Just got my Learners and want a 250cc bike. Help please?

[Alexofbbulgaria]

I'd say you've got yourself a neat deal mate, I payed $660 for mine and it's an '88, I'm completely rebuilding the engine and have restored/modified the rest. It'll also owe me well under $1500 though
Check out my thread http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ant-small-bike
I know these things inside and out, so I'm more than happy to send you info
I'll also find the link to the owners manual I uploaded

thanks so much, yer i am bound to have a few questions when im stuck into it. I thought it was pretty neat, an 07 for 500 and I could ride it all gears worked and felt fine. Now just to start saving more money to fix it up

[ducatilover]

They're super simple machines, the perfect bike to learn the basics of everything on

[neels]

I am willing to spend the 500 plus upto 500 more fixing it. Do you really feel that an 07 bike with lapsed rego nearly 2 years ago has too much work needed?

Given that you'd probably be paying at least $2k for a legal GN, I'd say you've done pretty well. The actual fee for the inspection is not too expensive, most of the rest is the normal rego fee that on most bikes you'll end up paying pretty soon after buying anyway, not many people sell a bike with more than a month or two rego on it.

The reregistration inspection is mostly about making sure there is no structural damage or modifications, that it has all of the equipment it should have and nothing it shouldn't, and that it's roadworthy. If it's just been parked for a few years and everything works, you shouldn't have any issues.

[GrayWolf]

Hey guys so I've been thinking about getting my bike licence for a while so I did Basic handling and theory all this week, I am keen to start riding but I don't yet have a bike!!!

I do not know anything about motorbikes to tell you the truth, I have been told that If I wanted a cheap bike my BHS instructor told me not to go below $1,000 as its more trouble than its worth. What I would like to know Is what is a good reliable bike that is not too expensive to get parts for in NZ??

Hi, to be honest you are going to get advice from all directions, ages and 'thought processes' (read intelligence levels)
There are several ways of looking at your requirement, so I'll coma at it from my own direction.
Student= no cash... the more cylinders you have, the more expensive repairs/maintenance.
More cylinders = likely higher fuel consumption.
some older 250 twins are considerably slower CB250N, XS50, Z250, GSX250 (1970-1980's) with acceptable fuel economy and 'ok' performance
Now the venerable GN250, tough as (when dropped) easy to repair/maintain, cheap to run, reliable, BUT bloody slow compared to other 250's. Overall there is a reason the GN is always recommended by many as an ideal learner bike. It's usually the numbnut's who want only 'da schizz' who scoff at them.

I'm afraid to jump for the first thing that I see that is cheap until I have first talked to some experts So if any experts out there could help me out here please tell me about your first bike/bikes and what you recommend and would advise to stay clear of

Stay clear of 'old' high power/performance 250's... regardless of how hard out they are, they are high stressed (15k plus redline on the motor) have invariably been poorly maintained, thrashed to buggery day in day out and WILL sooner than later, become a grenade.

I'm sorry if someone has already asked this I haven't had a thorough look through yet. Thanks in advance everyone, I cant wait to get my first bike and get on the road.

LAM's is coming into force soon. if you can wait till then, now is the ideal time to go shopping for a good 'old' 400. I have seen the odd GSX400, CB400 hawk, even the odd 'new version' XS400 (the old one is ok, but rattly, the new one was almost half an XJ750 motor). These are good old solid reliable bikes that are easy to learn to service yourself. You state in a later post you'll be mostly 50k riding and weekend trips to the girlfriends,,,, sprotbikes are not ideal commuters for riding position. The Ginnny would see you right for your student 'career', but at the cost of low performance. Seriously look at some of the older 400 twin's they are going to be popular soon enough.