WANTED: any 250cc's?

[MagicMarker]

I'm a beginner at bikes, and i'm looking for a good beginner's bike. nothing too expensive just around 1,000-3,000 preferbly. What choices would i have that would give me the best value for money?

If anybody has anything for sale, could you let me know via pm.

Thank you

[Jantar]

I'm a beginner at bikes, and i'm looking for a good beginner's bike. nothing too expensive just around 1,000-3,000 preferbly. What choices would i have that would give me the best value for money?

If anybody has anything for sale, could you let me know via pm.

Thank you

This would be the most frequently asked question from new bikers, but for people who haven't had hundreds of hours on two wheels its also the most important.

I would recommend that your first bike be one with a wide power band such a cruiser or even a dual purpose bike. This will alow you to learn how to ride a bike without having to learn about engine management and rev control at the same time. You first bike should also be unfaired because you ARE going to drop the bike, and fairings are expensive. Bikes like the Suzuki GN250 or the unfaired Honda CBR250 are excellent for beginners.

A big warning though. What ever bike you get will soon make you addicted to motorcycling and you will soon graduate to bigger, better and faster bikes. Avoid that addiction by giving up now. Don't even consider a bike, don't even look at a bike. Close your eyes and block your ears whenever a bike goes past, or you'll end up as mad as the rest of us here.

[Gremlin]

A big warning though. What ever bike you get will soon make you addicted to motorcycling and you will soon graduate to bigger, better and faster bikes. Avoid that addiction by giving up now. Don't even consider a bike, don't even look at a bike. Close your eyes and block your ears whenever a bike goes past, or you'll end up as mad as the rest of us here.

An addiction to motorbikes is a bad thing?? You have to be drunk, or maybe you had a hard week.

There are heaps of threads on which bikes, fairings or not (some like me just love the sporty look so my first bike will have them, but that's my choice - stupid or not)

The basic rule of thumb: If you choose a popular bike, it will cost more. Some 250s will go for 6000 or more. Basic 250s can cost 1000 and will still be reliable.

[Gremlin]

This is just one of the threads available:
Which First Bike

If you want to research the whole list of available bikes, this thread attempts to list every single under 250 available in NZ secondhand. It is one impressive list.

[zooter]

FWIW my first "real" motorcycle was a Honda VT250f, highly recommendable, enough power to cruise the highway, not so much you feel compelled to do crazy stuff. This came about because of the Jantar effect starting with a 50cc scooter. Now on a GSX1100G. Beware, motorcycling is addictive and hazardous to your health.

[MagicMarker]

I've been looking around and have my eyes set more on a gn250 or a fxr 150? The cbr's are slightly on the high sides, and they have quite a bit of fairing. But, will these bikes be easier to sell, as i don't think i'll be keeping them for long. Any other cheap options? Thanks for all your opinions

[Gremlin]

the gn250 is rated highly as a learner bike. They hold their value very well (provided it is in good condition) and I believe the current price for a brand new one is $2995 or so... The one big problem with the gn250 is oil. Apparently there is not much capacity, and it needs to be checked very regularly.

Don't know much about the FXR, but it is popular at Auck uni. I guess someone with one could comment (duh) but I have read somewhere (in KB) that the standard tyres are not good in the wet.

Correct me if I'm wrong...

[El Dopa]

You could always try buying mine...

Honda VTZ 250. Goes OK, has enough grunt to get you up to licence losing speeds.

Lots of cosmetic damage - scratches etc, but that just means it won't matter so much if (when?) you drop it.

And as someone has already said, you'll want to switch up to a bigger size pretty quick anyway, so it's better if you don't get too attached to a nice shiney new expensive machine.

You know it makes sense. Drop me a PM.