Hello from a complete newbie

[SlowHand]

I thought I would say hi before I go about searching old articles.

Im 20 and looking at getting a bike due to these chronic fuel prices.
Still trying to figure out if my nads are big enough to go about riding one really.

Look forward to getting some good information out of you lot!

Albin.

[Blackadda]

Welcome newbie. I'm only a couple of weeks older as a member of this site, some very good info, comment and bike stuff here. Have fun.

[Paul in NZ]

I thought I would say hi before I go about searching old articles.

Im 20 and looking at getting a bike due to these chronic fuel prices.
Still trying to figure out if my nads are big enough to go about riding one really.

Look forward to getting some good information out of you lot!

Albin.

If your nads were big enough to ask that question here you should be OK for the bike...

[Riff Raff]

Look forward to getting some good information out of you lot!

Albin.
You've come to the wrong place then, but welcome anyway :wavey:

[raster]

One suggestion:
Get an older bike to start with, and no farings as if you lay the bike down it doesn't cost you so much, keep away from pocket rockets, take it carefully at first and don't let anyone else push you beyond your limits.

Also get some good gear, some 250's often sold with a starter kit of gear don't skimp there if you can.

[Ninja]

Welcome Albin!

Once you get riding and you'll never regret it.

Check out www.ltnz.govt.nz for details of the licencing requirements, and www.riderskills.co.nz for help with getting started and training options.

Best of luck
Ninja

[k1w1nzl]

You've come to the wrong place then, but welcome anyway :wavey:


I hope not...I've come for the beer :drinkup: :drinkup: :drinkup:

[Ixion]

Welcome.

Start small and simple, you don't need big nads or a fast bike to have fun.

Motorcycling's all about having fun. And riding a fast bike doesn't prove anything about size of said nads, either,

Enjoy

[CPB]

Hey Albin, welcome to the KB madhouse...

[sporty03]

Welcome.

Start small and simple, you don't need big nads or a fast bike to have fun.

Motorcycling's all about having fun. And riding a fast bike doesn't prove anything about size of said nads, either,

Enjoy

Well said Ixion. :psst: As time rolls by you will come to realise that the apparent size of the nads is sometimes an inverse relationship to the size of the grey matter. With exceptions to the brave and extremely talented few.

To those that enjoy such things, bikes are a hell of alot of fun. For the rest.....well there is always 4 wheels, or stay home.

Welcome and good luck in tracking down a suitable starter bike. An old clunker in the dirt can soon open your eyes and grass is alot more forgiving than tar seal.
Cop-ya
Sporty

[SlowHand]

It's more that I was in a car crash recently where someone just pulled out infront of me on a straight road, and I now have trouble driving a car without thinking some idiots trying to kill me. The whole looking out for other dangers and multitasking thing would be a very handy tool to have though!

Though I have to ask on the non-fairing etc. I read on another post that fairings tend to be 1500+? :no: What would be some good bikes, considering that I have never been in charge of a bike (been a passenger on a mates 900 ninja :ride: ). But most of the times I have good head on- nothing stupid even on a car until I get a feel for the car etc.

I guess Im trying to convince myself and you lot that I want a lil 250 pocket rocket. Because if I was to be honest, having a cool bike has that cool factor too :sherlock:

[Ixion]

It's more that I was in a car crash recently where someone just pulled out infront of me on a straight road, and I now have trouble driving a car without thinking some idiots trying to kill me. The whole looking out for other dangers and multitasking thing would be a very handy tool to have though!

Though I have to ask on the non-fairing etc. I read on another post that fairings tend to be 1500+? :no: What would be some good bikes, considering that I have never been in charge of a bike (been a passenger on a mates 900 ninja :ride: ). But most of the times I have good head on- nothing stupid even on a car until I get a feel for the car etc.

I guess Im trying to convince myself and you lot that I want a lil 250 pocket rocket. Because if I was to be honest, having a cool bike has that cool factor too :sherlock:

They are. Word for a beginner. Get a dual purpose bike. Excellent for commuting, easy to ride, superb to learn on , and forgiving of errors, and won't easily break much if you come of, and cheap to fix what does break.Find some off road or gravel, you'll learn more in an hour than a week on a crotch rocket . And anytime someone on a sprotbike tries to take the piss, just head down a bit of gavel road and laugh yourself silly watching them squirm (as you disappear in the distance)

[thehollowmen]

Welcome to the mad house :-)

Already, I'm sure you've got balls enough

Good advice above about dual purposes... and have fun
Good luck with the purchase

[skelstar]

Welcome Albin,
I recently was asking myself the same questions. Hadnt had an accident though but was unsure about my confidence on a bike. I used my 'learn to ride' BasicSkillsTest session as a measure. I enjoyed it and went out a bought a bike new. Confidence soon builds quickly and you start developing a healthy us-vs-them/cage mentality. Esp if you read what these maniacs write all the time. :)
Anyway, hope you enjoy yourself.
Ride safe.

