Old bikes with high ks I wouldn't go for personally. Without the mechanical know how they can get expensive and annoying very quickly...
♥♡♥ 8==D~ (⊙)(⊙)
Old bikes with high ks I wouldn't go for personally. Without the mechanical know how they can get expensive and annoying very quickly...
Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.
Hardcore Biker
Old inline 4 bikes, you're best avoiding. Basically, if you see one of these, until you know better what you're doing, I wouldn't buy em.
FZR/ZXR/CBR/bandit/gsxr/gsxacross are all best avoided. Some of the naked newer 250s are OK if they've been taken care of. Shit like a Honda Hornet 250 or a Yamaha Zeal will be OK if they've been looked after.
Those Hyosungs, by the way, have some REALLY extreme riding positions. I would go sit on one and decide if you can stand being hunched over first.
In truth, while you're just starting out, I'd recommend http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-556305102.htm . You won't want to keep it forever if you're doing a lot of motorway work, but they're super cheap, cheap as hell to run, can be mended with a hammer and some string, and they're amazing to learn on.
You'd be able to sell it on after a month or two for basically what you paid for it. I bought one for 1800, rode it 3 months while I learned how to ride, and then sold it for $2000.
That'll give you some time to learn what you do and don't like about bikes, and it'll give you a much better idea as to what you really want to grab. It's a cheap way to learn both how to ride and what kind of ride you really want.
Or you might discover riding isn't for you at all
Either way I'd suggest something like a Gn250/scorpio to spend a month or two on learning the basics, that you can buy for next to nothing and flick it off for what ya paid.
Forum whore
Bikes are NOT cheaper to maintain. If they are, you're not looking after them properly. You don't have to replace a car's drive line every 20-50,000kms (everyone is different, because many people don't look after their chain at all) $400 will buy you 4 reasonable car tyres, but only one bike tyre once you get on to anything with a 180/50x17 rear tyre, service intervals are much more frequent than cars, and you can reasonably expect to find your bike lying on its side on the ground once every 12 months on average (there are many reasons for this, ranging from your own arse hattery to someone else's arse hattery to an unluckily strong gust of wind), requiring the expense and hassle of an insurance claim and annoying but expensive repairs and having to use pubic (sic) transport. There are a range of repairs you should make to any second hand bike you buy because I can bet that the following haven't been maintained on any learner legal bike:
1. Steering head bearings.
2. Chain & sprockets.
3. Battery.
4. Carb o-rings (if it is a carburetted bike)
5. Wheel bearings.
6. Swing arm bushes.
7. Cable lubing/replacement for throttle and clutch cables (unless the clutch is hydraulic).
8. Brake and Clutch fluid.
9. Mismatched tyres.
There's a whole bunch of other model specific things to look out for too.
Riding gear doesn't last forever either, so you need to budget for replacing gear, usually, gloves, boots, trousers, jacket and helmet in that order. Do NOT keep a helmet for more than five years. The liner is the issue not the shell. Polystyrene breaks down over time and loses its shape and ability to absorb impacts. You will probably need to replace at least 2 helmet visors as well and you are bound to lose luggage off your bike at some point. Buy the best gear you can afford, it does last longer. Make sure gloves don't have internal seams that will annoy you after about 10 minutes, make sure that jacket and trousers can be zipped together, but jacket and trousers that can be customised to the conditions, i.e. zip out thermal liners and the jacket should have a couple of vents, as least. Make sure you buy something that will cope with weather extremes, extreme cold (@100 km/hr, 15C ambient feels like 11C), wet weather, hot weather. You'd be better off with 2 pairs of gloves. One pair for Summer, one for Winter. You might want a tinted visor for sunny days, and clear one for bad weather or night riding.
If a man is alone in the woods and there isn't a woke Hollywood around to call him racist, is he still white?
♥♡♥ 8==D~ (⊙)(⊙)
+1 to having two pairs of gloves.
I have leathers and am going to buy some drystars (waterproof) soon. Wish I'd had a spare pair on my way down to taupo in the cold, wind and rain. My gloves were soaked through and I was shaking and could hardly feel my hands when I arrived, lol.
