First bike - new or used?

[Bunji]

Hi all,

I'm looking at buying my first bike and have around 4-5g to spend. I have been looking at a new Yamaha Scorpio for $4000 (+ orc), but I'm unsure whether this would be the way to go or whether I should I go the second-hand route and try something like a Suzuki Bandit or Honda Hornet.

As I don't have my learners yet I can't actually test ride any bikes to see how they feel, so any feedback for a(nother) newbie would be much appreciated. Cheers.

[captain_andrey]

Personally, I dont understand how people justify spending cash on a 10 year old bikes thats cost same as brand new ones.
Buy brand new I say. You get warranty, dealer discounts on gear and service oh... and a bike that looks good.
How tall/big are you? Some 250s are made for midgets. Go to a dealer at ask to just sit on all the bikes, you'll get a good idea of whats comfortable.


EDIT: Oh, and Welcome :P

[Subike]

Get the Scorpio
You will not look back
As a first bike it will do you well,
no worries as to fixing anything thats worn out from the P O abuse.
You will probably treat it better as its new and be more carefull than with a second hand bike.
Take your time learning it, and it will serve you well.
You will get lots saying ""buy second hand, because you will drop it for sure.""
now you and I know you are not a dumb fuck and are going to be carefull so dropping it is just not an option, so dont believe them.
Get yourself some good riding gear, plenty of threads about that on here if you do a search.
Find your local Rider Training establishment and spend some dollars there as well, every cent spent on one of those is worth it.
But most of all, be confident in your own abilities to judge situations as you learn and ALWAYS be aware that you are invisibile to cage drivers.
Enjoy your summer , and welcome to a world only those that ride motor bikes know about

[XxKiTtiExX]

Go for the scorpio. Brand new, comes with a warranty. And you have the piece of mind knowing some wannabe mechanic before you hasn't pulled the bike apart at some stage and half arse-idly put it back together. For piece of mind I'd go for the new bike. Should hopefully mean less stress.

Thats just my opinion though. Others certainly won't agree.

P.S speaking from personal experience here as I spent more time cussing and screaming at my bike than I did riding it, yet if I had of saved just a little bit more I could have spent more time learning to ride than getting frustrated and upset with the bike I had.

[HTFU]

If you are going to be on your learners a while or need to use the bike on the open road then look at a second hand twin such as a gpx (have seen 2001 models go for $3500 on trademe) or a bigger bike in the hyosung gt250. An example of each below. I personally prefer new bikes but with your budget in mind and knowing a bit about the life span of both these bikes you would have to be unlucky to get a lemon. I went with a GN for my first bike and wished I had spent a bit more on a GPX twin first up.

The little single cylinder bikes are great for small people and absolute beginners, but if you are going to do lots of riding the twins will do the business. I regularly ride with friends on 1000cc + bikes and we hold a good cruising pace and high average speed on the open road.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-170947896.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-183640123.htm

[Charlie41]

[QUOTE=XxKiTtiExX;1778490]Go for the scorpio. Brand new, comes with a warranty. And you have the piece of mind knowing some wannabe mechanic before you hasn't pulled the bike apart at some stage and half arse-idly put it back together. For piece of mind I'd go for the new bike. Should hopefully mean less stress.QUOTE]


Welcome
Buy a new bike!!!! Don't forget about gear....
Enjoy shopping around!!!

[GrayWolf]

I went with a GN for my first bike and wished I had spent a bit more on a GPX twin first up.

The little single cylinder bikes are great for small people and absolute beginners, but if you are going to do lots of riding the twins will do the business. I regularly ride with friends on 1000cc + bikes and we hold a good cruising pace and high average speed on the open road.

I agree with HTFU
if you are looking at S/hand high performance 250's DONT! Unless they are garuanteed genuine low K's (below 20,000) That can still be room for a lot of abuse for a high revving motor. GN's/Skorpio's are good commuter bikes. You will soon want better open road performance. BUT to contradict myself, GN's/Skorpio's are much more 'learner friendly' at the start.
I'd go along with the GPX/ZZR/Hyosung 250 line of thought, good compromise between both camps.

[Bunji]

Im average height - 5"10 or thereabouts. I've read the Hyosung is good for taller people so not sure what it would be like for me, guess I'd have to sit on one and see. I don't know much about Hyosung as a brand, how are they reliability wise?

[sleeqe2000]

Buy new if you can.

Bought my CBF250 for 5 g's in June - not had a single issue with the bike. Coz its new I really look after it as I obviously want it to be in good nick if I decide to sell on for a bigger bike. I have done 5500k's on it now in 5 months and even thinking of keeping it when I get my full as its so cheap to run. Go with the Scorpio !

[Headbanger]

Im average height - 5"10 or thereabouts. I've read the Hyosung is good for taller people so not sure what it would be like for me, guess I'd have to sit on one and see. I don't know much about Hyosung as a brand, how are they reliability wise?

Chinese bikes rank right up there with Chinese milk powder.

[Murray]

If you can afford it buy new. If you just want a bike to get you through to full license buy used. You won't lose so much on resale.

[FROSTY:Me]

Depends if you are powered by ego or common sense.
if common sense then scorpio or the LF200 will be great for starting out on.
If Ego then buy a shizbang 4 cylinder but be prepared for the higher maintainence

[Bunji]

Been looking around dealers here in New Plymouth and there's not much selection in the way of used 250's. NP Motor Cycles seems to have the most and they've only got one GN and 3 bandits that look like they've been thrashed. So the scorpio is looking more and more like the best option.

[DUCATI*HARD]

[QUOTE=Bunji;1778435]Hi all,

I'm looking at buying my first bike and have around 4-5g

GIVE ME YOUR MONEY AND IL GIVE YOU A DUCATI

[Unit:Me]

Im average height - 5"10 or thereabouts. I've read the Hyosung is good for taller people so not sure what it would be like for me, guess I'd have to sit on one and see. I don't know much about Hyosung as a brand, how are they reliability wise?

Your height should be fine for the Hyosung. Ive seen/ridden with quite a few people one them and they go just fine.
With the Scorpio and $5k you will be able to get some decent gear too. Best of luck on your search