Newbie that can't decide

**cold_fusion** · 17th February 2006, 08:17

Hi all,
Im doing my handling test tomorrow and all going well I should have my learners in a week or so.

I'm looking for some help in deciding which bike to buy, I'm looking to spend around $2000 on a bike so nothing flash because I really want to have enough money to buy some good protective gear.

At the moment I'm looking at 3 bikes:
2000 Volty TU250 with 58,600km on the clock for $2100.
2004 GN250 with 10,300km on the clock (auction still going but has passed reserve and $1900)
Or and FXR 150 which I can't seem to find any of at the moment.

So what do you guys and gals think? I like the look of the volty alot more than the GN but is an older model and higer k's worth it? There are similar volty's on trademe going for around the $3000 mark but with less k's on them.

I read on here that they hold their resale value better than the GN which is odd seeing as they are the same engine and frame.

Any help, info or comments would be great.
Thanks.

**phoenixgtr** · 17th February 2006, 08:47

FXR's a great bike to learn on. Really easy to ride. Really easy to maintain. However, how tall are you? They are very small bikes. I'm not even 6 foot and my legs are too long for mine.

Also, how long is it going to be until you get a bigger bike? FXR's or GN's for that matter, aren't very fast and you are likely to get bored with the power. I'm definately bored with mine.

BTW Welcome to the site

**GR81** · 17th February 2006, 09:15

im 6"2 and had a FXR150 for about 6 months, was a mint bike to learn on... nice and light to throw around

**phoenixgtr** · 17th February 2006, 09:43

Yeah, they're a great bike to learn on. They're really light and easy to manoeuvre. 6 months is fine but I've got mine for 18 months till I can get a bigger bike

**cold_fusion** · 17th February 2006, 12:40

Hi,
Thanks for the replies, but I can't find a fxr150 for around $2000 at the moment. There have been a few on trademe in the last few weeks but they have been snaped up fairly quickly. What do you guys think about the 2 other bikes I mentioned? Or do you think I should hold out until I find a fxr?
Thanks for the help.

**gamgee** · 17th February 2006, 12:47

you'd be better off getting an older suzuki gn250 or yamaha sr250 (basically the same bike) say around a 1990, because you'll be able to pick one up for around $1000 which will leave you $1000 to get some riding gear and insurance, those singles go pretty much forever, you'll get sick of the lack of power after about 6 months anyway, so after you've sat your R licence you'll want to get a twin or 4 cylinder 250cc bike.
plus by getting an older cheaper bike, if you do have a minor bin which isn't insurance worthy (ie low speed low side) there won't be such an 'oh fuck, thats going to dent the resale' feeling, the other thing is the new gn's aparently aren't as well made as the old ones, but in the end it's up to you, the gn's look exactly the same whether they be 2004 or 1984 the only diff being the price

**Ixion** · 17th February 2006, 12:54

Some possibilities on TardMe now

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...3624&key=92425 (*VERY* nice, a Balius - take note all you chaps wanting one)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...4043&key=92425 (GN250)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...0788&key=92425 (Another GN)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...2101&key=92425 (RGV150 - probably not wise for a complete beginner)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...2208&key=92425 (SR250 - nice)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...8241&key=92425 (RG150 - maybe not for a newbie)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...4821&key=92425 (and another one)

I must admit, there does seem to be somewhat of a shortage at present. 'Tis summer I guess and schools and university restarting.

Any of them will do you well enough to learn on. The GN250 is a great little bike for learning, but the others are good also. The RG150 may not be wise if you have never ridden (ditto KR150, though it would perhaps be hard to pass one by should you be lucky enough to find one). Definately steer clear of the 250cc twostrokes 9NSR250, RG/RGV250, KR1), we want you alive.

**gamgee** · 17th February 2006, 13:08

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-48158489.htm

**kcpies** · 17th February 2006, 13:36

go for a sr or a gn there dam near bullet proof and good to learn on .I had a srv 250 for 3 years and it never let me down and never went over 140 eather,
and when you hadve a off they dont cost much to fix up, good luck and have fun.

**Ixion** · 17th February 2006, 13:56

An a couple of oldere ones:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...2331&key=96400 (Oldie, but definately a goodie
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...8263&key=96986 (rego, WOF and cheap as)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...1636&key=97477 (HERE YA GO. They don't come any better for a learner ! SRX250. rare as , an opportunity for someone. I can vouch for these neat little bikes)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...2066&key=97477 (Nice Honda)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...8489&key=97477 (Cheap GN250, and looks a good one)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...7525&key=97477 (Another nice Honda - particularly good one from the look of it)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...6799&key=97477 (another dirt cheap GN250 Cant go wrong at these prices)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...2208&key=97477 (Nice Sr250 - I reckon they're better than the GN250, m'self)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...8457&key=97477 (Yet another cheap GN250)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...6292&key=97477 (interesting and different)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...key=97477(Nice economical Honda)

Plenty there to choose from.

**cold_fusion** · 17th February 2006, 22:32

Woah! you guys are awesome!
I just got back from work to find a mass of links. Thanks very much Ixon. I had looked at the RG150s but as you say I dont think its a great idea for a first time bike. That CD200 is pretty different, a bit unusual.
The volty with the fixed price offer has been relisted for more so I guess I wont be getting that, I really liked the look of that bike. I've added quite a few of those auctions to my watch list so i'll keep an eye on them, I'll probably go for one of the GN's and sell it on after I'm done on my learners.
Thanks you very much for your help and advice, I've got my handling test tomorrow morning so i'll see how that goes before I place any bids.

**vtec** · 19th February 2006, 20:34

Surely there's got to be some FXR's out there, they were selling for like $3000 brand new, heaps of people have them. Maybe they're just too good to sell. I reckon that would be the best bike by miles to have as a learner bike. Haven't ridden them, but can just feel what it would be like in my head. Too easy. Fun. Get you to 100k/hr quick enough. You get about 1000km/L of gas. I wouldn't settle for any less. In fact I didn't I got an RGV250, and then a CBR250.

P.S. Would not recommend buying a 2 stroke, especially a pre-raced RGV 250 Pepsi Replica. Theres some very good reason why they are only $2000 for a very fast 250

**Ixion** · 19th February 2006, 21:06

Seriously consider the SRX250. They don't often come up, but parts are pretty easy to get cos they share mechanicals with the 250 off roaders. The simplicity of the GN250 a lot more performance, and nothing much to break (and that cheap) of you do drop it. And they are a heap of fun through twisties. And run on the smell of an oily rag (not quite as good as the FXR, but I get 90mpg)

**lia** · 19th February 2006, 21:16

Ixion, you should be charging a commission

**cold_fusion** · 20th February 2006, 09:09

I am still considering that srx250, how much do you think it's worth? All the fxr's on tradme recently have either been bought using the buy now or have been withdrawn! There is one on there now with a start price of $3000 and a buy now of $3400, I really want one of those bikes more than the other learner bikes I've been looking at but I'm just not willing to pay 3k for it. I'd be willing to pay a bit over 2k however so if anyones got one and looking to upgrade

I'm also still keen on that Volty, I would have bought that but the offer on it closed while I was doing my basic handling test