WTB: Learner w/ $2k in Auks...

**escher** · 23rd March 2006, 19:43

Hey, I'm planning on getting my learners this weekend and get a bike within a few weeks [when my current car sells] I'm budgeting $500 for gears and $2k for <251cc.

What should I look out for when buying a bike that I will primarily use for travelling to uni and back [Onehunga into Mid-City]? Also, will $500 be enough for a jacket and helmet that I won't need to update for atleast a year?

Secondly, anyone know of someone that I can learn to ride and get my licence through? Cheaper the better

Cheers for the input~
An absolute newbie

**Dafe** · 23rd March 2006, 20:00

$500 will need to cover your gloves too.

You'll spend around $100 on gloves.
Cheap jackets go in the early $200 range. But be warned, the cheaper they are, the less water resistant they tend to be.
$200 for a helmet is do-able. But if you're going on the motorway, you'd not see me in one, $400 range gives you good head protection.
Also, Good footwear should be considered. Waterproof boots perhaps.
Waterproof trousers too.

As you see, at $500 you'll get the protection you pay for - not much. Definately not good for motorway commuting.

$2000 for a bike. Try and get a 2-stroke 150. They go well.

**escher** · 23rd March 2006, 20:09

Oh ok, well I won't be going on the M-way just yet, and depending on my driving skill level, not sure if I'll be doing to much driving in the wet.

Are the clothing costs all new? As I would only really be interested in a new Jacket and Helmet and Gloves - so around $800 for that stuff? I could look around for pants and shoes [if need be].

How easy would it be for me to then on sell a 2-stroke 150cc? Probably would have some war wounds on it too as I don't want to lose to much money on it until I get a bit more experience under my belt.

**SwanTiger** · 23rd March 2006, 20:19

Gear is important especially when commuting in Auckland traffic as the likely hood of an accident is in my opinion increased ten fold due to the fact there are so many frustrated bad drivers about.

You can pickup a good pair of waterproof boots for $170, gloves around $100, a decent jacket with armour for between $300 and $400. As for pants, unless you can find some cheap leather pants on Trade Me or similar, you may as well commute in jeans or two pairs of jeans as codura pants (from what I've read) wont save your bacon.

A Suzuki FXR 150 pops into mind as a good suggestion, however look around as there are a few options. One of those might be to get a decent road legal dirtbike around the 125cc mark that will provide good economy and comfortable commuting.

**SwanTiger** · 23rd March 2006, 20:26

Had a quick squiz on Trade Me and herer are some of the 150cc motorcycles I came across that might be suitable. If you think that you will enjoy riding it might pay to get something that you can do rides on, an FXR 150 would be great for this and would ease you into riding nicely.

Another option, which is the most popular, is to find one of the many Suzuki GN 250's for sale, they are apparently easier to ride, however you are limited to the same if not a little less power than the Suzuki FXR 150.

Suzuki FXR 150, Best bet
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-51550930.htm

Lifan 150, Looks good, not sure about the brand.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...3/k-298520.htm

Hyosung XRX 125, Great trail bike, would cost around $600 - $800 to make road legal
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-51467348.htm

Kawasaki KRR 150, Nice example of a 150cc sports style bike
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...717&key=298192

**escher** · 23rd March 2006, 21:07

Wow thanks. Yeah my mate has an FXR150, crashed it in the first week he got it and hasn't ridden it since lol. But that was because he has never driven a motorvechile before, so eh'. But I must say they do look real good, and my mate was told they're really great for manovering between vechiles in Aucklands grid-lock traffic which is great bonus.

I do however think my license should be the first step, with me keeping an eye on bikes and their prices. An FXR would be ideal I believe, and I do see a few around.

So about my license, anyone recommend a good place to learn with? ie: PassRite?

**Ixion** · 23rd March 2006, 21:12

I think some of the figures quoted for gear are unnecessarily expensive. I have been riding for nearly 40 years, and have an immense distaste for being hurt, but I would not pay those prices as a learner.

It is one thing to shell out a lot of money for expensive gear if you are sure you will be using it for many years. But learners often find that is not the case - they decide motorcycling is not for them, or that their initial choices were not suitable for one reason or other. And for commuting race leathers are not needed.

