Bike for a newbie?

[skippy_nz]

hey all,

i have been riding around wellington on a scooter for the past 8 years and have since decided to get a real bike :)

i passed my BHS and Theory this week and am now on the hunt for a commuter / general ride around the region and maybe a little further afield. I'm tossing up between getting a new Suzuki GW250, or a second hand 2011 Honda VTF250 or even a 2008 Honda CBF250.

Any thoughts ??

Also whats the best place to practice riding around in the Miramar area for those living in wellington ?

Cheers
Skip

[Banditbandit]

Go with the ghey one ...

(seriously, either bike .. I'd probably go with the CBF250 .. )

[f2dz]

i passed my BHS and Theory this week and am now on the hunt for a commuter / general ride around the region and maybe a little further afield. I'm tossing up between getting a new Suzuki GW250, or a second hand 2011 Honda VTF250 or even a 2008 Honda CBF250.

Any thoughts ??

I wouldn't advise getting a brand new bike on your learners, although you have been riding a scooter for eight years. Either of those Hondas will probably be a good choice. Although those new Suzukis are very nice. Probably up to you at the end of the day, the 250s end up being much of a muchness after a few months of riding them.

[skippy_nz]

yeah i like the look of the GW250 - its a nice looking bike - I'm taking all three out for a test ride this weekend so i can get a feel for them. But being such a noob I dont know what i should be looking for :)

[skippy_nz]

Go with the ghey one ...

(seriously, either bike .. I'd probably go with the CBF250 .. )

sorry not sure what one you are referring "ghey" too :)

[unstuck]

sorry not sure what one you are referring "ghey" too :)

Honda man, Honda. All us Honda riders are ghey, dont ya know. :buggerd::2thumbsup

[skippy_nz]

Honda man, Honda. All us Honda riders are ghey, dont ya know. :buggerd::2thumbsup

Thanks for clearing that up :)

Is there an reason why would you choose a 2nd hand Honda over a new Suzuki ?

[unstuck]

Thanks for clearing that up :)

Is there an reason why would you choose a 2nd hand Honda over a new Suzuki ?

Lack of sufficient funds could deter some I guess, personally I like Hondas, always have. :2thumbsup

Nothing wrong with suzuki I might add.

[Akzle]

tlr1000.

Or, y'know. Do a fuckin search.

[MIXONE]

But being such a noob I dont know what i should be looking for :)

If it stirs your sole or in Akzle's case,gives you a woody,that's the one to buy.
Barring that (scuse the pun) choose the one you feel most comfitable with.

[skippy_nz]

I had a productive day - ended up getting the Suzuki GW250. The price of the 2nd hand Hondas was about the same as the new Suzuki so it really was a no brainer :)

the ride on the GW250 was sweet and so comfy compared to my 50cc im going to enjoy commuting to work a lot more now :woohoo:

[Grashopper]

Awesome! They are really nice looking bikes. Have fun with her and safe riding. Would be great to hear how you're going with the GW in a few months.

[russd7]

Honda man, Honda. All us Honda riders are ghey, dont ya know. :buggerd::2thumbsup

so, being as i now ride a gold wing as well as the zzr, my question has to be, am i still ghey when i am riding the zzr :wacko:

[unstuck]

so, being as i now ride a gold wing as well as the zzr, my question has to be, am i still ghey when i am riding the zzr :wacko:

Well if you are, then that would of made us a ghey couple on the poker run.:sick:

[russd7]

Well if you are, then that would of made us a ghey couple on the poker run.:sick:
naaa didn't own a honda at that stage, so was not ghey

[skippy_nz]

Awesome! They are really nice looking bikes. Have fun with her and safe riding. Would be great to hear how you're going with the GW in a few months.

I got off the bike after my test ride and had a hit of adrenaline :)

[unstuck]

naaa didn't own a honda at that stage, so was not ghey

Thank god for that.:Punk::Punk:

[YellowDog]

I got off the bike after my test ride and had a hit of adrenaline :)

Good choice with the 'NEW' rather than 'USED' bike. Well done :yes:

[DMNTD]

so, being as i now ride a gold wing as well as the zzr, my question has to be, am i still ghey when i am riding the zzr :wacko:

Of course not, but definitely bi ;)

[unstuck]

Of course not, but definitely bi ;)

Yeah, he does look a bit dodgy.:shifty::laugh:

[russd7]

Yeah, he does look a bit dodgy.:shifty::laugh:

says the boy from gore :facepalm:

[unstuck]

says the boy from gore :facepalm:

Was at Monkey Island last thursday, was sure I saw you walking across the paddocks towards puki hand in hand with the farm boy, following the moos in.:girlfight::bleh:

P.S. Wakapatu beach is good for a fang on a bike.:2thumbsup

[The Reibz]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-608307746.htm
Perfect learners bike right here...

