Best 250 for a fat newbie?

[HoorayForYou]

Ullo forum.

I know this question has been asked elsewhere, but opinions seemed to differ so much, I thought I would try and nail down a more definitive answer with your help...

I am looking to get my NZ bike license, starting from scratch with my basic handling in the next few weeks.

(FWIW I am 34 years old and have held a full drivers license for yonks...)

Due to excessive pie consumption, I clock in at around 120kg (and am just over 6 foot tall), so I will be looking for a decent 250cc which will safely haul my bulk around without needing to modify brakes or springs and that hopefully won't give up the ghost on the steeper hills...

Initial research seems to suggest something like a Hyosung GT250 would best fit the bill?

Am I actually just worrying unnecessarily here - will most modern 250's cope with my fat arse?

Thanks in advance for your assistance and insults.

[Maha]

Anything will do...its tyre pressure you should worried about...

[jrandom]

Plenty of fat cunts on this forum dude, no need to worry about being insulted.

The Hyosung or a Kawasaki Ninja 250 would work fine for you. I'd go for the Kawasaki, because it's probably less likely to break.

Stand by for everyone who's been lucky enough to buy a Hyosung that didn't break turning up in here to tell you that Hyosungs don't break. You'd still do better to get a Kawasaki, of course.



Heck, even a Yamaha Scorpio. I was perfectly happy on one at 115kg a few years back. 150kg is more the point at which your motorcycle choices become limited, not 120.

[Subike]

wait another six months then you have a larger range of bikes to choose from when all the regulations governing motorcycle licenses change.
If you dont want to wait, the the Hyosung GT250 is probably your best bet

[jaffaonajappa]

write to NZTA - some fellas on here have already rec'd the 250cc learners exemption - iirc the usual reason on the application is "physical size' - i.e. 6ft+ or over 100kg.

And who said eating pies doesn't pay?

[jrandom]

write to NZTA - some fellas on here have already rec'd the 250cc learners exemption - iirc the usual reason on the application is "physical size' - i.e. 6ft+ or over 100kg.

And who said eating pies doesn't pay?

Personally I believe this to be a bad idea. Being fat won't stop you from dying when you bin a bigger bike because you haven't learned to ride properly.

[HoorayForYou]

Personally I believe this to be a bad idea. Being fat won't stop you from dying when you bin a bigger bike because you haven't learned to ride properly.

Aye - not dying is reasonably high up on my list of priorities...

As long as I am not going to be less safe on a 250 due to the lard, then I am certainly Ok with paying my dues and learning on a smaller, lighter bike.

Looking at the specs for the Ninja, it would seem to have plenty of power for safe riding/overtaking etc as well as the ability to cruise at highway speeds for commuting, though I really don't have any practical understanding as to how much the extra rider weight impacts the acceleration and performance of a bike with a smaller displacement?

I can't be bothered to deal with anything that is going to start dying on me or falling to bits after half hour, so perhaps the Hyosung ain't such a hot idea.

Cheers all for the feedback.

[matdaymon]

If you're set on a 250cc I'd happily recommend a Hyosung GT250 (so long as it's post 2005). I've had a 2005 GT250 for a few years now and despite the BS most people love to spout about Hyo's being crap I have had no problems with it in the 3.5years of ownership. Full sized frame is comfortable and not cramped like I found some of the other 250 models out there. The EFI ones are built far better than the carb'd ones however if your budget goes that far and have better instrumentation IMO.

BUT
Like others have said, come August 2012 NZ will have LAMS (learner approved motorcycle system) so you'd be able to get a decent sized bike with a little bit more ooomph for your 120kgs that will most likely keep your happy for longer than a 250

[jrandom]

As long as I am not going to be less safe on a 250 due to the lard

You'll be fine.

Looking at the specs for the Ninja, it would seem to have plenty of power for safe riding/overtaking etc as well as the ability to cruise at highway speeds for commuting

Small bikes are choice. I've done about 35,000km on Scorpios around Auckland and the North Island countryside. No worries. You just have to get your head out of the "I must be faster than everything else" mindset. Think of it as a bicycle that you don't have to pedal and that will do 100kph!

I can't be bothered to deal with anything that is going to start dying on me or falling to bits after half hour, so perhaps the Hyosung ain't such a hot idea.

