New to the bike scene.

[xploit]

hey guys,

Thinking of getting my bike license.

Now i dont know the first thing about bikes, but i want something with a little poke but not something thats going to kill me, dont want it to sound like a whistlie in a tin can either..

a mate recommended a Aprilla 125cc.. can anyone shed some light on this bike? or 125 in general..

id like to go for a 250 though, im only 19, what can i expect insurance wise $.. and whats bike rego cost you?

thanks for all your help

dave.

[`redoctober]

Dad will kill you.

Anyway, try some bike forums dave, look around at reviews and whatnot, use search button etc.

[xploit]

He wont know :D i wont keep it here...

[klink]

Hi Mate,

As you are keen to get a bike licence the first thing you have to realise is the bike isnt going to be the thing that kills you.

What will kill you will be yourself, i dont meant that in a bad way but you control the speed and the rate of acceleration.

As for what bike will suit you best, that depends on numerous things, height, weight, what sort of riding you want to do, as some 125's are very light and can get blown around alot. and some 250's can aswell.

first thing would be go and see a few bike stores and sit on a few and see what feels comfortable to you.
I wouldnt go spending heaps on a new 125/250 as eventually you will want to go bigger, so save your coin for that investment. As there is a good chance of you dropping it(i hope not but).

Put the extra saving into quality protective equipment, helmet, gloves, leather and boots.

Ring some insurance places and get quotes on a few bikes. i would assume you would be paying 1500+.

Best of luck with your decision, just remember you will never drive your car the same way after riding a bike, you'll be more aware of things around you.

[Boom]

I agree. Go find something thats not too expensive but fits you. After sitting on a few you will find what suits you better. Good luck trying to test ride. If a stay upright course isnt compulsory where you are, seriously consider doing one. When you are out riding just remember one thing....... everyone else on the road cant be trusted and their intent is to cause you damage. Trust only yourself. If you think this way you will tend to think ahead more and hopefully avoid an incident that shouldnt have happened anyway.

[Leroy]

Road bikes may kill you.........................ride in the bush.

www.dirtblokes.com.au

[gasguz]

hey guys,

Thinking of getting my bike license.

Now i dont know the first thing about bikes, but i want something with a little poke but not something thats going to kill me, dont want it to sound like a whistlie in a tin can either..

a mate recommended a Aprilla 125cc.. can anyone shed some light on this bike? or 125 in general..

id like to go for a 250 though, im only 19, what can i expect insurance wise $.. and whats bike rego cost you?

thanks for all your help

dave.

maybe a bike forum is the place for you to be asking these questions, not saying that no one on here knows about bikes (I have 2 of my own) you just might get the required info you are after quicker.

[VU_SS_UTE]

A shitty "have to ring its neck to move" 2 strock 125 Aprilia is probably the worst thing to get on, try something like the Hyosung 250s or even a not all out sports 600, like a 600 bandit or the naked Honda 600.

Personally I think 250s are the worst thing to learn on, cause they simply have NO power and you've too busy revving the tits off it and changing gears than actaully riding and being aware of whats around you. Something thats not a racer, but has a bit of power, and more importantly torque thats not in single figures would be the way to go

[Boom]

Dad will kill you.

Anyway, try some bike forums dave, look around at reviews and whatnot, use search button etc.

Read the top line. This is the bike section of the forum


maybe a bike forum is the place for you to be asking these questions, not saying that no one on here knows about bikes (I have 2 of my own) you just might get the required info you are after quicker.

same again

[xploit]

wow guys, thanks..

dont mean to be a smart ass but it is the motorbike section of the forum and considering i know absoloutely stuff all, or where to go, dont be too quick to jump.


as a learner im restricted to 260cc.. and i need my license so i dont want ot be caught riding a big bike.

[Boom]

A shitty "have to ring its neck to move" 2 strock 125 Aprilia is probably the worst thing to get on, try something like the Hyosung 250s or even a not all out sports 600, like a 600 bandit or the naked Honda 600.

Personally I think 250s are the worst thing to learn on, cause they simply have NO power and you've too busy revving the tits off it and changing gears than actaully riding and being aware of whats around you. Something thats not a racer, but has a bit of power, and more importantly torque thats not in single figures would be the way to go

Also depends on what the legal restrictions are where he is from. Long time since I was a learner but here if you had unrestricted car licence you were limited to I think 250cc. May be new formula for working it out now.

Go check out the bike shops and see what is around and try them out. Dont rush into it.

Most of all get something you will be happy with and go out and enjoy it.

[gasguz]

Read the top line. This is the bike section of the forum



same again

I was only pointing out that a bike forum would be more of a direct place to be, not a dedicated car site. If you want to find out about cats do you go to a dog site & ask the dog owners info about cats?? diff but the same :slap:

I was trying to offer advice, what is your post about??

[JezzaB]

Dad will kill you.

