First bike... different to the what to buy threads.

[crshbndct]

i was wondering, purely hypothetically, and if it was legal, (which i know it isnt, but this is a hypothetical "what if" situation)

would a bike like an older v-twin 400 be a good learners bike? instead of a something like a 4 cylinder 250, which is a total screamer, with 19,000 rpm etc, what about a 400cc v-twin which makes the same kind of power (40-50hp)

the hypothetical rider is about 110kg, so i thought a 400 would be better.

purely hypothetical of course. i am not considering it in the slightest.

[Devil]

A brand new Triumph Bonneville is a good learners bike.

[ZeroIndex]

i was wondering, purely hypothetically, and if it was legal, (which i know it isnt, but this is a hypothetical "what if" situation)

would a bike like an older v-twin 400 be a good learners bike? instead of a something like a 4 cylinder 250, which is a total screamer, with 19,000 rpm etc, what about a 400cc v-twin which makes the same kind of power (40-50hp)

the hypothetical rider is about 110kg, so i thought a 400 would be better.

purely hypothetical of course. i am not considering it in the slightest.

Here's what you do (if you want to try get away with breaking the law).. you buy yourself a '88 GSXR250 with a screwed motor, rip out the motor, and shove in a 400cc.. it's been done on trademe, but for all the effort for not much more horsepower, I wouldn't bother with it....

and no.. you could find a historic 300cc with 5hp, and you'd still not legally be allowed on the road with it, because it's higher than a 250cc (even though the horsepower is completely different)

[SwanTiger]

It depends as most 400cc motorcycles I have seen (apart from the Honda GB's) are relatively small.

If you are a learner, start on a 250cc, there are a few 250's suitable for someone of your size. I am 6ft and 115kg and ride a GT 250R.

[pritch]

So, again purely hypothetically of course, why not a 250 Vtwin ?

[ZeroIndex]

if you really want to stick it to the government, buy a brand new trike, but get it registered as a motor vehicle (as opposed to car), therefore you just use a car license, and you don't need a helmet (unless you crash....)

[kiwifruit]

If you have never riden a bike at all a road bike isnt a good place to start.
An open space, pref grass or dirt, and a small dirt bike is they way to learn.
If you have the basics down then a 400 twin would be great for a first road bike.
Better than a inline 4 250 anyday
Hypothetically a 500 twin like a gpz would be ideal too

Unfortuantly the law is an ass and restricts the bikes you can (legally) ride without a full licence. We all know the restrictions should be on power output or power to wieght ratio instead of engine size, maybe one day things will change?....

[crshbndct]

i thn you misunderstood i wasnt asking if it was legal, but if a 400 twin is a good learning bike. it would have a more subdued power curve, and yet have the power to lug around a hefty person.

[Two Smoker]

i thn you misunderstood i wasnt asking if it was legal, but if a 400 twin is a good learning bike. it would have a more subdued power curve, and yet have the power to lug around a hefty person.

Short answer, yes...

[Colapop]

I suppose you could say I'm a 'hefty' person. I understand what you're saying. I found a 250 too little for me. Not only size-wise but a 250 just could not do the job. Granted a 50cc can get you going fast enough to hurt ya but, if you're talking riding ie. anywhere other than around the city, then yeah a 400 would be a good learners bike. A Virago XV400 is a good bike as is a GSX400. But so are many in that range.
Have you ever ridden an RGV250? Huge power in a 250. More than enough to get you from here to there. Or how about a Hyosung GT250?
I think the question/s here are;
Are you strapped for cash and want to go straight to a 400 so you don't have to upgrade? That's up to you.
Are you that big that a standard 250 is too small? There are bikes around (GSX250, Hyosung GT250) that will fit.
Do you want more power? Power is relative, to be able to handle more power you should have the skills to handle a smaller bike first - you just have to look at some riders in the states that are allowed to get straight onto death machines and that's exactly what they get - dead.

The point is that the restrictions are there for a reason although they may seem a hinderance. Really, the wait is minor in the long term. If it is a cash thing then buy a 250 bike now. The resale value will only increase in the next year (providing you buy the right bike). Hope these thoughts help.

[chickenfunkstar]

I've ridden a GS500 (paralell air cooled twin) when my bike has been in the shop and I thought it would make the perfect learners bike (hypothetically speaking that is ) I think that its got the flattest torque curve in existance.

[Insanity_rules]

A big ol dirt bike is still the fun way to go, you learn a lot that way.

[XTC]

Some states in Australia have a LAM system for learners. Lam = Learner Approved Motorcycle. This allows learners to ride bike under a certain HP limit rather than a 'cc limit. Makes far too much sense for NZ legislators tho.

Some of the bikes eligable include - XT600, Hyosung GT650L,RL (L being slightly detuned learner model), KLR650, GPZ500 etc

See here.
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/...iceriders.html

[crshbndct]

Are you strapped for cash and want to go straight to a 400 so you don't have to upgrade? That's up to you.

yes the hypothetical person is ver straped for cash. has all the gear, but a decent 250 is minium $1000 to buy in good nick, whereas 400's are $400 upwards.

Are you that big that a standard 250 is too small? There are bikes around (GSX250, Hyosung GT250) that will fit.

the hypothetical person only needs to be on is hypothetical restricted(which he can go for now, despite having no bike) for another 6 months, and would want to take his hypothetical wife cruising every so often.

[avgas]

Load of BS, a if a GN125 can carry my ass @ 130kph then the small bikes make good learners bikes.
You have to learn on a gutless wonder to appreciate the bigger bikes.
Hell even those 50cc jobs are a good place to start if you really dont know how to ride yet.
As for restricted, this is when i feel that people are able to go up 400's. You hav e to have those few months on a crap bike - to learn to ride properly.
It teaches you the limits of what a bike can do. And allows you to build up a natural rhythem when riding.