First Bike? Suggestions?

[tuscan]

I am about to get my learners and i want to buy my first bike. I don't really know much about them but i know my present sj50 sucks :disapint:

Anyway if anyone reads this, what would they suggest I get. I ride about 20 km a day, to and from uni and i want something safe and reliable to learn on, and hopefully not TOO slow. i was considering maybe a fxr150 or a rgv150. What would your comments be on these two, and any other similar bikes? Any advice/suggestions would really be appreciated.

Also, what safety gear MUST I get, considering for quite a while at least i will just be doing city riding?

It would be cool if people could let me know what they think. I want to get riding!

Cheers people

[Two Smoker]

A CB250RS would be awesome, because you will must likely bin it and fairings cost a shit load, an FXR 150 would be perfect, a guy on this site ( XJXJXJ ) is selling one at the mo...... RGV150/ RG150 isnt exactly ideal due to them needing constant maintainance and it cost big $$$ to fix them (as i know allll too well lol)

As for gear, get the best you can buy...... A absolute must is gloves($40-$300 and boots(Just some work boots with a steel tow cap should do), as well as an armoured Cordura jacket ($300-$500) (due to it being water proof) then something like Draggin Jeans ($240) or Cordura Pants($300)....

But yeah i would highly recommend a FXR150 especially for around town riding

Hope that helps

[tuscan]

Thanks for the advice. I thought a fxr would be pretty suitable...

[Ms Piggy]

Hey Tuscan,
I am a new rider (5months & counting!) and I have a CB250RS, it is really good for round town and I've been on a road trip with it too.

Definitely safety gear is the MOST important thing. As Two Smoker has already said, gloves, jacket, pants & helmet - it's a bit of an outlay but definitely worth it.

A lot of the guys & gals on this site are very knowledgeable about bikes, so you've come to the right place.

[Marknz]

Tuscan,

You need to get out and test ride as many legal bikes as you can and see which one suits you. From experience I would recommend a Honda VTR250. Easy and comfortable to ride, no fairing to damage in case of the usual minor drop, easy to maintain, has the look of a certain modern European manufacturers naked bike. I reckon you'l love it.

Safety Gear? The best helmet you can afford... don't scrimp on that one. If money is no object, a really good pair of gloves, a proper pair of motorcycle boots, and a two peice leather suit. If you're on a budget, a really good pair of gloves, a pair of boots that go at least above your ankle, a synthetic jacket with armour inserts, and a pair of Draggin Jeans.

[Warren]

If you are looking at a fxr150 check out my FXR150 site http://www.fxr150.ws.net.nz.

For around town a fxr150 will be perfect. But if you are planning on doing road trips or going 2-up alot then it is probably better to get a 250.

[Indiana_Jones]

Yeah, FXR150 is pretty good for a 1st bike

-Indy

[FROSTY:Me]

ok now keeping In mind Im selling an fxr150 --I would still recomend a gn250 any day as a commuter. The fxr is a heap of fun-nimble great brakes
and not bad power delivery But I think the gn is better.--My opinion only.
On the gear front. --I'd give motomail or colemans suzuki a ring. -they both have helmets for sale -YOU MUST buy a NEW helmet and it really needs to be a full face--they have some good lids for only $150
For the rest of your gear second hand will be fine. Funnily enough leather jackets are pretty cheap at the likes of cash converters or through trade and exchange.
same with gloves and boots if you have size 8 feet Ive got an old race pair to get ya going.
Wet gear I actually found for commuting that the cheap warehouse stuff did the job as good as anything.

[Aleph]

Hi,
Good to hear you are getting into biking. I am not up to date on the smaller bikes but my observation is that the 250's are overly expensive as everyone tries to get the maximum size allowed.
What next then? What are your plans? If you have the money are you going to upsize as soon as your cc limits are raised? If yes then don't spend too much now as you will only lose it on the sell later. If you are going to stick with the bike a while then go as high a cc as you can afford so you can extend the bike's use as you get confident. Don't overlook the older bikes, there are some good ones there - particularly if you are going to sell later.
Gear: Helmet and Gloves are obvious. Money is the limiting factor. Always wear some gear that covers all of your skin - it scratches off real easy like.
Others will disagree but if gearing up is too impractical you will skip it one day for that "short ride". Often more money will make it easier.
For feet, boots preferably but always something that wont flick off easily.
The more waterproof the gear the more you will use the bike and generally if waterproof you will get some protection.
Some of the guys on this site know their stuff and prices. Give them an idea on how much you have to spend then you will not get generalisations like my ramble.

