011, 07:34

Good luck. I hope it's the one.
There is something special about going out of town to get a bike and the ride to bring it home.
Have fun.

MSTRS

14th February 2011, 08:40

There's a little clue in Livee's profile that suggests a 535 now resides in Napier?

Edbear

14th February 2011, 09:09

Hose power – How fast you hit the fence.
Torque – How far you took the fence.

Brilliant! :yes:

There's a little clue in Livee's profile that suggests a 535 now resides in Napier?

Pics please Livee!!! :woohoo:

livee

14th February 2011, 09:14

There's a little clue in Livee's profile that suggests a 535 now resides in Napier?

Good spotting! I was waiting to find my camera cable to load a pic and break the news but its not happening! Livee is one new happy 535 owner! :scooter:

Good luck. I hope it's the one.
There is something special about going out of town to get a bike and the ride to bring it home.
Have fun.

It was certainly worth buying! You're very right, it was a special trip! :love: My first big trip alone too! Definitely a good way of getting familiar quick with a new feel too and I think boosts the confidence quickly too! I was scared enough to drive my car in Auckland let alone a bike, but I loved the motorway! I actually found myself yelling "Cruisin on the Hiighwaay!" at times lol :rockon:

MSTRS

14th February 2011, 09:16

Bring it round. Introduce yourself. Camera, pc, etc all available.

Maha

14th February 2011, 09:24

He'll even make you a coffee.

MSTRS

14th February 2011, 09:32

Goes without saying...

livee

14th February 2011, 09:33

Bring it round. Introduce yourself. Camera, pc, etc all available.

Another day :) I've pulled a sickie this morning but gotta be at work at lunchtime doh catching up on housework argh :violin:

He'll even make you a coffee.

hmmm hot chocolate??

MSTRS

14th February 2011, 09:36

hmmm hot chocolate??

This is a biker house. What do you think?:innocent:

livee

14th February 2011, 09:46

This is a biker house. What do you think?:innocent:

I'm not entirely sure whats a 'biker drink'.... :blink: but I don't drink coffee lol

MSTRS

14th February 2011, 09:50

Oh dear. You do know that drinking coffee is a skill that must be mastered as you proceed on your journey to becoming a biker?

livee

14th February 2011, 09:56

Oh dear. You do know that drinking coffee is a skill that must be mastered as you proceed on your journey to becoming a biker?

argh yuck! purely for the caffeine??

MSTRS

14th February 2011, 09:59

Naturally. Caffeine keeps you awake and heightens your senses/reaction time.
Chocolate just doesn't contain enough...

livee

14th February 2011, 10:09

Green tea?

MSTRS

14th February 2011, 10:11

We do Industrial or Smelly.
That's ordinary or Earl Grey

livee

14th February 2011, 10:14

We do Industrial or Smelly.
That's ordinary or Earl Grey

lol Industrial is fine by me :) or water if its a warm day lol nice and warm out there today!

livee

15th February 2011, 08:08

232228232227232229

See if this works....

Edbear

15th February 2011, 09:46

232228232227232229

See if this works....

Worked fine! Nice looking bike but it's just a wee bit too clean, puts me to shame...:facepalm: May you have many enjoyable rides! :scooter:

Maha

15th February 2011, 09:48

FAIL!....you drink DB.....:sick:

Hawkeye

15th February 2011, 10:00

Hi Livee,

Welcome to the madness that is KB. Enjoy the new ride and keep the shiny side up.

livee

15th February 2011, 10:31

DB??? it was an export and i was actually sitting at my mates drink coz then the view was behind me.... nothing wrong with export

Does DB make export? I wouldn't have a clue lol

livee

24th May 2011, 19:29

So I've been out of action, waiting, waiting, not allowed to ride my new bike, soon though!

I've borrowed my lovely cousins Beautiful Intruder, its a dream, a wee 250 to sit my full test on, such a nice bike! its been so long that i've ridden the yamaha, to compare, but the intruder is lovely, i know i'm still better off with the bigger bike :)

so, the test, that's tomorrow morning! it has come around so fast! eek!!!

The, wait another month for the rego to come off hold, and I'm free!!! :woohoo:

kilgh

24th May 2011, 22:22

Good luck! Give us a full report please.

livee

26th May 2011, 16:52

Hey all, so I passed! Sorry taken me a bit long to get back on here and let you know how it all went!

I had a lady following me in a cage, with a walkie talkie round my neck that had an earpiece so I could hear her instructions. They've had a new earpiece since my restricted test, only one time I wasn't sure what she said, but she said it twice so I was all good!

A bit of tootling round residential streets in one little area of Napier, would have looked a mess on a map but we had left and right turns, some give ways and some stop signs. All basic stuff! Then I got the 'begin moving hazard observation' instruction. This was based through an intersection, and I just had to observe moving hazards, not seemingly stationery ones, so that was good. I had two of these sections and had to pull over when she asked me to, so I could tell her what I saw. Easy peasy! My 2nd had no moving hazards lol. Then it was cross a busy road and further along, do a U-turn, don't put your foot on the ground, don't forget all the indicating, and checking over your shoulder! (I remembered them all this time :) ).. then out into a 100km zone, nothing special here, just don't speed, back into town, all over rover! It wasn't even a full hour, after going back to the depot to get my wee slip of new license, I was back at work before the hour was up!

I felt impending doom after going past a school and not remembering if schools have special limits, but no, they dont, only school buses. I asked her at the end, and she said just ride to the conditions around them, eg lots of activity, slow down :)

Yahoo!!! No more friggin tests!