Just wondering, how long did it take to find your bike?

**tate35** · 11th April 2010, 08:18

I think i's like anything you purchase you love it and have to have it....until you see something else that catches your eye and then you have to have that and so on.

I first started out riding my boyfriends dirtbike, then we purchased a couple of bikes, a suzuki across (which scared me - it looked so big) sold that, then bought a rgv150 2stroke which was a lot of fun to ride but bit to zippy for me as a new road rider and I wasn't to keen on the kick start, so then we found a gn250, and I loved that so much fun to ride, they are so forgiving and just chug along. Now more recently I have bought a gb400, first ride last Saturday and I LOVE it. She's a real thumper

Any bike will do as long as you feel comfortable and at least it gets you out there doing it.

**chic 'n' charge** · 11th April 2010, 21:29

My advice would be to start out as heap as possible until your confidence grows then you will enjoy the step up to something a little more expensive, but in saying that my first bike cost $250 and it was a Suzuki AX100 then I bought a Yamaha RD250LC - which is what I stuck with for years learning the skills of riding. Only you will know what feels right for you - just test ride anything and everything. Enjoy your journey - you've made a great decision to ride.

**Mom** · 11th April 2010, 21:40

Originally Posted by Princesszxr

Hi again all, the hunt for my bike continues...
granted il drop it and ding it etc but its still my first so i want it to be right.
Did anyone else have this problem with their first bike or any bike they've owned?

Oh for heavens sake (note I have refrained from profanity)

Granted you will what? Why on earth do you think that you will drop or ding your bike? I get so pissed off with this attitude. I always thought that the object of the game was to NEVER bite tarmac despite the other road users out there! Honestly this whole learner attitude of How many times have you dropped your ride really offends me!

Originally Posted by Princesszxr

i work opposite ANZA and bikes come and go day in and day out.

You work opposite ANZA?

OK!

I live a HUGE distance from you, but have been the recipient of some really fantastic customer service from ANZA. Walk across the road and talk to the guys there.

**Sentox** · 12th April 2010, 00:41

Originally Posted by Mom

Oh for heavens sake (note I have refrained from profanity)

Granted you will what? Why on earth do you think that you will drop or ding your bike? I get so pissed off with this attitude. I always thought that the object of the game was to NEVER bite tarmac despite the other road users out there! Honestly this whole learner attitude of How many times have you dropped your ride really offends me!

To be fair, it seems learners more often than not drop their bike at least once early on. In part, I guess it depends on your size and height too. I've never dropped mine, but being able to flat foot both sides and clear the seat helps. Trust me when I say Princesszxr is not the biggest person you will ever meet

I understand your point though. Dropping one's bike is not an inevitability, and a fatalistic attitude isn't the best approach (although it may save a little disappointment). But there are an awful lot of ways for things to go pear shaped on two wheels when you're learning.

**Aprilia Girl** · 12th April 2010, 01:19

It took me 5mins to find my first bike, I bought it left it in the garage for 3 months before I started riding it - mind you I was pregnant when i bought my bike & trying to ride a sports bike in that condition is a bit of a mission!! I love it & refuse to part with it... it's entirely up to the individual

**YellowDog** · 12th April 2010, 06:15

The time it takes to find a bike generally depends upon how fussy you are.

If you stick to your guns with your buying criteria, then it could take ages and ages.

Most tend to compromise and buy what is more easily available from their shortlist.

Good luck.

**Love my Bonnie** · 12th April 2010, 07:17

Once I had decided what learners bike I wanted, it was only a matter of a few weeks until it was sitting in the garage.
& as for my Bonnie, that was so easy.
I have wanted a Triumph Bonneville since I was 7(yes, I was a strange little girl), so there was NEVER going to be anything else. Didn't even look at other bikes.
I ordered & paid for my bike without even sitting on one.
I brought my Beloved Bonnie when I was still on my Learners Licence, I thought I could wait until I got my full to ride it.
NOT!!!! Only time I used my 250 again was to sit my restricted licence.

Dont wait sweetheart, you are mssing out on riding time.

**hellokitty** · 12th April 2010, 18:13

I went bike shopping with my husband on Saturday, thinking I was quite happy with my little cruiser......... didn't find anything for him but I fell in love with a Ducati Monster - going to test ride it Saturday.

**DJSin** · 12th April 2010, 18:29

Originally Posted by hellokitty

I went bike shopping with my husband on Saturday, thinking I was quite happy with my little cruiser......... didn't find anything for him but I fell in love with a Ducati Monster - going to test ride it Saturday.

mmmmm monster - enjoy that test ride

**k1w160** · 12th April 2010, 19:13

My advice is to make a list of the bikes that take your fancy and test ride all of them.

I was looking for a new bike in 2005 and tested: SV1000, VTR1000, GS1200 Bandit, Buell XB12S and XB12R, Triumph Speed Triple.

I bought an SV1000S cause it ticked all the boxes, looks good (IMHO), and goes plenty fast enough for me, 30,000km later and I'm still happy.

Try all types of engines as well, single twin, triple I4 (I did)- they all give a different power delivery / feel, and remember - you may not want a sporting crouch if you only ride on the road cause the wrist burn after an hour can be a real pain - literally.

Cheers

Graham

**Love my Bonnie** · 12th April 2010, 20:43

Originally Posted by hellokitty

I went bike shopping with my husband on Saturday, thinking I was quite happy with my little cruiser......... didn't find anything for him but I fell in love with a Ducati Monster - going to test ride it Saturday.

Lovely bike.
A beautiful Monster is next on my list.

**bikerbunny** · 13th April 2010, 10:07

i wasnt even looking to ride, when i went with my dad into barrys motorcycles in hastings and i saw the new (then) yamaha scorpio. the next week i had my learners and was riding it. what i liked most was i was one of the very first one to but that bike,

**Princesszxr** · 17th April 2010, 16:48

Originally Posted by Mom

Oh for heavens sake (note I have refrained from profanity)

Granted you will what? Why on earth do you think that you will drop or ding your bike? I get so pissed off with this attitude. I always thought that the object of the game was to NEVER bite tarmac despite the other road users out there! Honestly this whole learner attitude of How many times have you dropped your ride really offends me!

Woah! i think you've misunderstood what i meant. I hope to god i dont ever drop it etc but im not an idiot im expecting to maybe screw up once or twice- im still learning?! Is that not part of it?

**Mom** · 17th April 2010, 16:56

Originally Posted by Princesszxr

Woah! i think you've misunderstood what i meant. I hope to god i dont ever drop it etc but im not an idiot im expecting to maybe screw up once or twice- im still learning?! Is that not part of it?

Making mistakes is one thing, putting your bike on the ground is another.