Hey all, wondering what first bike to get...

[SPORK]

Hey guys!

I am nearing 15, and me and my bike-mad friend (he does super-motard and motocross) are going for our licences soon, and I was looking on bikepoint.co.nz for a good bike, and I got some reccommendations for this bike:http://bikepoint.co.nz/DesktopDefaul...as=bikepointnz

It is a Suzuki FRX150, and I was wondering what people thought of it, the model, not that specific bike in the link. I want something to ride to school in the mornings and such, and i can pay a fair bit, up to around 5 grand, so, any advice on a first bike would be very much apprecciated.

Thanks!

[Ghost Lemur]

A number of guys here have 'em. Quite good bikes.

One piece of advice I was given when shopping for a first bike is, go naked, go cheap (repairs and maintainence). Something like a cb250rs, gn125 or 250, etc.

This way if the highly likely off happens, there's no expensive plastics to replace, and it wont set you back as much.

Other benefit is more money left to get quality gear, that's where your life will be saved, not in which bike you ride. Now having been 15 I know there is a bit of the old "invincible and immortal" complex going on, but listen to an old'er fulla and heed warings.

The fxr definitely derserves it's place on your list of possibles though.

[SPORK]

Hey thanks, and don't worry, I definately don't feel invincible on a bike, so no worries there, I will get me some grood riding clothes. I am lucky enough to have an Aunt that likes bikes, so she said she will go halves on the first bike I get. I've noticed that the FXR150 has a digital instrument panel. Is this good or bad when riding? It looks pretty flash, but how easy is it to read?

Thanks,

Nick

[Stinkwheeler]

Dam, I thought I was the youngest on the forums. You're a lucky bugger to have that amount of money for a first bike. My first bike was a $50 Suzuki GP125. I'd imagine, like with most digital dashes, that the FXR's dash is near useless in direct sunlight but pretty good everywhere else.

The "invincible and immortal complex" is a common misconception. I'm all to wary that the only thing between me and the road/concrete walls/buses etc is my riding gear. Yes, get the best riding gear you can afford, but do your maths and leave some money for the bike you want.

And get a fog proof visor. It'll be invaluable on cold mornings.

[FROSTY:Me]

A number of guys here have 'em. Quite good bikes.

One piece of advice I was given when shopping for a first bike is, go naked, go cheap (repairs and maintainence). Something like a cb250rs, gn125 or 250, etc.

This way if the highly likely off happens, there's no expensive plastics to replace, and it wont set you back as much.

Other benefit is more money left to get quality gear, that's where your life will be saved, not in which bike you ride. Now having been 15 I know there is a bit of the old "invincible and immortal" complex going on, but listen to an old'er fulla and heed warings.

The fxr definitely derserves it's place on your list of possibles though.

Dude this subject yas been covered before.
Scroll back throught he forums and you'lll find some cool stuff about peoples opinions.
I did a report on the fxr150 -In the bike reports forum.

[SPORK]

Oh, sorry, I will go check out your report.

And $50?! that is sick! And I'm not lucky, I have been workin' since I was 11. Damn, it's been a long time... Anyways, I hope the display isn't too hard too see, I would hate to 'accidentaly' go over 70 on my learners...

[FROSTY:Me]

dont swet it madcat. The FXR has a bllody easy to read dash -and as for speeding um well ya see if ya doin 70km/h on the fxr in the real world ya probably only doin about 60.
If ya do buy a FXR and drop it -give me a yell -Im actually real keen to try
building a nakked FXR --I think itd look pretty cool.

[riffer]

Good to hear of more young guys still wanting bikes. There's a few younge bikers around Upper Hutt. A couple work at Pak 'n Save - one has a TS185, one has an SRX250. You might want to catch up with them. They aren't Kiwibikers though, but hey, you could always point them to this place.

FXR150 is a great bike for a learner but watch out if you do drop it. From what some of the guys on the forum here say they do tend to break things quite easily but there's always parts available for them as they have sold a few...

If you need any mechanical help send us a pm. I'm pretty local and have most tools available.

Oh, and welcome to kiwibiker! See you on the road sometime. I'm on a blue and white FZR750R with nice scratches down the left hand side (don't ask)

Simon

[wkid_one]

Some questions

What do you want to do with the bike outside commuting? How tall are you? How heavy are you? Do you have any physical limitations procluding you from certain bikes (ie wrist/back/shoulder problems)?

These all have an impact on the best bike.

Ultimately - ride as many as you can. If you want performance - go the RS250 or RGV250 et al. The VTR250 gets rave reviews as an easy to ride but fun learners bike. There are the perenial favs of the CBR250, GSXR250 ZXR250 ZZR250. You could go the Honda Spada or Suzuki Bandit - both naked bikes with slightly detuned engines from the CBR/GSXR etc.

There is the GN250 if you want more of a cruiser - or you could go the GSF250 for a larger 250.

Then there is the range on 150cc bikes out on the market at the moment - which a lot of new riders ride on this site - best thing to do is ask them what they think.

Some Tips

• Same thing applies when looking for a car - if you don't know, take someone who does.
• Remember when test riding bikes you are only on it for about 5-10mins - remember to consider whether you could bare riding it for 60mins or all day if this is what you want to do. What may be great for 10mins - may be fecken uncomfortable on a long ride.
• Check swing arm and forks (around axles) for grazes/scratches as these are the most expensive places to fix in an off (other than the frame) - and are unlikely to be replaced.
• You will generally get a little more protection from a dealer - however, will pay more for the priviledge as you will generally get a better deal privately.
• Consider buying w/o fairing or take it off initially - as you are quite likely to fall off (most likely something small like a U'Turn etc) and fairing can make this little excursion VERY expensive.
• As with cars, mileage etc are a good indication as to wear and tear expectations of the bike.
• Don't be concerned that 250's often seem more expensive than 400's etc as the 250 market's price is inflated due to the learner laws.
• Like cars - longevity/lifetime is not a factor of the bike - it is more a factor of the owner. Some bikes are faults yes - but a negligent owner is worse.
• MAKE SURE YOU SPEND MONEY ON DECENT GEAR! At bare minimum Jacket (weather proof with armour), gloves and proper fitting helmet. Ideally you will want to get proper bike boots and trousers as well as you will fall off. It is a waste of time buying a $5k bike and not looking after yourself on it.
• Take the time to set the bike up for you. Brake and Clutch levers can and shouldl be adjusted to suit your grip width and wrist angle, gear and brake levers are the same. This can make a HUGE difference to both comfort and ability to ride the bike.

Just some initial thoughts

[Magua]

I wouldn't venture below 150cc. I started out on a GN125, sure it was great fun starting out but a few months down the line you'll find youself questioning why you bought it. I hoped on an fxr from my gn and was surprised by the difference in accel/power. If you look at the specs it's only a 8hp difference but on such small bikes it makes the world of difference.

[Zapf]

Have recently bought my VTR250 and I have to say its a great bike in my books (my 1st bike), and the thing about staying to 250 is good. The VTR manages ok on the open road, I can't imagen what a 125 would be like.

Get a bike that has more low down torque if you can and not out right power, as all the power will be in the top. Reaching it will be harder and requires more gear changes, a more torquey engine will be easier to ride. E.g VTR250 - 90 degree V-Twin.

on well thats my 2 cents.

[KATWYN]

Hey guys!

I am nearing 15, and me and my bike-mad friend (he does super-motard and motocross) are going for our licences soon, and I was looking on bikepoint.co.nz for a good bike, and I got some reccommendations for this bike

Hi Nick, I love your choice of picture (Che Guavera) he was always my
favourite when i was your age.

My first bike was a CBR250 I thought it would last me forever......Have heard
the FXR150 is a good first bike - theres another couple of guys in here called JRandom & Indiana Jones who both ride one

Welcome to the site

[SPORK]

Thanks for the welcome, and yeah, Che is the man!
I don't really plan to do any major open-road riding, just mainly zooming around town and stuff, so I don't think I will need a really high capacity bike.
About clothing;
What is the deal with 'armour'? Do I need it? Even at my sub-70km/h speeds? And how much would I expect to pay to get fully kitted out?

Thanks once again guys (and galls)

[SPORK]

And did you say a CBR250 was a good first bike? Because I saw one a couple on bikepoint for 2.5-3.5 grand. Late 80's though... So what should it be folks? CBR250, or FXR150?

[Zapf]

CBR250 if I were you. With Armor, yes u want it. If you have to hit something or slide across tarmac at 70km, I am sure you'll want all the protection you can get.