Bike for a beginner

[TOTO]

Hey Davo, I Bought a Hyosung gt250r a week ago and started learning on it and I'm similar build as you and I find it great, perfect enough power for a learner - not too much and not too little, moves my 100kgs with ease. A thing to consider is wether to go for the naked version , easyer on the back riding position and easyier on the u turns or the sporty look of the faired R version, and compromise on a little back and wrist pain but as a learnet you'll feel like you are valentino Rossi in the making. My advice try both , sit on them for a while - 5 - 10 min non stop when you are choosing and it will show you what you prefer.

My 2c

Whatever you choose, be seen and be safe.

[0arbreaka]

Have a look at something like a motard, like a kawasaki dtracker or similar, atleast if you crash youll do fuck all damage. Also heard theyr a heap of fun as well, they should have no problem with your size.

[TOTO]

Have a look at something like a motard, like a kawasaki dtracker or similar, atleast if you crash youll do fuck all damage. Also heard theyr a heap of fun as well, they should have no problem with your size.

Thats a good taught. What 250cc Motard bikes are good, and not older than 4-5 years ? Never taught about motard for a first bike. Good idea.

[Rosie]

Thats a good taught. What 250cc Motard bikes are good, and not older than 4-5 years ? Never taught about motard for a first bike. Good idea.

I'm not sure about motards, but there are quite a few 250cc dual purpose bikes (like a motard but with the bigger wheels), most of which would suit taller people. They tend to have quite high seats, and a more upright seating position.
250's tend to be single cylinder, which would make them pretty good as learner bikes, and as 0arbreaka says, if you drop them, you aren't going to damage much.
Suzuki DR250, Yamaha TTR250 and Honda XR250 are the main models that come to mind. You can buy them all new, and trademe currently has at least one of each that's less than 5 years old.

[TOTO]

I'm not sure about motards, but there are quite a few 250cc dual purpose bikes (like a motard but with the bigger wheels), most of which would suit taller people. They tend to have quite high seats, and a more upright seating position.
250's tend to be single cylinder, which would make them pretty good as learner bikes, and as 0arbreaka says, if you drop them, you aren't going to damage much.
Suzuki DR250, Yamaha TTR250 and Honda XR250 are the main models that come to mind. You can buy them all new, and trademe currently has at least one of each that's less than 5 years old.

Great stuff Rosie , i'm looking on trade-me now. I've only had my bike for a week and I already want a second one.

[Rosie]

Great stuff Rosie , i'm looking on trade-me now. I've only had my bike for a week and I already want a second one.

Dual purpose bikes are really nice to ride on the road. Especially on non-state-highways where the road surface can be a bit dubious, or around town - curbs, traffic islands and other forms of road-cholesterol disappear under the 21" front.

[Chill]

Money is the main factor in 250cc's.. well for students like me anyway. I have no problems recommending the GN, contrary to what others might say I like the basic stripped-down motorcycle look (even if it's a bit small), but if you have the money I'd go for a Hyosung v-twin.

[Supermoto Junkie]

[QUOTE=TOTO;1348450]Great stuff Rosie , i'm looking on trade-me now. I've only had my bike for a week and I already want a second one. [/QUOT

Motards are great to learn on and you'll have a hell of a lot of fun on it too,

No t sure on your budget, but Cyclespot (Takapuna) had a XR250 motard (05 or 05 I think) for sale a while a few weeks ago, i think it was $7k. then when you get you full you can go out and buy a XR650 and swap the wheels over

I'm 186cm tall and 125kg, motards do me well

[autos]

chalk one more up for the gn, im 5ft 1o and 100kgs and as a first bike it was cheap new, had good trade in, very forgiving, very reliable (apart from the plastic chinese chain) and would charge along with my mass at 100kmh (and a bit)

[Kane-]

Try a Honda VTR 250

Im 182cm 107 kg and my honda Spada 250 (very similar to the VTR in size and height) is great. Will take me up to 120km no sweat and 140-150 with a long enough stright (race track would be best).
Great bike with big enough brakes. Bigger frame size than the true 250 sports bikes CBR 250 etc (I tried one and felt a little large on it)
Couple of Spada on trademe atm too.

Only complaint is that the mirrors arn't wide enough for my frame
i.e I have to move me head to look past my arms/shoulders behind me damn XL size torso. This can be fixed however.

Naked bike so it ya drop it you're not going to spend a fortune fixing fairing.

Try a few through!

[GaZBur]

If I was your size I would go for a dual purpose. Get a modest priced second hand one and you can learn to road ride and also off road if you want to try. You will have no problem flicking it off again when you want to get a bigger bike or may even decide to keep it as a fun weekend hack.
A bit of off road skill helps heaps on the road too especially in out of control situations.

[davereid]

Yep, my vote is with the dual-purpose bike as well. You can learn some great skills off road, the bikes are tought and don't break easily, plus they get good gas mileage too. And like rosie says, ideal in traffic, just bump up the kerb, over the traffic island etc !

[davo]

Guys, many thanks for the input.

I ended up test driving a new Hyo 250gt and a Honda xr250, and was leaning towards the Honda since the idea of going off the beaten track really appeals as well, and I simply hadn't realised this kind of bike could be road legal!

Then I saw a Husqvarna wr250 on TradeMe and fell in love with how it looked. I bought it and rocked up in Tauranga not really knowing anything about 2 strokes or exactly how big the bike was. Fortunately it is big, and I have found it perfect but that might be because im a bit with it.

It feels incredibly light riding it, and has more then enough power to scare me, so im stoked with it.

http://www.husqvarnausa.com/2006/06_WR250.html

[tri boy]

Stay on top of your maintenance work.(air filter condition, rings, quality oil etc) and you should have sweet run.
Get lazy, and neglectful, and BANG
Gents like Ixion, and the motox boys will see you right with two stroke maintenance advise
Enjoy yourself.

[YellowDog]

Hi Davo,

You need to ride as many as you can before making up you mind. Don't worry too much about the cost, as you will get your money back when you upgrade.

It is an important decision, as it will affect your future views of biking. May be you should start with a dealer with a good range of choices. Also ask which models have an upper height adjustment. The trials design bikes are generally higher anyway.

Good luck and happy chrostmas :-)