Textbook wannabie

[superman]

Had my ninja for just over a month now, and it's my absolute baby. Good if you like attention seeking, and low maintenance (so I've heard)

I think in 14 months when I'll be getting my full and some sort of 600cc I'll try and keep her if I can scrounge around enough money to afford her, just because she is so fun. And what's lacking in power it makes up for in giving me over 400km out of the tank :P

So good commuter I want to keep. And corners like a rocket

[1tonne]

From my experience I would keep away from the hyosung. I have had many customers who are happy with them for about 6 months and then they become dissapointed as they are not as reliable (eg. the tanks rust out quickly) as the japp bikes. I like the looks of them though and they are cheap. The Hyosung GT250 has better take off since they are a v-twin but not as high speed.

I race a CBR250 in the winter series against the GT250.
I have owned about 4 250cc bikes
(this is only my opinion so don't shoot me to pieces)

[digs_nz]

Thanks for the link to the GSX, looks like a pretty good find. As for fairings, I was under the impression I can take them off? I was planning on doing that to minimise damage on the few inevitable drops.

Am seriously looking at the ninja, Andrew recommended it ("the best 250 around") (along with a couple of other internet recommendations) and I think it will have enough grunt to keep me happy for a while, even after I get my full (although I might be wrong, what does everyone think?). I don't have a good perspective on how quick a 250 is, and whether I'm going to be dying to upgrade to a 400 straight away.

Not in any rush for now though, have a bit of saving to do first

Thanks for the tips, it's great hearing all the opinions on bikes

[sil3nt]

Just thought I might update.

Got my basic handling skills test on saturday, heading in to get my learners this afternoon, or some time this week at least.

Cost me $140 at Roadsafe (Andrew Templeton) - I think I got jipped! Apparently it only costs $42 at the vtnz, but obviously need motorbike hire as well.

But the course was easy (again, ridden farm bike before) and took about an hour. Hire was some Suzuki 125.

That $42 is just for the test and i wouldn't trust someone from VTNZ. You definitely didn't waste any money paying $140.

[mrchips]

Just get the biggest bang for your buck factoring in some $$ for protective gear.

fyi, Leather Direct (Cuba St. / Wgtn) have a good selection of affordable leather bike jackets / pants & other biker stuff.

[digs_nz]

Yeah I'm going to buy my protective gear first I think, then I don't get tempted to blow all the money on the bike. I have to save first anyway!

My first find for a helmet is this:

http://www.caberglids.co.uk/product_...roducts_id=278

Because I saw it on a New Zealand site, but it was about $600, and I can get that from overseas for $250. I'll keep looking around, I think just as a general rule (not sure how valid it is) I'm going to get a 5 star SHARP rated helmet. Why wouldn't everyone, I reckon.

Will check out leather direct on the weekend, never thought of them. Thanks

[sil3nt]

Yeah I'm going to buy my protective gear first I think, then I don't get tempted to blow all the money on the bike. I have to save first anyway!

My first find for a helmet is this:

http://www.caberglids.co.uk/product_...roducts_id=278

Because I saw it on a New Zealand site, but it was about $600, and I can get that from overseas for $250. I'll keep looking around, I think just as a general rule (not sure how valid it is) I'm going to get a 5 star SHARP rated helmet. Why wouldn't everyone, I reckon.

Will check out leather direct on the weekend, never thought of them. Thanks

Don't be fooled by those stars. Go try helmets on. No point getting a 5 star helmet that is going to slid off your head when you crash. Go try as many helmets on as you can. Remember the names of the ones that fit and then do research on them.

Don't buy from overseas unless you really know what you are doing. You can't exactly return them because they don't fit.

[digs_nz]

Yep, that was what I meant I found it in New Zealand (so can go try it on) but can buy the same model for cheaper

But yea thanks for the tip

[digs_nz]

Have decided I will go for something a little cheaper than a new Ninja or the like..

Quite liking the look of these:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=340574869

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=347760912

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=325550904


Any thoughts? Obviously the kawasaki is a bit more expensive but it is from a dealer and they might give me a good deal with some gear. Maybe

[1tonne]

Keep away from the GSXR250. They are prone to the carbs blocking a lot. I went to buy one once and I had 3 bike shops advise me to stay away from them. One bike shop said that they were the worst 250 ever made. I am a GSXR fan as well so I was a little disapointed to hear this. (I have a GSXR1100)

[Gibbo89]

Have decided I will go for something a little cheaper than a new Ninja or the like..

