Learners' bike

[ravenfeeder]

Hi there
Just wanting a bit of advice on getting a learners bike, so has to be under 250cc.
Am wondering what people recommend, did think of the Suzuki gn 250, but have also heard ppl rave about the honda cb250? and also the virago.
I am 5ft10 and not a soild gal, so dont want a piddly thing either.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Also dont want to spend heaps as am only planning on :yes: having the 250 until I get full licence.

Thanks guys :)

[Deviant Esq]

Hate to say it to you on your first post, but the best thing for you to do is have a browse through this forum - Wannabe & Newbie Bikers - as this topic comes up time and time again (as I'm sure you can imagine). There are some really good threads and advice on what you should consider for your first bike in regards to style, riding position, power, cost, comfort... it's all there. Still, just to show I'm not casting you out on your own, here's a link to get you started (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=42117).

Welcome to KiwiBiker - don't feed the animals! :eek:

[Colapop]

Firstly - Welcome! The boys LURVE new girls (Be careful)
If you have a look in the search function (3rd from the right up there ^) you'll be able to find a ton of threads on this... (Search for "first bike")
BUT
First bikes... Have you ridden before? What type of bike are you after? Will you be commuting or riding greater distance?
GN250 - good commuter (cruiser..?), good learner bike. Recommended if you haven't ridden before and for a commuter. A pretty forgiving bike (as far as that goes).
Virago 250 - good commuter/longer riding bike (cruiser) good learner bit better quality than the GN. A bit more comfy than a a GN but slightly lower seating position.
GSX250 - good commuter, long rides is ok. (sports) A sports bike but still not 'powerful'. Taller bike, tends to suit taller people a bit better. Pretty popular for good reason.
GT250 (Hyusong) - Good all rounder. A few people have them now, value priced for a new bike. A tall bike (I had no problems with it - 6'4"). One member here did 35k+ in a year!

That's just a couple of the bikes available and (my) brief thoughts. Others here will disagree and give better advice. I think it's best to try a few (hard to know when you're starting) and see how you go. There are also 150's but you may find them a little small for you...

Hope this helps..

[ravenfeeder]

Yes i should have looked that up but being new to the site haven't quite got a feel for it yet - but am sure i will. Appreciate both your posts and will go cruising the threads.

Hey Colapop thanks for the specific details and hadn't thought of that last one you suggested but have seen a few around. Thanks so much for advice and have a great day :)

Cheers

[Macktheknife]

Hey RF, welcome to KB. The guys have given you some food for thought, I recommend you go out looking at bikes with someone who knows a lot more about them than you and sit on a few. If you don't know someone that fits the bill then I'm sure someone from here will volunteer, choose carefully! lol.
Personally I think the best bike you can have is the one that fits you best, that you feel most comfortable on. Then the knowledgeable person checks out the condition of the bike and gives you the nod or the shake.
Good luck

[Fub@r]

Also have a look at Club 250 at the bottom of the main forum page

Here: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=36

Lots of info and comparisions between various 250 bikes on the NZ market

[MikeyG]

Look at the type of riding you are going to be doing. If it is mainly round town comuting it is hard to go past a GN or CB. If you want to go out of town or on group rides you might want something with a bit more power.

[j_redley]

Don't be so quick to frown on those smaller engined bikes either. A good small to stroke will teach you as well as a GN I reckon, and I have actually ridden both.

[ravenfeeder]

Wow great advice everyone thank you! Now i just need to get off my butt and get organized eh.
Mack the Knife - very sensible idea - logical i like it.

Thanks so much everyone

[Coyote]

CBR250s (and ZXR's are similar) are great bikes too. Very expensive though

RG150's make good learner bikes since they're pretty cheap. Around 1500-2000 for a decent one in a private sale. They're very light too, and they're between a GSX and CBR in power so you won't be too bored after a while

Just make sure you have someone that knows about bikes to have a look at what you're interested in before buying. The RG I got had a few troubles and took a bit of money to set right (maybe less if I knew what I was doing). When I test rode it, it seemed fine to me (although I didn't have much chance to open it up in the Wellington streets). Now I know what RG's are meant to be like I would've tried haggling the price down or not have got it

[gijoe1313]

Welcome to the world of two wheels! Life will just get sweeter when you throw your leg over and pootle off for a blat! :woohoo:

Yes, don't forget the little ol'Hornet CB250 - the perfect little blatting bike to get around anywhere and everywhere! :yes: It is just lovely and handles like a dream, you'll end up loving it and patting it and talking to it and hugging it and gushing forth to everyone how good it is :doh: :innocent: :o :love:

Just go out, sit on a few and you'll know when you find that right bike! :yes:

[klingon]

Welcome to the site!


