Just starting out.. what's good?

[Meekey_Mouse]

Hey all,
I just got my learners on Monday, so now I'm in the look out for a good bike (up to 250cc).

I learnt to ride about 2 yrs ago on my brothers XR400 so it's not like I'm a complete learner but I'm defintly not great at it :violin:. Just wondering if any of you could let me know what sort of sports/sport-tour bikes would be good to start out on? I like RG150's (havn't tried the 250's), ZZR250's and GSXR250's... but I've only ridden an RG150 as of yet.

Thanks heaps!

Jas

[SwanTiger]

The ultimate learners bike, no effort required to ride it, the bike does everything for you and it also acts as an immediate increase in penis length.


GSX-R 1000

<img src="http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/26/25847926_full.jpg">

[Meekey_Mouse]

LOL, Hmm... slight problem there... Im a chick :P. But i wish i could have a 1000! IT'd be sooo cool:laugh:

[Bend-it]

The 250 bandit's a good bike, I have one! And if you wanna wait till Dec, you can have it! For a small price of course... :)

[Mr. Peanut]

Depends on how much you want to spend.

I would stay away from ANY learners bike that even whiffs of sportyness :yes:
Chances are it'll be thrashed and overpriced. Get something ugly, cheap and simple.

Old GN250's are great (early 80's - 90's) the new ones are absolute crap.
FXR150's are also good, but getting a bit pricey now.

But hey, what would I know....

[hXc]

VT250 Spada. Check my profile. It's sex on wheels

[Meekey_Mouse]

hXc: That is a real nice bike... but personally i like bikes wid fairings. Lol, and I really can't spend too much on a bike (there goes my dreams of a real nice bike:bye: ) but yea.. aprx. $2000-2500 as I also have to get gear

[Blackbird]

Welcome to the site from just up the road in Tokoroa. Some good people on the site from Taupo and a couple of them are official mentors who would be very happy to help coach you.

Enjoy your riding.

[SwanTiger]

How big are you in terms of height?

If you can afford it and find one, I'd recommend a Honda 250 Hornet, a good amount of power (for a 250cc bike) and reliability with solid style and build quality. They'd have to be the ultimate learners machine, just a pitty you can't buy them new.

The second best option would be a Hyosung GT 250, a very smooth and torquey V-Twin engine that won't scare you much.

EDIT: I'm bias about the Hyosung.

[Meekey_Mouse]

Blackbird: Thanks.. I'm defintly gratefull to any help and advice I can get. My brother knows a bit and so he is really helping me out.

Swan Tiger: haha.. I'm pretty short, bout 165cm's

[Mr. Peanut]

Ill have a look on tardme for you and post realistic options for you. Sorry if my last post was a bit harsh, thought you were a gent :love:

[fozz rock]

anything with a wof and reg :whocares: as lond as you got one

gn250 is the way alot go

[andrea]

The ultimate learners bike, no effort required to ride it, the bike does everything for you and it also acts as an immediate increase in penis length.


GSX-R 1000

<img src="http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/26/25847926_full.jpg">

DAMNIT MAN I KNEW IT, i should have got that bike for a learners i would of got a 10inch dick but instead i got a 250 and ended up with a 2.5inch dick instead, farken shit happens aye not fair.

[Meekey_Mouse]

MrPeanut: Dnt worry bout it aye.. I ddnt find it harsh at all :). I've been looking through TM and there are a couple of bikes that sound good.. but I can't do much till I sell my horse(how I'm getting the $)

fozz rock: I really want something that is reliable and wont break down on me aye :P

[Scotty]

If your goinig to move on to bigger sports bikes , Stay well away from gn250's:zzzz: .

[Meekey_Mouse]

Scotty: are they pretty slow?

[Scotty]

Slow hmmm never hung around long enough to see one start . the seating position is more of a cruiser style to. sorry they SUX

[Mr. Peanut]

A GN250 will give you plenty of learner thrills I assure you, and it will leave you with plenty of cash for protective gear.

When you want to move on to something faster, a GN250 will be easy to sell for pretty much what you paid for it.

Also if you drop a GN250, there isn't much to break. They are about as reliable as they come to boot. Get an old one though.

BTW -> Scotty is a tard.

