Newbie needs bike!

**HalfAKiwi** · 27th October 2011, 07:39

Hi everyone,

I've been a silent follower of this forum for a while but have now finally registered aswell and hope you can help me.

I've just passed my BHS

and am currently studying the rode code, I'm planning on having my learners by next week.

I learnt to ride (in a park) on a Honda CBF250 and did my BHS on a Yamaha Scorpio 225.

I'm now looking at getting my own bike but don't quite know which one.
I liked the CBF, but couldn't stand the Scorpio.
I don't want anything smaller than a 250.
I like the look of naked bikes.
I don't want a dirt bike or a plastic fantastic bike.
I'm female and quite small at 5.4 so I'd need a small or low bike so I can still touch the ground with more than just tippietoes

Is a two cylinder better than a four?

I have taken the CBF up to 80km/h

on an empty back road and am fairly confident in taking off and stuff. Funnily enough I stalled the Scorpio at my BHS test around 8 times and the CBF when I learnt how to ride only like twice or so

I also liked the seating position on the Scorpio and CBF, so I wouldn't want anything where I'm lying flat on the tank

I've been looking at a Suzuki Bandit 250, what do you guys think?
What other bikes could suit me?

Cheers!

**nodrog:Me** · 27th October 2011, 07:43

A GSXR thou would be ideal.

**Newbi** · 27th October 2011, 07:48

Well done on passing ya BHS, and good luck with the theory test, its pretty easy, just practise the tests online. I only recently got my 6L too. I ride a Suzuki Intruder 250, I love it, but cruiser style bikes may not be your style. I like it cos I am also a chick and shorter than you and I can get both feet down which is what I definately wanted. You will get plenty of advice from the "guru's" on here hahaha. But on a serious note heaps of it is really useful.

**DR650gary** · 27th October 2011, 08:28

Yamaha SR250. Suzuki GN250.

Very popular for a reason. Suzuki may have the edge as it has the gear indicator. Not an essential item but does give you a bit of confidence. All my sons rode one for 12 months or so. Easy to buy and sell again and hard to break when you drop it with the exception of indicators. Will easily do 100 kph when you are ready and relatively easy to fix when you forget to put oil in.

Just my thoughts and enjoy the ride, whatever you end up with.

**Tigadee** · 27th October 2011, 08:58

Congrats!

Originally Posted by HalfAKiwi

I also liked the seating position on the Scorpio and CBF, so I wouldn't want anything where I'm lying flat on the tank

Considering your height and preferences, a Road-type (e.g. Scorpio) and Cruiser-type bike would suit you because of the low seat height and sitting posture.

You can try virtual configurations of various bikes you're interested in using this web site:
http://cycle-ergo.com/

You can select the Scorpio or CBF as a base and then choose subsequent bikes to compare with. Sport bikes typically have a knee angle of 70 degrees or less, and cruisers have a knee angle of 90 degrees or more. The Scorpio has a neutral knee angle of 80 degrees, which I find very comfortable.

**5150** · 27th October 2011, 09:17

Originally Posted by nodrog

A GSXR thou would be ideal.

Just disconnect 3 cylinders. Yes?

**Spearfish** · 27th October 2011, 10:15

Originally Posted by Tigadee

http://cycle-ergo.com/

Thanks for the link.

**HalfAKiwi** · 27th October 2011, 10:28

Thanks for all your input so far, and thanks for the link, that really is useful!

I think I want 'more' bike than a Suzuki GN250, if you know what I mean. My bike-nut fiance reckons I was pretty quick in picking it up

so I do want a bike that I will be happy with for a while.

Anyone any comments on a Bandit 250?

Also looked at a Honda VTR250 or a Hyosung GT250 on tradme...?

**Grasshopperus** · 27th October 2011, 19:42

Try a VTR250 or a Hornet250, they fit the bill quite nicely for you. The vtr is a 2-cylinder the hornet is a 4. Try 'em both.

**DR650gary** · 28th October 2011, 08:04

Originally Posted by HalfAKiwi

Thanks for all your input so far, and thanks for the link, that really is useful!

I think I want 'more' bike than a Suzuki GN250, if you know what I mean. My bike-nut fiance reckons I was pretty quick in picking it up

so I do want a bike that I will be happy with for a while.

Anyone any comments on a Bandit 250?

Also looked at a Honda VTR250 or a Hyosung GT250 on tradme...?

My wife was also very quick at getting there and even managed to get onto bigger bikes before her time. She now rides her Cagiva Raptor confidently.

Like you, she is small and foot/ground touching is vital. Most modern bikes can be lowered very easily if they have a dog bone or triangle type setup at the bottom of the shock. The ER6 series of Kawasaki is difficult and requires a new shock so could be expensive.

