Hi all - from a car fanatic

[Pedrostt500]

Welcome to the site, get a bike and we wont Burn your car with the rest of the Infidels, nah only joking, you just have to figure out what sort of riding you want to do, then find a bike to suit.

[Grin-T]

I'm not saying I'll be getting a sports bike, I'm made that comment for the ones that own a sport bike. Then again, I wouldn't really know.

I might get hooked to riding, I might not.

Even before I tried the 50cc, I have full respect for you riders. And yes, I do use my mirrors to check if you are there. I would have thought that maybe some of you might be into cars too.

I don't know what a cruiser is, but I have a rather keen interest on the Honda Hornet with the twin headlight conversion currently on sale on trademe. I've also been told that Hornets are pretty big... And also, I shouldn't spend too much on a first bike as I will most likely drop it, which I think is a fair call.

Scorpios are pretty good learner bikes too? I can't make up my mind. Still trying to find a balance between price/performance. Would rather spend a bit more on a bike that I love to keep riding longer

P.S - I'm not into scooters. Don't ask why..

[Trudes]

As a fellow short-arse, a word of advice, before you get all passionate about a particular bike, make sure you can reach the ground when you are sitting on the seat.

[Ragingrob]

Spend money on gear and then see what ya have left to spend on your bike

There are a lot of opinions on here as to what bike to start on, my honest opinion is to just make sure you get someone to check the bike out with ya, because no matter what bike you get i.e. if you grow outta it (feels too slow) or just don't get along with it, you can almost always just sell it for about the same price. So there's no loss, but a gain in knowledge.

I started on a naked cheap slow bike (gn250) which was awesome to learn on, commute 100km each day so wanted something a bit faster, sold the gn for $100 more than I bought it, bought a cbr (one of the fastest 250s), had a blast, got my full, sold the cbr for $700 more than I bought it, bought a vfr400 and am content.

So yeah that's what I did, I've enjoyed every part of learning how to ride and how to pull a bike apart.

Hope ya liked my story.

EDIT : PS, a cbr250 is one of (if not) the fastest 250 4-stroke around AND it has a really really low seat height. My gf of about your height can put her feet flat on the ground.

[McJim]

After you get used to bikes cars just stop being fun and start being boxes on wheels. Bear in mind that an average sportsbike will do 0-100 under 4 seconds. You would have to spend some serious money to get that kind of acceleration from a car.

Also driving a car through twisty roads is merely a case of turning a the steering wheel. Negotiating twisties on a bike successfully is hugely rewarding by comparison. There was a fella on her called Lou Girardin who said "Cornering on a bike is ballet where as cornering in most cars is hip-hop"

Neat quote wot I remembered.

[Monie]

I am 5.3 and when i am on the road i dont move for cars this is my road as well dont use that as an excuss just get hard and do it ... its worth it and fun ......

[Grin-T]

Ragingrob - I've heard lots about them CBR250s. They seem rather huge in person, but you might be right about the low seat height. 19,000 rpm redline?

Monie - Do you ride an 08 250 Ninja? If so, can you flat foot both feet? They are out of my price range, but I'm curious. Ta!

[Meekey_Mouse]

Hey Grin-T, welcome to KB.

There are quite a few biker mad people on here that do appreciate cars. I go out to the drift meets here in Taupo when I can, absolutely LOVE Mad mike's RX7. Although I hate riding on the track in the next few weeks after they've been out there cause drifters make it SO freakin slippery. My girly friends hate having coffee or walking down the street with me cause I instantly stop listening to them when a nice bike or car goes past

I'm about your height, my 2nd bike was a ZXR (cheaper and generally more thrashed version of CBR) they are slightly taller but I had no problems with it and that would be my 2nd favorite bike ever... After the 600

As far as long distance goes... You're open to the elements and no bike is extremely comfy... I find the gixxer is great cause it's a compact bike and although it's a sports bike, it fits me perfectly! On more cruisy/touring bikes I find they are made for taller people to stretch out on, therefore being too big and incredibly uncomfortable for me. Try different bikes out and find wht your style is

[Monie]

and welcome to KB ....

[CookMySock]

before you get all passionate about a particular bike, make sure you can reach the ground when you are sitting on the seat.

some bikes can be lowered without much trouble or expense, if you really have your heart set on them. Same applies for those that have horrid suspension - this can be cheaply modified.

DB

[avgas]

GN125 is where the fun is at
Nike - Just do it

[Trudes]

some bikes can be lowered without much trouble or expense, if you really have your heart set on them. Same applies for those that have horrid suspension - this can be cheaply modified.

DB

This is true, although mine cost me $2000 to get it right for me.

[Grin-T]

Awesome. Sounds like it'll be loads of fun.
I'll keep you all updated.
A bit more research, I'll try to sit on a few more bikes, and Bob's your uncle.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

[Freebird]

Hi Grin-T,

I have to say when it come to bikes and cars I swing both ways , I have raced both and I am fanatical about both, so just do what makes you happy. But the bike is for sure a cheaper way of getting the adrenalin pumping if that’s what you’re into.

Regards

Freebird

[Ragingrob]

Ragingrob - I've heard lots about them CBR250s. They seem rather huge in person, but you might be right about the low seat height. 19,000 rpm redline?

Monie - Do you ride an 08 250 Ninja? If so, can you flat foot both feet? They are out of my price range, but I'm curious. Ta!

It's just the fairings that make them look large, but once you're sitting on it they're nice and low and quite light too. Well mine was an MC19 which is the 87-90 model I think, I think that the later model MC22 may be a bit higher and also a sportier seating position. I found the MC19 to be very comfortable even for a day's riding.

19,000 rpm redline and both you and the bike will love it, that's what they're all about. 6 gears for making open road and motorway riding easy too.

I'm only 5'6" and could EASILY touch the ground with both feet flat and even slightly bent knees, they also have a nice low down centre of gravity which makes them stable.

Btw I got mine for $2,700, there are lotsa good deals out there you just gotta find them!

/cbr glorification over

I suggest you head to some bike shops just to literally have a sit on as many bikes as possible to see what feels right for you.