Where do I start?

[emoly]

If you're thinking about getting a bike/scooter, where do you start?

I'm just looking for a little bike/scooter to get around town, maybe to go around the city (is it 50cc bikes they don't let you on the motorway on?).

As a complete beginner, I don't know where to start, what to look for, etc...

Can anyone help me out please?

[vindy500]

its not so much that they wont let you on the motorway as that youd be an idiot to go on the motorway on a 50cc

[Roki_nz]

First you will need to do a basic handling course for your motor bike licence, unless you are getting a 50cc scooter. Once you pass that you can go and do you licence test.

Then find out what you are going to be using your machine for, how far it will travel etc. If you are only travelling around town and not on the motorway a small scooter should be fine.

If you are planning for a longer trip I would recommend a 250 bike either a gn250 or Yamaha Scorpio would suit.

If you are after a little fun then a sports bike like a Kawasaki Ninja, Hyosung Comet, Honda Hornet, etc or if you want to go off rode a duel purpose on/off road bike would be for you,

Also talk to your local bike shop and they will be able to advise you on what bike/scooter would suit you.

[emoly]

Okay. How much storage does a 50cc bike have? Could I take possibly a backpack and an alto sax on it?

[Drew]

Thread asks, "where to start"? So stop raising more questions you lot.

Start point is, answer this. What do you want the bike for? Specifically, what does it need to be capable of? That'll rule out a load of other needless questions. From there it's all plain sailing.

[Drew]

Okay. How much storage does a 50cc bike have? Could I take possibly a backpack and an alto sax on it?

Sax between your legs if ya get a scooter. Strapped to the back seat if ya get a conventional bike.

[mstriumph]

Okay. How much storage does a 50cc bike have? Could I take possibly a backpack and an alto sax on it?

please

start by deciding wat you need the bike for then
going around the bike/scooter dealers and
matching up your list of requirements with their stock

just like buying groceries - but more fun.

[emoly]

please

start by deciding wat you need the bike for then
going around the bike/scooter dealers and
matching up your list of requirements with their stock

just like buying groceries - but more fun.

i just said what I needed the bike for - going around town

[Griffin]

So... go around a few dealers, work out what rocks your boat and what doesnt... Do your BSH test, get your learners and take a few bikes that you like for a ride and buy the one that comes out tops.

[scootnz]

Might also help if you would put in your profile what town/city you're in. Are there hills, or is it very flat? Lots of busy roads, or the middle of nowhere?

Vespa style scooters can carry a lot of stuff - sax I would put upright on the floorboards. You could have either a topbox to put stuff in, or a rear rack to put a backpack on.

One big consideration you haven't mentioned is how much you actually have to spend upfront on a bike, and protective gear. If its a piddly amount you may be very limited as to what you can buy.

[CookMySock]

emoly, good on ya getting on a baaaad bikers forum on the internet and asking for help on ya first bike.

Try a google images search for "scooter" and see what comes up. Also drop in at the bikeshops and have a drool. There are some quite unique machines around like the Sachs Madass if you want something completely different.

Are you persuaded you want a scooter ? Sit on good-sized learner bikes too and see how they make you feel. There are some super awesome/deadly learner bikes that will really rock your socks right off if thats your thing, so spend some time in the shops, catalogs, and on google-images and see what appeals.

You can put a packrack on the 250cc bikes that will take a good sized load.

Cost to run rule of thumb - 50cc scooters 2litres/100km, 250cc 3.5l/100km. ish


DB

[mstriumph]

i just said what I needed the bike for - going around town

ahHA - that's wat we ALL said!!! .......

[and bike shopping is STILL more fun than buying groceries ..... if you try it and don't agree on that, then you don't DESERVE a bike!!!! ]

[Toaster]

ahHA - that's wat we ALL said!!! .......

[and bike shopping is STILL more fun than buying groceries ..... if you try it and don't agree on that, then you don't DESERVE a bike!!!! ]

Damn right sister! Bike shopping is the best!

[Badjelly]

i just said what I needed the bike for - going around town

Carrying an alto sax!

One of your first choices is scooter vs bike. Scooters are undeniably better for carrying stuff (or so I have been told) and offer some weather protection. There's also the advantage that scooter riders don't need all that bulky protective gear and full-face helmets that bike riders do. (No, I am not being serious. Please get decent protective gear and use it, whatever your vehicle! )

Another big factor is the level of performance you need/want. I've never ridden a 50 cc scooter, but I suspect they aren't fast enough to keep out of the way of the traffic, except maybe in the central city. Personally, I wouldn't consider anything less than a 125 cc, and I'm no performance-freak. But that's me.

I have a Yamaha Scorpio (225 cc, 4-stroke, commuter-oriented learner bike) that I bought new for $3800 last year. It's great for commuting and can handle the occasional blast along the motorway. But I really need to spring for another $300 or so for a top-box to make it a handy round-town machine. Unfortunately this would ruin its beautiful looks

Have a search round this site. A bloke named Tank bought a Suzuki AN125 (I think) for his missus a week or two ago, after a brief but vigorous discussion. He seems pleased with his choice. You should be able to find the thread without too much difficulty.

Edit: here we are:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=75680

Good luck