More newbie questions!

[Edz1]

Hi, Im new to biking, new to Kiwi Biker and new to NZ!

Im looking into getting a bike and, thanks to this forum, have a few ideas about what to do and where to start. So far so good.

But, Im getting confused cos the more I read, the less certain I become.

First I was thinking I would get something like a new Suzuki GN125 or a Yamaha SX Scorpio - cos I figured that being brand new, less should go wrong and they have longer warranties.



But after reading stuff on here I get the impression that I might want more speed than a 125 (Im not speed freak, but I do want to enjoy the ride!) and also, that new bikes just depreciate the moment they leave the forecourt.

So now I'm wondering whether I should go for a second hander. Perhaps a bandit or an FXR or CBF or or or!

OK, so I have learned that I need to go and sit upon some of them and work out what takes my fancy.

SO my first question is, if I were to buy from a dealer, how trustworthy have people found them for second hand kit? How can I avoid buying a lemon? Bear in mind I have zero knowledge!

Oh yeah, I am in near Welly!

I think there will be more questions but 1thing at at time and all that!

Thanks in advance for answering!

[1wheel riot]

second hand is good but you need to find some one that knows about bikes to look at them with you i would say 250cc or more in size and a sports bike is fun to ride . i would say 50 000 km or less but thats just me. its a good time to buy bikes are going good and cheep. good luck

[Pedrostt500]

If you go for a GN get the 250, but an older japanese spoked wheeled one, the later ones with mags are chinese made, and not nearly as good.
I don't know much about the Scorpio, but should be a good little commuter.
What sort of riding do you wish to do?, what sort of riding have you done?.
Keep in mind you will need to budget for riding gear as well.
Welcome to KB.

[Ixion]

Firstly, my impressions of teh Scorpio (which is 225cc by the way, not 125) is that it is a most excellent machine. PM The Stranger if you wish a first hand commendation, he having owned one.

As to the "new or used" question. It does somewhat depend on your finances (duh!) and on how exacting you are as to condition , relaibility etc. The latter will also be influenced by how adept you are with a spanner.

Bear in mind that most 250s are purchased and used by novices, who retain them only until they have a full licence.

this means two things

firstly, many of the 250s around secondhand will have been well and truly thrashed by riders in the later stage of the novitiate trying to "keep up" with larger machines

Secondly that it is sometimes possible to find a machine that has covered only a small mileage and has been disposed of simply because the rider has obtained a full licence

As you say, the first thing is to find a machine which suits your personal configuration. An experienced rider may cope with a machine that is too small, too heavy, too tall etc. A novice does not need the extra hassle.

And, welcome!

[trailblazer]

i have just brought a new hyosung. I mainly got it because it has a 2 year waranty as does the new kawasaki ninja. If you get a second hand bike off a dealer some come with a 3 month waranty so you have a little bit off piece of mind. My 2c

[Sammy12]

If you've got the money to splash out on a new one... get a new one! Depending on your age, you could be having this bike for a while.. dont buy a lemon!!
If you wanna buy a second hand one, chat one of the KB'ers up in your area, im sure they'll help you pick a good one

[Edz1]

Thanks for the answers guys.

Still alot of learning to be done by yourstruely and the more questions I find answers to , the more questions seem to come from those!

I want a bike for commuting and exploring - so I guess I the option of luggage carring of some sort would be handy- can the Scorpio handle that does anyone know?

I went and sat on afew bikes this weekend including the Scorpio and am off to sit on a heap more tomorrow- weather permitting.

The Scorpio is a tidy looking machine but did not have a great 'wow factor' for me. Having said that, the economics of it make a lot of sense!

My girlfreind reckons Im becomming obsessed with bikestuff- cos all Iv been doing for the last couple of weeks is pouring over bike mags and web sites and drooling over all the glossy bike porn! -is this normal?

[325rocket]

My girlfreind reckons Im becomming obsessed with bikestuff- cos all Iv been doing for the last couple of weeks is pouring over bike mags and web sites and drooling over all the glossy bike porn! -is this normal?

this is just the beginning ...

welcome to the site. like others have said, if you go for a GN you want a 250. have you considered a Honda Hornet? great little bike.

[hayd3n]

Thanks for the answers guys.

Still alot of learning to be done by yourstruely and the more questions I find answers to , the more questions seem to come from those!

I want a bike for commuting and exploring - so I guess I the option of luggage carring of some sort would be handy- can the Scorpio handle that does anyone know?

I went and sat on afew bikes this weekend including the Scorpio and am off to sit on a heap more tomorrow- weather permitting.

The Scorpio is a tidy looking machine but did not have a great 'wow factor' for me. Having said that, the economics of it make a lot of sense!

My girlfreind reckons Im becomming obsessed with bikestuff- cos all Iv been doing for the last couple of weeks is pouring over bike mags and web sites and drooling over all the glossy bike porn! -is this normal?

yes this is totally normal
you need to add your girlfriend to your bike shopping equation, and get her to pose on the bikes you like , post the pics on here and we will decide which bike is best for you
`

[sinfull]

Got the mrs a second hand scorpio with only 370 km on the clock and saved 1200 notes in doing so ! Great reliable bike, be good for carrying lugage if needed ! Only let down we have found is that once H had her full it is only good up to 90 or 100 which is all ya need ya might say but if you come up on traffic doing 90 you have none in reserve for overtaking and need a long windup to get past !!!

[hayd3n]

sorted it out yet???

[Edz1]

lol- One step at a time buddy, I better get the bike first!

[Edz1]

In the meantime, - how about some pics of your missus and the bike from your ahem, 'private collection'?

[CookMySock]

Be careful getting one of the cool, new, expensive, (and huge) learner bikes. If you really want to get all of your skills practiced and perfect, you will be too scared of dropping the bike to do all the exercises.

Really, you can't be riding around shit-scared of marking a new bike and then contemplate doing U turns, and what will feel like risky stuff to you. You likely won't be able to reconcile this, unless you have a very experienced tutor, and even then shit happens.

We have a learner bike that costs nothing to drop (already dented etc) - is great for any slow speed practice. Even the fully-licensed riders can practice pillioning on it without fear of dinging it.

Then we have another learner bike in brand new condition, that anyone would be proud to ride anywhere - but no way would it be suitable for even fully-licensed riders to go do something new and risky on it.

So do you really want to learn everything, or just do the learner/restricted time? That will dictate what you get.

Steve

[vifferman]

If you can, a really good way to get the handling skills you need is to start with a trail bike - something you can ride on the road and in the dirt. Nothing builds skills (or is as much fun) as riding on the varied terrain and surfaces you get off-road. Plus when you bin, it generally hurts less (bike and rider) than on the tarseal.