Hello, I need a help with getting a right bike...

**Megazoid** · 20th March 2005, 19:18

hello, i allways wished to have a bike... now i have an apportunity to get one...

i'm getting a license somewhere in about couple of weeks... i know that i cant have bike over 250cc on learners, so i wanted to ask you which bike can i get, and which would be better?... i like sport bikes, not so much into touring... hopefully under 4-5k.... please, send me a link to a pic, and the price in abouts...

thank you all for your time...

Regardz, Paul

**Jeremy** · 20th March 2005, 20:21

It's a real pity that beginnerbikes.com is no longer up as this would have helped a lot. I'm going to suggest that you get a GN250 (it's a standard, $3k brand new) learn on that until you get your restricted then flick it for another 250cc bike that you want. Insurance is also pretty cheap on a GN250 (~$500/year from AMI for full if your on your learners, much cheaper once your on your restricted).

GN250 Pic

Don't forget that you're going to be spending nearly a thousand to buy decent gear. Never skimp on your safety gear.

**DEATH_INC.** · 20th March 2005, 20:44

Yep,the GN is a great learner machine orright,but there's a couple of things to consider.Have you any riding experience?And are you planning on keeping it after you graduate from yer learners?And are ya gonna ride outta the city?
If the answer to any of these is yes,then you may find the GN a little lacking.It may be a better option to find a multi-cylinder sportbike 250.You may wanna take the fairings off for a bit till you get some experence under your belt though....

**Megazoid** · 20th March 2005, 21:01

death, i didnt get your message.... dont understand anything.... and jeremy, thank you for your post.... finnaly i understand what kind of bike i can get... any other bikes?... i would like it to look like a sport bike.....

**Jeremy** · 20th March 2005, 21:28

Originally Posted by Megazoid

death, i didnt get your message.... dont understand anything.... and jeremy, thank you for your post.... finnaly i understand what kind of bike i can get... any other bikes?... i would like it to look like a sport bike.....

Well you can get a Kawasaki Ninja, but your looking closer to the 7k range, they cost more to insure and they're much more expensive to repair. And as Death_Inc said you'll want to take the fairings off as you'll probably drop the bike and crack the fairings (not cheap to replace). You could also get a CBR250, stay away from the CBR250RR, or any bike with R or RR at the end, as these usually symbolise that they are race replicas. Getting these for your first bike would be similiar to starting off in a 350hp car that you have to balance to stay upright and it's really easy to lock the wheels. So stick with something cheap that people are less likely to pinch. And remember this is your first bike which preferably shouldn't be your last.

At least in NZ we don't have the problem in the US of no cc restrictions, everyday we have to convince people on efnet @ #motorcycles that starting off on a SV1000 (580HP/tonne) or worse a CBR600RR is a bad idea.

**Ghost Lemur** · 20th March 2005, 22:34

Wise advice has been passed your way already Megazoid. I will however reaffirm their case with personal experience.

When I was getting my first bike (I too am predomanently(sp?) a sportsbike fan too) I sort the advice of the wise KB community.

They said the same thing to me as they (and I) are saying to you now. For your first bike get something cheap and withOUT plastics. cbr250rs, gn250, etc. Spend as much as you can and get good gear.

As it turned out it was damn good advice. I bought an 81 cb250rs with wof/reg for ~$500. 3 months later a homicidal cager did a uturn on me in peak hour traffic. Only moderate bruising to my legs and a bike busted that was worth less than most peoples premiums.

Just because you get that sort of bike now to learn on, doesn't stop you from upgrading to a cbr/zxr/etc when you get your restricted.

Last added bonus is the singles are easy to work on even if you know nothing about bikes like me.

**Megazoid** · 20th March 2005, 23:40

ok... i LOVED cbr250, but i guess i'll follow your wiseness, and buy a suzuki GN250... good price, and awesome bike.... what i wanted to ask, is does anyone knows where can i buy it in christchurch?... new, or used....

**Ghost Lemur** · 20th March 2005, 23:52

Originally Posted by Megazoid

ok... i LOVED cbr250, but i guess i'll follow your wiseness, and buy a suzuki GN250... good price, and awesome bike.... what i wanted to ask, is does anyone knows where can i buy it in christchurch?... new, or used....

SPORTZONE SUZUKI

Even though I've only ever been a window shopper, I've got nothing but praise for these guys. They'll more than happily take the time to have a chat, answer questions, etc. Even when they know there isn't a sale in it. No hard selling or pressure.

Which is more than I can say for the shops across the road, who either ignore you or try forcing a bike down your throat.

Know a few KBers here have bought off of them, with (as far as I know) positive experiences.

**Megazoid** · 21st March 2005, 10:33

ok, i'll try that... =) my mom is helping me to get a credit for it, because she's leaving to live in aussie, and wants me to have whiels on me before they'll go... so i think i might go with her through the dealers, and check out the gn250 in live... thank you all for your help =) i will post how it went =)

**muzz** · 21st March 2005, 10:57

Personal opinion. GN is a good learners bike and around town hack but if you want to get out on the open road the bandit is better. With four cyclinders its much smoother and handles long distance better. It more of a sports bike but no fairings.

**Megazoid** · 21st March 2005, 19:31

is bandit less then 250cc?... cause if it isnt, i cant drive that....

huh... went to suzuki sportzone tooday... got the quote for gn250... with insurance, interest, helm, and gloves, it would cost me 5,036... that's a bit too much cause there's 14.50% yearly interest rate... so on wednesday i'll try to find some whiels, and find some other shops who has it..... feel really sad, cause i'd be really gutted if i wont find it....

**Jeremy** · 21st March 2005, 21:32

To memory a Bandit is 1200cc.

Okay here's what I'd expect pay for a new GN250.

Insurance (FULL) from AMI $600/year (note this is going to get a lot cheaper once you have a restricted).
$3000 (GN250) + $250 (onroad costs)
Gear:
$200 jacket, $200 helmet, $40 gloves, $200 overpants, $200 boots.

= $4690

Also you should get a %10 discount on the gear (at least) because your also getting a bike.
So unless you've picked out some expensive gear you might want to shop around. Or better yet get your loan from the bank.

**kmthor** · 21st March 2005, 22:53

i just got a xv250 for 5500 and paid 220 for jacket 150 for overpants 170 for helmet 30 gloves
got 15% discount on the gear

hope this helps

**Velox** · 21st March 2005, 23:41

Nah - you can get 250cc Bandits (I'm pretty sure).
I reckon don't spend over $4k for a learner bike. Good luck searching though. Have you checked out old cbrs though? I can imagine there'd be cheaper and more fun than the GN, but yeah - I guess not as reliable.

**muzz** · 21st March 2005, 23:51

:spudwhat: Suzuki bandit comes in 250 , 600 , 1200 . The one in the pic is a 250.

It belongs to the missus and its for sale. She has had it for 14 months and is looking to up grade. She's been riding the duc and loves it so now she what's one of her own.

It's a good first bike if your looking for a sports model.