http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1129875244 Im considering this for a gentleman friend who is in the process of getting his learners ticket. Once he is onroad, all he wants is something that will quietly chug along between Marton, Palmy and Whangas. This is an older chap , well older than me anyway, with no experience at all of riding. Hanging out at my parties and listening to other bikers has whetted his appetite and some lessons have honed them further...this from someone who felt the need to voice his opinion early in the relationship that he thought bikes were not a good idea and he really didnt think he would be happy knowing I was out and about blatting around. Subversion via persistance and refusal to budge...works for me! While I have fond memories of the 400NC, Im not sure about this model or how it may have stood the test of time. Opinions? What should I ask the owner? I can do a run up to Whangas one weekend to take it for a ride. What should I be looking for that would be red signals to leave it alone. cheers
1951 B31 worked for me.
older....no experience of riding...quietly chugging.......easy a Harley Sportster....and with its power to weight ratio probably ridable on a learner licence.
over my dead arse.... but thanks for the thought Volty. I suspect you are right about the power/weight ratio. He likes quiet, subtle and discreet..god knows why he thinks he wants me. Quiet? subtle? Discreet? Not Ratti. But anyway, it's bikes we are talking about here. He likes the GN125 he is learning on, but Ive managed to talk him out of buying one. Definatly not a go-fast type, and thinks Ducky is not quite his style ( fair enough, Ducky is not for the quavering spirit ) He's also taken with the scorpios. Money is the biggest problem, he only has about 2-3 grand to spend. any further suggestions?
Good for delivering mail and picking up litter..... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-322323430.htm
Yamaha SRX, or Honda GB- both sweet handling and learner friendly, easy to work on for novices and pretty much bullet-proof. Both also hold thier value really well, so if he wants to move on to something much betterer, like a Guzzi for example, he will not take a kick in the goolies when it comes to resale.
Dodgy. Why on earth would he want to move to a Guzzi? He wants quiet, subtle and discreet, not odd and liable to explode. That CB250 RatShit looks OK, but I imagine he is after something that requires less rider input. They are neat bikes, but the one I had (for a total of 3 weeks) kept asking for more revs and higher corner speed. I think he needs something new and boring. I think a Scorpio would fit the bill.
I did wonder about the GB. They are pretty cute..bit like guzzis only smaller-and dont leak oil-and keep going-and.... The CT90 is a dangerous wee beast. Ive had a couple of them. Loved them both ( in spite of the damage to my body they both inflicted ) but not suitable for this chap. er...he is several inches shorter than me and way heavier. Much as they are great wee work horses...er...thanks but no. I could be tempted to add it to my stable tho....hey I could take it on rides with the BFTP... snuggle it in next to the ducs and guzzis. Maybe even the zooks!
Nothing wrong with a honda 400n, can still pick up one for a good price, as he is on his leaners, i suggest a suzuki gn 250, as they are easy to ride, can do 120km with ease, and there are heaps of spares avaiable.
I thought of one of them as well. Id heard there are rust issues with the newer ones tho?
The newer ones do rust like there is no tomorrow, I have a 2005 model to prove it. There are some older ones that are in great condition ( the ones made in japan) before they started making them in china.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...Yamaha-SRX-400 Heres one Ratti, Good bikes !