Hyosungs probably aren't as bad as they were to start with, I'm sure.

But, y'know, I'd still much rather have a Yamaha or a Kawasaki. Give it another ten years of improvements in Korean quality control and that opinion might start shifting.

I wouldn't've bought a Japanese machine in 1950, either.

[jrandom]

despite the BS most people love to spout about Hyo's being crap I have had no problems with it in the 3.5years of ownership

That's the problem with quality control issues - most people's bikes will be fine. It's just that the percentage that lunch themselves during normal operation will be higher. That percentage was noticeable in Hyosungs up until a few years ago. Maybe they've fixed all the problems now and every machine out of the factory is a goodun. Dunno. Wouldn't bet my own cash and transport requirements on it just yet though.

[HoorayForYou]

BUT
Like others have said, come August 2012 NZ will have LAMS (learner approved motorcycle system) so you'd be able to get a decent sized bike with a little bit more ooomph for your 120kgs that will most likely keep your happy for longer than a 250

My understanding on this is that part of the new legislation will require all new bikers to hold their restricted for 12 months, regardless of age, before being able to take their full license?

Wouldn't normally be a problem, but I have a self-imposed deadline of June 2013 to have my full license!

Out of interest and in complete defiance of my "no dying" stance, have people on the forum around my size/weight successfully obtained an exemption?

Cheers

[jrandom]

have people on the forum around my size/weight successfully obtained an exemption?

Yeah. One of them then binned his 600 and died.

[jaffaonajappa]

Out of interest and in complete defiance of my "no dying" stance, have people on the forum around my size/weight successfully obtained an exemption?

Cheers

Yes.

Suzuki 800cc Cruiser - seen legally ridden by a newbie L plate guy from these forums a while ago. Seemed to perform similar to a 250 4cyl really....but in a relaxed fashion lol.

Its not the bike that will kill you, its the riding style and 'attitude' that can kill.

Me? Id be looking at a 650 Virago or 650 Kwaka twin. (should be LAMS legal soon, and can be exempted already).

[HoorayForYou]

Small bikes are choice. I've done about 35,000km on Scorpios around Auckland and the North Island countryside. No worries. You just have to get your head out of the "I must be faster than everything else" mindset. Think of it as a bicycle that you don't have to pedal and that will do 100kph!

Good point, well made.

I am still adjusting to the NZ roads after spending the last 6 years in Dubai, where you drive everywhere at 120-160kph...

Given most of my formative riding will be done round town at 50kph with only the occasional foray onto the highway or the out-of-town-twisties where the limit is 100 anyway (and I am stuck at 70kph on a learners?), I guess 30-odd HP should be more than enough to keep me safe and entertained...

[actungbaby]

Ullo forum.

I know this question has been asked elsewhere, but opinions seemed to differ so much, I thought I would try and nail down a more definitive answer with your help...

I am looking to get my NZ bike license, starting from scratch with my basic handling in the next few weeks.

(FWIW I am 34 years old and have held a full drivers license for yonks...)

Due to excessive pie consumption, I clock in at around 120kg (and am just over 6 foot tall), so I will be looking for a decent 250cc which will safely haul my bulk around without needing to modify brakes or springs and that hopefully won't give up the ghost on the steeper hills...

Initial research seems to suggest something like a Hyosung GT250 would best fit the bill?

Am I actually just worrying unnecessarily here - will most modern 250's cope with my fat arse?

Thanks in advance for your assistance and insults.

I look into turbo charger and striping of all the parts aprat from handle bars foot pegs and
engine is a option pedals ?

A good solex anyone if there such a thing hehe

seriously if you thinking new why not a cbr 250 its got good torque

Oh ride a pushbike to work i did and i gone from 103 kg to 93kgs

or ride the bike with litre petrol in the tank and run with it the test the way get you trim in no time

Then go into the local dealer tell them if you dont give you a good deal your sit on them

Mind you some might like that leave and find another dealer

seriously i whould not go to big a bike in weight or power as that was the biggest mistake i made
went from 90cc to a 400cc if i done riding course it whould have been okay but learnt by falling of alot

mind you i was 16 then not anymore , you can get away with more on smaller bike for sure

Leave more room in the wet when following again one lessons i learnt esp with drum brakes hehe