How do I start?

[thekingpin]

Hey guys, I have been looking into getting a motorbike for a while now. I am 16 years old and cars are just too boring to drive. I am looking at getting a 250 because I heard they are great for learners and theres lots of room for improvment. My budget is 3000 and I have nothing at the moment. I know I am going to do a $200 course to get my license. I need to know what kind of price I would be looking at for equipment and what would be left over for a bike. And what kind of bike would be best for me as a beginner. Thanks

[unstuck]

Try before you buy, visit a few bike shops and sit on a few and get the feel of the kind of bike you like.
Spend as much as you can afford on gear, cos its alot nicer knowing you have good gear on. Have you ridden many bikes? If so what sort?:Punk:

[thekingpin]

Nope, never ridden on a bike. Just mopeds. Can you start on any style?

[unstuck]

Nope, never ridden on a bike. Just mopeds. Can you start on any style?

No restriction on style, just cc,s. Do you have any mates with bikes, even a dirt bike? Doing that course is a really good idea, but you need to know the basics first.:msn-wink:

[Maha]

You have to start on a 250 and stay on a 250 until you get your full.
So choose wisely (bike wise)
Sitting your BHS (Basic Handling Skills) test is step number one.
As for the gear, both Motomail and Cycletreds will do Learner/beginners packs.

[Fast Eddie]

its the LAW!!

although that is changing innit? lams..

anyway, good on you for thinking about the gear etc..

when I started I just spent all my money on the bike and then some..

still the same..

buy a bike first, anythings good. pick one you like, and worry bout the gear later. grab a helmet tho

yut UUUGGGHHH

clutch it up to wheelie and buy some more sprockets so you can do doughnuts

[thekingpin]

What would be the best buy for me with $1900? Reliability and Petrol Costs are my top priority.

[Asher]

Be aware that the laws are changing around what bikes you ride when on your learners, you could buy a bike bigger than 250cc and wait for the laws to change, they are meant to change around October. Search 'LAMs' here and you will find heaps of info.

As for riding gear there is a huge price range out there, browse trademe for good secondhand gear. I recommend buying a helmet new and trying it on first so you get a good fit.

You could spend winter saving and slowly buying gear and be ready to have an awesome summer on the bike.

[Fast Eddie]

What would be the best buy for me with $1900? Reliability and Petrol Costs are my top priority.

dunno, those are both the bottom priorities for me..

haha..

1900 is a reasonable amount for a commuter or decent bike. If you can go up to 2,500-3 you could get almost anything.

[SMOKEU]

its the LAW!!

clutch it up to wheelie and buy some more sprockets so you can do doughnuts

+1 to that.

[mossy1200]

I got this for $101 dollars. Buy something and do it up. Sit learners on a loan bike and do up a lams bike for October. Buy your gear while you wait as it comes up for a good price. new helmet and the rest new or second hand.

[sil3nt]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-472680445.htm

You would be silly not to get this assuming the bike runs fine (which it should since they are very reliable and its only 5 years old.

[Maha]

What would be the best buy for me with $1900? Reliability and Petrol Costs are my top priority.

Not alot of credence should be taken from what one or two have said, especially when you are a 16 year old looking to get into motorcycling..
A 250 bandit/vtr or hornet? something along those lines would be perfect and put you in good stead when the time comes to step up.

Suzuki Bandit...http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-472834788.htm
Honda Hornet...smart looking and very tidy..http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-470993562.htm

The link that sil3nt put up is good buying also.

[nzspokes]

I would see these guys for your BHS, they also have a couple of different model bikes for you to use which may help with bike choice.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/134748-Auckland-motorcycle-instruction-and-Basic-Handling-Skills-testing

I cant recommend them enough.

[sil3nt]

Plenty of cheap GN250s as well. Not the best bike around but certainly not the worst. Perfect for city commuting.

[Akzle]

ahh good on ya young buddy. welcome to the two-wheeled brethren.

