Ok, What bike to learn on?

[The Pastor]

The only bad thing about the hornet 250 is the price, but you get what you pay for. Brilliant bikes, best 250 4 stroke probably

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

If you were asking for alternative opinions, I'd be pointing you towards a VTR250. They are very forgiving for a learner, low seat height, comfortable semi-sporty ride position and being a v-twin with all the torque of a single but extra HP, they are fast/powerful enough that they do not become boring.

+1

great bike to learn on...

[discotex]

Personally I'd avoid the CBF and GN. Under powered, terrible handling, vibrate like hell and most of all hate the motorways.

I'd go with the VTR/Comet or Hornet/Bandit or Ninja 250/GT250R options depending on which feels more comfortable and whether she wants fairings.

[Zuki lover]

Get a hyabusa with a turbo man!!!!!!

[Bladeslapper109]

As a lady learner I really like my Yamaha Scorpio

I hired one of these for my license. easy easy easy bike to ride but underpowered compared to any other 250 I had ridden previously. Struggles to get to 110km and prob has a max flat line speed of 120...

Its only a 250. whatever is comfortable. no 250 is too much power.

[vindy500]

I hired one of these for my license. easy easy easy bike to ride but underpowered compared to any other 250 I had ridden previously. Struggles to get to 110km and prob has a max flat line speed of 120...

Its only a 250. whatever is comfortable. no 250 is too much power.

130 easily

[Bladeslapper109]

130 easily

Na not the one i rode. was 2008 from red baron and only did about 120 on flat land

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

I hired one of these for my license. easy easy easy bike to ride but underpowered compared to any other 250 I had ridden previously. Struggles to get to 110km and prob has a max flat line speed of 120...

Its only a 250. whatever is comfortable. no 250 is too much power.

I thought the Scorpio was only a 225cc

[vindy500]

Na not the one i rode. was 2008 from red baron and only did about 120 on flat land

strange, the girlfriends 07 easily gets to 130 and felt like it had more in it, maybe you weigh more than 60kg

[davebullet]

If you were asking for alternative opinions, I'd be pointing you towards a VTR250. They are very forgiving for a learner, low seat height, comfortable semi-sporty ride position and being a v-twin with all the torque of a single but extra HP, they are fast/powerful enough that they do not become boring.

+2. My partner an I learned to ride on the VTR250. We still have it. Being a twin it is far more forgiving of being in the wrong gear if you need to pull away. The Hornet is a nice bike though with a bit more top end power.

Neither will be dangerous, unless you are hamfisted which men tend to be more than women.

If she likes the Hornet - get her to sit on one more bike as a comparison (easy to like the first bike you sit on without too many comparisons).

As DukeGirl said - the most important thing is she feels comfortable on it. That is the beginning of confidence.

PS: It's great she wants to ride too... I enjoy going out for rides, but nothing compares to riding with your partner on her bike. (maybe a track day though.... )

[sleeqe2000]

From what i've seen there's not much advice on this thread being given about the options you are exploring , ie the CBF or GN or Hornet. Just alot of crap saying get this other bike etc etc.....

I have experience of both the GN and CBF

I did my learners on a GN and found it a good little bike to totter around on but didn't like it at speed on the motorway. After getting my learners I decided to get a CBF 250.

Why - well it's a Honda and in terms of reliability and build quality it's streaks ahead of the GN and also the Scorpio and Hyosung. I have had mine for a year and done 13000Km's of absolute trouble free commuting. It sits nicely at 100k/hr on the motorway and is great for pottering around town. You can pick up a year old model for 4K to 4.5K with a year still on the Honda warranty.

I recommend it wholeheartdly from someone who had been using one for a year now.....