Learner bike

[bd-850]

im thinking of getting a bike just for a little run around.

What do you bike nuts recomend for a Learner rider.

my riding would be like 5 minute rides to work and sometimes a 2 hour ride back to my folks place.

[Rob_RA]

Ben do you currently have a bike licence? Not sure about NSW but in QLD bikes are restricted for new riders ie. engine capacity and power to weight ratio

[bd-850]

no, no licence. lol. yeah NSW has those laws, pretty much 250cc under.

i have minimul riding experiance, but can ride

[Rob_RA]

Pretty sure you can go up to 600cc for certain bikes in NSW as is dependent on power to weight ratio rather then engine capacity.

Depends what u mainly wnat it for something u sit upright on comfortable for long rides or more sports orientated wher you will be leaning forward a lot more with weight on your arms. Do you wnat a road bike or registerable trail bike for off road use as well?

[bd-850]

i like sports bikes, dad thinks a cruiser.

[SkitZaY]

Yeah, it's power to weight ratio.

Sport - Kawasaki Ninja 250R (new or old doesn't matter, both good bikes). I love Kawasakis, and as far as learner legal goes, they are my favourite bikes.

Cruiser - Always Liked the Yamaha XVS650A (IIRC, that's the classic) and the Hyosung GV650. The later is classified as 'cheap', however it doesn't cost as much as the others, and is still a good ride.

If you intend on getting a sport bike, 250CC is fine, however do not get that for a cruiser. It's so painful to ride.

[tryg]

Do some research under LAMS, its the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme..

I don't know your height, weight, general attitude, so cannot recommend a bike outright. There are three definite styles, cruiser, street bike and off-road/trail. All of these types have their own merits and failings.

I myself prefer nakeds over faired bikes, due to servicing ease.

Currently, 250cc bikes enjoy high resale, so that might restrict you (depending on finanaces). Also, check to see if you can ride without a trailing rider (in your state-under your permit restriction).

I would recommend doing training via a rider training scheme, like Stay Upright (NSW/ACT), M.E.T.A.L (NT) or Q Ride (QLD).

Often, when I have taught people (prior to LAMS) I have pushed them toward bikes that are cheap to fix (EL250 or CB250 or Honda Rebel 250) simply because there are loads of them and parts will be cheap if you come a cropper.

I hope you have lashed out some decent money on safety gear, remember a $100 helmet for a $100 head...

We must get about 30 new riders through my bike club a year, the common mistakes are vanity (must have something breaking sound barrier day one) and ignorance (these jeans are as good as your leathers for protection.. and gloves aren't cool) type of people.

I am not prescriptive-buy what you want, but suffice to say, I raced bikes and have the scars (even wearing full leathers) to prove that tarmac bites... whether at 50kph or at 160kph....

Happy to provide you with any advice about individual types of bikes, via PM if you want. I have an endorsement to teach riding and am the VP of a very large motorcycle sporting club. I have ridden just about every bloody bike you can think of...

Lastly, have a look at www.bikepoint.com.au as a good reference of information and bikes for sale. You can simply add what type, size etc and they will find the bikes in your area for you...

Good luck.

[tryg]

P.S. Nothing really wrong with Hyosung sports bikes.. they just copied Suzuki. Brakes would be compared as 'wooden' feeling, and the suspension is not as good. But an honest bike for the price.

That leaves you needing to ask the question, do you need a fancy bike to show off, or just a bike to learn on....?

[R4LLI4RT]

bikes are cool
cheapy bikes are the hyosungs
you can get the restricted 500cc model which is learner approved and mod the inlet so its a proper 500cc and no1 will know the difference !!!

[tryg]

Chris,
you're dead set right, because the earlier models are carby, so they use a restrictor plate between the carbs and the head.. bikes with EFI though, will be restricted via the body computer, which is not so easy to disable (infact most need to be replaced to achieve the fullest performance).

BTW, Hyosung only make 250 and 650 in their two-wheel bikes... but the principles you talk about are correct.

[R4LLI4RT]

in any case its a good first bike rto get --- drive it restricted and then when your ready unlease its full potential.

[bd-850]

Thanks guys, when the time come i will deff get training, (they do a day in Wagga)

I can get hold of a trail bike, XL175, which is what have have ridden a few times.

[Superintendent Chalmers]

The new Hyosung GT250R models have EFI and have fixed most of the problems that the old ones seem to have. (apart from the brakes and dead spot in 3rd) These bikes look the part and are bigger for people over the 85kg and 185cm. (nothing worse than seeing a 6 foot 3, 95kg guy on a Ninja 250. Looks like he is gonna swallow it. If you only want a run around Ben, then paying 7-8 grand is probably out of the question and to add on another 1 for all the safety equipment . (you could use that money on your car) but for other people looking at getting into riding, the GT250R is now a better built bike.

No, I don't work for Hyosung, and have not ridden the new model, but have ridden the old one and have read countless reviews from 'experts'.

[tryg]

I think a second-hand Hyosung, is a cheap way to get on the road, on a late-model bike. Good choice.

Soon you can graduate to a big-boy twin...

[bd-850]

would love an Aprillia RS125 or 250

one of the other bike i would like is Royal Enfield i know its not great but its an Vintage style bike, which i like also