Any bikes that a learner should avoid?

[Matariki]

*250cc or Under*

With all the different motorcycle models out there, which are the ones that learners riders should avoid when purchasing a bike?
How does a new rider identify a poorly made bike?

[Sable]

GN250s, Yamaha Scorpios. They'll ruin your street cred.

[Crasherfromwayback]

GN250s, Yamaha Scorpios. They'll ruin your street cred.

Unless you can ride 'em on one wheel for over a km.

[Logpot]

I'd avoid bikes that look like this (http://pulsarwallpapers.com/data/media/23/old_motorcycle_broken.jpg)

Are you looking for a bike or just making a list of bikes to avoid to pass the time?

If you're looking why not let everyone know what sort of riding your doing and ask for bike suggestions. Someone will point you in the right general direction.

[Gibbo89]

*250cc or Under*

With all the different motorcycle models out there, which are the ones that learners riders should avoid when purchasing a bike?
How does a new rider identify a poorly made bike?

Don't get something you will get sick of in a few months. Something with at least 2 cylinders is a good start if you are not going to want an off road bike as well as an on road bike.

[The Singing Chef]

Stay away from this one.

[tigertim20]

*250cc or Under*

With all the different motorcycle models out there, which are the ones that learners riders should avoid when purchasing a bike?
How does a new rider identify a poorly made bike?

simplest answer, probably best to avoid two strokes for your first bike, and stick to a recognised brand. also have someone knowledgeable go with you if possible when looking at buying, or get it looked over by a shop/mechanic before handing over your cash

[Rhys]

Make shore you can put both feet on the ground and it is not to heavy and any two stroke with power band :shutup:

If you sit on it and it feels comfortable it will be a good fit

[koba]

simplest answer, probably best to avoid two strokes for your first bike.

Rubbish.
But if one was to get a two stoke it would be better to get a tidy lower KM one.

[blackdog]

One word (10 chars)

Japanese.

And then get on with it. It's a learner FFS.

[DrunkenMistake]

If you have friends, then Avoid Honda's, Unless your gay.


All seriousness though, just get your money in order, then look at bikes within your budget and then narrow it down to bikes that you like, IE. Sports bikes, go around some shops and find the one/similar one and sit on it, try squeeze them for a test ride, if its not you then move on to the next, dont fuck around with should I do this, or do that, or suck his hairy nut sack,
Getting useful advice on KB is like not getting an STD from a cheap asian hooker.
..

But I love you guys <3

[hayd3n]

simplest answer, probably best to avoid two strokes for your first bike, and stick to a recognised brand. also have someone knowledgeable go with you if possible when looking at buying, or get it looked over by a shop/mechanic before handing over your cash

cough cough what was the first bike you bought your wife ?

[DrunkenMistake]

cough cough what was the first bike you bought your wife ?

Still amazes me she stuck around. :innocent:

[ducatilover]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-392801280.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-393428505.htm

I can check the latter bike out for you if you're still thinking of a Scorpio :yes:

[FJRider]

Read the CRASH stat's ... and AVOID the one's at the top of the list .... :innocent:

[tigertim20]

Rubbish.
But if one was to get a two stoke it would be better to get a tidy lower KM one.
do you not read? did you miss the word 'probably'? while some people have experience with bikes or mechanical issues etc previously, not all do. if someones looking for their very first ever experience with bikes, avoiding a 2 stroke will generally provide a slighly easier learning curve, slightly lower expenses, and slightly less maintenance, so yes, in that sense, its PROBABLY best to avoid them as a FIRST bike.

cough cough what was the first bike you bought your wife ?

lol yeah, that was one of the best lies I ever told "Hey babe, I bought a new bike, and 'its a bike for you' babe":innocent:

[James Deuce]

2nd hand learner bikes. They're all ridden by learners who couldn't keep a goldfish alive, let alone a motorcycle roadworthy.

[ducatilover]

2nd hand learner bikes. They're all ridden by learners who couldn't keep a goldfish alive, let alone a motorcycle roadworthy.
How did I keep my VT250 Spada alive for 130,000km of me riding it? :innocent:

[James Deuce]

How did I keep my VT250 Spada alive for 130,000km of me riding it? :innocent:
You're a born biker mate. You need to work on your sarcasm to become a born sarcastic biker though.

