What should I be looking at?

[ib456]

Hi,

I have the same questions most newbies ask so bear with me.

I have ridden before but without a licence and not in NZ much, my partner and I lived in Raro for a year and rode the 125cc 4 speed scooters and such. Since then we came home and I put on some weight.

Since we at this stage work for the same company gas isnt really an issue as is parking, she is the boss, has own carpark and the like.. but she is leaving at the end of the month. Which means i have to drive and find parking... sucks... So my plan to save us from a $1000 gas bill every month is to get my bike licience, I have ridden NSR250Rs and the like, (scary) CBR600 (real scary), wont even touch my friends VFR800... just mental....

I weight about 114kg, just over 6', I would like a CBR250 but just cant justify 5k for a bike that is almost 20 years old... no matter how good it looks...

I have a couple of options, the Hyosung GT250R or the new Ninja 250, both are the similar costs.... or something cheap that needs fixing... I have no trouble with the repair as long as it isnt too mechnical, just rebuilt a Suzuki TC185, which to my suprise goes really well. Heaps of fun but not a comuting bike or one to be wof or reg.
Is there anything else i should look at? I really want a a CBR250 but I cant justify spend what i spent on my 98 Primera M6 wagon over 4 years ago for a bike that is almost 20 years old..... I am not a GN fan, just due to the looks....I know they are fantastic and would do the trick perfectly but i would like something more sporty looking...


Any advice would be aprecated (sp) too late and its drunken Wednesday.. a fun middle of the week activity my girlfriend and i have... that was meant to finish about 4 hours ago....
I would rather buy a new ninja for 6k than an 18 year old CBR for 5k... but really would rather spend 2k on something to comute with... only have one friend who rides and he has a VFR 800 so no keeping up with him for a long time.....

thanks

stuart

[Drum]

If it's just for commuting then does it really matter that much what it looks like?

No need to pay $5k for a 20 year old bike. There's a few out there for $3 to $4k.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-165069646.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-164820462.htm

[CookMySock]

I would rather buy a new ninja for 6k than an 18 year old CBR for 5k... but really would rather spend 2k on something to comute with... only have one friend who rides and he has a VTR 800 so no keeping up with him for a long time.....You would be better off to get something larger and get a GDLS Exemption for it. While the GT250R looks good at first glance, you will overload its poor little front suspension majorly. Forget anything smaller, as it will be even worse.

I was 107KG and I bought a GT650R (still overloaded the front suspension!) but anyway it was more in the ballpark, and got an exemption for it. Its not reeeely a learner bike, but if you are physically strong you will handle it ok, and the 650vtwin doesn't bite at all - it's very well behaved. The GT650R will cost no more than a GT250R if you look around. The fuel economy on the 650 is excellant, 350km from 15 litres.

Not what you want to hear, but you should lose some weight. It will change your life completely, not to mention removing that bag of cement from off of you so you can sleep properly.. I was 112KG, now 91.


HTH
Steve

[Qkchk]

I assume you have a learners / restricted NZ licence?

If you want economy, suitablity for commuting and reliability, dont buy a 2-stroke.

Due to your physical size, you will be limited to choice of bike. I would recommend a Yamaha Scorpio 225 but I think the frame would be too small. Honda Hornets (250) are a bit bigger and are a awesome trouble-free bike. GSX250s are another great little bike that are only a couple of years old and have a larger frame. Best thing to do is go window shopping and have a chat with the bike shops... you might see something that will take your fancy..

If you are worried about forking out for $5000 for a 20-year old bike, keep in mind that the 250's hold their value the best out of all the bikes. As long as its kept in good condition (and doesnt get banged up) you will find it will only drop a little bit in value when you go to trade it in....

If you have a full licence, try a GSR600 or a SV650. Both great commuters and weekend scratchers with plenty of power .....remember, a bike is only as scary by how much you twist your wrist. Anyone can ride a GSXR1000 - motorcycling is 30% physical, 70% mental. Maturity and common sense starts at the wrist.

Best thing to do is TEST RIDE! :drool:

[Slyer]

Not trying to be mean or anything, but lose the weight and your choices are endless!

[ib456]

Thanks for the input, I am aware that I am rather heavy for a 250, but due to the restrictions not much I can do other than lose weight, which I am doing and you are right it does make you feel better, lost about 15kg's so far only another 20 or so to go...
Its not the cost of the older bikes that gets me, its the cost verses reliability or wear. Something that is 18-20 years old is going to be more likely to have something break or go wrong. Where you would hope something new wont for a few years anyway... "I know this isnt always true but you can always live in hope...

Thanks for the advice... will be helpful when it comes time to buy something.

[chubby]

Are you wanting to remain on the 250 when you get your full or will you want to move up a little?

If you want to move up then look at the resale the CBR may be expensive but look how its held its price and probably will for the year or so that you own it. Providing of course that you have the $5k cash. The others may dive a little esp. with the changes in learners regulations coming in.... but then there is the price of petrol etc. In short you want to look at money lost in the transition and not the purchase price.

If you want to stop at the 250 then buy the bike that feels right and that you want.

Anyways, good luck and post a pic of your purchase when your done.

[CookMySock]

consider also, if you need to be at work on time, then you dont want to farting around with an old unreliable bike. It could be CHEAPER to have something more modern.

DB

[kiwifruit]

Hyosung GT250R :cool:

[Gubb]

You would be better off to get something larger and get a GDLS Exemption for it. While the GT250R looks good at first glance, you will overload its poor little front suspension majorly. Forget anything smaller, as it will be even worse.


I call bullshit. I'm 6'3" and heavier than that, and haven't had a single problem.

