Hi there! New to biking and such. Help appreciated [Archive]

OSiRiS

6th June 2007, 11:28

Hey guys and girls,

Nice little (big :o) forum and site you got here.

My background is this:
I'm 20. I've been on the car scene since I was 15 so I'm a regular car forum user and am a regular contributor to many car club forums and the like.

Anyway, I want to get into biking.

I don't have my L licence yet however I was contemplating on buying a bike first, learning how to handle it, basic skills etc. then obtaining my L licence with the bike.

I would say I know a fair bit about cars, but when it comes to bikes I'm totally clueless!

I've been eying up the Hyosung GT250R and I do like the shape and look of the bike, and being 250cc perfect for L licence. I do want this bike and will have one sooner or later, the dilemma is should I purchase a cheaper and smaller cc bike first and then purchase the GT250R later? Or just bite the bullet and be happy with the GT250R from the get go?

The cheaper alternative in question is a Suzuki FXR 150.

I also have another question which I need cleared up. If I have lost my car licence (disqualified or suspended), will this prevent me for obtaining a motorbike licence?

Thank you very much in advance, I am actively browsing this forum and hope to be a regular contributor :)

Regards,
Erron

MSTRS

6th June 2007, 11:31

I also have another question which I need cleared up. If I have lost my car licence (disqualified or suspended), will this prevent me for obtaining a motorbike licence?

One word. Starts with Y.

OSiRiS

6th June 2007, 11:39

One word. Starts with Y.

Oh. So I won't be able to obtain a bike licence?

Storm

6th June 2007, 11:42

Sadly no. Not any license. Whens the court date?
PS Welcome to the nuthouse that is KB:D

OSiRiS

6th June 2007, 11:43

Sadly no. Not any license. Whens the court date?

Oh really! Hmmm.

I've already been disqualified. So I have to wait until the disqualification period ends?

Macktheknife

6th June 2007, 11:45

OSiRiS

6th June 2007, 11:49

Hmmm. I was thinking about getting into bikes while I couldn't drive cars, and have the cash to buy a bike now but didn't realise a car licence would have an effect.

So what happens when people want to sit for a bike licence but don't have a car licence? Is this possible?

deanohit

6th June 2007, 11:53

yep,you can only have a bike licence,but if your disqualified,it means you can't drive either a car or bike even if you have both licences.but dont let that stop you man.you should still get into bikes,way way WAY more fun than a cage!!

MSTRS

6th June 2007, 11:53

If you hold a licence, you are in the system. No way around that.
To get a m/c licence, you must first complete a Basic Handling course. Not an issue, licence-wise. Assuming you pass that, once your licence is returned to you, then you can go do the scratchy for a m/c learner licence. Pass that and you can ride any bike up to and including 250cc, subject to other conditions.

Drum

6th June 2007, 11:54

Welcome to the site Osiris.

Re your license question: You only have one license, with various endorsements (i.e. 1=car, 6=motorcycle). Lose your license and you can't drive or ride anything.

Also worth noting is that your driving experience is worth little, if anything, when riding. You may be a 'legend' driver, but that wont make you a legend rider. Also remember that your driving attitude (which apparently is questionable as evidenced by your disqualification) should not be carried into your riding. We need a totally different attitude than drivers to stay alive.

Welcome to riding mate. Stay alive.

OSiRiS

6th June 2007, 11:56

Pathos

6th June 2007, 19:30

I would recomend you also go to a Basic Handling Skills course BEFORE you buy a bike, this will let you know just what you are getting into and why you might want to consider bike choice carefully.
You can do this before you get your licence back but you cannot legally ride until you have had your licence restored.

You need to be able to ride a bike to pass the test and the crappy gs125 I rode on for 2 hours before hand didn't teach me much.

As soon as I took the fxr out for the first time on the road it felt completely natural and I took it down to the testing school an hour a week until I felt completely at ease with the bike. Had heaps of fun doing in the snake on the fxr (can't do it with the cones in place, it needs to lean). I had to illegally commute to the school to practice enough to pass the test.

