Wanted: Learner Bike

[james.r]

Wanted learner bike, e.g 250cc or less, but prefer 250. Current rego and wof would be an advantage, well maintained, good condition etc. Willing to pay up to $2000-ish. I'm a student in Auckland so a good commuter would be awesome - also prefer a bike in Auckland.

[MidnightMike]

It makes me smile how many of these there are, just look in every advetisement thing there is.

[bigbadwolf]

You should be able to get a good GN250 for that price, or an FXR150. They both have about the same amount of power and performance, but the FXR150 looks cooler. If you want a higher performance bike you are looking at around $3000, or an absolute shitter for your price.

Try these ones on TradeMe:

2005 GN250, low kms

2004 GN250

Before you rubbish the bike on its looks or performance, know that it is almost universally agreed that the GN (or ginny) is the BEST learner's bike out there.

And remember, you're looking at around $1000 for gear on top of the bike. Doing what I did and buying the bike first and gear bit by bit probably isn't the best idea, just in case something happens.

Helmet: Cheap helmets mean you don't care about your head, buy one with a safety sticker, and NOT OFF TRADEME because then you can't tell sizing. Looking at around $200 and upwards for a decent one.

Jacket: You can get a good cordura jacket with armour for around $200

Pants: Ditto

Boots: Touring boots will set you back upwards of $150, sports boots (with plastic sliders everywhere) are about twice that but look cooler!!!

Good luck with the bike man, and welcome to KB

Yours sincerely,

bigbadwolf

[bigbadwolf]

Oh and I was looking for a bike for about 3 months before I found something, shouldn't be too bad in Auckland but you may need to give it a wee bit of time.

[Acid]

motomail outlet store is great in western springs i picked up my gear from there for $470 and that was everything from boots to helmet and would have cost me $1500ish had i not got it from there.

[TygerTung]

You can get a decent halmet for about $120, it has the safety standards on it, it's just noisier and less comfortable than flasher ones.

Pants start at $150

Jacket, well I got a second hand one, I actually brought a package deal off trademe, leather jacket, patchwork leather jeans, gloves and boots, the jacket and boots fit me, the jeans are a bit tight for my fat ass and the gloves were a bit big. I sold the gloves cheap too a mate and have the pants lying around, I brought that package for $150.

I paid $80 for my gloves, nice and comfy and warm.

[Ixion]

If you have some off road experience, and are comfortable with actually controlling a bike, you might add the two strokes to the list - KR150 and RG150 (or RGV150). Both might be had within your budget I think, with a bit of luck. But the GN250 is a jolly good little bike , and has the advantage that if you buy wisely you should (assuming you don't wreck it) be able to onsell it when you come to upgrade without any significant loss. *If* looked after , they hold their value well. (KBers who have had different experience may note the qualification there -- If --). You sound sensible . I do not think you would crash it.