Motard as a first bike? [Archive]

tias

16th October 2013, 18:38

Hi all,

Recently got my learners, about 16 years too late, but still bloody stoked. :headbang:

I've wanted a Motard since I was a kid but I had talked myself out of it, thinking it's crazy to start with that. Surely an old GN250,... euh... CB400 or something like that makes more sense ...
And then yesterday (being out of the loop for quite some time) I read about the KTM Duke 200 which they say is a great learner's bike. So I was like :banana:

I do think that the Duke is a little too expensive to start with for me, calculating in insurance, gear, ORC,...

So, my questions are, is it silly to start with one (one that might not be so learner orientated as the Duke200) and do you guys have any recommendations for a beginner (never popped a wheelie in my life) on what bike to get and even where to get it from? Specialised motard shops out there? Also, do they look funny at you when you go for your next exam and you show up with a motard and say :nono: ?

Much appreciated!!

Ts

strandedinnz

16th October 2013, 19:02

Why not get a nice DRZ400SM? Cheaper to buy, cheaper to service, cheaper to fix and more powerful for better cruising speeds ... Just not as pretty :-)

Read the reviews of the KTM .. I think you'd get tired of it's lack of power quicker than you think, plus the factory tree would need to go, adding more $$$

AllanB

16th October 2013, 19:14

Better than starting on a ZX10 .............

tias

16th October 2013, 19:40

How do you mean cheaper to buy? the DRZ400SM is over 11K, the Duke is at 7.5k? Granted it's half the power, but for my first bike I'm not looking to spend so much or am I missing something?

Matariki

16th October 2013, 19:48

Trademe, and get one that's second hand.

Here's a good example of what you're probably want to be looking for - http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-630013290.htm

tias

16th October 2013, 20:02

tigertim20

16th October 2013, 20:07

How do you mean cheaper to buy? the DRZ400SM is over 11K, the Duke is at 7.5k? Granted it's half the power, but for my first bike I'm not looking to spend so much or am I missing something?

what you are missing is why the fuck would ya buy brand new when you are in the early stages of your riding life when you are most likely to drop the thing?

nothing wrong with a motard as a first bike, lots of options out there, go try a few out for size

Bonzo

16th October 2013, 20:10

Thanks for that!

I wasn't even looking at the dirtbikes to be honest.
So, I would then just change out the wheels? Isn't that quite expensive?

And I'm right in thinking that you guys don't think it's silly to get that as a first bike? Or are you looking for a good laugh to see a noob on his back on the road, hugging his bike. :laugh:

DRZ400SM Is a supermoto bike and handles amazing on the road! great for getting through traffic and monkeying about! supermoto's and enduro type bikes are probably the best kind of bike to get for learning on as they are soo forgiving. compared to the Duke 200 they would be a lot cheaper option as you can get one new for around 10k or as cheap as 4.5k ish for an older one.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dirt-bikes/auction-650040173.htm :2thumbsup:headbang:

Oh and if you get one I get more Tards to ride with! :banana:

tias

16th October 2013, 20:35

SMOKEU

16th October 2013, 20:54

As a newbie I am a bit worried spending my money on trademe, I have no idea what to look out for just yet, as in what could be wrong with it and such. The Duke 200 is 7k brand new which is too expensive for me anyway. I'll pop into some shops on the weekend and have some chats with the people there. Hopefully they'll know about some decent bikes in my price range and I can get going from there.

Really looking forward to get riding and hopefully meet some people to ride with so I can learn quicker!

My mind is at ease and set on buying a motard!

Cheers fellas!

I suggest avoiding dealerships in your price range since you'll likely end up paying another $2000 over buying privately. Look on Trademe, and find a reputable motorcycle mechanic who will do a pre-purchase inspection for you. Expect to pay around an hour labour for a reasonably thorough inspection on a single cylinder bike.

