Road Bike Virgin

[RICHIE]

Giday I'm Richie from the North Shore. I've been riding dirt bikes since I could walk (trials and enduros) but now it is time for a road bike. What sort of bike should I be looking for? Any suggestions or advise would be good. :spudwave:

[Hitcher]

Welcome Ritchie.

1. What sort of license have you got, L, R or Full?
2. What sort of riding do you want to do, all tar, tar and gravel?
3. What sort of bike talks to your Biker Soul, sportsbikes, naked bikes, cruisers?

Test ride lots. Make up your own mind. Ride what you like, like what you ride.

[zadok]

Gudday Richie. Welcome to K.B. This subject comes up a lot.
What has been suggested in the past are generally four strokes: Suzuki GN250, Honda CBR250/VTR250, Yamaha SR250/SRV250/XV250.
And not forgeting the Hyosung's, which are getting quite a rap.

[Storm]

I'm with Hitcher- make sure its the bike YOU want. There'll be plenty of advice given, but it'll be your backside on that seat :D

[RICHIE]

Ideally I want something fast with fearings. I have been looking at the Kawasaki ZXR and Honda CBR/NSR. Whats the best 4 or 2 stroke?

I've only got my learners

[Hitcher]

"Fearings", I like that. Very Freudian. Worthy of our gargre. A sprotsbike with fearings. Tee hee...

[marty]

How 'bout a nice TL?

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=18519

[Drum]

Ideally I want something fast with fearings.
Read this before you hit the road.....
http://www.rideforever.co.nz/ride_smart/tao.html

[sels1]

Of course you could get a street legal trail bike which will be familiar to ride while you get used to road riding. You are probably too good a rider for a GN or cruiser style - it really comes down to trying a few out and see what you like. Any of the Jap sports type 250s would probably do fine.

Welcome aboard the site btw

[Sniper]

Welcome aboard mate. Why do you want a fast bike? You want to get to 70kph faster than other learners?

[thehollowmen]

welcome to the madhouse

test drive em all, choose what you want... have fun
can't really give any more advice than that

[DemonWolf]

Welcome to KB... happy hunting =)

[Jabez]

Welcome...:)

[Zapf]

Either the full sports 250's or the naked 250s are nice too... since you are used to wider bars... VTR250's VT250 Spada's... Balius...

[Jantar]

And another belated welcome.

As to what bike would be best for you? I suggest you look first of all at the type of dirt bikes you have ridden. Trials and enduros? Trials suggests that you have learnt to be a very precise rider, and enduros are the dirt bike equivilent of a sports tourer, ie a quick pace for a long time rather than a straight out knuckle whitening race bike.

Yet the 250s you are asking about are virtually race bikes. We see this type of question a lot from learner riders who just want the fastest bike they can get without realising that it takes skill and experience to make these bikes perform up to their potential.

Looking at the type of dirt riding you have been doing I would strongly recommend a sports/tourer rather than a staight out sports bike. This will give you time to hone your skills on the road and find out the type of riding that suits you best. When you upgrade from a 250 you will be much better informed and be ready to progress to a sports bike if that is really what you want.

Best wishes on whatever you decide.

[inlinefour]

welcome to the site, enjoy, please leave it as you found it and watch out for the trolls. Looks like you have the road bike thing sussed now :niceone: