Your 250 suggestion would be?

**Daza** · 13th January 2007, 17:53

Hiya,

I'm a 31yr old newbie who hasn't yet had a basic handling skills course yet, (have one booked in early Feb.)
i'm wanting some advice on a good 2nd hand 250cc bike to buy (In the $3000 price range).
I'm thinking i will have one for something like 12-15 months clocking in some experience til moving up to a bigger bike.
I'm wanting something that i won't outgrow too quickly over that time. I'm mainly only interested in getting a four stroke
so does anyone has some suggestions to what would be a good first bike?

Thanks

Daz

**crashe** · 13th January 2007, 18:01

Welcome to KB.........

First off what type of bike do you like?
Sportsbike, tourer, offroad/onroad or cruiser bikes.

Once you can decide on that..........
Then go around a few bike shops and sit on a few bikes to see what you like and feel comfy on. As you have to be comfy and feel right on the bike you are going to be riding.

When you have worked that all out and have a few bikes sorted out in your head that you like........ come on back and ask about them.

We could name all sorts of 250cc and under bikes to you.
But would you know what each bike looks like.

Have fun sitting on all the bikes in the shops.

**Bonez** · 13th January 2007, 18:08

Originally Posted by Daza

Hiya,

I'm a 31yr old newbie who hasn't yet had a basic handling skills course yet, (have one booked in early Feb.)
i'm wanting some advice on a good 2nd hand 250cc bike to buy (In the $3000 price range).
I'm thinking i will have one for something like 12-15 months clocking in some experience til moving up to a bigger bike.
I'm wanting something that i won't outgrow too quickly over that time. I'm mainly only interested in getting a four stroke
so does anyone has some suggestions to what would be a good first bike?

Thanks

Daz

Good selection available Daz, seems to have gotten better over the last few years. How tall are you? This may norrow down your selection a bit.

"Type" of bike is probably a bit irrelivent at the moment I guess as you haven't ridden one at all, or have had little exprience on a motorcycle.

As crashe mentioned have a sit on some to get an idea of what fits.

Welcome to KB.

**onearmedbandit** · 13th January 2007, 18:50

Honda VT250 Spada. Great little bike, nice v-twin motor, styling 'along the lines of the Ducati Monster' so some say. You'll pick one up in that price range and have little problem selling it again.

Heres one. You should be able to knock him down a bit from his asking.

**Daza** · 13th January 2007, 18:59

I'm about 6 feet tall. I'm interested in a sportsbike mainly but i have seen some other bikes i like the look of such as the Honda Hornet 250.

Another factor also- i have a crooked left elbow it sticks out to the left as if im bending the arm alittle (broke it on the elbow when i was 6 they couldn't straighten it). In the past on a tenspeed bike if i went for long rides i would get a sore arm. So i hope this wont be too big of a problem? What type of handle bar config would be in favour of my elbows? I suppose i could wear some sort of support thing for it too.

I will have to ring around and see what bike shops in Hamilton have 250's and check them out, hav a sit on them as Crashe suggested.

**Bonez** · 13th January 2007, 19:00

This'd be a hoot too- http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-84411169.htm

**Toaster** · 13th January 2007, 19:35

I really enjoyed my 250cc Suzuki GSX. You can easily get one of those for $3k second-hand.

**Bonez** · 13th January 2007, 19:40

Originally Posted by Daza

I'm about 6 feet tall. I'm interested in a sportsbike mainly but i have seen some other bikes i like the look of such as the Honda Hornet 250.

Another factor also- i have a crooked left elbow it sticks out to the left as if im bending the arm alittle (broke it on the elbow when i was 6 they couldn't straighten it). In the past on a tenspeed bike if i went for long rides i would get a sore arm. So i hope this wont be too big of a problem? What type of handle bar config would be in favour of my elbows? I suppose i could wear some sort of support thing for it too.

I will have to ring around and see what bike shops in Hamilton have 250's and check them out, hav a sit on them as Crashe suggested.

Shouldn't be too hard to make/adjust a suitable handle bar/clip on type to suit if needed.

**gijoe1313** · 14th January 2007, 06:00

Originally Posted by Daza

I'm about 6 feet tall. I'm interested in a sportsbike mainly but i have seen some other bikes i like the look of such as the Honda Hornet 250.

Another factor also- i have a crooked left elbow it sticks out to the left as if im bending the arm alittle (broke it on the elbow when i was 6 they couldn't straighten it). In the past on a tenspeed bike if i went for long rides i would get a sore arm. So i hope this wont be too big of a problem? What type of handle bar config would be in favour of my elbows? I suppose i could wear some sort of support thing for it too.

I will have to ring around and see what bike shops in Hamilton have 250's and check them out, hav a sit on them as Crashe suggested.

Well, did someone mention Hornet?

With your injury, the riding position of a Hornet is absolutely fabulous - you can literally ride all day and night and not worry about the ergonomics of it, the only prob is that no Hornet falls below the $5K mark!

Outrageous! But as any twofiddy Hornet owner will tell you - they are the bees knees (forgive my winged metaphors

)

If you're willing to spend the extra coin, a naked bike like the Hornet will always see you right.

Oh, yeah - a Hornet you will never outgrow, it'll always bring a grin to your face and keep begging to be ridden for more kms then you! And I should know! I love my Hornet so much, I will never, ever sell it!

However, what is right for one can be wrong for another - if you like the faired look, I'm sure others here will point you in the right direction. Now if you want to keep talking Hornets...I'll be around!

BTW, congrats on wanting to get into two wheels of freedom - a whole new chapter of life is waiting for you!

**Hawkeye** · 14th January 2007, 06:29

Originally Posted by Daza

I'm about 6 feet tall. I'm interested in a sportsbike mainly but i have seen some other bikes i like the look of such as the Honda Hornet 250.

No! don't disturb the Hornets nest. Them buggers are everywhere

Before you know it, they will be buzzing about on here.

Oh! Bye the way. Welcome to KB

**Hawkeye** · 14th January 2007, 06:32

Originally Posted by gijoe1313

Well, did someone mention Hornet?

With your injury, the riding position of a Hornet is absolutely fabulous - you can literally ride all day and night and not worry about the ergonomics of it, the only prob is that no Hornet falls below the $5K mark!

Outrageous! But as any twofiddy Hornet owner will tell you - they are the bees knees (forgive my winged metaphors

)

If you're willing to spend the extra coin, a naked bike like the Hornet will always see you right.

Oh, yeah - a Hornet you will never outgrow, it'll always bring a grin to your face and keep begging to be ridden for more kms then you! And I should know! I love my Hornet so much, I will never, ever sell it!

However, what is right for one can be wrong for another - if you like the faired look, I'm sure others here will point you in the right direction. Now if you want to keep talking Hornets...I'll be around!

BTW, congrats on wanting to get into two wheels of freedom - a whole new chapter of life is waiting for you!

See, I told you not to disturb the nest. Now we will be overrun with them.

Anyone seen the Mortien..

**Trudes** · 14th January 2007, 06:38

Welcome to KB, good luck with the bike search. Ohh and , BUZZZZZZZZZ.

**DUCATI*HARD** · 14th January 2007, 08:29

GET A HONDA HORNET BUDDY,EASY TO RIDE,NICE WIDE REAR TYRE,6SPEED GEARBOX,GET YOU USED TO CHANGING GEARS.MY PARTNER OWNED ONE AND SHE LOVED IT,WE SOLD IT TO A TALL GUY,SO NO WORRIES IF YOU HAVE LONG LEGS.

**rufusdion** · 14th January 2007, 08:49

I got a 05 Gsx 250 that i picked up for 4500 wif 2000km on it, not the fastest 250 around but very comfortable to ride and im six ft 1, they a large bike, parked next to my uncles gsxr1000 its slighter bigger than that.cheap to run to!