Bonzo

16th October 2013, 21:11

I suggest avoiding dealerships in your price range since you'll likely end up paying another $2000 over buying privately. Look on Trademe, and find a reputable motorcycle mechanic who will do a pre-purchase inspection for you. Expect to pay around an hour labour for a reasonably thorough inspection on a single cylinder bike.

yep Red baron are crazy expensive they wanted nearly 8k for a 05 DRZ CRAZY!! :brick:

ZondaX15

16th October 2013, 21:21

I've always purchased second hand. Never had an issue. even made a grand and a half when I sold it

Bonzo

16th October 2013, 21:27

I've always purchased second hand. Never had an issue. even made a grand and a half when I sold it

sounds like a business man talking! pay attention to this guy :2guns:

curly

16th October 2013, 21:43

blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dirt-bikes/auction-650040173.htm :2thumbsup:headbang:

blahblahblahblahblahblahblah

Don't buy that one. :innocent:

mossy1200

16th October 2013, 21:45

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dirt-bikes/auction-635839338.htm

I like this. Shame it wasn't 6.5
Is 7.5 to much or is it just me.

strandedinnz

16th October 2013, 21:45

How do you mean cheaper to buy? the DRZ400SM is over 11K, the Duke is at 7.5k? Granted it's half the power, but for my first bike I'm not looking to spend so much or am I missing something?

No don't buy new! Quick way to lose money as soon as pen touches paper to sign it over to you! My 2010 DR-Z400SM cost me $6500 on TradeMe, and it was perfect!

Motards are a little different to ride than standard road bikes as you sit much higher, but they are WAAAYYYY more manoeuvrable, they don't have enormous top speed, but do have good acceleration, lots of travel in the suspension (not quite as much as a dirt bike but not far off) so you can chose your road surface .. they are very forgiving if you crash as most of the sticky out bits fold in then spring back out and if you do manage to break something you can pretty much replace all the plastics for $200 and do it yourself in 15 minutes :-)
you can easily learn a good 80% of required maintenance on them yourself.

Take a visit to Colemans up K'road way and have a sit on the Motards in there, that'll give you a good idea.

ZondaX15

16th October 2013, 22:03

I started out on a trail bike, but I rode it like a motard . keep in mind that even though it doesn't have 17 inch wheels that it isn't as good. the DT200R is waaaay better on the gravel than my KTM. of course the KTM takes off way faster and pulls second gear powee monos, unlike the DT.

it seems that motards are really popular in America, and trail bikes aren't as much. if you're riding like a learner, the 17s aren't gonna make much difference at all . We all agree the spokey tard wheels look neat, but unless you're on the track or riding to the max theu aren't terribly beneficial.

so yeah. Don't just say motardd or nothing. dual sports and trail bikes are fantastic leaner bikes, in my opinion anyway. and they're damn quick, the DT can keep up with the KTM reasonably well. once it gets up to speed that is.

I'm on my phone. Probably lots of bad England

SMOKEU

17th October 2013, 08:41

yep Red baron are crazy expensive they wanted nearly 8k for a 05 DRZ CRAZY!! :brick:

Yeah, it's simply not worth a dealer selling a vehicle unless they're going to make at least a couple of thousand $ out of the sale, hence my suggestion to avoid buying cheap vehicles at dealerships.

Jay GTI

17th October 2013, 09:50

they are very forgiving if you crash as most of the sticky out bits fold in then spring back out and if you do manage to break something you can pretty much replace all the plastics for $200 and do it yourself in 15 minutes :-)
you can easily learn a good 80% of required maintenance on them yourself.

Yep, being that the DRZ400SM is just a detuned (and slightly bespoke) motarded dirt bike, it's got the dirt bike design ethos, i.e. it's been designed to handle being dropped repeatedly, because in normal service a dirt bike will be dropped repeately. If not dropped repeatedly, you're not riding hard enough... although I wouldn't suggest carrying that over onto the road.

tias

17th October 2013, 10:15

tobbera

17th October 2013, 10:15

I can really recommend the Duke 200. Its a blast to ride! As a reference, I have been on a full license for 4 years and drove everything from small dirt bikes in the woods, to GSRX750 on race track. But still the Duke 200 is really fun. Light (the lightest?) to handle. Performs very good in city traffic when commuting to work. Takes of at the red light like few others. Highway touring is probably its drawback. With 200cc there is not much get-up-and-go beyond 110 kmh. At 125kmh you have basically bottomed it out with a passenger on the back.