[Posh Tourer :P]

I'd agree... spend a good amount of money on gear, its worth getting waterproof jacket and pants. draggin jeans are fairly practical and you dont need to get undressed too much at the other end, but they arent waterproof. The more convenient your gear the better, but make sure it is good stuff. ie dont go buying a one piece suit if you are commuting, it'll just be annoying. Good for racing/long rides tho as you dont get the top and bottom pulling apart and giving you a bad chipseal rash on your back :S

[tuscan]

Thanks for the advice everyone...

By the way, have any of you been to America at all? I was there last year and I couldn't believe what they wear out riding over there. I know LA summer is hot but hurtling down a freeway on a big Harley with no helmet and a T-shirt has got to be a bad idea!

I have a helmet at the moment that I got when I bought my scooter The lady I bought it off had only had it about 6 months - same with the scooter. She swears she never dropped it and it didn't have any nicks or anything. I've been using it for over a year now. Would you still reccommend a new one?

As far as boots and that goes, do you guys wear them every time you go out? I'm at uni and I would say 95% of the people I see hopping off their bikes are wearing jeans and sneakers.

As to the comment regarding the gn250, why do you think it is a better choice?

Anyway, again, cheers for the tips guys. I'll let you know when I've got something. Gotta get the license first

[Badcat]

I am about to get my learners and i want to buy my first bike. I don't really know much about them but i know my present sj50 sucks :disapint:

Anyway if anyone reads this, what would they suggest I get. I ride about 20 km a day, to and from uni and i want something safe and reliable to learn on, and hopefully not TOO slow. i was considering maybe a fxr150 or a rgv150. What would your comments be on these two, and any other similar bikes? Any advice/suggestions would really be appreciated.

Also, what safety gear MUST I get, considering for quite a while at least i will just be doing city riding?

It would be cool if people could let me know what they think. I want to get riding!

Cheers people

dude - take a look at a suzuki vanvan.
you can pick them up new at $3500 at some dealers - i did.
i've been riding motorbikes for 21 years - and the vanvan is a ball to ride.
i use it to commute - i feel safer in the city (i'm in auckland) on something light and easy to flick around
200 cc four stroke (from the dr200)
disc front brake
excellent headlight (pissed all over my $16,000 KTM)
amazing grip
lightweight
excellent seating position and visability
can easily take a pillion
really good on gas (suzuki quote 49 kms/litre)
http://www.suzukicycles.org/RV-serie...shtml~isoraami
easy to laugh at - but a brilliant little bike.
Ken (who's still suprised he's been riding for 21 years - whoah)

[Two Smoker]

I wear my boots all the time.... i even wear them for driving now LOL (makes toe heeling a little more difficult though.......)

There is no problem wearing boots all day long, i do it nearly everyday...... You can get some nice boots for about $250-$300 (waterproof too) I think Motomail is a bit expensive, ive found Haldanes and Colemans to have good deals on gear

[FROSTY:Me]

Ok re GN250 -cheap as chips to buy> Brakes on the disk brake model are very good without being throw ya over the bars material. Very neutral riding position (with flat bars fitted).-If you drop it ya aint gonna do much damage--maybee clutch/brake lever and an indicator or two.
Single cylinder so servicing is cheap.Easy to sell . Basicly bulletproof motor
-provided you change the oil often.
If you chernoble the motor it shares most parts witht he 250 suzi quads so piston-rockers,valves are easy to get.
best of all It is very easy to ride with low seat height and very good C of G
GN250 isnt my only suggestion--the volty or the Yam sr250 or the CB250rs
the pick of the bunch to ride is the CB but having a kick start can be a pain in the butt. Maybee even the CBX250 --the common denominator is no fairings single cylinder with a low seat height
As for The motomail thing--In this case alone I suggest them -specificly because at the mo they have the THH lids on special

[toads]

Hi, Just my 2 cents worth, don't rush in, and try out a few bikes before settling on one particular type, the gn is a very economical bike to ride, the honda cbr 250 rr uses petrol fast!, it also moves fast, the gn doesn't and it's brakes really suck if you don't have discs on the front, mine had drum brakes front and rear and was horrible to ride in my opinion, I am very short and find a lot of bikes feel too big for me however, good for you with checking out the riding gear, too many people don't