Bike for a beginner

[davo]

Hi guys,

Im sure this has been asked before but im not very good at finding my way around this massive forum.

Im just starting out at riding; got my learners last week. Im looking to buy a bike to get my skills up on, and then upgrade when I eventually get my full license.

Im 184cm and 108kg, can anyone recommend a bike that I will fit on ok and is suitable?

thanks lots

[yungatart]

Hyosung!
The largest framed 250 you can get....those who have them appear to love them.
Good luck.....and welcome to the madhouse!

[Mom]

Being the granny that I can be...GN250.

Welcome aboard davo. Take care tho, never open any doors on the left handside of the hallway...Trust me on this OK!

[sunhuntin]

one of my friends has a hyosung and loves it! shes built like me [slightly overweight] and it carries her nicely. myself, ive got a virago and love it to bits. carries me fine. both have nice low seat heights, and i know the v-go has forward pegs. not sure about the hyo.

[tri boy]

Welcome to the site, Hyosung would be a good road choice. You may wish to look at road regoed trail bikes also. Your height and build would also suit them, plus you can have dirty weekends.:devil2:

[sunhuntin]

Welcome to the site, Hyosung would be a good road choice. You may wish to look at road regoed trail bikes also. Your height and build would also suit them, plus you can have dirty weekends.:devil2:

im a road bike rider, and i have heaps of dirty weekends! :oi-grr:

[Badger8]

im a road bike rider, and i have heaps of dirty weekends! :oi-grr:

yes, but on the bike? :bleh:

[EJK]

Hyosung!
The largest framed 250 you can get....those who have them appear to love them.
Good luck.....and welcome to the madhouse!

Yep, I agree.

Or an excemption for a bigger bike :msn-wink:

[sunhuntin]

yes, but on the bike? :bleh:

dont see why not! my bitch gets ridden hard and put away wet. hows that?

[Badger8]

dont see why not! my bitch gets ridden hard and put away wet. hows that?

That is just as it should be :niceone:

[davo]

Thank you for the welcomes and advice

I will give the Hyosung a serious look, is it the GT250 with the largest frame?

Cheers :)

[PrincessBandit]

My personal choice would be for the GN too, but think you'd be better off with some of the other suggestions. Why do I think this? My hubby rides my GN now and at just a little lighter than you he still looks humungus on it. Sit on different bikes in the shops and see what feels good to you. But go for 250, not smaller. I thought it would be too much for me to handle comfortably, but within weeks it turned out to be just fine and dandy. Happy selecting!

[Str8 Jacket]

Givw a 150 2 stroke a go. I found mine agreat bike to learn how to ride "properly" on. I hasd a gn2500 before that buty somehow it wrote itdself of......

[PrincessBandit]

Yep, I agree.

Or an excemption for a bigger bike :msn-wink:

Looked into that (not for myself of course:lol:). My husband picked up an exemption form from the AA and I think the details were: you had to be at least 130kg, the fee is $20, and you had to prove that your weight would somehow prove that riding that size bike would be dangerous. In the end he didn't bother following up on it and the form went into file 13 i.e. the bin.
[Would pay to check the details yourself though, it is entirely feasible that my memory is faulty; but to the best of my knowledge what i've put is correct]

[Badger8]

Hi guys,
Im 184cm and 108kg, can anyone recommend a bike that I will fit on ok and is suitable?


Hey Davo, sounds like you're a similar height and (slightly lighter) build as me.
I currently ride a GN250, and find it a very good bike to handle, but a bit small for me. i have met a couple of people around our height on GN's, and all have to sit a bit back toawrd the pillion seat a bit to get a comfortable (and workable) riding position. I had a sit on a Hyosung GT250R this afternoon, and was pleasantly surprised at how well it fit me.
it probably comes down to what style of bike you're looking at further down the line. If you're lookin for a sports bike, the Hyosung would be a blimmin good starter bike. If you're looking at going down the cruiser line, the GN would be a good start in that direction. And dont let the single cylinder put you off, even with big guys like us on em, those GN's can go surprisingly hard! :)

[TOTO]

Hey Davo, I Bought a Hyosung gt250r a week ago and started learning on it and I'm similar build as you and I find it great, perfect enough power for a learner - not too much and not too little, moves my 100kgs with ease. A thing to consider is wether to go for the naked version , easyer on the back riding position and easyier on the u turns or the sporty look of the faired R version, and compromise on a little back and wrist pain but as a learnet you'll feel like you are valentino Rossi in the making. My advice try both , sit on them for a while - 5 - 10 min non stop when you are choosing and it will show you what you prefer.

