Quick bike help...

[placidfemme]

Hey

I'm still looking for a nice 250 for Sam... The only one that I've come across that both Sam and I like is all the way down in Wellington... I spent an hour on the phone Yesterday and couldn't find anywhere that would ship the bike to Auckland for under $500 :no: So we've kinda given up on that one...

I've now found a Kawasaki Balius 250 (Pretty much a naked ZXR street fighter version) and it looks in pretty good nick (It's on TradeMe if you wanna have a look under "ZXR").

Anyway, Sam likes upright, non-faring bikes *sigh* So this one seems like a good deal, I've spoken to the guy selling it and he's not sure what the ride height is...

I don't want to waste his time, my time, Sam's time and Red Barons time... just to find that the bike is too high for her...

Now if anyone has owned one (or still does) please can you help me out...

Is the Balius lower than a Suzuki FXR150?

Is it about the same height as the ZXR250?

Thanks in advance

[bugjuice]

go to red baron, and all the other bike shops. See what bike best suits from the range, then narrow down your search to a few bikes instead of 'anything goes'.. At least you'll have a bit more aim that way. And test ride them too. Doesn't mean you have to buy them

[justsomeguy]

Well I think Sam should be fine on the balius - it's only slightly higher than your bike.

The seat is 29inches tall - compare that to Sam's inseam measurement for some idea.

PM Devil, if you want more info, as he has a Balius

[justsomeguy]

go to red baron, and all the other bike shops. See what bike best suits from the range, then narrow down your search to a few bikes instead of 'anything goes'.. At least you'll have a bit more aim that way. And test ride them too. Doesn't mean you have to buy them

I was at Red Baron yesterday ..... They have at least 6 gleaming (and I mean GLEAMING) ZZR250s....... among quite a decent selection - I think they've got a FZR, CBR, ZXR, VTR and maybe a GN as well......

So it's a pretty good choice if you want a one stop to test out all the bike sizes......

Their prices however.....:whistle:

[placidfemme]

go to red baron, and all the other bike shops. See what bike best suits from the range, then narrow down your search to a few bikes instead of 'anything goes'.. At least you'll have a bit more aim that way. And test ride them too. Doesn't mean you have to buy them

Yeah we've done the bike shopping thing... Been around... Sam likes the look of the VTR/Bandits/Hornets... But they are taller then her FXR. She doesn't like the CBR's because they have round lights (lol must be a girl thing), she doesn't like the GN250's as they arn't gutsy enough for her and she thinks they look too plain... She doesn't like the cruiser styled 250's...

She basically wants a ZXR, but doesn't like the ZXR's in the shops at the mo... and this is the closet thing to a ZXR that I can find that kinda meets her criteria...

*hard shopping for someone else*

I've shown her the pic's of this bike and she likes the look of it... I just don't wanna waste anyones time if she is gonna be on tip toes...

[placidfemme]

I was at Red Baron yesterday ..... They have at least 6 gleaming (and I mean GLEAMING) ZZR250s....... among quite a decent selection - I think they've got a FZR, CBR, ZXR, VTR and maybe a GN as well......

So it's a pretty good choice if you want a one stop to test out all the bike sizes......

Their prices however.....:whistle:

Sam doesn't like the ZZR's (And I thought I was fussy). YEah Red Baron's prices for 250's are like $6500

[justsomeguy]

Sam doesn't like the ZZR's (And I thought I was fussy). YEah Red Baron's prices for 250's are like $6500

Oh yeah...... sorry - the ZZR comment was personal(meant for me) I own a ZZR as you know and it's not exactly "mint" :laugh: - looking at the Line-up at Red B's was quite nice.

They do have a VTR which is a really, really good bike. Have a look at that too.

That Balius looks like a real nice bike. Devil manages to keep up with quite a few larger bikes on it - Well worth at least a test ride I guess.

[crashe]

Placidfemme - Drag the woman to ALL the bike shops in Auckland and make her sit on them all. Don't just go to Red Baron.
There are plenty of other bike shops around.

