Another noob! (Danboy)

[Danboy]

Gudday all,
Just thought I'd introduce meself. I'm Dan and I'm from Rotorua.
Looking to get my licence and buy my first bike etc. I'm a late bloomer(31yrs).
Always wanted a bike(ridden a few without a licence in my early years) but never got one.
Time to stop procrastinating. Any recommendations on a first bike would be great. Baring in mind I'm 6' and 100kg's, so I don't want to it struggling up the hills. Haha.
Is there any way I can shorten the time on getting through the licence stages? Don't feel like bein' stuck on a little 250cc for that long. Not so much for power reasons, just like a bigger feeling bike.
Catch ya! :spudwave:
Cheers.
D.

[MidnightMike]

Heres one here if you think you need more power :headbang:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=53995601&key=364602

Welcome to the site btw.

[OMG]

Welcome to KB. I'm like you, on started riding when I hit my 30s, something I should have done many many years earlier!

I started on a GSX250, was a good learner bike (quite big for a 250, so didn't feel much different geting the 600 after that), and very popular.

re shorting license period, you can do CBTA courses, and because you are a 'mature' rider, you don't have to wait between them, so as soon as you have your learners, you can do your restricted, and as soon as you have your restricted, you can do your full. (see www.roadsafe.co.nz not sure if there is anyone in Rotorua who does them though).

Good luck with bike buying.

[kickingzebra]

Hey Dan, as you are over the magic 25, your license process is much shorter anyways, but if you do a defensive driving course while on your restricted I believe, then the whole thing goes by in less than a year I think.
As far as power goes, and for your size... Maybe consider a 2 stroke race rep, eg suzuki RGV 250, honda NSR 250...
Depending on the money you want to spend, I have a mate with an 05 aprilia RS 250, 800 kms (yes, 800, not 8000) on the clock. They are the pick of the bunch, as they are newer, still factory supported, faster, lighter, better handling, but the down side is cost, $12000 to $13000. however, if it is street cred and power you want (assuming you have ridden enough to not be intimidated/killed by said power) Then that is the must have bike. You don't want to be dropping them though!! gets expensive. RGVs/NSRs can be had for 3 to 5 grand, early 90s models.

If you aren't super experienced on bikes, then starting on something a bit less imposing isn't a bad Idea, I have a zzr 250, produces OK power, and comfortable for 1, 2 at a pinch, failing that, try CBR or zxr 250s. These are 4 cylinder howlers. The have alright looks and go, but I suspect may be a tad uncomfortable for someone of your dimensions.
Hope that helps a bit, Welcome to the mad house!!

[limbimtimwim]

1998 onwards Honda VTR250 will suit your dimensions. What it won't suit is your lust for power. But it'll do untill you upgrade.

[Danboy]

Cheers guys. Great to have such good replies so soon. :) Gonna look at both those links....and narrow my list down on the bikes. Might steer away from the 2 strokers for the moment....I used to race karts so know about the engines....not so nice for those long trips lol. Keep the info coming though.

D.

[Danboy]

Found a useful link I thought I might post. You can sit your learners through to your full including any training you want etc. at this place and cut the time down as much as you want. No waiting to get your full!!!! :2thumbsup (As long as you pass of course ;) ) lol
http://www.passrite.co.nz/cycles.asp
Email them for info.
Enjoy!

D.

[kickingzebra]

Dan, Just looking at the LTSA website...
You have to spend the 6 months on learners still, but with an approved course, because you are over 25, restricted is only 3 months, without said course it is 6 months. Wher LTSA info conflicts with someone elses, I would believe the LTSA. Beaurocracy for you... The important thing is to get the learners quickly, because then, even if you dont have a bike, The time is ticking over.
All needed for that is Practical handling cert and book and do the scratchee learners test.

[Fishy]

Welcome to the site mate!. :scooter:

[kiwifruit]

welcome to the site,
will catch you for a ride one day :)

[Matt Bleck]

Welcome to the site mate. you'll have to come down to Hennessy's one friday nite and meet up for a quite beer or two!!

[Insanity_rules]

Hey welcome Dan, I'm in the very same boat as you! quite common so I understand to hit consience in thirties and get licenced up. Good on yer mate.

Good luck on the hunt for your first legal ride dude.

[BEAMER89]

Welcome to KB Danboy, enjoy the site mate.:spudbooge good luck on getting your licence/ bike.:scooter:

[simo j]

welcome to k.b.site.let me know if you are meeting up at hennesys ill try and slip over. cheers .:

[Bend-it]

Welcome! I'm 27 and only just got into bikes too... I ride a Suzuki Bandit 250, which would suit your power needs fine. A large framed 250 would be the hyosung gt250. It has the same frame as the gt650, just 250 engine. The only set-back is power. They're still ok, cruise at 100 no problems etc. Very smooth poer delivery at low-ish revs. Very comfy bike to ride, just not a quick death mobile! ;)

Looks pretty good, and cheap too! About $6000 brand new...

[neats]

Hi, go sit your basic handling certificate on the testers bikes. They normally have 2 or 3 available and providing you tell them you need one before you go they'll sort it for you (normally free). It's a 6 month wait and then you can go for your restricted. From there, because you're over 25 it's a three month wait if you do an advanced course and then you can sit your full. So, that's 9 months from the day you get your learners until the day you get your full. If you want to save money, just buy the bike you really want to ride. Just my thoughts.

[poorbastard]

Welcome

I sort of agree with Neats here I rekon if i didnt have to wait 2 years I would have done the same thinking back now.

[Ixion]

There is a reason (and a good one) why that 250cc restriction exists. OK, if you have years of dirt bike experience,and a full cage licence for a few years, maybe you could safely skip it. Otherwise, play it by the rules . We need live bikers. (I didn't used to think this way, in case someone dredges up one of my old posts. I changed my mind recently after seeing an inexperienced rider trying to cope with a 1000cc machine).

