Thinking about getting a bike

**ChainReaction** · 20th June 2009, 13:12

Hey. I'm seriously considering getting a 250cc motorbike. My dad used to have a 150cc honda GL which was fairly fun.... just a bit more sluggish than i would like.

I want a bike that goes hard with a sporty look. Also some thing that doesn't break down to often would be nice

. My bike budget is about $5000 all up.... i'm guessing riding gear will set me back about $1000. So that leaves about $4000 to find a bike.... Sound like enough prehaps i should save a bit more first.

I've spoken to some people and they were telling me that late 80s to mid 1990s CBR250s are probably the way to go to get the power i'm looking for. What other bikes should I consider?

What budget do you recommend I should set aside to get a good reliable high preforming 250cc bike?

**FJRider** · 20th June 2009, 13:36

Don't forget to leave money in the budget for gas. No point in having a bike and no money to go anywhere. Shop about for bikes you like that are available first, do the sums ... then make the decision. I would look more closely at bikes with low km's, than age of them. Usually cheaper too.

**jono035** · 21st June 2009, 20:28

Originally Posted by ChainReaction

Hey. I'm seriously considering getting a 250cc motorbike. My dad used to have a 150cc honda GL which was fairly fun.... just a bit more sluggish than i would like.

I want a bike that goes hard with a sporty look. Also some thing that doesn't break down to often would be nice

. My bike budget is about $5000 all up.... i'm guessing riding gear will set me back about $1000. So that leaves about $4000 to find a bike.... Sound like enough prehaps i should save a bit more first.

I've spoken to some people and they were telling me that late 80s to mid 1990s CBR250s are probably the way to go to get the power i'm looking for. What other bikes should I consider?

What budget do you recommend I should set aside to get a good reliable high preforming 250cc bike?

Hi and welcome to the forums! I've just been through this process myself. I was trying to do this on a similar budget and your numbers seem about right. I spent around $1500 on gear (boots, pants, jacket with extra back protector, gloves, helmet) and another few hundred on extras (disc lock, a few new tools, some chain lube, visor defogger thing).

Most of the bikes I was looking at were around $3k-5k but if you're mechanically minded you can find one that is a bit cheaper and in a bit worse condition. Don't worry too much about what your first bike is or looks like because ultimately it's only a temporary thing until you get your full anyway (and you'll probably drop it at some point too!).

Mine cost $2100 but I've already spent a couple of hundred dollars on replacement parts, pulled the carburettors to pieces and will be pulling the engine completely to bits.

Also don't test-ride anything you can't afford to buy (in case you drop it) and don't buy anything without test-riding it... You have to get a bike that is right for your proportions and comfortable to ride before you think about performance and looks.

**joshy28** · 21st June 2009, 20:34

aprilla RS (3rd hand should go for about 4)

**entro** · 22nd June 2009, 10:11

Originally Posted by joshy28

aprilla RS (3rd hand should go for about 4)

rs 250 for 4grand...unless its done like 40,000 kms i highly doubt that...

**NDORFN** · 22nd June 2009, 10:23

4 G is HEAPS for a first bike. ZXR250 or CBR250 should do the trick. DON'T bother with a dealer, you'll get ripped. Ride before you buy.

**Breed777** · 22nd June 2009, 12:47

Originally Posted by ChainReaction

Hey. I'm seriously considering getting a 250cc motorbike. My dad used to have a 150cc honda GL which was fairly fun.... just a bit more sluggish than i would like.

I want a bike that goes hard with a sporty look. Also some thing that doesn't break down to often would be nice

. My bike budget is about $5000 all up.... i'm guessing riding gear will set me back about $1000. So that leaves about $4000 to find a bike.... Sound like enough prehaps i should save a bit more first.

I've spoken to some people and they were telling me that late 80s to mid 1990s CBR250s are probably the way to go to get the power i'm looking for. What other bikes should I consider?

What budget do you recommend I should set aside to get a good reliable high preforming 250cc bike?

ot mine from Adrenalyn Motorcycles in Mt Maunganui.... $4000. and my flatmate just got a GSXR for $4000 also. heaps of bikes round your price range direct imported from Japan. CBR, GSXR, FZR etc...
worth a try
check em out on the web....

**CookMySock** · 22nd June 2009, 13:44

You don't need to spend up huge on gear. Mohsin jacket and pants $200, cnell boots $150, gloves $60, black LS2 helmet $130. 600bux ish - all brand new.

Watch out for the inline fours - they use a lot of fuel and if it stops they are NOT cheap to fix. Theres quite a few on trademe that the owners have just parked up because they can't ride them and they can't afford to sell them as they can't get their money out of them. Either way, you won't have a bike to ride.

The air-cooled twins are dead simple to work on, cheap to crash and repair, and cheap to feed. Yeah they are a little slower, but you are better served learning to corner and brake than you are to go fast in a straight line.

Steve

**joshy28** · 22nd June 2009, 16:44

Originally Posted by entro

rs 250 for 4grand...unless its done like 40,000 kms i highly doubt that...

