Newbie looking for some advice....

**Wildbeanie** · 6th January 2008, 20:12

Hi all,

I'm new to road bikes and have been looking for a bike for a couple of weeks now. Went into bike shop in Lower Hutt here on Saturday & they have a brand new Honda CBF250 now for $4995 down from $6995. Sounds like a good deal, is there anyone out there that know's of anyone who owns one of these.

I also like Suzuki RGV's or Honda CBR's as these were the rage when I was a younger fella.

Not sure which is the best way to go for a learner.....any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Wildy:wacko:

**James Deuce** · 6th January 2008, 20:26

The CBF is a tidy bike that would do you very well for your apprenticeship, especially at the price. Easy to ride, service, and cheap to run.

RGVs and CBRs have been thrashed by ham fisted fools for the better part of two decades. They're old bikes with all the problems that engenders. If you're willing to spend the time and cash you can have a nice reliable bike. 250s seem to only get the bare minimum spent on them though, so they age faster than other parts of the market - except probably the 600cc sportbike sector, but they either get raced or buried in a fence post.

If you go second hand buy on condition not mileage and take someone with you who knows all the telltale signs of careful owners or the aforementioned ham fisted fools.

**Hawkeye** · 6th January 2008, 20:46

As Jim said... and as Jim didn't say..

Welcome to KB.

**Wildbeanie** · 6th January 2008, 21:26

Thanks for the advice Jim2. I want to do a bit of riding up to the manawatu & was wondering if a fairing would be a good idea...

**Wildbeanie** · 6th January 2008, 21:27

Thanks for the welcome Hawkeye, there certainly seems like a lot of bikers on here prepared to help newbies like myself. I think its gr8...

**xwhatsit** · 6th January 2008, 21:50

Originally Posted by Wildbeanie

Thanks for the advice Jim2. I want to do a bit of riding up to the manawatu & was wondering if a fairing would be a good idea...

You don't need a fairing. Wind at 100kph is nothing to get too worried about. People say it gives you tired arms after extended periods of time, but you'll probably find your arse is giving you more hassles after a few hundred kilometres.

CBF250s that new single, right? 16kW (22hp or so) from 140kg is better than a GN250

**James Deuce** · 6th January 2008, 22:07

Originally Posted by Wildbeanie

Thanks for the advice Jim2. I want to do a bit of riding up to the manawatu & was wondering if a fairing would be a good idea...

Xerxes has the right of it. A lot of people find the airflow on a naked bike up to the speed limit to be both quieter and less turbulent than a faired bike.

Givi make some good looking bikini fairings for bikes with round headlights, and they can help keep some of the weather off you.

**Ixion** · 6th January 2008, 22:13

Yep. Simple rule here. If you're a learner, and you are thinking about speeds where lack of fairing is an issue: forget about motorcycles. And stay alive.

**tri boy** · 7th January 2008, 08:37

Those wee CBF Honda's are a steal at that price. Brazilian made I think, but to Honda's level of quality.
Four stroke singles are the best type of learner bike around IMHO.
As for travel distance and comfort...... it will do it all.
Welcome aboard. Happy travels.

**banditrider** · 7th January 2008, 18:39

One of our local riders (Monaime) has a CBF and it seems to go pretty well for a one-lunger. Would definitely dust a GN. Maybe you could PM her and ask her about it. I know she is looking forward to a few more herbs though...