Just starting out again...Hi (Blossom)

[Blossom]

Hi all,
I am just about to get my learners and am shopping for a bike. I have had a couple of bikes in my youth but have been without a bike for 5yrs or so. Thought it was about time to start afresh and get my licence and a shiny bike to go with it.
The husband is also bike hunting and boy has the market changed. So I got online and found this place and am looking forward to making some new friends and getting some advice.
I am looking for a 250 of course, Tried out a Suzuki marauder today and it struggled to get to 100kmph especially up hill so now looking at a Yamaha virago or a Honda magna. Thinking a twin valve bike would have a bit more boogie. I am on the short side so need a low bike and top heavy so need a well balanced bike. I also have been looking at a Kawasaki zzr250 but not sure about the sporty look for me. Sooooo... Ladies and gentlemen, Opinions please. Oh and no I dont want a gn250 been there before thanks. This mother of 4 needs a bike that can clear the mommy cobwebs clear away without killing myself. lol

[Bren]

heya and welcome to the nut house. I cant give you too much advice on what to go for as the 250s I have owned have been Ginnys and my current GPX...Ya are limited by suffering ducks disease but plenty have overcome that with modifying their bikes. So it just goes to the style you want...
Anyway welcome aboard and good luck in your hunt...

[Blossom]

ducks disease? do you mean the knees up problem? not an issue if thats what your talking about. I have short legs.

[Bren]

ducks disease? do you mean the knees up problem? not an issue if thats what your talking about. I have short legs.

ducks disease...ass too close to the ground....my wife suffers from it..she's only 5ft

[Blossom]

ducks disease...ass too close to the ground....my wife suffers from it..she's only 5ft

ahhh look at that not even here for an hour and I learnt something. lol I am not that short (no offence South3rn Rid3r's wife) am 5ft 4in so the marauder was a good height. Does anyone know if the virago or the magna is around the same height at the marauder?

[Daffyd]

Definitey a Virago; mind you, I might be a little biased.

[Jiminy]

I tried a Virago 250 when I started biking, found it a bit gutless. I then tried a Kawa Eliminator, perfect bike for me, stil running easy at 100kph, low and stable.

I'd think that the Magna would be a good choice, too. Or the Hyosung GV250 in the cruiser style.

What about a naked bike?

[Blossom]

Not sure what you mean by naked bike, as for the Kawa Eliminator, nice idea but very pricey from what I have seen so far. The man is bike hunting too so I am on a budget.
Surely the Virago cant be as bad as the marauder for power (or lack thereof) ??

[Trudes]

Welcome to KB Blossom, have fun finding a bike to suit you, know the short arse problem too, but we learn to adapt don't we!!! Ride safe!

[kiwifruit]

welcome to the site

[SDU]

Welcome to the nuthouse!
Being a hobbit is a pain in the butt when it comes to bikes but nothing you can't work around. Just keep sitting on every bike you can til you find a comfy fit & style you like. If it's a little tall take something out of the seat & or look around at other ways to lower.
I have always found that I can't get both feet on the ground but as long as I'm comfy & can get more than one toe down -bliss!
check out the VTR250's (lower the seat) or the yamaha SRV /reanaince or the bandits.
Happy hunting.

[crashe]

ahhh look at that not even here for an hour and I learnt something. lol I am not that short (no offence South3rn Rid3r's wife) am 5ft 4in so the marauder was a good height. Does anyone know if the virago or the magna is around the same height at the marauder?

Gidday and welcome to KB.

I think that they are all around the same sort of seat height..... but the Magna has a much wider seat than the virago.

Im 4foot 12inches tall and ride a Virago.... ridden it for 8 years now.


To check out the Virago....... pop all the way over to Henderson Motorcycles out on View Rd, Henderson (West Auckland) as they have a new one there to try out. Chat to Mike (speedpro) about the new model.

Another bike shop, Red Baron, sometimes has a second-hand virago in there for sale.

I'm not sure who has Magna's up for sale thou. Maybe over the North Shore.

[Blossom]

Gidday and welcome to KB.

I think that they are all around the same sort of seat height..... but the Magna has a much wider seat than the virago.

Im 4foot 12inches tall and ride a Virago.... ridden it for 8 years now.


To check out the Virago....... pop all the way over to Henderson Motorcycles out on View Rd, Henderson (West Auckland) as they have a new one there to try out. Chat to Mike (speedpro) about the new model.

Another bike shop, Red Baron, sometimes has a second-hand virago in there for sale.

I'm not sure who has Magna's up for sale thou. Maybe over the North Shore.

Thanks for the info I just might have to do that.
I just tried on my old leather jacket and looks like along with a bike and helmet will be gloves and a new leather jacket. Sigh. Oh well at least I like shopping.

[crashe]

Thanks for the info I just might have to do that.
I just tried on my old leather jacket and looks like along with a bike and helmet will be gloves and a new leather jacket. Sigh. Oh well at least I like shopping.

How small or big is the jacket on you.... because you can get it altered to refit you.
Go and see Kerrie on K' Rd as she can alter any gear to fit and at a good price too. She has a big Kiwibiker sticker on her door.

Phone her first to arrange a time, as she has to drop her son off to school and then pick him up....

Kerrie
Motorcycle Safety Wear
31 Saint Kevins Arcade
K' Rd
Ph: (09) 309 9522
Go down the first flight of stairs and on the right is a big vault door.. that is where she does the work from.

[Sharry]

Welcom Blossom, we girls need all the gender support we can muster.

As well as popping into bike shops to try for size you can google each make and have look at the individuals specifications and write ups of performance.

Good luck with the search while we all wait in anticipation of the photo.