I spent $60ish on a tinted visor and about $70 on a back protector insert for my jacket. My bike only had 7200k's on it when I got it and I changed the oil, filter and brake fluid when I got it and degreased the chain a few weeks ago. It's in very good nick, but for me this is a hobby nothing more so I don't mind spending some money. I'll need to start saving for new tyres soon and probably a new chain, sprocket etc. My car is about 13 years old and I just spent $1300 repairing it, that's almost what my bike costs! So yea, for me, the bike is cheap lol.
Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.
Moped rider
Yeah if the bike costs me the same as a car I would be happy with that. Main thing now is getting through traffick a little quicker and having some fun. Im probably going to keep my car for now and see how much I really need it.
As for gear im stumped a little on jackets and pants. Are there specific ones I should be on the look out for? And they should be waterproof with leather at the joints right?
As for getting a cheaper bike first, I dont personally see the point as I would rather spend a bit extra and get something thats appealing and fun to ride. May seem a little immature but I want a toy/hobby aswell as daily transport. Plus something I can have some fun with travelling either up north or around the corromandel when I have the urge.
And will definately invest in two pairs of gloves! especially in auckland haha!
♥♡♥ 8==D~ (⊙)(⊙)
I know I've already asked but I'll ask again anyway, have you done your BHS and learners theory yet?Originally Posted by Cam_NZ
As for getting through traffic quicker, that won't happen straight away, filtering/lane splitting will come with time but those transit lanes sure are great when the traffics backed all up onewa rd in the morning!
They don't HAVE to have leather joints, I think whomever was merely suggesting you take it into consideration. My alpinestars jacket and pants zip together and are made of cordura, I'm sure, and come with the standard factory armour. As I mentioned I upgraded the back protector and will do the same for the chest armour too, I just figure why not really... mine are waterproof because I knew I'd get caught out in crappy weather. I wish I had leathers cause they're cooler, supposedly, but as an all rounder, what I've got is the best option.
And I don't personally think you're being immature, I do understand where you're coming from.. originally I wanted a nice sports bike but opted for what I have now for a few reasons. Money is one, I could have spent way more on a bike but it would have meant I'd have to get cheaper gear and forgo some tuition, both of which were/are important to me. Other one is, as a learner I am going to, and probably have, put my bike through the ringers as most learners do really. She's been dropped a few times and made it through my learner induced abuse, thus far and she's still going strong and showing no signs of our... mishaps. I got her at very low mileage too, something you will struggle with in a 3k-ish budget. First bikes it seems are rarely if ever the only bikes...
Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.
Moped rider
No havent even booked any test yet. Its the first thing on the to do list if I decide to go for a bike. Bosslady, how do you find your bike powerwise?. Also fun to ride for long periods of time. They are in a really good price range, just again the whole young and wanting a sports bike deal comes in
How high do kms need to be before they start becoming a problem?
What kind of revs will a 250 sit on going down the motorway?
Is this OTHER/MEDULLA brand of bike just a cheap takeoff? stay clear?
Thanks for your imput! you have no idea how lost I am
Forum whore
There's a vast range of 250s, and these "revs" that you speak of are entirely dependent on style of bike, number of cylinders, and so on.
You need to look at the list of LAMS bikes on the LTNZ site before you make your mind up. The only relatively modern 250 "sportsbike" is Kawasaki's Ninja 250 (there is a 300 version you can buy new too). The four cylinder bikes, with the exception of the Honda Hornet, are really just a bunch of thrashed, old, tired munt, that from a sports perspective don't hold a candle to any '80s two cylinder two stroke sportsbike, let alone the following which you're not allowed to ride on a learners or restricted:
LAMS-prohibited motorcycles list (250cc or under)
Make Model cc Aprilia RS250 250 Honda NSR250 (all models and variants) 250 Kawasaki KR1 (all models and variants including KR250) 250 Suzuki RGV250 (all models and variants) 250 Yamaha TZR250 (all models and variants) 250
You can get Honda Hornets that were new in the 2000s. If you want a practical sporty ride I would suggest one of these ahead of any FZR, CBR, ZXR, or GSXR out there, unless you happen upon a REALLY good one. What some people describe as "mint" can only be a misspelling of "munt". I keep saying munt.