AMPs (since I forgot to add this in... Sorry Lou)
2 motorbike shops on the Shore. (Can't remember their names sorry)
Mt Eden bikes.
Colemans.
Henderson motorbikes 0n View Rd.
Haldanes.
Red Baron.

That way she will know what feels right for her.
Then she can test ride the ones on her list.

Thats the only way to do it...

[Paul in NZ]

I dunno....

If the weathers OK and you pay for the gas and a plane ticket home I reckon a few people here might ride it up for you? Or Sam/you could fly down and we would point you in the right direction. Time it right and you can sleep on our floor!

Just a thought!

Cheers

[justsomeguy]

Placidfemme - Drag the woman to ALL the bike shops in Auckland and make her sit on them all. Don't just go to Red Baron.
There are plenty of other bike shops around.

2 motorbike shops on the Shore. (Can't remember their names sorry)
Mt Eden bikes.
Colemans.
Henderson motorbikes 0n View Rd.
Haldanes.
Red Baron.

That way she will know what feels right for her.
Then she can test ride the ones on her list.

Thats the only way to do it...

Why go to all the shops if most of the bikes are available (for sitting on) in one place......

[placidfemme]

Placidfemme - Drag the woman to ALL the bike shops in Auckland and make her sit on them all. Don't just go to Red Baron.
There are plenty of other bike shops around.

2 motorbike shops on the Shore. (Can't remember their names sorry)
Mt Eden bikes.
Colemans.
Henderson motorbikes 0n View Rd.
Haldanes.
Red Baron.

That way she will know what feels right for her.
Then she can test ride the ones on her list.

Thats the only way to do it...

Thanks :) Yeah we did the bike run... went to about 5 different shops... she sat on nearly every damn bike around (It took ages...) but I didn't see Balius bikes and so I don't know what the ride height is... the guy said he doesn't want to ride from Howick into town just to see if the ride height is right for her... he said he'd try to measure it but didn't sound overly keen to do so... but keen enough to sell the bike...

I've PM Devil and asked him about his Balius :)


I dunno....

If the weathers OK and you pay for the gas and a plane ticket home I reckon a few people here might ride it up for you? Or Sam/you could fly down and we would point you in the right direction. Time it right and you can sleep on our floor!

Just a thought!

Cheers

Thats an Awesome idea :) I'll talk to Sam and see what she thinks about me flying down there to pick it up (hehehehehhe)

[Ixion]

Why go to all the shops if most of the bikes are available (for sitting on) in one place......

y'don't have much experience of women d'ya. :whistle:

Why go to all the clothes shops or shoe shops you might as well ask. :rofl:

[Drew]

I've shown her the pic's of this bike and she likes the look of it... I just don't wanna waste anyones time if she is gonna be on tip toes...
You do realise, that you can lower a bike a bit, without upsetting the feel too much.
Slide the forks into the yokes a wee bit, and Bobs your aunty :yes:

[aff-man]

i'll ride the bike up from welly :devil2: :devil2: :devil2:

if you worried about the size thing (i know they are expensive) but a CBR250 is probably one of the lowes riding positions

[justsomeguy]

y'don't have much experience of women d'ya. :whistle:

Why go to all the clothes shops or shoe shops you might as well ask. :rofl:

Hmm..... yeah......should have realised that this was a girl asking about going "shopping"

..... I've already told her earlier it's 29 inches...... and her partner has already sat on several bikes so it should be the same size......but hey what do I know...

I'll shut up now.....

[justsomeguy]

29" ok even I'll say thats impressive. :lol:

That's the seat height you little monkey :bash:

[N4CR]

i'll ride the bike up from welly :devil2: :devil2: :devil2:

if you worried about the size thing (i know they are expensive) but a CBR250 is probably one of the lowes riding positions

Yeah they don't call CBR250's toy bikes for nothing :lol:

[Zapf]

how ever.... does Sam like the thump thump of a twin or a buzzing multi?

