Hello midlife crisis - I've been expecting you

[Barts]

Thanks so much for all your threads. Heaps of great advice and bike choices from everyone. I'll let you know how I get on! Cheers again. Barts.

[slofox]

Waaddaaya mean MID?

I mean I have been in the middle of the crisis since I was born...

[Toaster]

Do some courses

http://www.prorider.co.nz/ is a good one.

Agreed, the payback in learning good habits early is invaluable.

[Wannabiker]

For what you want to do...I would look at a Hyosung Comet. The more upright riding position is easier to commute on....and these bikes will trundle along the open road quite well too, even with a pillion. The Hyo has a larger frame and suits us bigger blokes and has great fuel economy. (I had 2 and these would get 28-30 Km/L.)

At 6'3 you would look like a labrador humping a foxy if you went for a VTR.

The DR might also be a good option...get the gearing set up for the road (rear sprocket) and put some more road suitable tyres on it. I used to love commuting from Raumati on my BMW F650, which is just like a large trail bike.

[Seroom]

Hi Barts

Learn to ride course booked? check
Basic Handling Skills Course booked? check
Obtained and read Highway Code? check

You didn't mention Sit Test, do you already have your license from your youth?
I hadn't ridden for over 20 years and when the opportunity arose I jumped straight onto a 1400. Once I got my mojo back it was like I had never left.

On the other hand if you are new to motorcycling as your post implies.

Feel confident about what bike to buy? WTF

Definately second hand, because of the might drop factor.
If you get bitten by the bug flick it on and upgrade once you have your full.
If you are happy commuting and don't become a 'biker' as such then don't get emotional, keep it till it drops it'll be cheaper in the long run.

My Pics 250:
Cruiser - Suzi VL250 intruder
Naked - Hyo comet 250
Sport - Hyo GT250R or Ninja250

Don't get a GN250 they are cheap but at 6'3" way to small for you.

Gear:
I'm riding in Spool and apart from the little dangly things on the zips popping off, it has lasted me 7 years and still going. Only thing to watch out for is hot exhasts as none of the Gortex gear likes heat. Oh and the little dangly things, I replaced them with small keyrings.

Otherwise any of the modestly priced Trademe stuff will get you on the road.

Most of all, enjoy the ride

[Ratti]

Otherwise any of the modestly priced Trademe stuff will get you on the road.

No No NO...Please, consider the opinion of one who repairs gear and has no brand loyalty whatsoever...DO NOT PURCHASE CHEAP/MODERATLY PRICED GEAR OFF TM

Why? I have had too much of this gear brought to me in the hope I can fix it. The seams are substandard and often not caught in properly, the thread is of poor quality and the fabric is often around 600D in weight. Riding gear needs to be at least 1000 denier to offer useful protection. Please, consider sticking with gear from bike shops, yes it is more expensive, but how much is the skin on your body worth?

this has been covered extensivly in the Gear thread and well worth looking through as it comes up often

End of rant.

p.s. second hand gear can be problematic, but if you go for the brands stocked by bike shops it would be better than the nothing.

[Seroom]

No No NO...Please, consider the opinion of one who repairs gear and has no brand loyalty whatsoever...DO NOT PURCHASE CHEAP/MODERATLY PRICED GEAR OFF TM

End of rant.

I did in fact recommend SPOOL, but not everyones budget stretches to $800-900+ for a jacket and pant set straight from go. There is a new Dririder Nordic Pro on TM at the moment for $189, more than adequate to get a commuter on the road.

[Seroom]

No No NO...Please, consider the opinion of one who repairs gear and has no brand loyalty whatsoever...DO NOT PURCHASE CHEAP/MODERATLY PRICED GEAR OFF TM

End of rant.

Your advice is quite correct.
I did in fact recommend SPOOL, but not everyones budget stretches to $800-900+ for a jacket and pant set straight from go.

[Old Steve]

I'm not that tall, in fact rather challenged in the inside leg measurement, but I've found the Hyosung GV250 - the cruiser - is a big bike for a 250. I chose it because of its visual impact, see and be seen. Couple of weeks ago a Harley rider just wouldn't believe it was a 250. Drill the 3 pop rivets out which hold the baffle in place in each exhaust and take the baffles out - be seen, be heard, be safe.

It's comfortable, reliable (there's a lot of Suzuki Intruder in it, Hyosung made Suzukis under license for 20 years), has enough performance for a learner (has the same power-to-weight ratio of a Honda Shadow 750), and has a good upright seating position (as an older rider, I didn't look forward to riding with my chest glued to the top of the fuel tank and with my heels jammed up the crack of my bum on a sports bike).

[Barts]

For what you want to do...I would look at a Hyosung Comet. The more upright riding position is easier to commute on....and these bikes will trundle along the open road quite well too, even with a pillion. The Hyo has a larger frame and suits us bigger blokes and has great fuel economy. (I had 2 and these would get 28-30 Km/L.)

