Advice on first bike

[aucklandmartin]

I'm hoping to get my first bike this summer -- any suggestions would be appreciated. I like the look of the Hyosung GT-250R and the Lifan LF-125 Warrior. What do other Kiwi Bikers think of these two bikes?

[dino3310]

Hyosung GT-250R seems to be getting some pretty good rep

[dino3310]

check these out http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...&highlight=250 http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...&highlight=250 http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...&highlight=250 search around you'll find plenty of advice on most bikes around at the moment

[FJRider]

If you like the look of it, can afford it. Take it for a test ride. If you STILL like it, find someone you trust and get them to test ride it. If you still like it, can STILL afford it, BUY it. DOING IT IS BETTER THAN TALKING ABOUT IT. Just make sure it will do the job you want it to. (get to work/play etc) Pack frame and bag might be included in price (if you ask...maybe...GOTTA ASK. don't ask don't get) Everybodys first bike brings back memorys...sometimes even GOOD ones. GO FOR IT !!!!!!!!!
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Good judgment comes from bad experience, a lot of that comes frombad judgment

[MidnightMike]

Hyosungs seem like great first bikes.

Wouldnt touch a 'lifan' myself.

[HungusMaximist]

Hyosungs are alright but if you wanna have a bit more fun go with a VTR.

Of course there's always your usual line of sports 250's , ZXR's, GSX, FZR's, Hondaas....

Hornets are great too! Just make sure you try out heaps and heaps of bikes, or get a mate with more riding experience try it out for ya. As you wanna drop somebody elses bike aye.

[SimJen]

hyosungs are okay but a little cheaply made.
I'd go for a decent brand, I started on a CBR250 back in the day.
Taught me a lot, although I did ride a fair bit of dirt back then too.
Like someone said, test ride heaps and pick the one that suits.

[aucklandmartin]

Thanks for the advice guys - will keep you posted as to my progress.

[daytona 2]

I looked and rode lots of 250's before I settled on the honda VTC250, beautifully made, quick, and a real looker.

[EJK]

NO LIFAN!!! hell no! lololl

[ital916]

If you want fun get a RG150 like me, i'm approaching the 1 month newbie mark and it scares the crap outta me and will do so for a long time but it is light and has enough power.

[gijoe1313]

Now, if you really want to have fun, ride a Hornet! You meet the nicest people on them! But, yeah, like everyone has said - the right bike for you will be obvious as soon as you see it and sit on it.

Try them all out for size and see what tickles your fancy! (btw, did I mention Hornet? A little ol'hornet even? )

[clint640]

Go Naked. You will drop it.

A twin like the GT250 or the VTR250 is good - a little more power for the highway is nice if you can afford it.

In the cheaper line I'd go for something like a Yamaha Scorpio 225 over that Lifan. A 125cc 4-stroke is fine around town but pretty lame on the open road. The 2 stroke KR/RG150s are also good if you're on a budget.

Cheers
Clint

[Kane-]

Fom a newbie perspective....

I tried a brand new GN250 a 1999 Honda VTR250 and the bike I brought 1991 Honda VT250 Spada. Sat on a CBR but felt way to big on it - even though it had the most grunt.

Main concerns for me were size, power and price. Im 6 ft and 100+ kg so I needed something with some size and reasonable grunt.

The GN250 was nice but sitting position was very upright and didn't have the same secure feel of the sport bikes. Power was ok but I would have been pushing to do 110. Very cheaply made and choke off the carb under seat

The 1999 VTR 250 is a great bike. Had enough grunt but was pretty standard with no rev counter and again had a plastic feel about it. The new ones are better.

I found the Spada performed best out of all. Had more power than the vtr (not sure why seemed same engine) and better build quality - descent gauges and helmet lock. Just little touches that were missing on the others

Don't make a quick decision - ride lots of bike. Brand new is not always best either.

[HornetBoy]

Now, if you really want to have fun, ride a Hornet! You meet the nicest people on them! But, yeah, like everyone has said - the right bike for you will be obvious as soon as you see it and sit on it.

Try them all out for size and see what tickles your fancy! (btw, did I mention Hornet? A little ol'hornet even? )

I second on buying a hornet carried me old man (110kg) to work and back for a while which is a 50km trip at highway speeds ,and he said it performed well and for me (75kg) performed extremely well ,lots of top end (for a 250) ,easily able to sit at 130kph and at license losing speeds,and its naked so if ya drop it its not as costly as a cbr etc