The list of what you're allowed can be found here:
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/gett...torcycles.html
There are VERY few 250cc, four cylinder sportsbikes out there that are worth buying. I strongly suggest taking someone who "properly" knows about bikes or paying for an inspection by a motorcycle mechanic before buying. I even more strongly recommend buying new or near new. Then any disasters that happen are yours and yours alone and hopefully not bodged up with duct tape and chewing gum for the next chump, err, owner to sort out.
A GN is NOT a sportsbike. The good ones will struggle up to 120 km/hr with a tailwind. But they are good for learners because they will take appalling amounts of abuse and just keep going. The one thing they don't cope with is running low on oil, I think there's only 1.4 litres in there.
If a man is alone in the woods and there isn't a woke Hollywood around to call him racist, is he still white?
Moped rider
Yeah had a look at that list before I started looking, seems most 250's are allowed, but is hard to find something bigger in my pricerange on the approved list.
As for the hornet and the ninja, they are both bikes I am interested in! Kms wise, how much is too much?
Even the hyo gt250r isnt a gooer? There seems to be a few of them! Like this one http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-557275285.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-559807693.htm
Which bigger bikes would I be looking at?
Sorry for being annoying! haha
♥♡♥ 8==D~ (⊙)(⊙)
No havent even booked any test yet. Its the first thing on the to do list if I decide to go for a bike. Bosslady, how do you find your bike powerwise?. Also fun to ride for long periods of time. They are in a really good price range, just again the whole young and wanting a sports bike deal comes in
How high do kms need to be before they start becoming a problem?
What kind of revs will a 250 sit on going down the motorway?
Is this OTHER/MEDULLA brand of bike just a cheap takeoff? stay clear?
Thanks for your imput! you have no idea how lost I am
As was said, my bike isn't a sports bike, but that's likely what my next bike will be. Oh and I think it's 1.3L oil...
Power and my bike... my car is a 1.6L automatic, my bike gets up to speed phenomenally quicker than my car, that's the only comparison I can make really... I have a problem with keeping to the speed limit and I'm thankful my Ginny keeps me in check and is a little limited because I'd get in trouble otherwise, true story...
Km's being a problem.. someone with more experience will chime in but it would depend on type of bike, age of bike and how well it's been taken care of, mechanically...
I haven't been on too many long trips, been to taupo and did a big trip on sat and going to NP this weekend. The lower back does get a little sore but it's more mind over matter than anything else and I consider it a challenge!
Ummm revs. The Ginny red lines at 8500. Me @ 65kg, motorway, 5th gear, 100kmh, no wind, on the flat it's something like 6000ish rpm. As for wind.. I actually have a visor thing on my bike (see pics in my profile) which helps..
ahh yea think that's it..
Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.
Weekend cruiser
I have a car, my motorbike and a couple of fixed gear push bikes. I use them all as the mood takes me or the weather permits. Totally up to you and your budget whether you keep the car too but any time I've ridden in the rain its been fuckin miserable. Went through some cheap helmets and gloves but now rock some A* gloves and a Shoei helmet. Dont know how safe they are cos ive never had them put to the test but fuck they feel good on. Pinlock visor was the best investment i ever made. Just sayin
Moped rider
sweet cheers again guys
As for the car, ill keep it for now atleast. I can see it getting a little old having to chuck on gear if i want to shoot off somewhere, or turning up to a party in full biker gear!
As for the bike, am looking towards something in the ninja,gt250r, or older vtr area for something. May have to get a small loan from the bank to get something a little nicer and more reliable if thats a good idea?
And as for gear, i kinda know the basics, although i want to get it right the first time so ill head down to a few bike shops around auckland and get the gst of gear specs
Flappin in the breeze.
I personally started riding only last month.
I got my gear from:
http://www.lifestyle-imports.co.nz/shop/ - Good gear and cheep to. (works out of a farm in Pukekawa) got a few containers of gear, (more than the site). best pay them a visit.
Also check out the Army surplus & Leather store in Onehunga. - I got my Jacket second hand from here, they have heaps of riding gear. But its like a box of chocolets you will never know whats your gonna get.
And Cycle Treads in barry's pnt rd on the shore is like shopping mecca.
♥♡♥ 8==D~ (⊙)(⊙)
some of those 250cc ninjas have been thrashed to hell, so just be careful if that's what you decide to get.
Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.
Moped rider
Will have to get it checked before i purchase one then
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