New noob wanting advice

[Luker]

Hey guys nd gurls,

Im new to bikes and hoping to get one some time in March I have a few in mind, still deciding weather to get the 08 ninja 250r or something abit cheaper as I have never ridden a bike before. like ZXR or RGV or something.

Anyway my first post, nd any advise would be awsome, =)

[EJK]

Lets see....

CBRs are alright I heard. Bullet proof engines lol

[98tls]

Welcome,consider a road legal trail bike to start off on,dirt is generally softer to land on and in the middle of nowhere theres not so many to laugh at you when you do.Seriously though,a great place to start.

[onearmedbandit]

Have you ridden at all before?

[Luker]

Hmmm, not sure on a dirt bike but will have a think, have ridden scooters few times but guess a mtr bike is alot diff to handle.

I do shift work in the city and need it as parking is getting harder with all the road works / cost of gas etc etc, and allways wanted a bike

Flat mate has an old ninja 650cc but think thats way to much to learn on

[HungusMaximist]

At this stage I'd advise you to test as many bikes as possible, but preferably your mate's or somebody your know very well.

Set yourself a strict budget and keep prowling the 250 market.

We can recommend a heap of bikes but there's no point in telling you how good they are if you haven't tried them yourself.

Go out there and keep an open mind and ride some bikes eh.

Personally, what we think doesn't matter, is what you think at the end of the day.

[Luker]

Cheers guys, some good advise.

Budget thing is something I really gotta look at, specially with all the gear I will be needing to get.

[Big Dog]

Cheers guys, some good advise.

Budget thing is something I really gotta look at, specially with all the gear I will be needing to get.

Buy all the gear you need and use the change to buy a bike.
You are most vulnerable when learning.

Some people on here will hate this next statement.
Riding a bike is not much different from riding a scooter.

You just have better equipment speed and handling wise and have a wider range of inputs you can make.

I recommend you don't get anything too shiny unless you have already ridden something with gears. Free your mind to try stuff.
If you already fell pretty confident trying not to drop it because it is pretty helps some riders (but hampers the learning of most).

[skidMark]

Buy all the gear you need and use the change to buy a bike.
You are most vulnerable when learning.

Some people on here will hate this next statement.
Riding a bike is not much different from riding a scooter.

You just have better equipment speed and handling wise and have a wider range of inputs you can make.

I recommend you don't get anything too shiny unless you have already ridden something with gears. Free your mind to try stuff.
If you already fell pretty confident trying not to drop it because it is pretty helps some riders (but hampers the learning of most).

Agree with BD here.

All well and good to have a pretty shiny toy, but without a doubt you WILL drop it/crash it.

so if you find a mechanically good 250 with scraped up fairings go for it...then later one once you fell you are better slap it a paintjob if you want.

mechanically good is always better than cosmetically good...engines etc are expensive.

[ital916]

Don't get an RGV, the 150 or 250cc versions. A the rgv 150 is a crap version of the earlier RG150. If your going learner two stroke get a RG150. An RGV250 is not a learner bike, it may be in within the cc restriction but is definately not a learner bike. It's a fantastic bike but not for people just learning. It's not about power mate, the ninja 250r will be a great bike , pay something close to it's price for a 17yr old bike if you want, but the new ninjas I reckon would be spot on for learners.

[Hitcher]

Anyway my first post, nd any advise would be awsome, =)

"And" is spelt with an a.

Advise means "recommend or take counsel". The word you should have used is advice, which is "an opinion or recommendation offered as a guide to action".

"Awesome" contains an e.

That's my advice.

[babyblade250rr]

Yes as some have stated, don't going buying a brand new bike if you have never ridden before, it won't look brand new for long trust us, if money is an issue perhaps you may not consider a fully faired bike as when it does go down fairing really likes to damage and break, if you don't mind riding a sport bike with damaged fairing then by all means thats ok.

Personally i wouldnt reccomend a 2 stroke as first bike especially a 250cc i.e RGV/NSR/TZR for the simple fact (And this is my opinion there are some dedicated two strokers out there)

1: They are allot more difficult to ride-Their power range is up high and commuting is biatch

2: There is allot more maintenence with them in comparison with a twin or inline 4

3: Reliabilty in comparison to a four stroke could possilbly be somewhere near half

4: It will cost you allot more money to own then a four stroke

So i would reccomend a twin or a inline 4, Honda are well known for build quality and reliability but it truely ends up being your preference in bike, if you just want a bike thats reliable cheap to run doesnt damage so much when dropped, and relatively cheap on parts you cant go past a GN250 but as i say depends what bike style you like

Good luck anyhow

[Rosie]

The new ninjas look like nice bikes, but, when you are learning, there is a good chance the bike will decide to have a little lie down at some point. Even dropping the bike from stationary is going to scratch up those lovely shiny fairings.
I agree with the road-legal chook chaser suggestion, they are great for cruising around town, sneaking over traffic islands etc, and are pretty good on the open road as well (especially with the gravel and pothole infested highways we have). Unfortunately, they tend to be a bit more expensive than a lot of other 250cc options.

[Swoop]

"but without a doubt you WILL drop it/crash it."

Absolute bollocks.

[ManDownUnder]

Get something cheaper to start with - learn on it and make your mistakes on something that won't cost you the earth. Get your licenses on it then when you and your licenses are ready use the money you saved (buying a cheaper bike instead of a brand new latest of the greatest 250...)...

and buy a 600 or whatever comes next.

250s are a rip off in NZ. Take a quick look on trademe at what you can buy (lets say a 600 or 750) for the same price at that new 250 you want.

Spend a couple of grand on a CBR or similar... a few years and a few miles won't hurt (don't buy a heap of shite - but you don't need the absolute whizzbang best)... then upgrade later.

Oh and ignore Hitcher - he's hypotheticating