Will LAMS kill the 250 bike market?

[mossy1200]

But if he was in NZ, he would still have to suffer the higher registration costs of owning a bike "likely-to-cause-more-accidents-than-a-250-purely-because-it's-a-650-according-to-ACC."

Don't you love that? I know I do...I doubt that they will adjust the ACC levies to be in sync with the LAMs scheme.

Not that I'm endorsing increased ACC levies on motorcyclists either way...

True if anything the levies should become lams and not lams as they now state a aprilia rs is a dangerous bike and some 650s arnt

[ducatilover]

The CBRs are actually priced fairly high on trademe. Quite often NC35 pricing.

Would love a track FZR.

I have a mate who picked up a minter NC29 for $1800 recently, I'd certainly pay that.
The FZR is a hot looking bike, I'd rock one

[jaffaonajappa]

meh- as someone else mentioned.... 'learners' aren't the only people buying small bikes.

Yes, there might be some change in demand for mid size bikes and a drop for demand in small bikes. But hardly think it will kill the 250 market.

Rode around 1,100km's this week. incl a 500km trip on a blardy sport bike. 300km blast on an 1100 sport/tourer. and around 300km on a small under 250 Modern commuter in urban areas. Riding a bigger bike in built-up traffic is painful in comparison to a small bike....and for a tightfisted kiwi with some scottish ancestry (I assume) - is far better value for money.

Ringing the crap out of small bikes, when riding in areas you cannot safely harness a bigger bikes power (due to traffic/loaction etc) = Enjoyable.

[mossy1200]

Ringing the crap out of small bikes, when riding in areas you cannot safely harness a bigger bikes power (due to traffic/loaction etc) = Enjoyable.

Then looks both ways before leaving driveway

[ducatilover]

Riding a bigger bike in built-up traffic is painful in comparison to a small bike....and for a tightfisted kiwi with some scottish ancestry (I assume) - is far better value for money.

Can't say I agree.
My 600 is the perfect bike for what I need, better in traffic than the CB400 was and that was in reality, a brilliant bike. A thousand times nicer on the open road and more stable in the corners.
250s in town? Hmm, personally, I'd like my ZZR600 more. It's not too heavy, comfier, nice position (for me) and bigger brakes. Costs the same as my two 250s' to run too, more or less.
A big twin, or super bike with long gearing = not as good. But an older sport touring bike is great in every situation, except the track. (Unless you're a mad fuck like Drew)

[Grant493]

The older sports 250's will hold their price. without considering rider weight (not sure if they actually do this as it would vary quite a bit) the old 4cyllinder bikes (the cbr/zxr/fzr) will all be outside the power to weight limit. however they are included due to only being a 250. they will become the fastest bike you can ride on your learners as the 2 strokes are excluded. the smaller gn 250's and some of those types may be affected by the increase in choice. i certainly wont go to the realms of 650cc cruisers just to say my bike isnt a 250. also the EX650 isnt approved for learners but a limited version the EX650L is. Don't think the 400 sports bikes will cut it either.

[GrayWolf]

The older sports 250's will hold their price. without considering rider weight (not sure if they actually do this as it would vary quite a bit) the old 4cyllinder bikes (the cbr/zxr/fzr) will all be outside the power to weight limit. however they are included due to only being a 250. they will become the fastest bike you can ride on your learners as the 2 strokes are excluded. the smaller gn 250's and some of those types may be affected by the increase in choice. i certainly wont go to the realms of 650cc cruisers just to say my bike isnt a 250. also the EX650 isnt approved for learners but a limited version the EX650L is. Don't think the 400 sports bikes will cut it either.

What it will open up is the DR650, XT660, F650 and 650 savage style bikes, so learners who commute to work will be able to aquire decent machinery to do so. Having owned an old (twin headlight) 660 tenere' they are not a bad machine to ride, even over a few hundred K's distance. if you get past the 'only as fast as a 250' mentality, they are a lot more relaxed to ride and are likely to last a lot longer before being replaced, which surely is not a bad thing as it enables experience on a good sized bike before considering and upgrade?

[tigertim20]

The older sports 250's will hold their price. without considering rider weight (not sure if they actually do this as it would vary quite a bit) the old 4cyllinder bikes (the cbr/zxr/fzr) will all be outside the power to weight limit. however they are included due to only being a 250. they will become the fastest bike you can ride on your learners as the 2 strokes are excluded. the smaller gn 250's and some of those types may be affected by the increase in choice. i certainly wont go to the realms of 650cc cruisers just to say my bike isnt a 250. also the EX650 isnt approved for learners but a limited version the EX650L is. Don't think the 400 sports bikes will cut it either.