...I recommend you go out looking at bikes with someone who knows a lot more about them than you and sit on a few. If you don't know someone that fits the bill then I'm sure someone from here will volunteer, choose carefully! lol....

In case you can't read between the lines, I think Mack was volunteering. He's bored at the moment and I think he likes the idea of going bike-shopping with someone else's money!

Hey Mack, I thought you were MY personal shopper! :crybaby:

[ravenfeeder]

Hey thank you everyone for your comments and help. Wow is a biggie eh but it hink as a few of you have suggesteed - is need to get a list of likely bikes and then just go and plant my butt onthem and see what feels best (hehehe then get someone else to take it for a test ride). So thanks ofr suggestions and ideas - what a cool site this is and helpful - that is even better!! :)

[vamr]

I'd also recommend the little 2stroke 150s if you're under 100kg.

Damn good bikes to learn on both in terms of riding but also maintenance.

[James Deuce]

Hard to go past a Hyosung GT250 Comet if you want to be able to do everything from inner city riding and commuting to long distance touring in perfect comfort. It has a fuel guage and brilliant low speed handling characteristics.

[Dodger]

I'll second the Hyosung GT250 Comet, mines been great (apart from a few minor niggles) The comet is also very big for a 250, so good if your tall, or fat, or both like me :)

[j_redley]

I'll second the Hyosung GT250 Comet, mines been great (apart from a few minor niggles) The comet is also very big for a 250, so good if your tall, or fat, or both like me :)

Hah, I'l have to let my fat flatmate know thats what type of bike he should get. You should see the poor KR when he sits on it :gob:

[Dodger]

Hah, I'l have to let my fat flatmate know thats what type of bike he should get. You should see the poor KR when he sits on it :gob:

:) My my bike managed fine the other day with my mate (100+kg) and me on the back as pillion (106ish kg) ridden from Victoria street up to Karori :scooter:

[Toaster]

I found the GSX 250cc a great learner bike. I'm 6ft1, so was a decent bike for my size. Try a few out for feel and comfort. Good luck.

150cc may be a bit weak but would do if you intend to give it the flick after you ride it until your full licence kicks in.

[LilSel]

Test some out... have a sit on diff bikes.. see what ones feel comfortable n what ones you actually like... :D

ZZR is a good first bike

[j_redley]

My 150 gets me around quick enough, and since I only want it till I get my full... its perfect for me to get used to biking on.

[Patrick]

After 25 years off bikes, I got back into them on a Suzuki Bandit 250... that is my clear pick, but try out all and sundry, see what you like... plenty out there, cruisers and sport types, but only you will know what you like and feel comfortable on. Kick plenty of tyres and don't rush in...enjoy!

[Indiana_Jones]

I would recommend a FXR150, or a CB250 (or other similar naked bikes). The the FXR and naked bikes are cheaper to fix when you crash. Well from my 4 crashes on my FXR the fairings never cracked, donno about anyone else?

-Indy

[Maha]

Test some out... have a sit on diff bikes.. see what ones feel comfortable n what ones you actually like... :D



Very good advice....i would only add.....stay away from the Virago if she wants to move up to a sporty later, might as well start out how you mean to finish, then again, if cruisers are what ravenfeeder perfer then Virago may be the way to go......enter crashe.....:scooter:

[LilSel]

Very good advice....i would only add.....stay away from the Virago if she wants to move up to a sporty later, might as well start out how you mean to finish, then again, if cruisers are what ravenfeeder perfer then Virago may be the way to go......enter crashe.....:scooter:

Yep yep yep :yes: Mr Maha to the top of the class!!!! *gives gold stars*

I had a virago at home for a few months... I'd take them both out... zzr and virago... but feel much more comfortable on the zzr. diff strokes for diff folks right :)

[ravenfeeder]

