Virgin poster here! Do I get a scooter, a 125, or a 250?

[kochikaren]

Hey everyone! Virgin poster here! heheh ... I just wanted to say I got my Basic Handling Skills Certificate yesterday and I'm really excited to get my first bike (after passing my learner's, of course!) I must admit, I've only ever been on bikes illegally in Thailand when on vacation (rode a dirtbike on their highway from Sangklaburi to the border of neighbouring country Burma/Myanmar without any sort of licence! Did the same thing on a busy Bangkok highway -- scary! ) and it was easy as pie. Its been a couple years now and of course, I was quite nervous about getting back. A big shout-out to Philip of Riderskills (highly recommended) for being very patient when my nerves got frazzled and for explaning things simply and to the point. It all really helped with my confidence! So if any newbie out there is looking to get their BHS, go to Riderskills! And did I mention he gave me a 20% discount just for being on KB?

I will be in the market for my first bike next year -- Can anyone give advice on whether to get a 50cc scooter, a 125cc, or a 250? I'm not so confident about riding just yet, but practice makes perfect, eh? I was thinking about getting a cheap scooter (just being lazy, really), but since I live on the shore where steep hills abound, I'm probably better off with getting a 125/250. Any suggestions?

[judgeshock]

Welcome along, what does a virgin poster look like

[DMNTD:Me]

Welcome along, what does a virgin poster look like

....yep keen as to see a pic
First off welcome to KB. Heaps here to help you out.
I'd get a 250(not a 2stroke) if in your shoes. You'll get you confidence up quick with loads of riding and they're ok if you want to take a trip too...which you will
Whatever you get enjoy ya hear

[phoenixgtr]

Welcome to KB. Get a 4 stroke 250. You will regret the lack of power of a smaller bike after not long

[kochikaren]

Welcome to KB. Get a 4 stroke 250. You will regret the lack of power of a smaller bike after not long

Mmm. 4 stroke 250. Does a GN250 fit that bill?

BTW pic upload in the next few days!

[Str8 Jacket]

Mmm. 4 stroke 250. Does a GN250 fit that bill?

If your serious about riding and you want to go longer distances do not get a GN. I will admit that they are an easy bike to learn to ride on, but once you get the hang of riding you may find that they are just clunky and slowish. If you just want to learn to ride and only want to commute etc then a GN is a great bike.
Every bike feels different. I started out with a GN but wrote it of a couple of months later (rider error) I now have a 2 stroke 150 that is more than capable of keeping up with a 250cc. Its nice and light and really easy to ride. My advice is that you go and sit on a few, see what feels comfy and choose one that you can pick up of the ground easily, cause believe me its important!

[crashe]

or go and buy a virago 250cc cruiser.

[phoenixgtr]

You will notice a bit of negativism toward GN's on this site and fair enough. They are good to learn the very basics on but I wouldn't touch one with a 10 foot pole. Its just not my bag baby. Like Str8 Jacket said, you gotta try some out and at least sit on a few. I think image is really important. If you feel like you look good riding your bike then you will feel more confident

[Ixion]

To some extent, it depends on how old you are. If you are over 25, and don't have to spend half eternity stuck on a learners or restricted licence, then get a GN250. Testosterone fuelled young men complain they are too slow. But you do not have to deal with the side effects of testosterone, or the painful and expensive results. And remember that while you are on your L plate you are legally limited to 70kph anyway. By the time you have reached the limits of it, you will be ready for take your full, and get a bigger bike. You will lose almost nothing when you sell a GN, they hold their value so well. And they are cheap as chips to run, and cheap as to repair if you do drop it.

If you are under 25 then the prolonged L and R time may make a difference since you will probably want to ditch whatever bike you start out with in favour of a more powerful 250.

Just one point , beware of overconfidence. "it was easy as pie." is a good start to unpleasant experiences in hospitals and such like. I have been riding for 40 years, and I certainly wouldn't say even now that it as easy as pie. Very rewarding , though. But like most interesting things, it can go horribly wrong horribly fast, so you must never be overconfidant (nor, be too scared to step boldy out. Judicial is always a good word) .

I am sure Ms Sunhuntin and Ms Crashe will be glad to give further feminine insight.

(I would very strongly suggest that you do NOT start out with a two stroke, enthusiast though I am for the two smokers. At least a few months experience is needed before attempting to ringa-ding-ding - even then not everyone can manage it)

[pyrocam]

cbr250
there can be no other.

[MSTRS:Me]

or go and buy a virago 250cc cruiser.

