It's time to get a bike!

[zique]

Hi there everyone,I'm a newbie here.I joined up ages ago but I am back again.
I've decided it's time to learn to ride a bike,everytime I see someone on a bike,I feel so bad because I have always wanted to ride a bike.But never made the effort to.

I have no experience riding one But I have been doing a lot of research and decided I want a honda CBR MC22 to learn on.I am a quick learner and am very determined to fulfil this little bike-riding dream.
I am 5'6,69kgs and of slim to medium build so I want a light bike with good handling.

I've been looking on trademe and found two bikes that I'll be learning on.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=489601515

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=495854003

Question,does it seem like the second bike has a single brake disc on the front?I know MC22s have two.

And does anyone know anyone who can help me check the bikes out?I have no knowledge of anything about bikes and I cannot test ride out without a license. I want to buy a bike and get my learners etc before the new law comes out.

Thanks.

[Edbear]

Slow down a bit there mate. If you have not ridden a motorbicycle before the bike you are looking at is not a good one to learn on.

I would suggest borrowing a 50cc or a 125 and get learning in a big parking lot getting used to manoeuvring it around and getting familiar with clutch, gearshift and brakes. Good learner bikes are the ubiquitous GN Suzuki and the Yamaha Scorpio. The MC22 may be "only" a 250 but it's a performance sports bike. Good once you have your restricted maybe.

[ducatilover]

The MC22 are neat bikes

Ignore the second one, it has had the LHS rotor and caliper taken off (you can see the mounts on the fork), it is however an MC22, albeit a shitty example of one

The black one has been repainted too.
Shop around lots, get some practice on other bikes (like Ed says) before going and buying an MC22.
Be aware you will be able to buy more interesting and suitable bikes with the LAMS law.
But, at 5ft 6 you should fit nicely on an MC22
Don't rule out the MC19, as a learner, you won't be able to ride the difference between them
Or a ZXR250A/C if you're really set on a 4cyl, they do have cam chain issues though

Also, you'll be wanting to spend a fair bit of coin on both those bikes (I'd not even bother going near that "repsol" heap of shit) to freshen them up (fork rebuilds, brake rebuild etc etc)

My advice, buy simple.

[Grantman_]

The MC22 is an excellent first bike. It was my first bike and I've still got it even though I'm on my full license. Plan to keep it for a bit yet. I picked mine up with very little riding experience - 20 minutes max. I rode it the 3-odd hours home no sweat (did have my learners). LAMS doesn't make a smidge of difference unless you want a swathe of mediocre, lardier options (The RVF400 would be tempting however). The MC22 is right on the edge of power to weight permitted anyhow. The MC22 won't limit riding skill development, has plenty of pep to grow into, and are solid, reliable machines. Makes contemporary 250's look like feeble rubbish imo.

[Glowerss]

I can't see anything wrong with an MC22 for a learner, just need to be aware of 2 facts.

You have the rev the holy bejesus out of the thing to get any sort of power. Hill starts and the like would be far more interesting on an MC22 then it would be say a gn250 You might look like a bit of a knob screaming the tits off your motor to get away from the lights :P

And because of fact 1, get any early 90s IL4 bike checked out *VERY* thoroughly. Most of them get bought, thrashed to fuck for a year while the owner is on their L/R, then flung off to the next person with little to no maintenance. MC22s are pretty sought after bikes, so if they're going too cheaply theres probably a reason for it. The really good nic ones ive seen go for 4-5k. Just make sure you get it well and truly checked out by somebody knowledgeable before buying.

Just take it slow. Practice practice practice, and after you buy your bike pay to get some 1 on 1 training from any of the billions of rider training people in Auckland. Great for getting your confidence up and may save your life one day.

Dont forget to save some money for proper gear as well

[ducatilover]

I can't see anything wrong with an MC22 for a learner, just need to be aware of 2 facts.

You have the rev the holy bejesus out of the thing to get any sort of power. Hill starts and the like would be far more interesting on an MC22 then it would be say a gn250 You might look like a bit of a knob screaming the tits off your motor to get away from the lights :P

And because of fact 1, get any early 90s IL4 bike checked out *VERY* thoroughly. Most of them get bought, thrashed to fuck for a year while the owner is on their L/R, then flung off to the next person with little to no maintenance. MC22s are pretty sought after bikes, so if they're going too cheaply theres probably a reason for it. The really good nic ones ive seen go for 4-5k. Just make sure you get it well and truly checked out by somebody knowledgeable before buying.

Just take it slow. Practice practice practice, and after you buy your bike pay to get some 1 on 1 training from any of the billions of rider training people in Auckland. Great for getting your confidence up and may save your life one day.

Dont forget to save some money for proper gear as well

Interesting fact, the MC22 makes more power/torque over the whole rev range than the GN. They get a long just fine

The really good ones rarely sell for the asking price too.

[Glowerss]

Interesting fact, the MC22 makes more power/torque over the whole rev range than the GN. They get a long just fine

The really good ones rarely sell for the asking price too.

No shit? I've always heard the 250 IL4s (particularly the CBRs) need to be spun up a lot to get em going. Particularly from a standstill. My Scorpio even with my fat 110kg ass on it pulled right from 1500 RPM without a problem. In fact my old scorpio pulled harder between 1500-4k then my 400 does

Learn something new everyday!

[Lozza2442]

Hi there everyone,I'm a newbie here.I joined up ages ago but I am back again.
I've decided it's time to learn to ride a bike,everytime I see someone on a bike,I feel so bad because I have always wanted to ride a bike.But never made the effort to.

I have no experience riding one But I have been doing a lot of research and decided I want a honda CBR MC22 to learn on.I am a quick learner and am very determined to fulfil this little bike-riding dream.
I am 5'6,69kgs and of slim to medium build so I want a light bike with good handling.

