Best commuting 250?

**brianemone** · 12th January 2006, 15:44

My wife and i are looking at buying out of town so i will be facing a 40min one way commute to work.

im kind of glad though as it gives our little boy and future kids some room to play and make a mess.

the best part of the whole move is that i get to buy a motorbike again, something i have missed now that i am a "grown up" (used to have a motorbike when i was 17)

i still only have a learners license so as far as i remember 250 is my max cc rating (will get restricted/full in due course) does anyone have any reccomendations as to a reliable/economical/comfortable 250cc would be??

my max spend would be about 5k

thanks all

**MidnightMike** · 12th January 2006, 15:48

Everyone suggests the goddam GN250's.
But its up to you.
Look around ,sit on some and take some for a ride.
Thats the best way to go. :spudwave:

BTW welcome to KB

**Firefight** · 12th January 2006, 15:49

[QUOTE=brianemone does anyone have any reccomendations as to a reliable/economical/comfortable 250cc would be??

my max spend would be about 5k

thanks all[/QUOTE]

how about one of these
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=22328

F/F

**skelstar** · 12th January 2006, 15:56

If youve had a learners for bloody ages, then if yer smart you are only 3 months away from a full. Better bikes for money there.

1. Do your restricted test. Ya gonna have to anyway as you are only allowed to do 70km/h
2. Do defensive driving course and have your restricted licence halved to 3 months.

**crashe** · 12th January 2006, 16:15

Ok guys and gals who are timing me on this post...
I have been out today.. so I have only JUST spotted this thread.

I highly recommend the VIRAGO 250cc cruiser..
Its a great commuter and also great out in the country roads too...

Next in line is the GN250...

The VIRAGO 250 cruiser I believe has more power than the GN250...

But if you are short in statue then the VIRAGO 250 cruiser is the bike for you.

The GN250 is quite a bit taller than the VIRAGO 250 cruiser.

So there ya have... my recommendation...

**ManDownUnder** · 12th January 2006, 16:19

Welcome to the site - and good post.

Any 250 is going to be economical on the fuel. I'd suggest you work out what styling you like, want you want to do with it (on road only, or maybe some off road too?) and take it from there.

www.trademe.co.nz is good for this stuff.

GN250 is a popular step into motorcycling, reliable and cheap little bikes - you'd probably get a new one well inside your budget (dunno though).

Test ride a few see what works and what doesn't.

Good luck and enjoy!
MDU

**ManDownUnder** · 12th January 2006, 16:22

Originally Posted by crashe

...if you are short in statue...

If you're in a short statue you have problems...

**brianemone** · 12th January 2006, 16:34

hi guys.
thanks for the replies.

here is something i was looking at on trademe http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/a...sp?id=44483536

seems like a very good price, but since i've been out of bikes for a while i wanted to get some opinions.

thanks for the offer firefight but its a bit girly for my tastes,

and im not in a short statue ( im about 6'3")

**ManDownUnder** · 12th January 2006, 16:37

Originally Posted by brianemone

and im not in a short statue ( im about 6'3")

A your height you'll want a taller bike - so something like you're looking at or a trail bike perhaps?

That's not a bad bike but the mileage on it is highish for a 250 (little motors have to go round more times etc).

**Karma** · 12th January 2006, 16:39

at your size I wouldn't recommend a GN250, they're a bit small

and if you've ridden before then you're not a complete newbie.

CBR or ZXR I'd go for.

**crashe** · 12th January 2006, 16:42

Ok at 6 foot 3 inches tall....

Then forget the GN250 and also the VIRAGO 250cc cruiser...

You will be miles to tall for either of those bikes...

The guys can now recommend taller 250cc's to you...

**Cookie** · 12th January 2006, 16:42

If you can't look at it personally before placing a bid, I would ask for some good quality closeups of the dropped side with the "...couple of cosmetic scratches on the paintwork..".

I don't know anything about that particular bike but I like mine as a commuter(of course)

Best wishes

**brianemone** · 12th January 2006, 16:49

Originally Posted by ApplicatioNZ

If you can't look at it personally before placing a bid, I would ask for some good quality closeups of the dropped side with the "...couple of cosmetic scratches on the paintwork..".

I don't know anything about that particular bike but I like mine as a commuter(of course)

Best wishes

yeah i wont be bidding on anything i havent seen fully, and hopefully test ridden.

i would prefer something a bit bigger than 250 but because i havent ridden for so long and still have my learners (this will change once i get back on a bike) i will have to stick with a 250 for a little while untill im confident again

**MacD** · 12th January 2006, 20:21

How about a Honda VTR250 like this one:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=22713

They seem to be a good bike, and they can be punted along quite well. More comfortable than an IL4 250RRRRRR thing for somebody 6'3" I would expect.