[CookMySock]

I call bullshit. I'm 6'3" and heavier than that, and haven't had a single problem.dial it through a bumpy corner at 130 clicks and you will be calling bullshit alright. I doubt you have more than 30mm left out of your 125mm total travel - this is enough to make a suspension professional laugh for some minutes.

The bottom line is, a standard GT250R front forks are sprung correctly for a 60KG rider. A 112kg rider on that bike is like 7 people in a mini - no problem at all if thats all you have ever driven.

DB

[Katman]

she is the boss

I think I see the problem.

:msn-wink:

[crash harry]

I call bullshit. I'm 6'3" and heavier than that, and haven't had a single problem.

With you on that one dude. I'm 6' and was 120kg (now down to 105...) I had both a ZZR250 and a CBR250RR with no probs - and the CBR is frikkin tiny and the front suspension is set up for a rider weight of about 60kg.

To the OP, the advice I would give any learner:
1) Don't exchange money for a GN250. They are not worth money. They are worse than bad. Slow. Uncomfortable. Rubbish handling. Ugly. I've said it before, friends don't let friends buy GN250s.

2) If you want something that is slow as hell but economical and for some strange reason fun to ride, check out an FXR150. I can't quite explain why, but they are fun to punt around at wide open throttle, and they're fairly tall which makes them roomier than they look. They're still faster than a GN.

3) If you want a 250 and you've got the cash, the new Ninja 250 is getting rave reviews. The older ZZRs are good for us bigger fellas as well. I seem to remember being comfortable on the GSX250 and the GPX250 when I had a go.

4) You can probably qualify for an exemption and get a bigger bike, but be honest with yourself about why you're doing it. Unless you're 7 feet tall and 150kg it's not because a 250 is too small for you, it's because you've been offered a way to shortcut the system and you're taking it.

Test ride some bikes, you'll see what you like fairly quickly.

[CB ARGH]

dial it through a bumpy corner at 130 clicks and you will be calling bullshit alright. I doubt you have more than 30mm left out of your 125mm total travel - this is enough to make a suspension professional laugh for some minutes.

The bottom line is, a standard GT250R front forks are sprung correctly for a 60KG rider. A 112kg rider on that bike is like 7 people in a mini - no problem at all if thats all you have ever driven.

DB

Cause their made to be sent to Japan where they only eat rice... Unless Korea eat rice too. Weird. :whocares:

EDIT: Okay, that was off topic. To be honest I must say the CBR's forks are really soft, is there a way to make the suspension harder to suit us "Normal" people? Not bloody twigs.

[crash harry]

dial it through a bumpy corner at 130 clicks and you will be calling bullshit alright.
DB

And someone on a learner's license should be doing this? The OP was talking about a commuter bike anyway, not a weekend fang machine.

And anyhow, a set of front springs isn't all that hard to come by... One of the facts of life that us big buggers have to put up with is that you may have to do some suspension work. It's generally no different with bigger bikes anyway, they're all set up standard for "average weight" riders. You often need to throw a set of stiffer front springs at them. Rear too in a lot of cases.

[Taz]

How far is your commute?

[CookMySock]

And someone on a learner's license should be doing this?but they are going to have a go somewhere, sometime. We all do. Don't we.


It's generally no different with bigger bikes anyway, they're all set up standard for "average weight" riders. You often need to throw a set of stiffer front springs at them. Rear too in a lot of cases.Pretty much. Even my 650 is undersprung with my 91KG on it.

DB

[ib456]

The round trip is 50kms, and it will only be for dry days, I have always wanted a bike but the first time I went to get one i got issued an ulitmatium.. This was from my last girlfriend.. and after that just never got around to it..
My current partner who i have been with for about 10 years has no issues with it and is fine with it... sort of.. its more of a cutting our petrol bill from $1000 a month to something closer to $600... and have a little fun while doing it.

I really doubt i will get under 95kgs but dont want to get anything bigger for a while.. In the end i will get rid of the 250 and get either a VFR400 or similar. Just for those days where it is so sunny you just have to go out with both of us..

Once i sort my learners out which i have my basic handling test next weekend I will look into what i really should get. I am even happy to get something cheap and repair it, more fun and gives a feeling of acomplisment.
Also keeps me out of trouble... Will need to get rid of my 77 TC185 to cover some of the cost..and to make room in the garage.. dont think I would be allowed to have two bikes about... having said that I only use the 185 to get the mail and take the rubbish out at the moment..

All the advice has been good thanks, I really have very little idea what to look out for.

[tate35]

gn250? cbf250? scorpio? your options are plenty,good luck

[ib456]

I stopped by the local bikeshop while next door getting some parts for my old suzuki.
Had a look about at the biggest of the 250's, the Hyosung GT250R, Honda Hornet and the Suzuki Bandit. All three were a good size for me tho the Hyosung was soft on the front suspension, tho the dealer said that the oil could be changed in them to harden them up. Is this a feasible option?
The Honda was nice, good size and felt good.
The Suzuki has similar to the Honda but had a fuel gague... i like that option :-)

I think i have narrowed it down to a choice of these 3 due to the fit. I am drawn to the Hyosung as it is a 2008 with a warrenty rather than a 10 year old bike but only if the front suspension can be hardened up. Otherwise the Honda would be my choice. I think i would even look at the hyosung GT250. I am not after a fast bike, just something to comute with that is reliable and looks nice.

Any opinions on these?

thanks

[happykamper]

I sooooo want a CBR250R but I'm put off by the $5k price tag - have $3k ready and waiting if anyone's got one available...

[ib456]

I like the CBR's but a friend had the 600 and he said it was a little annoying due to riding position and on long trips it wasnt tthe most comfortable..
I just picked up a 2005 Suzuki GSX250... been dropped but was cheap enough to make it worth rebuilding which is the bit i like most..
now to pick it up and start work, oh and got my licence yesterday too so all is good.