RGV250 for a first bike...

[magicmonkey]

Just spied one of these (vj21, 1990) at a price I can almost afford and I was just wondering what people think of them for a learners bike? I understand that they're probably at the more powerful end of the 250 scale but having never ridden before I haven't a clue if that's something which should scare me or excite me

[babysteps]

That all depends if you want to learn how to ride properly or be a crash statistic.

In otherwords, no.

[magicmonkey]

heh, fair enough. Probably best for me to save up until I can afford something a bit more suited to me then

[crash99]

Well said babysteps - with a 16yr old son who is also trolling Tard me for his first bike there are plenty of scary ones out there. Mind you, my first one was an RD250 but I suspect about 1/2 the power (or elss) of the RGV!
Good point though Magicmonkey - what is a good starter bike? CBR125? (Its got to look the part too . . . ) I'm sure the question has been asked before on KB - maybe just do a search. Good luck - and let us know what you end up with!

[rachprice]

Scared and excited!

Depends on what sort of person you are, I personally believe my riding is better than what it would have been because I learnt on an RGV

[Latte]

Plenty of people have learnt on smokers, myself included. Admitted it's a bigger step than starting off on a small 4, but then the step to a full bike once the time comes is smaller.

But, if you are struggling to afford the purchase price then I'm guessing constant maintenance and much higher running costs won't be what you want to hear either. And cheap smokers are generally tired smokers (read: will need $$ soon if not now).

[McWild]

Assuming you're brand new to bikes (although I am of course aware that assumption is the mother of all fuck ups), I wouldn't recommend one to you; but I also won't tell you not to if you're sure it's something you want.

In my opinion, and experience, having a 2 stroke is a very different experience to having a 4 stroke.
Any RGV you are going to get for a price that's similar to a ZXR or CBR is going to need maintenance at some point, probably sooner rather than later.
You are going to hear curious little noises. It is going to run differently 2 months after you first rode it, and run differently again about a month after that.
There are lots of itty bitty little things you will learn about them, and strokers in general.
Chances are if you are a brand new learner, and are put on one of them, you are going to nana it instead of thrash it everywhere, and if you are a learner you are perhaps more likely to be commuting and doing little trips rather than epic missions through twisty roads on it. This is normal, but not what they are made for doing. If you run them on fully synthetic oil and have an eye for maintenance they will do it fine, but you would get more enjoyment doing the same thing on a ZXCBFZGSXR250. They like a rough hand, and they like you to have confidence in both their and your own abilities.

Also beware that if you don't have the target of your affections checked properly out before you buy, you could be setting yourself up for disappointment. I know I would be really gutted if I just bought what I thought was a minter, rode it for a week, and then had it seize, to require a top end rebuild. While not altogether hard, or necessarily expensive, it would be a right pain in the you know where.

If you're considering a RGV250 (or NSR or TZR or RS), the power isn't what you need to be worrying about if you're a sensible, responsible person. Although it's arguable that a bike like those will change that in due course.
Yes they are fast, but compared to the 2 strokes of old, the power delivery is as smooth as a single cylinder 4 stroke. Depending on the state of tune of the one you get, it's very unlikely they'll be breaking 55hp anyway.

It's everything else that ownership entails that you need to consider.

If I were to make a recommendation on a first bike, I would say either:

- CBR250, ZXR250. Nice revvy little 4 stroke, plenty of power but nothing extreme. Look good. Mostly reliable, though should they require serious engine work = $$$ Sound nice. Good introduction if you think you might move on to a sports 600. Their cousins, the Hornet 250s and the Bandit 250s and so on are also very good, probably more reliable due to lower state of tune, and good god are they comfy.

