Good learner bike.

[wkid_one]

I agree with Yarg - the GN is a nice bike to ride, but hardly inspiring

[wkid_one]

Blow the budget and go RS250

[Motoracer]

Originally posted by Car Dodger
Also had a GSXR 250 awsome power, nice handling but fairly high maintance.

You can say that again! That cunt of a bike (GSXR-250) sucked about 1500 dollars out of my poket in the 6months of being under my possestion. No matter what I did, it always ran on 3 cylinders after a few days of comming out of the workshop! Me ringing the nuts of it at 20,000 RPM prolly had something to do with it.

[MrMelon]

I did a 1 day license handling skills course on a gn250, and was wanting more power by the end of the day

But it depends what you want.. if you've got some restraint i'd go for one of the sportier 250's (zxr250/cbr250/fzr250), and take it easy for a month or so while you get the hang of it, but then you'll have a bike that will be quick enough for you to keep for the duration of your restricted licence, and you shouldn't get bored with it like I'd say you would with something like a gn250.

I just got a tzr250 as a first bike a couple of months ago, and it's still quick and fun enough to keep me happy for a long time yet, but it wasn't difficult to learn on at all either. Just gotta remember not to get yourself into situations that you're not ready to handle.

One of the guys from work was selling his zxr250 for $1k a while ago, and i've seen some other ones that look a bit rough, but are mechanically fine going for around $1k too.

[Car Dodger]

My favourite learner bike was the VT or VTR 250 I cant remember which it was anymore, but it had the red seat with black fearings.
sorry long time ago now. She was easy to work on, hard working, quick, relaxed when you wanted to cruze and sharpe looking. Of all the bikes I have owned I had the least hassels with this one, I think it was a mid 80s model. Not those silly looking pink or blue ones you see around these days, not that they would be much different just in look.
Maybe someone out there can remember the bike ( I was doing alot of drugs those days) still am.

[marty]

yeah wkid - how come the RS didn't make the list of learner bikes??? it rides like a scooter around town ( a pretty fast scooter admittedley), looks cool, and pretty much keeps up with everything anywhere else. the perfect bike i reckon!

[k14]

This what u mean dodger? Highly recommended!!

Had no problems since i've had it and i've done about 5k-6k kms on it.

[fritter]

I agree with Yarg and Wkid.

My first bike was a ninja 250. Thought it was great bike for a couple of months - but wasn't too happy with the lack of power once I learnt to ride.

Since then I have known a few people who bought TZR's, RGV's etc as their first bikes - they have all been more than happy. Of course they are all fairly performance minded people, rather than commuters... so if you prefer to sit upright and cruise, then obviously a race oriented bike isn't for you.

It's just a case of learning how much power you can use and where. As long as you are sensible you won't have a problem.

As far as lastability goes, I don't know many people who don't still enjoy a blat on a 250 two stroke

[k14]

Those were my sentiments excatly, untill my mates nsr siezed goin 120kph round a corner.

High side over the fence into the paddock on the side of the road. Not a good site.

I would have to be bribed with a fair amount of money to ride a 2 stroke even once let along buy one as a commuter.

[Car Dodger]

Originally posted by k14
This what u mean dodger? Highly recommended!!

Had no problems since i've had it and i've done about 5k-6k kms on it.

Thats the one, wow good to see it again, but I think mine was a a model before it.

[k14]

A bit more like this?

[Redstar]

RGV250 has got to be the first bike of the ne millienium I so wish they had them when I was a lad! if you keep it polished it will last you but be aware that the fairing is worth more than the Bike!

[riffer]

There's an RZ250 for sale on Trademe:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...on-6748427.htm

He says he wants 1495 ono. Might be worth looking at...

[Cakky]

Hmmmm so much to choose from

I think in the end, its more than likely going to come down to what my budget can afford

Hopefully though I might be able to make that a bit more by conning more work out of my boss over the holidays and also my mate said he'd likely have some catering work at functions at night times coming up towards christmas time.

So till then, I better get me head buried and start doing some research!

Thanks once again for the help and Im sure it will aid me towards finding the bike that suits me

[Marmoot]

Also, if you are a testosterone-ladden 17 year-old, it is not a good idea to buy cbr/zxr.

Plus, I don't recommend Bandit250 at all. I've seen too many crashes involving rookie on bandit250, including 1 fatality. I suspect the brake on that bike is not up to it. I might be wrong, though.