1-keep in mind what's between your ar5e and the pavement is important, regardless of what bike you're on.

2-a 200$ helmet serves the same purpose as a 900$ one, just sans-bluetooth.

3-as i understand they're changing L condition to reflect power-weight which means you could be elegible for some 400s etc, and not elegible for an rs250.

4-last time i checked you don't have to sit a learners bike prac test -
it's the car scratch and win, a specialist bike scratch and win, and you present your basic handlers cert, get your mug shot and autograph taken... so the court knows where to send the fines.

5- any first bike is a good bike. (except a GN250 >< )
personally i'm old school, and prefer older technology that's easier and cheaper to fix if you're handy. my first bike was a gpz250r (ninja) 1988. i miss it.
i'm not a sportbiker by nature, i learned to ride on the farm so i prefer a more upright riding position and throw the bike around underneath me, rather than the "one-ness" required for a sports.

if you have mates who ride then take them for a hoon, (the bikes. not your mates) if not, get some.
no-one else can tell you what you'll like and/or feel comfortable and safe on and there's no point getting a bike you're unhappy with cos someone else thought it was the shiz, then you fell off and break yourself.

sum up:
get gear first: Helmet + GLOVES (minimum requirements by sanity and legislation), jacket, pants, boots, in that order.
test ride a few bikes and work out what you like/dislike about each
buy a bike you feel comfortable on and develop skills, handling, technique,
hook up with other local riders
get another bike, then another.
buy a bigger garage to fit your bikes in.
buy more bikes.
--ENJOY

[tnarg]

You can buy mine. Will do you a good deal. Asking less than $2000 and will throw in some boots.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/149417-1990-Suzuki-Bandit-250cc-2000-ono?p=1130315341#post1130315341

[Fast Eddie]

thats pretty mint ^^

does it go, yut UGGGGHHHH?

[Retep5]

Here's my 2 cents worth or is it 10 now.

I have just been on my learners for the last 6 months.
I didn't know anyone with a bike let along that would let me near it.
So I ended up going and finding someone that gave lessons.
I picked it up in the first 40 mins and did my test right there and then.
But I have been riding push bikes since I was five so balance is reasonable.
So I would recommend if you have no biker mates try to find someone that does some learner courses. Then do your course and go bike hunting/trying.
O and get some gear you don't need the latest greatest but new helmet and textiles will do to start with.
Also welcome to 2 wheels it's an awesome experience.

[dogsnbikes]

Or there is this certainly own by a carefull owner
:corn:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/149611-05-GN-250-all-the-gear?p=1130319514#post1130319514

[Oakie]

Mmm. My humble opinion ... of the bikes offered so far on this thread, the Kawasaki 250 would be my pick. Nothing wrong with the others at all but that's a pretty new bike for not many dollars. For an easy bike to ride, the GN250 would be it. Scorpio is a pretty decent learner too.

[Glowerss]

That red ninja that was posted is mint. Otherwise, you can get a really good scorpio for around the 2k mark. They're much better built (imho) then the chinese built GN 250s and heaps more fun as well. So long as youre not a fatass like me, a Scorpio is a fantastic little bike to learn and start out on. That would get you along until LAMS comes in no problem. And considering you can pick them up brand new for 4k, and 2-3 years old for 2, you won't lose any money on the thing either.

[Tigadee]

I reckon helmet, gloves and boots are the absolute minimum, followed by jacket and pants [armoured].

Considering how much our lives depend on gadgets and other devices/activities that requires constant use of our hands and fingers, a well-armoured pair of gloves is as essential as a helmet.

After my little footsie-with-the-bike incident last week and limping around like a dork for the last 6 days, I think a very good pair of boots are also essential, because the well-armoured and reinforced variety will prevent you being off your feet for an inconvenient amount of time.

Any part of your body that has small bones [i.e. hands and feet, spine, etc] should have extra protection. Jacket and pants are obvious so I won't mention them... My 2 cents.

Tnarg - That's a nice lookling Bandit. Like the white...