[ridetwins]

i had a klx250 d-tracker. its basically the same as an XR but in motard trim. great for learners as is not fast, handles great and insprires confidence. good for round town but also can keep up with the 100kph speed limit. has a higher seat height so suitable more for taller people. just another option thats all.....

[fozz rock]

fozz rock: I really want something that is reliable and wont break down on me aye :P[/QUOTE]

your right... don't get a suzuki

[fridayflash]

hey meeky,greetings from napier.i reclon your on tha right track with the rg150-plenty of zing,& just enough torque to get by.:scooter:

[McJim]

Well here's my 2c - you want fairings...why? Anyhow moving on from that you have a budget of $2000-$2500 Peanut will look around for you which is nice of him.

But what is he going to find in that price range? - as he's said if it's a fully faired bike it'll be old and it'll be thrashed at that price-may cost over $1,000 to get it through it's next wof. Some 1988 250s (CBR250RR, GSXR250 etc.) are still getting $4000 - $6000. Spada will still set you back $4000 in good condition so do you want a good bike that's about to die or a mediocre bike that will not cost you a penny for the next 2 years or so at which point you can get your Gixxer or whatever?

My advice - if you can get FXR150 go for it - there are some 2 stroke 150's for good prices too but be prepared to get oily and dirty as they can be somewhat temperamental especially if you don't warm 'em up before every ride.

If you can't get FXR then the only thing left on your budget is GN250 or a very old something requiring TLC and $$$ to fix it.

Best of luck looking.

[kiwifruit]

welcome to the site

ive recently got a few new riders into bikes on rg150s, they look good and are very easy to ride. they provide enuf of a speed thrill when needed. they handle very well and you can get great tyres for them....
the down side is they are 2 stroke (high performance machines)so can need rebuilding if not looked after and cost abit more to run due to having to buy 2stroke oil as well as gas.
in saying that i highly recommend them for learners.

in my opinion its better to start on something small, learn to "monster" it then move on.
250s are all good but waaaaay over priced due to demand.

im happy to help with anything bike related, love getting new people into bikes.

go and see chris mitchell too, he is by far the best mechanic in town and knows the market well. best man to see for gear etc too.

dont hesatate to let me know if there is anything i can help with.

see you on the road sometime ;-)


EDIT
come out to the track this friday if ya can, we are holding a trackday ;)

[Scouse]

How big are you in terms of height?

If you can afford it and find one, I'd recommend a Honda 250 Hornet, a good amount of power (for a 250cc bike) and reliability with solid style and build quality. They'd have to be the ultimate learners machine, just a pitty you can't buy them new.

The second best option would be a Hyosung GT 250, a very smooth and torquey V-Twin engine that won't scare you much.

EDIT: I'm bias about the Hyosung.Yep have to concur those Hyosungs are good girls bikes

[Meekey_Mouse]

Thanks SOO much to every one aye... I'm really surprised as to how many people are helping :D.

Kiwifruit: I've talked to Chris (great guy!) as he also knows roughly what my rider-level is and he said that aslong as the RG has got a good engine in it then that would be a good bike, or a CBR.

Will also keep looking at GN's

Can't wait till I get a bike though... hehe

[Str8 Jacket]

Swan Tiger: haha.. I'm pretty short, bout 165cm's

Im a little shorter than you and have a KR150 (two stroker) It'll be up for sale in a couple of months....

[Meekey_Mouse]

Im a little shorter than you and have a KR150 (two stroker) It'll be up for sale in a couple of months....

Cool, Thanks.... please keep me posted :)

[Str8 Jacket]

Cool, Thanks.... please keep me posted :)

I'll be chucking a thread up and offering it KBers first before I put in on Tardme around Nov so keep your eyes open. But if you can get a bike soon then go for it, the sooner your out riding the faster you'll learn! :D

Oh yeah, welcome!

[Smokin]

What about one of those FXR150 thingys, They go alright dont they? they look abit sporty.

[Meekey_Mouse]

What about one of those FXR150 thingys, They go alright dont they? they look abit sporty.

My brother took one for a test ride and says it rides like a truck. What do you guys think?

[Smokin]

I was thinking of a friend that has one in christchurch, seems to go really well and is quite quick for its size, seems very light and nimble coz he really chucks it around.

