Advice on a first bike?

**atothek** · 19th August 2009, 11:18

I've been riding a moped around Wellington for the last year and have decided that at 6'2" and 115kg it will no longer do. I've gone and sat on a few bikes in the Wellington stores to get a feel for what I'll like and so far the top of my list was a 1992 VT250 FN - the Honda Xelvis with about 30k on the clock. It was a good fit and he offered it for $3999 which was tempting. I've also sat on a couple of Hyosungs which were ok (the giant tank put me off a bit) but even the dealer was saying that they could be trouble. Those were the only bikes that really fit me. I'm off to look at the stores in the Hutt this Saturday and am keen to sit on a Hornet which is the bike I've really got my heart set on even though I've only got as close as starting at parked ones and those on trademe. Anyways I've got my eye on a couple on trademe at the moment and was hoping for a bit of input

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=228019615 - I've been in touch and he said he will freight and get a VTNZ check for the asking price. I was really looking closer to $4500 possibly $4750 at a stretch for the bike and shipping. What do you guys think this one is worth? It's from a dealer so it's covered by consumer laws which is a big plus for me but if i can't get it cheaper it will mean some extreme grovelling to the missus and even then i may not be able to persuade her (I'm fighting a battle with her wedding expenses).

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=236502532 - later model and less kms but its a private sale and i'd be taking that risk. again it may be out of my price range but any ideas of what i should offer (assuming shipping of $250 and a budget of around $4750 total)

any other suggestions are welcome.

If you are looking for a scooter in Wellington check out my auction - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-236555139.htm

**Hitcher** · 19th August 2009, 11:23

Inline four 250s are thirsty beasts. The Yamaha FZX250 Zeal and the 250 Bandit are also worth a look -- both are full-size frame bikes and easy to source parts for, just as the Hornet is.

**dogsnbikes** · 19th August 2009, 11:33

I agree with Hitcher

Glad you want to try the bikes out for size its important that you feel at ease with what your buying and consider what your main use will be and what will your possible future use of the bike will be

you could try out motorcyclesonline at Bulls they tend to have alot of 250's

**atothek** · 19th August 2009, 11:47

not too familiar with different types of engines - if i recall the guy said the Xelvis was a V-Twin. Most of my traveling this year will be around town and trips out to Hutt once a week or so. Next year there could be a fair bit of commuting between the city and porirua but this will all be against the flow of traffic. Not a speed freak at all and the missus is always telling me i drive like her grandma. Probably won't look at upgrading it for years to come (my car is a 1.3L and i'm more than happy with it) I'm more interested in getting a reliable good engine and one thats easy on the wallet to run and maintain. Any 250 i'm guessing is still going to be less thirsty than the car so that's not playing on my mind too much.

Haven't sat on a bandit yet, are they a bigger bike as well? i'll try and find one to have a sit on this weekend.

I did have a look at the bulls dealer online - they had a couple of auctions on trademe as well but the start price was well below what they were on their actual website. kind of annoying when you see what looks like a great deal only to have the reserve a thousand bucks over the start price. a bit of a waste of everyones time especially if it starts inside your budget but the reserve is miles over it.

**dogsnbikes** · 19th August 2009, 11:59

yeah the Xelvis is a twin

oscarnz had one send her a message and get her views of what she thought of the bike

**Metalor** · 19th August 2009, 12:01

If you're not looking to upgrade in the near future I'd say go for the Hornet mate. Only thing you have to worry about that's different from other 250s are the tyres. Big 180 on the rear is a bit more expensive than most 250s and the front wheel is a 16inch so makes it harder (and about $100 more expensive).

That said though, I rode a few 250s and the Hornet was the best of the bunch. Good resale value aswell.

**motorcyclesonline.net** · 19th August 2009, 12:21

Hello
I've got a good selection of bikes up here in Bulls - Hornets Zeal & Zelvis
RMVT so you are covered by Consumer Laws
Open this Saturday - 10 - 12, most Saturdays all day - This weekend we've got Vic Club racing at Manfield

Regards
Bill
www.motorcyclesonline.net

Originally Posted by atothek

I've been riding a moped around Wellington for the last year and have decided that at 6'2" and 115kg it will no longer do. I've gone and sat on a few bikes in the Wellington stores to get a feel for what I'll like and so far the top of my list was a 1992 VT250 FN - the Honda Xelvis with about 30k on the clock. It was a good fit and he offered it for $3999 which was tempting. I've also sat on a couple of Hyosungs which were ok (the giant tank put me off a bit) but even the dealer was saying that they could be trouble. Those were the only bikes that really fit me. I'm off to look at the stores in the Hutt this Saturday and am keen to sit on a Hornet which is the bike I've really got my heart set on even though I've only got as close as starting at parked ones and those on trademe. Anyways I've got my eye on a couple on trademe at the moment and was hoping for a bit of input

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=228019615 - I've been in touch and he said he will freight and get a VTNZ check for the asking price. I was really looking closer to $4500 possibly $4750 at a stretch for the bike and shipping. What do you guys think this one is worth? It's from a dealer so it's covered by consumer laws which is a big plus for me but if i can't get it cheaper it will mean some extreme grovelling to the missus and even then i may not be able to persuade her (I'm fighting a battle with her wedding expenses).

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=236502532 - later model and less kms but its a private sale and i'd be taking that risk. again it may be out of my price range but any ideas of what i should offer (assuming shipping of $250 and a budget of around $4750 total)

any other suggestions are welcome.

If you are looking for a scooter in Wellington check out my auction - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-236555139.htm

**motorcyclesonline.net** · 19th August 2009, 12:25

Thanks for the support man

Originally Posted by dogsnbikes

I agree with Hitcher

Glad you want to try the bikes out for size its important that you feel at ease with what your buying and consider what your main use will be and what will your possible future use of the bike will be

you could try out motorcyclesonline at Bulls they tend to have alot of 250's

**SMOKEU** · 19th August 2009, 12:25

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Inline four 250s are thirsty beasts. The Yamaha FZX250 Zeal and the 250 Bandit are also worth a look -- both are full-size frame bikes and easy to source parts for, just as the Hornet is.

My CBR250 uses about 25% more fuel than my old 2 stroke 50cc scooter. I can get 4L/100km around town, I don't see how that is thirsty.

**Metalor** · 19th August 2009, 12:57

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

My CBR250 uses about 25% more fuel than my old 2 stroke 50cc scooter. I can get 4L/100km around town, I don't see how that is thirsty.

Shiiiit, you must be taking it pretty easy. I get about 16 to 18 ks/litre BUT I am doing mostly highway riding and definitely not sticking to 100ks.....

It was idling at about 3grand though, just turned it down yesterday to sit at 1300 rpm (which it's supposed to be at) so that may make a difference when sitting at the lights etc.

**Hitcher** · 19th August 2009, 12:57

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

My CBR250 uses about 25% more fuel than my old 2 stroke 50cc scooter. I can get 4L/100km around town, I don't see how that is thirsty.

Given that you'll probably get the same economy out of a 1200 or 1300, I reckon it's thirsty!

**Maki** · 19th August 2009, 13:04

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Given that you'll probably get the same economy out of a 1200 or 1300, I reckon it's thirsty!

Does that mean my 600 that gets 7L/100 is thirsty?

**madbikeboy** · 19th August 2009, 13:05

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Given that you'll probably get the same economy out of a 1200 or 1300, I reckon it's thirsty!

Hitcher, perhaps you can help. My little Scoot seems to return about 12-14l/100k's. When I open the rotary propulsion modulator on the right bar, a strange sensation occurs, if you look down, you can see the sides of the tank suck inwards... Any advice?