Advice on buying first bike

[Nickb229]

Hi I've originally been looking at getting a new yzf r3 or a Mt07, though I've decided on something cheaper and second hand for my first bike.
I am looking a few bikes and wondering what is a good amount of kms already on the clock?
There is a Suzuki GS500F 2008 100,000km for $4,800 and a Suzuki GS500FK 2011 19,500km for $5,750

Is this a decent beginners bike? Any thoughts appreciated

[Tazz]

Heavy and thirsty, but you could do worse.

[Tazz]

I would recommend an adventure road trail bike as a first bike as they are lighter to steer than a road bike. If you are short though they can be quite tall to sit on in which case a road bike may be better but as the other poster said a 500 may be a little on the heavy side to start on.

More the actual bike than the fact it is a 500, but I take the weight comment back. Was thinking about the 650F, which is in the thou frame, and a fucking pig. My friend was looking at one of these or the 650 and went with the 650 due to fuel injection, and hated it around the city due to the mentioned pig factor. 500 is allegedly 190kg wet which is not light but manageable (vs 240kg odd for the six fiddy it is anyway).

I would go for the lower KMs out of those too as well btw. 80,000k difference for $1000 difference is worth it imo.

[Akzle]

get a busa

[Gubb]

There is a Suzuki GS500F 2008 100,000km for $4,800 and a Suzuki GS500FK 2011 19,500km for $5,750

Is this a decent beginners bike? Any thoughts appreciated

Where in NZ are ya? I know a guy in Wellington with a cracking deal on a GS500.

[Nickb229]

Thanks for the info on weight and kms. Im planning on heading up to Wellington soon, can you tell me about the bike? Cheers

[DamianW]

Take one of these for a spin:
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/31/24749a6ac87a905899444f821332bc67.jpg

[RGVforme]

I would recommend an adventure road trail bike as a first bike as they are lighter to steer than a road bike. If you are short though they can be quite tall to sit on in which case a road bike may be better but as the other poster said a 500 may be a little on the heavy side to start on.

Don't forget the longer fork rake angle thing though there chap leading to longer slower tilt/turning in the corners esp quick left into right handers.

Sport bikes turn faster so must give more time leeway when learning about the corners when you hash your first couple.Can save you from doing a bit of roadside gardening for the council.:crazy:

[6ft5]

Hi I've originally been looking at getting a new yzf r3 or a Mt07, though I've decided on something cheaper and second hand for my first bike.
I am looking a few bikes and wondering what is a good amount of kms already on the clock?
There is a Suzuki GS500F 2008 100,000km for $4,800 and a Suzuki GS500FK 2011 19,500km for $5,750

Is this a decent beginners bike? Any thoughts appreciated

I think the first question should be what is your height and weight. It is important to be able to sit on a bike and being able to plant your feet. The second question should be what type of riding are you looking at doing, commuting or cruising or racing with the mates. Only when you have an answer on both will you be able to make a choice of bike. And then yes I agree 80k less for a $1000 more seems like a reasonable decision.

[OddDuck]

Some good advice above... as 6ft5 said, make sure it fits. Both your height / reach, and your intended purpose.

Mileage counts. So does storage. If it's been left in the weather then corrosion can give you a lot of headaches - electrical connectors, rusted in bolts and so on. If the seller's got a neat and tidy garage, that's good - if there are half done projects and loose stuff left everywhere, well...

Good luck out there and let us know how you get on.

[WristTwister]

I'm not sure on the pricing, but the new BMW 310R (http://www.bmwmotorrad.com.au/_common/img/bikes/urban/2015/g310r/strato_blue_metallic/normal_1.jpg) looks preeeetty darn good for a learner. 160kg with a full tank and super agile. If it's your first bike, do you want something really heavy?

Other things to consider:

Purpose
What do you want to do with the bike, commute around town, race at the track, go DIRT BIKING!, weaving through twisty back roads, or explore?

Learning aides
Do you need ABS, slipper clutch, a gear indicator?

[Ender EnZed]

You could do a lot worse than this (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/177404-LAMS-Kawasaki-KLE500-2006) for a first bike.

