First bike... advice please

[Zim_Invader]

hey all....

so am really looking for my first bike. want something relatively new, so that i can get mechanical warranty on it - heard of a certain some1's crankshaft snapping, and figured, with my luck, the chance of that happening are pretty high..... and knowing my dad, when that happens, he'll be like... "see... i told u. now stop this biking nonsense...."....gotta love parental comments.

so ya def a 250 cc,(but am open to an fxr) as i want it to last me a fair amount of time. and a 4 stroke as i'm gonna need something a little easier to maintain. -god save us noobs

budget's at about 4.5k.... so a tight budget. would prefer a full fairing bike, but the hornet isnt all that bad (not the recent ones... shit... who in their right mind would get a 1 cylinder 250 cc and pay the same price for a 2cylinder gpx or gsx?

so ya... narrowed down the choice to a gpx or gsx, but really am open to suggestions for other bikes.... and of the two above.... which would you recommend (as well as other models)?

have come across a few things that i found worth a thought:
yellow gpx
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=159349310

black gpx
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...=yes&p=1318401

Kwakka KR (*really liked this one... and it's the most affordable! - what say u all?)
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...=yes&p=1211076

gray GSX
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=159082619

green FXR
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=159208299

another yellow GPX
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=158554018

Blue GSX
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=159115884

silver fxr
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=159397355

cbr 150 (bit costly, for a 150, but i suppose a possible option)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=157672549

so that's my list i guess.... lemme know!

[fatzx10r]

gpx would be my choice, good we bike that have been around forever.my flat mate has one and it goes well, i know a few people that have had them over the years and they never had any problems with them

[2wheeljunkie]

gpx would be my choice, good we bike that have been around forever.my flat mate has one and it goes well, i know a few people that have had them over the years and they never had any problems with them

juz sold mine..ppl really underestimate them..dunt..they pack a silent punch but nonetheless a punch..awesome round corners and just a beaut all round..

[bismarck]

Kawasaki GPX-250 would be my choice +1

[motorbyclist]

do not buy a 2-stroke for your first bike unless you're prepared to have all sorts of mechanical issues and enjoy learning on a "significantly harder to learn on" machine

that means the KR is out

GPX, GSX and FXR are all very capable learner bikes.
GSX is a bit heavy imo, but good nonetheless.
the FXR, while not as grunty at the others, is a very good way to start, and will hold it's value well for when you feel the need to upgrade - if you're going to hit the motorway often then don't bother, you'll be ringing the poor wee thing the whole way and the seat becomes very uncomfortable after 10-20 minutes
GPX is great for parts as it hasn't really changed in 20 years. haven't ridden one but they seem comfortable.

note none of those bikes you listed will have a mechanical warranty except for the 3 month one you get from a dealer, and the dealer will generally rip you off anyway

don't whine about a single cylinder vs a parallel twin intil you've ridden them. i infact prefer the single for fun, the parallel twin is just smoother/less vibration but feels gutless as a result, while a Vtwin is just pure awesome (inline four are even betterer, and the V four are are an addiction)
a hornet is an inline four, anything else ain't a hornet

so i'd say go the GPX

better yet would be a VTR, possibly the best non-inline four 250cc bikes i've ever ridden. sure it isn't faired, but they still look nice and are awesome to ride, plus have an impeccable reliability record as with most honda machines

glad to see you aren't looking for a GN

whatever you choose, be sure to have someone who knows what they're looking at come with you to check it out. there's a few checks/noises/looks/feels only seasoned riders know to tell the bungers from the minters. ixion, squiggles, myself, and many other KBers will be able to help you there

final tip: black bikes are harder to see, so in order to increase safety, get something bright and obvious if you can

also, have you budgeted for helmet/gloves/jacket? do so. road rash isn't fun. (and i assume you're going to get comprehensive insurance, cause there's alot of drivers out there uninsured who just keep driving or never pay)

[klyong82]

Get a Honda VTR....cheap to run...dont forgot to budget in for bike gear...

[Chrislost]

hey all....

so am really looking for my first bike. want something relatively new, so that i can get mechanical warranty on it - heard of a certain some1's crankshaft snapping, and figured, with my luck, the chance of that happening are pretty high..... and knowing my dad, when that happens, he'll be like... "see... i told u. now stop this biking nonsense...."....gotta love parental comments.

so ya def a 250 cc,(but am open to an fxr) as i want it to last me a fair amount of time. and a 4 stroke as i'm gonna need something a little easier to maintain. -god save us noobs

budget's at about 4.5k.... so a tight budget. would prefer a full fairing bike, but the hornet isnt all that bad (not the recent ones... shit... who in their right mind would get a 1 cylinder 250 cc and pay the same price for a 2cylinder gpx or gsx?

so ya... narrowed down the choice to a gpx or gsx, but really am open to suggestions for other bikes.... and of the two above.... which would you recommend (as well as other models)?

have come across a few things that i found worth a thought:
yellow gpx
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=159349310

black gpx
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...=yes&p=1318401

Kwakka KR (*really liked this one... and it's the most affordable! - what say u all?)
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...=yes&p=1211076

gray GSX
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=159082619

green FXR
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=159208299

another yellow GPX
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=158554018

Blue GSX
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=159115884

silver fxr
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=159397355

cbr 150 (bit costly, for a 150, but i suppose a possible option)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=157672549

so that's my list i guess.... lemme know!