[placidfemme]

i'll ride the bike up from welly :devil2: :devil2: :devil2:

if you worried about the size thing (i know they are expensive) but a CBR250 is probably one of the lowes riding positions

lol you'd thrash the hell out if... would get it back with no rubber left... and who knows what else :) lol

Seriously thought... I spoke to Sam about the Balius last night, she thinks its turning out to be a mission just to find the ride height... and that by trying to find out we're bugging too many people... which is about right...

I mentioned Paul in NZ's idea about getting the ZXR from Wellington... and me flying down there and picking it up and riding back :) She was like "How come you get to ride it back" and I said "Cause I'm familiar with ZXR's and with 250's and I've been on longer rides than you... just a safer option"

Dunno if I could handle the ride from Wellington... how many hours is it? The longest ride I've been on was this one we had on Sunday to the fish n chups place... Could I do it in one trip? Or should I get someone else to do it? Any suggestions on this would be great, as we are now leaning more towards the ZXR from Wellington....

But thanks for all the help and tips regarding the Balius :)

*might be going to Wellington dododa dooooooo*

[Riff Raff]

Dunno if I could handle the ride from Wellington... how many hours is it? *
I do it in 7 hours on the 650 - that includes petrol stops, pee stops, chocolate stops etc. (WT can do it in under 6 hours, but he's got a better bladder than me!)

When I rode my old 250 down it took 9 hours. If you haven't done a long trip I would suggest you do it over 2 days. It's pretty tiring and the roads are a wee bit more demanding at this time of year.

[Sparky Bills]

Dunno if I could handle the ride from Wellington... how many hours is it? The longest ride I've been on was this one we had on Sunday to the fish n chups place... Could I do it in one trip? Or should I get someone else to do it? Any suggestions on this would be great, as we are now leaning more towards the ZXR from Wellington....

But thanks for all the help and tips regarding the Balius :)

*might be going to Wellington dododa dooooooo*



If ya going to do it in one day, I suggest you leave real early and just take your time.
Stop at all the hot spots (haha ummm sorry dont know any) on the way up etc.
The trip seems to be more comfy when you do that. Always nicer if you have someone else to ride with too.

[unhingedlizard]

my mum has the same problems (i.e. she is a short ass)but really loves dads cagiva raptor, so she got one and took it to some place to have it lowered so she could ride it. All they did was trim some foam frmo the SIDE of the seat so her feet have a more direct route to the ground. Works a charm and isnt expensive. Just a thought.

[Paul in NZ]

It took me 7 hours Pukekohe to Raumati one evening / night in the rain on my old shitbox a while back and I have an old mans bladder.

Just be patient and its no problem.

Taking 2 days is better. I'm sure someone on the list can put you up for the night in central and frankly, I'd delay it to get good weather if there was any likelyhood of a southerly blow.

Cheers

[placidfemme]

Well I've e-mailed the guy selling the ZXR (ZXR250_NZ) and made my offer on the bike... just waiting to hear back... if all goes well the trip to Wellington will only be in about 2-3 weeks :) So still plenty of time to plan it all :)

[placidfemme]

:( arg... just heard back... he's already agreed to sell the bike to someone... but will let me know if it falls through :(

[placidfemme]

:( thats abit uncool.

*cough* ballus (I always drool over devils one in his profile) PLUS IT HAS A HORSEY ON IT!! A HORSEYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!

yeah a horseyyyyy... Sam can ride that (pun intended :devil2: )

It does look like a kewl bike... Devil's looks better because it's red... the one Sam and I were looking at is black (see pics earlier in the thread) with chrome wheels... looks alright... but I know I wouldn't settle for something just because I couldn't get what I want...

*always gets what I want lol*

So I don't think it's fari to buy the Balius for Sam knowing she'd rather have a ZXR...

