Which learner bike?

[Benpatt]

Hi Everyone,

I am wanting to get my learners license. I see people cruising round on their bikes and its got me wanting one, especially considering summers only months away.

My main uses will be commuting around town and trips out to the beach which is 15mins away. I'm 70kg and 5ft 10inches so nothing too big.

I found some reasonably priced bikes on trademe around $2500 which is my limit (Its not alot). The bikes that caught my eye were the "Yamaha SX-4W 225c 2007/08c" & "Suzuki 250cc GSX2002/04" but I'm open to suggestions on other bikes around the 250cc range.

I am very new to the whole motorbiking scene, so I thought Id make a post and hopefully someone can point me in the right direction.

[Zippo]

Another bike you could look into that is in your price range is the Suzuki Bandit 250 (GSF250). I've been told they have a bit more oomph.

Otherwise, have a read through the older newbie posts and learner bike recommendations. Lots of useful stuff in some of them :)

[Drew]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-636349814.htm

Arguably the best motorcycle ever made.

You're welcome.:yes:

[EJK]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-636349814.htm

Arguably the best motorcycle ever made.

You're welcome.:yes:

Certainly it is a good learners bike. Very tall first gear so that you don't flip when you accidentally give too much gas, good brakes that can anchor you down to a dime so you can avoid hitting granny crossing the street, top quality suspension that will get you around corners without wrestling the bike, ultra race-developed sticky rubbers so you don't loose traction... It is by far the safest bike in the world.

[Benpatt]

Thanks for the replies,
Yea that looks like an awesome bike the SUZUKI GSXR1000 only problem is I'm about 5000 bux short on buying it, hmm maybe ill sell my car. I think ill start on something a bit smaller and work my way up to a bike like that.

At the moment I still have my sights set on a 250cc, just trying to find the right one.

[Drew]

just trying to find the right one.Many people have tried, thought they succeeded, but ultimately failed.

The 250s are all crap. The ones that used to go good, are all 20 years old and don't go as good anymore.

You're in the $3k range yeah? I've got nothing constructive to tell ya sorry.

Just take out a loan and get the Gixxer.

[Grashopper]

Lol, yeah please don't listen to those two guys, but Zippo had some good tips for you. If you browse this sub forum for a bit you'll find a lot of useful information.
Also have a look at Honda Hornet 250 and VTR250. Have heard a lot of good things about them.

[Drew]

VTR250. Have heard a lot of good things about them.I take it back. My wife has one of these, and I friggin love it. Could ride the little bastard all day if I had to.

How the fuck did that excape my mind? Stupid brain!
:facepalm:

[mossy1200]

Join the KTM390 club. Give them 500 deposit and save the other 9500 while you wait.

[fridayflash]

welcome benpatt

your on the right track with those bikes you mentioned, gsx250 more so, as its a better size and more power than the little yamaha, gn250 is an option
and plenty avail in your price range, my advice is fuck the licence just get the bike and ride..altho my advice isnt always popular :weird:

goodluck!

[Erelyes]

The SX-4W aka Scorpio - I freaking loved mine as a first bike. Super easy clutch, plenty of low-down torque (being a single), nothing particularly complicated about them. Thoroughly recommended.
They are just over 4k new, you should be able to get one with next-to-no kms for $2000-2500. You may well wish to add 500 to that budget for halfway decent tyres. Try to get a model with alloy rather than wire wheels.

I would rattle around on one of those for 6 months and then get a 250 'sports' or some variant of LAMS bike after that. That's what I did / am doing.

[Ender EnZed]

My main uses will be commuting around town and trips out to the beach which is 15mins away.

$2500 which is my limit

I am very new to the whole motorbiking scene

Get a Scorpio (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-630894953.htm).

[Drew]

Get a Scorpio (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-630894953.htm).And a sharp razor to slit your wrists from boredom.

[mossy1200]

Hard to find a local bike match for a person who lives in area New Zealand.

Next customer.

[Benpatt]

I've just quickly pulled up on trademe bikes within my area although I don't mind travelling. What do you reckon?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/635939869

http://www.trademe.co.nz/629586729

http://www.trademe.co.nz/633607379

This one was dirt cheap but deregistered http://www.trademe.co.nz/636897618

Also cheers for all the comments. Wasn't expecting to get this much feedback.

[Drew]

I've just quickly pulled up on trademe bikes within my area although I don't mind travelling. What do you reckon?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/635939869

http://www.trademe.co.nz/629586729

http://www.trademe.co.nz/633607379

This one was dirt cheap but deregistered http://www.trademe.co.nz/636897618

Also cheers for all the comments. Wasn't expecting to get this much feedback.Oh Christ, there's just no hope!

Seriously though, that dereged one is the pick of the litter. If it seems ok, buy it subject to an AA test, and a letter of non interest from the cops.

That way it's 500 bones on top of purchase, and you're off.

I'd offer a grand, it's what the guy is after I imagine.

[mossy1200]

No

No

No



http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-636909211.htm

Offer 2400

Yes

[EJK]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-634454100.htm

Go nuts!

[Laava]

Try this one Ben. Cheap as chips and when you are bored with it and have learnt what you need to, you will get your money back when you sell it. Cheap to run and should be cheap to maintain. On a good day I wouldn't be surprised if you could see 110 kmh with a brisk southerly up your freckle!
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-636825009.htm

[russd7]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-634454100.htm

Go nuts!

definately a thumbs up for this one, good price too

[cbfb]

Another bike you could look into that is in your price range is the Suzuki Bandit 250 (GSF250). I've been told they have a bit more oomph.

I agree they are worth looking at, if you want to wait a few weeks I could sell you mine ;) I've had very little problems with it that weren't caused by me and it is good to ride. I would buy another if I had my time again and indeed have the 600 & 1200 brothers on my shortlist for my next bike.

250 Bandits were getting up there in power before LAMS - earlier versions (I am quoting the GJ74A which I own) had around 45 horses with a weight of 176kg, which wasn't too bad. Quicker than the average 4-wheeled highway obstruction anyway. Later versions were restricted, not ridden one but on paper still not bad.

Edit: Forgot to say, the GSX-R250 engine is used in these; I noticed you mentioned the GSX in your original post.

[arcane12]

The SX-4W aka Scorpio - I freaking loved mine as a first bike. Super easy clutch, plenty of low-down torque (being a single), nothing particularly complicated about them. Thoroughly recommended.
They are just over 4k new, you should be able to get one with next-to-no kms for $2000-2500. You may well wish to add 500 to that budget for halfway decent tyres. Try to get a model with alloy rather than wire wheels.

I would rattle around on one of those for 6 months and then get a 250 'sports' or some variant of LAMS bike after that. That's what I did / am doing.

Yes. The Scorpio was a great first bike, agile, basic, yet suprisingly fun. The only big draw back is you won't want to stay on one forever. I did about 6 months on mine before I wanted something bigger. And as a less than competent bike mechanic when I started (and now too ;) ) every new (old) bike is a slight gamble. I do regret not trying to stick it out on the Scorpio till I got my full (2+ years from go to woe), but then I have had a great deal of fun on the new bike...

Can you borrow/beg/steal a 250 to get started on, or do some training so you can get your license and then test some bikes for yourself? If you can find something you love first up, you might be sorted! Unless you get the bug and decide to start touring...

[f2dz]

I'd go with VTR at that price range. A Hornet has more power if you can find one, but most go for a bit more. If you up your budget a bit a Ninja 250 is also a good choice. Ride each of em if you possibly can, but might be hard to convince people to let you if you're on your learners.