Help me find a road bike

[SpikedPunch]

Hi guys,

Not new to the forum, or biking exactly. I am new to the whole road bike thing however! I'm doing my scratch & win this weekend (Did my BHS on Saturday) and then I'll be looking at buying my first road bike. I have a minuscule budget (max 2gs) as I'll be leaving full time employment to study this year, and need to spend as little as possible. I'm pretty well versed when it comes to dirt bikes, but I've not got a clue about road bikes; specs for various models, what makes a good one etc.

Top priorities for me would be:

-Price (cheap!)
-Reliable
-Decent brakes
-Low seat height (debatable I guess, I am a short arse at 5'1" but I'm also used to riding motocross bikes which are very tall, so ymmv as to what is considered 'too tall')
-Can happily cruise along at the speed limit

Not a priority:

-looking cool

So if anyone can point me in the right direction as to what models I should be looking at, have at it. Worse comes to worst I'll just buy a GN as they're cheap and a dime a dozen, but you all wouldn't want that now would you? :bleh: I do realise with such a small budget I might not be able to get all that I'm looking for, but any input from those more knowledgeable than me would be great!

Oh yeah, I'm budgeting about a grand for gear, but always looking for a bargain (as long as it's not shit quality) so any pointers for good-priced decent quality ladies gear would be appreciated. I've been looking at the boots & jackets from 1tonne, is it a reputable brand?

Cheers and thanks!

[blackdog]

stretch your budget to $3k and i have got a a very nice zzr400 for ya

i'll chuck in some gear (gloves boots jacket) gratis

[SpikedPunch]

Sorry dude, after something learner legal and the budget's already stretched as! :crybaby:

[sil3nt]

What style of bike?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-349786670.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports//auction-348192496.htm

[Slyer]

What are you looking to use it for mainly? Commuting? Open road or mainly in town?
That FXR he posted^^ will be one to watch.
I hear 1tonne are not bad, but it really helps to get the sizing right especially for helmets. Try Cycletreads in Takapuna, I'm sure if your bat your eyelashes at Todd he'll give you a discount. :bleh:

I'm on the shore so feel free to give me a yell if you need help looking at a bike etc.

[avgas]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-352961055.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-353370817.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-351988188.htm

[SpikedPunch]

What are you looking to use it for mainly? Commuting? Open road or mainly in town?
That FXR he posted^^ will be one to watch.
I hear 1tonne are not bad, but it really helps to get the sizing right especially for helmets. Try Cycletreads in Takapuna, I'm sure if your bat your eyelashes at Todd he'll give you a discount. :bleh:

I'm on the shore so feel free to give me a yell if you need help looking at a bike etc.

They know me well at cycletreads already ;) I've had my eye on the fxr for a wee while, might go check it out this weekend if it's still around. I'll be using the bike for commuting, mostly around town I suppose and the occasional toodle over the bridge. Yup, I agree with you on helmets, the sizing varies heaps even within brands. It's a shame none of my dirt gear will really translate to the road. Except maybe my neckbrace but I don't fancy wearing that when I need to be looking around at the road.

Style of bike? Not really sure. I guess I'm used to an upright sort of a thing, but I'm open minded. Maybe riding something with quite a different position to my dirtbike would be good, as I'd be less likely to do something silly like ride it standing up or get a leg out on the corners? :bleh:

Thanks for the TM links guys, I hadn't seen heaps of those! :) Easy to miss stuff when you're not sure what you're looking for.

[Rosie]

They know me well at cycletreads already ;) I've had my eye on the fxr for a wee while, might go check it out this weekend if it's still around. I'll be using the bike for commuting, mostly around town I suppose and the occasional toodle over the bridge. Yup, I agree with you on helmets, the sizing varies heaps even within brands. It's a shame none of my dirt gear will really translate to the road. Except maybe my neckbrace but I don't fancy wearing that when I need to be looking around at the road.

Style of bike? Not really sure. I guess I'm used to an upright sort of a thing, but I'm open minded. Maybe riding something with quite a different position to my dirtbike would be good, as I'd be less likely to do something silly like ride it standing up or get a leg out on the corners? :bleh:

Thanks for the TM links guys, I hadn't seen heaps of those! :) Easy to miss stuff when you're not sure what you're looking for.

Riding standing up isn't silly. You just have to remember to keep looking over your shoulder, because you can't use mirrors.

In summer I wear mx pants and knee guards on the road. MX boots would be ok, if you are comfortable, and they give you enough ankle movement. Depending on the style of bike you get, they may look a bit out of place, but it could buy you some time until you can afford something that looks the part.

[blackdog]

ok cut thru the shit

wannabiker has the best learner for sale in nz period

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/134358-Learner-commuter?p=1129980079#post1129980079

I personally know how Ross keeps his bikes, if you miss out on this if u want a learner bike you are a mug.

[blackdog]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-352961055.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-353370817.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-351988188.htm

1. if it's immaculate not too bad

2. old as but fun in the day

3. actually not a bad deal if it goes for the reserve only

refer my last post if common sense prevails

actually, just looked through all avgas's suggestions again, i'm finding it hard to argue with them

[avgas]

SL230 is still my favorite "best of everything" road 250.
I think also Yamaha do and equivalent. That CD250 is bloody nice too (nice spotting theblackstig)

[NinjaNanna]

pm Vinz0r he has his (my old) Balius for sale in that price bracket.

[javawocky]

Small, light and fast (enough?)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Tourers/auction-346180558.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-351932443.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-353046607.htm

[Milts]

I have a seriously unloved (will need some work) 1991 ZZR250 which I would be willing to sell for 1500. Wof + rego (I think, will need to check). Let me know if you'd be interested in more info/photos. 40,000ks.

[SpikedPunch]

I have a seriously unloved (will need some work) 1991 ZZR250 which I would be willing to sell for 1500. Wof + rego (I think, will need to check). Let me know if you'd be interested in more info/photos. 40,000ks.

What kind of work? Is it WOFable?

[Slyer]

I have a ZZR that is currently getting a lot of love bringing it up to scratch. Aiming to sell for about 2.5k though. :P

[blackdog]

SL230 is still my favorite "best of everything" road 250.
I think also Yamaha do and equivalent. That CD250 is bloody nice too (nice spotting theblackstig)

Have some arm twisting to do tonight.

I just bought a runaround and am heading to dorkland to pick it up on the weekend.

Ross listed the CD two days too late and now I need a way to convince wifey that I need the CD aswell grrrr.

(at the risk of shooting m'self in the foot, anyone reading this should know he is giving it away at those $)

what i'm trying to say is you definitely DON'T want to buy the CD250 and that way i'll have an extra week to scrape up the cash...thanks wannabiker your timing is impeccable

[blackdog]

SL230 is still my favorite "best of everything" road 250.

xt250 if ya can afford a good one they friggin' ride themselves

[Crasherfromwayback]

Sorry dude, after something learner legal and the budget's already stretched as! :crybaby:

If you can arsed flying down to Welly, I may be able to sort you out a VERY cheap GPX 250.

[SpikedPunch]

If you can arsed flying down to Welly, I may be able to sort you out a VERY cheap GPX 250.

Could be a long shot, but PM me some details anyway :)

[Crasherfromwayback]

Could be a long shot, but PM me some details anyway :)

Will do Saturday. One of the guys at work is looking to get one that needs a lil bit of work. He's a good mechanic, so will make sure it's good to go before he sells it on.

Pete

Wellington Motorcycles