[CookMySock]

What would be the best buy for me with $1900? Reliability and Petrol Costs are my top priority.You MIGHT get a tidy 2003 Comet for that, but more like $2500 perhaps. They are easy on gas (350km on 16L), modern enough to not have bits rotting off them, and enough km's on it to be well-sorted.

[Mplant]

I'm also looking for a bike and came across this one and would like your thoughts about it http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-473795091.htm

I want be able to do long distances comfortable and it has to be reliable because it will be used every day.

I think its just a bit to cheap? And its al the way over in Wellington.. quite a distance
Or just go for the kawa balius or the other Auckland based kawa?

[Nzpure]

Buy a CX500 awesome bike reliable as all buggery got enuogh guts to go on big trips great commuter bikes. Just wait till october. Then when your done buy a busa and do skids and powerslides (powerslides are ok a Fast Eddie?) and massive wheelies!

[GrayWolf]

ahh good on ya young buddy. welcome to the two-wheeled brethren.

1-keep in mind what's between your ar5e and the pavement is important, regardless of what bike you're on.
AGREED, the gear IS as imprtant , not just for protection in the even tof, but also from the elements, cold, wind etc. AND all gear is not equal, buy cheap? expect cheap performance. There is a reason besides price a jacket costs from $150 to over $500

2-a 200$ helmet serves the same purpose as a 900$ one, just sans-bluetooth.
BOLLOX...... google the SHARP helmet testing website and look at the performance of various helmets.
A $200 helmet will meet the required MINIMUM safety requirement... the MINIMUM...... however there ARE also some bloody good bargains to be found with careful research and shopping around. Old stock helmets/gear being offed at reduced prices are always worth a serious look.


3-as i understand they're changing L condition to reflect power-weight which means you could be elegible for some 400s etc, and not elegible for an rs250.

4-last time i checked you don't have to sit a learners bike prac test -
it's the car scratch and win, a specialist bike scratch and win, and you present your basic handlers cert, get your mug shot and autograph taken... so the court knows where to send the fines.

5- any first bike is a good bike. (except a GN250 >< )
personally i'm old school, and prefer older technology that's easier and cheaper to fix if you're handy. my first bike was a gpz250r (ninja) 1988. i miss it.
i'm not a sportbiker by nature, i learned to ride on the farm so i prefer a more upright riding position and throw the bike around underneath me, rather than the "one-ness" required for a sports.
HUH?? You cant GET any more 'old school' than a GN250, SR250, Scorpio etc.
Yes GN's are slow and 'low powered' but they are also extremely forgiving, reliable of oil changes etc have been done correctly AND have been seen to rack up some serious K's over the years and still chug along. Also economical, cheap to service (single banger)... which is also a consideration you need to look at, 4 cylinder bikes are simply more expensive to service. A good option is a V or parallel twin.


if you have mates who ride then take them for a hoon, (the bikes. not your mates) if not, get some.
no-one else can tell you what you'll like and/or feel comfortable and safe on and there's no point getting a bike you're unhappy with cos someone else thought it was the shiz, then you fell off and break yourself.
I would have to agree with that, the 'Shizzz'?/ CBR250RR thrashed to fuck every day, etc etc is so often called the shizzzz. It and its similar 250 sprot bikes are high revving FRAGILE machines and WILL in the end require a huge rebuild. or just go bang. Up to you if you want to take the risk with a 20yr old bike with a series of Looney plater owners before you.

sum up:
get gear first: Helmet + GLOVES (minimum requirements by sanity and legislation), jacket, pants, boots, in that order.
test ride a few bikes and work out what you like/dislike about each
buy a bike you feel comfortable on and develop skills, handling, technique,
hook up with other local riders
get another bike, then another.
buy a bigger garage to fit your bikes in.
buy more bikes.
--ENJOY

Good luck, and enjoy once you have selected your machine and are on the road

[The Pastor]

get a bike that you dont mind dropping, as most people drop, fall off or crash their 1st bike. A gn250 is good for this.

