Yet another new person looking for the first bike

[yellotrace]

I've been a cyclist for a long time, always wanted a motorcycle but never got around to it. Turned 25 few months ago, and I've been thinking about it for a while and decided to give it a go.

I'm in Wellington, I weigh about 165-70 pounds, 5'8.
Obviously I'll be needing a learner's bike for at least a year.
And I'm not sure what course I should take.

I thought about getting a GN125 until full license and switching over.
I also thought about getting Ninja 250 or something similar and keeping it for a few more years. Before upgrading to something sport around 650cc.

I would like the bicycle for mainly joyriding, and commute maybe once in a while, and joyriding with a passenger to the bays or something. (The passenger is 135-140 pounds and will go down or so she claims).

From the light reading I've been doing, GN125 might not be enough for joyriding with my girlfriend. If this is true, I will have to change to something bigger as soon as I get F license. But i'm not sure if I'll be ready for a 650cc sport(or not) bike after a year with GN125.

What do you think is the best course of action?

[avgas]

Never stick to 1 bike.
GN125 is a good bike for one simple reason. You buy it for a couple grand, ride it for a couple of thousand k's and get your basic skills sorted then sell it for what you paid for it......
It has good brakes, good suspension, and good engine to learn on. And if it costs you effectively nothing to have - you lose nothing.
After a few month riding it, you sell it and get something like a 250 sports bike and keep that until you get your full.
Then look at 350-600cc range. The 400's are a great step up as you can have the same fun as you did on the 250 but you have that extra little push. The geometry is EXACTLY the same so you would not have to learn the bike at all if you went from say a CBR250 to CBR400 as it the same bike but more hp.

[White trash]

Yamaha Scorpio. 225cc Single Cyl 4 stroke, more torque, more comfort and better quality than a GN125. Also alot better resistance to corrosion. They're cheap as chips new as well.

Feel free to cruise past TSS Red Baron in Cuba Street, Alicetown Lower Hutt. Ask for Jimmy and I'll show ya the bikes we have available. Might even make you a coffee :D

[slofox]

The passenger is 135-140 pounds and will go down or so she claims.

WILL she just? Damn - that's a good deal!

[sil3nt]

Whats with all this imperial measurement bullshit!

[slofox]

Yamaha Scorpio. 225cc Single Cyl 4 stroke, more torque, more comfort and better quality than a GN125. Also alot better resistance to corrosion. They're cheap as chips new as well.

Feel free to cruise past TSS Red Baron in Cuba Street, Alicetown Lower Hutt. Ask for Jimmy and I'll show ya the bikes we have available. Might even make you a coffee :D

WT, how does the seat height of the Scorpio compare with other 250's?

[YellowDog]

Yamaha Scorpio. 225cc Single Cyl 4 stroke, more torque, more comfort and better quality than a GN125. Also alot better resistance to corrosion. They're cheap as chips new as well.

Feel free to cruise past TSS Red Baron in Cuba Street, Alicetown Lower Hutt. Ask for Jimmy and I'll show ya the bikes we have available. Might even make you a coffee :D

+1 for the Scorpion over the GN.

It rides more like a real bike should :yes:

[yellotrace]

Whats with all this imperial measurement bullshit!

Sorry, I had to google for the imperial measurements myself.
Born in Korea(metric), educated in Canada(education in metric, imperial for practical).
174cm, 75kg

[White trash]

WT, how does the seat height of the Scorpio compare with other 250's?

Just measured it, 760mm (or 30 inches for our Canadian educated friend :D).

[kiwifruit]

Scorpios are excellent learner bikes. Well balanced. Be sure to replace the tyres.

[blackdog]

get WT to show ya the XT250 while you are there, it will offer a heap more fun and versatility than the scorp

[nodrog]

..... (The passenger is 135-140 pounds and will go down or so she claims)......

WOW, and thats for a GN125! What will she do for a ride on a Hyosung?

Fanny.

[Cayman911]

No doubt what so ever go try a NXR 125. its a honda. its bullet proof. its light as a feather. and it's got so much low end grunt. it will easily manage on the road + even more impressive off road.

it's more expensive than the GN 125, 250, and even the scorpio. but it's money well spent. looks better, goes better, handles better.

and GN's are just gay .

and just one more thing, the NXR can handle passengers, but it may lose a bit of the stability as you can imagine on a light tall bike. if you wana go cruising with your gf. get a ninja 250 or wait for the new cbr250.
just avoid GN's at all cost

[sil3nt]

Anything less than a 250 will bore you within 6 months. If your going less than 250 get the Scorpio 225.

[yellotrace]

Well, GN125 is out the window.

What is the resale value on the Scorpio like?
I have absolutely no doubt that it's a great bike. But I will most likely be replacing it as soon as I can manage something bigger. (As shallow as it must seem, I really don't like the look)

[zmlam]

Hi,

I would recommend the Honda VTR 250 - think its slightly torquer then the scorpio, great for learners and has good resale value. Has a bigger build over the scorpio too.

Am the same height/weight to you, and its comfy.

[Hiflyer]

Hi,

I would recommend the Honda VTR 250 - think its slightly torquer then the scorpio, great for learners and has good resale value. Has a bigger build over the scorpio too.

Am the same height/weight to you, and its comfy.

VTR 250's don't hold their value as well as other bikes IMO, due to the fact that they are still produced and cos an arm and a leg to buy brand new.

Sure WT will correct me if this isn't the case tho!! :shutup:

[blackdog]

forget the vtr, look at the hornet if you want to go for pillion friendly

[Splineman]

I am a returning motorcyclist having spent a lot of time on a variety of bikes over the years. I recently bought a Scorpio just to "get my toe in" again so to speak. I love the bike. A willing smooth enough engine. Really good on gas, about 3L/100km. Will run at 100kph easily without too strong a headwind. Easy light handling and a low seat height. Traditional not too loud styling, except the decals.
Oil changes are a 10min cinch to perform. Only 1.3L required. No plastic and crap in the way. Good for a commuter like myself.
I am about 65kg, short in the leg and find the bike quite comfy.
Yeah a pleasant motorbike. Fit for purpose....commuting in my case mostly and shortish rides around the Manawatu.
I paid 4K all up.
Hope i've been helpful.
Cheers, Nigel



I've been a cyclist for a long time, always wanted a motorcycle but never got around to it. Turned 25 few months ago, and I've been thinking about it for a while and decided to give it a go.

I'm in Wellington, I weigh about 165-70 pounds, 5'8.
Obviously I'll be needing a learner's bike for at least a year.
And I'm not sure what course I should take.

I thought about getting a GN125 until full license and switching over.
I also thought about getting Ninja 250 or something similar and keeping it for a few more years. Before upgrading to something sport around 650cc.

I would like the bicycle for mainly joyriding, and commute maybe once in a while, and joyriding with a passenger to the bays or something. (The passenger is 135-140 pounds and will go down or so she claims).

From the light reading I've been doing, GN125 might not be enough for joyriding with my girlfriend. If this is true, I will have to change to something bigger as soon as I get F license. But i'm not sure if I'll be ready for a 650cc sport(or not) bike after a year with GN125.

What do you think is the best course of action?

[DrunkenMistake]

I have a honda CBR250R for sale, simply cant get bored of it,
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=360574794
Alot of people have speculated that the clock is wound back I can provide the plate details so you can car jam it, Its possible it was wound back before export to NZ, but I have had it looked over by a couple of people and they are all certain its more than legit. let me know if your interested, I am happy to work something out, maybe I can help with the transport costs or something.