best leaner legal 250?

[Capone_86]

Hi i'm new to the forum and just wanted to know anyones opinion on the best 250 for a learner. I have only owned dirt bikes before. I just got my licence and am looking to spend about 5 grand on a bike thet will be used mainly on weekends. I was looking at cbr 250's but was told they arent great. I'm also preety tall (6'3) so i want a bike that will be pretty comfortable. I live in SA and have heard that another bike i was looking at an Aprillia RS 250 is no longer legal for a learner in SA? Any info you could give me would be great... Cheers...

[Brazilian Rider]

If you're that tall the best option is the Hyosung GT250, mate. She's quite big and you can get an used one in decent condition for around 5K... Check the thread on Hyosung!!
Cheers.

[Capone_86]

Thanks mate, will definately check that out...cheers.

[vanda]

I would just go a CBR 250 as there are plenty of parts. I had a Ninja ZxR 250. It was a pretty good bike in terms of handling, but had heaps of issues. Pretty much 90% of 250 have gone down, so it's about finding one that's been repaired well and rides straight. From personal experience, I wouldn't splash out too much on it, and just start saving for a 600 or 1000cc.
Hope that helps.

[Smitty]

try the ZZr250...nice
or the GPx250

[OPPYLOCK]

If you have around 5k to spend it may be a good idea to invest some of this in a rider training course. Stayupright run them all over the place. Its a fun day, you're definately going to learn something you didn't know and it might even save your life one day.
The other thing is some good quality gear. Trust me its worth the money and you'll keep it for years.
OK i've done my concerned parent spiel, now to the bikes!!!
Of the 250's I can highly recommend the Suzuki Across as a great first bike. Four cylinder twin cam 16v engine that redlines at 17500rpm, sporty but comfortable, good brakes and best of all its got a glovebox in the tank where you can lock your helmet when you leave it. Would have to be one of the all time best inventions for a bike. You can pick up a later model fairly cheap these days. Great learning tool.
If I remember correctly they changed the rules for L and P platers a few years back whereby they upped the displacement limit to 600cc's but put a power to wieght ratio limit on all the bikes in this catagory. This banned the powerful 250 two strokes like RGV's but opened up to bigger lazy singles. A smart move IMO.
There is a learner approved list of motorcycles that you should be able find on the RTA site, or, do a search on LAMS (learner approved motorcycle scheme). Happy shopping and let us know your decision.
5K may stretch to a Ducati Monster 600!!!

[Avalanche]

My bro rides a bike home from work which is a kawasaki, i think it is a learner legal 500cc dakar type bike. good for cruising & dirt roads as well. very comfortable & according to him a very reliable bike. Suzuki makes one the same as well. Im sure that they may not be too far from 5 grand & u get a new bike.

[fyreblade2000]

I actually bit the bullet and bought my Honda VFR750 94 model. I thought rather spending 10 k on a brand new Babyblade, spend the extra grand and get the bike of your dreams.....

During my L's and P's I got pull over twice for RBT and the bastards asked for my license and they booked me for Riding a bike over 260cc and ...get this...booked me for not displaying my L or P Plates!!!.

Fortunately for me my bike points merged with my driver point and I got my full blacks in 12 months of my P's :p :p :p

I'm just tell you my experience getting my bike license.... I don't recommend andyone try it!!!!!!

fyreblade2000

[Smitty]

...snip..Of the 250's I can highly recommend the Suzuki Across as a great first bike. Four cylinder twin cam 16v engine that redlines at 17500rpm, sporty but comfortable, good brakes and best of all its got a glovebox in the tank where you can lock your helmet when you leave it. Would have to be one of the all time best inventions for a bike. You can pick up a later model fairly cheap these days. Great learning tool.!!

just thought I would add..that a few of my mates who thought the same about the Across
luvved the helmet storage..and it is a Honda!
and
after a month or two ...went blah:weirdo:
why?
they got sick of a bike that needs 13000
to leave the lights and has a powerband that
goes from 15000-17000:doh:
the Across also needs frequent servicing

they are cheap on the 2ndhand market though


hth

[BlownVR]

try the ZZr250...nice
or the GPx250
:yup: Have to agree with that advice, from personal experience with both.

