Introducing Me...

[Darlios]

Greetings Everyone.

Just thought i'd say hi after i've been registered for like a whole week without posting. I've never been on a bike before but am really keen on getting into it. Both the riding part and hopefully the mechanical part...

Haven't got my license yet (Fractured my hand about 2 weeks ago so not too sure if i can actually ride a bike or not yet... should be all good in 2-3 weeks if all goes well.) Then will go attend learning course(s) and see how it all goes.

Anyway, was looking at a RGV250 to start off with, but then i read the forums and saw all the posts warning n00bs not to get one which has made me start to doubt this... That and i saw a nice looking ZXR on trademe... *ponders*. I have about $5000 to spend on a bike (Plus 1k extra for gear). Don't really like 'naked' bikes so will probably end up with a 'sportsbike'...

Have only gone to 1 dealer so far... will go around to some others for a gawk in the near future if possible...

Anyway 1 last noobish question then i will end my rant...

What is the fuel economy on a 2 stroke like (heard that they are somewhat thirsty??) vs a 2 or 2.2ltr cage... (The father wants me to get a cage ) *knows nothing*

Anyway thanks guys.

[Korea]

Hiya Darlios, welcome to the club.

You don't need to get a sportsbike right from the go~ get something to learn on, drop it a few times and get your skills together.

Most riders have an accident (big or small) within the first year of riding.
(My Suzuki NZ250 spat me off for being a dork on gravel).

You don't want to go scratching up your nice shiney sportsbike now do you?

Anyone else got some "first year of riding crash" stories?

[Storm]

Welcome to the site mate. I'm sure there'll be plenty of help round here. Best of luck finding a bike

[thehollowmen]

Welcome to the madhouse.
Do what you want with your first bike, that will define what type of rider you are.

Two strokes are thirsty. I think I posted some people are getting between 8-10 L per 100 km on them, and they also need oil.

Also, it is very difficult to go touring on them. They're very fun, awesome commuters, very powerful, but you run the risk of engine seizure if you run them too long or at constant revs. That's a brown trousers moment.

ZXR? I'm jealous already.

[Sniper]

Anyone else got some "first year of riding crash" stories?

Just one of my 4?

Welcome mate, as Korea said. Get something that you are able to drop and is relativly cheap to fix up and sell off again.

[texmo]

Just one of my 4?

Welcome mate, as Korea said. Get something that you are able to drop and is relativly cheap to fix up and sell off again.

I am teh win I have five, my first was when I was crusing at about 140 when my 2stroke decided to spit me off becuase it over heated and seized....
happened again going along tamaki drive at about 70.

[zadok]

Welcome to K.B Darlios.
Buy something reasonably priced that you can get some experience on, before upgrading. An older 250 four stroke would do the trick. The're getting a bit long in the tooth now, but years ago I had a Honda CB250RS which I paid $1000 for and sold privately three years later for $700. It was a good commuter. The person that bought it was in your position.

[Darlios]

Thanks guys for the welcome. Am going to some dealers tomorrow for a look see. What do you guys suggest as first bike, GN250? Planning on using it as main form of transport to wherever i wanna go. That and probably just going for rides for fun/nothing better to do.

Hope to meet a few of you guys when i eventually get out there

Crashes..... not looking forward to em.... but all part of the game i guess

[Gremlin]

Anyone else got some "first year of riding crash" stories?

Ooh, pick me pick me. But I have only 2 so far Both times I simply couldn't leave the beautiful corner behind

Darlios: Welcome to KB. I see another in Bucklands Beach then... we are growing in numbers then

I got a ZZR for a first bike, not bad, a balance between a learner and something you'll keep for a while. Cheap because it came in a few pieces, another KB had practised crashing on it already, and wasn't road legal.

Buying a fast-ish bike thats damaged might be another option. Probably not a good idea to get a beautiful bike as a first. Don't want to be negative, but you are a learner and doing exactly that.

[Darlios]

Haha... that makes 2 that i know of from BB anymore here or nah?

Will have a look around tomorrow at the prices. Still a while yet to decide so ill just watch the forums more and see what else is for sale...

[curious george]

I have about $5000 to spend on a bike (Plus 1k extra for gear).

Just a thought, but consider spending 4k on bike, 2k on gear.
Nobody ever regretted buying decent quality stuff either.

[Indiana_Jones]

welcome, You'll love our little madhouse

OUR HOUSE!

-Indy

[MSTRS:Me]

Greetings Darlios...you say you've never even ridden a bike B4. I'd be advising you to get a cheap 'mild' bike that is easy to ride to start you off. GN250 are often overpriced but otherwise fit the bill. Don't be too concerned about the age of the bike at this stage either, just make sure that it is a model with a good rep - anyone here will help with that sort of advice. Just ask before buying.

[gromit]

Yeah don't do like me... Didnt know any better. My first was an RZ350! Those who know the bike will understand. It spat me out after lunch on the piecock hill the second day I had it! :spudbn: Sigh...
That was a crash course...

[ManDownUnder]

Mate, you've come to the right place... I see others are addressing most of your questions, so I'll take the unasked one...

I suspect the conversation between you and your Dad re bikes and fuel consumption is more of a way to rationalise the worry he has about you being on a bike.

The fact is you are very likely to come off your bike... soonish. He doesn't want to see it happen.

He'll talk about insurance costs, fuel costs, wet weather, he'll offer assistance to help buy/pay for a car. And that's all entirely good. He cares, he's worried and he's doing what he can to protect you. That's what Dads do.

It's a conversation most (if not all) of us have had with those around us, parents, partners, some even had it with their kids.

All I ask its that you think it through for YOU. If it's something you really want to try, then decide to give it away... that's all cool. If you try it, like it and stick with it - that's cool too.

When I started riding there was a rule of thumb that "Everyone falls off 3 times". I expect it's still true, but after that, and after a few miles under your belt you become a safer and better rider. Ride safely and gently for the first little bit till you get the hang of the bike in various conditions. Practice practice and practice some more.

When someone asks you to pop a wheelie, tell them to grow up (there's plenty of time for that later.... staying alive on 1 wheel is harder than staying alive on 2)

Do a defensive riding course, get good gear but don;t spend gazillions on your first bike. It'll get scratched... accept that. It's YOU that doesn't want to get scratched.

Anyway - rant over. Welcome aboard - hope to see you around a lot more!
MDU