[Lias]

It's more that I was in a car crash recently where someone just pulled out infront of me on a straight road, and I now have trouble driving a car without thinking some idiots trying to kill me. The whole looking out for other dangers and multitasking thing would be a very handy tool to have though!

First piece of advice: When your on a bike, treat everyone else on the road as if they are a homicidal maniac who wants to kill you.. You need to be more paranoid when on a bike :Punk:

[Charlie]

Welcome Albin. As a newbe also I've learnt that confidence comes with the k's. Is doesnt requie big nads - would that just make riding totally uncomfortable????

[Sniper]

Greetings and salutations fellow man. What do you bring in way of gifts? I like shiny things

[Beemer]

I was almost double your age when I learned to ride so if I can do it, so can you! And as for the nads, I don't have any (being a female and all) and I haven't found their absence a problem so far! And every time I slam into the tank on the Goose, I thank god I don't have any!

[SlowHand]

I was almost double your age when I learned to ride so if I can do it, so can you! And as for the nads, I don't have any (being a female and all) and I haven't found their absence a problem so far! And every time I slam into the tank on the Goose, I thank god I don't have any!

Man that made me cringe! Sniper - I have cookies! wrapped in tin foil! :woohoo:

Im going to call and book a handling lesson/test this weekend - weather permitting!

[Macktheknife]

First piece of advice: When your on a bike, treat everyone else on the road as if they are a homicidal maniac who wants to kill you.. You need to be more paranoid when on a bike :Punk:
I've been riding for 20 years and this is the truth of it... they really are out to get you!!! Remember that and you will live thru it and learn to love it

[HDTboy]

Man that made me cringe! Sniper - I have cookies! wrapped in tin foil! :woohoo:

Im going to call and book a handling lesson/test this weekend - weather permitting!
I recommend Doug Swanson.
I should've bought a gn250 for my first bike, but I bought my CBR and proceded to stack it, and hurt myself cause I wasn't wearing decent gear

[_Gina_]

Hello & Welcome


:woohoo:

[Ninja]

Running a course this sunday at rosebank road.
www.RiderSkills.co.nz

[SlowHand]

Ok, chickened out of the basic handling. Im going to get a little seat time on my bosses pit bike this week, and get somewhat used to riding a bike. And then maybe do it the first weekend of september - man this is draggin on... :wait:

[Coyote]

Ok, chickened out of the basic handling. Im going to get a little seat time on my bosses pit bike this week, and get somewhat used to riding a bike. And then maybe do it the first weekend of september - man this is draggin on... :wait:
So you didn't do it at all or did you ride for a bit and quit?

Those little commuters they have are piss easy to ride. If you can ride a bicycle, you're more than qualified to ride one of them

[SlowHand]

I chickened out in my head. I havent got the funds to go out and try riding AND pass the test.

Im not really the one to give up that easy. If it was, I would have given up on my guitar and surfing exploits loooong ago!

I will update as I progress.

[bane]

Ok, chickened out of the basic handling. Im going to get a little seat time on my bosses pit bike this week, and get somewhat used to riding a bike. And then maybe do it the first weekend of september - man this is draggin on... :wait:

Look, just miss out the middle man and buy a gixxer thou - if you believe this site, the perfect bike for all
occasions! :rofl:

[Jabez]

Welcome....:)

[raster]

Don't put off any test as that then means another however long at the other end when you want to sit your next test, and the waiting is long enough as it is.
I put off my restricted for about 2 months cause I didn't think I was ready, still failed it but then booked it for a week later and flew through without any more experience other than taking on board the reasons for the fail. That was 2 months waisted. I really love it now. been riding 3 weeks on my bike and 1 week before that thanks to Ixion.

I was given a 400cc bike and couldn't ride it legally till I had my full, very frustrating, didn't have the money to by a 250.

[Al]

Welcome to the KB site and welcome to the world of motorcycling... Yippee, another convert, soon we will have everyone on 2 wheels (yeah, right)

Al

[Scorpygirl]

Hi there and welcome. I have only just joined up too but am already a member of Ulysses. Just thought I would say hello :ride:

[pAceMaker]

hehe im in the same boat. Selling my car so I can buy a bike. Been looking at scooters but I would rather buy a bike.

Know of anyone in Tauranga that will let me practice and do the basic test?