Keep it then sell it once you can ride and get a nice bike.

[Fast Eddie]

Buy a CX500 awesome bike reliable as all buggery got enuogh guts to go on big trips great commuter bikes. Just wait till october. Then when your done buy a busa and do skids and powerslides (powerslides are ok a Fast Eddie?) and massive wheelies!

haha yea but you need special sprockets n shit to do skids n doughnuts..

make sure when you wheelie that you like.. YUT uuuuuggggh!

[Nova.]

No such thing as boring cars, just boring drivers :weird:

[cheshirecat]

Out side bike choice I reackon its really important to find another biker or two to help in the first stages. -braking corneriing basics, dos and don't - they will ride with you if only for half an hour. Most bikers i know would help here - you could even flag one down, actually no need just stand by your bike looking lost and the first one by will stop.
Even go to a bike shop, someone there may help out for a beer or two. Its on all our interests to make sure you don't come to grief - or the bike.

[Tricia1000]

If you haven't bought a bike yet, then get a gn250. I bought one to use as a training bike about 4 years ago from trade me. Easy to service, virtually indestructible when dropped and they haven't changed the design in nigh on 20 years.
I went to give a lesson to a girl in Auckland for the first time (lesson with me, that is) and she had an almost new ninja. Beautiful bike, but she had already dropped it several times, whilst having lessons with another instructor. The fairing on both sides was badly damaged. This isn't an issue in a naked bike.
If you do go for a gn250, don't get one made after 2009, as the new ones have vastly inferior metal/frame/mudguards etc.
With regards to gear: never, ever buy or use a 2 nd hand helmet. You don't know the history of it. Even a small drop can give hair line cracks.
The order for buying your gear should be helmet and gloves, boots next, then trousers next, and lastly jacket. Why in that order?
I have worked as a nurse in an operating department for the last 20 years. In fact, it was the vast number of motorcycle injuries coming through the door that encouraged me to become an instructor.
There are more foot and lower leg injuries from m/c crashes than any other type of injury, so good boots that come up above your shin are a must. Even dropping the bike from a stopped position can fracture an un protected ankle.
Most people who start motorcycling, first get a great jacket with a terrific spinal board. Yes there are spinal injuries from m/c but they are far fewer than lower leg and foot.
If you haven't done your basic handling yet, give me a shout, and I will do it for you at a 50% off price.
The rest of the money you save from this, put towards your safety gear.
When you go to the shops to try stuff on, don't take your wallet. Sit on lots of bikes. Decide what style you would like. Sports, cruiser, in between. Then try on lots of gear. You should try to get removable lining when you get a jacket. Some trousers have removable linings too. Make sure the clothes aren't too tight, so that you can wear a sweater or two under the jacket in winter. Some bikers have the trousers a size bigger, so they just put the bike trousers over a pair of jeans going to school/work/study.
There is heaps more info to know before buying.
If you need any further advice, call me on 0212693246 and I would be happy to help out.
Tricia

[Akzle]

The order for buying your gear should be helmet and gloves, boots next, then trousers next, and lastly jacket. Why in that order?
I have worked as a nurse in an operating department for the last 20 years. In fact, it was the vast number of motorcycle injuries coming through the door that encouraged me to become an instructor.
solid advice. and it is for a similar reason that i had "gloves" as high priority. as a nurse you may have encountered (at least heard of) "de-gloving". for those that havent: i'm sure youtube will bring up some lovely pictures....

and i can vouch for the boots too (i still don't have any...) but i put my 185 down on my foot (after some persuasion from a by a 4x4 in auckland) didn't actually break anything but i was hobbling for months...

[Mplant]

If you are still looking for a bike mine will be up for sale soon. It's a Honda CBR250 from 1988. Old little lady but she does the job well and still looks nice. Along with the bike you also get my gear: gloves, jacket, pants, helmet. And some tools to be able to do your own servicing ;)