2014/2015 LAMS options?

[frisken]

Hey guys,

Pretty exciting times to be a learner rider. I have been riding for a few years now, but still haven't gotten around to getting my Restricted license, which means I have at least 18 months until I can get my full and upgrade. In the meantime I am considering a serious upgrade from my current 250 Suzuki, to a bigger, more reliable and future proof LAMS options (up and around the 500 - 650cc range). There are plenty of options now, and I was wondering if anyone had any insight on which direction to go?

My thoughts at the moment are:

Honda CB500F/R

Yamaha MT03

Yamaha MT07

Kawasaki ER6N

I've taken the CB500F for a test ride and freaking loved it. The power was so much more usable, and basically every aspect of the damn bike was 10 times better than my current ride. But this is probably the case with any of the above options, or any new LAMS approved bike, so I'll keep my options open.

Does anyone have an experience shopping around in this range? Any tips/other things to consider?

Cheers!

[dinosaur]

....a serious upgrade from my current 250 Suzuki, to a bigger, more reliable ... options (up and around the 500 - 650cc range). There are plenty of options now, and I was wondering if anyone had any insight on which direction to go?


Kawasaki ER6N[/B]

No contest - the Kwaka
handles,
parallel twin
seat is low and narrow
awesome breaks

.......... and looks cool

[TheDemonLord]

GSX650FU

Nice sport tourer, plenty of power, can be derestricted, looks awesome and I ride one (so you will be cool like me)

[frisken]

Yeah, derestriction is a good one to consider actually. Just enquired about getting my hands on a ER6N demo and looks like they have one available in my town, so looking forward to it. They also have the Triumph 660 Triple, but that looks to be just out of the old price range at the moment although shit it looks good.

Do you know if the the ER6N can be derestricted, dinosaur?

[MisterD]

which means I have at least 18 months until I can get my full and upgrade.

12 months if you do the CBTA stuff.

You can add the LAMS version of the Street Triple to that list too. I looked at all of those options and the good old DR too but because I wanted a toy, not a commuting tool I rejected all the over-500cc options to save on rego and then rejected the Honda because I wanted something with a personality.

[Swoop]

No contest - the Kwaka
handles,
awesome breaks

So, you can pick it up easily when broken?

[frisken]

Taking three bikes for a test ride on Saturday, so will update the thread with my thoughts in case anyone else is interested. I'm taking out:

Kawasaki EX650
Street Triple 660
Gladius SFV650

[F!ddl3r]

I started off on a 650L Kawa, Loved the power and the ride But I hated the damn sound ... and the bubble looking tank!

Having said that it was an amazing bike, glad I started on it to be honest.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-772859034.htm

Thats her ^, I put on all the mods, spent a fortune on it. I sold it to my nephew for his wife, She felt the bike was a bit high for her so he is selling it.

Pity you looking for a 2014/15 model...

[Erelyes]

If finances are limited, then you have the choice of buying a flash bike and then riding it less/skimping on gear, or keep your basic bike and ride it more / get better gear. The depreciation on the bike as soon as it leaves the showroom would be enough to kit you out in reasonable gear alone.

Also - unless your end-goal is a sensible commuter, there's really no future-proof LAMS option...

I stuck it out with my Ninja 250, kept surprising myself with what I didn't know, learnt to ride it competently at pace, then did CBTA and got a 'first big bike'. But then I don't rake in the cash.

If you have sufficient disposable income then buy whichever one makes you hardest when you look at it, then ride ride ride. MT07 would probably be my pick

[GrayWolf]

I stuck it out with my Ninja 250, kept surprising myself with what I didn't know, learnt to ride it competently at pace, then did CBTA and got a 'first big bike'. But then I don't rake in the cash.

If you have sufficient disposable income then buy whichever one makes you hardest when you look at it, then ride ride ride. MT07 would probably be my pick

I'd agree with Ereleys as to the fact a reasonable performance 250 can keep you 'satisfied' and still learning... I'm still learning after 40 yrs and on 'big bikes'.

I'm biased as I ride an 01, the MT-07 looks a good bet, but it is a new 'quantity' so as yet has no track record of issues/reliability.....
The MT-03 is a 'tried and tested' bike, the (XT660 donk) has been around since Christ was a recruit.

[EJK]

I'm just gonna throw it out there.

[GrayWolf]

Damn that thing is 'small'... but looks like it'll be a good 'urban hoon machine'.....

[HenryDorsetCase]

Damn that thing is 'small'... but looks like it'll be a good 'urban hoon machine'.....

I sat on one and it seems to be very similar ergonomically to my Street Triple.

cool as hell though plus PURPLE.

[lakedaemonian]

A friend just bought a Yamaha MT-07 and he seems really happy with it.

Also, the Harley-Davidson Street 500 is not far off.

It will be showing up at NZ HD dealers by the end of the year.

[f2dz]

Taking three bikes for a test ride on Saturday, so will update the thread with my thoughts in case anyone else is interested. I'm taking out:

Kawasaki EX650
Street Triple 660
Gladius SFV650

They make a LAMS approved Street Triple? Whaaa