I was being sarcastic ie "3rd hand" meaning hellishly used

**High_Voltage** · 22nd June 2009, 17:51

The cbr 250 and zxr 250 are about the fastest youll get for a 4 stroke 250. theres also the fzr 250 but havnt heard much about them but its still a 4 cylinder 250. steer clear of suzukis though because there a bit slow and not as nice 2 ride. I had one and actually was happy that i wrote it off and got the kawasaki

**ChainReaction** · 22nd June 2009, 22:23

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

You don't need to spend up huge on gear. Mohsin jacket and pants $200, cnell boots $150, gloves $60, black LS2 helmet $130. 600bux ish - all brand new.

Watch out for the inline fours - they use a lot of fuel and if it stops they are NOT cheap to fix. Theres quite a few on trademe that the owners have just parked up because they can't ride them and they can't afford to sell them as they can't get their money out of them. Either way, you won't have a bike to ride.

The air-cooled twins are dead simple to work on, cheap to crash and repair, and cheap to feed. Yeah they are a little slower, but you are better served learning to corner and brake than you are to go fast in a straight line.

Steve

How much slower? And can you give some examples of models you are meaning?

Inline four still wouldn't use anywhere near as much gas as say... my 2litre primera would it?

I want to find the right balance between speed looks and reliablity (hence why I think i may need to save more). I definately want a sporty looking bike.

**IdunBrokdItAgin** · 22nd June 2009, 22:49

Originally Posted by ChainReaction

How much slower? And can you give some examples of models you are meaning?

Inline four still wouldn't use anywhere near as much gas as say... my 2litre primera would it?

I want to find the right balance between speed looks and reliablity (hence why I think i may need to save more). I definately want a sporty looking bike.

Might help with your choice:

Kawasaki Ninja 30bhp (I think), vtwin, newer models go for a bit above your price range though. Sporty & Faired.
Honda VTR around 33bhp, vtwin, as well. Can pick these up in your price range upto early 2000s. Mid-range & Naked.
Honda CBR 45bhp, inline 4, only seem to be avilable upto late 90s. Sporty & faired (Later models were restricted to 40bhp).
Honda Hornet 40bhp , inline 4, best IMHO. Not cheap but definately worth it. Mid range and naked.

There are quite a few others but I think these are the most popular choices, for good reason - all are good in their own right.

vtwins vs inline 4s. Vtiwns seem to have more torque but less top range. Simply this means that they are more forgiving if you try and accelerate at the lower revs (being in the wrong gear, let's say) but don't have the power peak of the fours. I've riden both and all I can say is it depends on what suits you personally - neither is better than the other.

Naked vs faired. Nakeds do have a lot of wind buffeting at higher speeds. But nakeds are for the coolness factor (cafe racers). Fairings are expensive to repair (I've heard). I personally like the half naked look - a naked with a bit of wind protection (Fly screen etc).

As everyone else will tell you though. facts and figures mean diddly, it's how the bike feels when you ride it that counts. Go for lots of test rides and make up your mind from there.

Also, I'm a relative newbie as well I think I've got the above right but who knows?

Good luck with your search.

**KelvinAng** · 23rd June 2009, 01:24

Originally Posted by ChainReaction

How much slower? And can you give some examples of models you are meaning?

Inline four still wouldn't use anywhere near as much gas as say... my 2litre primera would it?

I want to find the right balance between speed looks and reliablity (hence why I think i may need to save more). I definately want a sporty looking bike.

Inline-4s are thirsty. Got a little Hornet for sale, does 13-16km/L. It's not good fuel economy (I get a chuckle when I see listings for little Hornets as being "economical to run") considering many big bikes does better mileage. My MR2 cage (9x the weight, 8x the engine displacement) does 8-10km/L...

The little Hornets are very distinctive little beasts both visually and aurally. I was walking along Manchester St in ChCh the other day where off the corner of my eye I saw two bikers riding down the road. Bikers are common along Manchester St and I didn't take notice of them further until they zoom past.... and the familiar buzzing tune registered in my head. It's a little Hornet! A quick turn of the head confirmed it - a single, right-side high exhaust pipe alongside the "L" plate. Made me smile...

The other biker was riding a VTR, I believe. Quite a good-looking two-cylinder bike as well that would probably be easier on the gas.

**vindy500** · 23rd June 2009, 03:40

get a gpx bro

**YellowDog** · 23rd June 2009, 06:15

Originally Posted by ChainReaction

Hey. I'm seriously considering getting a 250cc motorbike. My dad used to have a 150cc honda GL which was fairly fun.... just a bit more sluggish than i would like.

I want a bike that goes hard with a sporty look. Also some thing that doesn't break down to often would be nice

. My bike budget is about $5000 all up.... i'm guessing riding gear will set me back about $1000. So that leaves about $4000 to find a bike.... Sound like enough prehaps i should save a bit more first.

I've spoken to some people and they were telling me that late 80s to mid 1990s CBR250s are probably the way to go to get the power i'm looking for. What other bikes should I consider?

What budget do you recommend I should set aside to get a good reliable high preforming 250cc bike?

Take a bit off the budget for lessons on how to tame and handle a potential suicide machine.