First bike options?

[kanez]

Hi there

Looking at purchasing my first bike, I'm after a 250cc sport.
Not looking at spending alot on first bike between $2000 - $3000.

Is it too risky getting a 250 4 cylinder for first bike on a low budget? Could possibly look into a 2 cylinder but worried I might get bored of it fast.


Something like this seem like a resonable option? Talked to guy would be $2700 ready to go driveaway ( new tyres/vtnz wof )
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=954095833

Cheers guys

[pritch]

Why limit yourself to a 250? There is a lot of choice available now but buy something sensible, less plastic is better.

[nodrog]

sounds like you need a gsxr1000

[kanez]

Feel free to give me some idea's that I can ride on learner license

[Akzle]

Feel free to give me some idea's that I can ride on learner license

feel free to do a fuken search there billy.

[Akzle]

sounds like you need a gsxr1000

thou is for pussies and wannabes. 1300rr. Bitch.

[eldog]

think about what you want to achieve/do in the future once you have your full license

work back from there

Plenty of good solid bikes about the place

Your opinions about bikes will change as your experience develops

IMHO, nothing wrong with a single, twin, triple or four. Just your preference/use.

Do you need a commuter, a sprot bike, a cruiser, a utility bike?

Does it need a back rack? a windscreen? less plastic is better for learner, is it reliable?

Go to as many bike shops as you can, do web searches. Check it out.

It isn't what it costs up front, it what it can teach you and you can learn from it.

Buy good gear that will last, but buy it with future needs in mind.

Make your own decision, don't worry about what others think/say.

took me 6 months to decide to buy a mighty Scorpio.... she has served me well.

[Maha]

feel free to do a fuken search there billy.

Feel free to answer a question asked ....instead of being a constant fucking moron....billy.


OP, no need to buy some shitter that's almost 30 years old, but if you must, buying from a dealer is the smart move, warranty etc.

Good advice L-Dawg ^

[Madness]

Feel free to give me some idea's that I can ride on learner license

DR650

And some more characters.

[kanez]

think about what you want to achieve/do in the future once you have your full license

work back from there

Plenty of good solid bikes about the place

Your opinions about bikes will change as your experience develops

IMHO, nothing wrong with a single, twin, triple or four. Just your preference/use.

Do you need a commuter, a sprot bike, a cruiser, a utility bike?

Does it need a back rack? a windscreen? less plastic is better for learner, is it reliable?

Go to as many bike shops as you can, do web searches. Check it out.

It isn't what it costs up front, it what it can teach you and you can learn from it.

Buy good gear that will last, but buy it with future needs in mind.

Make your own decision, don't worry about what others think/say.

took me 6 months to decide to buy a mighty Scorpio.... she has served me well.

Cheers

This is really just a weekend toy I'm looking for and something for the holidays, not a daily driver at all ( I need a car for my job ). Something that ill be able to do little road trips on with a small backpack.
Ultimately in the future I'd be after a a nice sport's bike but that's what I think now with no actual experience.
Will be going for the best gear I can afford

[haydes55]

Google for the LAMS list.

That's a list of what you can ride.

[eldog]

This is really just a weekend toy I'm looking for and something for the holidays, not a daily driver at all ( I need a car for my job ). Something that ill be able to do little road trips on with a small backpack.
Ultimately in the future I'd be after a a nice sport's bike but that's what I think now with no actual experience.
Will be going for the best gear I can afford

Understand, In no time you will find those short trips around the corner, will lead to longer and longer trips....
Your confidence will grow. Maybe you will find some mates to go for a ride. Distances will become smaller.
Any chance to duck out will be welcome.
Get something you can just get on and go, rather than worry about if its going to start.
Ride your own ride.

Take Maha's advice :2thumbsup esp for a first bike.

[kanez]

Would a 4 cylinder sport be asking too much for 3k? for something that's not going to be having too many issues.

Also looking at bikes like this
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=948982040

Would rather buy from a dealer to be honest.

Something like a VTR 250 be a more sensible option?

Will be talking to shops this weekend as haven't had a chance this week


Cheers for the input

[Maha]

Would a 4 cylinder sport be asking too much for 3k? for something that's not going to be having too many issues.