*will wait for another good ZXR deal to roll around*

[justsomeguy]

Good Luck with the ride down there......Post it up on KB - there may be more than one person who could accompany you on a group ride/bring it up in their truck, etc

[placidfemme]

Guess shes got you by the balls?:no: Whos king of the castle? (yes I am going to hell:devil2:)

god that was dry, but yea at the moment you should be able to pick up a decent'ish zxr on tardy rather cheaply, I will keep my wandring eye open good luck in the mean time :yes:

lol

I believe in the "do unto others as you'd like them to do unto you" and I also believe in Karma.

I know I would never buy a bike (or anything else for that matter) that I wasn't 100% happy with. And I love biking and I love my bike. And I know Sam has a passion for biking too... so if I wouldn't buy myself a bike that I wasn't happy with... then I won't buy her one that she's not happy with...

After all... I'm the one who'll have to listen to all the bitching and moaning if she doesn't like it *sigh*

lol so yea...

In a nut shell...

Sam wants a ZXR, that has a few mod's on it... or at the very least an after market pipe... would prefer if the K's were under 42,000. The rest we can add on as time goes by...

But anyway :)

Thanks for all the help and suggestions :)

[aff-man]

Well now i'm insulted.... i don't ride bikes very hard at all what's this no rubber etc etc etc bussiness????? :whistle: :whistle:

Good luck and remember she'll probably drop her bike. Bikes that are mechanically excellent but have a few scratches are usually cheaper. I should know :rofl: :rofl:

[placidfemme]

Well now i'm insulted.... i don't ride bikes very hard at all what's this no rubber etc etc etc bussiness????? :whistle: :whistle:

Good luck and remember she'll probably drop her bike. Bikes that are mechanically excellent but have a few scratches are usually cheaper. I should know :rofl: :rofl:

lol :)

Yeah the ZXR we were looking at is gone :( But will still be keeping my eyes open for another one... she's keen as to be on a bigger bike... or any bike for that matter...

[Lou Girardin]

Placidfemme - Drag the woman to ALL the bike shops in Auckland and make her sit on them all. Don't just go to Red Baron.
There are plenty of other bike shops around.

2 motorbike shops on the Shore. (Can't remember their names sorry)
Mt Eden bikes.
Colemans.
Henderson motorbikes 0n View Rd.
Haldanes.
Red Baron.

That way she will know what feels right for her.
Then she can test ride the ones on her list.

Thats the only way to do it...


Thank you VERY much! What about us - AMPS. Give me those pants back. :devil2:

[placidfemme]

Thank you VERY much! What about us - AMPS. Give me those pants back. :devil2:

Which Pants?

Does AMP's sell second hand bikes? *can't afford a new one*

They always have nice shiney new "expensive" bikes in the windows... I drool everytime I go past there... but in all honesty... I've never been inside the doors...

[aff-man]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports-tourer/auction-30614370.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction_detail.asp?id=30650377&key=23571912
http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction_detail.asp?id=31239606&key=23571912

I'll test ride em for ya.... just to make sure they go of course..

Oh and a little something for ya when you get your full
http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction_detail.asp?id=31239606&key=23571912

[Devil]

... but in all honesty... I've never been inside the doors...
I was the same till last weekend. I had previously been put off by the shit parking around there.

Sorry about the drool marks on the Hornet, Lou (I might have to bug you for a deal one day). That black KTM 640 'tard is sexy too.

[placidfemme]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports-tourer/auction-30614370.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction_detail.asp?id=30650377&key=23571912
http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction_detail.asp?id=31239606&key=23571912

I'll test ride em for ya.... just to make sure they go of course..

Oh and a little something for ya when you get your full
http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction_detail.asp?id=31239606&key=23571912

thank you :)

But um...

Ok... Sam is your typical chick when it comes to shopping... even shopping for bikes...

she is so damn fussy, we've been bike shopping for 4 months now... and everytime she hum's and har's about the bikes I find... then finally agree's to one (like the ZXR that we just missed out on) and by the time she agrees to it... its gone :(

She doesn't like round lights in the front on a sports bike, she wants an after market pipe... she would prefer yellow (god help us) but will accept anything not pink and preferably not white...

