LAMs on a budget

[eomo]

Hi KiwiBiker-ers!

Newbie here, don't have a ride yet but in the market for one. I could find any up to date info about this, so my question to you guys is:

What is your recommendation for new LAMs bikes under $5000?

I figured that, as a new rider and one not so mechanically experienced (yet, willing to get hands dirty), a new or near new bike would be the best fit. And $5k would be my absolute ceiling - more points for cheaper bikes that allow me to get better gear (am I right in thinking this is more important? I think I am ).

My usage would be commuting, rain or shine, with one or two "Palmy to Auckland" length return trip per year. But do feel free to suggest any bike with reasoning, my hopes is that other wannabe bikers would benefit from this list as well.

Looking forward to hearing people's suggestions, I've greatly enjoyed lurking on KB for the past couple of months and seeing the community here.

[sil3nt]

Ninja 250
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Sear...estedCategory=

Should be able to grab one for around $3500

Or older and cheaper and just as reliable: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-795278863.htm
You may be put off by the age but they didn't stop making these until 2007.

You could grab a newer GPX but they look like shit IMO
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-806324589.htm

tl;dr
get a ninja

[cs363]

Ninja 250
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Sear...estedCategory=

I'd second that, good reliable bike with a good reputation and not too old either for the $$$

[haydes55]

Buy your gear. Then come back to this question when you have an exact budget to spend.

"This bike would be perfect, I'll still have enough money for all the gear"....... Nek minnit...... "I didn't realise boots cost that much!"

[Akzle]

I've greatly enjoyed lurking on KB for the past couple of months and seeing the community here.

thats how i feel about hanging outside your sisters place...

I will tick a few things OFF your list. As a n00b, Do not buy:
hyosung
harley
anything european
anything pre-1996
'unfinished project, just needs...'
anything less than 600cc with RR in the name.

Do a fucking search, the question HAS been answered ( :sit on/test ride and find what fits)

[eomo]

Ninja 250
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Sear...estedCategory=

Should be able to grab one for around $3500

Or older and cheaper and just as reliable: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-795278863.htm
You may be put off by the age but they didn't stop making these until 2007.

You could grab a newer GPX but they look like shit IMO
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-806324589.htm

tl;dr
get a ninja

Interesting, I had not heard about the GPXs before. Back into the internet rabbit hole I go!

I note that most of the bikes listed there which are under my budget are around 30000ks mileage, which is worrying to me. Is that valid? I was only looking at under 10k mileage before.

Thanks for the recommendations, I'll have to find a ninja to sit on.

[eomo]

Buy your gear. Then come back to this question when you have an exact budget to spend.

"This bike would be perfect, I'll still have enough money for all the gear"....... Nek minnit...... "I didn't realise boots cost that much!"

I hear ya, I have actually thought quite a bit about the gear, and priced then out according to recommendations around. Midrange HJC helmet, 1tonne everything else, comes to around $1250. If I need to add more than that I'll have to actually rode before knowing what that is.

My suggestion of 5k was after all this in a way, if I manage to get a cheaper bike I can look at Shoei or a box for stuff, and also so that people don't straight away jump to "buy a street figthing mt-en6n triple supermotard".

Hopefully you have some thoughts from experience about which bikes are budget goodies? Underrated bikes?

[Akzle]

I note that most of the bikes listed there which are under my budget are around 30000ks mileage, which is worrying to me. Is that valid? I was only looking at under 10k mileage before.

hopeful.
Any bike not raped should make 60k without too much needed.

[nzspokes]

I have a bike with 40,000ks on it and just run in. I used to have a bike with 80,000ks and it ran perfect. I have mates with bikes over 150,000ks and they are fine.

As long as it is looked after any bike will last.

[eomo]

thats how i feel about hanging outside your sisters place...

I will tick a few things OFF your list. As a n00b, Do not buy:
hyosung
harley
anything european
anything pre-1996
'unfinished project, just needs...'
anything less than 600cc with RR in the name.

Do a fucking search, the question HAS been answered ( :sit on/test ride and find what fits)

I understand that in order to purchase the right bike, I need to ride it - this is a given. But surely it can't hurt to offer some recommendations of budget bikes that you have ridden which are surprisingly good? I don't have many friends that ride, so I have a limited pool of experience to draw from.

Thanks for the list of un-recommendation though.

[eomo]

I have a bike with 40,000ks on it and just run in. I used to have a bike with 80,000ks and it ran perfect. I have mates with bikes over 150,000ks and they are fine.

As long as it is looked after any bike will last.

That's somewhat reassuring. Now I just need to get over my debilitating mistrust of people when it comes to their service histories and riding habits.

[haydes55]

Get a motard. Look at KLX250/300, DRZ400, XR250, wr250/450/426 (the WRs are probably better suited to experienced riders, and are more expensive).

As for other style bikes in the price range. If you want lower milage/newer bikes, they will probably be dull bikes. E.g. Gn250. Aim for a bike around 2005 or newer would be plenty new enough to be reliable. Do you know what to look for when buying a bike in terms of worn out replaceable parts?

[Tazz]

How long is your commute?

[eomo]

Get a motard. Look at KLX250/300, DRZ400, XR250, wr250/450/426 (the WRs are probably better suited to experienced riders, and are more expensive).

As for other style bikes in the price range. If you want lower milage/newer bikes, they will probably be dull bikes. E.g. Gn250. Aim for a bike around 2005 or newer would be plenty new enough to be reliable. Do you know what to look for when buying a bike in terms of worn out replaceable parts?

Hmm, never thought about motard for commuting, why are they your choice?

As for what to look for in a 2nd hand bike, I know to look for signs of having been dropped, look at the tread, how much rust there is on it, black oil... Something about fork seals, but I have to do more research about that.

[eomo]

How long is your commute?

Currently in Palmerston North, so commute isn't long. But I'll be moving back to Auckland in the near future, which will be at least an hour from previous experience.