To buy new or not? Newbie rider

[tigertim20]

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?

it has been said and documented that it will. Its been in the pipeline for a while now, and it seems its finally going to happen.

regardless of whether it comes in or not I would NOT buy new for several reasons.
Getting a first bike - you want something easy to use and easy to learn on, something that isnt going to depreciate dramatically, and that will be versatile to a newbie trying out different types of riding etc. Use a first reliable cheapy tp get you a feel for biking.
In a year or so when you get your full, you might want to try adventure biking, you might decide a cruiser is more your style, you might like sportsbikes, who knows till youve gotten out on two wheels and done some kays?

When you get you full, and have some experience, the maney you have saved goes towards a better big bike that youll probably keep for much longer, having found your groove with riding.

But fuckit, buy what you WANT, and fuck everyone else

[kave]

I'm a firm believer in buying a cheapie for your first bike. Something that you can drop and it won't matter. Old bikes can be just as fun, and go just as fast as modern bikes, and for a fraction of the cost. Sure, the bike might not look that flash, but learning on a cheap bike means you don't have to pay excessive amounts of insurance, and aren't risking massive devaluation with the new laws coming into play.

Sportsbike for $1700
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-412376903.htm

Bike for $2000
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-412860580.htm

Just two options I saw after having a brief look on trademe. Bear in mind that you will have to buy a helmet, and will probably want boots, pants, gloves and a jacket. Then, it is likely that you will want some sort of bike luggage if the bike is going to be good for commuting.

Anyway, good luck and I hope you enjoy being on two wheels, no matter what you end up riding.

[Flip]

Well you are going to drop it so just get a second hand trail bike. After say a year trade it in on what ever else you want.

If you get a fairing its going to cost you heaps keeping it together.

[ducatilover]

What a load of shit, I didn't drop my first bike and know many people who haven't dropped any bikes

[baffa]

What a load of shit, I didn't drop my first bike and know many people who haven't dropped any bikes

Correllation does not equal causation.

You may not drop your first bike, but there is a decent chance it will happen. I havent dropped my bike, but my gf has in the carpark, these things happen.

I can see the benefit of having a new bike, complete with warranty etc, but realistically you are much better off with a second hand bike, since it's not only cheaper, there is much less depreciation, and avoid teething problems breaking it in.

Not only that, you avoid expensive servicing costs due to the warranty, and it encourages you to maintain the bike yourself.

And as everyone has said, you will likely outgrow your first bike pretty quickly, so spending large sums on a bike you will have for 1-2 years seems like a waste.

After all, most cars* are a method of moving from a - b; you can buy a little hatch and keep it for years as a commuter, bikes by and large are much more important to us than that. All good and well to buy a bike that is shiny and new, but if you end up hating it and cant afford to upgrade in a years time, that's gotta suck.



*Bar fairladys of course ^_^

[Old Steve]

My 2 cents worth.

Buy second hand, save on the purchase price and spend what you save on good gear.

Buy a 250 to learn on.

I'm keeping my 250 cruiser (Hyosung GV250) because she's light and manouverable. The power to weight ratio that will be allowed for learner bikes is 150kW/tonne. As an example, my bike has 21 kW and weighs 168 kg - that's 125 kW/tonne. So even if you eventually get a 650 it won't have any more acceleration than a 250, will have a higher top speed but 250s can cruise at 120 + anyway, and the 250 being lighter will be much easier to handle.

[St_Gabriel]

My 2 cents worth.

Buy second hand, save on the purchase price and spend what you save on good gear.

Buy a 250 to learn on.

I'm keeping my 250 cruiser (Hyosung GV250) because she's light and manouverable. The power to weight ratio that will be allowed for learner bikes is 150kW/tonne. As an example, my bike has 21 kW and weighs 168 kg - that's 125 kW/tonne. So even if you eventually get a 650 it won't have any more acceleration than a 250, will have a higher top speed but 250s can cruise at 120 + anyway, and the 250 being lighter will be much easier to handle.

I think your calculation maybe wrong there Steve, I seem to remember that the weight is bike + 90 kg rider (really good for the little people at 50 kgs, not so good for us barge arses) which makes your bike for the purpose of this calculation, 258 kg's which equates to 81.4 kW/tonne so really its only 54% of the maximum a learner can ride.

[FJRider]

Well you are going to drop it so just get a second hand trail bike. After say a year trade it in on what ever else you want.

If you get a fairing its going to cost you heaps keeping it together.

Not so much "dropping it" thats the problem ... it's the FEAR of dropping it. A learner bike should be about LEARNING to ride. That includes less fear of dropping it trying to park/turn/stoppng etc. Not to mention getting experience on gravel (roadworks DO happen) and the confidence gained without the petty issues of small scratches/dents and gouges ...

A cheap bike with a workshop manual will save heaps (more for petrol/gear) and will learn you more ... with experience DOING it ...

[Old Steve]

I think your calculation maybe wrong there Steve, I seem to remember that the weight is bike + 90 kg rider, ... which makes your bike for the purpose of this calculation, 258 kg's which equates to 81.4 kW/tonne so really its only 54% of the maximum a learner can ride.

Oh, wasn't aware the weight included the rider - albeit a nominal 90kg rider.

However, I stand by my recommendationof a 250 as a learner bike. a 250 is much easier to handle due to its lighter weight and makes a better learner bike. The only thing I miss on my GV250 is the ability to pass quickly if I come across a car doing 100 km/hr uphill. I tend to cruise at 120 km/hr where safe, and she's fantastic as an around town commuter.