Newbie astounded by choice

**Arnifix** · 5th April 2009, 15:09

Hi all,

Completely fresh biker here, not even sat my tests etc yet, seeking a bit of sage wisdom re: bikes and gear.

Basicly, I'm a big guy 6'4", 130kg, looking for a cruiser style bike (as have been told by another rider that these would suit my build). Have been researching a variety of bikes, but one that stood out was the Jincheng JC 250-6. There is a bloke selling one in good nick for cheap and was wondering if anybody here knew about this bike? Chinese bike so a bit worried about the build quality, so all advice/info would be appreciated.

Other than that, any advice on gear for a begineer would be great.

Cheers all!

**tri boy** · 5th April 2009, 16:11

Originally Posted by arniefix

Basicly, I'm a big guy 6'4", Chinese bike so a bit worried about the build quality, so all advice/info would be appreciated.

You'll kill it very quickly. Stick with something that has earned a decent reputation.
Also try and get a special license due to your build, allowing a bigger cruiser.
Somebody will give you the details about going about it.
Welcome to the site.

**Creeping Death** · 5th April 2009, 17:06

Originally Posted by tri boy

Basicly, I'm a big guy 6'4", Chinese bike so a bit worried about the build quality, so all advice/info would be appreciated.

Also try and get a special license due to your build, allowing a bigger cruiser.

Aye?A special licence?Ain't heard of that one,a special licence due to height/weight?I'm almost around the same,118 kg,6'1.Mind you,I was around 97kg back in 1987 when I first started riding lol!

Is it true theres a special licence to ride more cc's because of height/weight?

**PirateJafa** · 5th April 2009, 17:22

You can get a license exemption to ride a bike that is on the "approved" list if you can put forward a suitably persuasive case.

I have a copy of the approved list if you want to check if a bike is on it.

**puddy** · 5th April 2009, 17:39

+1 for the proven reputation thing. I'm 6'5 and 135-140 kgs, and ride a GSXR1000. Don't listen to any skinny-scrawny-pencil dick-fag who tells you that a cruiser would suit 'your build'. Ride all sorts of bikes and decide for yourself (over time obviously). There's fuck all difference in room/comfort between a sports bike/tourer/cruiser (having your knees around your ears/chin/chest), unless you're one of the aforementioned 'weeds'.

**sil3nt** · 5th April 2009, 17:46

They ride completly differently in China. Most if not all over their riding is under 50kph. They tend not to thrash them like we do which is why we find them unreliable. Don't rush into and get what you want no what someone else wants you to get.

**James Deuce** · 5th April 2009, 17:50

Originally Posted by sil3ntwar

They ride completly differently in China. Most if not all over their riding is under 50kph. They tend not to thrash them like we do which is why we find them unreliable. Don't rush into and get what you want no what someone else wants you to get.

"Thrash"?

They're sold here not fit for purpose.

**Dean** · 5th April 2009, 18:17

Hi arnifix, my brother weighs 180kg and is about 6'3, and he has applied for an exemption. Should be easy for you to apply for an exemption, but must be persuasive . If you can go to your nearest motorcycle dealer and take pictures of you sitting on various 250s to show your size/build and how hard/dangerous it is when you sit on the bike. Im happy to help you out with an application and can lend my bike for you to take the pictures.
All the best

**Dean** · 5th April 2009, 18:23

Just another bit of advice, i have seen the jincheng bikes, i strongly suggest for the same price to have a look at the gn 250. The gn250 i have owned and was a reliable good learner bike, suspension was good and would be better than the jincheng and the gn would have a bit more grunt than the jincheng also.

**Slyer** · 5th April 2009, 19:20

Didn't I sell you my guild wars?

**Creeping Death** · 5th April 2009, 19:23

[QUOTE=Dean;2014142]Hi arnifix, my brother weighs 180kg and is about 6'3, /QUOTE]

Holy FUCK!

**Dean** · 5th April 2009, 21:18

[QUOTE=Creeping Death;2014274]

Originally Posted by Dean

Hi arnifix, my brother weighs 180kg and is about 6'3, /QUOTE]

Holy FUCK!

Yea, pretty much when you see my brother you will remember him. From what i know he is shying towards 200kg, one of the biggest riders ive seen. Hes saving up for a boulvervard s40 i think its called because of exemption, at the mo hes riding a honda cb125t, give him a bit of room if you see him. The poor bloke gets hassled and laughed at.
But yea arnfix you can get a exemption, my brother flew through his.

**Arnifix** · 5th April 2009, 22:47

Thanks for all the advice and help dudes!

The GN250 has been on my radar for a while and am popping into a dealer to have a look at it and a few other bikes tomorrow so will try and get some pictures. I read the thread on exemptions (which I will have to get anyway as my work finishes late) and it sounded like they were quite difficult to get, so figured I probably wouldn't be able to get a CC exemption, but maybe I'll give it a go if people here have actually gotten them.

@PirateJafa: A copy of the list would be choice mate!

@Slyer: Yes you did, on another forum, a long long time ago

The other question I've been thinking about was what kind of protective gear is worth the money? I can find lots of helmet and bike info, but am yet to sort out what's good value for money in the clothing department. Last thing I need is to shell out cash only to discover that I've bought rubbish. Any tips?