First Bike? Suggestions?

MD · 22nd May 2004, 19:21

Always good to hear someone giving motorbikes a go. Personally If its for commuting I'd stay away from the race replica riding style, go naked [the bike- not you] or atleast an upright style. You get better visibility, quick to turn and cars see you better which hopefully means they wont hit you.
Years ago I believed the myth that the more a helmet cost the better it must be in a crash. These days I doubt you need to pay top dollar but always wear gloves and its handy to have a few pairs for when they get wet. Its great putting on the spare gloves from the hot water closet! I don't think you need leathers and full on bike boots for cross city commutes. The riding gear becomes a pain when you arrive.
Buy on impulse from the heart and forget all the logic, its more fun.

**What?** · 22nd May 2004, 19:31

For my threepence, steel-capped work boots are clumsy things on a bike, and are not built to protect you when sliding down the road. They also offer NO ankle protection. Buy proper bike boots - second hand if loot is an issue.

**Posh Tourer :P** · 22nd May 2004, 21:03

Originally Posted by tuscan

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.

I wear something over jeans, cos jeans rip *very* easily when you hit the road, unless you have draggin jeans... even these might rip on chipseal - the promos are all on hotmix....

I wear shoes not boots most of the time, but if I had the cash, or I was just starting out and not inheriting gear, I would get myself some decent boots. You can always wear your jeans over the boots, and the rationale is that the boots give you ankle support to stop you breaking it by ripping it around on unnatural angles when you hit a car.... Feet and ankles, with all those bones, dont heal well....
The problem is, they still have to be comfy enough to walk around uni a bit in, so you may have to compromise a little....

**Magua** · 22nd May 2004, 22:01

First bike eh? Well there is a GN125 for sale over in the trading forum.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...9283#post49283

Shameless

**tuscan** · 29th May 2004, 14:57

Thanks for all the advice everyone

I just went and had a look at gear at a few places round central Auckland. I saw this deal at Motomail and I thought it looked pretty good:

-Rjays Voyager jacket: waterproof with soft armour in the shoulder, elbow, back and removable warm liner.
-Rjays Voyager pants: waterproof with armour in the hips and knees.
-Rjays all season gloves
-HJC cs-10 helmet
-Forma street boots

All up it cost $649. I didn't think that sounded too bad. What do people reckon? Second hand I don't know how much cheaper it would be, but it seems like a big mission trying to hunt out each bit of gear separately second-hand in the right size, condition, price etc. etc.

Anyway I thought if I got this gear package + maybe a half-decent gn250 or something I could be on the road for about $2500 all up.

Any comments on my plan would be great. You guys have already provided lots of helpful advice. :spudbooge

Cheers!

**tuscan** · 29th May 2004, 14:58

And hey! What's a student loan for if it's not for buying motorbikes!?!?

**Posh Tourer :P** · 29th May 2004, 15:22

Are those jacket and pants waterproof or water resistant? Doesnt matter much anyway, you dont get that wet going 10kms a day, I know I have been riding 20km with a not very waterproof jacket in all but the hardest rain, and I get a little wet, but hey who cares. Having wet pants is very uncomfortable though. Make sure these are waterproof, or just get some warehouse plastic overpants for $20. Sounds like a very good deal though overall. Get a CB250RS. Easy to work on, lotsa parts available, good riding position (I'm biased towards upright position, not chopper style or leant over forwards, but well) and wont hurt if you bin it. Heaps of grip, enough power to learn on, good fun bike (just ask Kwaka Kid). You can get one for $1200-$1800.

Oh and student loan? why not? a friend of mine got a skateboard as course related transport costs.....

**RiderInBlack** · 29th May 2004, 15:26

I use Spiders (their full length boots). It's my third pair now in 8years of constant use (last pair cost me $235). Wear them as dress "shoes" by putting me jean legs over top of them, even if I haven't taken the bike (alright for clubing as well). Because of this I have never needed to carry a change if foot wear if I go anywhere on the bike. When I was working as a nurse, I wore them all day at work and nobody was the wiser. Comfortable to wear on the bike as well. Fairly water resistant. Would only consider a more expencive boot if I was racing.

**tuscan** · 29th May 2004, 16:51

Cb250rs ay? Haven't seen (m)any of them but heaps of guys on here reckon they're pretty alright to get started on.

If I was spending maybe 1800 what sort of year model do you think I could expect to get?

I don't really want something that is too old y'know.

I was hoping to pick something up that was maybe 10 years old...

(irrelevant smily I know but couldn't think of a chance when I would be able to use it and it would be relevant.

)

**FROSTY:Me** · 29th May 2004, 17:46

Yep Id say the 250 rs would be my favorite single.
The cb250rs delux I think is the latest model -came out in the late 80s
After bitter experience with one I personally wouldn't reccoment one.
Im being very specific again -the delux had electric start and for some reason gave heaps of trouble with the lekkie start.
One bike often overlooked is the cb250 from the early to mid 1990s
semi retro styling but with all the modern equipment. ya might pick one of those up for about that kinda money.
Suzuki and Kawasaki did a nice little water cooled 250 single in the early 90's -I think the suzi was a GF250 but Ill stand corrected.
Whatever you buy I can't reccomend enough getting it thouroughly checked out first. Even get a competent mate to look it over then a mechanic. 1800+ is a decent chunk of change to spend

**scroter** · 29th May 2004, 18:22

if you cant persuade the bank to get you a new
R1 then just dont worry about the leathers or anything itl be sweet. otherwise stick with the sj50. if it bores you try riding everywhere on the back wheel even if you need to carry a passenger to hoist the front

**Ghost Lemur** · 29th May 2004, 18:23

Well I haven't got my cb250rs. But decided on it on the advice of everyone here. Pick up the rodent on Friday hopefully. It's an '81, but seems to be build like a brick and should give me little to no trouble. Ugly (the ductape doesn't help

) but ideal for a first bike.