Which bike?

[ice2004]

Im new to riding a bike and wanting to learn as Auckland's traffic is getting worse every year!

I did some research and found some people say not to buy/learn in 125cc or 150cc and would be better to go with 250cc+ and others suggested other way around to learn in a smaller engine 125cc etc

My list of motor bikes Im interested to buy:

Honda CB125
Honda CB300R
Honda CB300F

Yamaha YZF-R3
Yamaha YZF-R15
Yamaha FZ6R
Yamaha Scorpio

Kawasaki Ninja EX250J
Kawasaki ZZR250

Suzuki GSX-R600
Suzuki Bandit 600S
Suzuki Inazuma 2015

Aprillia ETX150

Which of the bikes above is suggested for me? I want to use it for Rural road for 5km then Highway about 8km then urban for 20km
I want a reliable bike, holds its value and can go fast when needed!

Also what motorbike License do I need? Currently have full car drivers license!

[The End]

Im new to riding a bike and wanting to learn...

Suzuki GSX-R600


Umm...no... Although I'm sure plenty of people will tell you otherwise to laugh at your misfortune as a newbie on a 600cc inline 4 sport bike.


Like a car license, the motorbike system is the same - Learner (6 months) -> Restricted (18 months) -> Full. Although you can do courses to bring this time down.

Depending on your age and size (height/weight) you might find something over 250cc will be better for you in the long run, than choosing a smaller bike. Budget plays a part too - are you happy to buy something small, buy a bigger learner bike 3-4 months down the line, and buy a "big" bike once you have your full license? Or does budget only allow for one bike now and one bike once you are on your full license?


Check out this list of what bikes are available for your motorcycle license journey:
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/getting-a-licence/licences-by-vehicle-type/motorcycles/lams/lams-approved-and-prohibited-motorcycles/



I want a reliable bike, holds its value and can go fast when needed!

The likes of the Kawasaki Ninja, Honda CB250s and the Yamaha learner bikes are more likely to hold their value in the long run, as they are overpriced due to their popularity (supply/demand I 'spose). Define fast and you will get a range of recommendations - not all learner bikes are on the same page and by comparison to larger bikes are not "fast" at all.

[F5 Dave]

Std answer is R1. Are you some sort of homo? Then its a Honda for you.

[Erelyes]

Learners - Scorpio

Once you're on your restricted move to a 2fiddy / 300 in whatever style interests you - sports, nekkid, cruiser.

[fxxk]

I started with a ninja 300 but quickly got bored of absolutely no power, fun to throw around but does not feel like a real bike what so ever. I'm now on an FZ6R and it's a lot better, I've taken the throttle restriction off too so it's actually fun to ride. Other choice you haven't listed and may have missed is the Kawasaki 650 (Lams)

[Rhys]

The bandit would have to be on the short list.

[PistonBlown]

My suggestion would be to start on something at the smaller/cheaper/simpler end.

If you drop it then you want it to be cheap to repair - so easy to damage plastic-work isn't a good idea.

A lack of power at the start teaches you a little caution which is no bad thing at that stage. Better to reach the bikes limits than your own.

If you find yourself wanting more performance after a while (which we all do) then you can upgrade to something more powerful but it will be on your terms and you'll probably have a better idea what your looking for.

With a bike there's more owner care/maintenance needed. So starting on something that's easy to work on helps you learn about that stuff as well.

[AllanB]

Get a LAMS Ducati Monster :yes:

[MarkH]

My list of motor bikes Im interested to buy:

Honda CB300F


Serous answer:
That looks like a pretty decent bike for a learner that would be good for a while, probably fine to ride at least until getting a full motorcycle license.
I would assume that it is LAMS compliant, someone feel free to correct me if it isn't.

[Tazz]

Busa.

The newer the bike is the more you will lose on it as a rule (holding value wise that relates to).

Bandit would be a good all rounder. Are they lambs?

Wouldn't bother with a 125.

Also people talking about the power of bikes should disclose their weight. There are a lot of fat bastards out there that rubbish little bikes which are actually fine if they're not struggling to haul some pie built lard arse around, and then there are some little bikes that are actually just gutless bits of rubbish. If you yourself are of the larger persuasion, factor it in.
So with that into consideration the wee 300's aren't tooooo bad.

