New to Riding? Looking for a 250? A guide for n00bs..

[Giant]

that was before i saw the GPX... Honda here i come!!

The old saying is very true ... "you get what you pay for"

[George3000ltd edition]

haha yerp true.. you will be buying a new bike... everything all fresh and clean.. no drops.. all purrdy.. even if it is all show and no go..

[Tom. A. Hawk]

LOL "all show no go" that is about right but that is not such a bad thing for a learner!!

I do see what you mean about the "go" in that it will sit on 100 easily but has nothing left if i deed to dash out of trouble but i don't plan on going on the Freeway often or during the busy periods.

I think this the perfect bike for me as it dosen't punish technical mistakes like accidentally over revving or down shifting when you wanted to shif up etc. As i have ADHD i will tend to make little errors like this forever, although they will reduce heaps as the processes become more automatic. (i STILL go to shift gears -when driving the car- for no apparent reason all the time even though i've been driving for years, i have no idea why. probably forget i'm driving lol, i'm sure it happens to everyone at least once in a while?).

[simso]

Of course i'm currently riding my friend's postie bike which has a top speed of 80

Nothing wrong with the old postie bikes Suzuki GN250, I personally believe that they are probably one of the best bikes to learn on, you outgrow them fast, but you can learn to ride a bike in under an hour using one.

Upright seated position, very light weight so easy to balance, small easy turning circle, low power so less worries for balancing accel and clutch for smooth gear changes, can do the speed limit, display that shows which gear your in, almost impossible to lock up, emerg stop easily in 6 metres, 30 kms to the litre, they tick every box for the learner.

Steve

[Tom. A. Hawk]

i'm on the Honda postie, ct 110. doesn't have a clutch and goes n 1 2 3 4 so can be a little nuisance when going between the postie and a "normal" bike. Otherwise yeah they are fantastic learner bikes except in the rain. no clutch means easy compression lock ups .

Oh and the top speed is 85 km/h downhill with a tail wind LOL

[kingm3]

THANKSSSSS SSOOOO MUUUCCCHHH !!!!
I see the world in colours now

[Thoth]

I like my cbr250r it the 89 model it has done 54,460kms,Has got enough power of 45Hp topspeed of 190kmh, well balanced, fells very light, good in bends. I payed $5,500 for it and i have had no major problems, I got it from motorcycles plus in kewdale they are realy helpful and know there stuff. The most important thing is that they care about you.
I have just had a accident and the bike is damage but i cant wait to get back on it.
Ride safe and enjoy life..

i checked that bike out when i was in there getting mine repaired a week ago. you werent by any chance the guy who traded a smashed up ZZR for it? apparently there was a lot of interest in that repsol, according to the counter gal

also you did well to get 5.5 for it, the label said 6k+ when i was checking it out but im assuming that difference accounts for the trade in, if that was you

[yackal]

Quick question, most 250's should comfortably do 100 down the freeway right?

[Barfrangipani]

yackal: yes, comfortably

[Goldmember]

yes they would but i dont know how cruisers would find it.

[yackal]

aw nuts, I was actually thinking about cruisers in particular. I've got my eye on a Suzuki Intruder...

[pley3r]

the 250 cruisers do it fine just get blown around a bit

[Jacko]

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-2R

Second Hand Value: $3500-$6500 depending on age and condition.

• • 4-stroke In-line four cylinder, DOHC, Liquid cooled, 16-Valve
  • Power: 45 hp (33.6 kW) @ 16000 rpm
  • Torque: 18.07 ft·lbf (24.5 Nm) @ 11500 rpm
  • Weight: 311 lb (141 kg)
  • Transmission: 6 speed
  • Fuel Capacity: 15L
  • Maximum Speed: 180-200 kmph

Other Notes

• ZX-250A: Sold from 1989 to 1991.
  
• ZX-250C: Sold from 1991 to 1999. Changes in bodywork, suspension, electricals, engine and carburettors. Increased in power from previous model and reduced weight. Also known as ZX-2R in Australia, of which was imported as metallic silver coloured import from Japan.
  
• There seems to be some discrepancies about the actual power that the ZXR250 makes, though the factory Kawasaki catalog claims 45 horsepower (34 kW), in some restricted models around the world 39 hp (29 kW) is correct. In this versions speedometer reads up to 180 km/h only.

