Another first bike topic

[ZK-Awesome]

The situation is that I want to upgrade from the SJ50 Scooter. Probably sell the scooter to get the bike.

I've been having a look through trademe. It seems like the main barrier to getting a bike is geography, in that I'm in Nelson. I'm busy as this year with school and work, it'd have to be the holidays before I went away anywhere to pic anything up.

I'm after a good learner bike that's going to be fuel efficient and cheap to fix. Not after anything with fairings. I want to be able to be able to sit on 100 with no fuss.

I've compiled a list of bikes off trademe that I like the look of.

Honda Xl185
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...htm?key=872953

Honda Gl145
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...htm?key=872953

Hyosung Kinetic GF170
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...htm?key=872953

1987 Gn250
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...htm?key=872953

1988 GN250
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-148065105.htm

1990 Yamaha SR250
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-149244986.htm

This one's not far away from me, and in my price range. Gn250.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-148604687.htm

Not sure about the GN250 though, I've read that they can be quite slow.

Like this one!
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...htm?key=697677

Honda XL250
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...htm?key=872953

Honda CB125 1971 (In chch so I could pop down and have a look easy enough)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-149136354.htm

Honda CB250RS 1985
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-149201359.htm

Honda CB250RS 1982
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-147572019.htm

1980 Suzuki GT125
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-148980287.htm

Honda CB250 Hornet 1996
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...htm?key=697677

What about this Yamaha DX100, too small? Might not go 100 comfortably..
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-147641019.htm

I spose what I'd do is try and get a KBer (otherwise someone from a motorcycle shop wherever the bike is) to go and have a look through it to make sure it's sweet, then on their recommendation sort out buying it. After that, fly/drive/bus to wherever it is and ride it back.

So that's the sorta thing I'm after, comment/advise as you wish

[EJK]

I say go for the Scorpio. They are a bit faster than GNs (if you are talking about speed )

[Maha]

1987 Gn250
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...htm?key=872953

1988 GN250
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-148065105.htm

Not sure about the GN250 though, I've read that they can be quite slow.

Honda CB250 Hornet 1996
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...htm?key=697677

So that's the sorta thing I'm after, comment/advise as you wish

Those older GN's are bullet proof unlike the newer Chinese made ones.
The Hornet would also be a great chioce.
Some of those older 'classic' bike's you have listed? Yeah I would have in a heartbeat but value for money?.... The Hornet or an older GN....If I were in your posistion it would be the Hornet, others may see it different.

[gijoe1313]

Well now, out of those choices, I would say go the little ol'hornet, its got everything you want for a step up to bike ... it'll be patient and wait for you to gain more confidence and ability and will happily take it in it's stride!

But then, I'm bliased and prejumadiced! Go go the little ol'hornet!

[ZK-Awesome]

Well now, out of those choices, I would say go the little ol'hornet, its got everything you want for a step up to bike ... it'll be patient and wait for you to gain more confidence and ability and will happily take it in it's stride!

But then, I'm bliased and prejumadiced! Go go the little ol'hornet!

Thanks for the responses. The hornet sounds like a good move, though more expensive than a GN. Not sure how tidy the hornet above would be, the photo supplied isn't great.

My only concern with the GN is speed. What are people's experiences with highway riding on a Gn250?

Otherwise I might sell the scooter and get a yamaha scorpio.

Looks like it's those 3 options sticking out at the moment.

[EJK]

Hornet = May be expensive but good bike. Slightly detuned CBR engine, remember that

Scorpio = Cheap to run but expect the "Service" cost after every 6,000km orso (new bike thing). Service costs around $230-$250.

GN250 = Good all arounder. Friend of mine has been to Taupo and New Plymouth on a GN250. Hes done the Coro Loop + went on a Cape Reinga tour too. Lots of parts avaliable when it breaks down.

P.S. Wanna see what Scorpio can do?

P.P.S Holy! That Scorpio is cheap az! If you are not gonna buy it, I'll buy it!

[ZK-Awesome]

I've crunched some numbers, currently earning about $90 a week, and I've got my scooter to sell, plus I'm learning to fly. Should be able to sell the scooter for 1 grand. That leaves the scorpio out of my price range, even though it seems clear that the scorpio is the better bike. Might have to go for a GN250 instead. The particular GN is this one in Marlbrough:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-148604687.htm

I can't get over to Marlbrough till the holidays though unfortunately due to school & work, so I'm hopin the reserve won't be met on that auction so I can ring up and sort something out. In any case I'd have to take my scooter over the hill to blenheim to see it, which I reckon might be 3 hrs each way? Hopefully I wouldn't run out of petrol!

[Ixion]

How 'mechanical ' are you? If you can do your own work, it makes a difference

Personally, of your list, I'd go for one of the Cb250s . The Hornet is the pick of the bunch, but the price will refelect that. The CB250RS are cheap , robust and a shit load of fun.

BUT-- theya re old. If you ahve not much money, you don;t want to be paying it all out at the bike shop.

The cheapest bike to run , bar none , is the Ginny. parts are available everywhere, and cheap as.

Depends on whether you want to listen to your heart , or your head. And whether parents would be willing to kick in a bit.

If you can afford it, go the Hornet. If not, and you want to be sensible and prudent, a Ginny. If sensible and prudent don;t rock your boat and you want yabba dabba doo factor go the 250RS.

Whatever you get, enjoy it !

EDIT: Shit , that Scorpio *is* cheap!

[Radar]

If you want to go cheap, get a GN250. Very reliable and cheap to run. In a strong headwind you may slow at highway speeds but on a Ulysses Club group ride I was on, one of the guy's son came with us with a GN250 and he kept up no problem - and it was terribly windy that day (to Castlepoint).

[ZK-Awesome]

How's this:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-149048603.htm

1989 Honda Jade 250. I'm getting a quote from Biketranz and Motorcycle movers to get it down to me. Does anyone reckon they could have a look at it and give it a quick test drive? It's in Auckland City according to the auction. Send me a PM if you're keen to help me out.

The other goodie I spied on trademe today is this GSF250 Bandit:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-148989306.htm

I'd imagine shipping costs would be similar. According to the auction it's at Coleman's Suzuki, if anyone is keen to go and have a look. Send me a PM.

The other idea I had was the Hyosung Kinetic GF170. I've got a mate with a rough one, but apparently new ones are pretty cheap. Anyone know who sells em these days, google gave me nothing.

[EJK]

Honda Jade.... It's a womans bike!

[Radar]

$450.00 for South Island delivery from Colemans. Ouch!

Wait for something better. Be patient. Those bikes are 19 and 16 yrs old - what will it cost you to maintain and repair? We all know what it is like - you just want to get a bike and get it NOW, but you could be sorry. A good one will come your way so back off and wait another week or two.

[Chickenlegs]

I'd go for a RG150 or RGV150.

Quick and 2-strokes are fun. Simple to work on too...

[Mully Clown]

Scorpio Z in Christchurch is probably worth looking at.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=149685104

I'd probably be buying this if the bank balance was lining up properly.

[ZK-Awesome]

Might've found it... went into a local bike shop today, Honda CG125 for $2100, near mint. It's either 1998 or 88, I couldn't quite read the writing, but after looking at bikepics.com for comparison I think it's 88. Looks very tidy, anyone had experience with these? I'll be trading in my scooter to get it I think..