New Rider, New Member!

[N3wbbik3r]

Hi, Im finally looking at getting a bike licence. I have some experience with dirt bikes. Ive had a DR250, a KX 250 and a modified KDX 220. I did a reasonalbe amount of trail riding etc. But I have had very little experience on the road. First question is what is the Basic handling skills test? , do I need a bike to do the test? Do I need to practise before I do the test? (Or is it a basic setup just to make sure your capable of riding and know the basics?) My next question where do I sit the Basic handling skillls test, (Im in Auckland) The final question is what bike do I get? This one really has me stumped. I wish to spend 3-4k. The bike is to be used purely for pleasure, I intend to trade up at a later date (when Im well and trully comfortable) to a 400 - 600 cc bike. (hmmmmmmmm R6) But do I get a nice 250 that will be enjoyable for a reasonable amount of time, or buy a cheapy smaller bike and move on as quick as possible. Im leaning more towards a nice 250 as I am in no rush, and keen to build up skills and convidence before moving on. (Not keen on strapping myself on demon machine and scarying the crap out of myself.) My preference is for a naked 250, along the lines of a Suze Bandit or Honda VTR, or a Hornet or Balius. Or is it worth looking at a Yammy FZR or CBR. Im concerned the cbr or Fzr may be more thrashed and possibly not the most ideal bike for learning the art of road riding. I dont wish to go down the track of a Gn250 etc as I feel in 3 months time I will want to move on. Any suggestions would be great. The age group Im in is 30ish, so Im not some young 16 yr old nutter who wants to go balls out all the time.

[Two Smoker]

VTR sounds bloody good to me not extremely powerful (28hp at the rear wheel i think???) but quick enough to have fun on, plus the good old bin wont do as much damage

Ring pass rite or AMCC to do the riding course and they usually supply a bike.After riding heaps of dirt i dont think you will need to practice, and you will most likely get some practice on the test day. The basic handling course just involves weaving between cones, braking in a corner, emergency stop and head checks...

Hope that helps

And welcome to the site

[Firefight]

Gidday mate, can I call you N3 for short?,

Welcome to the site, I am sure you will have plenty of wisdom directed to you, so I'll leave it too those who know best, hope you enjoy KB, great people(well most of them)

F/F

[FROSTY:Me]

welcolm dude. If you can ride a trailie you willhave no problems passing the basic skills and handling test.
Any of the bikes you suggested would be good value and nice to ride.
I must say if you buy a balius -good bike but the front end needs stiffening up -not a major

[Mr Skid]

My preference is for a naked 250, along the lines of a Suze Bandit or Honda VTR, or a Hornet or Balius. Or is it worth looking at a Yammy FZR or CBR. Im concerned the cbr or Fzr may be more thrashed and possibly not the most ideal bike for learning the art of road riding.

If you want to feel like your riding a F1 car crossed with an angry lawnmower I can recommend a CBR250. powerband is between 14k-18k rpm, so yes, they do get the shite thrashed out of them. However I'm commuting to uni on one, and they aren't all that bad really..

With your age and experience have you looked into the CBTA courses?

They get you from learners>restricted>full quick smart if you can show you know what your doing on a bike.

You can also apply for an exemption to ride a bigger cc bike for the course, so you could get a larger cc bike (doesn't have to be a GSXR750 or anything) and thus skip the overpriced 250cc market completely..

[Blakamin]

Cant beat a yamaha Zeal....fzx250... same engine as the fzr250r but naked... 40hp handle well and very forgiving. but the best bit is you can fit a fzr400 in it when you've finished (anyone got an engine???)

Welcome aboard, and best of luck on the new wheels!

[dangerous]

Hi there welcome aboard, What on earth is a Balius? I'd say that the VTR is a goer, but then I would as Im just not sure bout the 4cyl's and all that plastic crap on em, can cost too much to repair if ya not cearfull.

[Badcat]

Hi, Im finally looking at getting a bike licence. I have some experience with dirt bikes. Ive had a DR250, a KX 250 and a modified KDX 220. I did a reasonalbe amount of trail riding etc. But I have had very little experience on the road. First question is what is the Basic handling skills test? , do I need a bike to do the test? Do I need to practise before I do the test? (Or is it a basic setup just to make sure your capable of riding and know the basics?) My next question where do I sit the Basic handling skillls test, (Im in Auckland) The final question is what bike do I get? This one really has me stumped. I wish to spend 3-4k. The bike is to be used purely for pleasure, I intend to trade up at a later date (when Im well and trully comfortable) to a 400 - 600 cc bike. (hmmmmmmmm R6) But do I get a nice 250 that will be enjoyable for a reasonable amount of time, or buy a cheapy smaller bike and move on as quick as possible. Im leaning more towards a nice 250 as I am in no rush, and keen to build up skills and convidence before moving on. (Not keen on strapping myself on demon machine and scarying the crap out of myself.) My preference is for a naked 250, along the lines of a Suze Bandit or Honda VTR, or a Hornet or Balius. Or is it worth looking at a Yammy FZR or CBR. Im concerned the cbr or Fzr may be more thrashed and possibly not the most ideal bike for learning the art of road riding. I dont wish to go down the track of a Gn250 etc as I feel in 3 months time I will want to move on. Any suggestions would be great. The age group Im in is 30ish, so Im not some young 16 yr old nutter who wants to go balls out all the time.

