Getting back into it (frisken)

[frisken]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for some advice here, but first I'll introduce myself. I'm a 23 year old guy from Hamilton, always been interested in bikes and finally got my first bike in 2011; a 1992 Suzuki GSF250 Bandit. I owned and rode the bike for roughly 18 months before I had to sell the bike for financial reasons, but loved every second of it. Now I've got my hunger back for riding and I'm looking into grabbing another bike. My financial position is better now so can hopefully grab a nice bike sometime soon. The advice I'm after here is;

I'm currently looking around on TradeMe for a nice 250 bike. The things I'm looking for are; good power, speed and reliability. Sadly I do have a price limit, but at the moment I am tossing up between two bikes: 2008 Kawasaki Ninja EX250j and the 1990 - 1995 Suzuki Bandit GSF250.

Basically, would anyone have some real experience or knowledge on these bikes, surrounding their performance, reliability, quality, riding feeling etc? If anyone would like to introduce themselves and pass on some recommendations/knowledge it would be greatly appreciated. Also, if anyone's keen for a ride in the coming months (weather permitting) feel free to give me a yell.

Thanks guys, look forward to getting involved around here!

[tigertim20]

first up, are you on your learners or restricted? is that your reason for wanting a 250 specifically?

If so you should do a search for LAMS: Ill break it down for you

As of last year, learner and restricted licence holders can ride approved bikes of up to 650cc engine size. there is a list of approved bikes which you will find on the NZTA website - its a fairly long list.

I suggest you have a look through that list, then reassess your options of what to buy - there are some bargains out there in the 250-650 range and arguably far superior bikes.

Welcome back to riding

[frisken]

I'm on my Learners, and will be for a while yet (thus 250). But cheers dude, will definitely look through it. The hard thing is finding a bike on that list, then checking TradeMe to see if anyone's selling etc but I'll definitely do some more research around that.

I loved my Bandit when I owned it, couldn't say one bad thing about it. Had good power, and nice top end power as well, didn't have any mechanical problems either. So, from my own experiences I would be happy nabbing another Bandit. But I've been looking at the Ninjas a bit lately too, and have heard really positive things about them as well. They're a bit more pricey, but a lot newer models as well so I'm thinking they'd be more reliable/future proof and hold their value a little more?

Any specific models you think I should look into? What 650s are LAMS approved haha, that seems intense?

[tigertim20]

if it were me in your position, I would want to get something different, why not try something new?

Its not very intense, the bikes are chosen based on a power to weight ratio, so you wont be riding a CBR600RR! but there are definitely some great bikes on that list.

Click this link, it gives a full list of the bikes that are approved for learner an restricted riders:
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/gett.../lams-list.pdf

As for what bike? shit man, I can't answer that for you. a lot of factors to consider, how tall are you, how much do you weigh, are you a bit if a hoon, or a sedate rider, will you be mostly touring? commuting? long weekend rides? trackdays?

Id suggest you start by looking through that list and doing a google search on the bikes that interest you. from there go and test ride some that you like, and once you have it whittled down to three or four you really like, THEN ask people who have owned those particular bikes to offer their opinions on the pros and cons of each bike and go from there.

The problem with asking others what bike is best, is that they will tell you which one would be best for them - which doesn't help you!

[jolly_26]

I like to just do a trademe search setting engine size between 250-750. Still get the 250s, and any bigger bikes that are in your price range you can check if they are on the LAMS list and then further research them. Ctrl f is your friend!

[frisken]

Hey guys, cheers for the replies, really appreciating it. Been keeping my eyes peeled on TradeMe and been trying to do my research etc. By the looks/sounds of things some of those bigger LAMS bikes aren't exactly better, and are often out of my price range. Think I'm happy sticking to a lighter, more economical 250 that still has a bit of pace and power.

Does anyone know specifically about the Hyosungs? I'm always a bit skeptical when things are too cheap, and all of the Hyosungs are a few K cheaper than their counter parts (Hondas, Kawasakis, Suzukis etc of similar years/kms) but are they decent machines? How reliable are they?

Right now I'm keeping my eye out for: Suzuki Bandits, Honda VTR, Honda CB/R, Kawasaki EX and similar bikes. Any recommendations here?

Thanks again!

[tigertim20]

haha opening a can of worms on the Hyosungs!

Personally, I wouldnt own one. both people I know who have had them have had problems with them, one more than the other - to the point of never ending issues.

they are getting better though.

Do you have a set price range? sounds like you are interested in sporty-looking bikes?

Patience is the key, really good deals pop up all the time. The EX650 (I think its on the list) would be my pick over the hyosung, or the SV, and the SV would be second (again, I think its on the list?)

[frisken]

Haha thought I might have been, I've been trying to do some research on them myself but it's so hard to find an decent review. Maybe I'll just steer clear of that bombshell altogether.

Sorry; should've mentioned that yeah, I am after something sporty. Not too keen on the tourers, and not even looking at anything like the cruisers etc. So definitely after a sports bike. My price range is around the $4,000 mark I think. I have $5,000 but I need to get riding gear + wet weather gear with that as well, so I'd say for the bike alone I'm looking at around $4,000 but as always, cheaper the better!

Will checkout those bikes now, cheers.

[tigertim20]

$4k should see you on to something nice enough - glad to hear you have set aside extra for gear!

just take your time, the right bike will present itself in due course

[frisken]

Haha the waiting game begins!

I see you're from Dunedin? There's not a lot of bikes being sold down there, but the ones that are seem to be a fair chunk cheaper than their North Island counter-parts. Is it hard going down there for bike traders etc?

[tigertim20]

Haha the waiting game begins!

I see you're from Dunedin? There's not a lot of bikes being sold down there, but the ones that are seem to be a fair chunk cheaper than their North Island counter-parts. Is it hard going down there for bike traders etc?

I dont think its hard going, just a smaller population = less competition so you sell a little cheaper if you really want it gone.

[frisken]

Haha well they often catch me off guard and I spend about 5 minutes looking at an advert thinking "why is this so cheap?!" only to realize that it's from way down south. Hopefully going to checkout some bikes this weekend, weather better be nice!!