To buy new or not? Newbie rider

**Bluroosta** · 4th October 2011, 23:42

Hey everyone,

First off I'm new to this but planning on getting a bike to use for transport to and from uni. I have my heart set on a gt250r but heres the problem.

I have the ability to buy new which appeals to me considering (what I know has been mentioned in a thousand and fifty other threads) paying 5 and a half K for something just as old as me seems rediculous when for another few grand or less.....Im sure you catch my drift

The whole depreciation thing I wasn't too worried about as I figured i'd have it for a while and the resale on them dosn't seem too terrible, Until a friend linked me this

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/about/media/...1405/news.html

which hints at the whole power to weight ratio thing coming into effect in oct next year. It must be true since its on the site but I sort of want confirmation from you guys? as I know this is something thats been talked about for a loooong time. If it does come into effect I would most likely be selling this bike 6 or so months after it does which Im sure would make the hyosung worth nothing. This would also mean there is no way I would buy a brand new 250.

TL;DR: Thinking of buying brand new bike. Power to weight law might come into effect next year. If it does I wont buy new bike if it dosn't I most likely will. Do you all think it will?

**ynot slow** · 5th October 2011, 06:10

Sounds like the idea on new is to wait till next year maybe,then buy a new 650 say if power/weight is approved to a 650 say.Maybe the gladious or GT650R for example.
At the moment I wouldn't buy a new 250 just because you can or want to,as next year the value will drop majorly,at the moment the value is high due to the learner class limit.

I honestly believe the way to go is but an older trail type,i.e XR250,DR250,etc for say $2000 or so,if seat height isn't a problem,you can head to forest trails or beach,etc and have fun learning all aspects of the riding,and if you drop the bike(and you will,even at standstill they can topple over if you get unbalanced)it isn't a major problem,then when new laws come in or you get your full you can sell and upgrade.

**The Baron** · 5th October 2011, 06:20

New is nice but all your bumps and scratches (drops etc) will be on the first bike.

Then if you can get that out of your system your next bike will have a better life.

If going new then ask the salesman (salesperson) what a trade in price will be.

IMO the first bike we get is the one we THINK we want. After we have had a bike for a while we look at it differently and often change sooner that first thought.

Best of luck with your choice.

**DrunkenMistake** · 5th October 2011, 08:01

New is good, and sometimes you can strike a deal with the dealership on a new bike with warranties etc, The 250 market isnt going to bottom out like people say, I wouldnt fret over it to be honest,
Buy new if you feel like something new and with luck problem free, that or if you really have your heart set on the Hyo wait till your full and get the 650r, the exact same chaises just a different motor

**ynot slow** · 5th October 2011, 08:06

Originally Posted by The Baron

New is nice but all your bumps and scratches (drops etc) will be on the first bike.

Then if you can get that out of your system your next bike will have a better life.

Best of luck with your choice.

So true re dropping bike,my case bought bike Friday arvo,went back to work,they dropped bike off Saturday as I was working,that evening went up town with partner,stopped at servo for gas,as we got to the curb and went to take off I almost stalled,in the end a few loose bits of shingle by the curb and having the bars turned enabled the bike to over balance,had I throttled on a little I'd maybe saved it.End result broken clutch lever and scratch and huge pissed off rider,and sore leg,I stuck my leg under the bike lol.And over time managed to drop it 3 times all at standstill,luckilly no damage.

**Bluroosta** · 5th October 2011, 08:18

Yeah I've called around a few different dealerships around the north island and sort of pitted them against each other. The fact its a new bike as well as a warrenty is appealing. Although if I can get something relatively new with lowish k's for decent money thats obviously the goer.

All so crazy, I was expecting to have bought one by now but this throws a right spanner in the works.

**maggot** · 5th October 2011, 08:28

I'd say, get something second hand but reliable, well-checked over, well-serviced, all that, and spend the rest of the spare cash on some decent gear. If you're gonna chuck cash at something, may as well be what'll save your ass when you come off

**superman** · 5th October 2011, 08:32

Look around for deals, you can find 250s with low km's for far cheaper than brand new. Mine only had 2800km when I bought it and it was still a goood 1.5k below new price (new price being without yoshi pipe/cowl/carbs jetted as well!).

Spend a good portion on gear though. Check out http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

**KiwiPhoenix** · 5th October 2011, 08:55

Being a new rider myself (2 years), I agree with Maggot. Believe me, you will drop the bike at least once, been there and done it, 3 times!! I've even managed to drop the big bike as well. Depending on your age, you may only have the bike about a year, I took the longer route due to money and now I have the bigger bike, I don't ride the 250 anymore. Also consider how you will use your bike, will you only be commuting? Or do you plan on doing rallies and doing longer rides?

**allycatz** · 5th October 2011, 09:00

I just got a 2008 Scorpio with only 575km's on the clock for $2750, well below the new price. Pays to shop around and be patient

**ducatilover** · 5th October 2011, 09:51

Not much point buying a new one when you can save a bit buying a second hand one that is still under warranty. I fail to see the problem with the older CBR (early 90's) though, it's the best four stroke 250 out there, has fantastic resale, out performs the newer ones and is built superbly well. I will put money on them holding value and lasting longer.

They 250 Hyo is a nice uninspiring bike, same look as the 650, different frame, engine etc etc etc. Very cheap to buy and easy to maintain.

**sleemanj** · 5th October 2011, 11:57

The LAM (power to weight) is coming, 1st October 2012

It's probably going to be similar (if not the same) as the Victoria (AU) LAM list, which you can check here...
http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rd...u1Sept2011.pdf

if your desired 250 is not listed as excluded, it will still be learner legal (probably), if your desired more than 250 bike is on the list of approved biked, it will become learner legal (probably) [ but that's not going to help you right now ].

Personally. I don't think I could ever bring myself to buy a brand new bike, or car. Throwing awa far too much money IMO, money takes a lot of hard and unpleasant work to earn where I come from, I don't like throwing it away.

My advice, buy a used bike, which is a good runner and has a WOF, and also buy a set of spanners, a 3/8 socket set, a set of screwdriver bits and a couple of screwdriver bit handles, and a pair of pliers. Bonus points if you get one for which you can find a good Haynes, Clymer or other workshop manual.

Don't just learn to ride a bike, learn how it works, how to maintain it, a new bike isn't going to teach you a lot about that at least until the warranty period is up.

**Maha** · 5th October 2011, 12:02

Buy new if you can afford it..I am only onto my 5th bike and its my 3rd new bike.
My reason for buying new first up was because I didn't want to end up with some elses problem.
Plus my wife was generous enough to loan me her credit card...

**GrayWolf** · 5th October 2011, 17:34

Originally Posted by DrunkenMistake

New is good, and sometimes you can strike a deal with the dealership on a new bike with warranties etc, The 250 market isnt going to bottom out like people say, I wouldnt fret over it to be honest,
Buy new if you feel like something new and with luck problem free, that or if you really have your heart set on the Hyo wait till your full and get the 650r, the exact same chaises just a different motor

Sorry but i will totally disagree with that, when the 250 law was changed in the UK to 125 in the 1980's the resale value of 250 s/hand did indeed take a noticable dive, especialy on the trade in for a bigger bike value. There will be a surplus of 250's on the market, it will become a buyer's market on them. Like HD's hold a 'forced' high value (supply/demand).... In the USA the economy is forcing the prices down (low sales), European dealers are buying S/hand ones by the container, the high value of s/h HD's will drop, the new price already has in comparison to what they were a few years ago.