New bike advice wanted

[Fergus]

So I'm looking for a bike...

I have a few thousand k's experience on an RD50 (:o) and a hundred or so on a vfr400
but haven't riddenfor 7-8 years (asides doing the BHS test a few weeks ago..)

My criteria:
parts availability
reliability
open road ride-ability
power

I'll be commuting and some long trips (hamilton - gisborne) so comfort is a factor too. I'm 6ft, 85kg.

I have already bought all riding gear.
I'll be doing all the maintenance and repairs I can, I have tools and some mechanical experience.
my budget $0 - $2600ish. Cheaper is better as the balance will be go towards maintenance,
repairs, WOF, reg ect during the year when I'm back to being a broke student..

I have been through heaps of "First Bike" threads and know I really need to look them over (i'll be taking calipers, multimeter, ect :innocent:) and test ride them, but any help on which are worth the time to check out is much appreciated..

The main contenders:

92 bandit $2200
The leader of the pack at the moment, waiting to hear back about it.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/156207-1992-Suzuki-Bandit-250-quot-Jolene-quot

92 bandit $2000 ono
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=560549307

94 zzr250 $1995
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=558926379

99 zzr250 $2500
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=558656616

97 bandit250 $2100
needs at least a tune..
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=558402355

01 GPX250
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=548458997

89 ZXR250
fork seal and bleed nipple problems..
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=559668989

88 VTZ250 $1800
claims to be "meticulously maintained" ...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=557798055


Honda Jade 250, have emailed to ask what he wants for it (wants 1700 dep. + balance, but no mention of how much the balance is..)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=559816199


86 GPZ250R (ninja) $1500
these two statments make me want to run away..
"IM RUNNING SUPER LUBRICANTS IN THE MOTOR OIL WHICH CAUSES SLIGHT SLIPPING OF CLUTCH IF ACCELERATED HARD"
"OWNERSHIP PAPERS DO NOT SUGGEST BIKE HAS DONE 128,000KM
HARD TO SAY."
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=548887147



Not interested in GNs or Hayabusas..:sick:

Any help is much appreciated. :scooter:

[Madness]

Why are you specifically looking at 250's?

[Fergus]

I'm not. These are bikes that fit my criteria and just happen to be all 250s..

I'd rather something bigger but haven't found anything..<_<

[Glowerss]

The KB bandit would be my pick. GSF seems pretty good about his bikes and keeping them up to a high standard.

[Akzle]

tl:dr

tlr000.

[Fergus]

tl:dr

tlr000.

http://imexel.com/en/products/electronic-controllers/series-tlr-000/

Looks cool, but not really my colour :scooter:

[tigertim20]

increase your budget and look at something like an SV650 thats had the suspension tickled a little.

Buying a shit bike now, rather than saving a little longer and getting something better is a silly idea.
another $1300 and you will have some much better options

[Grizzo]

Definitely check out the bandits. Great bikes and a bunch of fun!

[Fergus]

increase your budget and look at something like an SV650 thats had the suspension tickled a little.

Buying a shit bike now, rather than saving a little longer and getting something better is a silly idea.
another $1300 and you will have some much better options

So all these bikes are shit?

Increasing my budget would mean waiting for my next internship next summer or selling some or my guitar gear...Not going to happen :no:

[TheTengTheory]

Considered the Hornet 250s?

I've done 5hour trips with only two or three breaks inbetween for fuel and toilet stops. No problems comfort wise apart from been an naked. You get use to that anyways.
Gets around 5L/100km with a morderate fist, mix of open and city riding.

Comfortably sits at 100-120km unless its very windy weather. Overtaking with gusto just requires two gear shifts and its right in the sweet spot, one if you time it right and the cager doesn't try racing ya. Mine struggles past 135 but its a 250, don't expect a speed machine. Never fails to bring a grin to my face wringing it up to that though. Sounds phenomal past 8-9k revs despite only been a 250.

You'll find that the cheaper you get generally the more maintenance its gonna cost beyond WOF and Rego and once it starts involving the carbs and pistons, the price will shoot through the roof but that applies for most motorbikes anyways. Mind you I've clocked 5k in the last two months on my hornet and its sitting at 69.5k and only had to do regular maintenance all of which I've done myself with my limited tools and basic knowledge.

No experience on the Jade but from what I understand it has the same engine as cbr250rr which are reputable 250 mini rocket powered tanks.

Don't know about others. Keeps up with the bigger bikes in the twisty stuff and on the open road. Not suppose to go faster than 100kph right :innocent:

[tigertim20]

So all these bikes are shit?

Increasing my budget would mean waiting for my next internship next summer or selling some or my guitar gear...Not going to happen :no:

all of them? no, but hard to say which are good without seeing them in the flesh and giving them a going over, but my personal experience is that buying a $2k bike means spending the balance of the $4k over the next 6 months keeping it roadworthy.