buy a GSXR1000,
one with a fucked engine.
perhaps then you will find that the crank is welded and snaps when you start the bike.

cranks dont just snap on STANDARD bikes without fuckloads of kms

unles your plannign to take to the engine with an axe or somthing . then you might as well buy a truck as they have really strong cranks

[ital916]

hey all....

so am really looking for my first bike. want something relatively new, so that i can get mechanical warranty on it - heard of a certain some1's crankshaft snapping, and figured, with my luck, the chance of that happening are pretty high..... and knowing my dad, when that happens, he'll be like... "see... i told u. now stop this biking nonsense...."....gotta love parental comments.

so ya def a 250 cc,(but am open to an fxr) as i want it to last me a fair amount of time. and a 4 stroke as i'm gonna need something a little easier to maintain. -god save us noobs

budget's at about 4.5k.... so a tight budget. would prefer a full fairing bike, but the hornet isnt all that bad (not the recent ones... shit... who in their right mind would get a 1 cylinder 250 cc and pay the same price for a 2cylinder gpx or gsx?

so ya... narrowed down the choice to a gpx or gsx, but really am open to suggestions for other bikes.... and of the two above.... which would you recommend (as well as other models)?

have come across a few things that i found worth a thought:
yellow gpx
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=159349310

black gpx
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...=yes&p=1318401

Kwakka KR (*really liked this one... and it's the most affordable! - what say u all?)
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...=yes&p=1211076

gray GSX
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=159082619

green FXR
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=159208299

another yellow GPX
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=158554018

Blue GSX
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=159115884

silver fxr
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=159397355

cbr 150 (bit costly, for a 150, but i suppose a possible option)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=157672549

so that's my list i guess.... lemme know!

NSR300 (NSR250 with big bore kit), performance parts, race slicks. Then cover half the radiator and run it hot. Don't ride it in the dry either cos only wusses do that. Wait till the road is just damp then let the inner city gp begin. haha

p/t

The gpx is a great bike mate, you can't go wrong with it. Welcome to biking. Take it easy, and i'll see you on the road. Don't worry about power and crap like that mate. Just start riding, as soon as you do all thoughts of power disappear. There is only the joy of the ride.

[motorbyclist]

The gpx is a great bike mate, you can't go wrong with it. Welcome to biking. Take it easy, and i'll see you on the road. Don't worry about power and crap like that mate. Just start riding, as soon as you do all thoughts of power disappear. There is only the joy of the ride.

bling awarded!

(as soon as i can bling him again)

[Zim_Invader]

buy a GSXR1000,
one with a fucked engine.
perhaps then you will find that the crank is welded and snaps when you start the bike.

cranks dont just snap on STANDARD bikes without fuckloads of kms

unles your plannign to take to the engine with an axe or somthing . then you might as well buy a truck as they have really strong cranks
__________________




just going by what i've been told... like i said, i'm a freshy when it comes to biking...

can you not get a mechanical warranty on bikes under ten years old? dam, that 3 month thing puts a bit of a damper on it.... but it's better than nothing.

have budgeted for the gear - safety first, right... have heard some pretty epic stories... heh... i don't really wanna be one of them "accidents"

as for an inspector.. haha, i'll be taking KB's very own 2wheeljunkie with.. i mean, it's his fault i'm mad about bikes. haha....

thing with the vtr's are they are roughly in the same price range as the gpx (in which case, wouldn't i rather get the kwakka?).... in any case, i'll add the vtr to the watchlist. give us a shout if u know anyone selling a bike that's worth a look into.

hey, is a zzr a 2 stroke bike?

[ital916]

No a zzr is a four stroke and a beautiful one at that. When they were being sold new I believe they didn't sell that well but now they are highly sought after as learner bikes. Ample power to have fun one, very comfy and as long as it's not purple they look very nice * jokes hanne*. In fact if you look at a zzr 250, 400 and 600 riding off it is very difficult to tell them apart.

[bikerboy011]

Check out my bike on trademe here is the link:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-157771955.htm

[Zim_Invader]

quiestion.... what's the general opinion on the hyosang gt 250's? a mtae's buying one as his first bike.... (did my learners with him).... good move/not the smartest thing?

take a look at this.... it's obviously over that 10yr timeframe i wanted to keep within, but going by the probability of a crank snapping, or something seriously bad happening, being low (esp becoz of relatively low k's on the clock), wanted t know waht u thought?

zzr (red+white)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-157609539.htm

[FROSTY:Me]

Dude -for ya very first bike I'd suggest a scorpio,A srv250 or a new generation SR250
All that fairing shit costs friggin moonbeams when ya fall off.
A nekkid bike doesn't bust so easily.
Forget ya ego for awhile Learn to ride then sell the nekkid and buy yaself a crotch rocket. You won't loose money if you keep the bike 6 months or so.

[Zim_Invader]

Mate.... she looks a beaut.

only prob for me is the budget.... i don't have a good 5.5 in teh bank, and chances of getting the difference from my dad are slim (see before).... man... a cbr'd be a dream.... k's are a bit high though..... but it's really tempting...

....mmmgh....... i'll give you a shout when i manage to bank up the extra cash.... lemme know then ya... i'll give it a check when it's withing affordability range