Sticky situation

[Colapop]

I need your help guys and gals. I know you're all biker types so your answers are gonna be slanted that way...(He takes a deep breath)

I'd ridden for about 10 years before I trashed my bike (GSX750) and being unisured (life and all) never had the money to replace it. My lisence got taken off me as well at the same time (6 months). And when I eventually (2 1/2 years later) sorted out getting my lisence back I didn't get my bike lisence at the same time (Dumass).

Fast forward to now (ish). I bought my bike (LS650) about 3 months ago at a good price. I was thinking "I'll just ride it to and from work and that'll be it". The problem is I've only got my leaners and can't really afford to 'give' the police money. So I thought I'd trade it on something like a nice little GSX250 as I'm partial to GSX's. Now my missus is saying she doesn't want us to get any more debt. We haven't got much debt at all now but have spent a long time paying a lot of bills in the past.
The problem (?) is this - I love to ride and because I got a lot more to lose now than I ever have I want to do it safely and legally. I agree (to an extent) with my wife about money but she doesn't get riding a bike and would rather we get a Hilux for me. That to me just means more money both in running costs and capital outlay. I have things that I do like rugby coaching, bodybuilding and fishing but I don't know that I need a Hilux for that.
I know this is an unmanly bleat but any advice you guys/gals can offer would be great.


Please keep the bullshit remarks to a minimum as my head hurts thinking about this sh*t and I won't be able to come up with many smartarse replies.

[Bartman10]

You've heard of the CBTA scheme?

Somone mentioned that it's ending soon but if you're in double quick you might be able to get the licence you need in time.

Do some homework ASAP to find out about the scheme.

Fraggle did it on her SV6550

Cheers.

[skelstar]

Im on a learners and graduate to the restricted licence on 18 Jan 06. I range roadsafe (who run the CBTA courses) and he said that unless you book your course by Dec 16th you will not be able to do any courses AFTER that. So I could get to restricted sooner, but wouldnt have time to get to Full as you cant book the course for full unless you have restricted (which I dont yet). So theres NO WAY I get get a full by the end of the scheme...and it pisses me off no end.

How much is the GSX250? Have you ridden a Hyosung (not meaning to be evangelical)?

[2much]

Mate, I'ld probably just hold on to the bike you got and behave myself for the time required (easier said than done I know, but I rode the 600 for a few months before i got my full).
If you do go the 250 path, shop around..... I own a GSX250 and there's better bikes out there.

[Marmoot]

what type of riding do you love doing?
Depending on the type of riding you can seriously interpret legal, fun and cost to different meanings.

For sport and thrill-seekers, get an NSR250 or CBR250.
For cruising, get a virago250.
for dual-purpose, get a cr250
for commuting, get bandit250 or hornet250.
etc, etc, etc

Learner-legal bikes does not have to mean suffering.

and insurance premium would be a bliss with small bike.

[marty]

just fasttrack your licence - beg borrow or steal a 250 (mikey will lend you his i'm sure) and then you're sweet. convince the wife that the LS is not worth anything, so it's not worth selling, and get a 'lux as well!

[Zed]

I need your help guys and gals. I know you're all biker types so your answers are gonna be slanted that way...(He takes a deep breath)

1. Come to an agreement with your wife.

2. If the bike is a go, get the 250 and complete your full licence. If the Hilux is a go...well hopefully it won't be!

3. Get insurance.

Hope it all works out for the best!

[heavenly.talker]

Hmmmm interesting one...

Wife is probably concerned about your well being as well as the money situation. It sounds like you have a full life with all your interests and she is wondering when she is ever going to see you.

One solution to this is to get her into riding too. She will then be more willing and excited to shell out money for a bike.

A 650 savage can sell between 2k - 5k depending on the year, km's and condition. That can get you a very respectable 250!

In fact you could probably get a couple of very reliable 250's for the same price of your savage!
Note: you will miss the acceleration and top speed of the savage though if you are thinking along the lines of a cruiser styled 250 (GN, GZ, volty, virago, etc.).

Remember too, that the 250 is just a means to an end...once you have the full you pass it on! They do hold their resale value really well however, so you shouldn't lose more than a couple of hundred dollars in the deal.

If partner is really stressing about it then you might have to trade something of value (i.e. time, hobbies,or other toys you no longer use... for example...do you really need all those rods to go fishing with, and the other things you no longer use and that are gathering dust in the garage?) so she sees that you are trying to take money (and time) concerns into account.

An illustration: For my first bike, I sold off about 150 books on trade me that I had read and that were gathering dust...this was my official bike fund. Once I got about 3/4 the way there hubby was satisfied it was more than a faze and we went bike shopping.

I think wanting to get legal is a good thing (even though it might frustrate you while going through the system).

Good luck and keep us informed with how you are going and what you decide to do :-)
Yell out if you want anymore ideas.

Cheers
Kim

[Colapop]

Thanks for the advice. Lots to think about. I guess the thing that's making me think a lot about this is that she's not angry at me. I mean, I'm not bad but I'm no angel either and she occasionally gets mad at me.
Answers;
CBTA yep heard of it but as Skelstar says it'sd ending and I won't have time.
GSX's are about $4-6k ish. I looked at a Hyusong but at the time there was no price (Wgtn M/cycles) on it and they were all too busy to talk to me so I left. Knowing me (as I do ) it's not an option to not ride the bike I have. I want to ride for fun, and commuting. Having had a GSX750 I love the power and handling, the cruiser I got coz it was at a good price to get back into biking I thought.
I'll keep you updated.
Col

[skelstar]

HYosungs *NEW* are $6K. I believe the fully-faired version (due this december I think) will be $6800 (maybe).