Recommendations?

[torqueischeap]

First off I apologise for posting what every new person on this forums probably asks but here goes:

I'm looking to buy a 250, and I wondered what the more experienced riders on here thought would be suitable. There is so many 250s to choose from its hard to make an educated decision.

Anyway some background info:
-Not into 2 strokes at all
-Would prefer air cooled as I've heard water cooled is just one more system to maintain/break. Please correct me if I'm wrong about this.
-I'm on my R license and have been for probably 8 or so years. I havent ridden in at least 5 years so I figured my best bet would be to get a 250 and ride around on that to get confidence/experience back and then go get my full and a bigger bike.
-Dont like the look of the Suzuki GN models or similar. Also not looking for a Harley clone.
-I weigh approx 100kg.
-The bike will be used for a mix of commuting and also joyriding through the twisties of Central Otago.
-Looking to spend less than 5g

What do you guys recommend. The late model GSX250s seem to represent good value for money and look ok to me.

What other bikes should I be considering?

Cheers

[Jonno.]

Get your full and get a four hundy

[YellowDog]

Get your full and get a four hundy

This is good advice.

You need a 250 to pass only. Go and sit on them all until you find one you feel comfortable on.

You don't need to spend $5k on a bike to pass a test. Make sure you get yourself some good gear to keep you safe.

Good luck with sitting on all those bikes

[Henk]

What they said.
Nothing wrong with two strokes except for the age of them.
Don't stress about water cooling, you wouldn't worry about it in a car now would you?

[Maki]

Get your full and a 600 at least. You weigh a fair bit so displacement is good.

[torqueischeap]

Thanks for all the responses so far,

Some more info...

I really want a buell and will buy one this time next year when my XR6t is paid off. So the bike I buy is only for a year.

I was thinking 250 for a couple of reasons:
1)Easier to flick off as seems to always be a market unlike 400s which seem to sit around for a while, also 250s seem to hold value pretty well.
2)Easier to do my full as a 250 lets me get back into riding on my current license and when confident can just go for a full. Otherwise Id have to borrow or rent a 250 to do the license which wouldnt really give me any time to practice.

I could just wait a year and go straight to the buell but I want a bike now! (impatient Generation Y)
The biggest road bike Ive owned is a Honda 185 so I was a bit worried about going straight to a 1200 - dont wanna kill myself!

[sil3nt]

-Would prefer air cooled as I've heard water cooled is just one more system to maintain/break. Please correct me if I'm wrong about this.

I really would not worry at all about this.

-I'm on my R license and have been for probably 8 or so years. I havent ridden in at least 5 years so I figured my best bet would be to get a 250 and ride around on that to get confidence/experience back and then go get my full and a bigger bike.

Go to a dealer and take a test ride on something nice like a new ninja 250 or hyosung 250 im fairly sure you will pick it up again easy...just like riding a bike! Then borrow a 250 and get your full

-Dont like the look of the Suzuki GN models or similar. Also not looking for a Harley clone.

Heard the GSX 250's are rather gutless. GSXR 250 is more of a bike

-I weigh approx 100kg.

Start running

-The bike will be used for a mix of commuting and also joyriding through the twisties of Central Otago.

Can't really go too wrong on any bike for this.

-Looking to spend less than 5g

Lucky you! Plenty of decent bikes around for a lot less than 5 grand!

I am biased and tell everyone to go for a GPX 250. And this time is no different

[IdunBrokdItAgin]

An option maybe to get a 250 from a dealer and try and agree a trade in value (assuming it doesn't get damaged while you have it), certain date - under certain mileage. Then, when you are confident again on bikes and have your full, you can part exchange it in for your Buell.

Otherwise I would suggest hiring a bike to get used to it again and taking your test on. I think it would all come down to cost.

Personally I would stay away from the 400s. Nothing against them but the resale market doesn't seem to be there (and you want a bike for a short time and then a quick sale from what you have said). If you buy then go for a 250as they have a good resale market.

I would suggest a Honda VTR as a good choice. My mate got one and they are very good value for money. If you pick up a cheap hornet or bandit then even better. Just my opinion.

[CookMySock]

Don't get a 250. You won't like it after just a few weeks on it.

Get a nice smooth-riding, torquey mid-range 400-650 vtwin ($4-6k) and get comfy on that, and then borrow or hire a 250 and do the full license test ASAP.

It will be really tempting to be an arse on it. Really, please don't. Serious. Immediately you will see and feel the power of the thing, but a month later you will forget about that and feel like you are getting the hang of it, but you won't have.

Steve

[Slyer]

Why do you hate 250's so much?
They're not so terrible as some seem to make out.

[hospitalfood]

i agree with the bigger bike option if you can sit the full test already, 250's are a bit over priced because learners need them. easy to hire a 250 for the test.

i would go for a v twin 400 or 600, monster or sv or something.

if you are really set on getting a 250 the honda vtr is a great all round 250.

[325rocket]

honda hornet.

or like others said just get a bigger bike.

[Virago]

Don't get a 250. You won't like it after just a few weeks on it.

Get a nice smooth-riding, torquey mid-range 400-650 vtwin ($4-6k) and get comfy on that, and then borrow or hire a 250 and do the full license test ASAP...

Yet more priceless advice.

How's he going to insure it?

But of course, insurance isn't necessary, is it?

[SMOKEU]

Buy a 1000cc superbike and get used to riding that for a while. Then borrow a 250 for the test.

[torqueischeap]

wow lots of 250 haters out there....
not really sure what to do. I definately wouldnt ride around on a bike without 3rd party so that rules out buying a bigger bike until I have my full. Could just hire a 250 and do the test as others have suggested, but I'm not all that sure I'd pass with my lack of recent riding experience... ah well never expect consistant advice on an internet forum anyway... thanks for all the input guys.