Cruiser or sports?

[MVnut]

get the honda v-twin not a crewsa

[crashe]

Cruiser.

There ya go, just go and buy a cruiser...... all sorted.

Now which one......... well what can I say.

VIRAGO

PS: Go around the bike shops and sit on a few 250's and get to see what you both like...

Oh yeah and welcome to KB.

[MrMeow]

on a completly unrealated note....what do you guys mean when you talk about chicken strips on your bike???

[carver]

Hey all.
Im on to my learners. (yay!) and now in the market for my first bike.
I managed to convince my father (50) to get his licence too and we are going halves in a bike.
Now we just have to sort out the dilema of getting a bke that suits both our tastes, budget(4k) and ability(none).
We both have no experience biking so it needs to be a easy bike to ride, with a bit of gusto for when we get a bit more experienced.
Im leaning towards a sports bike like an nsr250 but my father wants to go for a cruiser more like a gn250.
Can you guys reccomend a good sports/crusier bike to get?
Thanks all

EDIT: i have tested a couple of bikes FXR 150, RG 150, Gn250, an old gsx 250. We probably want a four stroke as the powerband on the RG was a bit intimidating for a learner like me.

thought of a trail bike?
if ya old man is 50 i think a nsr will kill his wrists and the maintenance will kill your wallet.
the biggest problem with cruisers is that they are inherintly GAY.
you could try a naked bike, the new yamaha scorpio is supposed to go well, pm waylander, he has ridden one, (dont tell him what i said about cruisers though! (lol))

[Mr. Peanut]

on a completly unrealated note....what do you guys mean when you talk about chicken strips on your bike???

Unused tyre on the edge, it's a gauge of how far the bike is being leaned over.

[sels1]

As suggested above - The Hyosung Comet 250 vtwin is a good learner bike - there is a few coming up 2nd hand now and there were only $5-6 new so you should find one in your budget. And the new Yamaha 225 looks easy to ride - I have only had a sit on one but looked like fun - and only $3700 brand new.
The idea of a street legal trailbike is also good. You can take it to a park/paddock/beach and muck around learning some riding skills knowing if you drop it, it wont hurt you or the bike much.

[Lteejay]

What hXc said. You say you were intimidated by an RG150. Nothing wrong with that, props for recognising that it's a learning experience. But the NSR250 is many times the intimidation of an RG150. After 40 years and a LOT of experience of two strokes, I'd have no worries about jumping straight on an RG150. But I'd approach an NSR250 with respect and caution.

Stick to 4 strokes, the 250 two smokers are NOT a beginners bike. Yes , I know there are people who have done it and survived. Those who haven't don't write in with their experiences.

So anything like a FZR, FXR, GSX, GPX etc?????? Lookin to buy myself and dont want anything to grunty. What do you think- would prefer a sports rather than a naked.

[hXc]

So anything like a FZR, FXR, GSX, GPX etc?????? Lookin to buy myself and dont want anything to grunty. What do you think- would prefer a sports rather than a naked.

Why? A naked is a lot cheaper to fix when the noob stuff happens, and a lot sexier.

I'd have it a guess that any naked you throw at any of those bikes, could easily keep up/beat* any of them. The only one that would give me any touble on a straight, would be the FZR, and that's because it would keep pulling when mine is struggling, but that's an engine thing, not a style.

*Depending whether the said naked is a 4cyl, or twin.

[Mr. Peanut]

So anything like a FZR, FXR, GSX, GPX etc?????? Lookin to buy myself and dont want anything to grunty. What do you think- would prefer a sports rather than a naked.

You want something cheap to fix. If you got a GPX, parts would be readily available. It's just a wee charmer of a bike.

[davereid]

QUOTE MrPeanut : That said, if you can get a multipurpose bike (trailbike with lights) go for it. Once you get into motorcycling more, you'll realise what a good idea it was; and when you upgrade to a bigger bike, you'll have a handy traily.

I couldnt agree with you more MrPeanut !

Regardless of your future choice of cruiser or sports bike, most of us like to have a dual purpose bike in the shed.

- The 200-250CC versions are capable of open road speed limits so you can go for rides with your mates.
- They get 75 mpg, so are cheap to run.
- They make great commuters - even better than the so called commuter bikes, as you are higher and can see more, bigger wheels and better suspension help you out when you hit that pothole.

And then you get the bonus - learning riding skills off road, on the beach, or on an organised adventure ride.

Even after you pass your licence, and get a bigger bike, you'll always be happy to grab you old trail bike and zap down the shops, or off to work while your bike bike is being serviced or whatever.

BUY A DUAL PURPOSE BIKE !

[Ixion]

So anything like a FZR, FXR, GSX, GPX etc?????? Lookin to buy myself and dont want anything to grunty. What do you think- would prefer a sports rather than a naked.

I am a believer in the philosophy that a learner's first bike should be just that. A bike to LEARN on. The simpler the better. And if after three months you can ride it to its limits, then upgrade (and forward your name to the factory GP team maangers. Cos anyone who can ride any bike to its limits after 3 months, or 12 for that matter, is the next Rossi)

I'd suggest sticking with a naked for the early days. Odds are you may drop it - not a proper crash, the typical newbie "incident' is a low speed thing at about 10kph. But even 10kph can do a $1000 worth of damage to a faired sports bike. I've seen quite a few people get put right off after a minor off because it costs so much to repair and even after they repair it they are too scared of a repeat.

And I second everything that has been said about the chook chasers. The 150-250cc trailies have to be the most underrated learner bikes around. Get one of those and LEARN TO RIDE IT and you will run rings around the posers on the 4 cylinders. And have the bonus of a whole world of fun they don't even know exists. It's our best kept secret the world that starts where the seal ends. (yes , you CAN go there on a road bike, even a sprots bike - IF you have the skills. But we talking learners here)

[Lteejay]

I'd suggest sticking with a naked for the early days. Odds are you may drop it - not a proper crash, the typical newbie "incident' is a low speed thing at about 10kph. But even 10kph can do a $1000 worth of damage to a faired sports bike. I've seen quite a few people get put right off after a minor off because it costs so much to repair and even after they repair it they are too scared of a repeat.

Thank for the advice Ixion - makes sense. Hxc mentions 4 cyl or 2 cyl - whats better for newbie?

[hXc]

Thank for the advice Ixion - makes sense. Hxc mentions 4 cyl or 2 cyl - whats better for newbie?

I prefer twins, but it's a personal choice.

Twins have low down torque, therefore are generally quick off the mark if you know how to. But their power starts to slowly drop, where a 4cyl will keep pulling. I would suggest a twin, but other would suggest a 4cyl, so I don't really know.

[carver]

I prefer twins, but it's a personal choice.

Twins have low down torque, therefore are generally quick off the mark if you know how to. But their power starts to slowly drop, where a 4cyl will keep pulling. I would suggest a twin, but other would suggest a 4cyl, so I don't really know.

yeah, me likes twins and singles...a inline 4 just feels too smooth, and i dont like the power delivery.
GPX is a good one,as is the comet.
for the first bike man, fuck the looks,get something practical.

[Hellraiser]

My 50 Cents

MOTARD