Newbie in Auckland wanting to get into bikes (noob_biker)

[noob_biker]

Hi all. I'm a student from Auckland looking at getting into bikes this summer. I've always been into cars however I learned to ride a bike when I was away on holiday overseas. Since then I've always been keen to get into it but didn't have the extra money to have a car and bike. However I think I might put my car away for a while and get into riding so I can take advantage of the free bike parking at uni and if I don't learn to ride properly now, it'll be very difficult to pick it up as I get older I think.

Anyway I'd like to know a few things:

*I need to get my bike licence and attend some training days. What is the best way to go about doing all this? I know there is a rider training school at Massey university Albany which I may go to as it is close to me.
*I'm in my early 20's, does my car history (speeding fines etc) affect my insurance when getting a bike?
*How much is insurance usually for someone riding a 250 on a learners? Even just 3rd party fire and theft
*I'm currently thinking of buying a decent second hand helmet, leather jacket with back protector, riding jeans and some boots (all second hand apart from jeans) Is this okay?

I'd like to keep my entire purchase of bike and gear to under $3500, am I dreaming? This is because I'm on a tight student budget and also I'd like to sell it all on and make minimal loss if I find riding isn't for me

I'm sh*t scared lane splitting on commute to uni because I've seen so many idiots in cars pulling out without looking and riders having to evade/brake like crazy, is it okay to be like a normal car and stay with the flow of traffic? I've literally never seen a bike rider doing that...


Thank you for your time, I look forward to seeing your replies

[tigertim20]

to answer your questions, yes your previous driving history will affect your insurance somewhat.
as for licencing etc you need to do a basic handling skills course which is piss easy, then you sit your theory test. I would recommend taking advantage of any and all additional rider training, regardless of how much or little riding experience you have.
cost of insurance will depend on lots of other factors - its worth noting that you can now ride up to 650cc bikes on your learners licence, do a search on LAMS on kiwibiker and google, it will outline the relevant information
leastly, yes, for 3500 you could probably get the things you have listed if you are patient and buy wisely. the gear you have listed sounds ok, however I would never recommend getting a second hand helmet as you cant be sure if its ever been dropped etc. Buy a helmet brand new, the rest of the gear will be ok if you go second hand.

lastly, yes there is nothing wrong with staying with the flow of traffic, you just need to be vigilant at all times. one school of thought is that by staying with the flow of traffic your are more visible, as your position relevant to other vehicles remains the same, but lane splitters moving at different speeds through traffic move in and out of the blind spots of all the other vehicles around them. as long as you are aware of whats going on around you, youll be fine, but these are things you will learn and become more confident with after taking advantage of extra rider training

[bosslady]

Firstly, welcome to KB!

I would recommend using Rider Training which is the company you speak of that uses the Massey car park. I found them great. Suggest you get the "Full Monty" which is a lesson as well as the BHS test. As for the learners theory test you have to sit at the licensing station, theres a couple of online tests that are great to practice on beforehand. I'd also suggest that once you get your learners license you do further (on road) training too, perhaps one of the ACC sponsored courses www.prorider.co.nz provide, though I haven't looked if there are any still running in Auckland, they're very heavily subsidised training so great to take advantage of if you can. Good training is worth every penny.

Insurance, I don't even know how much I pay $30 or $40ish for full cover of about $3500 per month through kiwibike insurance brokers.

Don't buy a second hand helmet. Everything else, sure, but not a helmet. Don't even buy a helmet online, buy it in person. You can get helmets as cheap as one or two hundy. As for everything else, sure, go for it.

You could keep your purchase of bike and gear to $3500ish but it's dependant mainly I guess on what bike you want? you could probably spend it on an old shitty sports bike that might cost you heaps to maintain and fix and have little left over for gear. Or you could get a small, not so cool, bike like mine for dirt cheap, easy and cheap to maintain and leaving you plenty left over for gear and lessons.

And no, you don't have to lane split, I don't.

[Akzle]

*I'm currently thinking of buying a decent second hand helmet, leather jacket with back protector, riding jeans and some boots (all second hand apart from jeans) Is this okay?

I'd like to keep my entire purchase of bike and gear to under $3500, am I dreaming?

1) buy a new helmet.
...well, you get to decide how much your skull is worth.




buy a new helmet.

2) second hand gear is ok, but people usually sell for a reason (it's uncomfortable, the seams in the crotch leak...)
GLOVES. definitely, don't fuck around on gloves.

3)with that budget i'd expect 2000 on gear and 1500 on a bike.

4) i'm a professional badass. so you should listen to what i say, and buy me beer at every opportunity.

[noob_biker]

Thanks for all your replies. I did think it might be a bit risky getting a second hand one but figured if I got it off this forum off a trusted member it'd be good. I didn't know I could get a brand new one for only a couple of hundred though, thought I'd have to spend at least $600 upwards.

I'd rather not ride anything bigger than a 250, I'd like to get used to the weight of the bike and handling one first.

Not such a great start, did the practice learners test on that prorider.co.nz and got 5 questions wrong! Bit rusty and not up with some of the new rules that have come in since 2006.
I shouldn't even be on the road in a car hahahah

Can I even get a bike for 1500 that won't break down on me

[bosslady]

Thanks for all your replies. I did think it might be a bit risky getting a second hand one but figured if I got it off this forum off a trusted member it'd be good. I didn't know I could get a brand new one for only a couple of hundred though, thought I'd have to spend at least $600 upwards.