Well again, what can I say - but the advice has been excellent. Have a definite list of what is acceptable and then the ones I like. I prefer the cruiser types and really like the look of the Volty and possibly the Virago but then again think may be wiser to go for the basic, get a cheaper bike to start with then go for a bigger cruiser once over my R's etc.
Am going to be going for a bit of a ride on a cb250 in about 2 weeks so will see how that goes, and then do as most of you suggest and go and plant my butt on a few and see what fits. Think I need to get over what I would ideally like and then maybe what is practical until I get my big girls licence ;)
Def like the look of the volty though and the more i read the more i like. Didnt realise it was basically the same frame etc as the GN. Anyway long way to go yet..:scooter: .... Thanks again and will keep you posted - ya darlings!

[James Deuce]

If you like cruisers the check the Hyosung Aquila out.

[pzkpfw]

I simply bought the cheapest thing off trademe that was 250 cc, and had registration, license and WOF (don't know how).

Turned out to be an NZ250, which I'd recommend to a learner, but there's not many around.

Since no-one wanted to buy it off me when I was done, depreciation was basically 100%. But the total value was less than depreciation off a new bike. So I think I came out of it OK.

I believe you need to be very sure whether you are going to flick whatever it is on as soon as you get your full, or whether you will ride it for longer (to get more experience).

*Flick on? Get the cheapest (and safe and legal) thing you can find.
*Keep for a while? Get the Hyosung.

[You'll always find someone on Kiwibiker who will help you look at a second-hand bike. The community is great.]

Cheers,

[hitch]

You go girl, I too am new to this site, infact its my first post. (hope i get it right) I am going to look at my first bike today it a yamaha virago xv 250T so im very excited. My man is checking it out for me yay yay. Good luck with your search.

[Drum]

The virago is a dignified entry point for a 'late starter':msn-wink: .

[klingon]

... I prefer the cruiser types and really like the look of the Volty and possibly the Virago ... Def like the look of the volty though and the more i read the more i like. Didnt realise it was basically the same frame etc as the GN. ...

You can be my friend :love: lol

yeah I love my Volty and wouldn't exchange it for anything else. It has all the advantages of the GN: it's tough, it's very forgiving of learner mistakes, spare parts are everywhere, but it also has that little bit of retro-cruiser styling difference that makes it stand out from the GN (in my opinion).

Good luck with whatever you choose, and enjoy the process. The anticipation is part of the fun!

[ravenfeeder]

heheh thanks Klingon! there is one for sale now, the one with beige seat and silver (really like that look) but silly for me to get it until i get my L's. But is the def favourite at the moment. Hey are the older models better or is the 2001 okay?

[ravenfeeder]

Went and visited Colemans today, very informative and tried a few bikes (sitting on them only) and as much as i didnt really want to admit it, the GN250 definitely felt the best in terms of learning on, not to heavy, not to wide and very comfortable. Also tried the Intruder and whilst i liked the look and feel of it, felt a bit heavy and scary even lol. So am thinking so far the GN is probably best, also tried the Bandit, but the GN was definitely least intimidating and most comfortable - just not as cool as the intruder. Don't know why they stopped making the volty though, that was almost like a cool GN :) Didnt mind the GZ either as not quite as crusier as the intruder or as heavy. But till i go check more out and on feel only, not look, the GN is ahead :) Mind you i think the feel is more important than the look for a newbie like me - then i can go get a mean lean gruntier machine when have a year or so under my belt! Nice price for a new GN too :) Just need to wait to get licence and then can go test ride them hehe. Have to say the sales person at Colemans was Great!

[Drum]

You can get a GN thats only a year old and save yourself $800. A good contribution towards your safety gear!

[Scorpygirl]

heheh thanks Klingon! there is one for sale now, the one with beige seat and silver (really like that look) but silly for me to get it until i get my L's. But is the def favourite at the moment. Hey are the older models better or is the 2001 okay?

Hi Ravenfeeder

Whatever you choose, I hope we can go out for a ride sometime. There are getting to be quite a few newbie girl riders - which is neat. Would be cool to meet up with you!!! :scooter: :yes:

[ravenfeeder]

Hey Scorpy! Yes would be great to meet up and go for a ride. Is great that a lot of girls are doing it eh :) SO thats a date eh once i get my bike and my licence hehe nto much eh!