Good bike for a teenager

[talisker]

Long story but will try to keep it short.

My son (16) has had a bit of shit year at school this year. He's his own worst enemy and not very good at choosing friends so has got into a heap of trouble. (No idea where he got that from....)
He's not going to pass NCEA level 1 which sucks because he is more than capable of it. It's a big frustration for the teachers to see him fail and an even bigger one for me.

He knows he's screwed up and is working hard to change but it's all a but late.
I've cut a deal with him where if he can pass by NCEA by Easter next year (plus some other behavior caveats) I'll pay for his BHS and learners and chuck in a few hundred towards a bike.

Question is whats a good bike for a kid to learn on?
I'm only getting back into riding myself after a break of many many years, never actually had a licence in NZ (I'm a Pommy migrant). Means I'm a little clueless as to whats good and whats not.

[turtleman]

My kids learnt on a Yamaha Scorpio. Youngest now on a suzuki 800. Was a good reliable ride, cheap to buy (even new) with average quality (it is cheap, after all).
Fairly robust, lightweight, and reliable.

The Wife learnt on the same machine ......

[Akzle]

hyabusa. obviously. (for fuck sakes!)

but are you really sure you want to be sending your flesh and blood out to play in traffic, if they're "their own worst enemy"?

[JimO]

vtr 250.....

[jafagsx250]

If he's tall then a hyosung would be better than the vtr250 but if he's not going far or he is short then i reckon it'd be better. They're not as wide as the hyosung and lower down so very good at lane splitting. The one I rode had an aftermarket exhaust and felt like it pulled a lot harder down low and in the mid range.

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

[Oakie]

but are you really sure you want to be sending your flesh and blood out to play in traffic, if they're "their own worst enemy"?

Akzle makes a point that does have to be considered.

Apart from that ... a bike without fairings to damage for the inevitable drop. Try the Suzuki Inazuma 250. I've ridden one a couple of times as a loaner when my bike is being serviced. Goes well enough with decent handling and brakes.

[jellywrestler]

how tall is he and what's your budget
what part of welly are you in and where would he likely to be travelling to?

[Jeff Sichoe]

a tricked out mountain bike might be more appropriate for a wayward teen

[Black Knight]

I would wait until he is 18,my 16 y/o bulletproof nephew recently had a crash that nearly killed him,something about 16 y/olds and motorbikes.

[cods4]

You could look at dirt bikes instead. Thats how I got into biking, its a good way to learn the necessary skills with a much lower level of risk than riding on the road.

[Scubbo]

I've got a great condition 2001 FXR150 thats done less than 6000KM, it's my current commuter but am looking at selling to free up garage space for my other 2 bikes since moving house...

$2200 and it's yours, reg runs out in december, wof till midway through next year

[pritch]

hyabusa. obviously. (for fuck sakes!)


Knew that was coming, it always does, just didn't know who would be unable to resist the temptation this time.

For the kid in question, a 250 four stroke single. The choice is much wider under LAMS but his decision making skills seem to need work and it may be better if instant thrills did not fall readily to hand just yet.

[Akzle]

... it may be better if instant thrills did not fall readily to hand just yet.

well.... 30 seconds isn't quit "instant" but//

o, i see what you mean...

[Jin]

Dirt bike. Cheaper safer and more fun.

[jasonu]

a tricked out mountain bike might be more appropriate for a wayward teen

and about 5 times the price of an entry level motorbike...

[rocketman1]

VTR250 Honda.

[rastuscat]

VTR250 Honda.

Wot e said

[russd7]

hyabusa. obviously. (for fuck sakes!)

are you fucking serious, a new kawasaki H2 would be a far better bike to learn on for a bullet proof teen

[WristTwister]

oh my gosh some harsh advice here.

I see high school boys on motorbikes and scooters (in school uniform to boot!)

For a 16 y/o a 125-225cc should give him enough to get around town on without getting into [too much] trouble.

Something along the lines of a Honda CB125, Suzuki GN125-250, Yammie Scorpio 225, Aprilia ETX/STX150, KTM RC200 etc, etc...

[mossy1200]

VTR250 Honda.

Yep This ^^^^^
Punish him with a Honda.

[pete-blen]

get a 250 trailie.....
he won't get bored only riding the black stuff




..

[Akzle]

oh my gosh some harsh advice here.





clearly you dont remember being a teenage boy...

[Scubbo]

fxr150 ideal bike for teenager / learner, great reliable engine very low maintenance, does highway speed no problems with my 90KGs, kickstart backup, neat little bikes with great handling and solid brakes --- link to photo (http://gnear.net/fxr.jpg) (2K and its yours!)

[Madness]

+1 for a 250 trailie because jumps, skids, grass & more interesting police chases.

[Reckless]

You could look at dirt bikes instead. Thats how I got into biking, its a good way to learn the necessary skills with a much lower level of risk than riding on the road.

Best advice right here!!! but buy 2 one for yourself if youve had a major break from riding :)

You never know the father and son time might just be what the boy needs. I taught mine on the dirt.
Trust me! time out there in the dirt, gas cooker bangers for lunch, a beer at the end with your boy is time you'll treasure till your deathbed.

Be great for both of you I reckon.

[pritch]

Best advice right here!!! but buy 2 one for yourself if youve had a major break from riding :)

You never know the father and son time might just be what the boy needs. I taught mine on the dirt.
Trust me! time out there in the dirt, gas cooker bangers for lunch, a beer at the end with your boy is time you'll treasure till your deathbed.

Be great for both of you I reckon.

This is good. The VTR suggestions not so much. The VTR is a great bike, but maybe not for this kid - yet.

[jasonu]

fxr150 ideal bike for teenager / learner, great reliable engine very low maintenance, does highway speed no problems with my 90KGs, kickstart backup, neat little bikes with great handling and solid brakes --- link to photo (http://gnear.net/fxr.jpg) (2K and its yours!)

90kg's...stay away from the pies ya fat cunt.

[Scubbo]

90kg's...stay away from the pies ya fat cunt.

:lol: :scooter:

[russd7]

ta be fair, most of those that are round the 50 plus age group started on trailies, good to learn handling skills off road and builds confidence whilst learning that not staying upright will hurt somewhat, some of us even did stints in hospital just as an extra reminder, but the advantage being that when ya have an oh fuck moment off road it does not normally involve some dickhead in a cage.
i did learn that it is not a good idea to try removing a barbery hedge with a cr250 elsinore, absolutely the wrong machine for the job

[WristTwister]

He's after a bike to get around on though right, go visit friends, go to sports practice, maybe a little exploration?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-1199540170.htm

Very tidy GN125 in Wellington for sale, great starter bike for a younger ride. Cheap to run on a teenager's budget and it won't be the end of the world if he drops it (No expensive fairings). Well priced @ $1700 so he can spend more on getting good looking gear. (Com'on we all like to look the part on and off our bikes.)

You can attach a rack or top box to these as well, it's practical and not intimidating.

[russd7]

He's after a bike to get around on though right, go visit friends, go to sports practice, maybe a little exploration?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-1199540170.htm

Very tidy GN125 in Wellington for sale, great starter bike for a younger ride. Cheap to run on a teenager's budget and it won't be the end of the world if he drops it (No expensive fairings). Well priced @ $1700 so he can spend more on getting good looking gear. (Com'on we all like to look the part on and off our bikes.)

You can attach a rack or top box to these as well, it's practical and not intimidating.

thats fine if all you want to do is go to the dairy or get the cows in but if ya want to go on open road then they are more than a little under powered.
taught my stepson on a scorpio (he did have the stockman to play with on the farm as well), and that would be the smallest i would go, a 250 is not to big to learn on but it is a good idea to go naked bike for when it gets dropped and it will get dropped, showing off or just plain forgetting to put stand down

[Oakie]

i did learn that it is not a good idea to try removing a barbery hedge with a cr250 elsinore, absolutely the wrong machine for the job

Yes. Had that experience with one of Mum's hedges on the XL175.

[MrMarko]

Hayabusa turbo

[Oakie]

Hayabusa turbo

... for when a standard 'busa is not mental enough.

[SVboy]

Suzuki DRZ250. Love mine. And I have a hayabusa( not Turbo)

[Hads]

Suzuki DRZ250. Love mine. And I have a hayabusa( not Turbo)

+1, or if you want a kawasaki flavour the klx250s, yamaha flavour WR250.

I've had the KLX250s, quite a nice bike, not too silly in stock, plus with some cheap mods can be made into a great offroad machine.

For road only bike, a GN250 is a great learner.

Basically I would get anything that didn't mind being dropped, ie mirrors that fold, no fairings and handlebars that will bend back.