Newbie wants to get into biking! (macbot)

**macbot** · 28th April 2009, 23:09

hi guys im kinda new at this but il giv it a go!

im new to bikes ive done a litle bit of reading but dont know too much,
i want to buy a bike but dont have my licence yet,
how much preperation do you need or recomend before you take the handling test? ive never ridden a bike before and i was planning on buying one and mucking around and geting used to it first?
ive had a car and it cost me too much coz it was cheep.
is around 2500 a good price to spend on a bike?
2 stroke or 4stroke for a 250cc?

**JAS-1100** · 29th April 2009, 09:17

the way to go is a 250cc 4 stroke, with the basic handling skills test done on a scooter on an coarse that is desigined to test your braking handling and corning this is before you can get your learner licence

this web address is a thing that the driving test will be made up of
all questions about motorcycles
http://www.drivinginstructor.co.nz/t...=Motor%20Cycle

**Bend-it** · 29th April 2009, 09:53

Welcome, and ell done for getting this far!

- 1st thing to do is register for a Basic Handling Course that usually ends with a test.
- Take the certificate to an AA shop and take your learner's theory test. Pass both and you have yourself a shiny yellow 6L license.
- Buy some riding gear.... textile jacket, pants, gloves, boots and helmet. Don't go 2nd-hand on a helmet, you'll be okay getting used stuff for the others.
- Go out and buy a bike, that you can now legally test ride and ride home. (This section is another thread all on its own... use the search function and find lots of good information already available here)
- Find a large enpty carpark and practice practice practice!
- Ride lots, in varied situations.

**howdamnhard** · 29th April 2009, 10:30

Originally Posted by Bend-it

Welcome, and ell done for getting this far!

- 1st thing to do is register for a Basic Handling Course that usually ends with a test.
- Take the certificate to an AA shop and take your learner's theory test. Pass both and you have yourself a shiny yellow 6L license.
- Buy some riding gear.... textile jacket, pants, gloves, boots and helmet. Don't go 2nd-hand on a helmet, you'll be okay getting used stuff for the others.
- Go out and buy a bike, that you can now legally test ride and ride home. (This section is another thread all on its own... use the search function and find lots of good information already available here)
- Find a large enpty carpark and practice practice practice!
- Ride lots, in varied situations.

What he said, give it a go you won't look back.

**KiwiPhoenix** · 29th April 2009, 10:43

Welcome to the site!

I'm in the same situation as well! The guys and gals on this site are great! There is so much info and if you don't find what you are looking for, just ask!

The thing I have found that was good for me was borrowing a helmet and get someone to let you ride pillion. It will give you an idea what it's like to be on a bike!

best of luck!

**Furbiewankenobi** · 29th April 2009, 12:24

Good on ya Macbot!

I know it's been said before but it's worth repeating...

Get some good safety gear and practice, practice practice.

I find riding is a whole lot more tactile than driving a car, so it's something you really need to feel and get experience of doing.

Whereabouts are you based, maybe some KB'ers could give you a few practical tips once you're kitted out?

I ride a Yamaha Scorpio Z which has got be one of the easiest bikes around to ride, and you can pick one up 2nd hand for probably not too much over your budget.

Have fun!!

**naphazoline** · 29th April 2009, 12:56

Hey there Macbot.

Welcome onboard mate.

**Damian** · 2nd May 2009, 21:43

Hey mate, i was in your situation a couple of months ago.
I had never riden a bike or nothing, luckily for me a friend had an old farm bike, which he taught me the basics on, unfortunatly i was only there for 30minutes, and only really learnt clutch controll.. well the basic handeling skills course, was next on the list, and it isnt as hard as it looks, but you will need a little bit of experience before taking it. just on simple things like, braking, turning. and slow riding. i baught myself a 4strke Honda Xr 250, and its great, but thats only for my taste because im planning on doing some trials aswel.. anyways i dont wanna write too much, let me know how your gettin on in a couple of weeks mate.! GOODLUCK!

**cc rider** · 2nd May 2009, 22:24

Hi Macbot

Welcome

**scuzeme** · 3rd May 2009, 20:37

Welcome mate i think you will like it in here.

