How do I start?

**Akzle** · 10th May 2012, 18:31

ahh good on ya young buddy. welcome to the two-wheeled brethren.

1-keep in mind what's between your ar5e and the pavement is important, regardless of what bike you're on.

2-a 200$ helmet serves the same purpose as a 900$ one, just sans-bluetooth.

3-as i understand they're changing L condition to reflect power-weight which means you could be elegible for some 400s etc, and not elegible for an rs250.

4-last time i checked you don't have to sit a learners bike prac test -
it's the car scratch and win, a specialist bike scratch and win, and you present your basic handlers cert, get your mug shot and autograph taken... so the court knows where to send the fines.

5- any first bike is a good bike. (except a GN250 >< )
personally i'm old school, and prefer older technology that's easier and cheaper to fix if you're handy. my first bike was a gpz250r (ninja) 1988. i miss it.
i'm not a sportbiker by nature, i learned to ride on the farm so i prefer a more upright riding position and throw the bike around underneath me, rather than the "one-ness" required for a sports.

if you have mates who ride then take them for a hoon, (the bikes. not your mates) if not, get some.
no-one else can tell you what you'll like and/or feel comfortable and safe on and there's no point getting a bike you're unhappy with cos someone else thought it was the shiz, then you fell off and break yourself.

sum up:
get gear first: Helmet + GLOVES (minimum requirements by sanity and legislation), jacket, pants, boots, in that order.
test ride a few bikes and work out what you like/dislike about each
buy a bike you feel comfortable on and develop skills, handling, technique,
hook up with other local riders
get another bike, then another.
buy a bigger garage to fit your bikes in.
buy more bikes.
--ENJOY

**tnarg** · 10th May 2012, 18:44

You can buy mine. Will do you a good deal. Asking less than $2000 and will throw in some boots.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1130315341

**Fast Eddie** · 10th May 2012, 18:46

thats pretty mint ^^

does it go, yut UGGGGHHHH?

**Retep5** · 10th May 2012, 20:05

Here's my 2 cents worth or is it 10 now.

I have just been on my learners for the last 6 months.
I didn't know anyone with a bike let along that would let me near it.
So I ended up going and finding someone that gave lessons.
I picked it up in the first 40 mins and did my test right there and then.
But I have been riding push bikes since I was five so balance is reasonable.
So I would recommend if you have no biker mates try to find someone that does some learner courses. Then do your course and go bike hunting/trying.
O and get some gear you don't need the latest greatest but new helmet and textiles will do to start with.
Also welcome to 2 wheels it's an awesome experience.

**dogsnbikes** · 10th May 2012, 20:10

Or there is this certainly own by a carefull owner

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1130319514

**Oakie** · 10th May 2012, 20:15

Mmm. My humble opinion ... of the bikes offered so far on this thread, the Kawasaki 250 would be my pick. Nothing wrong with the others at all but that's a pretty new bike for not many dollars. For an easy bike to ride, the GN250 would be it. Scorpio is a pretty decent learner too.

**Glowerss** · 10th May 2012, 20:23

That red ninja that was posted is mint. Otherwise, you can get a really good scorpio for around the 2k mark. They're much better built (imho) then the chinese built GN 250s and heaps more fun as well. So long as youre not a fatass like me, a Scorpio is a fantastic little bike to learn and start out on. That would get you along until LAMS comes in no problem. And considering you can pick them up brand new for 4k, and 2-3 years old for 2, you won't lose any money on the thing either.

**Tigadee** · 10th May 2012, 20:52

I reckon helmet, gloves and boots are the absolute minimum, followed by jacket and pants [armoured].

Considering how much our lives depend on gadgets and other devices/activities that requires constant use of our hands and fingers, a well-armoured pair of gloves is as essential as a helmet.

After my little footsie-with-the-bike incident last week and limping around like a dork for the last 6 days, I think a very good pair of boots are also essential, because the well-armoured and reinforced variety will prevent you being off your feet for an inconvenient amount of time.

Any part of your body that has small bones [i.e. hands and feet, spine, etc] should have extra protection. Jacket and pants are obvious so I won't mention them... My 2 cents.

Tnarg - That's a nice lookling Bandit. Like the white...

**CookMySock** · 11th May 2012, 11:22

Originally Posted by thekingpin

What would be the best buy for me with $1900? Reliability and Petrol Costs are my top priority.

You MIGHT get a tidy 2003 Comet for that, but more like $2500 perhaps. They are easy on gas (350km on 16L), modern enough to not have bits rotting off them, and enough km's on it to be well-sorted.

**Mplant** · 11th May 2012, 21:24

I'm also looking for a bike and came across this one and would like your thoughts about it http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-473795091.htm

I want be able to do long distances comfortable and it has to be reliable because it will be used every day.

I think its just a bit to cheap? And its al the way over in Wellington.. quite a distance
Or just go for the kawa balius or the other Auckland based kawa?

**Nzpure** · 11th May 2012, 23:35

Buy a CX500 awesome bike reliable as all buggery got enuogh guts to go on big trips great commuter bikes. Just wait till october. Then when your done buy a busa and do skids and powerslides (powerslides are ok a Fast Eddie?) and massive wheelies!

**GrayWolf** · 16th May 2012, 12:26

Originally Posted by Akzle

ahh good on ya young buddy. welcome to the two-wheeled brethren.

1-keep in mind what's between your ar5e and the pavement is important, regardless of what bike you're on.
AGREED, the gear IS as imprtant , not just for protection in the even tof, but also from the elements, cold, wind etc. AND all gear is not equal, buy cheap? expect cheap performance. There is a reason besides price a jacket costs from $150 to over $500

2-a 200$ helmet serves the same purpose as a 900$ one, just sans-bluetooth.
BOLLOX...... google the SHARP helmet testing website and look at the performance of various helmets.
A $200 helmet will meet the required MINIMUM safety requirement... the MINIMUM...... however there ARE also some bloody good bargains to be found with careful research and shopping around. Old stock helmets/gear being offed at reduced prices are always worth a serious look.

3-as i understand they're changing L condition to reflect power-weight which means you could be elegible for some 400s etc, and not elegible for an rs250.

4-last time i checked you don't have to sit a learners bike prac test -
it's the car scratch and win, a specialist bike scratch and win, and you present your basic handlers cert, get your mug shot and autograph taken... so the court knows where to send the fines.

5- any first bike is a good bike. (except a GN250 >< )
personally i'm old school, and prefer older technology that's easier and cheaper to fix if you're handy. my first bike was a gpz250r (ninja) 1988. i miss it.
i'm not a sportbiker by nature, i learned to ride on the farm so i prefer a more upright riding position and throw the bike around underneath me, rather than the "one-ness" required for a sports.
HUH?? You cant GET any more 'old school' than a GN250, SR250, Scorpio etc.
Yes GN's are slow and 'low powered' but they are also extremely forgiving, reliable of oil changes etc have been done correctly AND have been seen to rack up some serious K's over the years and still chug along. Also economical, cheap to service (single banger)... which is also a consideration you need to look at, 4 cylinder bikes are simply more expensive to service. A good option is a V or parallel twin.

if you have mates who ride then take them for a hoon, (the bikes. not your mates) if not, get some.
no-one else can tell you what you'll like and/or feel comfortable and safe on and there's no point getting a bike you're unhappy with cos someone else thought it was the shiz, then you fell off and break yourself.
I would have to agree with that, the 'Shizzz'?/ CBR250RR thrashed to fuck every day, etc etc is so often called the shizzzz. It and its similar 250 sprot bikes are high revving FRAGILE machines and WILL in the end require a huge rebuild. or just go bang. Up to you if you want to take the risk with a 20yr old bike with a series of Looney plater owners before you.

sum up:
get gear first: Helmet + GLOVES (minimum requirements by sanity and legislation), jacket, pants, boots, in that order.
test ride a few bikes and work out what you like/dislike about each
buy a bike you feel comfortable on and develop skills, handling, technique,
hook up with other local riders
get another bike, then another.
buy a bigger garage to fit your bikes in.
buy more bikes.
--ENJOY

Good luck, and enjoy once you have selected your machine and are on the road

**The Pastor** · 16th May 2012, 12:40

get a bike that you dont mind dropping, as most people drop, fall off or crash their 1st bike. A gn250 is good for this.

Keep it then sell it once you can ride and get a nice bike.

**Fast Eddie** · 10th June 2012, 14:23

Originally Posted by Nzpure

Buy a CX500 awesome bike reliable as all buggery got enuogh guts to go on big trips great commuter bikes. Just wait till october. Then when your done buy a busa and do skids and powerslides (powerslides are ok a Fast Eddie?) and massive wheelies!

haha yea but you need special sprockets n shit to do skids n doughnuts..

make sure when you wheelie that you like.. YUT uuuuuggggh!