Learning/bike advice etc.

[fetus]

Hello, I have searched the forum and haven't really found anywhere with the information I am looking for. If this is posted in the wrong area mods feel free to delete and advise on where I should have asked or can find the information. This is my first post here ever, however the introduction section didn't seem appropriate for so many questions.

I am looking to get my bike license and start riding and am looking for advice on a few things. I have never ridden a motorcycle however I have ridden what I assume was a 100cc scooter on christmas island (had no problem getting to 100 downhill and 80-90 uphill). I enjoyed this a lot and it is part of the reason I am looking to get my bike licence.
What I am looking for advice on is firstly what is a good motorcycle training school in the Rockingham area? I have come across bad car and truck lesson places before so would rather get advice first then waste money finding out where to learn through trial and error.
Secondly, I like how the ninja 250 looks, and have heard good things about them as a first bike, however I have never rode on one, so am wondering how does it rate as a first bike? and what other good options do I have for a first bike which is good for learning on.
Also unless I decide to sell my 300zx (would be a hard decision as I love my car) I will not be getting a bike until around this time next year as I will be buying a house before getting any debt from finance. So I can plan to have my licence on time how many lessons does it normally take someone who is very good at knowledge of and following road rules to pick up the skills to ride?
Also I would love to pick up a cheap bike to ride a lot sooner however even second hand bikes seem to all be 4k plus (with the exception of trail bikes etc) I am wondering why this is as with cars which cost a lot more from factory it is quiet easy to pick an old one up cheap.
I am planning on lurking the forum until I get my licence to learn as much about bikes and riding in the meantime.
Thanks for reading and again I appologise if I am posting this in the wrong section of the forum or if the answers are posted elsewhere.

[DreamTheater]

Welcome to PSB

I'm not from around the Rockingham area so I can't really suggest any local places there but if you have a look at this thread (Motorcycle Instructors v4) it has a list of instructors.

Alot of people like the Ninja as a first bike but your best bet is go test ride it & other bikes that you're keen on to get a feel for what you like better.

Keep the car, riding in the rain sucks especially on a smaller bike - if you don't have your own bike and practice in the carpark at 10pm like most people do it would depend on how quickly you pick it up, the more you read about it (road position, riding tips etc) the quicker you'll get it, I'd guess around 4-8 lessons to be able to confidently pass a test?

Keep an eye out on Gumtree & the for sale section here, some really good deals come up every now and again. Not sure about the price difference but bikes are built to a much higher quality than cars. I'd much rather be on an old 89 cbr250rr than in a VN commodore

[Drasius]

Welcome to PSB.

Can't help with places in Rockingham unfortunately.

The Ninja is a good place to start, have a look here; Two Fiddy in general, there's lots of threads for new riders and this one in particular; New to Riding? Looking for a 250? A guide for n00bs.. about what options you have for your 1st bike.

I would keep the car since while possible, it makes life much easier to transport stuff, especially shopping, around.

As for lessons, it varies wildly from person to person, some people take 3-4 lessons (usually if they've spent some time on dirt bikes beforehand), some take more than 20. Good roadcraft in the car, while a handy starting point, is still a long way off being good at roadcraft on the bike.

As for why most second hand bikes are more expensive than they should be, it's mainly due to the fact that you have to start out on a 250, so the decent 250's command a premium since you are fairly limited to a small selection if you want to start out. While it's a pain to start, you'll be thankfull when it comes time to sell yours for roughly the same price you bought it for. Keep in mind (and do some research) about LAMS, which is possibly coming in here in WA, changing the rules from a capacity limit (<250cc), to a power/weight limit (150kw/T IIRC) and a displacement limit (660cc, again, IIRC). It's still mostly 250's allowed, but there are some bigger bikes and some specifically detuned LAMS models which will suit bigger riders. Keep in mind, the newer LAMS models won't really have a sizable 2nd hand market, so they will be even more expensive than the selection of 20 year old 250s to start with.

Good luck and enjoy your time here on the forums. If you have a sense of humour, have a look for some of Robbo's posts/cartoons on new riders and bikes selection. Steer away from being trav-like and you'll be fine.

[scotch]

The Ninja gets lots of good reviews but each to their own i guess. I personally did not like the upright riding position of the Ninja. It looks like a sports bike but rides like a naked. You may like a sports bike for the looks but hate the riding position so get your leg over a few different bikes and that should narrow down your options fairly quickly.

