Hello midlife crisis - I've been expecting you

[TOTO]

realistically you need to budget about $1000 for protective gear, and this will give you a very good range of choices and you will not be restricted to the cheapest and nastiest gear on the market, which will fall apart after 2 months.

[blatz]

Hi.

Learn to ride course booked? check
Basic Handling Skills Course booked? check
Obtained and read Highway Code? check

Feel confident about what bike to buy? WTF

What I do know:
- I want to commute from Plimmerton to Wellington CBD (approx 30km)
- I am 6'3" / 189cm and weigh 90kg
- I am not looking for a sports bike - just a good bike to learn on and gain some experience (ideally one that provides a neutral / head up position)

What I don't know:
- New 250cc (and keep for a good number of years) or second hand, and upgrade up when confident?
- Make....model....manufacturer...
- Price
- How much I need to budget for helmet and protective gear

What would be the most appropriate 3 bikes for me to test ride upon ownership of learners licence?

Thanks guys - I am sure you remember this feeling ?!

Barts.

Hyosung GT250 - should be able to pick a brand new one up for up for about $7k, but second hand maybe $4-5k. As you will find out the 250cc market is pretty full so you have a lot of options.
If I was doing it all over again and could afford it I'd go for a new bike but do take what p.dath said about dropping the bike in to consideration (if it's your first bike).
In terms of gear I'd budget for roughly $1,000 if looking for all new gear head to toe.

[superman]

I went spastic when I went for gear. Spent around $1700 for complete leathers and helmet so I could use them at the race track also, but was told leather lasted decades if looked after well... here's hoping! Also "had to" get a 5 star sharp rated helmet...

[Oblivion]

I went spastic when I went for gear. Spent around $1700 for complete leathers and helmet so I could use them at the race track also, but was told leather lasted decades if looked after well... here's hoping! Also "had to" get a 5 star sharp rated helmet...

What!? Impulse buyer much? I spent $450 on gear and they are hassle free a year on. Dont have boots or pants yet though

But yea, a few people would consider 1tonne gear.

Cheap and reliable as hell I've heard.

[superman]

What!? Impulse buyer much? I spent $450 on gear and they are hassle free a year on. Dont have boots or pants yet though

But yea, a few people would consider 1tonne gear.

Cheap and reliable as hell I've heard.

I just went with Qmoto. It wasn't impulse buying, I was researching a long time before I came to the conclusion that there is no way I'm wearing anything but leather. Helmets cool though, internal retractable sunvisor tis all fancy.

[Oblivion]

I just went with Qmoto. It wasn't impulse buying, I was researching a long time before I came to the conclusion that there is no way I'm wearing anything but leather. Helmets cool though, internal retractable sunvisor tis all fancy.

Did you buy tassles with all that?

[superman]

Did you buy tassles with all that?

They are but a stylish addition of my creation!

[mrchips]

Good on ya Bart, there aint no substitute to commuting on ya bike + you hone good skills riding everyday in all weathers, especially in wellington

fwiw.... whatever bike you get, learning basic bike maintenance will help keep your working steed reliable & in tip top condition.

Take it easy out there.

[Usarka]

"Hello midlife crisis - I've been expecting you"

Sometimes I think my whole fucking life has been a mid-life crisis...

Waaddaaya mean MID?

[Little Miss Trouble]

Honda Hornet!!!

Best all round 250cc bike out there.

Great size 600 cc bike frame, so it's not a big jump in weight and overall dimensions when you upgrade.

+1 on that. If I were to do my learners over again I'd go for a well looked after hornet over the new GPX/ninja that I had.


Oh and I'll also state AGAIN for the record, I think the hyobags look hideous, sound like crap (even with after market exhausts) and if that weren't enough the questionable build quality means you couldn't pay me enough to ride one!

[Ratti]

dude, do not do the gn250, you will regret it almost immediatly. Apply for an exemption. I think it happens when you go get your bit of paper to say you are allowed on the road.

If you dont want to go that route, then a 250 Hyo cruiser will fit you with foot control extension thingummys.

you could pm me and I can intro you to someone else who might be able to help.

[CookMySock]

realistically you need to budget about $1000 for protective gear, and this will give you a very good range of choices and you will not be restricted to the cheapest and nastiest gear on the market, which will fall apart after 2 months.

Some of the cheap gear on trademe is surprisingly good, and some of the brand name stuff is surprisingly shit.

Cheap helmet, and cordura jacket and pants is fine.

Suggest you spend a bit more for comfy leather boots ($240) and leather gloves ($100.)

[Usarka]

Hmmmm, while some cheap might be stuff ok - as a rule if you buy cheap there's a bigger chance that it is shit.

[Smifffy]

For gear, grab a copy of kiwirider mag, and peruse the ads, check the prices, look at the pics, decide what you think you'll need, and you will likely get a very good indication on price.

I reckon (again 2cents worth) get yourself the basic of everything in cordura, while you are on your L, pick up the odd item here and there to upgrade, as and when something takes your fancy and you get a better idea of the kind of riding you do, and the things that annoy you.

You can either save the other stuff for your occasional pillion, or flick it on via trademe. This lark is like everything, there are always more & different things you will like the look of and want to try. I'd say few people get everything exactly as they want first time up.

I have a cordura jacket and it has done me superb service for the last year and a bit, but I would like to get another jacket soon, and who knows when that will happen?

[CookMySock]

Hmmmm, while some cheap might be stuff ok - as a rule if you buy cheap there's a bigger chance that it is shit.

From my direct experience, the cheapo $135 jackets we got off trademe were (and still are) bloody brilliant, and the $190 dririder gear (now completely buggered) we got from the bike shop was shit. We use (and destroy) a lot of gear with four riders in the house.