Got a real beauty....pity I can't ride

[pukana,BLAH!]

Just got my bike today. A Cbr250rr, mc22 1992. Unfortunately I've never ridden a bike and stretched my funds so I can't get a helmet till next week. If your wondering why I got a bike without test riding it it's because I have always respected Honda as a brand. It was either a Cibby or a viffer 400, but I didn't want to push the limits on a 400, legal wise.

Any tips you can give me having never ridden a bike?
And how cheap is too cheap for a helmet?

[hurricane_r]

good stuff, whats a viffer?

[Pedrostt500]

Ok cheap helmets, How much do you value the contents of your head.
Get riding lessons taught by a professional tutor.
Welcome to the world of motorcycles.

[RC1]

did you buy from dealer ?? you could have talked them into giving you a helmet as part of the deal, take care , maybe practice somewhere to home, find a local KBer to help in your area, plenty of willing bods in akld

[mowgli]

Any tips you can give me having never ridden a bike?
And how cheap is too cheap for a helmet?
Search on here for details of the Ride Right Ride Safe course run by BRONZ.

Buy a new helmet from a shop (not tardme) and you can't really go wrong so long as it's standards approved. They'll all save your swede in a bin. Just make sure it fits you well. Some head shapes suit particular helmet brands better than others so try a few before buying. If the helmet turns out to be noisy either slow down or buy earplugs - much cheaper than another lid.

Good luck and take it easy, for a while at least.

[mowgli]

Ok cheap helmets, How much do you value the contents of your head.

Spending more on your helmet may get a better fit which might make a difference in a crash. The other things you may get are better aerodynamics (not important at legal speeds) and less wind noise (easily fixed with earplugs). So long as the lid you buy is NZ standards approved then it should protect you well while learning to ride within the law.

Don't forget you need to save up for boots, pants, gloves and a jacket as well.

[TOTO]

Don't forget you need to save up for boots, pants, gloves and a jacket as well.

And you need to have them on before you get on the bike. welcome to KB (the madhouse/school).

Always wear ALL of your safety gear. Always. I have seen things go badly wrong in 7 meters.

Whistle if you need someone to ride around with. Always keen for a ride if i'm not busy, but I aint very busy :scooter:

[skidMark]

Take the side fairings off. you are going to drop it. put them back on in 6-8 months

[skidMark]

And you need to have them on before you get on the bike. welcome to KB (the madhouse/school).

Always wear ALL of your safety gear. Always. I have seen things go badly wrong in 7 meters.

Whistle if you need someone to ride around with. Always keen for a ride if i'm not busy, but I aint very busy :scooter:


Chicks dig scars!

[T.I.E]

Take the side fairings off. you are going to drop it. put them back on in 6-8 months

thats a good idea, the plastics are not cheap to replace, remember you will drop it being a complete newbe. probably when ya gettig on or getting off the bike or pulled upto a set of traffic lights. sorry but i hope ya dont. maybe bubble wrap.

and agreeded go to a riding school, you will get some priceless advice from them. and then there is the rest of your gear helmet is the most important, the rest could (could) be second hand. maybe ask on here someone might have some stuff they dont want. but take it easy, dont get cocky, and that will go a long way. remember dont be a hero.

[Number One]

Take the side fairings off. you are going to drop it. put them back on in 6-8 months
Damn good advice this!

I had a CBR250rr...mmmmmmmmmmm - I still pine for my baby blade :weep:

Anyway - the idea of taking the side fairings off is a damn good one if you've never ridden before and considering budget is tight - you won't want to be shelling out for cosmetic damage due to a silly little learners oopsey. It really does break your heart when you baby gets banged up and isn't it's normal pretty self....

Good luck and enjoy. Agree with others - avoid Trademe for helmets and get that other gear too! Having recently come off a bike I can tell you that you are making a wise investment in having good gear...and by good I mean, solid construction with armour. Wear all the gear - all the time!

Those CBRs are very confidence inspiring....

[TOTO]

Take the side fairings off. you are going to drop it. put them back on in 6-8 months

Thtas a good advice skid. If I had known to take my fairings off It would have saved me 300 bux in the first month :D Oh well. thats how you learn.

[CookMySock]

New FFM helmet is only 130bux. Armoured jacket on trademe 100bux. Kevlar jeans $??. This is your minimum gear list. If $$ are tight, first week get your Jacket. Arrange some tuition. Next week get your helmet - do the tuition. Next week get the kevlar jeans.

