Bikes for newbie?

**lilowl** · 14th March 2009, 01:20

Heya -
Hubby had an intruder - which got written off - long story and now cant afford to get another one- got learners license shortly after him but havent ridden for four months and need to get confidence up without spending fortune on wheels. ABSOLUTE beginner - last time i rode - still was only up to 45km/hr!!!!!!!! Sad i know...
Have to look at dealers as will need to finance balance - any suggestions for good learner bike? Could just go the GN250 but if i get the bike hubby can start riding again to get restricted then full, but i wouldnt mind having the bike a while to get confidence at the 250 range. Have been looking at GZ250, marauder, also eliminator - can pick up one for $3500 which is a bit more than can afford but...
Im a big girl, but moderate height at 170cm. Like the cruiser style- not into road bikes.
ANy suggestions???

**LBD** · 14th March 2009, 01:53

Originally Posted by lilowl

Heya -
Hubby had an intruder - which got written off - long story and now cant afford to get another one- got learners license shortly after him but havent ridden for four months and need to get confidence up without spending fortune on wheels. ABSOLUTE beginner - last time i rode - still was only up to 45km/hr!!!!!!!! Sad i know...
Have to look at dealers as will need to finance balance - any suggestions for good learner bike? Could just go the GN250 but if i get the bike hubby can start riding again to get restricted then full, but i wouldnt mind having the bike a while to get confidence at the 250 range. Have been looking at GZ250, marauder, also eliminator - can pick up one for $3500 which is a bit more than can afford but...
Im a big girl, but moderate height at 170cm. Like the cruiser style- not into road bikes.
ANy suggestions???

With my wifes experience under our belt....She started as a very inconfident beginner and our choice of a VTR250 was a mistake, she was a bit daunted by it. Something slightly smaller, lighter would have suited her ie Yam 225 or may be even smaller. Reading your description however, maybe a GN250?

**HappyGOriding** · 15th March 2009, 13:47

The GN 250 is a great first bike to learn on. I (as many others do) have great memories of cruising round town on one, but many people do get bored quickly on them. Plus they are a love em or loath em type of bike and many people will look down their nose at you once told what you ride. I found continued talk of nothing but love for "my ginny" usually drove them away.

Have you looked at the honda CBF. Yamaha also have the XV250 if you like the cruiser look.
Personal I think that the new Yami Scorpio Z is a better looking bike than the GN250. It has a similar power output (single 225cc)without the stigma of the ginny.
Test ride a couple of different bikes and take your time choosing.
Have fun and happy riding

**LittleJohn** · 16th March 2009, 19:28

Have a talk to Frosty on here. He has a car yard and also sells bikes, he made be able to help you out with a good deal or something.

**lilowl** · 24th March 2009, 13:45

Thanks guys for all the replies -
What do people think of the GZ 250 - or Marauder - I know they arent all that powerful - but i am an absolute beginner and since hubbys bike was written off - he wants something to use to get off his learners on - and we want something that i can learn on then take over once he gets his bigger bike.

**YellowDog** · 24th March 2009, 13:53

Hey lilowl, the main issue with these smaller bikes is that you need to rev the nuts off them for hill starts and this makes getting confident that bit harder. You really do need to get your shortlist together and then test ride them all. One of them will 'fit like a glove' and it won't necessarily be the one everyone says is the best.

Good luck.

**jim.cox** · 24th March 2009, 14:04

Grab a cheap 250 Trail Bike

Go anywhere

Do anything

Cheap to run

Dont break (much) when you drop ttem

**Candle** · 8th April 2009, 22:54

have a look at a Yamaha Scorpio 225 there not to fast but have enough to do most things on and there greate for around town and there in the middle of a cruser and a tourer so are quite good to learn on also come with a handy side stand.

also i think brand new there like 3500 but dont quote me on that