Look out for a close to new one at trademe. They come with 2 years warranty which should calm your mind a bit.

tobbera

17th October 2013, 10:17

I'll help you out! Live in Auckland City and has done my share of motorbike servicing.

All the info much appreciated!
I'll keep my eyes on Trademe from now on for sure.

Any recommendations for mechanics to take a bike to to get it checked out in the Auckland region? Or even one that would do it at the location the bike is at?

Cheers!

tias

17th October 2013, 10:25

Cheers man! Good to know about the Duke as well. Really like the look of it,...

Still here on that 1 year visit? When are you leaving, I'll buy that Duke of ya? :2thumbsup

tobbera

17th October 2013, 10:28

I'm most likely be leaving in March or April next year. Then you are more then welcome to take it of my hands.

tias

17th October 2013, 10:38

hahaha,... That's what I said 8 years ago when I arrived here, just here for a year, casual as.... still here.
Then again, I didn't have the good looking people of Sweden to go back to, Belgium's not known for it's babes. :rolleyes:

I'll keep the Duke in mind, but looking to be on a bike within the next one to two weeks. it's itching now....

Bonzo

17th October 2013, 10:44

All the info much appreciated!
I'll keep my eyes on Trademe from now on for sure.

Any recommendations for mechanics to take a bike to to get it checked out in the Auckland region? Or even one that would do it at the location the bike is at?

Cheers!

I wouldn't mind doing a bike maintenance evening every now and then. It's quite a sociable event really hangout out in a garage drinking beers watching someone work on a bike.... sometime say 'hmmm are you sure you want to do that mate!?' or 'put the impact drive down it's only an ali 8mil bolt!'

tias

17th October 2013, 12:20

That would be real cool Bonzo! I'm very keen to learn, my knowledge doesn't stretch further than old 70's 50cc honda engines...

Bonzo

17th October 2013, 12:59

That would be real cool Bonzo! I'm very keen to learn, my knowledge doesn't stretch further than old 70's 50cc honda engines...

Not a prob. I've had a few custom builds while i was in the US and I even re built a written-off snowmobile (my hand was the shape of a rivet gun after!:() so i'm not to band when it comes to that kind of thing.

Maha

17th October 2013, 14:34

Buy from a dealer if you have no (or very little) faith in the word of someone trying to flog their shit on TM.

As for ''No don't buy new! Quick way to lose money as soon as pen touches paper'' :killingme that applies to very thing you buy, yes even second hand stuff. At least buying new/second hand or from a dealer, you have the warranty to fall back on should anything go wrong, good luck with that scenario buying off TM.

Have a walk around a few bike shops, if nothing else, it's a good way to spend several hours.

Jay GTI

17th October 2013, 14:55

At least buying new/second hand or from a dealer, you have the warranty to fall back on should anything go wrong, good luck with that scenario buying off TM.

If the dealer is charging a $3000 premium, then that's a bloody expensive warranty and on a bike as simple as a DRZ, there's feck all that couldn't be fixed for that. And of course, it may just not go wrong.

Maha

17th October 2013, 15:03

If the dealer is charging a $3000 premium, then that's a bloody expensive warranty and on a bike as simple as a DRZ, there's feck all that couldn't be fixed for that. And of course, it may just not go wrong.

I agree, but someone recently bought a second one of those that had a fucked bearing, which was replaced under warranty, that wouldn't happen on TM purchase, buyer beware.

FlangMasterJ

17th October 2013, 15:11

Didn't read through the thread but yes, a motard as your first bike is a great idea.

Matariki

17th October 2013, 18:20

Buying second hand doesn't have to be scary. Ideally you want to buy a motorcycle that you can see in person and have a ride on (I wish I had done this with my second bike, it ended up costing me $1000 to get it road worthy :(), if you're unsure, why not ask someone who is experienced with motorcycles to go with you and have a look too. It doesn't necessarily have to be a motorcycle mechanic. Check out listings that are local to your area first, or that you could easily drive to (without making any special trips, this will make getting the motorcycle home easier if you decide to purchase it).

