I'm ready to ride... (Almost) (Jase H)

**Jase H** · 21st June 2007, 14:32

Hi guys and gals.

To give you all an idea of how new I am to the wonderful world of motorbiking - I'm still on the paper licence you get while waiting for your real licence to come through with the '6L' class.

So, having enjoyed the taster of riding around on my basic skills course, I now want to get stuck in properly. Off all the things I'll need for this, I guess the most important would be... er... a bike. One that I would be using to commute from Manurewa to work in Mt Eden on a daily basis. So one that would be good for the Southern Motorway (assuming the cops allow riders with shiny new 'L'-plates to strut their inexperienced stuff on the highway).

The question is... which bike???

If money was no object I would be asking which is the best 250cc available. (I'm sure that would be a good topic in itself). However, for me, the only reason money is no object is that I have no money therefore no object. So, I have to think more realistically. The two bikes that I have been thinking of are the Suzuki GN250 and the Yamaha Scorpio. I've read the forum that compares the two but I now want to extend the discussion. So:

1. I've heard of the GN's reputation. I've also heard that they may be pulled and have been upgraded due to a dodgy headlight. Is the GN going to be pulled? Has the GN already been pulled but now replaced with a better quality version, suggesting that I either buy brand new from a dealer or have one that has Fred Flintstone as the original owner?

2. What makes the Scorpio so less in price compared to other 250's? Is it a cheap and nasty bike? Or is it down to being building costs (outside of Japan, perhaps) yet there is no compromise on quality?

3. How does the quality of the GN and Scorpio compare to other 250's?

4. Do Honda, Kawasaki, and possibly others make a 250 in this price range?

5. Is the Scorpio suitable for doging traffic queues yet capable of having a good run during the weekend? Or would I be better off getting a good second-hand sports bike?

6. Do 125's and other sub-200cc bikes have sufficient power to be respectable (though obviously not power blasting) on the motorway?

7. Would a 200cc scooter make a viable alternative?

And finally...

If someone know a good insurer who will cover a sprogg rider, here would be a good place to plug them.

All advice is appreciated.

Cheers.

**Kinje** · 21st June 2007, 16:28

Cant really answer your questions meaningfully, I had a CBR250RR for weekend blasts and commuter bikes didn't come into my thinking.

If you're thinking of getting out and doing weekend riding you may find yourself a little dissapointed with the 250 commuters after a few months. I didn't really ride in rush hour traffic so not too sure how CBR would go, but in weekend wgtn traffic it goes OK, but gets quite hot if not moving much.

And welcome to the madness that is KB

**kevfromcoro** · 21st June 2007, 17:09

jeez mate//dont buy a scooter if u are going to ride it on the motorway...the wheels are to small..and at speed they are all over the place..dont know much about 250s....but you will be far better off on a motorbike....iam sure there will be a lot of help regarding this....take it easy when you 1st start....no 1...SAFETY..... good luck.....KEV

**avgas** · 21st June 2007, 17:27

An FXR150 is a gutless piece of crap....that does 150kph fine, all day, on about $10 gas.
RG150 will do over 180, RGV150 over 160.
Hell even my TS185 did 110.
So yeh sub 200cc pulls fine..................... GN125 does 120
How skilled a rider are you?

**carbacca** · 21st June 2007, 18:15

call up kiwibike insurance, they are good brokers and will sort out a much better deal for you than if you went directly to the insurance company. i got a good premium but the excess sux cos of license + age but that will go away in about a year i m not too fussed

**Swoop** · 7th July 2007, 17:23

You'll get stung by insurance Co's since you do not have a "track record", but after a year of good riding, that will go away!
Call Kiwibike and have a chat.

As for scooters...

Welcome, BTW!

**chanceyy** · 7th July 2007, 21:24

welcome to kb .. dunno much about the bikes your asking of but plenty on here can answer those questions

**T-Thunder13** · 8th July 2007, 14:57

Originally Posted by avgas

An FXR150 is a gutless piece of crap....that does 150kph fine, all day, on about $10 gas.
RG150 will do over 180, RGV150 over 160.
Hell even my TS185 did 110.
So yeh sub 200cc pulls fine..................... GN125 does 120
How skilled a rider are you?

not to sure that a rider who's previously only riden around a few cones needs to be thinkin about exeeding 150 kms just yet. save that for a few months if you want to ride for life.
the gn and scorpio are both cheap and suitable bikes to start on either of them will give you an indication of what sort of riding you want to be doing later on. go to a shop and test ride both to get a feel.
and welcome to kb! good luck.