Getting into biking.

[StreetScreamer]

Hello..

Well, situation is this, I am getting close to being seventeen and I want to buy a motorcycle (obviously) I have ridden a few before, slightly smaller, but I am really looking foward to buying my first bike.

I've heard bikes without the small windowscreen (I 'THINK' thats what it is.) give greater wind pressure on the chest so slightly more strain on the arms/lower chest?

I'm currently looking at a few bikes, just trying to find out as much as I can about them, main options at the moment are as follows;

Hyosung GT250R 2008
Kawasaki Ninja 250 2008
Aprillia RS250 1997
Honda CBR125 Road 2008

Thanks for any info if available.

[Subike]

new to biking and you want to go fast already eh
those bike you have listed are arguably not learners bikes.

If you want to learn to ride before you end up in hospital. Not from ending up in hospital.

Buy a bike similer to a Suzuki GN250 or a Yamaha 225 Scorpio.
These will allow you to learn, give reasonably good performance, they can achieve the open road speed and are FAR more relyable than the ones you are looking at.
Probably cheaper too

[avgas]

CBR125
if you have to work to kick peoples arse's it makes you a better rider.......and a faster one
i kid you not - ever tried to beat a CBR250 on a FXR150.......
Plus you get instand kudos for showing up the big bike riders on something with less grunt than a lawnmower - ask motoracer......Sudeep is quite good at kicking asses on little bikes.

[Katman]

CBR125
if you have to work to kick peoples arse's it makes you a better rider.......and a faster one

Not that someone new to motorcycling should have any interest in kicking people's arses.

Apart from the Aprilia the others you've listed should make reasonably good learner bikes. A sensible attitude toward motorcycling though is the most important factor particularly with learner riders.

[Bonez]

Hello..

Well, situation is this, I am getting close to being seventeen and I want to buy a motorcycle (obviously) I have ridden a few before, slightly smaller, but I am really looking foward to buying my first bike.

I've heard bikes without the small windowscreen (I 'THINK' thats what it is.) give greater wind pressure on the chest so slightly more strain on the arms/lower chest?

I'm currently looking at a few bikes, just trying to find out as much as I can about them, main options at the moment are as follows;

Hyosung GT250R 2008
Kawasaki Ninja 250 2008
Aprillia RS250 1997
Honda CBR125 Road 2008

Thanks for any info if available.

Welcome to KB. The GT250R or Ninga would be my pick. GT if you are bigger.

The thing that give you protection on these bikes is called a fairing.

It is worth considering more humble steads during the learning process as mentioned above. The current CBF 250 Honda single is another good choice as as the GT and Ninja do have a lot of plastic bits that'll get damaged in event of a noob woopsie. You can get a small headlight/handle bar mounted fairing/screen(Givi make them) for these other bikes if you require a bit more protection from the elements. FXR 150 seem to be another popular learners bike.

HTH

Edit-The CBR125 looks like it'd be a hoot to ride.

[The Stranger:Me]

those bike you have listed are arguably not learners bikes.

Perhaps you would care to explain to him why this is, as to the casual observer this may not be apparent.

[Pedrostt500]

Good on ya for wanting to get into bikes, yep its addictive, if ya want to become a fast rider, and all that goes with it I suggest you enroll your self in the track days, there are plenty here who can advise you on when where and how, the only other advise I can give you is Hospital food is shite, you want to avoid having to eat it, it is worse pureed.

[Subike]

Perhaps you would care to explain to him why this is, as to the casual observer this may not be apparent.

The four he has listed are all road racers, designed to live on the edge of performance.
You sit in the bike no on it. Fully fared road race bikes dont allow optimiom vision to the LEARNER. You are limited to the forward vision you have due to the riding position. You Cannot see as clearly ahead of you as you can on a more upright bike.
something you need to do when learning SEE WHERE THE FUCK YOU ARE GOING!
Once you understand the dynamics of riding a bike, and have developed that sence of awareness of other traffic, then the RR bikes are good to have.
But I think you should learn to walk before you try to run...

[Bonez]

The four he has listed are all road racers, designed to live on the edge of performance.

Crap. The GT250 and Ninja easy bikes to live with. They just look hot.

[Subike]

Crap. The GT250 and Ninja easy bikes to live with. They just look hot.

I was asked for my reasons and I gave them.
If its crap to you then I respect your view................reluctantly

[Bonez]

I was asked for my reasons and I gave them.
If its crap to you then I respect your view................reluctantly

Fair enough. Some of us actually ride with noobs who own these bikes.

[davebullet]

Another one to add to your list is the Honda VTR250. You can get these anywhere from $4K - $6.5K. Honda have stopped importing them from 2008 - so second hand is the only option here.

Why recommend a VTR?
Honda reliability
Naked bike - if you drop it, no fairings to break
More a standard / upright ride. Great for learner positioning and viewing
V-twin engine. Good pulling power and forgiving if your revs are a little low
Good resale
Good build quality

I would argue against the GN250. Unless you can get one dirt cheap, you'll want to upgrade in no time.

Dave.

[Quailboy]

I would go for the ninja if I was looking at newer bikes.

I recently bought a CBR250RR as a LEARNER bike and theres nothing wrong with it as just that, even if it is a bit harder to learn on. Just means I don't get bored as quickly as I go through the liscensing process.

I also don't have an issue where I cannot see behind me or where I am going.

Have fun, be safe.

[Maha]

Another one to add to your list is the Honda VTR250. You can get these anywhere from $4K - $6.5K. Honda have stopped importing them from 2008 - so second hand is the only option here.

Why recommend a VTR?
Honda reliability
Naked bike - if you drop it, no fairings to break
More a standard / upright ride. Great for learner positioning and viewing
V-twin engine. Good pulling power and forgiving if your revs are a little low
Good resale
Good build quality

I would argue against the GN250. Unless you can get one dirt cheap, you'll want to upgrade in no time.

Dave.

Good recommendation
No bad points about the VTR as a learner, noboby could argue differently.
And I agree on the GN comment

[Sparrowhawk]

I understand the bikes you've listed. And all the arguments here are good. However, I chose a 1990 Ninja 250. I simply wanted a bike that 'looked' sporty. I would simply suggest, for a new rider, especially if you want a bike with fairings, don't buy a brand new one.

Now, there are lots of reasons to buy new instead of second hand. But for a first time rider, if you drop your bike in the first 6 months, you'll be SO much more pissed off if it's brand new & you scratch the paint / crack a fairing.

I'd also advise to stay away from the Aprilla for now. It's sexy, sure, but has too much power for a learner.