Hi, I'm new (kneebone)

**kneebone** · 30th January 2009, 18:01

Just thought I would introduce myself and say hello to everyone on here, got my learners today after taking the BSHT with Phil from Riderskills

in Auckland on thursday. I can highly recommend them to any newbies who want to get started. They do a great job getting the lesser mortals ready for the meanstreets of Aucks. Also was wondering, hoping for some sage wisdom on what bike to get Im kinda torn between Cruiser or Sport, any recommendations would be highly valued, what do everybody/anybody think of the Suzuki Intruder 250 is it a girls bike hope not as im seriously considering buying one

who on here do I have bribe to do to get my own mentor,

**Hitcher** · 30th January 2009, 18:30

No bribing necessary. Do a search for Mentor+Auckland and you'll find out lots about folks who would be happy to help you.

**firefighter** · 30th January 2009, 19:00

dude, get what ever bike you like the look of, people are about to bombard you with utter shite like "don't get a bike with fairings 'cause you will drop it", not true, you may drop it, but you probably won't, so honestly get what you want, if anything the fairings though expensive to repair will protect your engine to some degree....my first bike was a sports bike, never had an issue, if you have huge learning difficulties maybe a suzuki volty or the gn, otherwise I would'nt waste my time, the Intruder will probably suit you fine.....if your after speed at all then obviously a sports bike......

Either way, have fun with it, get some good gear as soon as you can afford it, and enjoy riding the bike that tickles your fancy....

My 2c I hope it's helpful!

**kiwifruit** · 30th January 2009, 19:04

welcome to the site

**Mom** · 30th January 2009, 19:07

Welcome to KB mate! Congratulations on your BHS too. All that is important is you find a bike that suits you, that you are comfortable on and that fits your budget. Nothing else matters at all. The Intruder is a cool little bike, but you may out grow it sooner than your license allows you to. Why does it appeal? Is it styling?

**kneebone** · 30th January 2009, 19:49

Originally Posted by firefighter

dude, get what ever bike you like the look of, people are about to bombard you with utter shite like "don't get a bike with fairings 'cause you will drop it", not true, you may drop it, but you probably won't, so honestly get what you want, if anything the fairings though expensive to repair will protect your engine to some degree....my first bike was a sports bike, never had an issue, if you have huge learning difficulties maybe a suzuki volty or the gn, otherwise I would'nt waste my time, the Intruder will probably suit you fine.....if your after speed at all then obviously a sports bike......

Either way, have fun with it, get some good gear as soon as you can afford it, and enjoy riding the bike that tickles your fancy....

My 2c I hope it's helpful!

thanks for the great advice brother, by the way what are fairings

**kneebone** · 30th January 2009, 19:54

Originally Posted by Mom

Welcome to KB mate! Congratulations on your BHS too. All that is important is you find a bike that suits you, that you are comfortable on and that fits your budget. Nothing else matters at all. The Intruder is a cool little bike, but you may out grow it sooner than your license allows you to. Why does it appeal? Is it styling?

yes I suppose it is styling, In all honesty Im torn between the cruiser and sports
presently, and Im impatient to get something quick before the wife vetos the idea, guess I need to test a drive few

**hayd3n** · 30th January 2009, 20:04

Originally Posted by kneebone

thanks for the great advice brother, by the way what are fairings

plactics everywhere on most sports bike (some fibreglass)
compared to naked sports or cruiser or motards

**Swoop** · 30th January 2009, 21:04

Welcome mate!
No such thing as a "girl's bike" or a "boy's bike". So long as it has 2 wheels everything is great!

**Pussy** · 31st January 2009, 07:22

Originally Posted by Swoop

Welcome mate!
No such thing as a "girl's bike" or a "boy's bike". So long as it has 2 wheels everything is great!

Too true! Welcome, kneebone... enjoy the motorcycling obsession, there is no known cure for it!!

**LardEmbargo** · 31st January 2009, 12:47

Originally Posted by kneebone

yes I suppose it is styling, In all honesty Im torn between the cruiser and sports presently, and Im impatient to get something quick before the wife vetos the idea, guess I need to test a drive few

definitely go and try sitting on some at the very least. You'll want to make sure you have a chance to find out things like "jeez this seat's uncomfortable", "wow, how does anybody ride with their feet all the way out the front there?" or possibly "arg my arms aren't up to all this leaning forward marlarkey".

It's going to be *your* bike so it also has to fit the picture you have in your head of what you kind of want to look like riding around on it. This is where the styling and your own personal idea about wot's cool come in more. It's still about being comfortable on it at the end of the day, although you might discover your first thoughts about what style bike you want don't actually suit you once you're sat on one, and you get to choose where you make the style/comfort compromise thing. If you find out you can't have exactly what you thought you wanted, then just concentrate on learning stuff, riding carefully, getting your Full and you'll instantly have a much bigger selection of bikes to choose from when you upgrade.

it's a bike anyway, remember. it's fairly cool by definition.