[russd7]

Was at Monkey Island last thursday, was sure I saw you walking across the paddocks towards puki hand in hand with the farm boy, following the moos in.:girlfight::bleh:

P.S. Wakapatu beach is good for a fang on a bike.:2thumbsup

werent me, havent lived out puki for three years now, not in dirty dairy anymore either :wings:

[JafaSaffer]

Came across this blog on "Best" motorcycles for new riders. maybe some ideas to consider here: http://rideapart.jalopnik.com/the-best-motorcycles-for-new-riders-565422483

[GDOBSSOR]

hey all,

i have been riding around wellington on a scooter for the past 8 years and have since decided to get a real bike :)

i passed my BHS and Theory this week and am now on the hunt for a commuter / general ride around the region and maybe a little further afield. I'm tossing up between getting a new Suzuki GW250, or a second hand 2011 Honda VTF250 or even a 2008 Honda CBF250.

Any thoughts ??

Also whats the best place to practice riding around in the Miramar area for those living in wellington ?

Cheers
Skip

Ride around the Cobham Drive roundabout route by the airport. I had to ride that route last year at least once a week to get to work and it was great head/checking/blindspott/roundabout practice. Other areas... I would suggest the loop trip around from Seatoun/Mirimar that loops back to Cobham Drive, and goes through the Bays. It is really peaceful and serene, and was included as part of the Bays route for the Slow Paced BRONZ Rides this year. It gives you an opportunity to practice roundabouts again, and also gives you the opportunity to practise controlling your motorcycle in an environment that is really twisty and windy, and requires a lot of concentration - perfect for a learner. Also, try the alternative route to C Drive that goes around by the Airport, but instead of going through the airport carpark, go off to the right and see where it takes you.

[skippy_nz]

Well its been a few months since I got the GW250 and I thought I would check back in to say things are going great. Still loving the bike and trying to venture out further than just commuting around town.

I'm sure as sure can be that I made the right choice in going for the new Suzuki over the second hand bikes I was looking at.

i've been a little slack in upgrading from the L plate but have booked in for my 6R test in a couple of weeks.

[caseye]

Good on you, good choices are always the right ones.
Go get that next step outa the way and then, every bike can be your oyster.

[NNN]

[QUOTE=i've been a little slack in upgrading from the L plate but have booked in for my 6R test in a couple of weeks.[/QUOTE]

Good luck for the test

[skippy_nz]

Thanks. I'm sure I'll be fine. It will be my fIrst driving test in 18 years :)

[skippy_nz]

My dream bike is a Ducati streetfighter then again I like all Ducatis. But with the cost of them it might be a few years away yet.


Good on you, good choices are always the right ones.
Go get that next step outa the way and then, every bike can be your oyster.

[Marmoot]

My dream bike is a Ducati streetfighter then again I like all Ducatis. But with the cost of them it might be a few years away yet.

http://rideapart.com/2014/02/sportbike-progression/


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[NNN]

You will be fine. Let us know how it went. .

[skippy_nz]

You will be fine. Let us know how it went. .

bit slow on the upkeep but the test went well and i passed :) 10 months to go now and i'll do the CBTA for my full - then the world really is my oyster...

[NNN]

Congrats mate

[ikov]

@skippy_nz
Well done with the choice mate! I'd say you made the right decision goin with the GW250. The Zumas are a good bike and I've taken one for a test ride. A Ducati might be a while away, but don't spoil yourself gettin too comfortable on a comfy upright position and clean neutral steering!:msn-wink:
I think goin for a 250 to start is a good move. If you feel like you're growing out of it and all, go for a test ride on a ninja 300 :eek:
you might enjoy the nimbleness and less directly linear power. I guess get up and go is prolly the Zumas least strong suit. cruising is fine. :)

[matrox02]

hey all,

i have been riding around wellington on a scooter for the past 8 years and have since decided to get a real bike :)

i passed my BHS and Theory this week and am now on the hunt for a commuter / general ride around the region and maybe a little further afield. I'm tossing up between getting a new Suzuki GW250, or a second hand 2011 Honda VTF250 or even a 2008 Honda CBF250.

Any thoughts ??

Also whats the best place to practice riding around in the Miramar area for those living in wellington ?

Cheers
Skip

I can vouch for the gw250, really nice bike I love it with my Yoshi slip on too, though if you are looking for power, they are not the best, nice commuter though, can't say much about fuel economy yet, I'm only half way through running it in and by 700-800 kms I suspect I'll only just have finished my 2nd tank

[skippy_nz]

I've done about 6500 kms on my GW250 and still love riding. maybe in a couple of years i might look at upgrading to a bigger bike so the longer rides dont feel like a struggle but at the mo i dont want to change a thing :)