Best bike for newbie with money no barrier?

[mrcamel]

Hi all

Ok so i have always wanted to own a bike but have yet to ride even one and know next to nithing about them.
Stats:
Im 174cm tall, 80kg, can drive manual cars easy and push bikes no issues.
Looking for:
Commute to central auckland from Orewa
Sporty looks

Random points:
Im worried about dropping and damaging the bike so maybe should look for something light?
Money is no issue (up to say $10k)
I have read about the Honda cbr250r and ninja 250 and read that having ABS is safer so maybe a bike with that?
Also given zero technical knowledge i read having newer fuel injection systems are easier to start and don't have to worry about a 'choke' or revving for a bit....prefer something that is v easy maintenance so maybe again a newer bike like the cbr250r??
Given i want to use it on the motorway im thinking at least 250cc?
Lastly, i know its not doing it justice and i need to go physically look but watching some online videos of the cbr250r i thought the engine sounded really lame like a scooter?!?! So want something with a decent growl but dont want a death bike either!!!

Yes of course i intend to get an intro session somewhereandwill go check some showrooms but keen to get advice on some shortlists....

Thanks!

[mossy1200]

If money was no issue idd get a ducati monster 2012 lams but thats 17k

At 10k idd pick a ninja 300 . I think new at 9700

Find a one year old one for less is a option.

2nd hand idd pick a Honda revere 650 between 3 and 4 k

[caspernz]

Start with this beauty maybe?

http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/BikeModel/432/pcx150

That's once you've done your 6L of course...

[Subike]

Start with this beauty maybe?

http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/BikeModel/432/pcx150

That's once you've done your 6L of course...

Agree with this completely, get your 6L and onto one of these for 6 mths, learn how to ride a bike, it has nothing in common with a car apart from the road rules.....that is if you want to stay alive with no boken bones or scars for more than a few years

[mossy1200]

Agree with this completely, get your 6L and onto one of these for 6 mths, learn how to ride a bike, it has nothing in common with a car apart from the road rules.....that is if you want to stay alive with no boken bones or scars for more than a few years

Its a scooter....

I started on a rg400f 2 smoker.
I dont think people who know the road rules gain anything by riding a scooter in the way of motorcycle handling skills.

[caspernz]

Its a scooter....

I started on a rg400f 2 smoker.
I dont think people who know the road rules gain anything by riding a scooter in the way of motorcycle handling skills.

There's merit in that as well...but someone who owns up to being mechanically inept completely...a scooter is a good starting point, even if it's a 400. Try a Burgman 400 and it's more lively than a GN250

The mighty GN250 was my learner bike

[Subike]

There's merit in that as well...but someone who owns up to being mechanically inept completely...a scooter is a good starting point, even if it's a 400. Try a Burgman 400 and it's more lively than a GN250

The mighty GN250 was my learner bike

gee you were lucky , my learner bike was a suzuki AC50.

[Jantar]

Hi all

Ok so i have always wanted to own a bike but have yet to ride even one and know next to nithing about them.
Stats:
Im 174cm tall, 80kg, can drive manual cars easy and push bikes no issues.
Looking for:
Commute to central auckland from Orewa
Sporty looks

Random points:
Im worried about dropping and damaging the bike so maybe should look for something light?
Money is no issue (up to say $10k)
I have read about the Honda cbr250r and ninja 250 and read that having ABS is safer so maybe a bike with that?
Also given zero technical knowledge i read having newer fuel injection systems are easier to start and don't have to worry about a 'choke' or revving for a bit....prefer something that is v easy maintenance so maybe again a newer bike like the cbr250r??
Given i want to use it on the motorway im thinking at least 250cc?
Lastly, i know its not doing it justice and i need to go physically look but watching some online videos of the cbr250r i thought the engine sounded really lame like a scooter?!?! So want something with a decent growl but dont want a death bike either!!!

Yes of course i intend to get an intro session somewhereandwill go check some showrooms but keen to get advice on some shortlists....

Thanks!

From your description I think you would be happiest with a CB250r. Personally, it would be my first choice for a complete learner, but it certainly ticks all your boxes.

Generally I would advise a naked bike like a GN250 or a Scorpio for the first 6 months, then by the CB250r or perhaps a GS500F.
Modern bikes don't really need FI, as modern carbs are pretty reliable. Also I wouldn't worry about ABS until you are a very profficient rider.

[caspernz]

gee you were lucky , my learner bike was a suzuki AC50.

Nope, not lucky at all. It involved a lot of work...and funnily enough the GN250 was more fun than the XZ400 that followed

[neels]

If your have a decent budget and want something that looks good and sounds good, without having to thrash it to get anywhere, get yourself a ducati monster 400.

[nzspokes]

Get a Busa.

[Akzle]

Start with this beauty maybe?

]http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz...

you be trollin...

If money was no issue idd get a ducati monster 2012 lams but thats 17k

At 10k idd pick a ninja 300 . I think new at 9700

Find a one year old one for less is a option.

+1.

Get a Busa.

*TLR thou.

[haydes55]

Try a motard like a drz400sm or Klx250 they look sporty in a weird way, a shit load lighter than most other bikes, single bangers so cheaper maintenance.

[Glowerss]

From your description I think you would be happiest with a CB250r. Personally, it would be my first choice for a complete learner, but it certainly ticks all your boxes.

Generally I would advise a naked bike like a GN250 or a Scorpio for the first 6 months, then by the CB250r or perhaps a GS500F.
Modern bikes don't really need FI, as modern carbs are pretty reliable. Also I wouldn't worry about ABS until you are a very profficient rider.

+1 on the ginny/scorpio. Buy a cheap shitty bike first, learn how to both ride it and fix it, then after you feel comfortable with either of these buy a GS500f for half the price of anything you can get new, and it'll be twice as good.

[Akzle]

Im worried about dropping and damaging the bike so maybe should look for something light?

Try a motard...a shit load lighter than most other bikes, single bangers so cheaper maintenance.

*two bangs, single cylinders. - fine bikes, sometimes fussy and explode spectacularly, not the best to do yer lernin' on.

1- "something light" has little to do with "dropping and damaging" - all bikes are "light" if you're going forward fast enough

what you MAY be looking for, OP, is a "naked" or "streetfighter" or "dual purpose" type bike
(although motard is def. an option, i'd not reccomend them as either first, or typical road-use bike, being that's nots whats theys were designed for)
fairings, being the expensive plastic bits that you'll break /off when you put it down...

2- ABS is no compensation for riding like a dick. i don't even approve of it in cars.
learn to ride well and it's almost redundant. (it should be a tool in a good riders kit, not technology to be relied on to save you from your own stupidity - as it has become)

3- get some technical knowledge. chokes and carbs are awesome, and (usually) fixable roadside. anything that needs a USB port and thousands-dollars technical shit to program/diagnose is not ideal, and they'll charge you heaps $$ to do it at the shop. better to buy cheaper bike with easier to fix technology and spend the remainder of your money on beer and bitches.

4- most of todays 250s, particularly the fours, are suitable for motorway speeds. with LAMS you are not limited to 250. you're not particularly big, so 250 shouldn't be a problem, though.

suggest first port of call is to sit on some bikes, see how easy it is, how they feel. then lern to ride. then ride some bikes, see how they feel.
your first bike is not your last bike, you may be better advised to do your time on a 2k$ bike, spend more $ on gear, and upgrade once you've got some saddle time.

spending 10k$ on your fist bike to lowside it through an intersection... your choice
i'd love you to find one of the Duc 659s too.