What would be a good bike for me to upgrade to?

[Quest Item]

I've been riding for 5 months on my Learners License and looking for something better than my GN250, it's been a fun little bike to ride around on but I really want to get a cheap sports bike. What would be my best options? Looking preferably for below $2000 and with an inline 4 engine, but a v-twin or parallel twin works fine as well.

[awayatc]

Toyota corolla....?

Automatic

[nodrog]

k6 gsxr 1000

[kiwi-on-wheels]

On your learners? Have a look at the LAMS list, take your pick, test ride test ride test ride

[ducatilover]

For $2k you won't get much.
I expect you'd find rough but useable examples of
Kawasaki ZZR400. Great bike, but heavy-ish. Comfy as and roomy
ZXR400 not really ideal, been fucking thrashed and I want to buy all of them
GPZ/GPX/ZZR250, not a ball of fire, but still a way nicer bike.

Honda Bros400/NT400. Not hugely powerful, but a way nicer bike to ride than
CBR250R/RR, good bikes, but most cheaper ones are flogged to death and fuuuucked as.
VT250F/Xelvis/Spada/VTR, all good bikes, the Spada being the best by a country mile. Early VT models had some ugly cam chain and oil feed issues though, so avoid any pre 88 ones
CB400, it's not actually LAMS legal, but the list is always misinterpreted and you'll get away with it. Damn good bikes

Yamaha
FZR250, the 3LN3 (single headlight) model was a good bike, but same issue as the CBR series
FZR400, the 3TJ3 onwards ones are grouse machines.

Suzuki, GSXR250, probably an hour from exploding
RF400R (haven't checked, but may be learner legal) nice bike in general
GSX250, not very exciting and IMHO not actually worth any more than $1500 regardless
Bandit 250, grouse little bikes. I enjoyed mine

Hyosung GT250/R, buy an 06 onwards one, the earlier ones are a bit suspect in quality control. I picked a dereged one up last year for fuck all and it wasn't bad

Or, be a man and put a DR600 motor in your GN

[Oakie]

For $2k you won't get much.
I expect you'd find rough but useable examples of
Kawasaki ZZR400. Great bike, but heavy-ish. Comfy as and roomy
ZXR400 not really ideal, been fucking thrashed and I want to buy all of them
GPZ/GPX/ZZR250, not a ball of fire, but still a way nicer bike.

Honda Bros400/NT400. Not hugely powerful, but a way nicer bike to ride than
CBR250R/RR, good bikes, but most cheaper ones are flogged to death and fuuuucked as.
VT250F/Xelvis/Spada/VTR, all good bikes, the Spada being the best by a country mile. Early VT models had some ugly cam chain and oil feed issues though, so avoid any pre 88 ones
CB400, it's not actually LAMS legal, but the list is always misinterpreted and you'll get away with it. Damn good bikes

Yamaha
FZR250, the 3LN3 (single headlight) model was a good bike, but same issue as the CBR series
FZR400, the 3TJ3 onwards ones are grouse machines.

Suzuki, GSXR250, probably an hour from exploding
RF400R (haven't checked, but may be learner legal) nice bike in general
GSX250, not very exciting and IMHO not actually worth any more than $1500 regardless
Bandit 250, grouse little bikes. I enjoyed mine

Hyosung GT250/R, buy an 06 onwards one, the earlier ones are a bit suspect in quality control. I picked a dereged one up last year for fuck all and it wasn't bad

Or, be a man and put a DR600 motor in your GN

That was a very helpful summary. If you carry on like that you'll have to hand in your KB badge and stop using the KB Wave. Remember we are supposed to deride newbies and offer them smart-arsed comments ... not actually be this helpful. Jeez mate! Oh and yeah ... CB400 rocks.

[Katman]

Are you cunts just winding me up?

[FJRider]

Are you cunts just winding me up?

You don't need much winding ... :devil2:

[ducatilover]

That was a very helpful summary. If you carry on like that you'll have to hand in your KB badge and stop using the KB Wave. Remember we are supposed to deride newbies and offer them smart-arsed comments ... not actually be this helpful. Jeez mate! Oh and yeah ... CB400 rocks.
I was probably drunk then. I'm less of a cunt when sloshed.

Are you cunts just winding me up?
Your irritation sees me engorged :love:

[Tazz]

You're not going to get anything tidy for 2k, other than a GN250, maybe :laugh:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-866202886.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-862702682.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-863532374.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-868351778.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-866843782.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-826598476.htm

[Oakie]

I was probably drunk then. I'm less of a cunt when sloshed.

Nah. That summary was too good to have been done under the influence.

[PrincessBandit]

I went straight from the ginny (250) to the bandit. But I was on my full (did every stage of the licence thing as quick as possible) and had the $ to afford it.

Good luck - you will probably need it to find something for the budget you have indicated. Seek hands on advice from an experienced rider you can trust with your safety at heart. (ie don't listen to all'n'sundry on here :msn-wink: )

[PrincessBandit]

k6 gsxr 1000

You are shameless :spanking:

[PrincessBandit]

GS500 is also nice if you can get one for right price. Think it's learner approved. (Son had one, I enjoyed riding it).

[PrincessBandit]

You're not going to get anything tidy for 2k, other than a GN250, maybe :laugh:



http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-826598476.htm

A busa???!! :spanking:

[Tazz]

A busa???!! :spanking:

I have no idea how that got in there! :innocent:

Closer to what he wants than the KLR or DR but you gotta try :laugh:

[mossy1200]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-864613972.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-868351778.htm

What you really need is more money or to ride the GN until you have a full licence.

[Quest Item]

I've found somebody who will sell his Bandit to me for $2k. Now all I need is to sell my GN250 and I can get it.

[ducatilover]

Nah. That summary was too good to have been done under the influence. I could just be very sick?


GS500 is also nice if you can get one for right price. Think it's learner approved. (Son had one, I enjoyed riding it).

GS is a great machine, dunno how I left than one out.
Some Kawasaki 500 twin is also LAMS too

[samgab]

<strike>Can't get much better than this for under $2G:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=870967932</strike>

Edit, scratch that, it's not LAMS. Good buy though.

[Erelyes]

With your budget, whatever $1 reserve auction comes up first, for pretty much anything except a GN. And hope it's not fucked. Might take a while but every so often an auction finishes at an odd hour, or there just isn't much interest, and you get a good deal :niceone: