It's time to get a bike!

**mossy1200** · 7th August 2012, 22:30

Originally Posted by BigAl

That Vtr looks very good buying for the price, you'd want to get any bike checked out by a dealer preferably.

My guess at the figure vtr will reach is $2200 to $2400. Its still got 11 days to go but they are a good bike.
The ex ninja 2cylinder is the best buy but could be above budget but im thinking a $3850 offer is a good place to start offering money on that.
The Hornets could be talked down to 2600 odd and are good value at that. Alot less risk than a 45hp boy raced abused older bike for the same figure dollar wise.

The other good thing with all of these is you dont feel the pressure to show off simply because they are cool bikes at moderate speeds unlike the cbrs,zxrs rgvs and so on that sing out if your not racing it your not really riding it.

I had a rg250 for 3 months and then a rg400 and im lucky to not be a statistic. Getting a bike that you enjoy without going fast is a good idea but so is picking one that will ride where you want to take it without working hard to do it.

Really if you want to ride a track later get a dedicated bike for doing it. Drop your road bike and it may be beyond repair very easily. Get a bucket racer or a cheap 400cc race bike when you can do it with cash later.

**darkwolf** · 7th August 2012, 22:31

I've got a VTR250 and a ZX6R. I still alternate between the two purely because the VTR is so good in traffic, not having to worry about fairings is a big bonus too and I'd be lying if I said I had learned all I could on that bike. I still find new things to work on.

I did 2,626KM in a week around the South Island in Feb this year on the VTR. I then took it to a training day at Ruapuna and overtook a few bigger bikes (actually, the ZX6R was one of my victims coming outta the carousel, before I'd even dreamed of owning the ZX). The VTR isn't lacking in power or handling that's for certain.

I only found the VTR wanting in a headwind when trying to overtake in 100KPH zones but then I was 105KG at the time.

**zique** · 9th August 2012, 10:51

Originally Posted by ducatilover

The Ninja 250 is only a 33hp twin. So don't worry about it being over the top or anything.
Plastics cost a lot if smashed, but nobody says you have to drop it

I would take a look at the red Hornet and the Black one.
The red Hornet has had good $$ spent on quality tyres, this is always nice to see.
Kms aren't a huge issue with these, I've seen many go past 100,000km with regular servicing.

VTRs perform around as well as a Ninja 250 (EX250), I can attest to the longevity of those motors, I had the Spada which was higher powered and 6 speed, but the same basic engine, I got it with 26km on the clock and sold it at 154,000 or thereabouts. Only issue it had was the fuel tap shat out, other than that it was just routine service work

I'd be asking for someone to check both Hornets over (the red one's prettier

)

I'm not so sure about the overall running costs of a Hornet vs an EX250 though?

That Ninja sure looked good but the last thing I'd want is buying new plastic.
I never thought to think of little things like that aye but chances are,I would drop the bike sometime and having a scratch on my nice bike is something I'd dislike.

I've had a day to think about things and that red hornet is on the top of my list now

And not having to worry about plastics or something,if dropped!
Plus the riding position,I think with the hornet,it would be better for my lower back.And later on with more confidence and my full,I'll get a much better bike.Possibly a RVF400R

I'm on my days off so I might go into Red Baron tomorrow or the day after to look at their bikes and have a sit on them,if I am allowed.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=500940992

Btw with that hornet,can anyone possibly guess what is up with the gauge cluster?As I just saw a comment on it by someone in the comments section and that got me wondering.

**Glowerss** · 9th August 2012, 11:13

Originally Posted by zique

That Ninja sure looked good but the last thing I'd want is buying new plastic.
I never thought to think of little things like that aye but chances are,I would drop the bike sometime and having a scratch on my nice bike is something I'd dislike.

I've had a day to think about things and that red hornet is on the top of my list now

And not having to worry about plastics or something,if dropped!
Plus the riding position,I think with the hornet,it would be better for my lower back.And later on with more confidence and my full,I'll get a much better bike.Possibly a RVF400R

I'm on my days off so I might go into Red Baron tomorrow or the day after to look at their bikes and have a sit on them,if I am allowed.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=500940992

Btw with that hornet,can anyone possibly guess what is up with the gauge cluster?As I just saw a comment on it by someone in the comments section and that got me wondering.