[pritch]

There are a lot of fat bastards out there that rubbish little bikes which are actually fine if they're not struggling to haul some pie built lard arse around,

:Oi: Don't start picking on me. :nono:

[Scubbo]

guess i'm the only one who enjoys riding a small bike :blink: mostly because they're all I can afford but still... :scooter: cb125 would be the bomb! or a better cheaper chinese clone the HaoJue DA135-S !! 2K new, centerstand + kickstart, full digital dash/speedo what more could ya need :apumpin:

[OddDuck]

Try everything you can get your hands on.

You can read reviews or opinions till the cows come home, nothing is going to work like actually getting out there and giving it a go.

[OddDuck]

guess i'm the only one who enjoys riding a small bike :blink: mostly because they're all I can afford but still... :scooter: cb125 would be the bomb! or a better cheaper chinese clone the HaoJue DA135-S !! 2K new, centerstand + kickstart, full digital dash/speedo what more could ya need :apumpin:

Extreme caution here. It's Chinese, it's dirt cheap, and I've seen too much and heard too much to believe that it'll still be going strong in a couple of years time.

2K new sure, but resale value? If you can resell it at all?

[Scubbo]

ah they're great, Haojue is the suzuki OEM manufacturer they make many suzuki bikes there including the GW250 Inazuma -- it also gets a 2 year warranty, I checked them out extensively as was gonna ride round the south island on one, but ended up getting an as new FXR150 for near that price on road so I went with the slightly more HP machine @_O but if it wasnt a once in a lifetime listing It would have been the Haojue which is sold in Manukau...

[Banditbandit]

The bandit would have to be on the short list.

Yeah but on a learners go with the LAMS GSX650F

http://carsales.li.csnstatic.com/bikepoint/general/editorial/ge4864457046318098018.jpg?height=285&width=428

http://www.bikepoint.com.au/editorial/reviews/2008/road/suzuki/gsx650f/suzuki-gsx650f-lams-14287

[Oakie]

Yeah. Get something that won't break your heart when you drop it. Because you will drop it. It's one of the rules.
Obviously get a second hand bike. See above.

I'd go for one of them there Honda 300s if it were me ... but you're not me. Work out what is important to you ... (for me ... handling, appropriate seat height, reliability, economy, upright riding position) and then read reviews for the bikes on your list.

Don't get a Hayabusa.

[Hads]

You could look at a dual sport, like a KLX250s or DRZ250, that way you can take it off road in the weekends too.

I just happen to be selling my KLX fairly soon.

[ice2004]

I went out and looked at a few bikes

Checked the Honda CB300R and Yamaha YZF-R3

I liked the Yamaha YZF-R3 2016 model.

What do you think which to choose between these two? why? price is identical.

[Oakie]

I went out and looked at a few bikes

Checked the Honda CB300R and Yamaha YZF-R3

I liked the Yamaha YZF-R3 2016 model.

What do you think which to choose between these two? why? price is identical.

Honda for the better mileage if it were me.. http://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/which-sub-400-cc-sportbike-is-right-for-you

[ice2004]

Also where are the places to get the bike gear Helmet Jackets etc? Should I buy it from the dealer?

[Madness]

Buy a Japanese bike. Buy the bike that makes you happy. Buy the helmet that fits your head best and the jacket that fits your body and the best you can afford of both. Dealerships are good places to try gear on and you can often get a discount on gear if buying a bike from said dealership.

Me? I'd buy a second hand Yamaha Scorpio or Honda XR250 or similar. Chances are you will probably drop your first bike and you will definitely lose money on it - more if you buy new.

Get some training as it sounds like you're starting from scratch and Auckland traffic is a bitch.

Good luck.

[ice2004]

I bought a near new Kawasaki Ninja 300 should be fun learning on it!

[Oakie]

I bought a near new Kawasaki Ninja 300 should be fun learning on it!

'Starting to learn on it'. Your learning process will long outlast this bike.