Suzuki RGV250

• 249 cc, V-twin two-stroke
• Power: 65 bhp @ 10,500 rpm
• Torque: 39.00 Nm (4.0 kgf-m or 28.8 ft.lbs) @ 11000 RPM
• Weight: 139 kg (206 lb)
• Transmission: 6 speed
• Fuel Capacity: 16L
• Maximum Speed: 130mph, 210kmph

Other Notes

• This bike is for those riders who ride bikes for the thrill and not for comfort seekers. Optimum performance can only be achieved by experienced riders because of the engines narrow power band. This bike comes to life in the tracks where the motor is always revving inside the power band and the amazing sound from the 2-stroke engine easily differentiates the RGV from other sports bikes.
  
• All RGV250 models, with the exception of the Japanese domestic market's version (restricted to 40hp), make 50+ hp. The model designations are:
  
• * VJ21:1988-1990: quoted power; 1988=58hp, 1989=59hp (90° V-Twin, i.e. the space between the cylinders)
• * VJ22:1991-1996: quoted power; 1991=62hp (revised engine with more power, still 90° V-Twin)
• * VJ23:1997-1998: quoted power; 1997=70hp (from the very special 'SP' model (sports production) with new 70° V-Twin engine)

Suzuki GSX250F Across

• Production 1990-1997
• 4 Cylinders Four-stroke liquid-cooled DOHC
• Power: 40 (30kW) - 45 hp (34 kW)/ 14.500 rpm (crank)
• Torque: 25.5Nm @ 10.500 rpm
• Weight: 163 kg (359 Ibs) (dry), 183 kg (403 lbs) (wet)
• Transmission: 6 speed
• Fuel Capacity: 12L including 2L reserve tank
• Maximum Speed: 170 - 180 km/h

[lippy]

the cruisers do just fine on the freeway drive mine everyday on the freeway

[RA0]

aw nuts, I was actually thinking about cruisers in particular. I've got my eye on a Suzuki Intruder...

If you are looking for a cruiser in particular, look for one that is really heavy. I had a virago which is really bad under windy conditions and don't expect much speed out of it. Also owned a Hyosung Aquila, which was really heavy and served me well on the freeway and under windy conditions. Just look around and try a few before you make a move. You don't wanna buy something and then get stuck with it for a year before you upgrade.

[Nomadesque]

I had a virago which is really bad under windy conditions and don't expect much speed out of it.

That was my experience when I hired one for a trip down to Phillip Island a month or two ago. It didn't really like being revved and started to rattle around a bit at 100/110. I'm 6'3" and it felt a bit small and dinky between my legs.

I've recently picked up a 2006 VN250 Eliminator and it's superb for my current riding ability. I've ridden a mate's ZZR250 (sport bike) and the Eliminator feels closer to that than a Virago in terms of acceleration and where the power kicks in.

Having a sixth gear is definitely an advantage and seems to provide a bit more room to kick down to fifth at higher speeds and pull past people. I gave it a quick squirt on the freeway tonight and it still seems to pull fairly well (for a 250) at 110 in sixth.

It's also quite heavy and feels solid as a rock. My only complaint is the length of the foot pegs which touch down fairly promptly when cornering, but I'm sure that can be remedied...

[evilmart]

aw nuts, I was actually thinking about cruisers in particular. I've got my eye on a Suzuki Intruder...

I test rode one when I was bike shopping, it wasn't run in.. but I think with it's size, weight and power you should be able to do 100 kph on the freeway comfortably

Out of the 250 cruisers, considering value for money, it would have been my choice

[yackal]

cheers for the replies guys

[thro]

The 65hp claim for the RGV is a bit much. VJ23, maybe...

Not sure where that figure originally came from but 50 or so (at the wheel) is nearer the mark for a typical VJ22 that you can easily buy here.

[Jacko]

The 65hp claim for the RGV is a bit much. VJ23, maybe...

Not sure where that figure originally came from but 50 or so (at the wheel) is nearer the mark for a typical VJ22 that you can easily buy here.

Yer i just sourced it of a site. post up the real specs and ill change it. Just thought there should be more bikes on the list so people get a true perspective of whats out there.