[FJRider]

How did I keep my VT250 Spada alive for 130,000km of me riding it? :innocent:

ALL your friends were behind you ... :innocent:

[DrunkenMistake]

ALL your friends were behind you ... :innocent:

Well it was a Honda,
and Honda's love it from behind

[ducatilover]

You're a born biker mate. You need to work on your sarcasm to become a born sarcastic biker though.
I do think we need a sarcasm font :facepalm:


ALL your friends were behind you ... :innocent:
:yes: Three Hondas.....I'm a huge bum pirate now.

[koba]

do you not read? did you miss the word 'probably'? while some people have experience with bikes or mechanical issues etc previously, not all do. if someones looking for their very first ever experience with bikes, avoiding a 2 stroke will generally provide a slighly easier learning curve, slightly lower expenses, and slightly less maintenance, so yes, in that sense, its PROBABLY best to avoid them as a FIRST bike.


Probably sounds less than convincing.

[James Deuce]

do you not read? did you miss the word 'probably'? while some people have experience with bikes or mechanical issues etc previously, not all do. if someones looking for their very first ever experience with bikes, avoiding a 2 stroke will generally provide a slighly easier learning curve, slightly lower expenses, and slightly less maintenance, so yes, in that sense, its PROBABLY best to avoid them as a FIRST bike.




Err, rubbish. A top end rebuild on a two stroke costs less and is much simpler than a valve check on a GN250. Not that anyone EVER does a valve check on a GN250, cos most of the owners are micro-cephalic barbarians.

I think it should be compulsory for learner bikes to be two strokes, but the knee-jerk eco-weenies have buggered that.

[Matariki]

I'd avoid bikes that look like this (http://pulsarwallpapers.com/data/media/23/old_motorcycle_broken.jpg)

Are you looking for a bike or just making a list of bikes to avoid to pass the time?

If you're looking why not let everyone know what sort of riding your doing and ask for bike suggestions. Someone will point you in the right general direction.

Just looking to pass the time, I can't ride at the moment with a broken leg and even more of a broken bike. So I'm looking to buy a new one, but first I wanted to do some research.

[sinfull]

a broken leg and even more of a broken bike. .

243375..............

[Matariki]

243375..............

I'm not sure if that set up would work against a mobility van failing to give way and hitting you head on. :facepalm:

[YellowDog]

Just looking to pass the time, I can't ride at the moment with a broken leg and even more of a broken bike. So I'm looking to buy a new one, but first I wanted to do some research.

I do hope you have found this thread humorous :lol:

FWIW - The Scorpion is IMO the best learner option, as it is more like a real bike than the others (just IMO).

Hope the leg heals up soon :yes:

Oh.... and avoid bank account damaging bikes like this:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J3_liDBfbvs/TEJPkn3THlI/AAAAAAAAw2A/FwpeGjpCNAU/s1600/2011-BMW-S1000RR-in-Action.jpg

[DanielSumi]

Had a bandit 250 in the first month, pain in the ass to commute (acceleration non-existent under 8k rpm. Felt like a hooligan on every light/stop). :facepalm:

Bought a VTR 250 in the second month (awesome all around. only cons imo, to short for me and VERY expensive 2nd hand bike.) :niceone:

Got a DT230. Best thing since sliced bread (if you are restricted that is). At LEAST 200km with 11l and 1l of oil every 500km so it's a cheap commuter. Maintenance is now and then, not that bad really and you can do most of it with some basic tools.
Easiest thing to ride, nimble, good acceleration, great brakes and the best part of it:
Keeps cages miles away from me since its burnt mixture smells like :sick:.
Oh and it can do some occasional trail ride.

Bad points i can think of: sounds like a chainsaw and doesn't have the looks. Did I mention that i smells like burnt oil and petrol now? Won't get you any chicks. Heaps of fun tho. :woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

[ducatilover]

Your DT230 uses as much petrol as my 600 :gob:.

The reason most people say steer away from two strokes is non powervalve ones have ugly power delivery. In general they have a higher need for major maintenance.

[DanielSumi]

Your DT230 uses as much petrol as my 600 :gob:.


Good point. But smaller engines works harder. Or so they say. My bandit used to do 160-180km with full (15L) tank. Most of my commuting is on motorways.

[DrunkenMistake]

Your DT230 uses as much petrol as my 600 :gob:.

The reason most people say steer away from two strokes is non powervalve ones have ugly power delivery. In general they have a higher need for major maintenance.

^^ +1

that and If I remember right a NSR 250 (2 stroke sports bike) has more Hp at the back wheel than my 4stroke 400. If not more very similar.

