First bike input please

**Maakz** · 10th January 2011, 21:58

Heya
Newb looking to purchase my first bike-over the joy and into the angst.
Been looking up buy guides etc aswell as perusing TM and the like.
Got my eye on 3 i'd like input on from the KB community if poss...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=343915407
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=343109635
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=343585482

I know a dealer would bring peace of mind and i plan on hitting them for perusal too. Just exploring all my options. Wary of dumping a load on a total dud. Budget for bike is round $3500/4K mark. Have to get gear and Insurace aswell...mind boggled already.

**sil3nt** · 11th January 2011, 12:42

They seem overpriced. Well the 2nd and 3rd links do anyway. Over $3500 for a 15 year old v twin 250? Tell him his dreamin!

Didn't realise these cruisers were the same price as a decent sports 250.

**Pascal** · 11th January 2011, 13:01

Have a look at the Virago as well if you're looking at cruisers. They are pretty solid and reliable machines and very forgiving to ride. Have a look at this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-328744163.htm

And that comes with saddle bags, etc. as well.

**Phreak** · 11th January 2011, 18:02

FWIW, the GV250 is the ONLY hyosung I like! Definitely a better pick than the other two you are looking at, anyways.

**Latte** · 11th January 2011, 18:37

Originally Posted by Phreak

FWIW, the GV250 is the ONLY hyosung I like! Definitely a better pick than the other two you are looking at, anyways.

Honda build quality vs Hyosung Build quality? And you'll lose less in the long run on the Honda (the Hyo is still depreciating). Not saying the hyo is bad, just not necessarily any better than the Hondas.

Good thing about these wee cruisers is most of us pimply faced newbs who could beat rossi if we were only given a chance wouldn't be seen dead on em, so they won't be thrashed to within an inch of their lives.

**98tls** · 11th January 2011, 18:42

Fwiw if a first bike i would buy a road legal Trail bike,stand up to the inevitable 1st bike whoopsies well (read as cheap to fix) plus theres the ability to get off road where you will learn plenty re bike control etc which is all relevant to riding on the road.

**mattian** · 11th January 2011, 19:54

contrary to popular belief, not all learners crash and burn their bikes whilst they learn to ride. I never did. Nobody I know ever did.

Try and find yourself a Kymco Venox 250. Second hand they'll be as cheap as chips. Failing that, the mighty gn

**blackdog** · 11th January 2011, 20:03

Originally Posted by 98tls

Fwiw if a first bike i would buy a road legal Trail bike,stand up to the inevitable 1st bike whoopsies well (read as cheap to fix) plus theres the ability to get off road where you will learn plenty re bike control etc which is all relevant to riding on the road.

yup, xt250 all the way, practically ride themselves

if ya want a cruiser though, the hyo's def the way to go (or the yam virago) stay away from the magnas, they are just tooo old now

**98tls** · 11th January 2011, 20:14

Originally Posted by mattian

contrary to popular belief, not all learners crash and burn their bikes whilst they learn to ride. I never did. Nobody I know ever did.

Try and find yourself a Kymco Venox 250. Second hand they'll be as cheap as chips. Failing that, the mighty gn

Have no interest in contrary belief only my own experiences over a lifetime on 2 wheels.I do however believe and always will that anyone embarking down the path of 2 wheels can do no bigger favour to themselves than to spend time on a Trail bike and whats learnt off road with no traffic to worry about is far more valuable than whats to be learnt on a road bike.The fact that theres plenty of good road legal Trail bikes out there these days for bugger all $ makes it even more appealing and for my money a more obvious 1st bike.

**Latte** · 11th January 2011, 20:29

Originally Posted by 98tls

Have no interest in contrary belief only my own experiences over a lifetime on 2 wheels.I do however believe and always will that anyone embarking down the path of 2 wheels can do no bigger favour to themselves than to spend time on a Trail bike and whats learnt off road with no traffic to worry about is far more valuable than whats to be learnt on a road bike.The fact that theres plenty of good road legal Trail bikes out there these days for bugger all $ makes it even more appealing and for my money a more obvious 1st bike.

I'd never thought about it that way, but when learning beginner "roadcraft" it definitely helped me not having to learn the technique of actually controlling a 2 wheel vehicle at the same time.

**St_Gabriel** · 11th January 2011, 20:37

wait for another 5 months, the arse will drop out of the market with the new laws in regards to engine size. You can get a bigger engine/more power so you wont want to upgrade so quick.

I have owned a Hyosung albeit a efi version and it was great. Was sorely tempted to get another to replace it when it was written off. Went for the VL250 instead.

Have a look at the Suzuki VL250, you get a japanese brand that a lot of people seem to love and you get a v twin less than 5 years old as opposed to the magna at 15 years old.

Or wait till june 25th and buy mine

**Pascal** · 12th January 2011, 07:23

Originally Posted by St_Gabriel

wait for another 5 months, the arse will drop out of the market with the new laws in regards to engine size. You can get a bigger engine/more power so you wont want to upgrade so quick.

That is a damn good point.

**Gibbo89** · 12th January 2011, 12:46

Originally Posted by Pascal

That is a damn good point.

Only certain 250's will drop down a bit, a four cylinder 250 for example won't depreciate much at all compared to a Suzuki GN250.

**sil3nt** · 13th January 2011, 13:28

I am hoping the Aprilia RS250 comes down to a sensible price!

**Maakz** · 16th January 2011, 00:47

Heya, thanks for all the input-took ut on board.
Made an executive decision and went the dealer route with a second hand Hyo-bag...i know...i know. But since i aint a pimply faced newb but one fast approaching an 'age' that shall not be mentioned, and am also not a small woman, i just NIKEd it!
So...Thurs i get my hands on my machine. Daunted but so excited IT.IS.rediculous. Enjoyed the shop, not so much the first set of dismissive frickaz (sales reps) who wouldn't give me the time of day. Well HUA for them...their loss.

Beaming...like only a looney newb with their $h*t sorted can...