At 6'3 you would look like a labrador humping a foxy if you went for a VTR.

The DR might also be a good option...get the gearing set up for the road (rear sprocket) and put some more road suitable tyres on it. I used to love commuting from Raumati on my BMW F650, which is just like a large trail bike.

Hi there Wannabiker

Thanks for your recent post. Appreciate your comments regarding the VTR - definitely NOT a good look!

I note however that the seat hight of a Hornet (which pretty much every other thread to original posting has recommended) is 760mm. Surely if the VTR is 775mm then both bikes are way to small - or am I missing something (i.e placement of foot pegs etc).

Also... any comments re build quality and longevity of parts with the Hyo's?? I love the look of this bike - being a tall lad too full frame size fits well.

So many posts have bagged them for so many reasons - what's the scoop.

Cheers.

Pete

[Barts]

Kia ora people of KiwiBiker.

Just thought I'd send out a quick update. I've been making some good progress lately with my new hobby (which I can see will quickly be replaced with new addiction - possibly even above coffee )

Couple of weeks back I participated in a learn to ride course followed by a basic handling course ran by Andrew and Lynne of Roadsafe http://www.roadsafe.co.nz/

I highly recco these folks - it pissed it down all day however this only added to the fun..

Passed sit test last week at local AA and picked up temporary licence. Woo hoo.

Over the weekend I picked up some experience on a dual purpose bike - man that was fun. I just wanted to get on a stretch of open gravel and practice changing all the way up and down the gears etc and also low speed turns etc.

Later this arvo I may get a try on a friends Ninja - just following up on all the great advice to sit on and try as many bikes as possible to see what feels 'right'.

Over the next couple of weekend I intent to try out the following, before making my final purchasing decision. Man this is taking time however I know it's the right thing to do (vs. buying first bike I like the picture of..)

In no particular order:

Sports:
- Ninja
- Hyo GT250R EFI
- Megelli 250R (I believe this is brand spanking new to NZ?)

Naked:
- Hyo GT250 EFI
- Honda VTR250
- Honda Hornet

Other:
- Scorpio
- GN250

To be honest all of the above bikes I am told are good bikes... Furthermore second hand I am learning quick is the way to go - to get me through my learners/restricted period.

Whilst I love the look of these bikes I can't help but ask - why not just settle for a scorpio or GN 250 and get some much needed k's under my belt and then buy a bigger bike this time next year? If we are talking full licence machines surely waiting out for a XJ6N or ER-6N is the way to go???? There's no way I can justify two bike purchases within a year to the missus (expecting first child 12 weeks and counting....)

My variables..
- 6"3' tall and 90 KG.
- 60K commute per day
- Mixture of SH1, dual carriage and urban (congested) riding

Thank for all the help and advice guys and gals - O for awesome

Cheers for now!

Barts

[JimO]

Ask for Jimmy.

you will probably wake up tied to a chair, wearing a ballgag waiting for zed to show up

[Maha]

For your size and weight the GN and Scorpio should now not enter the equation.
- Hyo GT250 EFI
- Honda VTR250....}these three however are a more suited 250 option.
- Honda Hornet

[ducatilover]

For your size and weight the GN and Scorpio should now not enter the equation.
- Hyo GT250 EFI
- Honda VTR250....}these three however are a more suited 250 option.
- Honda Hornet

Why the EFI? The carb models were fine, bloody cheap too.

[Old Steve]

I have done 16,000 km since I bought my Hyosung GV250 (cruiser) in February 2010 On Sunday I did a round trip Tauranga, Te Awamutu, Pirongia, Te Awamutu, Arapuni, Putaruru and home over the Kaimais. Over 270 km, I got over 30 km/L (used less than 9 Litres of fuel). The bike has a huge tank, 15 L of which 2 L is reserve, so you should get an open road range of over 400 km. I cruise at between 110 and 120 km/hr on the open road with the Ulysses Club (other members say my speedo must be 6 km/hr high, so thats cruising at up to 115 km/hr flat tack), they don't race so I'm comfortably keeping up. Coming up the Waikato side of the Kaimais I'm usually in fifth up the initial straight climbs, down to fourth through the middle curves, and down to third gear @ 8,000 rpm for the last three or four corners. I pull away from Honda Shadow 750s and pretty much keep up with Suzuki Boulevard C50s.

Do try a Hyosung GV250 cruiser. They're cheap, I've found mine reliable. Budget for having a ScottOiler fitted to lube the chain on any bike you buy. They're a big bike, but I filter through double lane traffic here in Tauranga. DO spend as much as you can on your safety gear, especially on your helmet. How much is your head worth? Spend the money to protect it.

But, buy 2nd hand, it's cheaper and you're probably going to move up as soon as you have your 6F. I am going to keep my GV250 now I've got my 6F, she's comfortable, big enough to be visible, easy to ride through the city and good on the open road. And I feel that I'm improving my riding skills riding on a 250 with other riders who have bigger bikes.