Anyone with a bit of experience want to help a noob shop? :P

**Fenix** · 2nd February 2005, 14:42

Thinking of getting over to Auckland somewhere around fri/sat/sun with one of the parental units to do some shopping for a bike and some gear. Still unsure as to whether I've (my parents) got (will loan me) the money, but I'm hoping to get a chance to inspect a nice-looking pair of wheels (read: 1997 Honda VTR1000 Firestorm) and need someone who A: can drive a motorcycle and B: knows a bit about checking for damage. Also, any advice on riding gear would be muchly appreciated. Probably be getting a rental car, or bringing a minivan with us on the car ferry. (live on Waiheke Island) Anyway, if anyone has some free time and doesn't mind chapperoning a noob and his loan around the city, I'm sure I can shout some gas money and a meal or something.

**Biff** · 2nd February 2005, 14:49

Felix has gone and hired a van
If KBe'rs cant help then no one can

gooooooooooooooooo Kb'ers

Can you tell I failed cheer leading school?

Good luck bro - I'm sure one of the lovely people here will help.

**duckman** · 2nd February 2005, 14:51

I'd be more than happy to help you out fenix, but while your making your way from Waiheke to Auckland - I'll be making my way from Auckland to Waiheke for the Wine, Food and Jazz festival. Sorry

**Fenix** · 2nd February 2005, 16:01

Thanks Biff Baff, I'm sure someone will.

Well, Duckman, do enjoy our lovely collection of wines, foods and awfull music. XP

**duckman** · 2nd February 2005, 16:03

Originally Posted by Fenix

Well, do enjoy our lovely collection of wines, foods and awfull music. XP

Will do.... Good luck on the bike buying

**Zapf** · 2nd February 2005, 19:16

Originally Posted by Fenix

Thinking of getting over to Auckland somewhere around fri/sat/sun with one of the parental units to do some shopping for a bike and some gear. Still unsure as to whether I've (my parents) got (will loan me) the money, but I'm hoping to get a chance to inspect a nice-looking pair of wheels (read: 1997 Honda VTR1000 Firestorm) and need someone who A: can drive a motorcycle and B: knows a bit about checking for damage. Also, any advice on riding gear would be muchly appreciated. Probably be getting a rental car, or bringing a minivan with us on the car ferry. (live on Waiheke Island) Anyway, if anyone has some free time and doesn't mind chapperoning a noob and his loan around the city, I'm sure I can shout some gas money and a meal or something.

Hello,
don't mind if I ask, have u got your full / restricted / learners license yet?

Zapf

**John** · 2nd February 2005, 19:41

Originally Posted by Zapf

Hello,
don't mind if I ask, have u got your full / restricted / learners license yet?

Zapf

yes, dont please GOD dont go for a big bike straight away, I just dont like the idea of you being wrapped around a pole man, go for a 250 or something or ignore me :P

**MSTRS:Me** · 2nd February 2005, 19:51

THat bike will be death on 2 wheels for the novice rider. Which you are, I presume. Don't do it laddie. The 'right' 250 will be any amount for the time being.

**bugjuice** · 2nd February 2005, 20:13

can't do friday, sometime saturday (gots me a ride on, if this weather picks up), and any sunday, but like SM said, shops shut on sunday.. as an offer..

**StoneChucker** · 2nd February 2005, 21:29

What sort of person are you? If you're mature minded then ignore the posts saying "don't get a big bike". I don't want to start the whole topic again, but any bike can be ridden gently. It does take control though, so ask yourself seriously if you have that. It's VERY VERRRRRY hard to let boy racers hoon past you at 140, knowing you can breeze by at twice that!

And yeah, what stage are you at with your licence? Do they have similar laws and customs on Waiheke Island? Could you use that licence in NZ?

**Motu** · 2nd February 2005, 22:08

After having lived on Waiheke Island for 10 yrs (9yrs ago now) anything over 250 is a waste.Used to try and ''crack the ton'' (160kph) on Onetangi straight,but you are running out of road at those speeds,it'd be even worse now with more traffic.

Damn,that was always a hassle - coming to town and having to find transport,borrowing cars,getting picked up,carting everything you needed to the ferry.Glad to leave that behind.

**Big Dave** · 2nd February 2005, 22:14

Originally Posted by Fenix

Also, any advice on riding gear would be muchly appreciated.

Go and see Chris Hyland or one of his minions at Motomail for the gear.
They have some packages already worked out that would 'suit'.

Patrick Stafford at Auckland Motorcycles & Power Sports will give you good advice too.
bd

**Fenix** · 2nd February 2005, 22:34

Learner's? :P As for the maturity/responsibility, I wouldn't do something I didn't think I could handle. No chance of me doing stupid shit. And frankly, if I'm riding a 1000cc on a learner's, do I really want to draw attention to myself? The cops on Waiheke are slack, to say the least, but if I get pulled over it's already violating my license conditions, plus not riding with an L plate, plus over the speed limit (assuming that's what I did to get pulled over). So I *really* wouldn't risk it. I know it's a stupid idea to go for such a big bike so early, but this has to last me a long while. It's a "present" from the 'rents. If I went to a 250, I wouldn't be able to afford to upgrade when I get my full. If I keep my head down, I hopefully will be fine. I'm trying to sort out a deal with a mate to get a sub-250 that we can share and practice on as well, but with the understanding that he's going to buy my share of it after a few months.

Trust me, I've been working on this plan for a while, and know I'm biting off more than I should try and chew; but I'm also quite confident that I won't screw around. And my parents wouldn't buy me it if they didn't think I was responsible enough to ride it safely. :P I'm sure you're all laughing at me by now, and I have no doubt club 250 will be cracking up as they ride circles around me if I join up for any rides, but oh well. I'll live. And hell, on Waiheke I won't even need to break 70 to beat the street racers. XP I wouldn't let myself get baited in.

**Fenix** · 2nd February 2005, 22:37

Thanks for the advice, BD. I'll go check them out.

"Minions". I'm liking the sound of that alreacy. >=)

StoneChucker, the law reads "If you leave us the fuck alone, we leave you the fuck alone." :P And I *think* a Waiheke license is valid in New Zealand. :| Not entirely sure. :P And yeah, I'm a total angel.

I'm overly caution about everything.

SpeedMedic, nope, not a felix; sorry! As for knowing me by site, unlikely. I don't get out much. But if you do, that'd be awesome.

It might end up being next week at this rate so who knows. Parental unit needs a prod-start.