DB

[Subike]

Try your local Pawn shop for a cheap leather bike jacket.
I got a reasonable quality jacket for $50.
Also a pair of leather bike pants for $25, as they were scruffy, needed braces to hold them up, which is common and lots of us use them.
A pair of LACE UP work boots from the Warehouse for $40 will be ok for a few months, Dont wear slip on boots on a bike, if you can slip them on, an accident can slip them off.
Cheapest leather gloves are the soft leather drivers gloves from NZ Saftey.
They are ok for learning and slow speed but not for serious riding, cost $12 - $15. Get the smallest size that will fit you, they are soft leather, easy to ""feel"" the control blocks.
Find an old worn out jersey in your draws, one you dont want anymore, cut out one of the arms at the sholder and the elbow. you now have a perfect neck warmer. This you will keep for ages.....
With a bit of shopping, and forgetting the Fashion Police, you can outfit yourself, less helmet, for under $200.
As everyone here has said.

Wear all your gear ALL the time

[Coyote]

good stuff, whats a viffer?
The choice of kings mate.

The VFR400 is an excellent bike. But considering you've never ridden a bike before, a CBR is going to be enough to contend with. The VFR isn't a 600, but it's still darn quick and not for newbies. Of course, if you want that power the legal way, get an NSR or RGV :p

You'll love the CBR. My old CBR250RRNMC-22NH-237P was an excellent machine :niceone:

Ok cheap helmets, How much do you value the contents of your head.
Well my last helmet cost $160, and I gave it 5 hard knocks. Maybe more, I forget. So roughly I must value my head at roughly $30 or so... that's a bit steep. Only replaced it since some homie cut it off my helmet lock.

Yet to replace all my riding gear. Tore my draggins apart so have to wear normal jeans. Have come off a couple of times wearing normal pants and only got a few scars, enough to attract chicks rather than put them off. My gloves have turned into attractive fingerless ones, and my jacket has several new vents in it. Got new boots though since they look cool and they were cheap.

[gismo]

I brought my helmet for $180... a HJC.
I had to get them to get one in for me as my head is quite small. The helmet is a youth medium. :lol:

I find that it cuts out the noise nicely. And i dont get the ear ringing at the end of a ride. I dont wear ear plugs.

I brought my jacket for $230 and my pants were given to me. I wouldnt even think about going out without them.

All i need now is some good gloves.

Happy riding :2thumbsup :ride:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=52318 .. Have a read of this thread too. Its got heaps of awesome hints for a newbie biker like yourself.

[n0regret5]

wow. you went right out there and bought the best (wait for skidmark to argue me on this) 4-stroke learner bike available. good!! re: helmet you can pick up a pretty decent one for $150-ish, my first helmet was $120 (8years ago) and lasted (someones gonna get angry with this) through 5 crashes..:-)
i recommend getting a good quality helmet and if you're spending less than $200 don't get your hopes up about it saving your life too much..pick up a nice arai or zeus something, $350 is great for a helmet and you can always pay it off.

now i want an mc22 again.:-(

[pukana,BLAH!]

First of all I want to thank everyone for their replies I'm amazed the thread got to 2 pages so quickly. I have just sold my car and have got roughly a grand to get some gear, I am looking hard at the trademe gear simply due to bang for buck ( I hope I don't start a flaming session ). I think my helmet will be the most expensive purchase.

As for removing the fairings....They are a bit rough, as you'd expect for a 16 year old bike. I have done a bit of car painting myself and have a mate who is a car painter, so I was thinking about painting the bike anyways. I have had some people saying that a custom painted bike will not fetch as much re-sale wise. What are your guys opinions on this?

Also are there any decent bike schools around Forrest Hill area?

[Nagash]

The re-sale bit is true.. people don't like custom painted bikes because the colour you choose to paint, appeals to you! And everyone's different. Someone may pay heaps extra if they particularly like the colour, others will not be interested at all and stick to the stock colour. I wouldn't really say it's worth it for a 250.. especially one you're learning on. when you scratch it, you'll cry.

A grand should get you some good gear, i've sent you a PM on a good selection of High quality cheap gear.

I'll have a quick look around for some bike schools for yah. Is that forest hill in Henderson valley? Cause you'll be right near me.

[pukana,BLAH!]

Thanks a lot Nagesh I appreciate your advice and will be going to check out cycle treads this Saturday. No unfortunately it's Forrest Hill on the shore.

Once again Thank you, your advice is appreciated

[sefer]

Personally I'd say people not liking custom paint has more to do with the stigma of 'they're trying to hide how crappy it looked/how many times it's been dropped' rather than colour (unless you paint it hot pink or something :) or just make a crap job of it ). If your straight up about why it was painted when it comes to resale I can't see it being an issue for anyone.

In saying that, as pointed out, don't bother for a few months, your bound to do some damage at some point.

[glice]

give this guy a text or call chris 02102357344. not sure if he still runs corses but hes good and in albany. and he supplies a bike.
whats up with everyone saying you WILL drop your bike. yea theres a big chance but not everyone does. :spanking:

[Ragingrob]

Nope not everyone at all drops their bike. I wouldn't bother taking the side fairings off a 16 year old bike, unless they were in MINT condition, but even then... Just don't drop your bike! It's a very low seated bike with a low centre of gravity, so it's pretty hard to not be able to get your feet down in time or whatever.

