Ideas for a first bike

[5150]

If you've got a fair bit of mechanical knowledge, or know someone who will give you cheap/free labour then buy a 2 stroke. Come on, you know you want to.

Yup, makes every ACC cent well spent

[SMOKEU]

Yup, makes every ACC cent well spent

If the OP respects the bike and doesn't ride like a muppet/wannabe Rossi then there shouldn't be a problem.

[5150]

If the OP respects the bike and doesn't ride like a muppet/wannabe Rossi then there shouldn't be a problem.

Nothing wrong with wannabe Rossis, given right time and right place. It's the muppets i cant stand.

[numbersixteen16]

^ This.
Either an MC19/22 CBR250 or a ZXR250a/c
Unless you have a set, then buy a two stroke.

I didnt even think about that, two stroke would be awesome. Question is though how often would one need a rebuild, I can pull down a single 2 banger and replace the piston and reed valve, but never had to do more cylinders. What 2 stroke is reccomended too, apart from the Aprilla, theyre expensive.

How would the these old 1990s bikes handle compared to the hyosung?

Also, when I rode a 1990s cr250, it rattled like crap, 10 minutes of riding and your hand was numb from the vibrations, is the old cbr the same?

And i read that a 1992 rgv250 would have 62hp if it wasnt the japanese restricted model, anyone able to verify?

Thanks again.

[SMOKEU]

I didnt even think about that, two stroke would be awesome. Question is though how often would one need a rebuild, I can pull down a single 2 banger and replace the piston and reed valve, but never had to do more cylinders. What 2 stroke is reccomended too, apart from the Aprilla, theyre expensive.

How would the these old 1990s bikes handle compared to the hyosung?

Also, when I rode a 1990s cr250, it rattled like crap, 10 minutes of riding and your hand was numb from the vibrations, is the old cbr the same?

Thanks again.

I had a riding buddy who had a Hyosung GT250R, and I had a 1988 CBR250R. He wasn't afraid to ride that thing hard and I had to frequently slow down to 30kmh in a 100kmh zone to wait for him to catch up. The MC19/22 is a MUCH better bike than any other learner bike. I bought mine at around 17,000kms and sold it at 31,500kms. The only thing that went wrong with it was the fuel pump (which is a common problem on the MC19, and the fuel pump is made by Mitsubishi). I thrashed the fuck out of it as well.

The old CBR250s are much, much faster than the new Ninja 250s or Hyosung 250s.

[superman]

The old CBR250s are much, much faster than the new Ninja 250s or Hyosung 250s.

True, you get a few extra horsepower don't ya. Very important when buying a 250.

[ital916]

I think you should not rule out bikes like fxr150s. They are also great to learn riding on bikes. Whether you are an ace off road rider or not, learning to ride on the road is a whole new ball game (same with going road to dirt). 80% road awareness and attitude, 20% bike (IMO). You don't get drunk drivers, logging trucks, people on cellphones, children crossing the street, etc on an offroad course. An fxr is easy to maintain, cheap to run and fix, when ridden by a good rider can be hellishly quick in corners and perfect for insurance and levies due to low purchase cost and engine size. Remember most of the time you spend a (relatively) short period of time on your first learning bike, making the resale ability of an fxr good.

My 2c.

In the end you will get what you want.

[Spearfish]

No, but if at any time of your riding career you are most likely to drop your bike, it would be when you are learning.
Assuming of course that your not riding like a twat.

You don't have to be riding it to drop it

[ducatilover]

I didnt even think about that, two stroke would be awesome. Question is though how often would one need a rebuild, I can pull down a single 2 banger and replace the piston and reed valve, but never had to do more cylinders. What 2 stroke is reccomended too, apart from the Aprilla, theyre expensive.

An RGV or NSR would do the job, treat them well and they can be quite reliable. The RS250 is recommended for 18,000km between rebuilds, I've seen them do much more though.

How would the these old 1990s bikes handle compared to the hyosung?

The Hyosung is a fat boat. My work boots handle better.
A CBR/ZXR/FZR will out handle one happily.
The suspension on the older ones is leagues ahead as are the brakes.

Also, when I rode a 1990s cr250, it rattled like crap, 10 minutes of riding and your hand was numb from the vibrations, is the old cbr the same?

The CBR tend to be very, very smooth in the engine and reliable with gear driven cams.

And i read that a 1992 rgv250 would have 62hp if it wasnt the japanese restricted model, anyone able to verify?

Thanks again.

I wouldn't be surprised at all. They are apparently fairly easy to de-restrict anyway.


The Hyosung an EX250 Ninja are good bikes, no doubt. But, they don't go or handle like the older 4cyl 250s, and have absolutely nothing on a 2 stroke.
Personally, I'd buy the better built bike (The MC22 CBR) over the newer ones, every time.

Except, they're all as slow as fuck except the 2 strokes