First bike advice....

**Mencius** · 24th December 2004, 19:12

Hi folks,

I am in the process of learning to ride at the moment and as such am considering buying my first bike.
So thus far I have my eye on a new Yamaha SR250 Classic ($3500 not including ORC), or a 1995 Yamaha SRV250 ($3500 but there should be no ORC).
So any opinion on what is better for the new rider?

And yes, fifty people will tell me I should buy a Suzuki GN250, but really I don't wanna!

Ang

**FROSTY:Me** · 24th December 2004, 19:31

Short version Ang.
I'd buy the SR for a first bike. -1 piston 2 valves -cheap to service,cheap to fix. Totally bulletproof motor.

**jrandom** · 24th December 2004, 19:35

Buy the SRV250. Yokai has one, I've seen it (although not ridden it) and it's very nice. It'll satisfy your riding needs much better during your learner/restricted licence period than the SR250 will, I suspect.

Since it's 9 years old, of course, you'll have to make sure it gets a proper mechanical check, but I'd certainly be leaning toward the SRV. Is it an import, or NZ new? I assume it's being sold by a dealer.

I guess what it comes down to is... the SRV is a sexy little 250 that will get appreciative glances on the road. The SR looks like it should be used for learner licence tests and not much else. That stuff does make a difference.

**jrandom** · 24th December 2004, 19:36

Oh yes, and since I just disagreed completely with Frosty, be advised that he knows a lot more than I do.

The SR still looks pants, though

**Posh Tourer :P** · 24th December 2004, 19:52

The older one will hold value more for when you inevitably want to upgrade....

**Riff Raff** · 24th December 2004, 21:06

What about my beautiful Honda Rebel? She's on the market very shortly

**Mencius** · 24th December 2004, 21:11

Posh Tourer: exactly my thoughts about the older bike.

Jrandom: if I lean any further towards the SRV I'll fall over. It is a nice looking machine. The question is can I handle it........

XJ/FROSTY: exactly what I wanted to hear. It's the ORC that makes it a less attractive proposition, especially when you can get a new GN on the road for around $3300 but they make me feel

Ang, wishing she had enough $$$$ for the VTR....

**ajturbo** · 24th December 2004, 22:42

na frig the licence and go out and buy a sv1000

RR's rebel would be the one .it is so clean , hardly been used........

**James Deuce** · 24th December 2004, 22:53

Buy one with wheels.

The wheels on the bus go round and round
round and round
round and round.....

**scumdog** · 25th December 2004, 01:37

Don't overlook a GN250 all the same, my workmate bought one a month ago and is still raving about it, great wee bike and as reliable as the dawn.

**jrandom** · 25th December 2004, 02:44

Originally Posted by Mencius

a nice looking machine. The question is can I handle it...

Sure you can. It's a total pussycat.

Originally Posted by Mencius

It's the ORC that makes it a less attractive proposition...

*I* bought an FXR150 new as a fust boike for the same reason (reliability) but... meh. You'll be very likely to get perfectly good motoring out of the SRV.

And it's *so* good-looking.

Originally Posted by Mencius

Ang, wishing she had enough $$$$ for the VTR....

New VTRs (and the consequent resale prices) are just too expensive for what you're getting, when you consider that you could have a brand new Bandit 600 for only a grand more, or a brand new SV1000 for two grand more, etc. Really not worth the price, and after taking Cyclespot's demo VTR for a blat, I still prefer my $2500 FZX.

Actually, if Colemans still have that blue FZX on the floor, and you can stretch your budget to $4000, it'd be worth looking at. It's an absolutely mint bike.

[Edit: Ah, you're in Palmy. Still, consider it. There'd be sure to be a KBer who'd ride a bike down from Auckland if you paid for an $86 (I just checked) plane ticket back up.]

**Bonez** · 25th December 2004, 05:59

Gn250-new bike, 2 year warrenty, no probs selling-always plenty of shortass potentional bikers about. Underated ta boot. All n all good value. Good luck with whatever you choose.

**wildfire1** · 25th December 2004, 06:40

Good luck with what ever you choose...the important thing is to just choose and get out there and do some riding (If this weather ever comes right :unsure: ). I guess i have to add my name to the long list of advocates for the GN250 - i had heard other people rave about them too and wondered what all the fuss was about - they are what people say - a great, simple reliable, fun, average bike - that is cheaper than it deserves to be

Oh yeah - Riffs Rebel is kinda cute too

**Mencius** · 25th December 2004, 08:14

Bonez/wildfire1/scumdog: I hear what you're saying about the GN, really I do, but it is a motorcycle that doesn't affect me in quite the same way as some others do. If it turns out that it is all I can afford then so be it, but I'd rather explore other options first.

jrandom: Yeah I can't say the FXR150 really does it for me. Just about as common as GN's too :-)
As for the VTR, that just takes any decision making requirements out of the equation

Riff Raff: Sorry, the Rebel just isn't my packet of biscuits at the moment.......

Ang