Also looking at bikes like this
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=948982040

Would rather buy from a dealer to be honest.

Something like a VTR 250 be a more sensible option?

Will be talking to shops this weekend as haven't had a chance this week


Cheers for the input

Better buy, great starter for sure -->http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-955046614.htm
The VTR is an awesome 250 but you'll be hard pressed to find one that hasn't been molested for the money you are looking to spend.
This here is good buying http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-953940854.htm
First bike buying from a dealer is advised though, at the very least for the warranty that comes with it.

Don't discount a 250 Hyosung, you can pick up one for your budget or less.

[Jezxa]

Don't discount a 250 Hyosung, you can pick up one for your budget or less.

+1 to the VTR 250

When i was on my learners I went from a Hyo 250 to a VTR250. The VTR was by far the better bike even though it was 5 years older and had 3x higher mileage.

[Oakie]

Either of the Suzuki 250s linked would work for me. Seriously considered one when I got back into biking 4 bikes ago.

[kanez]

Better buy, great starter for sure -->http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-955046614.htm
The VTR is an awesome 250 but you'll be hard pressed to find one that hasn't been molested for the money you are looking to spend.
This here is good buying http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-953940854.htm
First bike buying from a dealer is advised though, at the very least for the warranty that comes with it.

Don't discount a 250 Hyosung, you can pick up one for your budget or less.

Got to admit those GSX250's seem like a nice bike for the money. Some decent looking ones on trademe 2004 just under 3k like the one you linked.
I'd much prefer to buy something from the 2000's than the 80's so that defiantly an option ill be looking for into

[pritch]

Did you Google the LAMS list yet? Learners no longer have to buy a 250. The range is far wider than what you're looking at.

[kanez]

Yeah I did have a look there's a lot there. Any sport models you could recommend in my price range? Don't know if would want to go any higher than 400 for first bike.

[Maha]

One thing to keep in mind is, after a year or so (or about restricted licence time) you'll be looking to buy something bigger, it's a natural occurrence, so buying a reliable bike and not a money pit will aid that time in your biking life.

[jasonu]

Any 4 stroke 250 will get boring in no time. By the looks of the CBR250 you posted it has been thrashed and most likely poorly maintained and you will find that with a lot of the repli racer bikes.

Get yourself a GN250. Not the coolest bike but they are cheap to buy, cheap to run, cheap and easy to maintain, reliable, generally unmolested because there is no point in modifying one and when you are done with it and are licensed to get a bigger bike they are easy to sell.

[Tazz]

CBR's are fun as fark! Can't go wrong.
Pay to get a known workshop to do a decent pre-purchase if you're worried about an older bike, otherwise you carry a risk buying any second hand vehicle.

Wouldn't touch the Hyosung 250 imo. Gutless by comparison to other options.

I'd only go the GN250 route if you plan to commute everyday, otherwise for the same amount you can definitely get something a bit more exciting.

[kanez]

Like I say this is only a weekend/holiday toy, and there's no way I'm getting a GN250 lol.
Only a year but still there alot of riding ill want to do in a year, needs to have no worries on 100km highways as ill be wanting to do trips

[ellipsis]

...get one of these...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vpyeQeTDGFA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Tazz]

Like I say this is only a weekend/holiday toy, and there's no way I'm getting a GN250 lol.
Only a year but still there alot of riding ill want to do in a year, needs to have no worries on 100km highways as ill be wanting to do trips

The old 250s will do that no sweat, and a few of the newer ones. My little CBR will still do well over 100, even loaded up with pies.


<img src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=292983&d=1390703298" height="700"/>

I wouldn't be put off by a higher CC bike as mentioned either. A bigger CC engine doesn't always mean it's going to be a lot faster or heavier as a rule, and anything in the LAMS system is under a certain power to weight threshold anyway.

In saying that, I wouldn't buy anything 600-650 either as you end up paying extra rego for sfa difference in performance.

At the end of the day the bike you end up with will depend on how much cash you have in your pocket and obviously what is actually for sale/available at the time.

[ellipsis]

...take some joy from this and some advice...don't forget to read the captions...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LRQyEBY5YjQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[J.A.W.]

...get one of these...

