Learning to Ride a Bike

**rwh** · 30th August 2006, 00:20

Originally Posted by kgx

People at gpforums recommended GN250, but it's a little out of my budget. Are there good bikes around $2000? What are second hand bikes like? Are there any issues I need to be aware of?

I was recommended a 250 twin, since they are supposed to be about as easy to ride as a single and powerful enough to be still adequate after getting some experience and not wanting to struggle at 100k. I got my VT250F (V-twin) off trademe for $2000 and have been happy with it. It's in the shop with a flat tyre at the moment, and it had to have some excessive oil drained from it - and I had some trouble with the dipswitch - but mostly it's been fine.

I got someone else (limbimtimwim) to test ride it for me first; I think I'd recommend that for any second hand bike, if you know someone you trust who can ride.

Richard

**Fub@r** · 30th August 2006, 12:38

Originally Posted by kgx

So I've finally decided to learn to ride a bike, my life long dream

So I've read through the LTSA pages and looks like a long licensing process, but has to be done.

I just need suggestions for a first bike. Any particular ones that are good? Don't have any intentions of getting a scooter but if that's what I have to start with, so be it (preferably not though).

People at gpforums recommended GN250, but it's a little out of my budget. Are there good bikes around $2000? What are second hand bikes like? Are there any issues I need to be aware of?

Cheers.

Welcome aboard......I was in your position 8 weeks ago when I ditched the car and got a bike, never looked back.

For me I purchased a 2005 GN250 with 1000km on it for $2400 off Trademe so was basically new. GN's range from $500 for an 80's one to $3300 new. Its a good bike to find your way on although you will eventually outgrow it and want more power, but they are good for 110kph (guys from last saturdays ride cant testify to that

)and run on the smell of an oily rag (once again, last saturday I was the only one that didnt need to fill up). I will upgrade early next year once I have my full.

As for gear I purchased it through the Motomail Outlet Shop. All brand new. $900 got me gloves, helmet, boots, jacket, leggings but you can get cheaper gear as well.

Riderskillz is an awesome place to do your test. All you need is normal clothes as the test is carried out at a maximum speed of 20kph, and he provides a cycle helmet for the test. As with a normal motorbike helmet you cant hear the instructions. Also make sure you have warm clothes as the test is done rain or shine. Also if its your first time on a road bike pay the extra for the 1hr lesson before the test so you can practice all the test exercises.

**HDTboy** · 30th August 2006, 12:49

Originally Posted by kgx

I've booked a test at RiderSkills, will I need proper bike boots? The strongest shoes I have is work shoes but it barely goes above my ankle. I'll buy proper ones later but is this good enough for a Basic Handling Skills Course?

Mate, I crashed my first bike at 60ish Kph on the first night I owned it wearing work boots. Both of my ankles are now fucked, I sprained them badly in that crash and they sprain very easily now.

**toymachine** · 30th August 2006, 14:13

Originally Posted by Fub@r

and run on the smell of an oily rag (once again, last saturday I was the only one that didnt need to fill up). I will upgrade early next year once I have my full.

I didn't either :P

If you look around you can get some real bargains on trademe, like Fubar said his was $2400 and I was bloody impressed when I saw it, immaculate.

A GN would be a good starter, though you may outgrow it moderately soon depending on your tastes speed wise..

You may like an FXR150 if the GN isn't to your taste, there's nearly always a few on Trademe and they're cheap bikes.

**toymachine** · 30th August 2006, 14:16

Originally Posted by kgx
I've booked a test at RiderSkills, will I need proper bike boots? The strongest shoes I have is work shoes but it barely goes above my ankle. I'll buy proper ones later but is this good enough for a Basic Handling Skills Course?

Originally Posted by HDTboy

Mate, I crashed my first bike at 60ish Kph on the first night I owned it wearing work boots. Both of my ankles are now fucked, I sprained them badly in that crash and they sprain very easily now.

I rode in old sneakers (don't even cover my ankles) untill last week and I did my BHS in them too... I wouldn't recommend it for long term use but you won't be going over 20kph on your BHS with riderskills so don't worry too much.

**sunhuntin** · 30th August 2006, 14:37

Originally Posted by Fub@r

For me I purchased a 2005 GN250 with 1000km on it for $2400 off Trademe so was basically new. GN's range from $500 for an 80's one to $3300 new. Its a good bike to find your way on although you will eventually outgrow it and want more power, but they are good for 110kph (guys from last saturdays ride cant testify to that

)and run on the smell of an oily rag (once again, last saturday I was the only one that didnt need to fill up). I will upgrade early next year once I have my full.
.

yep...ive heard reports of them being put up to 160k, but i dunno if i believe it or not...i feel like i need a 6th gear once i hit about 110k. have done 120k, but that was downhill. lol.

get roughly 262k to a tank, plus 20k reserve on top of that. cost about $17 to fill, but thats from dry...most ive ever put in was $15 and even that was pushing it.

if you get an 80s one, check thoroughly for rust, i mean literally get under the bike and check the bottom of the exhaust and also where the exhaust joins the motor. prone to rust, those areas.

**kgx** · 30th August 2006, 15:14

Originally Posted by toymachine

You may like an FXR150 if the GN isn't to your taste, there's nearly always a few on Trademe and they're cheap bikes.

I like the look of that

**Fub@r** · 30th August 2006, 16:58

Originally Posted by kgx

I like the look of that

If you find a bike on Trademe etc and want a price check or want to know the pro's and con's of it let KB'rs know, and they'll be happy to advise

**Swoop** · 30th August 2006, 17:22

Originally Posted by Jim2

More power to you if you don't, but by GOD it hurts when you do.

So you are safe then, if you are an athiest???

**James Deuce** · 30th August 2006, 18:56

I'm not even an atheist. Neither am I an agnostic. My outlook could be characterised as humanist, nihilistic, entropism.

I merely used a phrase to emphasise a point.

**Drum** · 31st August 2006, 00:05

Welcome to the site KGX.

Rubber side down mate.

**McJim** · 31st August 2006, 07:57

Originally Posted by Jim2

I'm not even an atheist. Neither am I an agnostic. My outlook could be characterised as humanist, nihilistic, entropism.

I merely used a phrase to emphasise a point.

nihilistic existentialism is the best though - you are all figments of my deranged imagination. I am the only thing in the universe and the universe is me.....Buwahahahaha!

**toymachine** · 31st August 2006, 08:40

Originally Posted by Big McJim

nihilistic existentialism is the best though - you are all figments of my deranged imagination. I am the only thing in the universe and the universe is me.....Buwahahahaha!

Is that what it felt like till Rusty's NSR flew past on the straights last weekend?

**rwh** · 31st August 2006, 17:11

Originally Posted by sunhuntin

get roughly 262k to a tank, plus 20k reserve on top of that. cost about $17 to fill, but thats from dry...most ive ever put in was $15 and even that was pushing it.

That sounds quite impressive - I've been getting much worse than that on my VT250F; more like 130k plus reserve, and spending about $17 to fill from there. Since it's been fixed up (was too full of oil) and the weather's been warmer (I kept forgetting to turn off the choke ... now I'm not using it), I've got up to 160k, but I refuelled then anyway to avoid running out on the way to work next day - maybe it will go further ...

Richard