On my way up Ngauranga Gorge yesterday a Suzuki Boulevard 250 flew past me so speed is obviously not a problem and up hill.

You may not like the cruiser style, neither do I, but it is just a first bike so get the best bike your budget will allow that makes you feel confident. You can sell and move on the popular bikes fairly quickly when you want to change. If you see one that you like, google it with "lowering kit" added to the name and you will see if there are lowering systems available. If it has dogbones at the bottom, you will be able to find someone who will be able to do the job for you.

Cheers

**Old Steve** · 28th October 2011, 20:00

Originally Posted by HalfAKiwi

Also looked at a Honda VTR250 or a Hyosung GT250 on tradme...?

I'm only 5' 7" with a limited inside leg measurement. A mate has just bought a Hyosung Comet - similar to the GT250. I have trouble touching the ground on it.

I ride a Hyosung GV250 learner cruiser, this is very similar to a Suzuki Intruder 250 mentioned above. Great low centre of gravity, low seat so you can get your feet flat on the ground, will cruise at up to 120 km/hr (130 km/hr on a slight downhill with a following breeze), 350 km on a tank before the reserve once you start to push it (over 400 km on a tank while you're learning).

Get around the bike shops and sit on as many bikes as you can, that way you'll eliminate those models which don't suit you. When I did the RoadSafe course here in Tauranga there was a girl who was probably only 5' 5" give or take a couple of inches, and she was riding a Suzuki Intruder and she looked good. The Intruder and Hyosung GV250 are big looking bikes too so should be more visible out on the road.

**Hellzie** · 28th October 2011, 20:13

I have a honda hornet 250, and I highly recommend you get one, they are awesome! Its very forgiving while you're learning, and fast enough and very maneuverable when you gat a bit more confident! I don't feel like I've grown out of it yet and I've been riding about a year... Not long in the scheme of things but it has been a pretty steep learning curve so far, and the hornet has been perfect the whole time so far!

Have fun with whatever bike you end up getting! Enjoy and welcome!

**English Kiwi** · 28th October 2011, 20:26

Originally Posted by HalfAKiwi

Hi everyone,

I've been a silent follower of this forum for a while but have now finally registered aswell and hope you can help me.

I've just passed my BHS

and am currently studying the rode code, I'm planning on having my learners by next week.

I learnt to ride (in a park) on a Honda CBF250 and did my BHS on a Yamaha Scorpio 225.

I'm now looking at getting my own bike but don't quite know which one.
I liked the CBF, but couldn't stand the Scorpio.
I don't want anything smaller than a 250.
I like the look of naked bikes.
I don't want a dirt bike or a plastic fantastic bike.
I'm female and quite small at 5.4 so I'd need a small or low bike so I can still touch the ground with more than just tippietoes

Is a two cylinder better than a four?

I have taken the CBF up to 80km/h

on an empty back road and am fairly confident in taking off and stuff. Funnily enough I stalled the Scorpio at my BHS test around 8 times and the CBF when I learnt how to ride only like twice or so

I also liked the seating position on the Scorpio and CBF, so I wouldn't want anything where I'm lying flat on the tank

I've been looking at a Suzuki Bandit 250, what do you guys think?
What other bikes could suit me?

Cheers!

Well done indeed on passing

Originally Posted by Newbi

Well done on passing ya BHS, and good luck with the theory test, its pretty easy, just practise the tests online. I only recently got my 6L too. I ride a Suzuki Intruder 250, I love it, but cruiser style bikes may not be your style. I like it cos I am also a chick and shorter than you and I can get both feet down which is what I definately wanted. You will get plenty of advice from the "guru's" on here hahaha. But on a serious note heaps of it is really useful.

I'm with Newbie on this one...I learnt on an Intruder 250 and they are a great bike, easy to ride and a low seat height makes things better. I had this for about 1yr, once I got confident enough I up graded to a 250 ninja, which I can just get my toes down on. I'm only around 5"4 as well so was a good step up

Originally Posted by HalfAKiwi

Also looked at a Honda VTR250 or a Hyosung GT250 on tradme...?

I wasn't a fan of the Hyosungs and their seat height is a bit higher than a Ninja...but either way I recommend an Intruder or Ninja

Good luck with your search and keep us informed

**tigertim20** · 28th October 2011, 20:34

VT250
VTR250
SR250
CBF if you like it
gt250 hyosung
Hornet
baby virago

Lots of options. Id steer away from GN's. I never understood the appeal, they're fuckin shit, theyre ugly, theyre gutless, and IMO, useless altogether, unless your sole use is non motorway commuting. plenty of way better bikes out there.

Only you can decide what feels comfortable and safe for you. Go and browse the second hand bikes for sale, and go take a few for a test ride. We can only give our opinions, and only you can decide which opinions you share.

test riding lots of bikes is half the fun anyway!