My 2c

Whatever you choose, be seen and be safe.

[0arbreaka]

Have a look at something like a motard, like a kawasaki dtracker or similar, atleast if you crash youll do fuck all damage. Also heard theyr a heap of fun as well, they should have no problem with your size.

[TOTO]

Have a look at something like a motard, like a kawasaki dtracker or similar, atleast if you crash youll do fuck all damage. Also heard theyr a heap of fun as well, they should have no problem with your size.

Thats a good taught. What 250cc Motard bikes are good, and not older than 4-5 years ? Never taught about motard for a first bike. Good idea.

[Rosie]

Thats a good taught. What 250cc Motard bikes are good, and not older than 4-5 years ? Never taught about motard for a first bike. Good idea.

I'm not sure about motards, but there are quite a few 250cc dual purpose bikes (like a motard but with the bigger wheels), most of which would suit taller people. They tend to have quite high seats, and a more upright seating position.
250's tend to be single cylinder, which would make them pretty good as learner bikes, and as 0arbreaka says, if you drop them, you aren't going to damage much.
Suzuki DR250, Yamaha TTR250 and Honda XR250 are the main models that come to mind. You can buy them all new, and trademe currently has at least one of each that's less than 5 years old.

[TOTO]

I'm not sure about motards, but there are quite a few 250cc dual purpose bikes (like a motard but with the bigger wheels), most of which would suit taller people. They tend to have quite high seats, and a more upright seating position.
250's tend to be single cylinder, which would make them pretty good as learner bikes, and as 0arbreaka says, if you drop them, you aren't going to damage much.
Suzuki DR250, Yamaha TTR250 and Honda XR250 are the main models that come to mind. You can buy them all new, and trademe currently has at least one of each that's less than 5 years old.

Great stuff Rosie , i'm looking on trade-me now. I've only had my bike for a week and I already want a second one. :bleh:

[Rosie]

Great stuff Rosie , i'm looking on trade-me now. I've only had my bike for a week and I already want a second one. :bleh:

Dual purpose bikes are really nice to ride on the road. Especially on non-state-highways where the road surface can be a bit dubious, or around town - curbs, traffic islands and other forms of road-cholesterol disappear under the 21" front.

[Chill]

Money is the main factor in 250cc's.. well for students like me anyway. I have no problems recommending the GN, contrary to what others might say I like the basic stripped-down motorcycle look (even if it's a bit small), but if you have the money I'd go for a Hyosung v-twin.

[Supermoto Junkie]

[QUOTE=TOTO;1348450]Great stuff Rosie , i'm looking on trade-me now. I've only had my bike for a week and I already want a second one. :bleh:[/QUOT

Motards are great to learn on and you'll have a hell of a lot of fun on it too,

No t sure on your budget, but Cyclespot (Takapuna) had a XR250 motard (05 or 05 I think) for sale a while a few weeks ago, i think it was $7k. then when you get you full you can go out and buy a XR650 and swap the wheels over

I'm 186cm tall and 125kg, motards do me well

[autos]

chalk one more up for the gn, im 5ft 1o and 100kgs and as a first bike it was cheap new, had good trade in, very forgiving, very reliable (apart from the plastic chinese chain) and would charge along with my mass at 100kmh (and a bit) :woohoo:

[Kane-]

Try a Honda VTR 250

Im 182cm 107 kg and my honda Spada 250 (very similar to the VTR in size and height) is great. Will take me up to 120km no sweat and 140-150 with a long enough stright (race track would be best).
Great bike with big enough brakes. Bigger frame size than the true 250 sports bikes CBR 250 etc (I tried one and felt a little large on it)
Couple of Spada on trademe atm too.

Only complaint is that the mirrors arn't wide enough for my frame
i.e I have to move me head to look past my arms/shoulders behind me damn XL size torso. This can be fixed however.

Naked bike so it ya drop it you're not going to spend a fortune fixing fairing.

Try a few through!

[GaZBur]

If I was your size I would go for a dual purpose. Get a modest priced second hand one and you can learn to road ride and also off road if you want to try. You will have no problem flicking it off again when you want to get a bigger bike or may even decide to keep it as a fun weekend hack.
A bit of off road skill helps heaps on the road too especially in out of control situations.

