Older Vs Newer

[G-R-I-M]

Its finaly time to get a Lams bike. I will be doing a 45 minute open road commute but also want somthing i can have a decent play on. My question is am i going to have more fun on a older 250r or a new 600?

[jim.cox]

The 250 will at its limit on the open road - hope you dont have too many hills.

But the 600's can be a bit big and heavy

Me, I'm looking for a 400...

[caspernz]

https://kawasaki.co.nz/road/sport/ninja-400-abs/

Give it a lash, given what you're looking for the bike to do, here's one of my choices.

[G-R-I-M]

The 250 will at its limit on the open road - hope you dont have too many hills.

But the 600's can be a bit big and heavy

Me, I'm looking for a 400...

A couple of hills, I guess the 250 was a poor example. Im assuming with the new lams bikes will flaten off quickly with their lams restrictions. Taking technology asiside, will the pre lams bikes be better?

[johcar]

https://m.triumphmotorcycles.co.nz/motorcycles/roadsters-and-supersports/street-triple/2017/street-triple/variants/street-triple-lams

This is what you want!

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[Gremlin]

With a commute, I'd go newer LAMS. You want something reliable, safe. The old stuff won't have ABS, even 15 years ago the 1 litre bikes didn't all have ABS, let alone the smaller bikes. Reliable, because you're commuting, rain, shine etc.

The old 250s can definitely be screamers, and engaging in some ways, but require more TLC and have usually been thrashed and bashed. If not, they'll be asking so much you may as well buy newer.

[caspernz]

With a commute, I'd go newer LAMS. You want something reliable, safe. The old stuff won't have ABS, even 15 years ago the 1 litre bikes didn't all have ABS, let alone the smaller bikes. Reliable, because you're commuting, rain, shine etc.

The old 250s can definitely be screamers, and engaging in some ways, but require more TLC and have usually been thrashed and bashed. If not, they'll be asking so much you may as well buy newer.

What if the budget is $5 and a bag of chips though? :innocent:

[G-R-I-M]

https://m.triumphmotorcycles.co.nz/motorcycles/roadsters-and-supersports/street-triple/2017/street-triple/variants/street-triple-lams

This is what you want!

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I do like the tripples bar the headlight and the price. Have they changed much over the years? At 14k its getting near the top of the budget.

[G-R-I-M]

What if the budget is $5 and a bag of chips though? :innocent:
The Boss has allowed 15k but have to update some gear aswell.

[Bonez]

Go for an unrestricted 500 Twin. Plenty powerful for most tasks. Light so easy to pick up in a drop. Relatively easy to maintain. Wont cost too much to run.

[Gremlin]

What if the budget is $5 and a bag of chips though? :innocent:
Day of travel sorted. Bus ticket and eat the chips :bleh:

[G-R-I-M]

Go for an unrestricted 500 Twin. Plenty powerful for most tasks. Light so easy to pick up in a drop. Relatively easy to maintain. Wont cost too much to run.

Do you know if the newer 500s are restricted?

[johcar]

I do like the tripples bar the headlight and the price. Have they changed much over the years? At 14k its getting near the top of the budget.I ride a 2017 Tiger and Experience Motorcycles in Auckland gave me one of these as a courtesy vehicle when the 800 was last serviced. Apart from being a bit cramped for me (@190cm) it was awesome fun. I was amazed to find the LAMS sticker on it, it was so quick.

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[MarkH]

If it were me, I'd go with the Honda 500X. I find the adventure style riding position more comfortable and the 500X looks like a pretty good bike for the money (way cheaper than my Africa Twin).

[James Deuce]

Do you know if the newer 500s are restricted?

They aren't.

[pritch]

A low mileage example of a 500 to 700 LAMS bike from any of the popular brands would do what you want and lower the outgoings a bit.

[rastuscat]

The Boss has allowed 15k but have to update some gear aswell.

You're fortunate to have that budget, it allows choices.

I've had lots of people ask me what sort of bike they should buy. The answer is always the same : what do you want it to do.

If you think you might ever want to ride gravel roads in any serious way, a Street Triple 660 isn't the bike for you. Just an example here.

Best you can do is analyse what sort of riding you expect to be doing, then look for a bike that meets those needs.

I love the idea of a CBR250RR from 1988 or so, but is it practical? No, it doesn't meet my needs. I have a bike that meets my needs.

The other comment I would make is that it's important that whatever you buy, you look forward to walking into your garage and saying "Hell yeah" when you look at your bike. Have one you love. I can't imagine something more soul destroying than riding a bike that I don't love.

Another thought is that you are able to go from no Class 6 to a 6F in just over 12 months via the RIde Forever/CBTA route. In that time, your needs might change, as you realize that riding is something different to what you thought it could be. If you buy a $14K bike and sell it when you get a 6F, you'll lose a bunch in that time in depreciation.

Lots to think about, but on balance, it's a great time to be a motorcyclist, especially when you have the money to do it properly.

For my money, I'd look at something around 400-500 cc, ABS, in whatever style you fancy. 250s are a little extended on the open road, especially if you are touring.

I envy your choices.

[rastuscat]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7g1R_LD0yyY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

These guys outline pretty much what I said above.

Not just for beginners, worth everyone watching.

[Navy Boy]

Sage advice provided here. As others have said, a 400-500cc LAMS bike will almost certainly meet your needs.

The question is - Will it meet your wants too? I have a DR650 which can still be bought new for around the $9-10k mark. It is simple, rugged and straight forward and will do everything you'd ever reasonably want to do with a Dual purpose bike. It's LAMS compliant without needing any modification but is still satisfying to own and still provides a lot of fun. However, does it compare, thrills-wise, to a Ninja 400?

If you were going to venture off the sealed road occasionally then it's ideal but the Ninja will be more fun on a purely road-based trip/commute.

Decision/test ride time for you my friend. Enjoy - It's one of the best bits about choosing and buying your next machine. :niceone:

[Laava]

As above and above... I would add also that if you are commuting and have it parked in an unsecured area, you might consider not buying something that people want to steal.

[G-R-I-M]

Thank you everyone this has been beyond helpful. Ive quickly realised choices are not my friend so... test ride time. Another question us there any other site aside from trademe for second hand bikes worth looking at?

[FJRider]

Thank you everyone this has been beyond helpful. Ive quickly realised choices are not my friend so... test ride time. Another question us there any other site aside from trademe for second hand bikes worth looking at?

My favourite advice is ... Buy local.

[Bonez]

This would be ideal https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/other/auction-2625991280.htm?rsqid=2689b1d8429b49b794fbaaca0b680 132-001 Usually there's an experianced KBer in an area to check the bike out for you in advance.

[jim.cox]

As above and above... I would add also that if you are commuting and have it parked in an unsecured area, you might consider not buying something that people want to steal.

A big D lock and a cheap gps tracker are good way to help hold on to your investment