Complete Newbie

[Silverbug]

So im thinking about getting my bike license. However the only time i have been on a bike was on a dirt bike out on muriwai beach for all of about 1 min of riding.

What do people suggest for the complete newbie? Does that pre-learner license course cover everything right from scratch or are you expected to know how to ride a bike before you go?

There was some interesting reading in Zapf's which 1st bike thread...

[White trash]

Welcome Silverbug.

DRZ400SM.

[Sensei]

Welcome Silverbug got afew of them on my K3 at the moment

[Mr Skid]

If you're refering to the basic handling skills certificate, I don't know of anyone that has failed it. I'd suggest getting some tuition in combination with the basic handling skills certificate.
I did only the certificate at Passrite to save money, but I belive it's a false economy.

Did you enjoy riding at Murawai? If so I'd think a dual sport / trail bike would be a good option for learning on. They are designed to be crash and dropped, and are road registerable.

[WINJA]

So im thinking about getting my bike license. However the only time i have been on a bike was on a dirt bike out on muriwai beach for all of about 1 min of riding.

What do people suggest for the complete newbie? Does that pre-learner license course cover everything right from scratch or are you expected to know how to ride a bike before you go?

There was some interesting reading in Zapf's which 1st bike thread...

A GN250 IS A GREAT LEARNER BIKE, THEY ARE EASY TO GET OFF THE MARK AND HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO GET YOU OUT OF TROUBLE , THEY CRASH WELL AND ARE CHEAP TO REPAIR AND ARE ONLY $3000 NEW AND CAN BE FINANCED , THEY HAVE A GOOD RESALE VALUE AS WELL.
YAMAHA SR250 IS SIMILAR TO ABOVE.
OR YOU CAN GET A 250 TRAIL BIKE LIKE AN XR

[Phurrball]

Welcome Silverbug!

Currently going through what you're planning - I'm sitting basic handling skills cert this weekend [All going well - my neck is bloody sore and head won't turn at the mo...dunno why? Had better come right!].

I'm sitting this with Doug Swanson (in the phone book), who has a nice, tame GN250 and operates in a car park on the North Shore.

Doug suits me, and is very mellow...go to the instructor/location that suits you.

You'll have a blast! Enjoy

[HDTboy]

I'd recommend Doug swanson as well, he charged me about $60ish for a lesson and the certificate. Don't quote me on that as i tend to forget stuff.

I bought a CBR250RR as they're one of the quicker 250s on the market and i didn't want to be trading up straight away, but like Mr $kid said, if you had fun on the dirt then a trail bike might be the go for you.

Welcome to the site

[Jeremy]

A GN250 IS A GREAT LEARNER BIKE, THEY ARE EASY TO GET OFF THE MARK AND HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO GET YOU OUT OF TROUBLE , THEY CRASH WELL AND ARE CHEAP TO REPAIR AND ARE ONLY $3000 NEW AND CAN BE FINANCED , THEY HAVE A GOOD RESALE VALUE AS WELL.
YAMAHA SR250 IS SIMILAR TO ABOVE.
OR YOU CAN GET A 250 TRAIL BIKE LIKE AN XR

I'm slightly interested to hear about how they crash well.

[Matt Bleck]

Mate if I where you I'd get something you can take out into a paddock and learn some bike control, ya know drifting the arse out, grabbing a hand full of the front brakes, so you can feel what a bike feels like when its out of control or about to be out of control cause you do not want to be on the road when things go pear shaped!

[Skyryder]

I'm slightly interested to hear about how they crash well.

So am I. But then if Winj rides, like the way he writes he would know.

Skyryder

[WINJA]

So am I. But then if Winj rides, like the way he writes he would know.

Skyryder

THERE ARE NO EXPENSIVE FAIRINGS AND ITS GOT TO BE A REAL BIG ACCIDENT FOR YOU NOT TO RIDE AWAY, I USED TO HACKSAW PART OF THE WAY THRU THE ENDS OF THE BRAKE AND CLUTCH LEVERS SO THAT ONY THE TIPS BRAKE OFF THIS WAY I CAN STILL RIDE HOME AND ALSO IT STOPS THE PERCH BREAKING.
TRUST ME GUYS I USED TO CRASH ONCE A WEEK AT LEAST ON SCENIC DRIVE AND PIHA ROAD , MY CRASHES AROUND THOSE ROADS WOULD EXCEED 50 OR SO

[Sutage]

THERE ARE NO EXPENSIVE FAIRINGS AND ITS GOT TO BE A REAL BIG ACCIDENT FOR YOU NOT TO RIDE AWAY, I USED TO HACKSAW PART OF THE WAY THRU THE ENDS OF THE BRAKE AND CLUTCH LEVERS SO THAT ONY THE TIPS BRAKE OFF THIS WAY I CAN STILL RIDE HOME AND ALSO IT STOPS THE PERCH BREAKING.
TRUST ME GUYS I USED TO CRASH ONCE A WEEK AT LEAST ON SCENIC DRIVE AND PIHA ROAD , MY CRASHES AROUND THOSR ROADS WOULD EXCEED 50 OD SO

I agree, my SR250 is the same.. the worst you gonna get is bent levers or a broken mirror, costs like 50 bucks tops to fix/replace, beats a few grand for fairings And if you dont fix the fairings dam the bike looks wrecked, nothing to scratch on SRs/GNs

[Ms Piggy]

So im thinking about getting my bike license. However the only time i have been on a bike was on a dirt bike out on muriwai beach for all of about 1 min of riding.

What do people suggest for the complete newbie? Does that pre-learner license course cover everything right from scratch or are you expected to know how to ride a bike before you go?

There was some interesting reading in Zapf's which 1st bike thread...

I don't know about in Auckland but most of the places that do the Basic Handlings Skills test also do Learn to Ride courses.

I wouldn't recomend a GN250 if you are wanting a bike that you can ride on longer trips.

Welcome to the site and let us know your progress

[Yarg]

Welcome to the site. The Gn250 would be good learners bike. S/be easy to fix if dropped.

[Riff Raff]

Hi and welcome to the site

Go and do your basic handling skills then look at trying a few bikes to see what you are most comfortable on. There's a good range out there from the sporty to the cruiser style. Good luck.