[davereid]

Yep, my vote is with the dual-purpose bike as well. You can learn some great skills off road, the bikes are tought and don't break easily, plus they get good gas mileage too. And like rosie says, ideal in traffic, just bump up the kerb, over the traffic island etc !

[davo]

Guys, many thanks for the input.

I ended up test driving a new Hyo 250gt and a Honda xr250, and was leaning towards the Honda since the idea of going off the beaten track really appeals as well, and I simply hadn't realised this kind of bike could be road legal!

Then I saw a Husqvarna wr250 on TradeMe and fell in love with how it looked. I bought it and rocked up in Tauranga not really knowing anything about 2 strokes or exactly how big the bike was. Fortunately it is big, and I have found it perfect but that might be because im a bit :love: with it.

It feels incredibly light riding it, and has more then enough power to scare me, so im stoked with it.

http://www.husqvarnausa.com/2006/06_WR250.html

:woohoo:

[tri boy]

Stay on top of your maintenance work.(air filter condition, rings, quality oil etc) and you should have sweet run.
Get lazy, and neglectful, and BANG:pinch:
Gents like Ixion, and the motox boys will see you right with two stroke maintenance advise:cool:
Enjoy yourself.

[YellowDog]

Hi Davo,

You need to ride as many as you can before making up you mind. Don't worry too much about the cost, as you will get your money back when you upgrade.

It is an important decision, as it will affect your future views of biking. May be you should start with a dealer with a good range of choices. Also ask which models have an upper height adjustment. The trials design bikes are generally higher anyway.

Good luck and happy chrostmas :-)

[Mythical007]

Gn's go hard and I had two of em ...*well i wrote one off but thats another story* However it sucks that they actually have stopped making them now... So you would have trouble finding a new one

[smoky]

dont see why not! my bitch gets ridden hard and put away wet. hows that?

are you sure you're a chick

[Chill]

Gn's go hard and I had two of em ...*well i wrote one off but thats another story* However it sucks that they actually have stopped making them now... So you would have trouble finding a new one

I want the 'another story'...

[Renegade]

hyosung, mine has been the sweetest to own, fits mint, runs mint, handles better than a few of the bikes ive been trying out while looking into upgrading, its actually gutted me a bit cos i was hoping for something bigger and better but the hyo just keeps pip'n them at the post.

i do ride like a nana tho, did i mention cheap to run, $22 = 350km round town, some times more.

[maggie]

Hi there from another newbie rider (4 weeks)
I have just bought a new Hyosung Aquilla cruiser and just love it. It has a low centre of gravity and I believe the frame is based on a Fatboy style and is quite chunky.
I have had heaps of guys admire it as an excellent first bike and it has plenty of pick up.
Good luck with it
Maggie

[vifferman]

Hi there from another newbie rider (4 weeks)

Hi, Maggie! :spudwave:
Welcome to KiwiBiker! :wavey:

[Horse]

Also riding a Hyosung GV250 cruiser and also loving it. You can see some recent pictures right here (http://picasaweb.google.com/nzhorse/GV250NewYearSEve2007), but please don't ask me any questions about the panniers just this moment, it's a sensitive subject. :)

[fireliv]

Hey ya welcome to the site!!!

Well I love my bandit.......naked bike, plenty of power, looks good. yay :love:

[rphenix]

Okay the last time I rode a GN going a decade back so things could have changed with newer models but it really struggled to get to Open Road speeds (or maybe thats just with my fat ass on it :bleh:) so if your planning on going on motorways or anything like that I wouldn't recommend them. If your just gonna be in 50-80k zones then no worries GN is a simple reliable machine and easy to fix + plenty of parts around.

Whatever you get I recommend a nice forgiving 4 stroke over a 2 :) Hyo's are good maybe consider a naked over the faired so you can drop it (or at least get crash knobs) a baby suzy bandit or honda hornet also wouldn't be a bad choice I wouldnt try for a CBR etc.. seem to cost too much second hand for what you get in the 250cc range.

[boomer]

Whats with all these pussies going on about Ginnies and hyobags..??!!!


mate, save ya self a load of hassles and coin at the same time and buy a thousand. Summer fest too .. be quick !!

Nuff said.


not quite 'nuff.. Buy an R1. Don't listen to these people harping on about hyosungs this and that.. they're terrible handlers; cheap and nasty and made for an audience ( those who have no idea! )

another money saving idea by McBoomer.