And the list goes on...

So far ZXR's are the most likey to get approval from her...

*is getting tired of bike shopping*

[crashe]

Thank you VERY much! What about us - AMPS. Give me those pants back. :devil2:

AWWWWWWW I am soooooo sorry Lou...

I totally forgot about AMPs.
Will you please forgive me ?

and please let me keep the pants....
they are sooooo great and so warm to wear.
Yep I found the leak last monday night thou..
Think I may have solved that wee problem....lol

Pladicfemme, take Sam over to AMPs, as you get wonderful help over there.
Especially from Lou.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lou I have added in AMPS into my original post on page 1 just for you sweetie.

[crashe]

I had previously been put off by the shit parking around there.

Parking was better there until the city Council decided to do road works and remove most of the footpath where all the bikes used to park.

[aff-man]

thank you :)

But um...

Ok... Sam is your typical chick when it comes to shopping... even shopping for bikes...

she is so damn fussy, we've been bike shopping for 4 months now... and everytime she hum's and har's about the bikes I find... then finally agree's to one (like the ZXR that we just missed out on) and by the time she agrees to it... its gone :(

She doesn't like round lights in the front on a sports bike, she wants an after market pipe... she would prefer yellow (god help us) but will accept anything not pink and preferably not white...

And the list goes on...

So far ZXR's are the most likey to get approval from her...

*is getting tired of bike shopping*

Woman sheeeeeeesh. *large sigh of resignation* :rofl: :rofl:


p.s. anything can be modified. Hell my first bike i bought an old 88' vt250 and after i blew the first engine i put a vfr400 pipe on the second one. Looked ok but sounded beasty.Just get the most bang for your buck and get on the road :Punk:

[Eurygnomes]

Hey PF...there's a great company called CycleMove who transported my GN250 from Hamilton to Wellington for $168incGST. Which wasn't prohibitively expensive at the time. The guys name is Alan and his number is 0274226568. They move bikes all around the (at least) north island, and the bikes are well strapped in.

Hope no one takes offense at me printing names and numbers here - but it seems to be a useful and possibly underutilised resource due to lack of knowledge rather than lack of availability.

[hondacmx450]

Hey

I'm still looking for a nice 250 for Sam... The only one that I've come across that both Sam and I like is all the way down in Wellington... I spent an hour on the phone Yesterday and couldn't find anywhere that would ship the bike to Auckland for under $500 :no: So we've kinda given up on that one...

I've now found a Kawasaki Balius 250 (Pretty much a naked ZXR street fighter version) and it looks in pretty good nick (It's on TradeMe if you wanna have a look under "ZXR").

Anyway, Sam likes upright, non-faring bikes *sigh* So this one seems like a good deal, I've spoken to the guy selling it and he's not sure what the ride height is...

I don't want to waste his time, my time, Sam's time and Red Barons time... just to find that the bike is too high for her...

Now if anyone has owned one (or still does) please can you help me out...

Is the Balius lower than a Suzuki FXR150?

Is it about the same height as the ZXR250?

Thanks in advance

mat for $250 i will drive down and get it for you and drop it off at your door with a smille

[placidfemme]

mat for $250 i will drive down and get it for you and drop it off at your door with a smille

Thank you for the offer :) but the bike has been sold to someone else :(:(:(

[aff-man]

just a small question and you don't have to answer but what is your budget?? Cause i find that although a zxr/cbr looks good they are unfortunatley quite dear. And the chaep ones are usually poked :nono:

[placidfemme]

just a small question and you don't have to answer but what is your budget?? Cause i find that although a zxr/cbr looks good they are unfortunatley quite dear. And the chaep ones are usually poked :nono:

We're looking at about $4500 or $5000 at the most. Anything over $5000 and we can't do it (because we'd still need to get it insured and stuff).

