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Thread: Learners, what to get?

  1. #1
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    26th January 2009 - 20:36
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    Learners, what to get?

    hi people!
    brand new to the forums and hoping to get my learners in the next month. i've been looking on trademe and have been inundated with a bigger decision than I really want to make on my own.
    My question is, what should I look for in a bike, and what brands should I steer clear of? I'm budgeting about $4500 max for the bike.
    what would you guys recomend?

  2. #2
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    25th June 2007 - 21:21
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    Steer clear of Chinese brands. Thats what I got when I asked the same question when I first joined.

    With that price, how about a brand new Yamaha Scorpio? You can expect some change too.


    If you can make it on Kiwibiker you can make it anywhere.

  3. #3
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    29th November 2008 - 16:58
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    With that exact amount of money, I got a Honda VTR250 from trademe. Looks good, easy to drive. Perfect learner's bike.

  4. #4
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    26th September 2007 - 13:52
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    Quote Originally Posted by EJK View Post
    With that price, how about a brand new Yamaha Scorpio? You can expect some change too.
    Quote Originally Posted by carlosliu View Post
    With that exact amount of money, I got a Honda VTR250 from trademe. Looks good, easy to drive. Perfect learner's bike.
    Both very good suggestions. The Scorpio is a great city run-about, with enough grunt for an occasional excursion onto the highway. The VTR250 is a step above the Scorpio in terms of power, making it more capable and relaxed at highway speeds. I chose the Scorpio because I liked the idea of having a brand new motor vehicle--the first I've ever had and probably the last. I haven't regretted it.

    Don't forget to budget at least $600 for helmet and protective gear.

  5. #5
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    28th November 2007 - 13:41
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    I have found my 250 bandit to be a nice bike over all and is a lil more comfy then the sports bike over long distances and being 4 cylinder has a gud amount of power for a 250.

    In my oppinion the CBR250RR would be the best learner bike but depends how you want to ride to.

  6. #6
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    26th January 2009 - 20:36
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    It'll see quite a bit of driving between palmy and taupo (about 3 hours) so I want something that will be able to handle longish trips. looking maybe cbr250 or fzr250 or something similar

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by karottop View Post
    It'll see quite a bit of driving between palmy and taupo (about 3 hours) so I want something that will be able to handle longish trips. looking maybe cbr250 or fzr250 or something similar
    Look for a hornet nice around town and do over 100k no worries. mines for sale but going for a bit more than what you want to spend. newer than a cbr as well and pretty much same motor. inl4 bike's are revvy but will do 120k no worries even in strong head on winds ect, get you around traffic no worries during overtaking aswell
    " yah trick yah "


  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by karottop View Post
    It'll see quite a bit of driving between palmy and taupo (about 3 hours) so I want something that will be able to handle longish trips. looking maybe cbr250 or fzr250 or something similar
    Now you tell us!

    To my mind the prices fetched by one-decade-old sporty 250s are bloody ridiculous, but maybe that's just me being a grumpy old man.

  9. #9
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    26th November 2008 - 03:48
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    Thumbs up

    Quote Originally Posted by carlosliu View Post
    With that exact amount of money, I got a Honda VTR250 from trademe. Looks good, easy to drive. Perfect learner's bike.
    Another vote for the Honda VTR250. It really is the perfect learner bike.
    Economical, well built, easy to ride, fun, forgiving, torquey...

    I'm really enjoying my one.

    And it's within your price range.

  10. #10
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    26th January 2009 - 20:36
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    so when it comes to passing lines of cars on short straits is a twin or an i4 going to be best?

    a twin would be better for the desert road cause of better torque wouldn't it? better pull out of corners...

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by karottop View Post
    so when it comes to passing lines of cars on short straits is a twin or an i4 going to be best?

    a twin would be better for the desert road cause of better torque wouldn't it? better pull out of corners...
    Theres no way that a V-Twin (250) can overtake better than the inline 4s.


    If you can make it on Kiwibiker you can make it anywhere.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by EJK View Post
    Theres no way that a V-Twin (250) can overtake better than the inline 4s.
    that's what I was thinking. so any of the honda, yamaha, kawasaki or suzuki i4s would be fine? nothing I need to steer clear of? I heard the fzr gearboxes were a bit of a pain

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by karottop View Post
    that's what I was thinking. so any of the honda, yamaha, kawasaki or suzuki i4s would be fine? nothing I need to steer clear of? I heard the fzr gearboxes were a bit of a pain
    Thats why many go for the CBRs or the ZXRs. Those two are the top of the line as far as I know. Many here on KB can tell you more about those two (CBR250R or RR and the ZXR250).

    Never rode them but people say they fly for a 250.


    If you can make it on Kiwibiker you can make it anywhere.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by EJK View Post
    Thats why many go for the CBRs or the ZXRs. Those two are the top of the line as far as I know. Many here on KB can tell you more about those two (CBR250R or RR and the ZXR250).

    Never rode them but people say they fly for a 250.
    I test rode hornets and CBR250RR's. They are both very fast when the revs get up there. The CBR redlines at nearly 19,000 rpm, and when the revs get up high it's awesome.
    It's a lot to handle for a learner...

  15. #15
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    The power is generally at the top end with the IL4s which means chopping up and down gears and reving the shite out of it. For my money torque is more important both for overtaking and riding enjoyment which is why I'd go with the VTR. Do yourself the service of test riding one before writing it off

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