Newcomer to motorbikes

[Gibbo89]

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!

A lot of it will depend on the racks and luggage available for the bike you pick, also, what is the other bike that is going to be doing it with you? Because if it is a big bike, then you could just offload all the extra stuff onto their bike!

[FJRider]

First get the learners licence ... then the L plate ... then get a bike.

Then ... figure out what gear you will need to take ....

Then ... figure out how you will be able to fit it all on the bike ....

The best (and cheapest) lessons are learned on the road.

[cheshirecat]

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!

I've toured on every bike I've owned as a naive teenager with a CB160 (1968) and a naive aging biker taking the hound. The hardest part was (and is) finding dog friendly places in NZ, but that probably won't be a factor on your tour.

For more useless advice see here

[joan of arc]

I sat my restricted last week so new to riding too and know where you are coming from as I had little (read no!) knowledge of bikes less than a year ago. Took two lessons with the guy who assessed me for my Basic Handling skills got my bike and rode several times with experienced friends who were happy to lead by example and to follow to point out my flaws. Now a combination of riding by myself and with others works for me.

I am not a mechanic so needed a reliable bike and one that could go 100 without straining so bought a 2007 Honda VTR on Trade-Me and couldn't have asked for a better bike. She copes with 100 easily (120 in a head wind).
Do try a bunch of bikes though as you will find that riding positions vary and that some suit you more than others. I tried cruisers, sports bikes and uprights and this one just felt right.

Good luck. It is so much fun!