Newbie needs bike!

[Hawkeye]

Don't sweat the big stuff over your first bike. Get a cheap bike in the style you prefer and just get out and ride. Too many learners spend so much time on what their first bike should be.

Riding as a learner is all about learning road craft. Becoming confident on two wheels whilst navigating around in traffic. Learning road position, observation, cornering, stopping, hill starts, u-turns etc etc.
It is not about how fast or slow you ride. All learner bikes, be it a GN, scorpio, CBR or whatever, fill the 'learner' criteria.

My first bike was a little single pot 250 that I paid $100 for. Spend another $250 getting it road worthy and rode it for a year. I had lots of fun, learnt lots, and then granduated up to the bigger bikes.

Your first bike is only a stepping stone to bigger and better things. So as I said in my first sentence......

Welcome to the world of freedom and fun. Just one important thing.... keep the rubber side down and the shiney side up!

[curly]

Whats your price range?

The vtr250 is a good learners bike you will not be disappointed, i maybe biased though

Go test ride one

[HalfAKiwi]

Thanks so much everyone for your thoughts and input!

I have passed my theory test yesterday and now officially hold a learner's licence! Matamata watch out!

I now got a CBF250 and very happy with it! Now I just have to go out and practice practice practice....

[DR650gary]

I now got a CBF250 and very happy with it! Now I just have to go out and practice practice practice....

No, you need to post a photo of your new steed

and they are a great bike which you will have a ball on.

[HalfAKiwi]

haha alright here we go

[Old Steve]

Looking good!!! Now ride the pants off it.

[Hellzie]

haha alright here we go

Niiiiiice! You will have loads of fun on it! Has it got a name yet?

[DR650gary]

haha alright here we go

That looks excellent. Didn't realise it had a twin outlet, unless I have misinterpreted the photo. (I have, that's the frame). That will benefit with a nice slightly more open exhaust. Maybe a shorty.

Nice gear too, nearly matching

Enjoy the ride and see if you can track down a few riding courses, they will help you ride and survive.

Cheers

[HalfAKiwi]

Haha thanks! I know I should've gotten the black/white jacket instead of the black/blue to match my black/white pants but they didn't have this one in my size

But it's hard enough as it is to get any women's gear that's not flippin PINK!

[DR650gary]

Haha thanks! I know I should've gotten the black/white jacket instead of the black/blue to match my black/white pants but they didn't have this one in my size

But it's hard enough as it is to get any women's gear that's not flippin PINK!

Similar issue here, my wife is 5 ft size 8 with small feet.

Pants and jackets will come and go.

Cheers

[chasio]

Excellent, well done.

Chasio

P.S. And wear boots.

[HalfAKiwi]

Oh, and I forgot - her name is Smurfette!

Yeah boots are definitely the next thing on the list, but when I started out, helmet, jacket, pants and gloves stretched me a bit financially..

[ynot slow]

Boots try either 1 tonne or lifestyle imports,both have good quality for $150ish and my ones from lifestyle were great,waterproof and comfy,they were the most comfy boots I've worn.

[DR650gary]

Oh, and I forgot - her name is Smurfette!

Yeah boots are definitely the next thing on the list, but when I started out, helmet, jacket, pants and gloves stretched me a bit financially..

What size are you? Post your size and I'm sure someone on here will have something for not a lot of money.

We have some good condition size 5 (NZ) boots available.

Cheers

Gary

[HalfAKiwi]

Yeah more than happy to go for 2nd hand boots if in good condition.

Not too sure about the size, I'm a European 38 I think that's a NZ size 7?

Tanks for the brand suggestions! Need to make a trip to Hamilton on the weekend, that's what you get for living in a small town *grml*