Looking to ride again

[Strider]

:scooter: Hi, Been a while since I last rode on two wheels and keen to get back into it. Any one got a suggestion of a good bike to start of on for someone who hasnt ridden 15 plus years an get the experience back?

[jafar]

whats your budget like for the :scooter: ??

[Toaster]

I assume you have a full bike licence? Maybe a 600cc bike?

[Strider]

Have had a full licence for many a year. Just aint ridden in a while 15 plus years:gob:

[The Big J]

maybe you should have a poke around a couple of bike stores and get a feel for what takes your fancy and then people can give opinions on specific styles of bikes. No sense you getting recomended an SV650 tidy sports bike when you feel like buying a cruiser?

[James Deuce]

It really depends on budget and inclination - so you want to ride off road as well as on road? Do you like to cruise around taking it easy? Do you like the occasional fang, or will it be mostly commuting with a yearly 2 week tour?

This is a list that encompasses bikes from about $4k 2nd hand through to about $15k brand new, and 45hp through to about 100HP

Suzuki GSX600F
Suzuki SV650
Kawasaki Z750
Kawasaki ER6
Yamaha FZ6
Yamaha XT660X/R
Honda Transalp
Honda Hornet 900
Honda VT750

There's heaps out there, but the above will give you a kick for a couple of years until you get used to bikes again.

[car]

:scooter: Hi, Been a while since I last rode on two wheels and keen to get back into it. Any one got a suggestion of a good bike to start of on for someone who hasnt ridden 15 plus years an get the experience back?

GSX-R1000.

[timorang]

About 3 years ago I was in the same situation. I did not know how I would take to it again or what type of bike I would aspire to or head towards. I started conservative not wanting to spend much nor start with a hairy chested 100+HP machine in case I couoldn't find my riding mojo or worse. So picked up a late 80's 700cc Suzuki Intruder for 2.5k. It was in Rotorua so I bussed there and rode it back to Auckland. It was low, light, comfortable, and willing to 140+pkh, the ergonomics were a bit tight, and tank range pathetic. From the moment I hopped on I was hooked. I had that for about 6mths and it got me hankering for for something bigger and newer. It served its pupose perfectly and I was able to easily flick it on. Since then I have owned a Suzuki VX800, 1400 Intruder, Honda Hornet 900, and a MUZ 660. The last two I still have. The point is I did not set out to own any particular style or make of bike when I started. Now I might drive my car once or twice a week, mostly due to family requirements, and I would ride a bike daily. The Hornet is a great versatile and capable bike. The MuZ 660 is a unique machine that is simply great fun to commute and blast on. I would not recommend starting out on either. I am thinking I have my inline 4, thumping single, and now need to get a big v-twin cruiser back in the garage (I miss the 1400 and should not have sold it). Always looking. Recently I did a BRONZ Ride Safe course - it was worthwhile. I get my bikes insured through Classic Cover who are based in Hamilton. Anyway that is my storey to date. I hope it provides some food for thought.

[Citroenjunkie]

BMW Auckland run a back to biking course which I reccomend. The most fun I've had in years. They have really experienced instructors and I found it a huge confidence builder. If you go to their website and fish around a bit you'll find the link. There is a bit of a waiting list, I had to wait nearly a year but it was totally worth it.

I did buy a bike in the meantime, a GB250 Honda. Bought it on Trade me for $900 caught a bus to New Plymouth and rode it backt o Auckland the next day...slowly. I rode the GB for 2 years until recently when it started to show it's age (and hard use) and most of my younger friends graduated from 250's often leaving me chasing them frantically very much the 'tail end charlie'.

After the BMW course I was pretty set on a F650GS, which is what they give you to ride, all day, for free!! But after some thought and a few test rides I chose my Ceebie. I wasn't even looking at anything under 600 but after one ride I was smitten, and now after a few hundred K's I am very happy.

Good luck and have fun :ride:

[McJim]

I'd reccomend a 400 - they're a lot cheaper than 250s and 600s second hand due to the laws of supply and demand - not too vicious but most can still top 180kph should you feel the need to.

Once you're used to bikes again you've got something you can trade in for a bigger bike.

My 2c

[Roj]

:scooter: Hi, Been a while since I last rode on two wheels and keen to get back into it. Any one got a suggestion of a good bike to start of on for someone who hasnt ridden 15 plus years an get the experience back?


What were you riding when you stopped?

Where to start depends very heavily on what you are expecting to do with your riding, look around and decide on a budget, then take some different styles/makes for a test ride, then narrow it down to what you like the most,

Good on you for getting back to riding, :scooter:

[ynot slow]

there's lots to choose from,the 400 are quick and nimble,i recently got back after many years without bikes,due to family commitments etc and after owning trail bikes to learn on have gone to road for riding,best idea is to have no preconcieved notion on what to buy,except maybe style,cruiser or racer lol,my personal choice came after riding 2 bikes and going with the cheaper,lower milage private sale rather than from bike dealer,mind you both had less than 50000km on clock,i also checked on insurance after buying,initially using my home,contents and car as a stop gap until i sussed about for speciallist bike brokers,the main thing is to enjoy.:scooter: