Suitable 250 cruiser for adult learner?

[Blackbird]

It's not a cruiser, but what about this: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=82847. Honda produced them in 250, 400 and 500 sizes, based on their 4 valve head off-road motors. Beautiful bikes, all of them. The 400 got me back into riding in the 1980's.

[sunhuntin]

cheers. i might end up taking her window shopping this weekend. not really looking to spend too much... less than 2grand if possible, so might end up getting her a scrappy 80s gn i think. doesnt need to be flash. just needs to run and be in wof condition.

[Tank]

As for bikes - any of the well known branded cruisers are good... the Suzuki Intruder VL250, Yamaha Virago XV250, Honda Magna 250, Kawasaki Eliminator EL250 and even the Hyosung Aquilla GV250 is getting good reviews.

With you 100% right up to the Hobag. I was given one as a loaner and it was terrible - rust in the frame - was not confident in its safety - even tho the miles on the clock were low it really felt like it was falling apart - not many on the road for a good reason - I think its the worst of the hobags out there.

edit - thats not a general hobag bash - I'm specifically talking about their 'big' (in physical size) 250 cruiser. Pity really - because like their 250 'sports' bike - there would be a good market for a decent sized reasonable cost 250 cruiser

[Tank]

Not sure where the misunderstandings are coming from but this is how it works for those over 25 (and i have just completed the process not so long ago so I know this is fact)

Sit BHS course, gain BHS certificate, go to AA or other licensing authority and sit the learners theory test (25 road code questions and 10 motorcycle related questions) + eyesight test. Assuming you pass, you get issued your 6L learners licence. The minimum period you can hold this licence is 6 months - no exceptions.

Close - but not 100% correct - you can get exceptions (generally based on a requirement to be riding on the open road / motorways requiring you to ride 70km + safely.

for example I had my learners for about 2.5 months (from memory) and went directly to my full.

Most people think that the dispensation system is there only for larger bikes (looks like that is closed down) - but it is also there for the other restrictions (evening riding for night shift workers etc), and the period of being on a L or R licence.

Of course ride the 250 - get dispensation for the full licence then get a bigger bike.

[Griffin]

Close - but not 100% correct - you can get exceptions

Cheers Tank - good point to clarify... I am aware of exceptions to bike cc rating due to rider size / weight etc and to certain exemptions if you work outside of the learner hours but the learner period itself (as outlined to me by the AA) is 6 months - no exceptions. I tried everything in my power to reduce my whole learners / restricted period and had no joy except for the DD course. Maybe there were ways to reduce it when you got your licence but (unless I was severely misinformed) there is no longer any exceptions in regards to shortening the 6 month learner period.

[Griffin]

With you 100% right up to the Hobag.

Hmmm... well, tho I wouldnt purchase one myself (due purely to the fact that I am a self confessed 'brand name' freak) I know a few people who have them for their learners bike and are very happy with them.

Would be interesting to hear from KB'rs who own them what their thoughts are... are you happy with your Hyosung or does it fall short on expectations???

[Horse]

I had a Hyosung GV250 cruiser for 9 months - it was 6 months old when I bought it with 2500kms on the clock, I added 10k to that total in the time I had it (weekend riding, no commuting on it). I really liked it, I like the styling and physically it seems to be a good size - I find all the 250 cruisers are too small, really.

I've sold it to a friend of mine who's loving it as his first "real" bike, and I've since moved on to something a bit bigger since getting my full 3 weeks ago.

[Irontusk]

Suitable 250 cruiser for adult learner? i was thinking a cheap-o 80s gn250, but we dont want to pay the earth.

GN250s are not cruisers. I wouldn't really call any 250 a cruiser, but there are some cruiser inspired 250s, GNs are not one of them. 250 cruisers don't really have a 'cruiser' riding position, not for me anyway, just a very plain upright position.

Being that the over 25 licence periods are so much shorter (stupid rule) it'd probably be a better idea to go with a much more temporary choice of bike. It's more worthwhile for under 25s to spend a bit more because they're likely to be stuck on the 250 for so much longer.

[<Rhino>]

I bought a Hyosung as my learner bike. Got it seccond hand, 2800km on the clock.

Have done over 5000km in 3 months, commute to work over a steep hill and motorway. I'm a big guy well over 100Kg and my Hyo pulls along well. I can keep up with traffic, take the hills and generally cruise just fine. It does struggle to get over 115km though which means on some occaisons if I need to get past somone it can be a bit difficult so I generally dont.

Mechanicly I have not had a single fault (touch wood) and will have to get it serviced real soon. It starts first time and runs well, gears are ok, breaks squeek just a little.

For a cheap bike, cost effective learner bike, I think their just fine. I woulndt keep one forever and will upgrade as soon as licenece or funds allow (which ever comes first). But that is due to size and power more than anything.

PS as for the brand bashers, I can garuntee you that your chosen brand of bike has had its fair share of breakdowns, faults and poor designs. Its the nature of mechanics. You should worry about more important things than what sort of bike OTHER people ride. (Tank this is NOT a dig at you, I read your post, you have your opininion based on your experience, fair enough :-)

[Tank]

(Tank this is NOT a dig at you, I read your post, you have your opininion based on your experience, fair enough :-)

Understood ;-)

I actually think that they have done a smart thing with the larger 250's - there has to be a fairly large market for them - and the GT250 isnt a bad looking bike.

I do believe that there is a considerable difference in quality between the GT and the cruiser GV - possibly because its harder to do quality chroming etc to a price point where as fairings are cheap to make.

[KiwiKat]

cheers. its not so much the dropping im worried about, its the lack of knowledge about gearing, clutch and all that good shit. she drives an auto you see, and i hated hearing my lil girl struggle due to lack of revs with the clutch not pulled in due to susans fear over going through the fence! i cant afford engine repairs, and cant afford to be without the bike either.

pity auto bikes arent standard yet, otherwise thatd be the go for her.

Bike gears are a hell of a lot easier to use than car gears.

If you want to go auto consider a Burgman 250. Automatic, plenty of grunt, very comfortable and relaxing to ride. Good handling in all conditions and amazing weather protection and storage for handbags helmets and such. These will keep pace with most bikes up to 115k. Can always trade up.

And no, I don't own one and they aint my style.

[<Rhino>]

I think they sloved that on the GV by making some of the chrome parts plastic!

At least I can get spare parts from the Wharehouse

[Irontusk]

I think they sloved that on the GV by making some of the chrome parts plastic!

Suzuki also did that on the Intruder it's also an issue of weight though, 250s don't have the power to lug all that shiny stuff around just for show.

[mnkyboy]

When searching for a 250 I looked at a lot of options - the gn's were IMO not the sort of bike for a larger sort.

Ended up getting my current Kawa VN250 for ~5k from a dealer. Its defintily not a cbr250 as far as speed goes but its fine for 115kmh and isn't too bad on fuel.

Of all the 250's I've ridden it's by far the most forgiving and 'learner friendly' of the lot. It isn't the cheapest for parts being an import and it does weigh in fairly hefty but she's a dream to ride and doesn't look too bad either. It is a little short seat wise for me but not uncomfortable.

Shame you're in wanga's cause i'd let you have a ride and see what I mean.

[plug] I'm selling my bike soon, having aquired my full [/plug]

[CookMySock]

Would be interesting to hear from KB'rs who own them what their thoughts are... are you happy with your Hyosung or does it fall short on expectations???

We have two GT250Rs and a GT650R. One of the 250's had sidestand switch problems, and other niggly things. The GT650R has 16,000km on it and just had its first fault (leaky fuel tap $146.70), and the other GT250R we have not put a spanner on it (6,000kms).

Wherever we park them they are WIDELY admired and commented on, except on KB where they openly and rudely despised, often with some hostility thrown in for good measure, but the general public absolutely love them to bits. If she is unable to reconcile this, then stay away from them, or stay away from KB. Seriously.

They are not good commuters (under 70km/hr) for newbies as there is a lot of weight on the wrists. It will take some months to get over this, but then right as rain.

On the open road they are just great, except for the harsh suspension and the yuck shinko tires, which is dead simple to fix. Throw the rear shock away and fit cartridge emulators to the front forks - end of problem.

Mostly, chix want something that will make their hot ass look hotter, and the GT250R certainly does that, especially the solid colour ones. Yellow - hint hint.

Yes after 16,000km I like my GT650R. This summer it gets digressive suspension and michelin pilots, and I think I'll keep it for a while.

http://homepages.inspire.net.nz/~mes...s/DSCF3138.JPG

best of luck
Steve