There is no way of knowing how many lessons you will need before passing your test. Could be 1, could be 40. Only you and your instructor will be able to decide that.

I would say bikes are more expensive second hand as there is not as many of them around compared to cars so they hold their value a bit better than the average ford, holden, toyota, etc.

If you start doing lessons soon i can't see you being able to wait until next year for a bike. Once you get out there on 2 wheels most people are instantly hooked and need to ride every day.

Good Luck

[out_in_front]

You could always settle with an older ZZR / GPX 250 (same engine as the ninja) - models in really good condition can be had for about 2-2.5k.
In terms of the cost - if you use it for a decent commute on a daily basis you will save the amount to buy and insure it in fuel savings alone.

[BERT]

2k will get you a good condition reliable bike to learn on
Gpx 250

Sure I'm biased because I selling one but I can't see the value in spending big on a 250 when most people upsize as soon as they can

[emrys74]

what bert said you dont need to go nuts on your first bike just get something that is cheap and is tidy enough

think sunset is in rockingham works out of the suzuki shop on dixon road.

[envee]

Hi Fetus, welcome to PSB. I got my RE in Rockingham a week before Xmas. I had 2 double lessons with Darryl Gibbons from Motorcycle Training WA, then a lesson just before my test. Passed fine. A mate got his RE a month or so before me and he went with the guy based at the Suzuki shop in Dixon Road. Sorry, don't know his name but my mate said he was good too, only had a few lessons as well. I'd been riding a 50cc scooter to work so had similar experience to what you have got.

I bought a 2010 Hyosung Aquila, paid 4200 for it. It's a great bike to learn on, very easy to ride.

Cheers

envee

[Rorschach]

If you're dead set on the Ninja 250, John at Global Motorcycle Skills in Kardinya teaches on them. A guy on here put me on to them, got my first lesson at the weekend.
Might be a bit of a mission for you to get to though

[mantic]

CBR or Ninja if your a bit iffy on riding till your confident, good balanced bikes without the raw power of a 2T

2T if you think your a good enough rider Though most are getting rare, and require work.

I went straight to an RGV 250, then again I've been riding since I was 12, and I love the nostalgia of a GP bike

[Rorschach]

I just looked to see how much an RGV250 was.
Too much

[mantic]

I just looked to see how much an RGV250 was.
Too much

Where did you look?

There were some ones on ebay for 2.5k

Gumtree had some a few weeks back, also there is the Aprilia RS250 which is basically an RGV but with Aprilia suspension and frame

[Rorschach]

Where did you look?

There were some ones on ebay for 2.5k

Gumtree had some a few weeks back, also there is the Aprilia RS250 which is basically an RGV but with Aprilia suspension and frame

I had a look on BikeSales and they were around 5k. Havent looked for the Aprilia yet

[mantic]

I had a look on BikeSales and they were around 5k. Havent looked for the Aprilia yet

4.3k on there for a 95' Looked like Perth plates as well!

Just remember you will need to do your own maintenance, unless you have deep pockets It's like a dirt bike basically, financially and maintenance speaking.

[Rorschach]

4.3k on there for a 95' Looked like Perth plates as well!

Just remember you will need to do your own maintenance, unless you have deep pockets It's like a dirt bike basically, financially and maintenance speaking.

4.3k I dont have

[mantic]

4.3k I dont have

What "Have" you got to spend?

[tangoforsyth]

I just looked to see how much an RGV250 was.
Too much

But they are worth every penny

[Rorschach]

What "Have" you got to spend?

at the minute, nothing
Flights back to the UK and spending money are rinsing me of everything at the minute. I can't get a loan either as I'm only on a temporary visa

[filbert]

if the choice is between a 125 and getting out on the road or saving up for an indefinite period for a 250 then even i would have to go the 125, sure it might be slower but it's going to get you there quicker than the one you're saving up for


there are plenty of second hand scooters 50cc and up that can be bought cheap too, sure it's not really a motorbike but still good for building up road skills.

[connorling]

I would keep looking for a gpx and zzr250, they r cheap, everywhere (easy to find parts n find someone to fix), should never spend a lot for first bike as u most likely owe it for a year or so, y waste money on that? I always have Bo ideas y people buy the ninja , they worth 6k+