I'm no Hornet expert, but it looks like a standard speedo cluster to me. A lot of em are white background rather then black, but aside from that it looks fairly normal.

I wouldn't worry about the whole plastics and dropping it thing. If you have a stationary drop, the damage to plastics is minimal and unlikely to drop your value much. Particularly things like the ninjas which people sort of expect to have noobie badges of honor. If you're going to drop it at speed, the difference between scratching up fairings and banging up my engine casings

I'd take the fairings any day.

Though as Katman would say if he hasn't already, it's better to just not drop the bike

End of the day, buy whichever gives you the biggest woodie

**ducatilover** · 9th August 2012, 13:39

That's not a Hornet speedo/tach.
The Hornet redlines at 16k, but if it works, who cares? I still doubt you'll do much better than a Hornet for the money
I know of a Bandit 250 that'll be coming up for sale soon, could be had under $3k. It's tidy and has recently had a top end rebuild, overhauled carbs and new tyres

**zique** · 9th August 2012, 17:51

Having the wrong tacho won't affect resale? Because I would plan to sell the hornet later on to buy something better.

**Katman** · 9th August 2012, 19:29

Originally Posted by Glowerss

Though as Katman would say if he hasn't already, it's better to just not drop the bike.

Exactly.

There's such a thing as learning at a rate that makes dropping the bike unlikely.

Crashing is not compulsory.

**Subike** · 9th August 2012, 19:41

Originally Posted by Katman

Exactly.

There's such a thing as learning at a rate that makes dropping the bike unlikely.

Crashing is not compulsory.

I have to agree here too
riding within your limits as you learn.
might take a bit longer, but by taking your time, one day you will ride a road and realize, ""gee that was quicker.""
you could not run when you learn t to walk, running came without thought, but after lots of walking practice
Same goes for your riding skills, they will come with lots of practice, then you will find yourself "running" with ease and confidence.

**The_Duke** · 9th August 2012, 20:35

+2

Katman & Subike are onto it.

I ride a VT250 as my commuter and it's awesome. Your new list looks all good.

Not sure why Grantman's chipping in with track advice for a guy who's never ridden before...

**SMOKEU** · 9th August 2012, 20:38

I had a great time on my MC19 CBR250R that I used to own. They're nearly bullet proof, and prices are likely to drop even more with the LAMS regulations. They are getting pretty old now though so need a bit more maintenance than the more modern bikes.

**neels** · 9th August 2012, 20:50

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

I had a great time on my MC19 CBR250R that I used to own. They're nearly bullet proof, and prices are likely to drop even more with the LAMS regulations. They are getting pretty old now though so need a bit more maintenance than the more modern bikes.

And most of them have been repeatedly raped by people like SMOKEU

**zique** · 9th August 2012, 21:55

Originally Posted by Subike

I have to agree here too
riding within your limits as you learn.
might take a bit longer, but by taking your time, one day you will ride a road and realize, ""gee that was quicker.""
you could not run when you learn t to walk, running came without thought, but after lots of walking practice
Same goes for your riding skills, they will come with lots of practice, then you will find yourself "running" with ease and confidence.

Nice way of putting it

I plan to spend as much time as I can practicing.Can't wait to be a real deal motorcycle rider haha.
As much as I wanted one,CBRs are a no-no for now.I think it's better I start with something more simple,easier and forgiving than upgrade when my skills are much better.

**nzmikey** · 9th August 2012, 22:07

I rode 22,000 in 12mths , it has been all over the north island from Waimamaku in Northland to Wellington in the south .

She aint missed a beat & as someone said further up ... as long as they are serviced regularly ( done every 5,000 ) they will last for many 1000's of kms .

So in short enjoy the 250 & learn . With experience comes wisdom . With Skill Comes Confidence ( just dont get it the other way around )