Decisions, decisions, decisions..... which bike, and how, where and why?

[dman]

Has been in the back of my mind for a while to get a motorbike. But now the need for one has become more pressing. Got a job out at the steel mill. While I can cycle out to glenbrook everyday for a few weeks until I get a motorbike, I would find it very handy to have one. I'm a fanatical cyclist (used to be my job), so the idea of cycling close to 100 kilometers every day just to get to work isn't such a crazy idea as it would be for most. But would give my legs a rest a couple of times a week, if I had a motorbike. Thus I'm compelled to start my journey of becoming a motorcyclist...



Firstly, getting a licence.... have to do the practical before sitting the theory? I'm also planning to sit the car theory at the same time, shouldn't require any extra work to do that other than the cost? (after all these years I still haven't got a car licence.... a bike has always been enough for me)

I lead to believe the practical for getting your learners is very simple, and that I could pass it with only a couple of hours or so messing about on a bike to get the hang of it. Correct? (also I'm a very skilled cyclist, so riding on two wheels is second nature to me when it comes to being on a "real" bike... )


Secondly, I've got the question of what bike to get? Do I go for used or secondhand?! I'm somewhat limited by the fact I know virtually nobody at all who is a current motorcyclists. Which makes me cautious about getting a bike secondhand. Though I'm fine with getting a bicycle of TradeMe, am an expert on that. But when it comes to motorbikes, I'm clueless.... Oh hang on, I'm not quite clueless. Aren't they those things with two wheels, but are grossly overweight?! (gee, to think... some of these "motorbikes" weigh way over ten kilograms! )

I've considered a GN250, mainly because of its price. It is by far the cheapest bike brand new. Am rather short of cash at the moment (haven't started my job yet... next week I will, or maybe the week after). Or getting one that has only a couple of thousand k's on it for a few hundred less on TradeMe, would still be safe? Looked at Bandit too, but at 5 thousand or so, is it worth the extra cost?


Another factor to consider is that I'm a little on the tall side of things, at about 6' 4" (but very light, as you would expect of a cyclist). Any bike that I should consider or rule out due to my size?


Any other good sites that I could be pointed to? I've searched around, but can't seem to see a site aimed at the beginner that profiles entry level motorbikes.


Thanks in advance for any advice given!

[doc]

you are kidding right......

[peasea]

Talk to the AA re the license procedure, get a low-k GN250 and smile.

[Steam]

Firstly, getting a licence.... have to do the practical before sitting the theory?

Yes

I'm also planning to sit the car theory at the same time, shouldn't require any extra work to do that other than the cost?

That's right.

I could pass it with only a couple of hours or so messing about on a bike to get the hang of it. Correct?

Yip, absolutely.

I've considered a GN250, mainly because of its price.

Good choice but...

Looked at Bandit too, but at 5 thousand or so, is it worth the extra cost?

You'll keep the Bandit longer as it's a much superior bike. You will end up selling the GN250 as soon as you get your full, they are not so useful once you've finished learning.

Any bike that I should consider or rule out due to my size?

Nope, the bandit and GN250 are both small but fine, I am 6 foot 3 1/2 inches, and although it looked silly my GN served me faithfully and comfortably for almost a year before I sold it. You will feel like you are sitting on a dinner-table chair though. EDIT: Let me clarify, they are definitely too small for big fellas like you and me, but that's okay, it's next to impossible to find a big 250cc bike. You won't be keeping it for more than a year or so anyway before you feel the urge to upgrade.

[rainman]

Go the GN - you can finance them new for $110/month or so over 36 months with next to bugger all down, and they're great for the minimum 6 months you'll be on your learners and unable to ride anything bigger.

They're not the fastest, they're not the best quality (watch the rust), but they're good little bikes and great to learn on. Don't underestimate how much benefit there is from taking a suitably long time to learn properly, even if you're a very competent pushbike rider.

And pay no heed to them that'll laugh at you for riding a GN! Two wheels = good...

[Steve 555]

Well I can vouch for getting shit about riding a GN250 but who cares. I think it is a gr8 bike.

[dman]

get a low-k GN250 and smile.

Either that or new is the most likely path I'll take. About low to high $2k is what I should expect? For instance there is currently on TradeMe a GN250 offered for $2,750, but only has 1400km on it. Which seems reasonable?

you are kidding right......

About what?

You'll keep the Bandit longer as it's a much superior bike. You will end up selling the GN250 as soon as you get your full, they are not so useful once you've finished learning.

