First bike advice

**blossoming** · 6th February 2009, 01:25

Hello,

I've been reading KiwiBiker lately just to get a feel around what bike i should buy for my first bike.

I have yet to sit the learners test which is this coming Saturday so I'm pretty sure I should be able to pass it.

So, in foresight, I was wondering what good 250CC bikes do folks at KB recommend?

I have a budget around 4.5k so I think I should be able to get a pretty decent bike at that price range. I was looking towards the Hyosung GT250R but lately I've been reading some negative reviews which have slightly put me off but I'm staying optimistic that there are people within KB who have it themselves and can actually tell me more than the average online review.

I've also looked at the NSR250 and the CBR250R.

I really don't have a target bike in all honesty, but preferably one that is well-known within the community for being a good commuter (I possibly want to drive to uni in it) but also not too slow and also reliable would be a good start.

I've been looking through dealerships lately but nothing good has popped up mainly because of their prices so trademe has been pretty much the last resort. There are quite nice bikes within the Auckland area and I've pretty much relied on my mate to introduce me to some bikes but I would also like more than just one opinion.

Thanks for all your help.

**quickbuck** · 6th February 2009, 01:49

Firstly,
Welcome to Kiwibiker.

Now, good thing you asked about your bike.....

What I will say is that there is no way I am actually going to recommend one particular bike.... or else you will end up with what I want to buy you...

You mentioned NSR and CBR.
Good, I can see you like sporty, and plastic.

If your budget is 4500, then stay away from the NSR.
The NSR is a two stroke that is best to actually be left to the experts... and not a good commuter.... unless you want to turn up to Uni smelling like 2 stroke oil... with a bike that may not have survived the traffic.

The CBR is a great little machine. They go really well, and are well sort after.

Others to consider are VTR250's. They are reliable, and have two cylinders, not 4 like the CBR.
They also tend to be much easier to ride. More low down torque... not a lot, but more than the CBR.
Other bikes to consider
Suzuki GSX250 Invader 2003 on.
Kawasaki ZZR 250.
Kawasaki GPZ 250.

Interestingly Yamaha don't do a twin cylinder sporty 250.... But the Zeal is a neat bike. 4 Cylinder engine, but tuned for more low down grunt... for a 250.
It is naked though.

As for a 250 being slow.... nope. Most will leave your standard falcodore for dust. You are looking at a power to weight of over 200 horsepower per tonne.
That is heaps more than most cars.

Remember to leave about $1000+ aside for some really good gear too (if you haven't already got it).

The thing is get your L plates, and take all sorts of bikes for a ride.
You may be surprised what YOU like.

Good luck.

**CB ARGH** · 6th February 2009, 07:53

Wow, quickbuck pretty much covered it all. I agree on the fact that the NSR wouldn't be an ideal beginner's bike, far too much power.

The CBR would be a goodie though

**fatzx10r** · 6th February 2009, 08:06

welcome to kb mate. kawasaki gpx are a good bike, been around for years and are easy to maintain. but if you want something with a bit more go a cbr or zxr would be a better choice than a 2smoke, most 2strokes have been thrashed and are 3 parts worn out. get out and test ride a few once you get your licence and see wich bikes you like the feel of

**Gummie** · 6th February 2009, 08:10

My two cents also.

have a sit on them to as you may find they don't fit you.
I liked the look of the ninja 250 but i didn't fit it phisically.
Sometimes thats where a bike shop can have there advantages as they have a range even to just sit on.

Ok im spent

Oh yea welcome to KB

**MsKABC** · 6th February 2009, 09:10

Votes here for the gpz and the gpx, hubby and I started off on them. Of course mine was way older and much more naff looking than his, but boy did it kick arse in a singing competition

The VTR is a good bike too.

We're v-twin fans in this house....can you tell?

**blossoming** · 6th February 2009, 09:37

So I'm guessing CBR's are preferably the way to go? And that the Hyosung's don't fair too well within the community?

Also, when I'm buying what kind of mileage should I be looking at? Also I was wondering what parts of the bike I should be looking for hidden areas where it may cause trouble in the future?

Thanks for all your input.

**Jerry74** · 6th February 2009, 19:42

Do not buy a Hyosung... you get em free with a Big Mac happy meal....