Thats debatable, there a few 650 sized bikes around that will fit the requirements, and will totally outgun the little 250 sports bikes.
I guess we will have to wait a couple years for the changes to sink in and see what happens to the market now

[jaffaonajappa]

Can't say I agree.
My 600 is the perfect bike for what I need, better in traffic than the CB400 was and that was in reality, a brilliant bike. A thousand times nicer on the open road and more stable in the corners.
250s in town? Hmm, personally, I'd like my ZZR600 more. It's not too heavy, comfier, nice position (for me) and bigger brakes. Costs the same as my two 250s' to run too, more or less.
A big twin, or super bike with long gearing = not as good. But an older sport touring bike is great in every situation, except the track. (Unless you're a mad fuck like Drew)

Ride one of the wee modern bikes and be prepared to be surprised !
Sooo light and easy to ride - effortless almost. Insane brakes (even with skinny wheels) as they are so light. (120kg wet). quicker than 90% of cars at the lights...but yeah boy racers will own you ( oh well ). And Im sure its cheaper than a mid sized bike. No reeeel HP to speak of, tyres/chains/sprockets last for 3x. And its averaging 46km per litre of Regular gas bwahahaha. A short blast on the motorway each day, holds 110 to 115km/h up long but moderate inclines, and can manage around 135 if the wind is perfect (ROFL !).

But really....Perhaps this isn't everyones cup of char. But there must be a few others around enjoying smaller bikes...so doubt LAMS will completely kill the 250 market.

[ducatilover]

Ride one of the wee modern bikes and be prepared to be surprised !
Sooo light and easy to ride - effortless almost. Insane brakes (even with skinny wheels) as they are so light. (120kg wet). quicker than 90% of cars at the lights...but yeah boy racers will own you ( oh well ). And Im sure its cheaper than a mid sized bike. No reeeel HP to speak of, tyres/chains/sprockets last for 3x. And its averaging 46km per litre of Regular gas bwahahaha. A short blast on the motorway each day, holds 110 to 115km/h up long but moderate inclines, and can manage around 135 if the wind is perfect (ROFL !).

But really....Perhaps this isn't everyones cup of char. But there must be a few others around enjoying smaller bikes...so doubt LAMS will completely kill the 250 market.

I have ridden the majority of modern 250s, they're poo IMHO.
The only 250 I would really consider buying again would be another VT250 Spada, best all round 250 for me.
I'll take my shitty old 600 any day, as I said, it suits me better.

[GrayWolf]

Ride one of the wee modern bikes and be prepared to be surprised !
Sooo light and easy to ride - effortless almost. Insane brakes (even with skinny wheels) as they are so light. (120kg wet). quicker than 90% of cars at the lights...but yeah boy racers will own you ( oh well ). And Im sure its cheaper than a mid sized bike. No reeeel HP to speak of, tyres/chains/sprockets last for 3x. And its averaging 46km per litre of Regular gas bwahahaha. A short blast on the motorway each day, holds 110 to 115km/h up long but moderate inclines, and can manage around 135 if the wind is perfect (ROFL !).

But really....Perhaps this isn't everyones cup of char. But there must be a few others around enjoying smaller bikes...so doubt LAMS will completely kill the 250 market.

I have ridden the majority of modern 250s, they're poo IMHO.
The only 250 I would really consider buying again would be another VT250 Spada, best all round 250 for me.
I'll take my shitty old 600 any day, as I said, it suits me better.

I'd tend to agree the Spada would be a great all rounder, it's also one of the reasons I have always liked the little ZZR/GPX250.
lane splitting on the Zed (ZZR11) was harder than on the FJ12, which was harder that the XTZ660... the MT? is actually as easy to lane split on as the XTZ, it has an almost 'motard' style seating position and is very manouverable through traffic. "hehehe shitloads of low down grunt helps too"

[Hitcher]

I really hope that LAMs kills the 250 bike market, and hard luck for anybody wanting to sell on that overpriced, seriously old, dubiously maintained, grey imported POS 250 they bought to get them through their 6L and 6R licenses. Hopefully now learner riders will be able to access better specced and more reputable models at reasonable prices.

[Tigadee]

I really hope that LAMs kills the 250 bike market, and hard luck for anybody wanting to sell on that overpriced, seriously old, dubiously maintained, grey imported POS 250 they bought to get them through their 6L and 6R licenses.

OK, but please wait till after I've sold my bikes please....

[tigertim20]

I really hope that LAMs kills the 250 bike market, and hard luck for anybody wanting to sell on that overpriced, seriously old, dubiously maintained, grey imported POS 250 they bought to get them through their 6L and 6R licenses. Hopefully now learner riders will be able to access better specced and more reputable models at reasonable prices.

Amen to that!!

[Tigadee]

I would be very surprised if LAMS is the end of the 250 market.

So if the above-250cc bikes become accessible to learner riders, then the price of above-250cc bikes will go up with demand.

But then that means, in terms of market dynamics, the 250cc bikes may not necessarily come down or if they do, not by much as they will suddenly appear affordable compared to any bike more than 250cc which will become expensive?