And you can get strawberry scented 2 stroke oil, should pull the chicks :facepalm:

[DrunkenMistake]

Good point. But smaller engines works harder. Or so they say. My bandit used to do 160-180km with full (15L) tank. Most of my commuting is on motorways.

I finally had my bike rejetted etc and its doing about 200km to 13L and its all short burst riding, so I cant wait to see what it does on a long trip.

[ducatilover]

^^ +1

that and If I remember right a NSR 250 (2 stroke sports bike) has more Hp at the back wheel than my 4stroke 400. If not more very similar.

And you can get strawberry scented 2 stroke oil, should pull the chicks :facepalm:

Once the old NSR250 etc were derestricted the could just manage to outrun the 400s in a straight line, impressive wee things. Didn't sound as good as a VFR though...:facepalm:
Strawberry scented 2 stroke oil? That would be Honda specific wouldn't it?

[DrunkenMistake]

Once the old NSR250 etc were derestricted the could just manage to outrun the 400s in a straight line, impressive wee things. Didn't sound as good as a VFR though...:facepalm:
Strawberry scented 2 stroke oil? That would be Honda specific wouldn't it?

Haha I would think so,
I think it comes with optional pink tassles.

[ducatilover]

Haha I would think so,
I think it comes with optional pink tassles.

My Hondas did.

I'm going to have to stop the Honda bashing when I get another one. :angry:

[EJK]

I'd say stay away from Chinese brands. Never owned one but heard plenty of unfortunate stories.

[DrunkenMistake]

My Hondas did.

I'm going to have to stop the Honda bashing when I get another one. :angry:
I still own one.. :facepalm:



I'd say stay away from Chinese brands. Never owned one but heard plenty of unfortunate stories.

+1 I have herd some nasty stories about shit welds etc etc
If all else fails go for the mighty GN, but make sure you get new tyres if you buy it new! factory tyres are like plastic, the bike will rust away to dust before the tyres even show any age.

[baptist]

My Hondas did.

I'm going to have to stop the Honda bashing when I get another one. :angry:

:shit:... Don't do it, life is not that bad... :innocent:

[ducatilover]

:shit:... Don't do it, life is not that bad... :innocent:

:drinkup::drinkup::drinkup: Touche.

[Oblivion]

+1 I have herd some nasty stories about shit welds etc etc
If all else fails go for the mighty GN, but make sure you get new tyres if you buy it new! factory tyres are like plastic, the bike will rust away to dust before the tyres even show any age.

I agree with you on the plastic tyres bit. I have had the current tyres in mine for more then 3k kms and there still little to no wear on them. They have absolute horrible grip, but they are good for teaching me to keep control of the bike. Except that one time I hit a puddle of diesel coming round a roundabout. Had to use my knee :facepalm:

[DrunkenMistake]

I agree with you on the plastic tyres bit. I have had the current tyres in mine for more then 3k kms and there still little to no wear on them. They have absolute horrible grip, but they are good for teaching me to keep control of the bike. Except that one time I hit a puddle of diesel coming round a roundabout. Had to use my knee :facepalm:

Iv seen some messy intersection stopping with GN's in the wet,
even in the dry! .. Fuck that! haha, Hell I have had two bikes so far and both have been second hand, and I have replaced both sets of tyres with brand new or near new tyres of an excellent quality. Its the difference between be staying on the bike, and sliding around a corner

[Brayden]

Don't buy something you'll get bored of like a Scorpio or GN250, my mate was sick of his GN after 2 weeks!

[DrunkenMistake]

Don't buy something you'll get bored of like a Scorpio or GN250, my mate was sick of his GN after 2 weeks!

its a 250,
Your gonna get sick of it pretty quick lets me honest.

[ducatilover]

Don't buy something you'll get bored of like a Scorpio or GN250, my mate was sick of his GN after 2 weeks!

It all depends on how you ride. You can have a laugh on a GN. I did 11,000km on mine, sure the power got boring after the first 20 seconds, but, you could abuse the shit out of it and get some hilarious lean angles on the sport demons. Scorpio is a better bike IMHO though :yes:
Your Spada is always my first recommendation for a learner though, awesome all round bike, mine sounded mad with the twin pipes and equal length headers, went well too. It's the only 250 I have ridden that I am comfortable doing 500km a day on.

[baffa]

Avoid any brand that isnt Honda.

Non Honda riders are the types to use a cubicle to pee, so they bash on the superior brand to make themselves feel better.


(This does not apply to Honda cars. As fair as I'm concerned, Honda doesnt make any).