[MidnightMike]

I have a bike that im putting up for sale soon, check my profile for a photo, it will be around your price range too. PM me for more info if you want. :scooter:

[jeremysprite]

I'd vouch for the fxr's, put some good tyres on it (bt39s?) and they're great. Up to 30km/l, top speed of around 145kmh, and easy to work on. The fairings also seem to be more resilient (sp) to landing on tarmac than older, late 80's bikes' fairings.


Ownership of an FXR150 also allows you privileged access to high-profile, exclusive clubs. :shit:

[kiwifruit]

My brother took one for a test ride and says it rides like a truck. What do you guys think?

they dont handle like a truck
great learner bike bike not as "exciting" as say a rg150

[Str8 Jacket]

they dont handle like a truck
great learner bike bike not as "exciting" as say a rg150

or KR..... NOw thats an exciting bike!

[Mr. Peanut]

Here's a few nice ones, that GN250 is awesome :)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-68863514.htm

If you could get the extra cash this is an excellent bike.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-68689043.htm

A good cheapy here
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-69366934.htm

If you checked it out VERY CAREFULLY you might consider this one
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-69182306.htm

Hope that helps.... :love:

[hXc]

hXc: That is a real nice bike... but personally i like bikes wid fairings. Lol, and I really can't spend too much on a bike (there goes my dreams of a real nice bike:bye: ) but yea.. aprx. $2000-2500 as I also have to get gear
That only cost me $2800 including new paint job and dent removal.

[hXc]

Spada will still set you back $4000 in good condition
Where'd you hear/see that?! My Spada had a couple of dents, but was still perfectly fine. Only reason I got 'em fixed was I didn't like the original colour and thought I may as well get the dents fixed too. All up it cost about $2800

[Patrick]

LOL, Hmm... slight problem there... Im a chick :P. But i wish i could have a 1000! IT'd be sooo cool:laugh:

I thought increased length was good for chicks???:innocent:

Fairings? Why? Just more to damage? 250 naked Bandit was my first, awesome learners bike and some do appear in your price range.

Get rid of the horse though, money gobbling bastidges....

[Meekey_Mouse]

Hey, thanks MrPeanut for the links. I'm thinkin I might be able to, POSSIBLY, get a bit more $ from selling keyboard etc.. so it might take me a little longer but I think it will be worth it.

After some thought I highly doubt I'd drop I bike, but you just never know and crap happens.. so I think I will go for an unfaired bike.

Patrick: Increased length in height is gd for chicks but not much else :p

[Back Fire]

After some thought I highly doubt I'd drop I bike, but you just never know and crap happens.. so I think I will go for an unfaired bike.


hehehehe... everyone drops bikes :p go for a lil honda VTR or hairnet if you want nekkid... GN's are... well.... GN's...

[Ghost Lemur]

Got to agree with the majority here. Get an el cheapo nekkid bike. Any of the following.

GN250
CB250RS
FZR250
Bandit

Seriously I was the same when I first joined the site. Wanted a zxr/cbrrrr. But listened to the good advice got me a $400 wof&reg 81 CB250rs. Had a blast. Learnt lots and then got taken out by a cager. Net result postive.

Oh, and don't think because you start out on a "slow" naked bike means you'll always be a slow rider. Look around the site for a guy by the name of Motoracer. One of the fastest guys here, and he started off on a cb250rs.

Lets be honest, it doesn't matter how "slow" a bike is. Whatever you get, you're not going to be pushing it's limits for a while yet. When the time comes where you do find the bikes limitations you can always upgrade to something else. 250's hold there value well. The ones that don't are the sports bikes that get dropped. Really going that path is the only option that has a potential money loosing effect if something goes wrong.

Have you considered a dual sport bike? Something like the XT? You can have your on road fun, but also explore some gravel and dirt. Gain some valuable skills on how to handle a bike with next to no traction.

Best bet though is to look around, bum some rides on as many different 250s as you can and find what suits you best now (not what'll suit you best in six months).

[Meekey_Mouse]

Ghost Lemur: Thanks heaps for the advice :yes: I'm defintly lookin at an unfaired bike now.

I use to ride a lil TT250 that we did up. I rode it round the farm a bit and practiced loosing the front weel, locking the back wheel, going on gravel etc.. It was a great lil bike.