Yeah, funnily enough - Honda didn't include their horrid little killer-trike in that historical machine line-up..

Can the OP ride?

If yes, get a classic Suzuki 400 dual-purpose bike.. a tidy PE 400, would do nicely..

[TheDemonLord]

I started on a Hornet 250 - was lots of fun
I then got a bigger bike (GSX650FU) - Also lots of fun (mroe Torque MROE TORQUE!)

Then it was a GSX650F (Double the HP, Snippety Snip) after I got my Full Licence of course.

[kanez]

How do you guys think the gsx250s compare to the ninja 250s?
If I had the money the 300Ninja looks like an awesome first bike

[Tazz]

Same years? Of the older ones, the Ninja (and every other 250 at the time) has a few more ponies than the Suzukis, but more importantly, I think parts are easier to get for the Ninjas.

[kanez]

Same years? Of the older ones, the Ninja (and every other 250 at the time) has a few more ponies than the Suzukis, but more importantly, I think parts are easier to get for the Ninjas.

The 2008 shape seems reasonably priced 2nd hand. Sounds like a decent bike to learn on too from reviews I have been watching

[FJRider]

Did you Google the LAMS list yet? Learners no longer have to buy a 250. The range is far wider than what you're looking at.

Available range ... with less than 95,000 km's traveled ... is getting smaller by the day though ...

[Akzle]

If I had the money the 300Ninja looks like an awesome first bike

a long learning, ahead of you yet is, kane san.

[Oakie]

How do you guys think the gsx250s compare to the ninja 250s?
If I had the money the 300Ninja looks like an awesome first bike

Not the 300 if you're going to be doing long weekend trips. Guy I know got one recently and says the seat is very hard on the arse. It is a nice looking bike for sure but after an hour in the saddle, you realise that comfort is more important than looks. (Bit like women really :) ) Just be happy with a middle aged 250 with a thick seat.

[nelubian]

My 4,5 cents:

for the first bike take something that looks cool and that makes you feel like cool. That gives maximum satisfaction.

[kanez]

How would you guys compare the Honda CBR205R 2011 shape vs the Kawasaki Ninja250R 2008 shape?

[Tazz]

How would you guys compare the Honda CBR205R 2011 shape vs the Kawasaki Ninja250R 2008 shape?

Probably from the same shape alphabet and side by side :bleh:

Looks are a personal thing man. I would consider specs over looks and go from there.

That Honda is a single banger punching low 20's HP figures at approx 150kg, more if ABS version.

Kawak is a twin punching high 20's at 170kg and I think ABS is standard.

If price is irrelevant I'd be gunning for the Kawasaki from those three things alone, well 2 out of 3, and then add to it the fact it has really decent fuel range (although I don't know the CBR's tbh).

One other thing to consider if your a frugal dick like me is resale. Are the CBR's holding their value better than the Ninjas? Much of a muchness? This IS a bike you will be selling to fund another one so if you don't have a great disposable income it's worth taking into account now.
But without all that shit in the equation, I would def be going the Ninja out of those two.

[5ive]

Nothing wrong with the Ninja 300, but may be out of your price range (unless you're upping it?).

You'll get the same few grumpy old cunts whinging about it online though :rolleyes:

I started on one last May, and still ride it daily. Commuted to work daily (3km) in Central Auckland, and took 100Km-500Km rides on weekends. Even a couple of 1000+Km trips.

Recently have started riding it 200km daily for work, holds it's own on the road (especially the twisties), and never skips a beat.

If you're tall I'd give it a miss though, may not be big enough to comfortably ride (that probably applies to the 250s of other brands as well).

[ryanstev]

Yeah I did have a look there's a lot there. Any sport models you could recommend in my price range? Don't know if would want to go any higher than 400 for first bike.

I bought my first bike last October, which was a 250, I traded it in on my CB400 2 months later.

The 250 was simply too slow.

Find yourself on the motorway at 90kph, behind someone slow? Have fun passing.

[kanez]

I bought my first bike last October, which was a 250, I traded it in on my CB400 2 months later.

The 250 was simply too slow.

Find yourself on the motorway at 90kph, behind someone slow? Have fun passing.

what was your first bike?