welcome!!
that VTR is a honey if you can't see yourself on the mighty vanvan.

k

[Ms Piggy]

Hi, Im finally looking at getting a bike licence. I have some experience with dirt bikes. Ive had a DR250, a KX 250 and a modified KDX 220. I did a reasonalbe amount of trail riding etc. But I have had very little experience on the road. First question is what is the Basic handling skills test? do I need a bike to do the test? Do I need to practise before I do the test? (Or is it a basic setup just to make sure your capable of riding and know the basics?)

Firstly - welcome along, there are some great people on this site, so you've come to the right place to ask questions

Secondly - if you have riding experience you'll be fine on your Basic Handling Skills test. I had very little riding time ie. maybe 5hrs, when I sat mine and I still passed! I think the others have answered most of your questions.

Good luck!

[Mr Skid]

Secondly - if you have riding experience you'll be fine on your Basic Handling Skills test. I had very little riding time ie. maybe 5hrs, when I sat mine and I still passed!

I'd never sat on a motorbike before and managed to pop a *very* small and unintentional wheelie on the gn125 I sat the test on yet still they gave me my licence

As long as you don't fall off (too many times) you'll be right!

[LB]

.
.Hi N3wbbkik3r - welcome to KBer! It's a great site with some great people.

I think the others have probably answered your questions.
.
.

[Devil]

Hey dude, Balius rider here. If you want the noise of the ZXR/CBR250 but in a naked bike, go the balius Has the ZXR engine (19k rpm), cams are slightly different, tuned for more midrange. Still 40hp apparently.

As frosty said (funnily enough after riding mine ) the front is a little soft but am going to have a go at putting heavier fork oil in this weekend!

[F5 Dave]

Gidday, always good to see some fresh blood. The VTR spardas are great little bikes, I’ve had a couple of friends love them & was quite impressed when I rode them. If you’ve been trail riding enough then the basic skills test will be easy.

However don’t let that lull you into overconfidence. The transition to road does have some differences, the most notable being the cars that pretend not to see you. Try & garner as much info from training on making yourself noticed. Decent gear is a must early on more than later.

The other subtle differences are the emphasis on the road is to the front brake. Practise in a carpark & above all keep your eyes on the horizon. Most people look down when braking. One of the big lessons hopefully you have learned on the trail is look where you want to go. This is compounded at with road speeds being higher & more open space rather than on a trail.

Even after a couple of decades on the road I still need to make sure I’m looking far enough ahead around a corner. If you stop your gaze part way around a corner you will start staring at a lamppost or something & you go where you look. In a potential accident situation look for the escape route, not at what you don’t want to hit.

PS guys, 40hp? Optimistic dyno I’d say (or manufactuer's claim haha). Those Kawis often come with barely the right amount of oil so a change will be a good one. Stiffer springs better still. This can be done for free. Let us know if your interested & I’ll post the link (did it on my RZ, KDX a few others)

[Devil]

PS guys, 40hp? Optimistic dyno I’d say (or manufactuer's claim haha). Those Kawis often come with barely the right amount of oil so a change will be a good one. Stiffer springs better still. This can be done for free. Let us know if your interested & I’ll post the link (did it on my RZ, KDX a few others)

@ engine. Havent seen anything that mentions otherwise.

[vifferman]

Practise in a carpark & above all keep your eyes on the horizon. Most people look down when braking. One of the big lessons hopefully you have learned on the trail is look where you want to go. This is compounded at with road speeds being higher & more open space rather than on a trail.

Yeah, what he said. You need to look at the 'vanishing point', i.e.', look as far ahead as you can, right throught the corner, and "lead with your chin", while only briefly scanning the road's surfae for obstacles. There should be fewer holes, bumps, tree roots, fallen riders, possums, etc. than on a trail.

And treat all other road users as homicidal maniacs, as that's what they are, more or less (deliberate or unintentional).

I dont wish to go down the track of a Gn250 etc as I feel in 3 months time I will want to move on.

In that case, spend as little as you can, as the 250 market tends to be very expensive for what you get (or so I've heard). I was going to suggest "Don't rule out a trailbike, seeing you're used to them", but that would mean more of a transition to a road bike if/when you step up to a 600 or whatever.