Always buy a bike you aren't scared to throw down a hill. The GT250R would be expensive to fix. Fxr's a cheap and can take a thrashing and not need to much investment.

As for driving experience it does help because you are aware of how other road users will behave to an extent and you will not have to relearn that only how you are going to react to unavoidable situations. You'll be used to the small things like indicating (you have to turn it off manually), changing gear (although its different on a bike) that make the transition smoother. Cycling experience means you are used to people trying to kill you on the road (delibrately or otherwise).

riding without a license is your call and not encouraged.

Mole_C

8th June 2007, 11:51

Could buy a dirt bike if you have anywhere to ride it nearby. Dont need a license for that and will teach you how to ride

breakaway

10th June 2007, 16:25

Have you looked into two stroke bikes? Sure they have their downsides, but people don't realise how much fun it can be when the powerband hits mid corner :p

babyblade250rr

25th June 2007, 20:00

Hi All,
Im also new to riding and new to kiwibikers i brought a 94 cbr250rr jumped on it and went for it and quite frankly it just adapted to me!! appart from the very!!! sensitive twin discs on the front that make you feel as though the front wheel will lock up on a downward slope in the wet i luv it im glad i got into biking much more free feeling than my car however this is my first day of riding and i aint taken the cibby over 8rpm to be on the safe side hehe.....

breakaway

25th June 2007, 20:10

cbr guy

25th June 2007, 23:10

i don't think a young guy who lost his liscence should be looking at a sport bike to be honest, it's sad when bikers die. but if you can behave yourself (90% of the time anyway) i'd burrow a bike to learn the (very) basic skills for the basic handling test, study up the road code, and by the time you get your car liscence back, go for it man, you're five years behind ;)

Mr. Peanut

25th June 2007, 23:17

breakaway

25th June 2007, 23:43

^ Agreed. There's noting dangerous about the power band. No one said there was. You get used to it, just like you get used to indicating, balancing on two wheels, yada yada :rolleyes:

jade

30th June 2007, 09:40

Get the gt250 for your first bike. spend up and you will know its reliable as well as being under warranty,
you should also look at a cbr250 as it is similar but perhaps cheaper, the engines are bulletproof, a 2 stroke 250 is too much for a first bike.
just buy the fucken thing and ride without a licence, works a treat

chanceyy

30th June 2007, 10:00

Also worth noting is that your driving experience is worth little, if anything, when riding. You may be a 'legend' driver, but that wont make you a legend rider. Also remember that your driving attitude (which apparently is questionable as evidenced by your disqualification) should not be carried into your riding. We need a totally different attitude than drivers to stay alive.

Welcome to riding mate. Stay alive.

welcome to the site

damn well said Drum .. was also going to add It might actually make you a better driver if you ride a bike .. make you aware how vulnerable bikers are on the road. There are no legends out on the road ... but quite a few on the race track .. :yes:

chanceyy

30th June 2007, 10:05

I think the only people who should be qualified to talk about powerbands are people who actually own 2 strokes!

It's all very flattering to be considered notorious, but a 2 stroke coming on the pipe isn't that dangerous when you know it's coming!

owns two stroke .. & agrees :yes:

its like any bike taking it quietly & finding out each bikes lil tricks etc .. love the powerband but was pretty nervous of it as EVERYONE warned me bout it .. but once I found it .. no probs .. & love it :Punk:

delusionz

9th July 2007, 21:01

Basic handling skills test - I did this one on a scooter, Piece of piss. Although the testing night I attended there was an old man who couldn't keep the scooter upright, A cocky lady who couldn't do much better (looked fucking drunk too). Anyways, The test doesn't really test much at all and you basically have to ride slowly, stop within a certain distance and weave around some cones and viola you have a nice ltnz certificate. Go get this, they provide the scooter you just have to take yourself and $80 there. I actually started off on a scooter and this gave me confidence on the road and handling two wheels and proved invaluable when first jumping on a 250cc. I think starting with low power is a good thing to do and once you start wringing the throttle in all straights and corners you're ready for a bike. The BHS test is no guide to how you'll be on a bike on the road so don't rely on it for anything other than making it possible to apply for your learners.