Anyway, try some bike forums dave, look around at reviews and whatnot, use search button etc.

Make sure you take some pics of when your old man finds out Rob :lol:

Jez

[Boom]

wow guys, thanks..

dont mean to be a smart ass but it is the motorbike section of the forum and considering i know absoloutely stuff all, or where to go, dont be too quick to jump.


as a learner im restricted to 260cc.. and i need my license so i dont want ot be caught riding a big bike.

Grab the yellow pages and cruise the bike shops. Ask questions. Most guys in bike shops are riders so you should be able to get some real help there. Plus there is usually the advantage of being a good cross section of bikes to try out. Then after you have decided what you like, check out the Trading Post or your local equivalent and see what you can do privately.


I was only pointing out that a bike forum would be more of a direct place to be, not a dedicated car site. If you want to find out about cats do you go to a dog site & ask the dog owners info about cats?? diff but the same :slap:

I was trying to offer advice, what is your post about??

ummmmmm this is a bike forum. Not a lot of activity but a bike forum nonetheless. Point taken that there are certainly better used bike forums around, but I have been able to offer some advice. Whether it is useful or not is a matter of circumstance.

[xploit]

exactly thankyou..

wasnt trying to be a prick.

just saying.


Oh btw im a big boy too, 95kg, 5' 10".. so i spose that does something too? i dont know

[gasguz]

exactly thankyou..

wasnt trying to be a prick.

just saying.


Oh btw im a big boy too, 95kg, 5' 10".. so i spose that does something too? i dont know

didnt have to try seems to come naturally LOL, try GOOGLE if you do not know where to start. While I acknowledge that this is in the "bike forum" it is a very small part of a CAR forum. I do understand that maybe 10-20% of people on here might own bikes, but if you went to a bike forum well there you would find 100% of users are into bikes who could answer your questions in a flash. This is what you get for offering advice..................

[Boom]

Okay. 95 kg aint that big but... Will see if I can be a little more helpful. You will need to go to the biggest legal bike you can otherwise you may get caught up being overtaken too readily uphills.
My personal suggestion would be to go for a Japanese 250cc bike. Preferably a bike with a more upright riding stance rather than cafe racer style riding. (hate the weight on the arms) Not up on the models these days, but something like the old Honda CB series may be the shot. Buy an old one as you will update later and the old ones just seem to go forever.

[Satansfist]

I gotta say it's been asked and answered before...and the best advice you get will be start your riding on the dirt, no ****wads in cars trying to kill you and you learn better bike control in a less dangerous environment.

[gasguz]

I gotta say it's been asked and answered before...and the best advice you get will be start your riding on the dirt, no ****wads in cars trying to kill you and you learn better bike control in a less dangerous environment.

more like keep to the dirt until you get experianced, nothing like a ****wad on a bike with L plates weaving through traffic & taking your side mirrors off on the way through.(speaking through experiance, had a Lplater on a 250 made to look like an 1100 come through while I was sitting at lights & well bammo)

Dirt is a much better place to start, dirt is not as hard as the road if you come off, plus you can go all out to find your limits

[Boom]

more like keep to the dirt until you get experianced, nothing like a ****wad on a bike with L plates weaving through traffic & taking your side mirrors off on the way through.

Dirt is a much better place to start, dirt is not as hard as the road, plus you can go all out to find your limits

Seen more ****wads in cars not see a bike than I have seen mirrors taken off. Cant remember how many times some idiot in their car didnt use their mirror (obviously dont need them cause they dont blo*dy use them.) and nearly wiped me out.
Can count exactly the number of mirrors Ive taken out. Zero.

Learning on the dirt isnt a bad idea, but doesnt always interest the rider.

Ive ridden both, had two bikes for a while, 1 for each. Now Ive settled for cruising the roads. May buy another chook chaser but not at the moment.

[gasguz]

Seen more ****wads in cars not see a bike than I have seen mirrors taken off. Cant remember how many times some idiot in their car didnt use their mirror (obviously dont need them cause they dont blo*dy use them.) and nearly wiped me out.
Can count exactly the number of mirrors Ive taken out. Zero.

Learning on the dirt isnt a bad idea, but doesnt always interest the rider.

Ive ridden both, had two bikes for a while, 1 for each. Now Ive settled for cruising the roads. May buy another chook chaser but not at the moment.

HA HA, I was talking about L plater riders with no skill, but then again if I am sitting on 80k in a 80 k zone, I would not expect a bike to be coming up on either side while I change lanes. I am a bike rider myself both road & trail so I know the pros & cons. I just cant see why bike riders do not have to follow the same rules as car users. My car can get up to the speed limit pretty quick also, but do you see me pulling infront of the slower car infront because I am quicker.

I will give you the details of the bike that hit me & you can speak to him to confirm it can be done..................

