Stick with 250cc or go up?

[haydes55]

just wondering from some of your perspectives what to do. Getting a licence takes time and you need a 250. for the price of a decent 250 I can buy an even better larger cc bike. I have ridden larger cc bikes both off road and on road. I have owned a 250 for 6 months and used it most days and have clocked up thousands of km's. I have raced speedway (a 500cc bike) since I was 12. I'm not being arrogant (just saying I can handle a bike) I'm not an idiot on the road, I've had my full cage licence for 3 years and never crashed and don't speed (don't speed on my bike either). I know how dangerous the road is on a motorbike (had many many cars pull out in front of me and cut me off etc).

Options I have right now:
1. buy a 250, sit my licences (can go for restricted now)
2. buy a CBR400 or 600 (or similar like a Gixxer or Ducati monster 600) and hire/borrow a 250 to get my licences and try not get caught
3. fly to Rarotonga, have a holiday and get a licence there and convert it to NZ

I want a bigger bike because it is cheaper, can get a tidier bike that is more reliable. Also I take long rides, the 250's don't like these too much.

[Oakie]

"I fought the law and the ... law won"

[unstuck]

Took me 31 yrs to get caught with no bike license. $400 if caught though.:Police:

[Blackshear]

The raro loophole hasn't closed yet? :eek:
My TL will be patched in a couple months!

[haydes55]

unstuck Location Gore

Might have something to do with avoiding the cops for so long haha

I was never pulled up on my 250 even though it sounded like a 400 (no baffle in the muffler)

most cops wouldn't bother doing a random traffic check on a motorbike and if I don't break the law I shouldn't have an issue, I have known of loads of people who have harleys and other large motorbikes and never had a licence, never heard of anyone getting caught (probably because they outrun the cops :/ ...) I would rather take the $400 fine than endanger anyone else (and my shiny awesome bike).

[Milts]

The Raro loophole is closed now - you need to get a full license in one of a set range of countries, and the Islands are excluded...

Personally I don't think there's anything particularly wrong with a good 250. I wouldn't say it's enough of a difference to risk the hundreds of dollars and the demerits for 12 months though.

With more people not paying their rego, and motorcyclists being a target of the 'safer roads' policy, the odds of being pulled over now for a license check are significantly higher than 2 years ago.

[haydes55]

The 250's have no guts (I had a 4cyl FZR250 which has more power than any modern 250)
And I think the risk is very small. Seriously, all you guys on bigger bikes, how many times have you had to produce your licence?

[unstuck]

Location Gore
First 11 years were in Auckland.:niceone:

[2Seat_Terror]

Never had a license check, but I have been breath-tested on the bike.. that was amusing.

IMHO Get a 250 to thrash (if you must) while you go through your licenses, then go big. Don't become another statistic in the 'nasty evil bikers' world-view. You don't have to spend large on a 250, get a cheaper one, sounds like you might be capable of doing any work required?

If you have to ask...

[sil3nt]

You don't speed and all 250's do 100kph.


Problem solved.

[Boomtrain]

Get a beefier 250. I'll be happy with my 2-stroke for awhile to come. Has oodles of power and still perfectly legal for a learner (for now).

[Blackshear]

The 250's have no guts (I had a 4cyl FZR250 which has more power than any modern 250)
And I think the risk is very small. Seriously, all you guys on bigger bikes, how many times have you had to produce your licence?

Rode my TL on an invisible learners for almost 4 months and got waves through a couple stoppies and even escorted home.
That being said, I've been brutally raped for an askew L plate and doing 75 in a 100 - 50 zone, for being a learner.

[sleemanj]

Get something like a Spada, will keep you amused while you're on your R.

[DR650gary]

I would get a road legal 250 adventure bike, TTR250 or similar, ride it till full license then use it for off road adventures when you get your beast. A decent 250 adventure bike will ride with the big boys and will give a decent ride until you have your full license.

I am sure you can handle a bigger big but every time you get caught you will get an extra six months added and once they have you in their sights, you will get caught more than you want.

Just my opinion.

[unstuck]

Im not riding my 750 until I get my license. Gonna get me a road legal trails bike.Had to strip the VF though to resist the temptation, cos Im a stupid bugga.:bleh:

[CookMySock]

Nuthin wrong with riding a 250 on the open road unless its a GN or something. Put a loud pipe on it and just go ride it and enjoy yourself.

[Oakie]

. Seriously, all you guys on bigger bikes, how many times have you had to produce your licence?