[Milts]

You probably want to consider:
Confidence/previous experience (have you ridden dirt bikes for years? If so, a physically larger bike or higher CC rating might be more managable for you)
What type of riding you want to do
Budget etc

If I were advising myself when I started, I would have suggested a Honda VTR250. Pretty cheap, no plastic to munt if it falls over, plenty of power for the open road, etc. That said if you've been on dirt bikes or mopeds for years you might prefer a 300/400/600cc bike instead. Have a look around, maybe check out a ER4N or SV400?

Whatever you get, be sure to 1) sit on it first to test comfort, 2) get good tyres.

I would advise against a GS500 because they are pretty 'bland', even if they have a larger CC rating than something like a VTR250. But, that's just my opinion.

Shop around. Maybe test the odd bike from a dealership (if they are selling used LAMS bikes). Keep in mind, it's your first bike, not your last.
And.
Have fun!

[Big Dog]

Hi I've originally been looking at getting a new yzf r3 or a Mt07, though I've decided on something cheaper and second hand for my first bike.
I am looking a few bikes and wondering what is a good amount of kms already on the clock?
There is a Suzuki GS500F 2008 100,000km for $4,800 and a Suzuki GS500FK 2011 19,500km for $5,750

Is this a decent beginners bike? Any thoughts appreciated
80,000 less kms and 3 years younger for only an extra 1k. Seems a no brained but there is more to it than that. I'd rather a high miler that had been treated week than a low miler that had been neglected. See them in person and take them both for a spin you'll know.

I can't give you advice about what bike because I don't have the information the others have asked for.
I can say if it makes you happy is not the wrong bike.

Sent via tapatalk.

[Erelyes]

What do you see yourself on in two years? And how much is money a factor?

Personally I think you'd be better off with a 250 for your first rather than a strangled 500-650, but that's just me.

I'd suggest you budget no more than 4k. That said, you can get a Ninja 300 for near 5k (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-1007236959.htm) now if sports bikes will be your thing.

[Tazz]

I'm not sure on the pricing, but the new BMW 310R (http://www.bmwmotorrad.com.au/_common/img/bikes/urban/2015/g310r/strato_blue_metallic/normal_1.jpg) looks preeeetty darn good for a learner. 160kg with a full tank and super agile. If it's your first bike, do you want something really heavy?

Other things to consider:

Purpose
What do you want to do with the bike, commute around town, race at the track, go DIRT BIKING!, weaving through twisty back roads, or explore?

Learning aides
Do you need ABS, slipper clutch, a gear indicator?

New Ninja or CBR would be a way better bet than that. First generation of a new model. No thanks.

Once they've ironed out the kinks though.....:D

[6ft5]

What do you see yourself on in two years? And how much is money a factor?

Personally I think you'd be better off with a 250 for your first rather than a strangled 500-650, but that's just me.

I'd suggest you budget no more than 4k. That said, you can get a Ninja 300 for near 5k (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-1007236959.htm) now if sports bikes will be your thing.

Agreed, learn to ride on a well functioning bike and enjoy the process. Once your license is in your pocket you can upgrade. Time is a big thing!

[OddDuck]

A mate had a Ninja 300 and loved it to bits. Great little bikes, pin-sharp handling.

[Nickb229]

Cheers for the advice, I looked around at a few bikes and decided on the GS500. Low kms and got it for a good price. Rode from CHCH to Wellington last week and it went perfectly! Very happy with the decision.

Thanks again

[Tazz]

Good man. Happy riding!

[WristTwister]

Cheers for the advice, I looked around at a few bikes and decided on the GS500. Low kms and got it for a good price. Rode from CHCH to Wellington last week and it went perfectly! Very happy with the decision.

Thanks again

You rode from Christchurch to Wellington as a beginner on your first bike? I think you have more experience than your first comment implied.:msn-wink:

[Nickb229]

Cheers! Looking forward to heading back down tomorrow, which I'm sure will be a good ride. And hopefully some more awesome riding to come.