Newcomer to motorbikes

[BoristheBiter]

Good on you!!

A few questions:

Is your plan to get a larger bike after your full, in order to do the tour? Or are you planning to do the tour on the bike you learn on?

A full NZ tour on a 250 is definitely doable, although quite ambitious.


This is my opinion:

If you are planning to get a bigger bike for the tour, start out on a small easy bike, like a 110, 125, 145/150 etc, thrash it around, save your money and put it towards the touring bike after the full.

If you are planning on doing the tour on the same bike, then I recommend getting a nice late model 250 that you really like, and feels comfortable. You will probably want a later model one, for reliability. After the tour, you will probably decide you want to get a bigger bike anyway

+1.
I did the north island on a new 250 ninja, had no problems at all and i dare say that the OP is smaller than me.

[Gibbo89]

If you are doing a full on tour of NZ then you need a bike that has good and not shagged suspension, and that's before you load up a wee 250 for the tour. If your going late model then only the Hyosung (GT250, or GT250R) and kawasaki ninja (ex250(j?)) are out there. Oh and the honda vtr 250. If you are not going to buy a brand new one, then if I were you I would look at late 90's bikes like a Suzuki Bandit or Honda Hornet.

Obviously you might want to tour NZ on a cruiser, and I can't tell you much about the 250 ones as they do nothing for me. But there is the Suzuki Intruder, the Yamaha Virago, Hyosung GV250.

Again you need to investigate what these bikes will be like fully loaded.

I wouldn't get a single cylinder 250 as it won't have enough grunt to get you up hills etc or be able to pass cars that are actually moving

Good luck and welcome to KB

[The Pastor]

When in doubt, power out.

Redline to the deadline.

Don't stop for the police.

[Rosie]

I wouldn't get a single cylinder 250 as it won't have enough grunt to get you up hills etc or be able to pass cars that are actually moving

I think it depends on the bike, and your riding style, I'm on my second single cylinder 250 that I use for touring.
Overtaking on the sherpa was frustrating at times, especially on major highways, but if I stuck to twisty minor roads and was prepared to be a bit patient sometimes, it was a good little bike.
The WR has more power than the sherp did, so long stretches of highway, overtaking etc are a lot easier.

But I can imagine that some commuter-style single cylinder 250's would be suboptimal for touring.

If you pack carefully, you can get away with a fairly small amount of luggage which shouldn't overwhelm most 250's, especially if you stay in motels or cabins in camping grounds, and carry small amounts of breakfast and lunch supplies. Or you can travel with someone with a larger bike, and get them to carry the heavy things (this is how I deal with the tent and cooking gear when we tour )

[Gibbo89]

I think it depends on the bike, and your riding style, I'm on my second single cylinder 250 that I use for touring.
Overtaking on the sherpa was frustrating at times, especially on major highways, but if I stuck to twisty minor roads and was prepared to be a bit patient sometimes, it was a good little bike.
The WR has more power than the sherp did, so long stretches of highway, overtaking etc are a lot easier.

But I can imagine that some commuter-style single cylinder 250's would be suboptimal for touring.

If you pack carefully, you can get away with a fairly small amount of luggage which shouldn't overwhelm most 250's, especially if you stay in motels or cabins in camping grounds, and carry small amounts of breakfast and lunch supplies. Or you can travel with someone with a larger bike, and get them to carry the heavy things (this is how I deal with the tent and cooking gear when we tour )

Yip good call, I was thinking more the typical tour round the country on the main sealed roads, but if she wants to do some dirt type things off the beaten track then a dual purpose might be good too

[Smifffy]

Yip good call, I was thinking more the typical tour round the country on the main sealed roads, but if she wants to do some dirt type things off the beaten track then a dual purpose might be good too

..And that new 250 Tenere could be the mutts nuts for that...

[Number One]

Well according to this thread, all new Riders are going to crash. So getting a knee down should be no problem, as well as elbows and head.

Fanny.

So long as your fanny ain't dragging on the ground you are doing ok...that would be really nasty....and painful....and messy!

[BecClare]

Thanks for your help guys... well, most of you!!

I think I'd probably do the trip on the bike i learn on, and will probably only be on my learners. The lessons that you pay for from a proper place, are they worth it? Or am I better off just having a dig with a friend?

[Gibbo89]

Thanks for your help guys... well, most of you!!

I think I'd probably do the trip on the bike i learn on, and will probably only be on my learners. The lessons that you pay for from a proper place, are they worth it? Or am I better off just having a dig with a friend?

Have a think a bout getting your learners now (ish) and then have your restricted by the time you are going to do the touring. Only reason I mention this is that you will then be able to go 100 'legally'. Obviously this might not matter to you, and if it doesn't, then ignore what I just said.

The lessons you for from a proper place are good. Seeing as you are from Chch, you will most likely do your test at mainland driving school. If you do go there, then you can also pay for a lesson and tips that helps you pass the learner test at the end of that lesson. I did this and I reckon it helped with a few aspects of the test. In saying that, there is a fella here in Chch who does lessons. I think his name is Dan Orsmby, I'm thinking about getting lessons from him at some stage.

Ever ridden a moped before? They teach you to balance the bike without all the gears, if your mate has one, take one for a fang. If not then it's no biggie.

What kind of bikes do you like?

[BecClare]

Goood advice, I dont even know which bikes i like to be honest. My boyfriend has a vespa which I could learn on, but didnt know if it was worth learning on something which was so different from what I would be riding. I looked up Mainlaid driving and that Dan guy, so yea, I would probably go with one of them. Think its probaly worth the cost hey

[Smifffy]

Goood advice, I dont even know which bikes i like to be honest. My boyfriend has a vespa which I could learn on, but didnt know if it was worth learning on something which was so different from what I would be riding. I looked up Mainlaid driving and that Dan guy, so yea, I would probably go with one of them. Think its probaly worth the cost hey

I'd say ride as many bikes as you can, as often as you can, including the vespa.

[Gibbo89]

The vespa will give you the feeling of being on a bike with the throttle control and the braking and of course the balance side of things, all useful things to practice before you get your own bike.

[rustic101]

Thanks for your help guys... well, most of you!

BC, whatever you do on here; never take anything personally. If you are able to filer effectively you'll be able to get some great advice amongst all the bull shit

O and welcome aboard,, make sure to relax and hold on tight, it'll be an exciting ride

[Smifffy]

BC, whatever you do on here; never take anything personally. If you are able to filer effectively you'll be able to get some great advice amongst all the bull shit

O and welcome aboard,, make sure to relax and hold on tight, it'll be an exciting ride

Don't hold on too tight!

[BecClare]

Just started searching on Trade Me and there's soooo much out there. I'm starting to feel a bit overwhelmed. Small steps though I guess. I should start by booking my first lessons and get a feel for the whole thing, and then try and get a bike in the next few weeks.

We were planning on doing the whole camping with tents thing. Do you think that will be too much luggage? Having to take tents, sleeping & cooking gear blah blah?

This is all too much for my hungover brain to think about right now!