Absolute beginner rider

[squidgy]

I'm planning on getting my learners and buying a bike soon but as I have never ever ridden one I have a few questions. What would be a good learning bike to buy? I'm 5'6 & 50kgs and will basically only be using it to go to school and back and around town, no motorways or anything. Also, how hard is the Basic Handling Skills test? Whereabouts in Auckland is a good place to do it?

Thanks!

[DEATH_INC.]

FXR 150. Light and small, and relatively placid. Passright do the Basic handling courses (or at least used to)

[Hawkeye]

Can I suggest you look on the top menu bar, select search, and put in a search something like 'first bike recommendations' or similar.
You will be amazed by the number of threads that have already asked that exact question!

[el_scor_cho]

FXR 150. Light and small, and relatively placid. Passright do the Basic handling courses (or at least used to)

second the fxr. you can pick up a nice cheapo on trademe too.
im pretty sure passright still do the handling cert, if you can ride up and down the street you will fly through

[fizbin]

assuming that you have you learners? my suggestion would be test ride a few and see what you like. but if weight is a concern for you then then something like an FXR or if you want a 250 then something like a Honda jade might suit.
At the end of the day it come down to the individual and what they like in a bike.

[howdamnhard]

Try a GN250 , cheap light ,low running costs. Draw backs:not very powerful,slow and the newer Chinese ones rust fast. Get an older Japanese one.

[sil3nt]

do your BHS at Rider Skills. The FXR would be a good bike for around town. You could even get a brand new gn 125 for about $2500.

[kiwifruit]

Learn to ride a dirt bike first if you can.
Welcome to the site

[Danae]

Get some experience on a dirtbike if possible.

I third the FXR, it's a great little bike, light but can keep up with traffic on the open road and on the motorway.

Friends don't let friends by GNs!

[CookMySock]

Just for around town, any little 125-250cc bike will be a great learner bike. Don't get a fixer-upper oldie bike though. You will spend more time pushing the thing than riding it.

If its' a lifestyle thing, you could spend a bit more and get something totally cool, but hey thats up to you.

Steve

[kave]

A Yamaha Scorpio would be ideal.

[Qkchk:Me]

I'm planning on getting my learners and buying a bike soon but as I have never ever ridden one I have a few questions. What would be a good learning bike to buy? I'm 5'6 & 50kgs and will basically only be using it to go to school and back and around town, no motorways or anything. Also, how hard is the Basic Handling Skills test? Whereabouts in Auckland is a good place to do it?

Thanks!

Howdy,

I conduct BHS training and testing on the North Shore in Albany. If you have good clutch / throttle control and balance I would suggest doing a 'Refresher course'. Basically this gives you 1/2hr to practise on the test itself and then we sit your BHS (then you know what to expect). Bike hire is included in the price, so no worry about having to buy a bike to do the test... Otherwise have a look at my website and see what is required to pass the BHS and feel happy to do just the BHS test, we can sort that out for you instead.

Drop me a line info@ridertraining.co.nz. Let me know you're on KB and I will take $10 off the price...

As for a great first bike? All depends on how much $$'s you want to spend and the amount/type of riding you want to do (are you only going to ride to school and not on the weekends?). I would recommend a Scorpio 225 as they are very simple/reliable/cost effective and can be brought brand new around the $4200 mark, as for second hand - harder to find as everyone tends to keep them.

[Cheshire Cat]

Welcome to the site!!

[davebullet]

A female friend of mine has started on a Yamaha Scorpio.. She has dropped it once and no / little damage. The scorpio is probably better made than the Suzuki GN250. There are usually one or 2 on trademe, but brand new as Qkchk mentioned are a good price. What I would recommend:

1. Start on a bike in a more upright position (easier on your wrists) and one without fairings (so if you drop it less damage)
2. Get a bike with usable power. I would avoid anything less than 150cc. Even if you don't do any motorways, you may still travel open roads and would need to keep up with cars. Practically speaking at least 80kph (forget the learners / restricted 70kph limit as that can cause a pileup).
3. Buy some good gear. Don't forget to factor in at least $1,500 worth of protective gear. (ok - that's brand new price). Never buy a second hand helmet. It is better to get tighter fitting gear since most gloves and boots do stretch over time. A helmet should be a sng fit (my test is to open the visor without having to hold the helment and it doesn't move) plus no "head slap" when you shake your head. A decent shop should take the time to fit you properly.

And always wear "all the gear all the time" (ATGATT) - no matter how short a riding distance you are doing.

Take care and happy shopping!

PS: Welcome to the site and the joys of motorcycling

[Monamie]

On ya Squidgy

Try for something light-CBF 250 suited me fine but the GN's are popular. I am not sure what courses are available in Ak but I went to Welly and did a `This is a motorbike and this is where you sit` course which followed straight into the BHS test. Brilliant and used the same bike we learnt to ride on-GN125 I think.
Enjoy