Advice please

[gismo]

Hey all.

I'm just getting into riding bikes but not sure what to get. I'm only little, 5'6ish, and about 60kgs, so am wanting to know what is the best bike for me to learn on?

I have ridden before but that was about 16 years ago and was a 50cc bike... lol

I've been a pillian on my partners bike and am loving the sports bike.

Any advice will be welcome

[cowpoos]

There are a good range of bikes that would suit your height,etc that would be fine to learn on..honda vt250's are popular with gals to learn on..kawasaki gpx250 would be a goodin too... Best thing you could do is go for a tour around some bike shops and sit on some bikes and see what feels comfortable.

are you looking new or used?

[Pussy]

Suzuki GSF250 Bandit would be worth a look. They are very user friendly, and have a reasonable amount of mumbo as your experience increases. There's quite a few good ones around, too

[gismo]

I think i'd consider anything really... used or new.

If i went used i'd get it checked properly before buying so i dont end up buying a dud.

Aslong as its a good sound bike.. i wouldn't mind either way.

Cheers for ya reply... will check out the 2 bikes you mentioned

[gismo]

Suzuki GSF250 Bandit would be worth a look. They are very user friendly, and have a reasonable amount of mumbo as your experience increases. There's quite a few good ones around, too

Cheers for that.... will check one out

[Pussy]

There's a nice little V-Tech Bandit in at NPMC at the moment. Fresh import, from memory about 15000km on the clock. I could find out what they want for it, if you like

[Marknz]

Buy a new Honda VTR250. It'll serve you well as you pick up the basics again, and provides a great platform to move on to another bike later on.

Enjoy.

[sugilite]

Yamaha Scorpio could be a go. about 3.5 k new and a good size for you too.

[gismo]

There's a nice little V-Tech Bandit in at NPMC at the moment. Fresh import, from memory about 15000km on the clock. I could find out what they want for it, if you like

That would be awesome if you could.. cheers


Buy a new Honda VTR250. It'll serve you well as you pick up the basics again, and provides a great platform to move on to another bike later on.

Enjoy.

Cheers.... will look into it


Yamaha Scorpio could be a go. about 3.5 k new and a good size for you too.

Cheers... now thats looking more at my price range. Will check it out.

[Radar]

What, no one has mentioned the venerable Suzuki GN250 ??

Small, easy to ride, very reliable, and cheap to buy and run.

Does not carry the cool-factor of a Bandit, but maybe this does not matter.

[gismo]

What, no one has mentioned the venerable Suzuki GN250 ??

Small, easy to ride, very reliable, and cheap to buy and run.

Does not carry the cool-factor of a Bandit, but maybe this does not matter.

Good point. I'm aware of the GN250.. and i've been told it's an excellent learners bike. It's also on the back of my mine.
Cheers

[Edbear]

Good point. I'm aware of the GN250.. and i've been told it's an excellent learners bike. It's also on the back of my mine.
Cheers

There are some quality issues with the later ones, as they are made in China. The Yamaha Scorpio would be far better in that type of bike, but you may get bored with the lack of power fairly soon.

The other suggestions here are on the money, though, couldn't really go too far wrong with any of them. Honda VTR250 is a great bike also the Hornet 250. You could consider a cruiser style like the Virago or Intruder. Very easy to ride, comfy and bulletproof!

[gismo]

There are some quality issues with the later ones, as they are made in China. The Yamaha Scorpio would be far better in that type of bike, but you may get bored with the lack of power fairly soon.

The other suggestions here are on the money, though, couldn't really go too far wrong with any of them. Honda VTR250 is a great bike also the Hornet 250. You could consider a cruiser style like the Virago or Intruder. Very easy to ride, comfy and bulletproof!

Hey cheers for that. I've been having a look at the Virago and i think i'm falling in love.
Might have to go have a look at some.
Cheers for ya help.

[sweetp]

Hi I have a FXR150 and while it is only a 150cc it has never been a problem. It is a great wee sports bike, reliable, agile, and zippy. Ok I have maxed out the speed at 132km but it is light and easy to ride. Done over 18 000km in my first year of riding it (including a 1000km in a day ride).

It is a good hight for me (I am 5'2") and easy to learn on. It also have a gear indicator and fuel gauge!

[gismo]

Hi I have a FXR150 and while it is only a 150cc it has never been a problem. It is a great wee sports bike, reliable, agile, and zippy. Ok I have maxed out the speed at 132km but it is light and easy to ride. Done over 18 000km in my first year of riding it (including a 1000km in a day ride).