Riding a big bike looks cool, and easy. Yeah, I know all the truisms - "you don't have to twist the twistgrip"; "you can ride a big bike slow". Reality is, a big bike can get you into a seriously pear shaped situation a heck of a lot quicker than a smaller one. And it's only the experience and miles that make you respond (hopefully) correctly in the split second you have to get it right.

There's a good few can tell you "I never wasted time on a 250, went straight to a Hayabusa, and I'm OK". Trouble is, the ones who DIDN'T make out OK doing that, aren't posting. Cos they're either dead or not riding anymore.

If you want to ride because you really understand what biking's about, then you'll know that you can get just as much fun riding a smaller machine. And if the reason you want to ride is TO GO BLOODY FAST, MAN, then you *definately* need to start with a 250.

[kickingzebra]

That brings up a point, the road definitly isn't offroad, and the two disciplines while meeting in some points, are different disciplines.
I ignored that and loaned a mate with LOADS of dirtbike experience my ZZR.
No road experience, wet weather, his wife on the back (need I add no license?) Taking a simple righthander, damp road, and a gust of wind catchs him, bike into ditch, wife into tree, bung hip, and what was a relatively nice ZZR with only a little fairing damage, becomes ZZR 250 monster, after about 40 hours of straightening, patching, bogging and spraypainting.
If you haven't ridden on the road, then a 250 ain't such a bad thing, and damn near all of them go fast enough to beat cars off the lights, and lose you your license, so no pressure to buy a thousand CC monster.

They are way scary, even when you have ridden on the road for a while on smaller bikes. Risks are tank slappers, flipping the bike, high siding (doesn't happen so much on smaller bikes) and on and on. Best to follow the law on this one.

[Danboy]

"Riding a big bike looks cool, and easy."

"And if the reason you want to ride is TO GO BLOODY FAST, MAN, then you *definately* need to start with a 250."

Aaah no. I'm not worried about looking uncool on a 250, nor is my reason to go "bloody" fast. I've ridden both small and larger bikes in my early years(please read my orginal post) and have found that I'm all squashed up and feel like I'm riding a match-stick when I'm on a small bike. Not because I need POWER. :not:
That's my reasoning behind wanting the licence earlier, so I'm not stuck with a bike I have to change again in x amount of months. I'm 31, not 21. I have SOME maturity. (some) haha :sherlock: lol.
But thanks. :msn-wink: :niceone:

D.

[neats]

Hi, in my opinion there's not a lot of differance between someone who's learning at 31 or at 21. A mature person who rides a bike is someone who rides within their limits.Dirt vs Road. Skills like changing gears, balance, throttle control are definately transferable to road riding. So's the confidance of knowing your way around a bike and being able to control it. But, that can be a double edged sword. The licenesing systems is supposed to reflect the learning process whereby you ride in differant conditions, encounter hazards and react.

[neats]

No amount of trail riding or life experiance will give you that. The 9 months for your license get a bigger bike advice0 is more for the guys that are in their thirties that ride the big machines and just haven't got around to licensing up.

Regarding being a bigger rider. There are a few 250's that will redline around 17 to 19k. That's enough power to tow an elephant and lose your license all at once!

Can recommend a few but prefer if you ask the boys. They'll give you all the specs plus more. PM me if you don't have any luck.

[Maha]

Hi Danboy, nice haircut mate but those eye brows need some work.....:gob:

[Scorpygirl]

Hi Danboy - welcome to KB and I hope you enjoy getting out and riding again!!!

[BarBender]

Hey Dan

Welcome to KBs
I hit the big 40 this year and have just started riding again after having done some motorcross and trial bike riding as a sprog in the Tarawera and Uruwera Forests - (I'm an ex Bay Boy!)

Living and riding in Auckland has been a huge re-learning for me...heaps more traffic thereby increasing my chance of being a human pinball. However Im loving the feeling of being on a bike again...even if it is a 250!

All the best with the choice of new bike and be safe.

[RT527]

Hey Dan.
I`m just back into riding at 37 after being off bikes for around 12-13 yrs, bought myself a cbr600( i already have a full licence) And am really starting to enjoy it again, the 600 is lighter than i thought it would be is quick and nimble and with out going fast i can have fun on it.......
I`m nearly 6` and 90 kgs and it`s not uncomfortable.
Mind you the Hyosung brand new is probably the best bike to buy, seeing as its the same frame as the GT650 you could always transplant a 650 into it at a later stage.
Anyways welcome to KB and ride safe.

[Wellyman]

Hello.
Welcome aboard to Kiwibiker,
Hope you enjoy the stay and please don't feed the animals (White Trash,Mikey,Winja)
WM

[Danboy]

Hi Danboy, nice haircut mate but those eye brows need some work.....:gob:

Yeah....bloody chernobyl really killed my boyish good looks! lol :niceone:

[Danboy]

Thanks for all the welcomes to the site too. Enjoyin it emmensly already. Cheers.

D.

[Danboy]

Regarding being a bigger rider. There are a few 250's that will redline around 17 to 19k. That's enough power to tow an elephant and lose your license all at once!

Only problem with a higher revving 4 cylinder bike is that the low down torque isn't really suited to a heavier person. Might have a ton of power up at 17,000, but it doesn't kick in till about 11,000. A V-Twin usually gives better low down grunt to haul my fat ass away from the lights. lol. When it comes to engines, I know about them....it's more the fitting of the bike to a bigger person so I'm not uncomfortable riding it. Have ridden before, but just not on 250cc bikes which tend to be smaller framed. So was mainly wanting opinions on bikes that would suit. :)
Cheers,

D.

[Jabez]

Welcome....:)