Learners' bike

[Dodger]

I'll second the Hyosung GT250 Comet, mines been great (apart from a few minor niggles) The comet is also very big for a 250, so good if your tall, or fat, or both like me

[j_redley]

I'll second the Hyosung GT250 Comet, mines been great (apart from a few minor niggles) The comet is also very big for a 250, so good if your tall, or fat, or both like me

Hah, I'l have to let my fat flatmate know thats what type of bike he should get. You should see the poor KR when he sits on it

[Dodger]

Hah, I'l have to let my fat flatmate know thats what type of bike he should get. You should see the poor KR when he sits on it

My my bike managed fine the other day with my mate (100+kg) and me on the back as pillion (106ish kg) ridden from Victoria street up to Karori

[Toaster]

I found the GSX 250cc a great learner bike. I'm 6ft1, so was a decent bike for my size. Try a few out for feel and comfort. Good luck.

150cc may be a bit weak but would do if you intend to give it the flick after you ride it until your full licence kicks in.

[LilSel]

Test some out... have a sit on diff bikes.. see what ones feel comfortable n what ones you actually like...

ZZR is a good first bike

[j_redley]

My 150 gets me around quick enough, and since I only want it till I get my full... its perfect for me to get used to biking on.

[Patrick]

After 25 years off bikes, I got back into them on a Suzuki Bandit 250... that is my clear pick, but try out all and sundry, see what you like... plenty out there, cruisers and sport types, but only you will know what you like and feel comfortable on. Kick plenty of tyres and don't rush in...enjoy!

[Indiana_Jones]

I would recommend a FXR150, or a CB250 (or other similar naked bikes). The the FXR and naked bikes are cheaper to fix when you crash. Well from my 4 crashes on my FXR the fairings never cracked, donno about anyone else?

-Indy

[Maha]

Test some out... have a sit on diff bikes.. see what ones feel comfortable n what ones you actually like...

Very good advice....i would only add.....stay away from the Virago if she wants to move up to a sporty later, might as well start out how you mean to finish, then again, if cruisers are what ravenfeeder perfer then Virago may be the way to go......enter crashe.....

[LilSel]

Very good advice....i would only add.....stay away from the Virago if she wants to move up to a sporty later, might as well start out how you mean to finish, then again, if cruisers are what ravenfeeder perfer then Virago may be the way to go......enter crashe.....

Yep yep yep Mr Maha to the top of the class!!!! *gives gold stars*

I had a virago at home for a few months... I'd take them both out... zzr and virago... but feel much more comfortable on the zzr. diff strokes for diff folks right

[ravenfeeder]

Well again, what can I say - but the advice has been excellent. Have a definite list of what is acceptable and then the ones I like. I prefer the cruiser types and really like the look of the Volty and possibly the Virago but then again think may be wiser to go for the basic, get a cheaper bike to start with then go for a bigger cruiser once over my R's etc.
Am going to be going for a bit of a ride on a cb250 in about 2 weeks so will see how that goes, and then do as most of you suggest and go and plant my butt on a few and see what fits. Think I need to get over what I would ideally like and then maybe what is practical until I get my big girls licence
Def like the look of the volty though and the more i read the more i like. Didnt realise it was basically the same frame etc as the GN. Anyway long way to go yet.. .... Thanks again and will keep you posted - ya darlings!

[James Deuce]

If you like cruisers the check the Hyosung Aquila out.

[pzkpfw]

I simply bought the cheapest thing off trademe that was 250 cc, and had registration, license and WOF (don't know how).

Turned out to be an NZ250, which I'd recommend to a learner, but there's not many around.

Since no-one wanted to buy it off me when I was done, depreciation was basically 100%. But the total value was less than depreciation off a new bike. So I think I came out of it OK.

I believe you need to be very sure whether you are going to flick whatever it is on as soon as you get your full, or whether you will ride it for longer (to get more experience).

*Flick on? Get the cheapest (and safe and legal) thing you can find.
*Keep for a while? Get the Hyosung.

[You'll always find someone on Kiwibiker who will help you look at a second-hand bike. The community is great.]

Cheers,

[hitch]

You go girl, I too am new to this site, infact its my first post. (hope i get it right) I am going to look at my first bike today it a yamaha virago xv 250T so im very excited. My man is checking it out for me yay yay. Good luck with your search.

[Drum]

The virago is a dignified entry point for a 'late starter' .