- RG150. I started on one (well, after my scooter). They are beasts. Single cylinder 2 stroke 150. So much knowledge about them in NZ it's crazy. Simple as anything to work on, which means low low maintenance costs. Depending on what sort of a runner you get, they can be reliable, and can cruise all day around town when good oil is used. Can also use the powerband around town without risking loss of license. Cheap as chips to buy and good resale. Can race in streetstock class if that way inclined with about a thousand other RGs. Not quite as straight-line fast as ZXRs and so on, but still plenty quick enough. Buy one! Or even buy mine as it's for sale lol.

- 250 twin (VTR250, Spada etc). This is what to get if you want something bulletproof, reasonably quick, and comfy. Very good idea, though I'm not particularly that way inclined. I don't like the recent 2008/9/10 stuff but if you have money for days and want something brand new you might as well. But I wouldn't. Personally.

Sorry for the marathon post. My bike wouldn't start when I tried to leave this morning so I'm avoiding doing homework with my "day off". Win!

[javawocky]

If you have no riding experience I can highly un-recommend this bike for you. It will probably just scare you out of riding all together or get you into some serious trouble.

Unless you really level headed and are prepared to progressively learn in a parking lot with some good supervision and are up for a challenge. If you do choose it you sure won't be bored soon.

My Wife started from scratch on my RG150 and dropped it a few times (parking). Because of her hight and the sports layout its the ideal absolute beginner bike. Because of my MX experience it was dead easy to pick up after many years off a bike.

Wife now as a Yamaha Scorpio and loves it. Even I like taking it for a ride for the shops on occasion.

[magicmonkey]

heh, don't appologise for the marathon post, that much more information than I had bargained on

Glad you mentioned the CBR250's as I'm thinking of heading in that direction and that's pretty much what I want from a first bike, I'm thinking they'll do me well while I'm learning and I can upgrade once I feel more comfortable (that's a timeframe I'm probably going to measure in years!).

[SMOKEU]

If you don't know how to ride then buy a cheap small bike like a CG125 or an AX100. It's really easy to fuck yourself up on a fast 250cc bike. A lot of learners drop their bikes at some stage and the cost of replacement fairings will bring tears to your eyes.

[Insanity_rules]

Having owned one (well a slightly older RG Walter Wolf) I can say with all confidence its one hell of a machine. I wouldn't go for one if your looking for reliable transport but as a toy they're dynamite. As to jumping on one as a fresh rider I'd say start a little less powerful. If you were a learner with some experience I'd say go for it. If you like the whole 2 smoke thing the RG150 is a hell of a hoot (unless your over say 5'9) and a very good start.

[Ender EnZed]

Unless you're bizarrely sensible for someone who wants to start on an RGV you'll probably die on it.

I'd recommend a nice, unfaired v-twin. Easier to ride at low rpm than a 4 cylinder and every bit as quick on a twisty road once you get some confidence. You WILL drop your first bike. Fairings might break.

I started on a Honda Spada and thought enough of it to buy one just the same after I crashed the first one (going slower than I would've been on an RGV).

[magicmonkey]

The p[lan at the moment is to get something with farings and just take them off until I get a lot more confident. I'm pretty sure I'll do something stupid with it but I figure that no farings and some crash bungs should mininise my stupidity to affordable levels!

[javawocky]

The p[lan at the moment is to get something with farings and just take them off until I get a lot more confident. I'm pretty sure I'll do something stupid with it but I figure that no farings and some crash bungs should mininise my stupidity to affordable levels!

Another option might be to buy a lesser bike for a few months to cut your teeth on and then just sell it and get the RGV.

The upside of a 2stroke is that there isn't much power down low, so for learning it might be an advantage

The downside of a 2stroke is the kick which comes in when the revs get higher and power starts to build quickly. Its enough to make you smile lots or poop your pants lots depending on your experience. Once you have experience a 2stroker its something you don't forget easily.

Your call young Padawan, wisely you must choose.

[TygerTung]

I would recomend something like a CG125 or an AX100 etc. Cheap, won't get too badly damaged when you drop it, well you probably will, most learner riders do. I wouldn't get something like a CBR250, they write off really easily. Too much plastic.