**Leyton** · 3rd May 2009, 20:40

I learnt to ride when I 6yrs of age, then gears at 8yrs. I think the trick is, find a friend of a friend, or just a friend or someone who has a farm with a farm bike, a small manageable 125cc will do nicely.

A nice flat paddock with soft tall grass, Go make a track! (Ask the farmer first! hehe) Grass is $$$

Safety Gear : Good gumboots, Or boots with ankle support and toe capping.
Gloves optional but a good idea!, Gardening gloves would be fine in a paddock.
Motorbike helmet, Open face is fine
Jeans, Warm comfortable top

Go have fun!, Learn what stalls the bike, Learn what spins the wheel!, Practice locking the back wheel, Practice not locking the front wheel. Practice what happens when you lock all wheels, Then practice braking without locking the wheels!

Teach yourself clutch skills by standing on the pegs and doing a slow ride, Just plump back onto the seat if you feel yourself tipping. You are doing no more then 4km/hr anyways and low to the ground.

Pick the bike back up when it tips over!, Don't be in too much of a hurry to get it right. Providing that you have learnt to stop the bike before any fences you are fine!

There is alot to be learned on the dirt in regards to basic handling, Imo it is a bit more challenging because you are always dealing with managing traction by use of the clutch and balance (Depending on the padock of course). Falling off is forgiving

The worst I ever done learning was erm humm, sliding off in mud, constantly! did not hurt a bit ! hehe padocks are great!

Then take all that roughness and tom foolery and smooth it all up.

The BHS requires smoothness, balance and clutch control, and relaxation.

Other then that... Passrite charge $180 for 3 hours and give you a tiny 150cc 4-Stroke Honda dirtbike with road tyres and plenty of patients and good advice. I think I went through the course in 40 minutes including the BHS test, it is credit to my dirt experience where I was used to balancing and controlling the clutch for traction reasons etc... I also was only 14 yrs of age on a huge ass KDX200 that I could not actually touch the ground on... so I had to learn quick! hehe

Go ahead and have fun!, Once you have gained your "L" you are not alone, the entire bike community is there to help.

Leyton

**Mrs Shrek** · 3rd May 2009, 21:02

Originally Posted by macbot

hi guys im kinda new at this but il giv it a go!

im new to bikes ive done a litle bit of reading but dont know too much,
i want to buy a bike but dont have my licence yet,
how much preperation do you need or recomend before you take the handling test? ive never ridden a bike before and i was planning on buying one and mucking around and geting used to it first?
ive had a car and it cost me too much coz it was cheep.
is around 2500 a good price to spend on a bike?
2 stroke or 4stroke for a 250cc?

Hey there
Welcome to KB....... good on ya for getting this far

**Brownstoo** · 3rd May 2009, 21:48

Originally Posted by macbot

hi guys im kinda new at this but il giv it a go!

im new to bikes ive done a litle bit of reading but dont know too much,
i want to buy a bike but dont have my licence yet,
how much preperation do you need or recomend before you take the handling test? ive never ridden a bike before and i was planning on buying one and mucking around and geting used to it first?
ive had a car and it cost me too much coz it was cheep.
is around 2500 a good price to spend on a bike?
2 stroke or 4stroke for a 250cc?

Welcome!
Find a bike, and a big carpark and go crazy! (not too crazy...)
The handling test requires you to ride really (REALLY) slow, turn corners both ways at appropriate speeds, do a cone slalom, and stop quickly (look on the LTSA site for details bout the test). Basically just get comfortable going round on two wheels, and you'll be fine.
The testing officer might give you a practice of the test course before you attempt the test
Oh and that site with the licence questions is an easy pass as far as the scratchy test goes, might pay to refresh your general traffic knowledge while you're there too.

Yeah 2.5k is roughly on the mark. I paid 2k for mine, but it's kinda rough and there's always stuff to fix (which is half the fun!), depending what you buy you can pay up to 4-5k for a more mechanically sound bike though, which is recommended if you're not mechanically inclined.

A 4stroke is a good starter bike. They mostly do 100 on the open road pretty easy, and they're nice and tame to learn on.
My advice is just don't worry about the power and top speed and all that nonsense for your first bike. Whatever you buy you'll end up with buttloads of fun on your hands! So don't worry too much what it is as long as it's in good condition.

Also have a look around there's a "picking a learner bike" thread round here somewhere.