Whenever I've been naughty and get pulled over. I suppose if you ride like an angel then the chances are smaller of having to produce ... however there are still random checks that might get you. On the other hand if you are going to ride like an angel a 250 is probably all the bike you need unless you plan on going touring with a pillion.

[ducatilover]

Get something like a Spada, will keep you amused while you're on your R.

This.

I spent 3 and a half years/130,000km on a Spada. It was fine.

[danchop]

i got my full licence in 1984 as soon as i turned 15(only 6 months then between restricted and full) and after all the mega bikes ive owned my next is a new aprilla rs250,much more fun i reckon with the laws of today,unless you want to tour of course

[Gremlin]

I don't see a question in the thread. You seem to want a bigger bike already.

[rossirep]

bigger bikes are more fun than a shitty 250 this is true, but with out the right licence you will be alway on edge when ever you see a cop, and not only will ya have to worry about getting tickets and demerit points and waiting even longer to finally get your full licence you will also have no insurance on what ever bike you decide to ride,

get a 250 motard and rape it till you get your full, or just get a bigger bike.. ;-)

[SMOKEU]

I suggest you stick with a 250cc bike till you get your 6F. It's just not worth getting caught and cops often pick on bikers. I've been stopped by the cops a few times before on my bike (but never given any infringement notices) just for a quick license and WOF check.

[Tigadee]

For those of you who have been stopped before, were you wearing your high-vis vest?

I have a theory that the police don't if you're wearing one because you appear to be safety-conscious and sensible...

[RickyT]

I've pondered the same question. Depends whats the purpose of the bike.

I've found my GV250 absolutely perfect for commuting, doesn't lose speed with a pillion and handles the wellington winds fine. And best part about it ... average milage is 28k/L .

I would like to see if there is any power dip with a windshield and saddle bags, but at the moment, I see almost no reason to upgrade to a bigger bike . That said ... haven't tried bigger bikes yet..!

[carbonhed]

I've been stopped twice in the last 18 mths when I just happened to be the next bike along after they'd lost a runner and a further three times on the Paekark and Rimutakas when they were running "safety" promotions... I must be cursed :rolleyes:

So I wouldn't advise riding without the correct license :laugh:

[nzspokes]

So if your on restricted and on a 600 what do you get hit with? Say the bikes legal as in current reg and Wof and you wernt speeding?

[HenryDorsetCase]

"I fought the law and the ... law won"

16u0wwCfoJ4

best version.

[baffa]

Keep in mind its 35 odd demerits for riding outside your license. 35 for bigger cc bike, 35 for riding after hours, and say 35 for getting snapped doing 30 or so kays over, and you could lose ur license in one hit.

I say rock the 250, I'm hanging out for a bigger bike myself, but everytime I attack a twisty road I end up grinning like a loon. It wont take that long before you can sit your full anyway.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Buy an Aprilia RS250, or that TZR250 3XV, or even an RZ or RD250.

yeeee haw!

[PeteMun]

thank fuck I got my restricted before my hornet got pinched..

Im gonna rent a 250 and just try wing it :laugh: I havn't ridden in years but I heard it comes back to you soon enough.. A bit like riding a bike

[Gremlin]

Keep in mind its 35 odd demerits for riding outside your license. 35 for bigger cc bike, 35 for riding after hours, and say 35 for getting snapped doing 30 or so kays over, and you could lose ur license in one hit.

No. If you incur multiple infringements in one stop, all the $ fines are added up, but you only receive one set of demerits, the highest set, and all the others are ignored.

[SMOKEU]

No. If you incur multiple infringements in one stop, all the $ fines are added up, but you only receive one set of demerits, the highest set, and all the others are ignored.

Since when is that?

[Gremlin]

Since when is that?
I've never known it to be different...

[haydes55]

cheers guys, think I'll stick to a lil 250 for now.

Do they make 250cc motards?

(side note, anyone ever dealt with a 250cc bike that had been bored out?)

[Oakie]

For those of you who have been stopped before, were you wearing your high-vis vest?
I have a theory that the police don't if you're wearing one because you appear to be safety-conscious and sensible...

It may be that a person who would wear a hi viz vest will actually BE riding in a safety-conscious and sensible manner anyway and will therefore not attract cops by their actions, not their wardrobe.

[Oakie]

Do they make 250cc motards?

I invented them. Round about 1980 I had an XL175 and after a while I realised that I only used it on the road so I stuck road tyres on it (Avon Roadrunner on the back and something Japanese on the front). Worked a treat.

