Wannabe biker...

[locojob]

so here's the deal, I've ridden a bike once in my life, and due to current circumstances I'm thinking about buying a bike. So...not knowing much about bikes, what's good, what's not, what do I need to know for buying a first bike. Is trade me a good way to go, or is it a ripoff waiting to happen...somebody help me lol.

[Nordy]

do a search for first bike and you will find alot of info thats been asked before (and info thats been given before)

the search function is awesome

[niero]

First Step
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdySkge4aKM
watch this and then watch the follow on movie, very good tips in those vids
Second Step
$2000 on a bike = trademe! Its very hard to find a decent bike from a dealer for 2K, trademe is usually good apart from a few jerks that come and go. But if you follow these steps you should be OK.

Look at feedback
Look @ the listing and see how much info there is, if nothing then be very careful, guys who like to rip you off always say that they told you the information about that faulty piston when you came to view the bike, bla bla bla... Make sure that everything is written down etc and so on, You were not born yesterday so Im guessing you know what I mean.
2nd Look at the bike: Here how it goes:

slide your finger down the front suspension just above the seal, if it feels oily that means the fork seals need to be replaced and the bike may have not been looked after. (<$100)

Have a feel of the chain if the guy did not tighten the chain thats already a sign,

Have a look at the sprockets if they are sharp that is going to cost a lot, (look very, very very carefully) if sprocket needs to be replaced the chain needs to go "bye-bye" too. ($400-$600)

Bounce up and down when you are on the bike, should feel almost like a waterbed, (depending on what sort of bike you are after) that way you are checking the suspension (god knows how much you have to fork out if that has shat it self.

Also back to the chain, it may be tight in one place and very loose in others, that means that the chain has been stretched, and the riding will be jerky, (I had that at one point, the chain bounced up and down when you looked at your reflection in the building) ($200+-)

Thread on the tire, (SE)

Freewheel her (push without the engine on, what sounds do you hear? Should be an amplified version of a normal bicycle

Electrics, Fiddle with every switch and bulb, make sure everything goes god knows where the bike has been

Cosmetic conditions, ahhh, bunged up farings, were ever you will see a dropped bike (and for 2K you will see a lot) have a look behind the body, you never know what surprise awaits you.

Turn er' on and listen: no knocking?

brake pads, good wee thing to have a look at, but wont set you back much.

Ask when last checks been performed (oil etc) octane of fuel been filled up with (people who fill their bikes with 91 dont love their bikes that much)

And most importantly, do you like how the bike looks like and how it feels? If you dont no matter how good the bike is, its not for you. Your height plays a major role in this.

Have fun

Nikolai

[NOMIS]

so here's the deal, I've ridden a bike once in my life, and due to current circumstances I'm thinking about buying a bike. So...not knowing much about bikes, what's good, what's not, what do I need to know for buying a first bike. Is trade me a good way to go, or is it a ripoff waiting to happen...somebody help me lol.

Look around at diff threads ib diff 250cc bikes you will have to get according to law to learn about, Just do a search here on KB... And dont get in my way infront of me on the motorway.. :-)

But you will find lots of info here on kb regarding bike. Also make sure your not skint with money $$$$ on gear. Best to spend big bucks first time round