Hahaha They are not worth looking at by the way lol

Get a Kawasaki ZXR or a Honda CBR

**kiwifruit** · 6th February 2009, 19:49

welcome to the site

(older) cb250 or similar, simple, ergonomically neutral, bike for under 2k would be my advise for a first road bike

eg: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-199568816.htm

**LardEmbargo** · 6th February 2009, 21:20

Originally Posted by Gummie

have a sit on them too as you may find they don't fit you

yeah, visit some bike shops and try them out for size first off. I found the Hyosung felt too big for me when I was out looking around for a first bike. It's styled as a bigger bike (I think the 250's about the same size as the GT650R if you stand them next to each other) which is fine if you're a taller/bigger person who'd be cramped up on a smaller bike. Or alternatively if you're one of those people who has an all-consuming need for your bike to look like it's got a bigger engine than actually it has.

Anyway, I felt too far away from the ground, the centre of gravity felt too high and the broad tank felt too sort of obtrusive.

But for a taller person who, you know, has a thing for big tanks. Probably just the thing.

So once you've tried some out for size, next thing take a couple for a test ride as well and see what the riding position's like, make sure that's comfortable too. Of course you can sort of tend towards the kind of bike that fits your mental picture of you riding around looking cool, but don't forget it'll suck trying to learn on something that doesn't fit or you can't get comfortable on.

Good luck with finding one that's right anyway

ps VTRs are good :/

**hospitalfood** · 6th February 2009, 22:18

hey there blossoming. if you are after something with a bit of speed ( which is good ) and you are new to riding there is a chance you will crash before to long. I did.
Don't get me wrong, I am not giving you a hard time.
I think it is fair to say that those of us who enjoy speed have all crashed at least once, i have had a few. most of them happened in the early days of riding. touch wood.
So........my advice is get something fast but not to flash, if it looks a bit rough no problem, you will probably upgrade to a bigger bike as soon as you can.
I would get good gear. leather jacket, gloves and pants. sturdy boots with heel protection at the least, or good road boots. i would not spend heaps on a helmet myself ( others may not agree ), just something reasonable because it could be trashed if you bin.

there is also info on how to crash well if you hunt for it. i learnt to jump clear of impact with cars. the hard way.
if you go to group rides with KB riders you will learn to ride faster than you would riding by yourself. better and faster technique in less time is what i mean. and if you are selective about who you learn from you may even learn to ride safer.

**blossoming** · 6th February 2009, 23:40

So...I suppose Hyosung's aren't exactly the way to go.

While CBR's, ZXR's and VTR's are considered to be good learner bikes. I will surely take this on board when I'm choosing my bike of choice. The only problem of the VTR's are just the aesthetics, like without the fairings they look ...yeah. But despite the lack in looks, they do supposedly perform very well.

Thanks for the tips hospitalfood, I'm sure such advice will be invaluable in the future.

I'll probably go to the Wednesday night meetings just so I can improve on my riding after I obtain the bike, although riding from East Auckland all the way up to Westgate isn't exactly close.

**sinfull** · 7th February 2009, 00:24

Originally Posted by quickbuck

no way I am actually going to recommend one particular bike.... or else you will end up with what I want to buy you...

stay away from the NSR.
.

Ummmmmmm

Originally Posted by quickbuck

The NSR is a two stroke that is best to actually be left to the experts... and not a good commuter.... unless you want to turn up to Uni smelling like 2 stroke oil... with a bike that may not have survived the traffic

Expert = "Having, involving, or demonstrating great skill, dexterity, or knowledge as the result of experience" C/O dictionary.com
Majic word that aye, experience !
Experience= knowledge or practical wisdom gained from what one has observed, encountered, or undergone: C/O dictionary.com
Not many experts left out there now when it comes to the two stroke !! Most are fearful of it !
Fearful= full of awe or reverence: C/O dictionary.com
Have you smelt a two stroke lately phaaaoooorrrrrrr (find that word in the com)

**balans** · 7th February 2009, 01:08

I have a Hyosung GT250R and have found it to be ok, a good choice for a first bike.

It is a comfortable bike for commuting on, and a nice bike to ride out of town. It isn't a quick bike, but it's only a 250 and the only other bike I have ridden enough to compare it to is an FZR400 so not really a fair comparison. It is probably a good amount of performance for a first bike, enough to be interesting but manageable for a learner.

Looks wise it is a nice looking bike, and non bikers probably don't realise that it's just a korean 250. Closer inspection of some of the components makes me think they wouldn't look out of place on a decent ride-on lawnmower, but they do the job. It is only really an issue unless you are parked next to a Ducati and have a case of bike envy.

I haven't had any trouble with it mechanicaly, but the K's are probably too low to make any recommendations as to longterm reliability.

VTR's look cool, but I think the naked look is something that grows on you the more you get into bikes. Well that was the case for me anyway.