My comment was really more to point out that there is a huge amount of other options out there at a slightly higher price bracket, and IMO, its worth looking at those as well

[Danzano]

Around town commute then hell yeah 250 any serious riding long trips or more than 2hours on the motorway you want something bigger

I had 250's they did the trick but at motorway speeds they could get blown around a bit and now I'm getting back into riding my first thought was no 250 for me due to long motorway trips I want something that sits at the speed comfortably for long times

Also suspension and other things have seemed better on all the bigger bikes I've ever been on but maybe that could just be me

Everyone is different but I suggest at least trying something a little bigger even if you end up preferring the smaller bike

Danz One X

[ducatilover]

I'd go for a Bandit or find a ratty GS500/500 Kawasaki or ZZR400 for that coin

The Bandit with the flat spot has an aftermarket can, so re-jet and raise the needles and it'll be sweet

I'd avoid that ZXR, they're only worth buying if super cheap, or properly immaculate.

The VTZ isn't worth the money, you could get a VT250 Spada for that, but wouldn't recommend with you being 6ft tall.

The Jade runs the same spec engine as an MC16 CBR250, but with lower compression and different carbs, it's like an ugly Hornet basically. A realistic price for a nice one would be $2k.

I've got a GN I'll sell ya, 589cc with standard brakes and fucked suspension.

[ducatilover]

Around town commute then hell yeah 250 any serious riding long trips or more than 2hours on the motorway you want something bigger

I had 250's they did the trick but at motorway speeds they could get blown around a bit and now I'm getting back into riding my first thought was no 250 for me due to long motorway trips I want something that sits at the speed comfortably for long times

Also suspension and other things have seemed better on all the bigger bikes I've ever been on but maybe that could just be me

Everyone is different but I suggest at least trying something a little bigger even if you end up preferring the smaller bike

Danz One X
I've done big trips on 250cc bikes without issues, rode Auckland to Palmy on a CBR250RR for a mate and it was okay, did a few 500km+ trips on my Spada and it was extremely comfortable, comfier than both my 600cc bikes.

[Danzano]

I've done big trips on 250cc bikes without issues, rode Auckland to Palmy on a CBR250RR for a mate and it was okay, did a few 500km+ trips on my Spada and it was extremely comfortable, comfier than both my 600cc bikes.

I don't doubt that but for me I have never had that experience. I am quite a skinny guy though, so always thought maybe the bigger bikes always felt better because they had more weight to make up for my lack of.

It is a personal thing though and that's just my opinion so may not be the same as op or yourself but something to consider for some that run into the same issue :-)

Danz One X

[Fergus]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Some good food for thought.

[Akzle]

so always thought maybe the bigger bikes always felt better because they had more weight to make up for my lack of.

if your bike feels heavy you're going too slow :ride:

(or you've somehow mistaken a harley ferguson for a motorcycle)

[TheTengTheory]

if your bike feels heavy you're going too slow :ride:

(or you've somehow mistaken a harley ferguson for a motorcycle)

or you had one too many pies for breakfast :bleh:

[GrayWolf]

So all these bikes are shit?

Increasing my budget would mean waiting for my next internship next summer or selling some or my guitar gear...Not going to happen :no:

no they arent all necessarily shit, the possible fact for a low price bike of ANY cc rating is the likely lack of proper maintenance, coupled with the fact that MOST 250's are thrashed to fuck by a series of 'enthusiastic' owners along with said low maintenance schedule..... high performance 250's and regardless of people here saying 250's are gutless and slow, they are NOT, to reach the performance levels the 250 sprotties can reach they are actually highly tuned engines, and because of that, are FRAGILE high revving in need of a good maintenance regime.. it's a testament to the engineering of modern engines that they withstand that amazing amount of abuse they get..... But an old, high milage, poorly looked after bike (250 class) is a GRENADE with the pin partly pulled out.


all of them? no, but hard to say which are good without seeing them in the flesh and giving them a going over, but my personal experience is that buying a $2k bike means spending the balance of the $4k over the next 6 months keeping it roadworthy.

My comment was really more to point out that there is a huge amount of other options out there at a slightly higher price bracket, and IMO, its worth looking at those as well

I frequently disagree with Tim, but in this case?? I agree 150% with what he is saying........ if you are going to buy a 'cheapy' at the risk of being slow, boring etc... a GN 250, Scorpio 250, or an SR250 (there are also dual purpose bikes with the same engines in them) will be more reliable for the money, FAR FAR cheaper to run, fuel/ tyres/brake pads etc... are a LOT cheaper to service and if you bin it, or it does blow up? S/hand bits are around in the thousands and CHEAP


Around town commute then hell yeah 250 any serious riding long trips or more than 2hours on the motorway you want something bigger

I had 250's they did the trick but at motorway speeds they could get blown around a bit and now I'm getting back into riding my first thought was no 250 for me due to long motorway trips I want something that sits at the speed comfortably for long times

Also suspension and other things have seemed better on all the bigger bikes I've ever been on but maybe that could just be me