So at the moment the details for the bike wanted are:

ZXR250 (preferably C model)
No round lights in the front and prefebly no round lights at the back either
1992 or newer
Less than 40,000K's on the clock
Any colour except pink (lol)
Would prefer if it had an after market pipe

Everything else we can add to the bike ourselves...

[aff-man]

We're looking at about $4500 or $5000 at the most. Anything over $5000 and we can't do it (because we'd still need to get it insured and stuff).

So at the moment the details for the bike wanted are:

ZXR250 (preferably C model)
No round lights in the front and prefebly no round lights at the back either
1992 or newer
Less than 40,000K's on the clock
Any colour except pink (lol)
Would prefer if it had an after market pipe

Everything else we can add to the bike ourselves...

Shit why you buying private. For $5k you can get a shop zxr and that comes with a 3 month warrenty...

http://www.bikepoint.co.nz/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=944556&TabID=3553&Alias=bikepointnz
http://www.bikepoint.co.nz/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=955755&TabID=3553&Alias=bikepointnz

A bit far away but damn tidy bikes

Or a bit closer
http://www.bikepoint.co.nz/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=919510&TabID=3553&Alias=bikepointnz

There are a lot more zxr250a models for that price and they are in auckland so if you can convince her of the 2 headlight thingy...

[myvice]

If Sam wants to try a bandit out she's free to try my one, running a bit sick when hot at the moment (caus I thash it, caus I'm bad :devil2: )
Just drop me a PM if you want.

[HDTboy]

I'd sell you my bike cheapish, but it falls outside all of your criteria. if you'd said "faster than PFs bike" then I'd have something to work with :p

[placidfemme]

I'd sell you my bike cheapish, but it falls outside all of your criteria. if you'd said "faster than PFs bike" then I'd have something to work with :p

lol dude my bike is faster than yours hands down... it's just the rider who's a bit slow :( lol

Most of the ZXR's we're looking at in the bike shops are $6000+

We could use her FXR150 as a Trade In, but then we're paying $4500 for the ZXR. Where as if we buy privatley (sp) then we're paying about $5000ish and then can sell the FXR privatley and use the FXR money to put towards the loan and then we're actually only paying about $3000 for the new bike...

I don't wan't to loose too much money on the FXR. I know on TradeMe we can get at least $2000. Trade In we're only getting $1200 (and thats the best offer out of 4 bike shops), they all advised selling it privatley otherwise we'll loose too much.

The FXR150 is 2002 and has less than 8000km on the clock and has only ever had cosmetic damage, no mechanical damage, and it's been fixed to look brand new again (new farings, new decals and the such).

We're keeping the "bike shop" option as our last option

[johnny]

I saw Colemans Suzuki @ K'Road (oppisite Mobile) they have one Kawasaki Balius 250 for sell.... but dont know if they sold that one or not !! go and try out or ring them first!!!
Good Luck finding a new bike!!!

[aff-man]

lol dude my bike is faster than yours hands down... it's just the rider who's a bit slow :( lol

Most of the ZXR's we're looking at in the bike shops are $6000+

We could use her FXR150 as a Trade In, but then we're paying $4500 for the ZXR. Where as if we buy privatley (sp) then we're paying about $5000ish and then can sell the FXR privatley and use the FXR money to put towards the loan and then we're actually only paying about $3000 for the new bike...

I don't wan't to loose too much money on the FXR. I know on TradeMe we can get at least $2000. Trade In we're only getting $1200 (and thats the best offer out of 4 bike shops), they all advised selling it privatley otherwise we'll loose too much.

The FXR150 is 2002 and has less than 8000km on the clock and has only ever had cosmetic damage, no mechanical damage, and it's been fixed to look brand new again (new farings, new decals and the such).

We're keeping the "bike shop" option as our last option

there is one on the list i posted for 5K and it meets all of your criteria. Also just go into a bike shop and batter your eyelashes ad walla a $6k bike down to $5k. They can usually always give you a better price than the marked one