I'd rather not ride anything bigger than a 250, I'd like to get used to the weight of the bike and handling one first.

Not such a great start, did the practice learners test on that prorider.co.nz and got 5 questions wrong! Bit rusty and not up with some of the new rules that have come in since 2006.
I shouldn't even be on the road in a car hahahah

Can I even get a bike for 1500 that won't break down on me

what kind of bike do you want? $1500 Is very hopeful. I say more like $2500 min but depends on the bike.

[tigertim20]

more often that not, the less you pay for a bike, the more it will cost you in repairs . . .

there is a spada 250 in auckland, that might be worth at least looking at. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1130583026
helmets can be found, as previously mentioned, for between $100-$200. maybe try and sort your gear out first so you know your bike budget, and stretch it a little if you can.

[noob_biker]

what kind of bike do you want? $1500 Is very hopeful. I say more like $2500 min but depends on the bike.

I'd like a sports bike, not a cruiser or anything, something I won't worry about dropping would be great but I do like how cool they look with fairings.

more often that not, the less you pay for a bike, the more it will cost you in repairs . . .

there is a spada 250 in auckland, that might be worth at least looking at. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1130583026
helmets can be found, as previously mentioned, for between $100-$200. maybe try and sort your gear out first so you know your bike budget, and stretch it a little if you can.

That's nice, I wouldn't mine something like that. I don't mind doing servicing and minor repairs, I'm pretty handy with a spanner and got tools and all. What would be something that has cheap parts very common and readily available? Say if we were talking like toyota/nissan parts being cheap and readily available as opposed to something like peugeot or some other fancy euro.
Good idea about getting the gear first, I'm definitely going to do that.

[bosslady]

I'd like a sports bike, not a cruiser or anything, something I won't worry about dropping would be great but I do like how cool they look with fairings.



That's nice, I wouldn't mine something like that. I don't mind doing servicing and minor repairs, I'm pretty handy with a spanner and got tools and all. What would be something that has cheap parts very common and readily available? Say if we were talking like toyota/nissan parts being cheap and readily available as opposed to something like peugeot or some other fancy euro.
Good idea about getting the gear first, I'm definitely going to do that.

Lol well good luck getting a decent sports bike that's not gonna F you over when it breaks for that cheap hehe. They'll be out there but rare as hens teeth. After bike, warrants, rego, gear, licensing costs, lessons (people never seem to budget lessons into it) and maybe a bit extra if this bike needs anything I.e. tyres $3500 is stretching it for sure. I like my bike for example, because it's not terribly modern, not by any stretch of the imagination, therefore is fairly uncomplicated, no fancy electronics etc. heaps of parts, no fairings to break and so forth. I wanted a sports bike when I first started too but ended up opting for good old reliable.

[mossy1200]

I got one of these from my local bike shop for 5hundry. Best helmet I have owned. You need try some on as not all heads are equal.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-615295703.htm

[haydes55]

I don't see why you would need to blow $2000 on gear.

New waterproof commuter boots $200
New helmet $300
New textile jacket $300
New draggin jeans $300
New gloves $70
New waterproof onesie $200

That's $1,370 all new kit.

Start trawling trademe. There is always gear in there that is as new for cheaper (not right size or got it with the bike and don't need it etc.).

A couple year old jacket will serve fine as long as it's stitching etc. Is still intact.

Make sure all the gear you get fits snug (unless you plan on indulging in the pies). If you want a back protector etc. Allow room for it or buy it first and try it on with it. But you can buy jackets with padding in them already.

Have fun

[skinman]

welcome to KB

I would recommend seaching this site for where to get cheap gear, plenty of threads on that & probably many other questions you might have.

In my experience the differance between cheap & not so cheap helmets is in the fit, features & longevity rather than the level of protection offered as helmets sold by shops need to meet a standard.
For what you intend to do a realtively inexpensive one will more than likely be fine as if you start riding a lot you will end up replacing it after a year or 2 anyway.

[Grashopper]

The Spada's have a really good reputation. (I just bought one so I hope that they hold up on that )

Therefore I would also recommend having a look at that bike.

Nah, helmets are definitely to get much cheaper than 600 bucks. But get a new one that fits your head. Go into a shop and try on a few.
There are a few bike shops in Auckland. Just go and have a look around. There is also that Army surplus and leather shop in Onehunga that also sells second hand bike gear. Maybe you will be able to find some second hand jacket or boots etc there.

[mossy1200]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-615150256.htm

500 helmet 2500 offer on the bike and 300 for some good second hand leathers 160 for boots and 80 for gloves.

[noob_biker]

bosslady what bike are you saying is reliable that you chose over a sports bike? When I say sports I thought even something like what mossy1200 linked was a sports bike? (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-615150256.htm , which is an awesome bike that I wouldn't mind)

I mean I just want a small bike, going by your info and seeing you own a GN250, I just looked them up on trademe and they're a bit older looking style than I'd like but I'd settle for any cheap reliable sports-ish bike

I'm seriously considering that Spada... So cheap and looks cool!

Is 42000km lots for a bike? What kind of mileage is low-average-high for bike engines? Perhaps give me equivalents to car mileages?

Thanks for the heads up on gear guys. Talked to a friend who got a new helmet that is pretty nice at uni today and he said he got it for $200 from somewhere on barrys point rd so I'll go have a look there soon.
Would I be better getting riding jeans or some leather pants too? Jeans would be nice because I can wear them through the day then.

Thanks for the estimates on the gear too. I will trawl trademe