Almost an hour and a half - you slipping, young lady??
BTW welcome that new lass. Before you decide on the bike that's right for you, you have to decide what kind of riding you are going to be doing & what you are prepared to spend too.

[pyrocam]

Almost an hour and a half - you slipping, young lady??
BTW welcome that new lass. Before you decide on the bike that's right for you, you have to decide what kind of riding you are going to be doing & what you are prepared to spend too.

thats rubbish!

call up your favourite bike store (or colemans suzuki on K road if you dont have one) and say 'SELL ME A BIKE TODAY' and take the first one shown to you even if its more than double your budget.

[crashe]

Almost an hour and a half - you slipping, young lady??

Hahahaha nope not at all.... I wasnt on line....
Dog-gone it I must stop having a life....


Go and sit on a Virago 250cc and test ride one.. they are great bikes...
Remember they are a cruiser so you take a corner differently to a sport type bike.
The Virago is a great commuter and great out on the country roads as well.

A GN250 is a taller bike with a harder seat than a Virago 250 cruiser and the Virago has a much more comfortable seat to sit on. The Virago 250 is a much more commfortable ride......

But the GN250 is a great little learner bike to learn on...

But I highly recommend the Virago 250cc cruiser.

[texmo]

Hey everyone! Virgin poster here! heheh ... I just wanted to say I got my Basic Handling Skills Certificate yesterday and I'm really excited to get my first bike (after passing my learner's, of course!) I must admit, I've only ever been on bikes illegally in Thailand when on vacation (rode a dirtbike on their highway from Sangklaburi to the border of neighbouring country Burma/Myanmar without any sort of licence! Did the same thing on a busy Bangkok highway -- scary! ) and it was easy as pie. Its been a couple years now and of course, I was quite nervous about getting back. A big shout-out to Philip of Riderskills (highly recommended) for being very patient when my nerves got frazzled and for explaning things simply and to the point. It all really helped with my confidence! So if any newbie out there is looking to get their BHS, go to Riderskills! And did I mention he gave me a 20% discount just for being on KB?

I will be in the market for my first bike next year -- Can anyone give advice on whether to get a 50cc scooter, a 125cc, or a 250? I'm not so confident about riding just yet, but practice makes perfect, eh? I was thinking about getting a cheap scooter (just being lazy, really), but since I live on the shore where steep hills abound, I'm probably better off with getting a 125/250. Any suggestions?

scooters are a lot more dangerous than bikes, the brakes arent as good they dont handel as well, 250cc motobikes cost too much...
get an rg150

[kochikaren]

To some extent, it depends on how old you are. If you are over 25, and don't have to spend half eternity stuck on a learners or restricted licence, then get a GN250. Testosterone fuelled young men complain they are too slow. But you do not have to deal with the side effects of testosterone, or the painful and expensive results. And remember that while you are on your L plate you are legally limited to 70kph anyway. By the time you have reached the limits of it, you will be ready for take your full, and get a bigger bike. You will lose almost nothing when you sell a GN, they hold their value so well. And they are cheap as chips to run, and cheap as to repair if you do drop it.

If you are under 25 then the prolonged L and R time may make a difference since you will probably want to ditch whatever bike you start out with in favour of a more powerful 250.

Just one point , beware of overconfidence. "it was easy as pie." is a good start to unpleasant experiences in hospitals and such like. I have been riding for 40 years, and I certainly wouldn't say even now that it as easy as pie. Very rewarding , though. But like most interesting things, it can go horribly wrong horribly fast, so you must never be overconfidant (nor, be too scared to step boldy out. Judicial is always a good word) .

I am sure Ms Sunhuntin and Ms Crashe will be glad to give further feminine insight.

(I would very strongly suggest that you do NOT start out with a two stroke, enthusiast though I am for the two smokers. At least a few months experience is needed before attempting to ringa-ding-ding - even then not everyone can manage it)

Wow. Thanks for that! That's really helpful info -- BTW, I am a bit over the quarter-century age, so I might just get a 250. I won't spent so long on my learners/restricted ... depending on whether or not I go back home to Canada before I get my full! heheh.

I like the whole "inexpensive to start with" idea. I am quite careful with my things, and especially something that I ride in. So I suppose GNs would do the trick, although I *will* try out other models to see if I like them better.

Oh, and just to clarify, the "easy as pie" bit wasn't from the BHS test -- it was from riding auto clutch bikes overseas. I do agree about being overconfident -- don't worry, at this point, I am lacking it due to inexperience! I will be careful though, thanks!