[Nagash]

Nope not everyone at all drops their bike. I wouldn't bother taking the side fairings off a 16 year old bike, unless they were in MINT condition, but even then... Just don't drop your bike! It's a very low seated bike with a low centre of gravity, so it's pretty hard to not be able to get your feet down in time or whatever.

I think when people refer to 'dropping' the bike they mean low siding.. instead of just knocking it over on your drive way. If you can stop a bike low siding by putting you're feet on the ground, i'd really like to see that! (Not taking the piss, it's probably possible)

And the chances that a rookie will low side their bike are extremely high i'd say. Ofcourse not 100% guarenteed, but i'd say it's better to be cautious so looking at your first bike as if you *will* drop it, is a good thing. Stops you buying a brand new expensive jobby...

[fizbin]

shop around for your gear motormail (spelling?) is a good place to start gear is reasonable price. re: helmet price doesn't always = comfort my $100 helmet was 100x quieter than my current $500 lid.
also as soon as you get you learners get yourself to the AWNR and lear some shit
Gubb lives on the shore and woudl prob give you a few pointers if you pm him

BTW welcom to the site and hope to see you on the road.

[Ragingrob]

I think when people refer to 'dropping' the bike they mean low siding.. instead of just knocking it over on your drive way. If you can stop a bike low siding by putting you're feet on the ground, i'd really like to see that! (Not taking the piss, it's probably possible)

And the chances that a rookie will low side their bike are extremely high i'd say. Ofcourse not 100% guarenteed, but i'd say it's better to be cautious so looking at your first bike as if you *will* drop it, is a good thing. Stops you buying a brand new expensive jobby...

Ah ok I guess I took it too literally haha. I think putting my foot out to prevent a low side would result in some kinda leg snappage :eek:

[pukana,BLAH!]

I'm not planning on dropping the bike but I will be expecting it.

[rphenix]

Take the side fairings off. you are going to drop it. put them back on in 6-8 months

+1 from me :)

[nodrog]

did all you guys take the doors and shit off your first cars too?

[littlegixxer]

I wish i had the dough to buy an mc22, neway the gsxr-250r will suffice 4 me!

i wouldnt skimp out on the helmet of all things, my nolan is an average helmet and it was $500 i wouldn't spend less than 300 on a helmet, after all it is your brain.

advice for the 250, it will feel pretty fast considering you havnt ridden before, i got a 125 before the gsxr and that was still a big step in terms of performance, taking country corners @ 140 is pretty intense, oh yea just remembered, make sure you have good tyres, i had a shot one on the front wen i got it, %*#! scary!

[littlegixxer]

oh yea definitely take the side fairings off because you will bin it, mine are off my gixxer, but its been crashed so many times it dont matter ;)

and about lowsides and that, you cant save them not unless youre rossi, crashes happen too fast it like dododo BAM! and you on the ground like WHAT THE #%&*! was that! i once highsided my CG125 (which has now been sold, alas) at 45kmh in town didnt come off tho, crazy days.

[pukana,BLAH!]

did all you guys take the doors and shit off your first cars too?

Hahah, a good call.

Although I realise I will bin the bike, part of the reason I bought the bike was its striking good looks.

If I wanted a naked bike I would of got a bandit.

[centercore]

Get your gear!! asap any good bike store will work with your budget or quasimoto on the forums.

Learn in a carpark and make sure you always have heaps of space around you. Dont rush to use the front brake else you'll be on the floor with the bike on ya.

[Ragingrob]

WTF why are you guys saying "you will bin the bike"??!! That's a fucken dumb thing to say.

[Subike]

Hey give they guy a break..
Hes has got a bike, and gear..
Does that automaticaly make him a speed freak?
Drop it?
Why should he? Because he is a learner?
Not every learner rider crashes....but you would not beleive it if you listen to all the experts that will never beleive it is possibile if not common.
Good one ya mate for getting the gear sorted before you started serious learning.
Enjoy the fear as you master braking, and cornering. :rockon:

[CB ARGH]

Some here are arguing that you will crash, some are saying you might crash... What we need to remember is that those who said "you will", most likely did so when they begun. Compared to those who say "you might" most likely didn't crash, but had a few near misses to get them awake and their bowels moving. :innocent:

Every rider is different. Take things slowly, attend a riding school. There are MANY/HEAPS/PLENTY of members of this forum and people in NZ who are willing to give you lessons, it may be costly or it may not be, but these skills learnt will be priceless when the bad shit happens and the ship sinks.