[vanda]

Can see that you've been into dirt bikes. Can you re-build 2 strokes easy enough? If so, I would deffinatly recommend an RGV 250. Mufflers last about 15-20,000km, and it would be handy if you know how to change fork seals. They are one of the quicker and more enjoyable 250 to get around on.

[ACT_Cross8]

luvved the helmet storage..and it is a Honda!


You mean Suzuki :teach:

Of all the 250's I owned, my favourite was the RGV for enjoyment, but a prick of a bike around town. Most practical was the GPX. I never owned one of the 4cylinder 250's, one ride was enough not to. I cringed every time the tacho went past 15,000rpm.

If I was buying a 250 now that was learner legal, I would look at the VTR, nice v-twin, looks pretty cool.

[OPPYLOCK]

just thought I would add..that a few of my mates who thought the same about the Across
luvved the helmet storage..and it is a Honda!
and
after a month or two ...went blah:weirdo:
why?
they got sick of a bike that needs 13000
to leave the lights and has a powerband that
goes from 15000-17000:doh:
the Across also needs frequent servicing

they are cheap on the 2ndhand market though


hth
After owning one for two years I think I may have noticed if it was made by Honda. Its a Suzuki. The bikes proper name was GSX 250R.
I agree it doesn't make big power and it is quite high up in the rev range which is what makes makes it a great bike for a first timer looking to get some skills. You have to learn how to ride before you can get the most out of it.
What people want and what they actually need are often two different things. I've spent a hell of a lot of time and money finding this out myself.

[Capone_86]

THanks for the feedback guys...As for getting a Dakar type road trail I'm not really interested as I already own a CR250 for off roading. I have been riding dirt bikes for about 5 years but only just decided to get a road bike (mainly cause of petrol prices). Never thought to look at GPx250 and ZZ's but i will now. Kind of leaning towards a Suzuki GSX250 F Across after going to look at one and taking it for a ride. Found a 95 model with 20k k's for 4 grand. Preety happy to spend that much as i'll probly only keep the bike for a year until i can get a bigger one...So i can get a list of learner legal bikes form the rego office? Is it online at all?

[OPPYLOCK]

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/tests/motorcycleridertrainingscheme/motorcyclesnoviceriders.html
I have not posted a link before so I hope the one above works for you.
If not do a search on LAMS.
By the way what colour Across are you looking at? I know they made a maroon, two tone grey and a pretty hideous torquise and orange!

[kingwalker]

you dont have to have a 250 no more ,ducati 600 ,yamaha v star 650, hysong 650 and a few others come under lam laws (learner approved motorcycles) go talk to bill at bills in the city,or doug pitman at pitman yamaha

[Capone_86]

the across i was looking at was maroon but got kind of turned off it after hearing some bad things bout the handling etc..went to bills in the city and had a look at both a 2000 FZR250 with 23,000 kays for $4,990. and a 99 ZZR 250 with 30,000 kays for $4000 both nice looking. Also went to Bolton's Kawasaki and they have 06 model GPX 250's brand new for $5,990...which way would you guys go of the three bikes?

Are Ducati monster 600's actually legal in SA as a learner? a couple of you said so but on the LAMS website it doesnt have them listed..The only ducati 600 ;isted is the SL 600 Pantah???

[bambam]

Personally I like the idea of a Factory Warranty. That leaves one in my book. It all depends on how much your willing to pay, how much you like the bike and the dreaded insurance premiums.....

[OPPYLOCK]

The duke monster is legal, its listed as M620ie lite. I think it was about 01 when ducati upped the displacement of the 600 to 620cc and it also copped fuel injection. The lite model was designed due to the new LAMS laws which cut power back to 24kw and made it learner legal. From what I have heard you can get over this power retriction with a simple throttle mod.
Only problem is there probably aren't heaps around and you'll pay about 6-7k for one. On the up side it will probably satisfy your needs a bit longer than a 250.
Good luck!

[genb]

suzuki rgv 250 if you can find an unraced one

[Smitty]

suzuki rgv 250 if you can find an unraced one


...not learner legal in Vic (and also NSW I think)
not sure about elsewhere
(also applies to the Kwaka KR1S)

and why not...???
they are lethal..racebikes with power to weight much
better than some 600cc bikes


hth


You mean Suzuki :teach:



I do ..I did
thanks
case of fingers slower than the brain.... :lol: