Possibly returning rider - Looking for some thoughts! (robboh)

[pimslagman]

This thread came up as about honda 50 cc 4stroke, didn't read it @ll., too much info! But wanting to know if there is some knowledge/spare parts out there for my old C-50 . Need repowering (with 70cc 4 speed manual instead of original 50cc -?) Rear wheel needs work and maybe front fork and brakes checking, don't want anything break comn down a volcanoe... Cheers from Pim.

[klingon]

This thread came up as about honda 50 cc 4stroke, didn't read it @ll., too much info! But wanting to know if there is some knowledge/spare parts out there for my old C-50 . Need repowering (with 70cc 4 speed manual instead of original 50cc -?) Rear wheel needs work and maybe front fork and brakes checking, don't want anything break comn down a volcanoe... Cheers from Pim.

Hi pimslagman, I think you would be better to post your question in the 'scooters' sub-forum on this site. In this thread we're busy slagging off 50cc scooters so I don't think it's the right place to get the answers you're looking for!

And welcome to Kiwi Biker! We don't always slag off your bike, just sometimes!

[riffer]

Bugger the scooters. You'll just end up disappointed and upgrading to the point where you'd probably end up with a bigger bike anyway.

Returning to biking and wanting something for a commuter which will give you a few options for the weekend?

Here's my pic. The Kawasaki ER6-N. It's a really nice bike to ride. Plenty of power for a returning rider. But not so much as to be stupid. Ridiculously easy to ride.

Here's one for sale on Trademe.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-193876269.htm

[KiwiKat]

Hi All,

Ive lurked here a bit off and on over the years, and finally decided to join

After a bit of advise / thoughts around options for getting back onto two wheels. This might be a bit of a novel, so bear with me

Bit of background. Grew up in the Manawatu...
So. If you are still with me, does anyone have some pearls of wisdom which might help? Interested in thoughts on the modern 50cc scooters, or 250's v's 600's, or any other left-field suggestions people might have.

Rob.

Manawatu - Yee Ha. What the hell are you trying to compete in traffic up there. Sell Your House, Buy a big Bike, a Merc and a Manawatu mansion.

Seriously It's takes a while to get back into bikes but every ride gets better. get a decent bike you will enjoy riding out of the city as well as commuting.

Feilding Born, Manawatu proud. Bloody nice rides down here.

[samgab]

You earlier mentioned Jewish economy; well me too, so consider:
If you have a 125/150 scooter AND a good motorbike, you'll have 2x REGOs/WOFs to get each 6mths/year. You also have the purchase cost of 2 bikes and the depreciation of 2 combined rather than just one. Add to that the cost of insurance x2 rather than just x1. PLUS the cost of servicing and maintaining 2 extra vehicles rather than 1. Sure, bikes aren't much to maintain, but there is a cost. Oil, filters, tires, chains, sprockets, bulbs, etc. It all adds up.
So what are the real advantages of the scooter that a well selected bike won't give you?
Cheap to run? Well that will be counterpointed by the costs of registering and WOFing an extra vehicle.
Easy to park and negotiate traffic? Well so is a good bike, like the ER6-N mentioned above. A bike like that is very economical too, BTW; fuel injected.
So what exactly is the benefit of the scooter?
With the smaller wheels, they're less comfortable to ride, and not as fun as a motorbike. I'm sorry, but I just don't follow the logic in getting both.

But there might be some benefit I'm missing here...
Personally, I never use my scooter now that I've got a motorbike.
Trying to sell the thing.

[shafty]

Bugger the scooters. You'll just end up disappointed and upgrading to the point where you'd probably end up with a bigger bike anyway.

Returning to biking and wanting something for a commuter which will give you a few options for the weekend?

Here's my pic. The Kawasaki ER6-N. It's a really nice bike to ride. Plenty of power for a returning rider. But not so much as to be stupid. Ridiculously easy to ride.

Here's one for sale on Trademe.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-193876269.htm

Riffer has got it in ONE. Scooters are great, but you are far too young for one. Keep that up you sleeve for later on.

The pic posted could be perfect, but there are SO MANY choices - just get out there, don't be too perdantic, and start test riding!

To summarise:

Get test riding
Have fun
Buy something
Merry Christmas

Shafty


............next!

[portokiwi]

You need the good old GS550 or the CB750 to keep you going
lol once you taste the bike riding again you cant go back.
smill type bikes they have a good selection at I think its called dirt and scooters right on the Panmure roundabout.
Some nice looking and strange looking small bikes in there.
even has a latte cafe there lol.

[gatch]

if you are still cosidering a scooter, get an fa50 or somethin, then well re-engineer an rgv motor onto it, we have the technology..

rear wheel commuting on a step thru, that would be a triumphant return to two wheel action..

think about it

[pritch]

Reading the original post I was thinking a Cagiva Raptor might suit. Italian bike with a Japanese engine and popular with those of short inside leg measurements. Then you say you don't like nakeds.

Almost any of the modern mid sized bikes would be brilliant although some might be better suited to the commute. I wouldn't commute on a Ducati but no doubt there are those who would.