Quite liking the look of these:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=340574869

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=347760912

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=325550904


Any thoughts? Obviously the kawasaki is a bit more expensive but it is from a dealer and they might give me a good deal with some gear. Maybe

Huge jump in price compared to the zxr and the other two. The zxr would be the best bike, but there is a mark on the fairing and I don't believe it is worth 5.5k. Even at a dealer price I'm sure it should be more like 4.5k.

How about this? (This has gear for sale too if you want)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-346189719.htm

Or this?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-345993828.htm

Or:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-339964712.htm

Or: (this is like the gsxr, but is slightly diff and has storage where the fuel tank is meant to be)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-347634061.htm

Remember it is a buyers market and you may know if the bikes have been on TM for a while so the price should be slightly negotiable.

[digs_nz]

Yeah I've been a little bit inconsistent.. flip flopping on whether or not I want to spend money or not. The main thing is getting value for money so sounds like the ZXR is out.

I really like the look of the FZR, but there isn't much information about (they are pretty old?). Seems quite a few k's, not really sure whether I would trust buying a bike this old on trademe.


1. Have heard bad things about Hyosung. While I know this might be slightly ignorant; I have no choice! Gear won't fit

2. Looking for something a bit more sport looking.

3. Like this one. Quite a few k's though. I think the colour could grow on me, emailed to find out status of warrant and rego. Thanks

4. Spotted this one already but didn't mention it. Will shoot him an email.. low k's

[avgas]

I really like the look of the FZR, but there isn't much information about (they are pretty old?).

FZR became YZF which became YZF-R? (Sports series e.g. R1, R6, R7) and FZ (touring series e.g. FZ1, FZ6)

They are a good bike, especially if you get an exup model which opens and exhaust valve and sounds nuts when going fast.
Not to mention that some models came out with 20 valves.

[Old Steve]

I set myself a $5000 budget, and this came out at about the following costs:

Bike, Hyosung GV250 $3200
Bike transport Wgtn to Tauranga $200
Instruction and Basic Handling Skills $200
License $79
Jacket, gloves, helmet and pants $900 (note, I can't get motorcycle boots to fit, so use steel cap high ankle work boots, so add another $150 or so for boots)
Hi-viz fluoro yellow jacket $8

I spent near to $700 after about 4000 km fitting new sprockets, chain and a ScottOiler (I recommend the ScottOiler, makes chain lubrication a breeze), and bought a cartom of 10, 1L, good quality 4T m/c engine oil for $100. Do oil changes at 4000 km, bout 1.5 L of oil, and change filter ($28) every 8000 km. Ongoing maintenance is a noticiable cost, so is rego ($400/yr for a 250).

So do buy your gear before you buy your bike, and buy the best you can.

And remember, every other vehicle out on the road is going to try to kill you.

[digs_nz]

I set myself a $5000 budget, and this came out at about the following costs:

Bike, Hyosung GV250 $3200
Bike transport Wgtn to Tauranga $200
Instruction and Basic Handling Skills $200
License $79
Jacket, gloves, helmet and pants $900 (note, I can't get motorcycle boots to fit, so use steel cap high ankle work boots, so add another $150 or so for boots)
Hi-viz fluoro yellow jacket $8

I spent near to $700 after about 4000 km fitting new sprockets, chain and a ScottOiler (I recommend the ScottOiler, makes chain lubrication a breeze), and bought a cartom of 10, 1L, good quality 4T m/c engine oil for $100. Do oil changes at 4000 km, bout 1.5 L of oil, and change filter ($28) every 8000 km. Ongoing maintenance is a noticiable cost, so is rego ($400/yr for a 250).

So do buy your gear before you buy your bike, and buy the best you can.

And remember, every other vehicle out on the road is going to try to kill you.

Thanks. I'm going to buy locally, definitely, so that I have a chance to test it out first, so that should kill $200 for shipping. But yeah the rest looks pretty good. Rego + insurance is expensive!!! Grr

heres another bike I've been looking at everyone, have heard quite good things about the CBR250RR

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=327803327

That yellow GPX 250 (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=339964712) has a new warrant and a rego. Gonna go take a look next week I hope, woohoo!