Analyse this

[HarbourMaster]

Perhaps I should really see a therapist, but I thought this would be a good place to get some advice, before the guys in the bike shops confound me. I'm a newbie/wannabie - so to speak. I'm yet another guy wanting y'all to tell me which bike I should get. Either that or tell me to get my head read :)

The earthquakes in chch + the price of fuel have got me thinking about getting another bike. I was going to wait until my kids had grown up before getting back on bikes, but I think my midlife crisis has been brought forward a few years, probably due to the earthquakes. So that all sums up my excuse.

I used to own an SL100 (loved it man), an MB50, and a VT250. So all Honda. Not sure how I ended up parting with the SL100 and then found myself riding the MB50. We won't go there. Too long ago to remember anyway. VT250 was ok. I think I got it because I thought it would impress girls. Let's not go there either. The VT felt heavy. I preferred the upright riding position of the SL100. It was more fun to ride, even if the VT had more grunt.

I'm really looking for a commuter bike, to save on fuel and parking etc. I reckon that will be 99% of my riding. However, believe it or not, I want something that would get me back to, or out of Lyttelton after an earthquake, via dirt tracks if necessary, but at least over the boulder strewn Port Hills roads. It would have to deal with all the potholes, cracks & stones & gravel & liquefaction on the chch roads anyway, which is going to take yonks to sort out.

I don't like to part with my money, and want excellent mileage. So I reckon I'm looking for bikes around or under 250cc. Not just on price & mileage, but also because they tend to be lighter bikes. I really don't care much about performance, though I do live up a steep hill. But it has to be a real bike, not a scooter alright! I want to swing my leg over something that looks decent. There is still a bit of testosterone in me. Oh yeah and I'm about 5 7'' and 75kg (Joe average).

I've done a bit of paper/web research and come up with a couple of options. One of which I don't even think I can get here in NZ. However I'd like to know what you guys think. I'll reveal my options once you guys have had a chance to laugh in my general direction.

Many thanks in advance, and thank-you for reading my life story.

[bogan]

Hmmmm, being able to cope with rough terrain, and being good on gas are generally somewhat exclusive. However, if you are low speed commuting, a small dual sports bike probly won't be too bad on gas. Maybe an XR250 or DRZ250?

[jim.cox]

Any 250 dual purpose bike would work

But since you seem to like Honda's, maybe an XL or XR250 ? Or an AX-1 ?

If you are prepared to change brand, there's lots of yellow, blue and green options.

But I think the orange ones look to be the most fun :)

[HarbourMaster]

Crikey that was quick. You guys read fast. I hardly hit the send button.

I'm brand agnostic. The fact that all my previous bikes were Hondas was a bit of a coincidence.

[Ender EnZed]

I don't like to part with my money, and want excellent mileage. So I reckon I'm looking for bikes around or under 250cc. Not just on price & mileage, but also because they tend to be lighter bikes.

Do you have a full licence? If you're not restricted to 250cc it'd be worth looking at slightly bigger bikes as well since the price of most 250s tends to be inflated due to the learner/restricted cc limit.

EDIT: And bigger engine doesn't necessarily mean heavier and uses more petrol.

[AllanB]

Hornet 900.


OK, I admit I suggest that for every one when they ask 'what bike' - but if you could find some 17 inch dual purpose tyres ..............



Seriously just get a road legal 250cc trail bike - DR was a good suggestion.

Or a motard.

[HarbourMaster]

I'll pass on the Hornet 900. You made me look though.

This is some great feedback guys. I have a full licence, so I could go up to something a bit bigger if it would be a good fit.

I'm thinking about buying new. That's me chanelling my midlife crisis. However I also still have a mortgage and kids school fees to pay. So although I'd like to treat myself to a new vehicle for the first time, I don't want to stretch the finances too much.

The first bike that took my fancy was a DR200SE. It looked cheap and ticked lots of boxes. Based on feedback I reckon should test ride DRZ250 and DRZ400 as well.

I noticed on US websites there is a Honda CRF230M and DRZ400SM, both motarded sort of things. They look like candidates to me, on paper anyway. Is it possible to get them here? The motard/moto setup seems to gel with me. What motard bikes are sold in NZ?

[sil3nt]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-373993454.htm

[YellowDog]

I big +1 for the dual pupose options.

400cc will do you well for taking your 75kg up those steep hills.

There are some great new bike deals around, which are IMO comparatively better value than many of the used bike options.

Good luck.

[blackdog]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-373993454.htm

Roger that.

[blackdog]

Or XT250 if ya gotta stay that small...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-367297382.htm

Remember, at a dealers, the asking price is only their target. ;)

[YellowDog]

I must say that the XT is a much nicer looking piece of kit :yes:

EDIT: Here's Coleman's latest NEW Bike Specials:

238588