I've been looking on trademe and found two bikes that I'll be learning on.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=489601515

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=495854003

Question,does it seem like the second bike has a single brake disc on the front?I know MC22s have two.

And does anyone know anyone who can help me check the bikes out?I have no knowledge of anything about bikes and I cannot test ride out without a license. I want to buy a bike and get my learners etc before the new law comes out.

Thanks.

Where in Auckland are you mate?

[ducatilover]

No shit? I've always heard the 250 IL4s (particularly the CBRs) need to be spun up a lot to get em going. Particularly from a standstill. My Scorpio even with my fat 110kg ass on it pulled right from 1500 RPM without a problem. In fact my old scorpio pulled harder between 1500-4k then my 400 does

Learn something new everyday!

Not really. People pnly say that because they feel smooth and less peppy down low. I can ride an MC22 and it'll pull cleanly from 2000rpm in 6th happily.
If you want easy to ride and as much torque as you can get, buy a VT250 Spada. Makes a mighty 28nm, a whole 24nm of that from 3000rpm (that's what mine managed in standard form on the dyno.)
The reason your Scorp will pull better is likely the gearing, or your 400 is horrible lol

[Glowerss]

Not really. People pnly say that because they feel smooth and less peppy down low. I can ride an MC22 and it'll pull cleanly from 2000rpm in 6th happily.
If you want easy to ride and as much torque as you can get, buy a VT250 Spada. Makes a mighty 28nm, a whole 24nm of that from 3000rpm (that's what mine managed in standard form on the dyno.)
The reason your Scorp will pull better is likely the gearing, or your 400 is horrible lol

Bit of both I reckon Interesting to know either way, cheers sir.

[zique]

The MC22 are neat bikes

Ignore the second one, it has had the LHS rotor and caliper taken off (you can see the mounts on the fork), it is however an MC22, albeit a shitty example of one

The black one has been repainted too.
Shop around lots, get some practice on other bikes (like Ed says) before going and buying an MC22.
Be aware you will be able to buy more interesting and suitable bikes with the LAMS law.
But, at 5ft 6 you should fit nicely on an MC22
Don't rule out the MC19, as a learner, you won't be able to ride the difference between them
Or a ZXR250A/C if you're really set on a 4cyl, they do have cam chain issues though

Also, you'll be wanting to spend a fair bit of coin on both those bikes (I'd not even bother going near that "repsol" heap of shit) to freshen them up (fork rebuilds, brake rebuild etc etc)

My advice, buy simple.

Thanks for that clarification,Ducatilover,I was wondering why it only had one rotor for a MC22.I'll have to admit,that repsol MC22 was my first choice bike to get.Largely because of the color scheme,it would be more visible on the road for car-drivers since I've heard horror stories from guys with motor-bikes with drivers not seeing them.
Just wondering if the MC22 twin rotors would have better braking than the MC19 single rotor?
If there isn't much difference,I'll look into MC19s.I have seen a few on trademe for sale.

I was set on getting a Honda CBR250 because I plan to keep it for a few more years.There's a very low chance I will upgrade to a 400 or 600cc bike in the far future.

Where in Auckland are you mate?

I am in Otahuhu mate,just moved here from East Auckland.

I guess the search is still on for a bike,I was contemplating getting a honda cbr 125 today but still can't decide.My brother just got a NSR and he said it's scary fast.Thats the second NSR the family has had haha.

Btw thanks guys for the replies.I greatly appreciate you all taking the time to reply and help out a future motorbike rider

[ducatilover]

There's a fierce debate about the brakes every time it gets mentioned lol

My view (I've done heaps of kms on both models)
The MC22 stops better.
But, the MC19 can stop pretty hastily too if you need it to, not exactly an issue.
If you were on a track (on a 250? derp) the MC22 has the advantage, in the real world, the one that looks pretty is best.

For myself, I like how the 22 rides more than the 19.

[zique]

My understanding is twin rotors would stop a lot better than one single one.And the brake pads would not wear out as much as a single one as it would have to handle the brunt of the braking.Am I right?
Reason I ask is because,unfortunately I had an accident some months ago in my car and the brakes locked up in the wet.So braking on a bike is very important to me now.I know it's different forms of transportation but I want to be safe on the road.
Btw,did I mention,I'd want to be doing some track work when my confidence is bike riding is up.

[ducatilover]

My understanding is twin rotors would stop a lot better than one single one.And the brake pads would not wear out as much as a single one as it would have to handle the brunt of the braking.Am I right?
Reason I ask is because,unfortunately I had an accident some months ago in my car and the brakes locked up in the wet.So braking on a bike is very important to me now.I know it's different forms of transportation but I want to be safe on the road.
Btw,did I mention,I'd want to be doing some track work when my confidence is bike riding is up.

You're on the right course, but, don't forget the MC19 is cheaper to do a brake overhaul on
At the age of the 19/22s, they're gonna be wanting new disks soon (measure them, min thickness is 3.5mm) and that isn't cheap ($300 for an MC22)

The biggest benefit with the MC22 brakes is better feel and initial bite compared to the MC19, both are capable of locking up in panic stops

[mossy1200]

My understanding is twin rotors would stop a lot better than one single one.And the brake pads would not wear out as much as a single one as it would have to handle the brunt of the braking.Am I right?
Reason I ask is because,unfortunately I had an accident some months ago in my car and the brakes locked up in the wet.So braking on a bike is very important to me now.I know it's different forms of transportation but I want to be safe on the road.
Btw,did I mention,I'd want to be doing some track work when my confidence is bike riding is up.

Single 290-300mm disc is plenty for a 250 or 2 times 220mm+

Bigger disc means more torque braking power per wheel rotation.