How old is too old?

[cdw]

Hi there,

I'm a first time rider shopping for my first bike, which is hella exciting, but I don't necessarily know what I'm looking at.

I know you lot must get sick of these questions, but several days of using the search box still hasn't quite turned up what I'm looking for.

It looks to me like my best options (around the $3-4k mark) are something dependable like a 2007 Scorpio, or something more unknown like a '91 ZZR, Bandit or GSX.

I know they're all decent bikes for my purposes, so with that in mind, here's what I still dont know:

For someone with no mechanical experience, is a low mileage '91 bike not worth the undertaking? How old is too old for a novice? We're talking about bikes that are 20 years old now, so am I better off with a Scorpio that I know I can count on, or is a good condition older ZZR still a thoroughly dependable bike?

Cheers, and sorry for being so clueless! Got to start somewhere right?

(just noone say the words GN 250!)

[Jantar]

.....

(just noone say the words GN 250!)

In that case no-one can give you complete advice.

[Parlane]

So I won't mention the GN 250, but instead:

Any of the new LAMS approved bikes might be a broadened horizon for you.

Or FZR250, Z[XZ]R250, CBR250, GSX250 .....

Also check stuff like forks at front, push the front down (don't drop the bike! ) check if it looks dry still. Listen for weird noises, see how easy it is to start with the engine cold. Specifically ask them to not start it the morning you go and see it.

As for age, my bike is an 89' and has old man problems, harder to start in the cold and the reg/rect just died. I did the forks myself. So old def may require more work.

[FJRider]

Get a cheap bike that is legal and will last untill October. LAM's comes into effect then ... and you will have a much better idea what is ... (or isn't) ... a good thing. You will have a better idea what stye of bike you may prefer.

Very short term ... the GN will teach you heaps ... Unless you know everything now (in which case ... why do you need to ask)

[JimO]

Honda VTR 250 ultimate learning machine

[ducatilover]

VTR250 or Honda Hornet are my picks for reliable wee things.
Or be a man and get a GN250.

As for looking at a bike, just ask for help on here, many of us will go check a bike over for you

[GrayWolf]

low milage ZZR should be fine,, the motor has been around as the GPX, ZZR, and now Ninja 250. well proven, good reliability.

[fetchfire]

VTR250 or Honda Hornet are my picks for reliable wee things.
Or be a man and get a GN250.

As for looking at a bike, just ask for help on here, many of us will go check a bike over for you

I happen to have a hornet 250 I need to sell, but its not the prettiest at the moment. I dropped it the first day I had it and put a dent in the tank, then I bogged the dent and repainted and the paint job isn't the nicest. Wish I just left the dent. Keep saying I'll repaint it and sell it some day.