It is a good hight for me (I am 5'2") and easy to learn on. It also have a gear indicator and fuel gauge!

Thats a nice looking bike. As for the speed i think i want to get my confidence up on the bike first so it's not too big of an issue.. as long as it doesnt max out at 60kph :lol:
Cheers.

[Badjelly]

As for the speed i think i want to get my confidence up on the bike first so it's not too big of an issue.. as long as it doesnt max out at 60kph

You live in Seddon? Then you're going to want a bike that will keep up with traffic comfortably at open road speeds, up and down hills. The GN250 and Scorpio are a bit marginal. (I should know: I have a Scorpio.) I suggest you go for something with a bit more power.

Have a look at this thread:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=67712

In particular, this fine post:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1444508&postcount=87

Me, I like the look of the VTR250, but they're a bit pricey.

[Grub]

Gismo, there's lots of really good things being said about the Honda CBR125 (http://www.aatorque.co.nz/reviews/Pages/Honda-CBR125.aspx) including in that AA road report. Those sentiments are being duplicated everywhere I look. The latest NZ Motorcycle Trader has an almost identical report, including an exhortation for dad to give the thing back to the kids so they can get on with rider training!

Compared to the Hyosung at $7,000+, the price seems dmaned go too at $5,195.

Good hunting

[Pussy]

There's a nice little V-Tech Bandit in at NPMC at the moment. Fresh import, from memory about 15000km on the clock. I could find out what they want for it, if you like

Hey Gismo, the GSF250 VZV at New Plymouth Motorcycles has 14000km on the clock, and they want $5400.00 for it. It's a sweet looking little Bandit

[smitty]

Thats a nice looking bike. As for the speed i think i want to get my confidence up on the bike first so it's not too big of an issue.. as long as it doesnt max out at 60kph :lol:
Cheers.

no it won't max out at 60 kph but it sure will not be the fasted 250 on the road

but its not a big bike so should fit you nicely

[smitty]

Hey Gismo, the GSF250 VZV at New Plymouth Motorcycles has 14000km on the clock, and they want $5400.00 for it. It's a sweet looking little Bandit

yeah go for the bandit if its not too old

[Meekey_Mouse]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, have you looked at the Kawasaki ZXR250 or Honda CBR250?

They are getting rather old now but if you can find a good one, they are a lot of fun and fit small people great :banana:

I'm around your size and the ZXR was my 2nd bike... I've owned 4 bikes since riding... The ZXR and RG are my favorites by far!

[gismo]

Hey Gismo, the GSF250 VZV at New Plymouth Motorcycles has 14000km on the clock, and they want $5400.00 for it. It's a sweet looking little Bandit

Cheers for that... I might look into it

[gismo]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, have you looked at the Kawasaki ZXR250 or Honda CBR250?

They are getting rather old now but if you can find a good one, they are a lot of fun and fit small people great :banana:

I'm around your size and the ZXR was my 2nd bike... I've owned 4 bikes since riding... The ZXR and RG are my favorites by far!

Funny you should mention the ZXR.. my partner has a ZXR400 which i have been a pillion on.. and love it.

So yer it's also an option for me. I'm not wanting to rush into anything as i want the right bike for me but i'm starting to get itchy feet. Will have to find one soon i think.

[Gman71]

as a total newbie I just went and bought a Suzuki GSX250. great bike, easy to hangle, looks good, not mega-fast but good for 100-120 kmph. quite a few of them around.....

have fun :banana:

[carver]

GSXR1000K8, cant go past it.
great power, brakes, and handling.
you wont grow out of it fast either

[gismo]

GSXR1000K8, cant go past it.
great power, brakes, and handling.
you wont grow out of it fast either

Thats all good but as i haven't riden in years i think a 1000 would be a lil ova the top for me.. plus i'm missing a licence.
But thanks for your input.

[carver]

Thats all good but as i haven't riden in years i think a 1000 would be a lil ova the top for me.. plus i'm missing a licence.
But thanks for your input.

no problem

[Nade]

If you really want a brilliant ride and somthing you can hang onto with no problem......come ride me baby....:niceone:

:banana:

[gismo]

If you really want a brilliant ride and somthing you can hang onto with no problem......come ride me baby....:niceone:

:banana:

I'll ride you anyday baby... mmMMmm :love:

[CookMySock]

Hiya Gismo,

If you really like sportbikes and you just havta have one, then have a sit on a GT250R and see if you can reach. The levers can be modified so you can get your hands around them.