BIKE Magazine wrote that they didn't think anybody produced bad bikes anymore but they made an exception for the Yamaha FZ6. It has a very peaky engine which might be OK if the clutch was light and the gearbox slick. Alas! reportedly they are not. The new Diversion might be worth a look when it gets here.

Meanwhile keep watching TradeMe for an F4 (the last comfy 600 sprotbike) you just never know...

[BMWST?]

slightly ot...is the er6n pictured above a 650 twin?basically same engine as the versys?

[riffer]

BIKE Magazine wrote that they didn't think anybody produced bad bikes anymore but they made an exception for the Yamaha FZ6.

Oh come now Pritch you forgot the best bit.

They look like they come pre-crashed.

[slofox]

Hi Robboh

I returned to riding about nine months ago after a twenty year gap so I went through a lot of what you are doing right now. Although I was never tempted by a scooter....despite the smartarse bastard in the bike shop suggesting I look at one - probably because I was "a gentleman of mature years".....prick!!!

I eventually opted for the SV650S for many of the reasons that have already been cited here. I am not tall either - 5'7" and about 72kg. I come from a similar history of smaller bikes. I did like the V-Twin layout and I don't much like naked bikes either. The SVS has only a half fairing but it does the job. I was careful not to get something with too much grunt because, knowing myself, I knew that for sure I would want to "try it out"........with all the concomitant drama that could involve - disco lights, arseing off at ten thousand km/hr, etc etc.....as it is, the SV has more than enough power to get me banned from the road should I be stupid, but it is not too crazy for a returning rider to get the feel of with ease. Plenty of torque, etc etc - the usual V-Twin stuff. And it was affordable, even new.....
On the con side, not sure how it would go with a pillion cause my gf won't go near it......but lots of people do go two up on them. Front suspension is not the greatest - damper rod forks which can catch you out if you are not awake.
Other than that, happy with it. Excellent mileage - 20-25km/l (60 - 65 mpg). Have gone close to 10k km on it without a single problem (apart from a low speed drop two weeks ago.......)

[robboh]

Hi All,

Just a quick note to say thanks for all the replies so far.
Will reply proper-like tomorrow!!

Rob.

[GrayWolf]

Hi All,


Have always been into 'hyper' 250s, having owned a TZR and a KR1-SP (evil bike - seriously needed a steering damper but I was always too jewish, or too poor, to buy one). Both of which I used to punt around in 250 Proddy at Manfield in the winter series. Was never super quick with the TZR, which was off the pace compared to the RGVs, and only ran the KR1 a couple of times before shifting to AKL.


The commute is about 10km each way, so about 100km per week (eg about 5K km per year). From Hillsborough to Newmarket, so its all urban. The back roads I use do have a few steepish hills, and a few fun corners too

A 250 would seem a better option than a scooter in terms of power etc for commuting, but since my favourite bike type (250 2T) is basically off the menu these days, I wonder if I think I might find the 250 4T's a bit boring after a few months, especially out of town.

On the other hand, between the general increase in traffic density, the increased presence of the men-in-blue, IMHO the great overall lowering of general driving skills of motorist in AKL over the past 10 years, and me getting older (and less stupid?) I do find I tend to cruise the cage at just below the ticket threshold (ie 110%). I just dont slow down for corners

For the 250's, though, the Hyo 250 does look nice, though very heavy! Plus it doesnt seem to have the best of rep's. The Aprilia is just beautiful, but commuting on 250 2T's is a bit of hard work, they arent fun for just laid-back cruising out of town (especially if the road isnt billiard-table smooth), and finally not really that suitable to throw the missus on the back as pillion. Rob.

Hi Rob,

Reading your post seems to distill into two seperate 'issues'. The memory of the frentic 2T 250's you loved, and the 110k commute of the sensible adult. Not as fast maybe, but I really think you'd find the modern 4T 250 plenty fun enough for your needs. A good S/Hand GPX/ZZR is IMO a good buy. The 4 pot 250's will be a little quicker but come with a higher maintanance ticket. Ultimate power doesnt really equate in 'real world terms'. I recently did the 1000k ride and a 250 Hyo kept up with bigger bikes in general traffic without any real problems. So the slightly sportier GPX/ZZR's would I think answer your call for economy and have enough of a grin factor thrown in. If you read the road tests on the new generation 'Ninja derivative' of them, the one thing most test riders agree is they are hell of a fun bike to ride, and go pretty bloody well.
If memeory serves me correctly the KR1 did/does about 120mph/200kph the ZZR I think is road tested at around 170 kph the 4 pot 250's around the 180kph mark ( I may be a touch conservative by all of 5kph on those figures)
Realisticaly there are'nt many places you would use the full top speed potential over a 10k commute ride, so I think top end would be academic, especialy with your staying inside the 110kph barrier.

[R1madness]

Ducati Monster 400 or 750 italian passion low seat height nice power great sound, Kawasaki ER6n low seat hight nice power, Suzuki SV650 popular fun, Yamaha FZ6 a little bigger but nice bike, all worth a look.