Hello (Delphinus)

[Delphinus]

Hey everyone,

Had a go on a bike the other day, and abso-f'ing-lutely loved it. Decided a week later i have to get my own. So sitting my learners soon and looking round for a bike.

Bit of googling found these forums, and I've been lurking for a little bit, everyone seems really helpful

Not sure what I want bikewise yet as while i spend alot of time in my pc, I've never really done much mechanical work...

Delph

[Colapop]

As long as you listen to and believe everything I say...


(Welcome BTW... I don't know anything)

[MSTRS:Me]

Welcome Delphinus. I see you've already 'met' Colapop....nice guy, but watch out for his 'special hugs'. The rest of us are harmless...crazy, but harmless.

[WickedOne]

Welcome to the crazy farm

[Trudes]

Hi and welcome to your new life!!Que evil laugh

[Chickadee]

Welcome to KB, hope you enjoy the banter on the forum. Yep lots of nice folks around with helpful info on all things bike & non-bike related too.

Have you looked in Club 250, not sure what's down in Dunedin learner ride wise, but it's a good place to start looking for such things.

Hope you get a bike soon, what sort of bikes are you interested in? People are happy to suggest bikes to look at if you have some sort of idea what bikes you'd like to ride (cruisers/sports/commuters/touring...) What sort of things you'll be doing on the bike etc etc.

Welcome aboard anyhow!

[Delphinus]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone, (even you Colapop )

Thanks for the info Chickadee, Bikewise I'm after a sporty looking bike pretty much, i started this thread http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=44889 as I'm not really sure whats good or bad km's wise etc. All input welcome.
Or if someones selling something reasonable? I have about a $4k budget for the bike (although less is better of course)

[Scorpygirl]

Welcome to the nuthouse. Please don't feed the animals after dark!!!

[Chickadee]

I've got an RG150 2-smoker which is just as fast as the CBR250 and you can pick these up for $2K or less dependant on condition. You need to put 2-stroke oil in a separate reservoir as well as petrol, great bike, lots of fun and won't kill your wallet. Mine is 1998, 27,000kms - engine needs rebuilt or a 'top end rebuild' every 20,000kms or so. The CBR250 is a great bike and quick, however you will probably not be able to get one for under $5k

Other options ZXR250, GSXR250 - have a look on retardme (Trademe) for 250 sports bikes (4-cylinder if you want fast - you'll only get old if you've got $4).

[Delphinus]

So whats involved in a engine rebuild, and whats that sorta thing cost? So are you saying that this CBR250 having done 27,000k's if it hasn't been rebuilt so far it'll need it now?

I guess i can be pushed up to $5k if its worth it

[Chickadee]

the engine rebuild thing is mainly a 2 stroke thing - 4 strokes last a bit longer. FYI about $500 plus labour to remove the piston and cylinder and replace plus rings - no valves to mess about with in a 2 smoker either . Don't even ask about the price of rebuilding a 4 stroke engine!

27,000km is a bit low for a 1990 (My husband has put 20,000 on his bike in 10 months!). If the mileage is genuine then it's a good deal - try to get it as cheap as you can! Dealer prices are generally about $6K in auckland for the performance 250s (4 cyl) - ask if there;s a service history of some sort available although being ex-japan it's unlikely. Also remember it's a 250 - a learners bike. It will have been dropped in it's life THIS IS NOT A BIG DEAL so long as the frame ain't cracked or bent.

Remember to budget for your bikes servicing, tyres (if it's ex-Japan they're probably not ideal for NZ roads). And hope you've got good gear or have also budged for this, leathers if you can, good gloves, boots and well fitting NEW helmet.

[Delphinus]

Thanks Chick, yeah i've budgeted $1k for gear, about 300 for helmet and 700 for pants, jacket, and gloves from quasimoto.

As for servicing, again i have nfi whats that going to cost me, can you give me an approx figure please?

Ok so a 2stroke needs rebuild every 20,000 or so, what about a 4stroke then? just dont bother? What km's do you throw it away?

[Chickadee]

Servicing depends on what sort of bike (with regards to K's per service) etc etc. You'd be looking at hundreds per service depending on the standard service and if anything needed fixed/replaced. If you're looking at a particular type of bike then call the dealer and ask what's involved. Tyres and other things will cost you a bob or two, again cost varies from bike to bike. My front tyre $120, hubby tyres $350 pair.

Keep looking at bikes, and remember that bikes can be shipped within NZ port to port for not much money. And if you see something tasty you like get your KB mates to have a sniff (someones usually around - or at the least can give you their 5cents on the Trademe ad etc).

[Chisanga]

T

As for servicing, again i have nfi whats that going to cost me, can you give me an approx figure please?

Most Japper bikes have service intervals of around 5-6k. Just doing normal stuff, change oil, filters etc. will cost around $200 depending on the exact make of bike.

You will have to lube your own chain every week or so depending on usage. Out and out sports bikes CBR250RRetc. can sometimes require more servicing than other type bikes.

At the end of the day, get something you are comfortable with and enjoy riding, you don't need your dream bike as a first ride, something that is good to learn on and won't cost a fortune if you drop it like I do

[Delphinus]

Cheers for all the info everyone, i'm slowly learning and getting the hang of it all! I'll have to see what kinda price I can get out of this guy for the CBR...

Is wikipedia correct in saying

Despite the high revs, the bike requires little maintenance, and should easily last 100,000 km with regular oil changes (over 1/2 a billion revolutions!).