My mrs is shawty like you, and she does real good on her one. She shook like a leaf to start with, but a few months later she is solid as a rock.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchType=0001-0026-1255-2509-&searchString=GT250R

best,
DB

[Mom]

Hey cheers for that. I've been having a look at the Virago and i think i'm falling in love.
Might have to go have a look at some.
Cheers for ya help.

If you want to know anything about them, PM Crashe, she has had one for ages, and knows about everything there is to know about them.

[Nade]

Thing is...whatever she buys....its going to be me that has to fix and work on it for her......soon enough she will learn and I will teach her the difference between a cresent and a ring spanner....LOL:jerry:

[gismo]

Hiya Gismo,

If you really like sportbikes and you just havta have one, then have a sit on a GT250R and see if you can reach. The levers can be modified so you can get your hands around them.

My mrs is shawty like you, and she does real good on her one. She shook like a leaf to start with, but a few months later she is solid as a rock.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchType=0001-0026-1255-2509-&searchString=GT250R

best,
DB

I've seen a few of these around for sale and they are a nice bike. That is one thats on the short list.

[gismo]

If you want to know anything about them, PM Crashe, she has had one for ages, and knows about everything there is to know about them.

Thanks heaps for that.. will send her a message.

[Nade]

:Pokey: hyo bag.........be:buggerd:


:jerry:

[CookMySock]

:Pokey: hyo bag.........be:buggerd: I know what you're sayin bro, but they look and feel awesome, and your newb biker chick will want to ride it everywhere, and she will get in with the most massive grin - not much else is important, really.

DB

[Chickadee]

No ones mentioned the beloved RG150 two stroke, goes like stink - because it's a 2-stroke. Got bags of personality and cheap as chips.

[gismo]

No ones mentioned the beloved RG150 two stroke, goes like stink - because it's a 2-stroke. Got bags of personality and cheap as chips.

I'm trying to stay away from a 2-stroke. Wanting a 4-stroke.
Cheers for your post tho.. :cool:

[N1CK]

Hi,

I found the bike you want, its just what you are looking for. :yes:


http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?bikead=yes&p=1525985

[gismo]

Hi,

I found the bike you want, its just what you are looking for. :yes:


http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?bikead=yes&p=1525985

Cheers ... bit outta my price range but a nice bike...
Thinking at this stage am going to get one from a dealer that has finance.

[N1CK]

Lol, thats ok.

[Monamie]

My little bike has been a great bike to start on too. It sits at 120km and is very `flickable' around town.
You should also give one a test ride just to compare with all the others out there.:)

[kave]

Go for the Scorpio. You are old enough that the time you have to spend on 250cc is absolutely minimal (6 months learners then 6 months restricted, which can be cut down to 3 months if you do a course....9 months in total), so I really doubt you will outgrow the Scorpio in that amount of time. The lack of power will not be a problem, and the handling will be superior to a GN250 (and a lot of more powerful bikes). Because its a single-cylinder you will get a nice even distribution of power across the rev range, and it is a lot lighter than most other 250s so low speed manouvering will be a lot easier.

[gismo]

My little bike has been a great bike to start on too. It sits at 120km and is very `flickable' around town.
You should also give one a test ride just to compare with all the others out there.:)

Thanks for that.. i will be test riding a few before i finally decide what i'm going to get.


Go for the Scorpio. You are old enough that the time you have to spend on 250cc is absolutely minimal (6 months learners then 6 months restricted, which can be cut down to 3 months if you do a course....9 months in total), so I really doubt you will outgrow the Scorpio in that amount of time. The lack of power will not be a problem, and the handling will be superior to a GN250 (and a lot of more powerful bikes). Because its a single-cylinder you will get a nice even distribution of power across the rev range, and it is a lot lighter than most other 250s so low speed manouvering will be a lot easier.

That sounds good about the length of the licencing.. i want to get my full as quick as possible. I have thought alot about doing some defensive courses aswell. I went and sat on an Intuder yesterday.. felt good. Was a good height for me.
Cheers for ya input.

[gismo]

Can anyone please let me know of the pros and cons of the following bikes..
Marauder
Rebel
Virago
GZ250
Keeway cruiser
EL250

All 250's of course.
Wanting to know what sort of price i'd be looking at paying for each, plus anything i need to be looking out for?

As i've been looking around, i've come to like the cruiser style over the sports style.

Cheers in advance :scooter::)