Pancakes

14th July 2007, 23:49

I've been eying up the Hyosung GT250R and I do like the shape and look of the bike, and being 250cc perfect for L licence. I do want this bike and will have one sooner or later, the dilemma is should I purchase a cheaper and smaller cc bike first and then purchase the GT250R later? Or just bite the bullet and be happy with the GT250R from the get go?

Sounds like you'll be waiting for your card back from the fuzz matey but yeah, the Hyo 250's are slow and tame to get into riding on, sit on one if your a short-ass to see it's not too high in the saddle, also, there are plenty on here and around who forked out more for the R model but the price difference is quite big for no more go and if your commuting the clip-on's (low handles on the forks as opposed to a seperate bar on top) can be low and hard on the wrists.

Good luck whatever you do, if you get a Hyosung and need a hand with stuff PM me or ask on the site and I'm sure you'll get a hand or an answer or told where to go to get what your after.

HRT

15th July 2007, 17:59

I started riding on a 110cc pitbike :Punk: Can basically play in a field somewhere and learn the controls somewhere where it doesn't hurt too much if you stuff it up. Went from that to the BHS test which I would be surprised if you fail.

Cache Wraith

4th September 2007, 20:19

So Osiris, what did you do to lose your licence.

fireliv

4th September 2007, 20:27

Welcome to the site Osiris

As you have worked out, no licence for you untill you get it back, so good luck with that. I did my basic handling course in Welly, which took the whole day, with the test at the end. I would recommend getting on one of those courses. Bikes were provided, but I sat it on an FXR150, which is good but I couldnt get enough lean on to make the cones, so used a GN which was as easy as anything.

Good luck!

Scorpygirl

4th September 2007, 20:30

Welcome to KB Osiris - God of death and the underworld. I hope you can outrun the Osiris I know, he can run at 0 - 80 kms in 3 seconds!!!! :innocent:

HungusMaximist

4th September 2007, 20:42

Words of wisdom from HungusMaximist.

Don't get over your head too quickly, especially in buying your first bike.

Do the baisc handling course, because it's always better to drop their bikes than your mates or some poor chap who is trying to sell their bike.

Oh yea, when you do get a your learners, don't buy a brand new spanking bike (my opinion anyway). Of course there's nothing wrong in getting a new bike from the dealers because you get the new bike with the warranty, you know the stamp of approval from a dealership but on the other hand, you'll be giving a alot of money away to those theiving cunts. :oi-grr:

You're better off doing some research yourself, and by the sound of things you're one of those guys who is mechanically sound (to a degree anyway) so you'll pick things up real quick.

In the mean time, befriend some chaps from KB or even better, find a friend in your social circle who rides a bike and get his advice. If he's a real cool chum, he'll let you hoon around his bike around the parking lot, you just better not drop it oi.

As for Hyosung's, I've owned a 2001 GT250 Comet (fuck, sounds like ages ago). Great for commuting, but boring.

Hey but don't piggy back on my opinions, get out there and find out yourself you chump.

BTW, if you go to Auckland Uni or AUT, give me a buzz as I am always around. :Punk:

Cache Wraith

4th September 2007, 21:30

Hey HungusMaximist, your comments (abuse of) bike dealers isn't appropriate. Those guys are part of the biker community like you and me. Yeah, sure they are making good money on the bikes they sell, but that's why they are in business, to make money.

bomma

4th September 2007, 22:39

lol "...and with swords drawn and tempers flailing, the two warriors stand facing each other on the field of battle. Cache raises his sword and takes stance while Hungus calmly draws his back and takes a deep breath. As they gaze intently into each other's minds trying to read what the other will do, Bomma breaks the tension with a witty joke.
The two drop their weapons in sheer and uncontrollable laughter and thus peace reigns, for now, over the KB nooblet thread" :lol: i crack me up :lol:

play nice boyos!! everyone is entitled to their opinions (but perhaps shud be more constructive in how they are expressed in a public forum)

bomma

4th September 2007, 22:45

oh and a big welcome to osiris!!! congrats on realising that cages are the bane of all that is righteous!!

pity bout ur disqualification but like everyone has said, you will need to change your mind set if you wish to survive and enjoy yourself on a bike.

do the BHS but as mentioned it is no gauge of how skilled you are as a rider. it is not everyday that you will be needing to weave through set cones while people stay clear out of your path on your ride home....

i started off on an fxr and it was great. Was really helpful in getting me used to riding, controlling the clutch, getting used to turning and riding at slow speeds as it was really light and was forgiving for most mistakes.

hope you get your licence back real soon and to see you on the back of whatever bike you decide to buy. :)

scumdog

4th September 2007, 22:48

Welcome to the site Osiris.