Whatever you do, don't make a blind purchase over the internet. I know its common sense, but sometimes when you're excited about something you tend to forget (I learnt the hard way :facepalm:). Motorcycle stores often sell second hand motorcycles too and might be a better option for a first purchase, even though it will cost a bit more. Smaller motorcycles are better to learn on, I personally wouldn't recommend going any higher than 400cc for a first motorcycle. Be sure to get a manual too for your motorcycle (Haynes manual), this will make it easier when it comes to doing your own maintenance, or when you need to call the mechanic.

curly

18th October 2013, 04:19

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-651822400.htm

Matariki

18th October 2013, 08:57

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-651822400.htm

Nice motorcycle, although it may be tempting to bid on it, I wouldn't advise the OP to do so unless he has seen the motorcycle in person first or has a friend (or KB member) check it out for him.

tias

18th October 2013, 09:40

Thanks for all the input!

That is a very nice bike indeed, CHCH is a bit far for me to check it out though. :)

Thanks for looking, I would have missed that one since my search was set to Auckland only. :facepalm:

Matariki

19th October 2013, 07:12

Here is a Yamaha WR450 that is in good shape and can be ridden by a learner rider - http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-651763831.htm

ZondaX15

19th October 2013, 21:19

Here is a Yamaha WR450 that is in good shape and can be ridden by a learner rider - http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-651763831.htm

Wouldn't a WR450 be a little fast for a first bike?

nerrrd

19th October 2013, 21:38

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-651822400.htm

Lots of groovy-sounding modifications there...but would it still be LAMs compliant?

Something to keep in mind while you're looking: "Any motorcycle modified in a way that increases its power-to-weight ratio is no longer LAMS-compliant, regardless of whether it appears on the list."

pete-blen

19th October 2013, 22:00

here yer go... push the LAMS limit..XT660X

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/photos/a-650491663/p-278149693.htm

seb

19th October 2013, 22:18

Wouldn't say its pushing it. if its 48hp and 173kg dry. i figure that as about 126kw/tonne. Theres some bikes on the list with alot higher than that.

Edit: wait.. maybe you meant on cc's :facepalm:

kevfromcoro

20th October 2013, 01:10

here yer go... push the LAMS limit..XT660X

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/photos/a-650491663/p-278149693.htm
that is 1 nice scoot.........

pete-blen

20th October 2013, 06:14

Wouldn't say its pushing it. if its 48hp and 173kg dry. i figure that as about 126kw/tonne. Theres some bikes on the list with alot higher than that.

Edit: wait.. maybe you meant on cc's :facepalm:

I did ......:lol:

But while yer thinking HP...
remove the snorkal + 2hp..
stage 1 & 2 air filters + 5hp.. that one may have , it's got the stage 2 air box side filter
injection mods + 5hp
for $350 yer now have around 60hp...
And a motor that will do 120,000k before yer need to lift the lid..
they are a bit on the heavy side & yer can't do a lot about it...As a
lot of there weight is in the motor.... but thats why the do the mileage...

saf-kiwi

20th October 2013, 17:58

I've had two DRZ400SM's, a 2005 which I bought new and a 2008 bought second hand. Definitely don't buy a new one, unless you're keen to lose a lot of cash.

Traded the 2008 a couple of months ago on a 2008 KTM690SM, yes the one with the beak. It's an awesome bike for sure, but I can definitely recommend the DRZ.

tigertim20

20th October 2013, 20:43

I did ......:lol:

But while yer thinking HP...
remove the snorkal + 2hp..
stage 1 & 2 air filters + 5hp.. that one may have , it's got the stage 2 air box side filter
injection mods + 5hp
for $350 yer now have around 60hp...
And a motor that will do 120,000k before yer need to lift the lid..
they are a bit on the heavy side & yer can't do a lot about it...As a
lot of there weight is in the motor.... but thats why the do the mileage...

do all that, and she will not be lams complaint anymore. all good at wof time, but have an accident and your insurance assessor notices and you might have some issues