Much superior in what way? Worth the extra $1.5k? And why is a GN250 not so useful once I've finished learning? I think I'm semi-clear on the pro's for getting a GN250, but not at all aware about the other side of the coin is of its negatives? "Why shouldn't I get a GN250?"

Nope, the bandit and GN250 are both small but fine, I am 6 foot 3 1/2 inches, and although it looked silly my GN served me faithfully and comfortably for almost a year before I sold it.

What made you decide on a GN250, did you buy new?

You will feel like you are sitting on a dinner-table chair though.

Like a dinner table chair?! Meaning what.... ??

EDIT: Let me clarify, they are definitely too small for big fellas like you and me, but that's okay, it's next to impossible to find a big 250cc bike.

Thanks, I see my height could be a bit of a problem. But it doesn't really matter.... because there is no other reasonable option. Though, thought the bandit is at least a bit bigger than the GN250? Or is just an illusion due to the two different styles of motorbikes?

You won't be keeping it for more than a year or so anyway before you feel the urge to upgrade.

Though... it takes 2 years to get a full. Unless I learned nothing from my many years learning/teaching mathematics: 1 year < 2 years?! But it seems a lot of people get a bigger bike while on restricted/learners, and borrow a 250cc for the practicals.

Edit: Along with the GN250 & Bandit, another I've noticed being mentioned often is a fxr150. Is a different style of bike, but how does that particular bike compare to the other two? Seems to go fairly cheap on trademe. Though like I've said, bit cautious about buying bike that is a few years secondhand. The whole buying a bike thing is rather scary... so many variables to consider. Much more complex than say buying milk... which my gf found hilarious the amount of time I sent at foodtown just trying to decide on powdered on milk or in a carton! Heh, at least with the thought I'm putting into this means I ought to be confident I'm making the right choice once my first paycheck arrives.

[Steam]

Much superior in what way? Worth the extra $1.5k?

Definitely

And why is a GN250 not so useful once I've finished learning? I think I'm semi-clear on the pro's for getting a GN250, but not at all aware about the other side of the coin is of its negatives? "Why shouldn't I get a GN250?"

A GN250 is just a bit gutless. It can cruise at 100kph fine, but only on the flat and without a headwind. It's a single cylinder thumper.
The Bandit has four tiny cylinders and revs really high.
Click on the picture below and compare horsepower, the Bandit is almost twice as powerful. 38hp versus 20hp. (The bike shown is a Volty, but that's just a GN250 with different bodywork and trim)
And hey just LOOK at them, the Bandit is WAY cooler.

What made you decide on a GN250, did you buy new?

I decided on a GN because I was poor and it sounded like a good learner bike. I shoulda got a bandit though, much more fun. But the GN was good.
I bought second hand off Trademe, never even saw it before I clicked buynow, and just got a good one by accident really. I sold it for more than twice what I paid!

Like a dinner table chair?! Meaning what.... ??

It has a very upright riding position. Like sitting at a straight backed chair.

Though... it takes 2 years to get a full. Unless I learned nothing from my many years learning/teaching mathematics:

You can reduce the restricted period by half by doing a defensive driving course.

Enjoy!

[dman]

A GN250 is just a bit gutless. It can cruise at 100kph fine, but only on the flat and without a headwind. It's a single cylinder thumper.

Flat without a headwind?! Hmmm... so going up the bombay hills would be doing 80/70kph perhaps? Meh, that would only be about the same speed I go down them at the moment. Though I'll admit to going back up a fair bit slower...

Of course strictly speaking I shouldn't care about how well it does 100kph, because as my great powers of mathematics tell me: 100kph > 70kph.

But a little birdie tells me after I've been riding for a little while I might suddenly make a revolutionary discovery that will shake the foundations very foundations of the mathematical words, because I'll find that actually..... 70<100

The Bandit has four tiny cylinders and revs really high.
Click on the picture below and compare horsepower, the Bandit is almost twice as powerful. 38hp versus 20hp. (The bike shown is a Volty, but that's just a GN250 with different bodywork and trim)
And hey just LOOK at them, the Bandit is WAY cooler.

Oh yeah, forgot about the Volty. Though only one is listed on TradeMe at the moment: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...046&key=231010

I decided on a GN because I was poor and it sounded like a good learner bike. I shoulda got a bandit though, much more fun. But the GN was good.
I bought second hand off Trademe, never even saw it before I clicked buynow, and just got a good one by accident really. I sold it for more than twice what I paid!

