Bikeless noob here (kiwirach83)

**kiwirach83** · 30th December 2009, 16:52

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

How 'bout a brand new Suzuki GZ250 for $5595.00? They're better quality than the Chinese built GN250's too!

I can help you with one of these...

Pete

I've actually met you a couple of times Pete. I have your business card lying around somewhere. Lol. And yes it was the GZ250 that I was looking at last time.

Originally Posted by jrandom

Well then they don't know what the fuck they're on about.

I think they were smirking because it's a bit humble and obviously not as comfortable for long distance as one of those bulky fifty grand touring bikes with all the compartments for storing your golf clubs, dvd player, picnic lunch etc.

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Your best mentor is probably on the track the bucket racer crew in the Wellington area, with you on a little cheapie FXR150. You'll learn the skills from people who invented them, and have some damn good weekend fun thrown in.

Steve

Awesome! How much does this cost? And whereabouts?

**FROSTY:Me** · 30th December 2009, 17:27

have a look at this
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-255463397.htm
now THAT has tobe pretty darn close to the perfect first bike for a heap of reasons.

then theres this one close to you
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-262615661.htm
not as good but trucki loads cheaper

**Trudes** · 30th December 2009, 18:00

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Your best mentor is probably on the track the bucket racer crew in the Wellington area, with you on a little cheapie FXR150. You'll learn the skills from people who invented them, and have some damn good weekend fun thrown in.

Problem is that we generally don't encourage people to turn up to the track to learn to ride. We're there to race, not teach people how to change gears. We had talked about having a "teach a noob how to ride" afternoons, but they never really happened, however if you arranged with a bucket person who has an old shitter they don't mind teaching you on or turned up to a meeting at the Slipway with a bike you would probably be able to go out in C grade and pootle about.
It depends what you want to learn. Bike control, slow speed manouvering etc can all be learnt in a car park by riding round and round and round until you feel comfortable enough to hit some quiet roads. And then the only way you'll learn to deal with traffic, indicators etc is on the road, not on the track.
Maybe try these folks as a good starting point also, they'll set you in the right direction as opposed to somebody who may teach you some dodgy habits. Believe me, there is no way I'd ride on the road the way I ride on the track, I'd be dead within a month.

OH BTW, most bucketers around here have poured hundreds, even thousands into their bikes, some may look like cheap shitty piles of crap, but under the side covers there is often quite a lot of time and money that they may not be that keen on lending to learner riders to "learn" on, so please don't feel stink if you ask and are told "no".

**kiwirach83** · 30th December 2009, 19:00

Originally Posted by Trudes

Maybe try these folks as a good starting point also

Yea I got my Basic Road Skills cert through Dean (is he the same Dean on KB?) I would do that again as he is a great tutor, except I don't really want to be spending $250 each time. Anyone out there who wouldn't mind teaching me, I will be your bitch. Will make cups of tea, whatever. Gotta supply the bike tho, I don't have one yet.

Disclaimer: no sexual favours.

Unless you're this guy

**CookMySock** · 30th December 2009, 19:21

Originally Posted by Trudes

OH BTW, most bucketers around here have poured hundreds, even thousands into their bikes, some may look like cheap shitty piles of crap

Yes indeed, and much love into said machine, also. My apologise if I was disrespectful. She'd need her own bike for sure.

Obviously Rachs' low speed balance and basics would need to be sorted before she turned up at the track, but after that if she turned up with or on a bucket-legal bike, I'm sure you guys would be glad to have a newbie to giggle at, er, with.. and yet another lady racer - don't they just make the world go around?

You would literally get to witness the birth of a sportbike rider/racer and get to contribute to that.. and she's keen!

@kiwirach83, search trademe bikes for "FXR" or "bucket" and see what comes up. Save your search so it emails you every morning.

Remember also, my suggestion of taking the racing approach might be too tall an order, and the ol' kiwi tradition of just getting a bike and go ride it, will suffice perfectly well.

Best of luck whatever you do, and ask if you need help.

Steve

**kiwirach83** · 30th December 2009, 19:32

I bought a bike a few years back, Honda MB 100 I think it was that had been used as a farm bike. Cost just under $500 all up, but it only worked for about 5 minutes then conked out. Needed a new battery, spark plug etc. More money spent. Don't think I ever got it going again. It may still be at a friends house somewhere, sold it for $100. D'oh!

**Trudes** · 30th December 2009, 20:03

And that's one of the issues with buying a cheap shitter, unless you are mechanically minded or know someone who is and who has the time to constantly be fixing it for you, I wouldn't go with a cheap shitter if you want to spend time learning to ride and not spend all your time fixing the bugger.
Don't be fooled with "buckets are cheap way to learn to ride" bucket RACING is about racing, not learning to ride and you may be able to pick up a bucket racer for under $1000 however there will most likely be work you will need to do to it to be either track ready and to stay that way or to get it up to WOF standard.
If you want to learn to race by all means I recommend coming and trying bucketing, if you want to learn to ride I suggest buying or getting the loan of a bike and ride about in a carpark and then ride about on quiet roads.
I'm no mentor, but I remember what it was like to learn, so when you've sorted your bike I'd be happy to help you with the basics.

**kiwirach83** · 30th December 2009, 21:10

Cool thanks for that Trudes,

do you know of any mentor in the Wellington region that has a cheap bike that I could learn to ride on? Perhaps loan it off them for a few hundred bucks?

**huff3r** · 30th December 2009, 21:14

And don't discount 2nd hand GN250s either... mines an 04 and i havent had any issues that i havent caused myself

Anyone that says they are rubbish either hasn't ridden one, or has and didn't/couldn't figure out how to get the most out of them

**kiwirach83** · 30th December 2009, 21:23

Originally Posted by huff3r

And don't discount 2nd hand GN250s either... mines an 04 and i havent had any issues that i havent caused myself

Anyone that says they are rubbish either hasn't ridden one, or has and didn't/couldn't figure out how to get the most out of them

Hello Huff3r! You just live over the hill from me. Would you consider teaching me how to ride? Pretty pleeeease? Can pay you.

**huff3r** · 30th December 2009, 21:47

Originally Posted by kiwirach83

Hello Huff3r! You just live over the hill from me. Would you consider teaching me how to ride? Pretty pleeeease? Can pay you.

Haha, wouldnt it be better to learn from someone who knows how to ride?

If you find yourself a bike i can give you some help, but apart from that... the GN is actually dads so i'd get killed for letting someone else use it

I might be buying myself a bucket tho, so if that goes ahead i can let u have a play...

**vindy500** · 30th December 2009, 22:21

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

How 'bout a brand new Suzuki GZ250 for $5595.00? They're better quality than the Chinese built GN250's too!

I can help you with one of these...

Pete

Is this the new GN?