Also worth noting is that your driving experience is worth little, if anything, when riding. You may be a 'legend' driver, but that wont make you a legend rider. Also remember that your driving attitude (which apparently is questionable as evidenced by your disqualification) should not be carried into your riding. We need a totally different attitude than drivers to stay alive.

Welcome to riding mate. Stay alive.

What he sez.:yes:

Riding a motorbike in traffic is like being a balloon in a room full of porcupines.

Ya gotta think defensive-defensive-defensive ALL the time, but it is fun and you meet great people, more great people than in the rest of the non-bike-riding world.

sweetp

7th September 2007, 09:58

I to would like to put a plug in for the FXR's. Own one, love it. It is a really easy bike to learn on. I was able to do the cone weavy thing in the BHS test on it, but apparently that is not an easy thing to do (maybe it is because I like to lean!) My partner has a Hyosoung and i have riden it, to me it comes down to what you are comfy on. My little FXR can hit 130 ok and is brilliant for commuting (nice and small for lane splitting).

As I plan to upgrade as soon as I am allowed to then it works well - easy to ride, great to learn on and excellent resale market.

But really the advice I would give is go with what you feel comfortable with.

HTFU

10th September 2007, 20:46

Welcome to KB.

As someone that had been driving cars, trucks and tractors for 15 years and riding MTB and BMX for longer, I found riding a motorbike was still a challenge. Spent a few weeks cruising around the back lawn getting used to the bike and was fine from then on.

As to bike choice I purchased a GN 250 single cylinder bike new for $3300 used it for a year (20000km) and sold it for $2100. Under powered and a bit boring to ride but bloody reliable and fast enough around town. Just a bit of a pain trying to pass anything on the open road and a small tank and range was also annoying.

If I was too do it all again would I have purchased the GPX first. Hell yes :woohoo: . The hyosung looks fine just low in the handle bars which will make it a bit twitchy at low speeds with balance, but something only a few weeks in a carpark would fix.

When I got my full last week I actually tried a honda hornet 900 (awesome fast, high bars and comfortable but I would kill myself acting 16 on it) and the hyosung gt250 (racing position, so too low in the front, but great if you are taller). But it was the GPX that I liked (would only recommend if you are 175cm or shorter). Fast enough on the open road to pass safely and cheap to run and huge range with a big tank. Plus $6000 new at the moment (was a big factor for me).

Will be great to see a bike listed in your profile in the near future - happy hunting. :Punk:

delusionz

10th September 2007, 21:23

As to bike choice I purchased a GN 250 single cylinder bike new for $3300 used it for a year (20000km) and sold it for $2100. Under powered and a bit boring to ride but bloody reliable and fast enough around town. Just a bit of a pain trying to pass anything on the open road and a small tank and range was also annoying.

If I was too do it all again would I have purchased the GPX first. Hell yes :woohoo: . The hyosung looks fine just low in the handle bars which will make it a bit twitchy at low speeds with balance, but something only a few weeks in a carpark would fix.

I agree GPX makes a great first bike for someone considering a GN250 as a starter, I think anyone who could jump straight on a GN250 and ride it should be able to do the same with the GPX. Second time round I could see myself going with the hyosung for size even though at the yard when i tried to jump on and maneuver both bikes i failed miserably at the hyosung but found the GPX easy to handle and move, small and light so it was the GPX i ended up buying. It just takes a couple weeks of solid all day riding for the GPX to reveal itself to be too small for me and that the hyosung needed to be given a chance. I'm 6'0, 65kgs for reference