[MagicMarker]

Welcome to the site, hope you get a bike soon! :ride:

[Skunk Control]

Welcome to KB :ride:

[pAceMaker]

:( have to try and sell my ford laser now ><

[SlowHand]

update!!! I got me my learners. Just gotta decide what bike to get now.... <now thats a topic in itself

[pAceMaker]

good stuff.. im looking at getting http://www.motogb.co.nz/Details.cfm?ProdID=89

[SlowHand]

not really a fan of the GN's. plus i got my idea for leathers all sorted. Even got drawing like Spiderman :rofl:

[Scorpygirl]

One suggestion:
Get an older bike to start with, and no farings as if you lay the bike down it doesn't cost you so much, keep away from pocket rockets, take it carefully at first and don't let anyone else push you beyond your limits.

Also get some good gear, some 250's often sold with a starter kit of gear don't skimp there if you can.

Great advice Raster!!! :clap:

Welcome mate. Have come off learning in the car park doing less that 15 km and the boots took a scrapping - took a bit of the top layer off, but my feet were saved and I was wearing leathers so my legs were pretty much saved too, just a bit sore and a bump on my knee!! Good gear is worth its weight. The other thing is never, ever buy a second-hand skid-lid (helmet) as you don't know what condition it's in and if it's been dropped or been in an accident!!

Good luck

[SlowHand]

My problem is I want a some what reliable bike - which normally is a no with engines. (yes I have had quite a ride with cars...) and prefer to find a dealer so I can get warrantee/guarantees.
Main prob is I have stuff all knowledge on bikes, and yeah I do prefer to start on a old bike. but the word 'reliable' doesnt like 'old' as a friend....

Any advise for me given the situation?

[mstriumph]

..... treat them like that and you'd be just about right lol

ohhhhh - and welcome!


First piece of advice: When your on a bike, treat everyone else on the road as if they are a homicidal maniac who wants to kill you.. You need to be more paranoid when on a bike :Punk:

[Posh Tourer :P]

And anytime someone on a sprotbike tries to take the piss, just head down a bit of gavel road and laugh yourself silly watching them squirm (as you disappear in the distance)

Or alternatively, get something like a CB250RS, put some good tyres on it, and blow them away on a gravel road anyway.

As for cool factor, VTR250? FXR (at least for those who know little about bikes - it has a half fairing....)? Hornet? Hyosung GT250?

[Ixion]

Or alternatively, get something like a CB250RS, put some good tyres on it, and blow them away on a gravel road anyway.

As for cool factor, VTR250? FXR (at least for those who know little about bikes - it has a half fairing....)? Hornet? Hyosung GT250?

Can't get new CB250RS (as far as I know). Is a pain for beginners, you can't get any decent sporty single cylinder 250's now. 'Tis sprotbikes or the GN250/XV250 cruiser types. Vt250 I think is styilll available , and the Hyosung, but they're damn dear. I suppose the sport singles suffered the fate of those who fall between two camps. The beginners who can't see past top speed want full blown sprotbikes, and the communter types just want the cheapest possible.

[SlowHand]

those RG150, KR150 things appeal to me, fairly small outlay for a fairly new bike. And from what i read around this site, not that bad..... any other thoughts?

Edit: Oh and any recommendations for honest and good dealers? if any? I've been bitten too many times by this sort of stuff, and will absolutely explode if it happens again. Part of the reason for going to a bike is cause I had enough of cars...

[Ixion]

those RG150, KR150 things appeal to me, fairly small outlay for a fairly new bike. And from what i read around this site, not that bad..... any other thoughts?

Edit: Oh and any recommendations for honest and good dealers? if any? I've been bitten too many times by this sort of stuff, and will absolutely explode if it happens again. Part of the reason for going to a bike is cause I had enough of cars...


I would really suggest spending some time on a "forgiving" 250 before tackling a twosmoker, if you have no experience. Two smokers very nice BUT, they have their odd little ways. Ms Str8Jacket has had quite a few K's up on her GN now, she's past the "how do I make it go - eek what do I do now" stage.

However , as always, there will be people who started out on an RGV250 and lived to tell the tale. 'Tis all relative - depends on how bold (or foolhardy ) you are.

Incidentally , two smokers are two smokers. They sometimes throw their toys out of the cot for no real reason. best dealer in the world can't be sure it won't happen. And remember, they do need more maintainence than a 4 stroke. Easier to do , if you do your own, but they do need it.

EDIT: Incidentally, when a model of bike seems cheap secondhand compared to others, there's often a reason for it. Which is not to say the RG/KR aren't good bikes. For the right person. And given an EXPERIENCED rider who knows how to wring the necks of the little bastiges, they can give much bigger bikes a surprise.

EDITITY EDIT: BTW, if you do get a two smoker COVER THE CLUTCH