I'm back!

**MystikEagle** · 30th September 2012, 20:22

Hey everyone! I am back online again and getting back into bikes again after a very long break! Thought I would re-introduce myself here again, hope thats ok...?
So, a little about me. My name is Laura, I live in Cambridge, Waikato and am a dairy farmer. I have my learner licence but havn't ridden a road bike since I got it

I am very keen to find a nice bike to learn on (no GN250!) and finish getting my licence. Currently riding a two wheel farm bike at work so not quite a complete newby

Anyway, I look forward to any replies

**sootie** · 30th September 2012, 20:42

Originally Posted by MystikEagle

Hey everyone! I am back online again and getting back into bikes again after a very long break! Thought I would re-introduce myself here again, hope thats ok...?
So, a little about me. My name is Laura, I live in Cambridge, Waikato and am a dairy farmer. I have my learner licence but havn't ridden a road bike since I got it

I am very keen to find a nice bike to learn on (no GN250!) and finish getting my licence. Currently riding a two wheel farm bike at work so not quite a complete newby

Anyway, I look forward to any replies

Hi there. From my experiences of riding around farms on farm bikes, this is not bad riding experience at all!
You certainly learn how to stay sunny side up on rough territory.
All you have to do now is add some road experience ie learn how to stay alive when the cagers are out to get you.
Good luck with that. I am afraid I am not the person to advise you on a suitable bike to buy!

**MystikEagle** · 1st October 2012, 08:46

Originally Posted by sootie

Hi there. From my experiences of riding around farms on farm bikes, this is not bad riding experience at all!
You certainly learn how to stay sunny side up on rough territory.
All you have to do now is add some road experience ie learn how to stay alive when the cagers are out to get you.
Good luck with that. I am afraid I am not the person to advise you on a suitable bike to buy!

Thanks for your reply!
The part I have found to be of the best experience is following the cows up the lane. Riding at very slow speeds over rutted ground is great for getting your balance sorted

**oneofsix** · 1st October 2012, 10:01

Today is the 1st of October

So what you say well it means you are now under LAMS so you have a wider range of bikes to choose from and are no longer restricted to the 250s. Nothing wrong with the GN250 I learnt on one, oh hold maybe that isn't a good recommendation .

Anyhow welcome to the mad house. I am sure following a line of cows up a farm road gets your slow speed skills and balance sorted, especially if you don't want to get covered in muck. But the road is bound to be a different kettle of fish, the shit on tar causes different issues for a start

and then there is the traffic.

**Maha** · 1st October 2012, 10:58

Really depends on what style of bike you think you will end up with Laura...
Cruiser/sports/a more upright naked style/Tourer etc?
You can move onto any style of bike after a GN, it really does cater it all.
But, if you already know what style of bike you will end riding, then, choose a smaller cc one of them.

**MystikEagle** · 1st October 2012, 18:14

I know that a GN250 would be a great place to start. They are cheap, there's enough of them about to make parts cheap and easy to source, but I just don't like the look of them. I have heard that there is another bike that uses the same running gear though???
I like the cruiser style but might broaden my horizons a little and look at a few of the more upright sports bikes. I don't want anything too sporty though, the riding position is too hard on my back

**bogan** · 1st October 2012, 18:22

Originally Posted by MystikEagle

Thanks for your reply!
The part I have found to be of the best experience is following the cows up the lane. Riding at very slow speeds over rutted ground is great for getting your balance sorted

and when you get bored of that, lift the front wheel and split though the mob

Oneofsix and Maha make good points about the bike choice. If you're new and don't really know what style, naked bikes like the honda CB range are nice and neutral to start on and figure out where to go from there. Quite a few decent sized CBs on the learner list too.

**Sable** · 1st October 2012, 18:24

Originally Posted by MystikEagle

Thanks for your reply!
Riding at very slow speeds over rutted ground

I'll show YOU rutted

**Old Steve** · 1st October 2012, 20:14

Don't overlook the Yamaha Scorpio, 225 cc of versatility. Part everything.

If you want a cruiser I recommend the Suzuki Intruder 250 and it's Korean lookalike the Hyosung GV250 or the Suzuki Marauder 250.

**Akzle** · 2nd October 2012, 19:57

don't worry. the best of us started on dirt chasing ruminators.

(got a gsx750 if you want some practice...)

**MystikEagle** · 3rd October 2012, 16:21

Originally Posted by Old Steve

Don't overlook the Yamaha Scorpio, 225 cc of versatility. Part everything.

If you want a cruiser I recommend the Suzuki Intruder 250 and it's Korean lookalike the Hyosung GV250 or the Suzuki Marauder 250.

Thanks for that. I have been looking at the Marauder, seems like a nice bike

There is actually one on TM at the moment that I was thinking of going to look at...

**cave weta** · 4th October 2012, 15:55

Come over to the Dark side Laura..... we do stoppies!

Lula- Luana Payne -Motorcycle Trader Magazine will tell you all about her Suzuki DRZ400sm if you ask! and I believe that they are on the LAMs list!

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**FJRider** · 4th October 2012, 16:20

Originally Posted by MystikEagle

Thanks for your reply!
The part I have found to be of the best experience is following the cows up the lane. Riding at very slow speeds over rutted ground is great for getting your balance sorted

And you develop an ability to change lines quickly ....