Gloves, for commuting I use a perfectly serviceable pair of leather gloves, $35 from Messrs Cycletreads (about a year ago)
Jackets, quite adequate ones can be had for less than $150. You do not need leather.
Leggings, $100 will buy serviceable waterproof cordura.
Boots, for commuting I wear a stout pair of calf length boots purchased two years ago from the Warehouse, cost I think $40
Helmet. I think that expensive helmets are a waste of money. Independant tests have shown that they will provide no greater safety than cheap ones, my CL-14 cost me $150 from memory about 6 months ago.

All this is for new gear. Wait until the stores are having a sale , they have them regularly. For jacket and leggings, second hand is perfectly acceptable , and some very good buys may be had on Trademe. I use for summer commuting a leather jacket that cost me the grand total of $35 including postage. I would not recommend a second hand helmet for regular use, unless you know its provenance.

(I do have more expensive gear which I wear for high speed touring. But you will not (if you are wise) adventure upon that field for a while)

Welcome, by the way, and enjoy motorcycling. And I will endorse the recommendation to buy a 150cc two stroke. Both the RG150 and the KR150 are excellent machines. If you prefer a four stroke, the FXR150 is popular, and the GN250 is a splendid little bike for learning and commuting.

**SwanTiger** · 23rd March 2006, 22:35

Originally Posted by escher

Wow thanks. Yeah my mate has an FXR150, crashed it in the first week he got it and hasn't ridden it since lol. But that was because he has never driven a motorvechile before, so eh'. But I must say they do look real good, and my mate was told they're really great for manovering between vechiles in Aucklands grid-lock traffic which is great bonus.

That'd be true, TristanK is currently riding a FXR 150 and he reckons its nice for lane splitting. I'd have to say that the FXR 150 is going to be your best choice and if you wait around and spend time looking you'll more than likely find one at an extremely good price, ESPECIALLY with winter starting to come around.

**FROSTY:Me** · 23rd March 2006, 23:03

I agree totally with Ixion
Heres a reasonable breakdown of costs for ya.
Helmet---NEW full face reasonable quality $150 (colemans)
May not be the latest trendy colors but will protect ya head well
Gloves--$35 -leather with liners
jacket ---$150 leather or cadura second hand
boots $100-150 depending on ya foot size.
Trou- depends on you-But can be as cheap as $20 for wet weather trou.
Most gear doesnnt suffer from being used its only the lid that ya need to be sure of.
Now where I totally disagree is the idea of a person of questionable mechanical ability on a two stroke bike -RG/KR150's are great lil bikes but you pay for the performance with reliability.
I'd suggest any of the following--FXR150 GN250, GZ250 SRX250,gpz/gpx250
cb250--basicly 4 stroke single or twin cylinder.
I may have a GPX250 available soon --its very clean and tidy but the last owner ran it outa oil. Im fitting a low K motor in it

**Rosie** · 24th March 2006, 08:28

I've got a KRR 150, it's a really nice little bike to learn on. Previous owner said it was really good for commuting around Auckland in. I've only had it for a couple of months, so I'm not sure about the reliability, but a friend had one for a few years, and never had any problems.

I think some places (motomail?) do deals on gear for beginners. For commuting you'd want something waterproof. Even if you don't plan on riding in the rain, it can sneak up on you sometimes. A jacket with decent vents is also nice if you are stuck in traffic in summer, but that won't be a problem in the next few months.

I'd look around for a bike and some gear at the same time as sorting out your licence. It gives you a bit more time to see what is out there and decide what you want, so once you have the licence and sell the car you'll be able to get yourself on two wheels faster.

**blitz** · 24th March 2006, 19:31

Go the SRX250!! Hehehe

**blitz** · 12th April 2006, 16:16

I found an SRX for you!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-53252543.htm

Oh Dam but its not in Aucks so you cant test it, nevermind.
He does offer free shipping tho.

**imdying** · 12th April 2006, 16:44

Bahahahahahahahahaha... are you serious??? I paid $1200 for my good nick 1987 SRX250 in 1993. Was red too, so it'd be faster than that one!

**MidnightMike** · 12th April 2006, 16:51

Originally Posted by Dafe

You'll spend around $100 on gloves.

Woah, I got mine for $10 Discounted from $80. :spudbn:
If your a money concious student, like me, then shop around.

PS. Leave Red Baron alone, they charge like, like, well, they add a thou or two to each bike they sell.