Restricted passed today. Looking for a bigger LAMs approved bike

[superjackal]

Hi

Looking for a spot of advice.

I passed my restricted licence this morning and am looking to chop the GN250 in for something bigger. On a (very) windy day I can be down to 80kph on the motorway. To take advantage of traffic flows you need a bit more oomph every now and then. The GN250’s very easy to ride but lacks stopping power. It’s nice and narrow but I can’t hear it if it’s parked up at the lights near buses (or bigger bikes).

I like the look of the Suzuki s40, but read reviews that it gets out of breath at about 100kph (which is my frustration with the GN250).

Don’t mind the style, just got to be LAMs approved and up to $6,000. Preferably 2000AD+. Power is good, not looking for anything crazy though.

Appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks

[ducatilover]

There should be a fair few small cruiser bikes on the LAMS list, wouldn't bother with the S40/650 Savage, slower than a wet week.
I'd be looking for a smaller VT Honda, XV Yamaha or anything along those lines, two cylinders are better than one :D

[Akzle]

... two cylinders are better than one :D

by that logic, four are better than two.

... i have a gsx750 i'll sell you for 6k$ :D

[FJRider]

Make your own wind ...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-517617314.htm

[superjackal]

Make your own wind ...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-517617314.htm

Very nice looking bike, mate!

[curly]

XJR400
1999 http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=511661244
2001 http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=511661675

edit: I don't know if they're on the LAMS list though.
edit 2: They're on the LAMS list (http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/getting/motorcycles/approved-motorcycles.html#approved).

[FJRider]

XJR400
1999 http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=511661244
2001 http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=511661675

edit: I don't know if they're on the LAMS list though.

Red one's go faster ... Road trip coming up ... :laugh:

[ducatilover]

by that logic, four are better than two.

... i have a gsx750 i'll sell you for 6k$ :D
I'll do a deal, a GN with three engines totaling 1150cc and a ZX6 for $10k?

[nzspokes]

Just get a 250 Hornet. Fast, easy to ride and fun.

[Maha]

Very nice looking bike, mate!

What about something like this?....http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-515457380.htm

Can only but test ride I guess.

[Glowerss]

Just get a 250 Hornet. Fast, easy to ride and fun.

+1 on the hornets. Still one of the best bikes even with LAMS. Also look out for 250 bandits.


What about something like this?....http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-515457380.htm

Can only but test ride I guess.

Those, sadly maha, aren't LAMS approved or Ida bought that one myself :bleh: It's a whole 1 BHP over the limit, otherwise that would be a fantastic bike.

My final suggestion is make sure you ride before you buy as much as possible. In the very least make sure you have a good sit on as much as you can.

[badbui]

What about something like this?....http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-515457380.htm

Can only but test ride I guess.

That SV400 was my bike...AWESOME BIKE but I wanted to ride legally(wasn't on the lams list) so I traded the bike in for a drz400sm.
I really got screwed on the trade though.
I had the bike serviced ($380 everything besides the valve clearances checked) with them 800km before the trade...everything was in great order apparently.
Come trade time they found some issues with tires, fork seals etc.
I told them they either screwed me on the service or screwed me on the trade.

good bike for shorter people and the power and sound is lovely.

[duckonin]

There should be a fair few small cruiser bikes on the LAMS list, wouldn't bother with the S40/650 Savage, slower than a wet week.
I'd be looking for a smaller VT Honda, XV Yamaha or anything along those lines, two cylinders are better than one :D

So you are telling all on a restricted licence when up-grading to get something 'fast then ? Now that is good advice !!

[Maha]

+1 on the hornets. Still one of the best bikes even with LAMS. Also look out for 250 bandits.



Are 600 Hornets on the LAMs list?....http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-471899994.htm
And its in Wellington.

[Glowerss]

Are 600 Hornets on the LAMs list?....http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-471899994.htm
And its in Wellington.

At 98 BHP I'd guess probably not :laugh: Most lams bikes are either single cylinder, or older bikes. Anything modern with more then 400ccs that wasn't designed explicity for LAMS most likely wont be. You'd need to be looking at things like ER5f, ninja 400s, GS500s, a smattering of motards, a fair few cruisers, or some old shite.

There are a few sweet bikes on there that shouldn't be ( the RVF 400 is best example) but they're fairly hard to find.

Bikes can be submitted to LAMS pretty easily, and they get back to you within a day or two if you submit by email. It just has to be under 150 KW/tonne which NZTA figures by power in KW divided by bike weight + 90kg rider x 1000.

The 600 Hornet for example is 268 kw/tonne.

As for some bike suggestions:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-511481903.htm which is from RB wellyingtonton. Whitetrash who is a KBer is one of the sales guys and will set you up nicely if you give him a chat. He's fantastic to deal with and will see you right.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-515947255.htm
Bit older but worth a look if you can find somebody to give it a going over

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-516079974.htm
Otherwise keep an eye out for these. Possibly not that one, but certainly keep an eye out for a 250 hornet in good nic. They're a full sized bike, and they have heaps of go in em. Theyre reputed to go forever. If you have any questions look for gijoe in the hornet swarm thread. He seems to know everything there is to know about em.

[superjackal]

Awesome post - thanks for your help!






At 98 BHP I'd guess probably not :laugh: Most lams bikes are either single cylinder, or older bikes. Anything modern with more then 400ccs that wasn't designed explicity for LAMS most likely wont be. You'd need to be looking at things like ER5f, ninja 400s, GS500s, a smattering of motards, a fair few cruisers, or some old shite.

There are a few sweet bikes on there that shouldn't be ( the RVF 400 is best example) but they're fairly hard to find.

Bikes can be submitted to LAMS pretty easily, and they get back to you within a day or two if you submit by email. It just has to be under 150 KW/tonne which NZTA figures by power in KW divided by bike weight + 90kg rider x 1000.

The 600 Hornet for example is 268 kw/tonne.

As for some bike suggestions:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-511481903.htm which is from RB wellyingtonton. Whitetrash who is a KBer is one of the sales guys and will set you up nicely if you give him a chat. He's fantastic to deal with and will see you right.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-515947255.htm
Bit older but worth a look if you can find somebody to give it a going over

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-516079974.htm
Otherwise keep an eye out for these. Possibly not that one, but certainly keep an eye out for a 250 hornet in good nic. They're a full sized bike, and they have heaps of go in em. Theyre reputed to go forever. If you have any questions look for gijoe in the hornet swarm thread. He seems to know everything there is to know about em.

[ducatilover]

So you are telling all on a restricted licence when up-grading to get something 'fast then ? Now that is good advice !!
Fast being used in a very, very loose sense. :laugh: