Learners' bike

[ravenfeeder]

Hi there
Just wanting a bit of advice on getting a learners bike, so has to be under 250cc.
Am wondering what people recommend, did think of the Suzuki gn 250, but have also heard ppl rave about the honda cb250? and also the virago.
I am 5ft10 and not a soild gal, so dont want a piddly thing either.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Also dont want to spend heaps as am only planning on having the 250 until I get full licence.

Thanks guys

[Deviant Esq]

Hate to say it to you on your first post, but the best thing for you to do is have a browse through this forum - Wannabe & Newbie Bikers - as this topic comes up time and time again (as I'm sure you can imagine). There are some really good threads and advice on what you should consider for your first bike in regards to style, riding position, power, cost, comfort... it's all there. Still, just to show I'm not casting you out on your own, here's a link to get you started.

Welcome to KiwiBiker - don't feed the animals!

[Colapop]

Firstly - Welcome! The boys LURVE new girls (Be careful)
If you have a look in the search function (3rd from the right up there ^) you'll be able to find a ton of threads on this... (Search for "first bike")
BUT
First bikes... Have you ridden before? What type of bike are you after? Will you be commuting or riding greater distance?
GN250 - good commuter (cruiser..?), good learner bike. Recommended if you haven't ridden before and for a commuter. A pretty forgiving bike (as far as that goes).
Virago 250 - good commuter/longer riding bike (cruiser) good learner bit better quality than the GN. A bit more comfy than a a GN but slightly lower seating position.
GSX250 - good commuter, long rides is ok. (sports) A sports bike but still not 'powerful'. Taller bike, tends to suit taller people a bit better. Pretty popular for good reason.
GT250 (Hyusong) - Good all rounder. A few people have them now, value priced for a new bike. A tall bike (I had no problems with it - 6'4"). One member here did 35k+ in a year!

That's just a couple of the bikes available and (my) brief thoughts. Others here will disagree and give better advice. I think it's best to try a few (hard to know when you're starting) and see how you go. There are also 150's but you may find them a little small for you...

Hope this helps..

[ravenfeeder]

Yes i should have looked that up but being new to the site haven't quite got a feel for it yet - but am sure i will. Appreciate both your posts and will go cruising the threads.

Hey Colapop thanks for the specific details and hadn't thought of that last one you suggested but have seen a few around. Thanks so much for advice and have a great day

Cheers

[Macktheknife]

Hey RF, welcome to KB. The guys have given you some food for thought, I recommend you go out looking at bikes with someone who knows a lot more about them than you and sit on a few. If you don't know someone that fits the bill then I'm sure someone from here will volunteer, choose carefully! lol.
Personally I think the best bike you can have is the one that fits you best, that you feel most comfortable on. Then the knowledgeable person checks out the condition of the bike and gives you the nod or the shake.
Good luck

[Fub@r]

Also have a look at Club 250 at the bottom of the main forum page

Here: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=36

Lots of info and comparisions between various 250 bikes on the NZ market

[MikeyG]

Look at the type of riding you are going to be doing. If it is mainly round town comuting it is hard to go past a GN or CB. If you want to go out of town or on group rides you might want something with a bit more power.

[j_redley]

Don't be so quick to frown on those smaller engined bikes either. A good small to stroke will teach you as well as a GN I reckon, and I have actually ridden both.

[ravenfeeder]

Wow great advice everyone thank you! Now i just need to get off my butt and get organized eh.
Mack the Knife - very sensible idea - logical i like it.

Thanks so much everyone

[Coyote]

CBR250s (and ZXR's are similar) are great bikes too. Very expensive though

RG150's make good learner bikes since they're pretty cheap. Around 1500-2000 for a decent one in a private sale. They're very light too, and they're between a GSX and CBR in power so you won't be too bored after a while

Just make sure you have someone that knows about bikes to have a look at what you're interested in before buying. The RG I got had a few troubles and took a bit of money to set right (maybe less if I knew what I was doing). When I test rode it, it seemed fine to me (although I didn't have much chance to open it up in the Wellington streets). Now I know what RG's are meant to be like I would've tried haggling the price down or not have got it

[gijoe1313]

Welcome to the world of two wheels! Life will just get sweeter when you throw your leg over and pootle off for a blat!

Yes, don't forget the little ol'Hornet CB250 - the perfect little blatting bike to get around anywhere and everywhere! It is just lovely and handles like a dream, you'll end up loving it and patting it and talking to it and hugging it and gushing forth to everyone how good it is

Just go out, sit on a few and you'll know when you find that right bike!

[klingon]

Welcome to the site!

...I recommend you go out looking at bikes with someone who knows a lot more about them than you and sit on a few. If you don't know someone that fits the bill then I'm sure someone from here will volunteer, choose carefully! lol....

In case you can't read between the lines, I think Mack was volunteering. He's bored at the moment and I think he likes the idea of going bike-shopping with someone else's money!

Hey Mack, I thought you were MY personal shopper!

[ravenfeeder]

Hey thank you everyone for your comments and help. Wow is a biggie eh but it hink as a few of you have suggesteed - is need to get a list of likely bikes and then just go and plant my butt onthem and see what feels best (hehehe then get someone else to take it for a test ride). So thanks ofr suggestions and ideas - what a cool site this is and helpful - that is even better!!

[vamr]

I'd also recommend the little 2stroke 150s if you're under 100kg.

Damn good bikes to learn on both in terms of riding but also maintenance.

[James Deuce]

Hard to go past a Hyosung GT250 Comet if you want to be able to do everything from inner city riding and commuting to long distance touring in perfect comfort. It has a fuel guage and brilliant low speed handling characteristics.