New rider, need some advice (learningtoride)

[learningtoride]

Hi All,
So I am a keen new rider. I am looking (once confident and safe enough) to commute to work. Its a 50k trip one way, with about 20k of country roads then the rest urban and motorway. I am a chick about 5'8 and not very heavy and looking for recommendations on a good bike that will suit the open road, plus the commuting traffic - slop/start/low gear etc. No pissy arse bikes that cant handle the 100km country road - I don't want to get nailed! I have 5k to spend on the bike. If anyone has any good ideas I would love the help. Thanks in advance!

[Yumaha]

5k is a good amount of money for a beginner bike! There are plenty of options for commuting in all different riding styles so it's a lot of personal preference. My recommendation would be to go to different dealerships sit on them and get a feel for height riding position etc then go looking on the second hand market for your new toy! I'm a new rider myself and bought an r3 haven't looked back since

Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk

[WristTwister]

So nothing under 200cc then?
Something like this would probably be alright.
http://www.autobase.co.nz/motorbikes...er/2637523.htm

http://www.autobase.co.nz/motorbikes...ts/2715694.htm

http://www.autobase.co.nz/motorbikes...ts/2711414.htm

http://www.autobase.co.nz/motorbikes...ts/2554367.htm

As a learner, don't buy anything you'd be afraid to drop.

[5ive]

You could try an offer on this one: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...1131388989.htm

I'm doing a commute similar to yours (twice the distance though), and my 300 does fine. Fast on the open road, and nimble in traffic. Also very cheap on petrol, servicing, etc.

I'd recommend looking for an ABS equipped bike instead though if you can, or upgrade to one when you can afford it.

[Tazz]

Wr450, drz400sm. Hammer down.

[george formby]

Wr450, drz400sm. Hammer down.

IT 490's are LAM's approved.

[WristTwister]

Hi All,
So I am a keen new rider. I am looking (once confident and safe enough) to commute to work. Its a 50k trip one way, with about 20k of country roads then the rest urban and motorway. I am a chick about 5'8 and not very heavy and looking for recommendations on a good bike that will suit the open road, plus the commuting traffic - slop/start/low gear etc. No pissy arse bikes that cant handle the 100km country road - I don't want to get nailed! I have 5k to spend on the bike. If anyone has any good ideas I would love the help. Thanks in advance!

Doing some futher searches, this looked like a good option for a commuter, it's got storage and should be capable of handling country roads and highway speeds without much rider fatigue. It is over budget but when you factor in the $500 "free gear" deal it's not too bad. LAMS approved too.

http://www.redbaron.co.nz/used-bikes/Adventure/1458-BMW-F650GS%20Dakar/

[Jin]

Or a ktm duke maybe. Good for long commutes and look great.

[Ocean1]

IT 490's are LAM's approved.

I know!

So are the big KTM LC4s, apparently.

Not sure how they snuck them in there, possibly neither are the very best learner machine...

[Rhys]

I would be looking at one of the lams adventure bikes bmw gs, Kawasaki Klr650, Suzuki Dr650 etc

They will be comfortable for a taller rider, good for low speed traffic and will easily cope with M/way speeds and in your price range. A top box would be useful for carrying computer, lunch as well. They will handle being drop as well

[learningtoride]

Wow thanks all for the great help. I have found what I really like.... eeek. I'm going for a Honda CB400, early 2000's. I have a bit of a thing for the more retro/cafe racer style.
There goes all my savings and I need to get some gear.

[nzspokes]

Wow thanks all for the great help. I have found what I really like.... eeek. I'm going for a Honda CB400, early 2000's. I have a bit of a thing for the more retro/cafe racer style.
There goes all my savings and I need to get some gear.

Nice wee bike.

Try Motomail and Motoone for cheap end of line gear. The Army and leather shop in Onehunga has a large range of used stuff.

Take a look at the Nass and Sass threads for learner rides.