Which bike for beginner?

[BlackMDK]

I'm looking for beginner’s bike for myself just to learn at easy pace. I don’t want to spend lots of money for it. One question I have is for what type of bike I should go Sports or Cruiser. I see most of the bikes here mentioned in beginners section are cruiser but they are usually more expensive than their sports counterparts. What are pros and cons of each of them and what you think about this thing:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...px?id=92967897

Thanks

[T-Thunder13]

doesnt matter what you get cruisers are safer generally, not as much pick up.
but dont touch that lifan. peice of shit id say

[onearmedbandit]

Go for a Suzuki GN250. Cheap, reliable, easy to learn on, great resale, cheap to fix if you drop it.

[McJim]

To decide whether it's cruiser or sportsbike for you you need to actually sit on them.

I was hell bent on a cruiser for the image and stuff.....then I sat on one and though "How the fark am I going to see over the top of cars in this....death trap, I won't sit on one of these again...what are the pegs doing way out there in front?" And so on and so forth.

Sat on a VTR250 and that was it. If you've got a small budget don't think about a VTR - they're $5,000 for the oldest, wrecked one you can find.

See if you can get a road legal dual purpose bike - that'll be fun.

But basically sit on bikes until you find one that has the saddle, pegs and handlebars in the right place for you.

[Daffyd]

I'll probably get rubbished for this...
Check out the new Keeway at the Triumph people.
Chinese, but worth a look. Roadtested in the April Autocar.

[slob]

He he.. the Lifan looks like a knock-off of the Honda CBR125, albeit with an air-cooled engine instead of a liquid-cooled one..

Anyway, I'd say the Suzuki GN125 or the FXR150 are the ideal learners bikes, with the FXR150 being the pick as it has better brakes, power, handling and a useful fairing.

[speeding_ant]

Yeah I'd recommend an FXR, especially if you havnt ridden before. The FXR has a rock solid engine and goes nicely. Looks better than most sub 250 bikes out there (or even some 250s for that matter). Cheap to run, insure and maintain. Oh and cheap to buy. What more do you want? Its a bike that teaches you the fundamentals of riding on a budget.

And no I dont work for suzuki..

[McJim]

If you are going to get a FXR150 it is vitally important that you don't ride another bike first. Best 150s are 2 stroke. RG150, KR150.

If you test ride another bike before you get an FXR you'll be disappointed with the power from the FXR.

If it's the only bike you know then that's fine - you won't know any better and will have fun.

[Mr. Peanut]

Don't bother with 250's. Pain in the arse and the rule should be sacked completely. Get a sensible bike 500cc or under.

[crashe]

To decide whether it's cruiser or sportsbike for you you need to actually sit on them.

I was hell bent on a cruiser for the image and stuff.....then I sat on one and though "How the fark am I going to see over the top of cars in this....death trap, I won't sit on one of these again...what are the pegs doing way out there in front?" And so on and so forth.

Sat on a VTR250 and that was it. If you've got a small budget don't think about a VTR - they're $5,000 for the oldest, wrecked one you can find.

See if you can get a road legal dual purpose bike - that'll be fun.

But basically sit on bikes until you find one that has the saddle, pegs and handlebars in the right place for you.

Oi you young man...... the cruiser is not a death trap..... and I can see way ahead of me in traffic when I'm riding my VIRAGO and they are really comfy sitting on them with your feet forward. Just like sitting on a comfy chair.

So you wont get to sit on my bike again.....



BlackMDK - Yep the VIRAGO are approx $4grand second hand to buy but in saying that, they do hold their value and price.


But since you dont have much money, buy a GN250 or the FXR150 as both are also ideal to learn to ride on.

But do also go into the bike shops and sit on all the 250's there to check out which bike is the one for you. Size and comfort wise.

[McJim]

Oi you young man...... the cruiser is not a death trap..... .

Hahahaha - I like my vantage point for lane splitting on the Southern Motorway.

Different folks different strokes.

I faithfully reported my thought process at the time of first bike selection - if you choose to believe that is my current opinion then who am I to deny you?.

[crashe]

Hahahaha - I like my vantage point for lane splitting on the Southern Motorway.

Different folks different strokes.

I faithfully reported my thought process at the time of first bike selection - if you choose to believe that is my current opinion then who am I to deny you?.

[limbimtimwim]

Honda VT250 Spada is another one to consider.

Things like the VT(n)250s, the Kawasaki ZZR250, Kawasaki GPX250, Suzuki GSX250, Yamaha Scorpio etc are not quite sports and not quite cruisers.

Sit on them first, some bikes will just repulse you the moment you get on. Then take it for a ride.

But yeah; ++ On a 1998 onwards Honda VTR250.

[peasea]

I'm looking for beginner’s bike for myself just to learn at easy pace. I don’t want to spend lots of money for it. One question I have is for what type of bike I should go Sports or Cruiser. I see most of the bikes here mentioned in beginners section are cruiser but they are usually more expensive than their sports counterparts. What are pros and cons of each of them and what you think about this thing:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...px?id=92967897

Thanks

As most have said; try before you buy. My other half started on a 750 Virago (Oz rules are different) and I started on a 650 Triumph long before the current rules were in place BUT! It's all about your comfort. You can't concentrate if you're not comfortable. Then there's personal taste and no amount of blabbing on forums will change that. Do you like cruisers or sports bikes? Both have their place on the road, it just depends which you prefer. Why not buy a cheapie of the style you think you'll like, run it for a while and switch to another? You'll soon see the difference in riding styles.

[Boob Johnson]

As most have said; try before you buy. My other half started on a 750 Virago (Oz rules are different) and I started on a 650 Triumph long before the current rules were in place BUT! It's all about your comfort. You can't concentrate if you're not comfortable. Then there's personal taste and no amount of blabbing on forums will change that. Do you like cruisers or sports bikes? Both have their place on the road, it just depends which you prefer. Why not buy a cheapie of the style you think you'll like, run it for a while and switch to another? You'll soon see the difference in riding styles.

Sound advice right there


A cruiser bike can be cheaper than a sports bike in the 250 range. Point in case are the two best options...


Yamaha SR250 & the Suzuki GN250.


Both can be picked up for anywhere from $1000 (for rough one) to $3300 brand new. A good 2nd hand one will set up back around $1500 to $2500 (anything more and your probably better going brand new IMHO). The beauty of these bikes is they are very reliable & hold there value very well & will be on sold for very similar money in a year if you want to upgrade.


The better of the two is the SR250 (hence why I got one). Its mechanically a better bike than the GN but either bike will do the job nicely. Just avoid any GN built after 1991 as they are from China & are not as well made.


If your wanting a sports bike in the 250cc range, your realistically looking around the $3500 mark (for a good one). You can however pick up a 150cc for roughly half that (RGV150) or a GN125.


In my humble opinion if your after a cruiser style bike don't go less than a 250cc, after a week of riding you'll be wanting more power.


All the best with it