Everyone is different but I suggest at least trying something a little bigger even if you end up preferring the smaller bike

Danz One X

Danzo is right, about variety of suspension etc and while my days of 250 ownership are Ummmmmm yeh that long ago, the 'high performance' 250's of then were no faster than what are called slow/gutless today.... My last 250 (legal one) was a Yamaha RD250E-dx top speed around 150kph,,, yes that was a FAST 250 in the 70's. I actually racked up 20,000 miles in little over a year on that bike, a lot of which was on UK 'A' class roads which have a speed limit of 60mph (100kph) in the main, with some sections at 70mph (110km's)..... a ginny scorpio etc agreed will struggle a bit to stay there, its almost at their upper reaches for top end (130kph ish).... anything that has a top end of 150k's or over will comfortably maintain 100kph.... Caveat emptor, head winds are not a 'low power' bikes friend.. where even sport 250's suffer is they have low torque figures and that's when headwinds have a major effect.
ANY bike can be affected by crosswinds, design and shape have as much to do with it as weight... I own a ZZR1100 it weighs in at around 260kg wet,,,,, it's a sailboat in crosswinds.... my MT-01? is high saddle height, sports oriented for axle to axle length, and yet I suffer far less from cross wind effect than the ZZR or a friend does on his GS1400, which is a BIG bike as well.

There's too much bullshit spouted about 250's being slow/gutless/underpowered....... yet you'll see others post about how bloody quick, fantastic handling etc those same bikes are........... the LAM"s law allows you to ride bigger bikes, but in reality performance wise? they are no quicker than the 'sporty' 250's it's just they dont need 20,000rpm to reach 160-180kph, produce better torque and power bhp characteristics (usable power without wringing it's neck) and will/should last longer mechanically.... Bikes like the KLR/DR/XT/GS series (650 singles) are ridden by some as long distance bikes that will last high mileages

[ducatilover]

:niceone: Graywolf has many good points as always.
Any of the 30+hp 250s will easily sit on 110 in a big headwind, hell, my Spada would pull 160 in a head wind in standard form.
There are a fair few well cared for sport 250s around, they're not all fucked. But, yes, there are more mounted ones than good ones.

My Spada did more KM than my GN (154 thou) and it never threw a wobbly, the GN was an oil eating pig at 44,000km, so it goes to show maintenance is EVERYTHING

[roper1989]

The Ninja 250 is one of the best handling bikes on the road because they are so light. They'll out-accelerate almost any car, they get almost 70 mpg, they'll hit 100 mph, and they hold their resale value very well. Stay away from any 600cc 4-cylinder sport bike, including the GSXR600.

[Akzle]

The Ninja 250 is one of the best handling bikes on the road because they are so light. They'll out-accelerate almost any car, they get almost 70 mpg, they'll hit 100 mph, and they hold their resale value very well. Stay away from any 600cc 4-cylinder sport bike, including the GSXR600.

welcome to new zealand, you bikeless guru.

[ducatilover]

The Ninja 250 is one of the best handling bikes on the road because they are so light. No, they handle okay, but any real bike will manage more corner speed, they have hilariously crap suspension and shit tyres.

They'll out-accelerate almost any car, No they won't. I can out run one in my Volvo.
they get almost 70 mpg, this is true



they'll hit 100 mph, Indicated, and after much time.


and they hold their resale value very well. reasonably well, yes. Better than the Hyosung for sure.
Stay away from any 600cc 4-cylinder sport bike, including the GSXR600.
Not learner legal here anyway

[Danzano]

The Ninja 250 is one of the best handling bikes on the road because they are so light. They'll out-accelerate almost any car, they get almost 70 mpg, they'll hit 100 mph, and they hold their resale value very well. Stay away from any 600cc 4-cylinder sport bike, including the GSXR600.

I have had 2x250 ninjas one 199x which I owned cant remember exact year and one 2007 which I borrowed for awhile for commuting

I would like to see either go up against a 600 in any aspect and come out trumps apart from fuel economy if they where the same type eg both sports same manufacturer

Good try though and welcome :D

[Grashopper]

No, they handle okay, but any real bike will manage more corner speed, they have hilariously crap suspension and shit tyres. So what would be a 'real bike' in the same class as the Ninja? The Spada? The CBR250RR?


No they won't. I can out run one in my Volvo. this is true
I believe you. I've seen what you did to your GN. :D

[ducatilover]

So what would be a 'real bike' in the same class as the Ninja? The Spada? The CBR250RR? I prefer how the Hornet rides, but I suppose it's personal choice. A CBR, ZXR and FZR will all outhandle one, but everyone is scared of them because they're oooollllld (meh, I can't wait for them to be cheaper, I'll buy one and ride it more than my 600)



I believe you. I've seen what you did to your GN. :D
Oh a Ninja 250 will have my fat beige tank up to about 90-100... and not by much. My GN will just snap spokes and then I'll high side it :D