Lucky!!

It has a very upright riding position. Like sitting at a straight backed chair.

That is a bad thing? Guess it would be shocking for the aerodynamics. (not that I think motorcyclists really care about aerodynamics as much as cyclists..... )

You can reduce the restricted period by half by doing a defensive driving course.

Knew about that, not sure though if it is worth bothering about though. Anyway is far off in the future my restricted, so I'll consider that when the time comes rather than now.

Enjoy!

Indeed I am.

[The Stranger:Me]

Any other good sites that I could be pointed to? I've searched around, but can't seem to see a site aimed at the beginner that profiles entry level motorbikes.


Thanks in advance for any advice given!

The Yamaha Scorpio. it's 225 single and $4,000.00 new.
Does 130 (though I would expect a little better once run in) with a 100kg lump on it. I am 6'2" and have no problem size wise.

[doc]

Youre a big fella for 250 and the hours and overtime at the mill plus those roads arent cyclist friendly at night.The distance your pedalling and the hours at the mill your going to be in the dark at times. They have buses from local towns, might pay to look into that.

[dman]

Youre a big fella for 250

Another reason to consider a bandit etc... over a GN? Although I'm kinda tall, I'm not that heavy. Which is the key part, mass when it comes to acceleration.

and the hours and overtime at the mill plus those roads arent cyclist friendly at night.

I'm not going to be a shift worker (though considering the crazy hours I sleep, might not be such a bad idea if I was!), so I doubt I'll be cycling at night. And if I am, it will be early morning or dusk. Plus it can't be that bad compared to cycling in the CBD during rush hour all the time!

The distance your pedalling and the hours at the mill your going to be in the dark at times. They have buses from local towns, might pay to look into that.

I was told about the buses, but I'm also told they don't go as far north as where I live. As well they are for the shift workers, so as such I don't believe the bus times would match up with the times I'd need for getting to work. Still, once I've started I'll definitely check it out some more. Maybe I could cycle down to the bus, then get a ride the rest of the way when I feel like giving my legs a rest.

[McJim]

Save yer money and get an RG150 - 2 stroke - does 160kph.

you are a roadie and therefore by defenition you will be a poser (I used to be one myself but would never use shitmano componentry by choice )

you can't pose on a Ginny but you can look cool when you smoke the 250's on an RG.

A decent one will cost between $1,500 and $2,000 - they are almost all 1998 (one big batch imported by Suzuki and then nothing).

Look in yellow pages - there are a few motorcycle schools listed in there. I went to John Wright and learnt some good stuff. You would think that there are a lot of similarities between pushies and motorbikes but there's lots to learn - make sure you don't ever lose your humility and ability to listen to experienced riders.

Where in Auckland are you?

[jafar]

you could move to waiuku or glenbrook & solve the problem that way. Radical thought i know .
The gn is a gutless toy & is sold on price alone, the scorpio or a vt would be a better bet imho

[dman]

Save yer money and get an RG150 - 2 stroke - does 160kph.

Thanks for that, is the first 150cc I'd seriously consider. Generally I'd have thought it would be a good idea to keep away from the very small bikes because of my size. According to wikipedia it has 36hp.

you are a roadie and therefore by defenition you will be a poser

I'll dispute that! Isn't posing when it is serious. Or are you going to tell me Miguel Indurain was a poser? lol

(I used to be one myself but would never use shitmano componentry by choice )

You can't dispute however they are cheap (relatively speaking....) and very easy to get your hands on! (almost to the point of not having any other choice.... :s)

Nice to see SRAM has now entered the marketplace with full road groupsets.

A decent one will cost between $1,500 and $2,000 - they are almost all 1998

Hmmm.... are you saying all of these are overpriced??

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...015&key=656580
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...608&key=656580
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...362&key=658790

(one big batch imported by Suzuki and then nothing).

Yup, once again according to wikipedia a hundred of them came in back then.

Look in yellow pages - there are a few motorcycle schools listed in there. I went to John Wright and learnt some good stuff. You would think that there are a lot of similarities between pushies and motorbikes but there's lots to learn - make sure you don't ever lose your humility and ability to listen to experienced riders.

Don't worry, I'm always aware with everything in life there will be always be heaps to learn. Motorbikes certainly aren't specially excluded from that either.

Where in Auckland are you?

Manukau City.