I'm in the stage of purchasing gear at the moment. Don't jump the gun, buy off TradeMe... Not brand new, get second hand gear of a good brand (like one sold in a store), half the retail is excellent (got a $899 jacket for $300, PERFECT condition, not a scratch in sight). Get good footwear, mid-shin would do the trick, this will prevent your ankle kissing your leg when you twist the f@#$ out of it.

Be safe, take your time, stay awake, and most of all, HAVE FUN! :Punk:

[Candle]

1st get your gear then start rideing if you freek out after you 2nd a tempt on it then id say take the farings of kant hert to be safe then when you know how to handle a bit better putem on itl save the shame when you go to your mates with a huge scrach down the side and it dust look good wen you come to up grade

[glice]

WTF why are you guys saying "you will bin the bike"??!! That's a fucken dumb thing to say.

thats what I was saying earlyer. why do people think that learners are retards??? give them a chance. some people come from 2 wheel back grounds and have no issues. its stupid to use a blanket response to all learners and say you WILL drop your bike. give them a chance, and if it happens it happens, so what.

[CookMySock]

thats what I was saying earlyer. why do people think that learners are retards???uhh, some learners are retards! Have a wander back through this thread and see at least one. Maybe its not fair to call them names like that, but at least I would say they had the wrong approach and maybe a bad attitude.



give them a chance. some people come from 2 wheel back grounds and have no issues. its stupid to use a blanket response to all learners and say you WILL drop your bike. give them a chance, and if it happens it happens, so what.Yep. My 15 y/o learner son had never ridden a bike with gears, so heres him asking me how to get it into second gear! No biking history at all!! yet he is coming up rock-solid in the corners at speed and in only six weeks riding, out-cornering his mum, safely to boot! /me looks over shoulder.. :sweatdrop

It is possible to become a legend on a sportbike without being a total fuckwit during the learner stages and consuming thousands of dollars worth of gear.

** Yes, I mean he is rock solid - no approaching his comfort zones, no leaving his half-lane, no errors, no mistakes, no bad habits - perfection, at speed, in the windies, and full awareness of his emotional state and mind-loading. Very proud! ;)

DB

[glice]

uhh, some learners are retards! Have a wander back through this thread and see at least one. Maybe its not fair to call them names like that, but at least I would say they had the wrong approach and maybe a bad attitude.


Yep. My 15 y/o learner son had never ridden a bike with gears, so heres him asking me how to get it into second gear! No biking history at all!! yet he is coming up rock-solid in the corners at speed and in only six weeks riding, out-cornering his mum, safely to boot! /me looks over shoulder.. :sweatdrop

It is possible to become a legend on a sportbike without being a total fuckwit during the learner stages and consuming thousands of dollars worth of gear.

** Yes, I mean he is rock solid - no approaching his comfort zones, no leaving his half-lane, no errors, no mistakes, no bad habits - perfection, at speed, in the windies, and full awareness of his emotional state and mind-loading. Very proud! ;)

DB

Ha, yea I've met some retard learners too. I'm in no way saying I'm brilliant, I know I've got a long way to go and alot to learn.
I guess I should have said 'all learners'.

[Richard_gib]

I still miss my first real baby:no:. (Had a XLR250 for my lisence etc). The CBR250 was an absolutly awsome bike. I was lucky enough to never bin it on the road. by the way, side stands on soft dirt don't keep the bike upright.
I found it brilliant to ride (even better than the zxr250 i had for a little while) she was so forgiving when i did something stupid, which was often. It even preformed well with my brother on the back. (combined weight about 220kg)

Just wear the gear, take it easy, and enjoy the ride.

when you are good, take on the boy racers, but you will be passed by the big boys.

I was doing 190km/h flat on the tank, then a duke passed me with his finger in the air........Then he changed gear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:2guns:

[Henk]

Being a newby myself (only riding 20 odd years) I'd say take the fairings off. You are going to do stupid shit like park it facing downhill in neutral to start with.
Be prepared for a couple of idiotic drops at traffic lights while you struggle to find neutral or when you are wheeling it around the garage.

[CB ARGH]

I was doing 190km/h flat on the tank, then a duke passed me with his finger in the air........Then he changed gear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:2guns:

I believe the 0-100 in less than 6 seconds as people claim, but I do not believe 190km/h in your case. They've got a limiter at 180 anyway. :doh:

Plus that speed is shocking on the open road, shame on you. :sleep:

140 tops.

[glice]

I believe the 0-100 in less than 6 seconds as people claim, but I do not believe 190km/h in your case. They've got a limiter at 180 anyway. :doh:

Plus that speed is shocking on the open road, shame on you. :sleep:

140 tops.

yip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNmUpGv2Vz4

the limiter is at 185km/h, which they do. and you can take the limiter off and then apparently do about 200 if your keen.