Getting back on a bike

[cbfb]

Hi

I rode a DT50 trail bike quite a bit on a learner's licence in the UK. Things are a bit different over there - to get the full licence you have to ride an instructor's bike (ours were 500s) for lessons/tests and practice on a 50, which sucks, I much prefer the NZ setup. Anyway I failed the test for the full licence twice, once for speeding and the other time for using the wrong lane at a roundabout. Both dumb mistakes, but practicing on a 2-stroke 50 then jumping on a 500 inline four made me nervous as the bikes were completely different.

So anyway that's my life history; now after being in NZ for five years and promising myself each Spring that I'd get a bike, I've got my basic handling test on Saturday. After that I'm looking at buying a 250 to improve my skills on. As I said earlier, I like the fact that in NZ you can practice on your own 250 and use it for the practical tests.

So my question is; I was looking at a Honda VTR250 or a 250 Bandit. With my lack of experience at riding relatively fast bikes, do you think that this would be an unsafe option for such a novice rider? Would I be better at getting a GN250 or something until I've got my confidence up? My worry with the GN250 is that it's not quite quick enough to keep up with other traffic on the road - is this true and if so would it be a problem?

I like unfaired sports bikes like the VTR and the Bandit. I am not interested in racing, just chilled out rides and occasional commutes.

I am pretty good at mechanics so an older bike wouldn't be too much of a hassle for me, would do the work myself. Did my 'apprenticeship' rebuilding a GS550 from the ground up alongside a mate in the UK who had ridden/tinkered with bikes for years.

My budget is around 2 grand for a training bike.

Cheers, would appreciate any advice.

Chris

[The Baron]

Hi Chris. Welcome to KB.

What bike to get is the age old question. So buy the one you like and then you will enjoy it every time you ride it.

Bikes will change your life so have fun. Ride safe.

[cbfb]

So buy the one you like

And can afford!

Seriously, I just wondered what other people's views are on getting a VTR250 or a Bandit as my first 'proper' bike... Whether or not they will be too highly powered for me to handle safely?

[KrazyGixxerBoy]

Hey mate, welcome to the site! Don't be afraid of the mighty GN if you like them! I have a mate who commutes about 60kms a day and he sits on 110 in traffic on his (and it's an older model). In saying that the VTR is a good bike too. Your best bet is to go with whatever is comfortable and practice, practice, practice! Get your confidence up and as your skills improve you can always trade up! Good luck.

[Hard Nut]

Welcome Krazy!!....Great choice this KB site.

Another great choice is the VTR...............Go the VTR, and dont worry about the power, it wont scare you lol

Nuts

[YellowDog]

Hey cbfp, welcome to KB and back to the world of biking.

Congrats on your 'right' choice. Get yourself a trainer to get you licece, and then look at what you really want once you have passed.

So far as which trainer to buy; none of them are too fast. The more power you have, the easier it will be to ride. Going too fast is not the bike's choice, it is yours. Just learn to control it.

So the bike for you is the one that is in your budget and when you sit on it, it feel the most comfortable for your size. You need to ride all the bikes in your shortlist to help you make the right choice.

Good luck.

[CookMySock]

After that I'm looking at buying a 250 to improve my skills on. [....] Honda VTR250 or a 250 Bandit. With my lack of experience at riding relatively fast bikes, do you think that this would be an unsafe option for such a novice rider? Would I be better at getting a GN250 or something until I've got my confidence up?

Hi Chris. Welcome to KB and to NZ.

Neither of those, or any of the 250 four strokes are fast bikes at all. The GN250 you will tire of in about a week, unless you are very small and very scared. Mind you, my wife is very small and very scared, and she rides a massive bike. The GN250 is not really a capable motorway bike.

You are in a very similar position to me two years ago ; have some idea about road bikes, plenty of time on the tools, want to actually learn how road biking works.

I started with the 250 hyosung bikes, as they are really smooth vtwins and great learner platforms, in particular the Comet 250 - allowing you to not spend so much time coping with a difficult bike, rather concentrate on the skills to be acquired.

They are also simple to work on and have a huge following on the Internet, so it is very very easy to find cheap parts and free assistance.


You will have fun whatever you ride.

Steve

[cbfb]

Thanks all.

I did think I might get a bit bored of a GN250 quite quickly... But having said that they're cheap as so I could just get one to do my learners then step up to a VTR or something on my restricted....

Anyway, good advice, at least I'm not so worried about getting on one of the quicker 250s now.

Can't wait

[naphazoline]

Welcome onboard KB cbfb.

[cbfb]

Cheers naphazoline

Passed my basic handling at the weekend, all came back to me as soon as I climbed aboard! Don't know what I was worried about...

Bought a copy of the roadcode today so will have a study up while I'm on hols and take the test in a fortnight.

Look out for me pootling around Palmy in the near future

[naphazoline]

Cheers naphazoline

Passed my basic handling at the weekend, all came back to me as soon as I climbed aboard! Don't know what I was worried about...

Bought a copy of the roadcode today so will have a study up while I'm on hols and take the test in a fortnight.

Look out for me pootling around Palmy in the near future

Will do if i'm down that way,

You can get some scratchies to practice your test from an info centre,or practice the test online