[Genie]

cheers guys, think I'll stick to a lil 250 for now.

Do they make 250cc motards?

(side note, anyone ever dealt with a 250cc bike that had been bored out?)

Hi, after reading of your previous experience I think that in no time at all you'll be wanting a bit more power between your legs. Get yourself a cheapish 250 for licence purposes and when you hit the big time, then spend some real money on a bike that you'll love and keep for ages.

I know that whatever you do you are going to have some amazing adventures, keep yourself safe and enjoy this amazing country.

[haydes55]

Cheers Genie =) I just brought a hyosung GT250R (might just peel/paint over the hyosung logo and get an aftermarket exhaust to pretend its better haha)

[FJRider]

Since when is that?

Since ages ago .... The cop that "lets you off" a few demerits ... HAS to ...

[steve_t]

Cheers Genie =) I just brought a hyosung GT250R (might just peel/paint over the hyosung logo and get an aftermarket exhaust to pretend its better haha)

There's a dude in Hamiltron with a GT250R with a slip on and it's sounds awesome :niceone: Enjoy your ride, man :cool:

[Oakie]

Cheers Genie =) I just brought a hyosung GT250R (might just peel/paint over the hyosung logo ...to pretend its better haha)

Nah. Ride it with pride. At least it has two wheels.

[Old Steve]

Guy out Waihi beach way (Scorp) had a Hyosung GT250 with Screaming Demons on it - said it sounded like it was chuckling under his arse. I've debaffled my GV250, love that throbbing sound at 4000 rpm with a little throttle on.

[haydes55]

Guy out Waihi beach way (Scorp) had a Hyosung GT250 with Screaming Demons on it - said it sounded like it was chuckling under his arse. I've debaffled my GV250, love that throbbing sound at 4000 rpm with a little throttle on.

the sound of a bike is very important. the reason why I would never own a NSR250, hate 2 strokes!

[Genie]

Cheers Genie =) I just brought a hyosung GT250R (might just peel/paint over the hyosung logo and get an aftermarket exhaust to pretend its better haha)

Not that I know much about anything but I have heard they are quite a nifty wee bike. Enjoy and ride with pride.:msn-wink:

[Icemaestro]

How much longer do you have on your licence? Im selling a bros 650 that will be under the LAMS next october...its a good step up from a 250 too, will be one of the biggest cc bikes on LAMS next year...

[haydes55]

How much longer do you have on your licence? Im selling a bros 650 that will be under the LAMS next october...its a good step up from a 250 too, will be one of the biggest cc bikes on LAMS next year...

Booking in my restricted as soon as I get my new bike here =) I might just stick to the Hyosung for a while (I can ride it worry free until I get my full)

What bike is it?

[Icemaestro]

this one: Here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/144090-Low-km-1988-Honda-Bros-650)

[ducatilover]

this one: Here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/144090-Low-km-1988-Honda-Bros-650)
Not a bad deal.
I paid $1930 for mine in '05. It was uber hotted up, the owner just thought it was a noisy bike that was too tall for her :niceone::Punk:

[imdying]

the sound of a bike is very important. the reason why I would never own a NSR250, hate 2 strokes!That's totally how I pick my bikes too. I'll always take the slow ill handling badly put together Korean piece of shite over a quicker superior handling Japanese bike that I merely don't like the sound of :facepalm: Enjoy that sack of shite, you deserve it.

[ducatilover]

That's totally how I pick my bikes too. I'll always take the slow ill handling badly put together Korean piece of shite over a quicker superior handling Japanese bike that I merely don't like the sound of :facepalm: Enjoy that sack of shite, you deserve it. Win.

Repped.

[DrunkenMistake]

Do what your going to do,
be prepared to accept your decisions though,
I have a 250 for about 5 - 6 months, I ride every day all weather, had the bike all winter and I rode a twisty rode,
I took baby steps and got a VFR 400 NC30, mainly due to the fact that I had wanted one for so long,
then I had that a further 6 months and it was stolen and dumped in the harbour, so with my pay out I got the Hyo Gt650r, regardless to what people say, I dont mind it, Its not a super quick bike been a twin but I had reasons for going for a twin, I commute 90% and fang 10%, so a screaming 4il wanting to do the speed of light isnt a practical decision.

In my opinion though, I would get a 2stroke 250 if I had the chance, I almost did a week ago, there is one at one of the bike shops for 2,500 its a beat up looking NSR but cheap as dogs balls.