But at the end of the day as long as you get the info you need from these posts thats cool

[Boom]

Not saying that it doesnt happen, but by comparison it is a rare event.

Back to issue.

Need bike to learn on.

Advice so far.

Option 1 old Jap 250cc traditional riding position.

Option 2 learn to ride on dirt. Guess is may want registered bike so again 250cc.

Microsoft Notation.....................Was this information helpful to you?

[klink]

exactly thankyou..

wasnt trying to be a prick.

just saying.


Oh btw im a big boy too, 95kg, 5' 10".. so i spose that does something too? i dont know


I would also suggest checking with the state authority as sometimes give height and weight restrant you can sometimes get an exemption to have a bigger bike but it is govern by the power to weight ratio.

I believe that they have recently changed the laws in sa as to what you can and cannot ride but, you may be eligable for special circumstances due to weight.

If you are after some bike forums etc try
www.formula-extreme.com.au

they have a forum and a for sale section so someone on there may be able to help you out as alot of the guys there are into racing aswell and have a resonable knowledge of what is what.

[xploit]

Thanks guys! appreciate it.

and i really wasnt trying to be a prick, just seemed like you jumped at me for posting on a 'car' forum, even though its in the motorbike section, and considering ive had a bit to do with this forum thought it was a logical place to start.

bdzy88 - appreciate all your input!

Email sent to vicroads :D

[BLACKWAGON]

I had a 2stroke 250 used to go like hell for a small bike.
Absolute shite to ride on the road tho, they are made to rev hard, no bottom end. They can be pretty hard to ride if you are going up mountain windy roads etc, always have to have the revs right up to take off which means revving hard or being able to downchange 3 gears in a split second.
The aprillias are fast but If I bought another bike for the road......which I NEVER will, it would be a 4 stroke, less maintenance and much more bottom end and no whipper snipper noise. You can get a heap of roadbike 250s now, all imports that go pretty good and look the part. There are a few companies that will paint them to your liking bcs they do them up when the inport them, so u can order it.
Love bikes but dirt is the way to go, think of how many people cut u off and dont see you in the car............then imagine being on a bike trying to avoid it.

[XLR8 V8]

I was only pointing out that a bike forum would be more of a direct place to be


Who said this isn't a bike forum? www.netrider.org.au ;) :D

There used to be a dedicated bike forum at that address (also run by Sidey), but it has now been temporarily incorporated into this forum. Plenty of bike riders here.


bdzy88,
I would advise reading the other topics already posted in this forum, as 2 of them already offer up opinions on good learner/first bkes.

[xploit]

I did look, but i wanted more general info too and well just peoples opinions to be honest XL..

but yeah thanks guys! much appreciated.

bdzy88

[badgirlz]

From someone who works in a bike shop... not selling you a bike.. I agree with so far whats been said... Sit on the bike ... Is it comfortable ?
Test ride after you have done your learners ... Ride as many as possible !
Get to know resale values .. you won't have it long.. But if your in Victoria 250 cc will sell well because we all have to have one to get started. There are so many different factors to think about that you will have to try before buy.
I agree with an earlier comment on spending good money on your gear. One good set will last you years on your bike or bike's. Don't go cheep and have to buy again. Don't forget this stuf we put on helps to keep our skin on. And our heads together.
But someone else was right too 250's SUCK....

[ute469]

Hey i got a cbr 250 RR for sale, check in the for sale section

[klink]

more like keep to the dirt until you get experianced, nothing like a ****wad on a bike with L plates weaving through traffic & taking your side mirrors off on the way through.(speaking through experiance, had a Lplater on a 250 made to look like an 1100 come through while I was sitting at lights & well bammo)

Dirt is a much better place to start, dirt is not as hard as the road if you come off, plus you can go all out to find your limits

I understand your point of view. Ive been riding on the road for 17years, yes i may cut through traffic from time to time But what pi**es me off is the idiots in cars that are not willing to share the road.

I get tooted for not cutting through the cars at the lights all the time:

Is it cause they like my bike, maybe but i doubt it as they sit right on my arse. I pay my rego and have the same right to use a traffic lane.

So be mindful not all bike riders cut traffic.

Plus price parts for a bike, mirror etc, i'd pay to fix a car door and mirror than scratches to my bike, (has 5 fairings bottom 400 mid 400 top 700, mirror 110) so we do take care and if it happens it aint by choice

[VB2VT]

hey buddy if you in nsw you have heaps of options for what bike to buy, however should you be from the lesser states (bad joke!) then mayme consider the hyosong they are cheap, relatively new and are just japanese copies regardless or alternatively go with a honda cb250 or vtr250 (and i hate hondas) a cbr/rr and fzr/rr are too small for you so go with something more upright like the hondas, alternatively if you live for speed and corner speed at that get an rgv250 and dont use the brakes through corners! well sort of anyway, get the gears right and you will keep up with most riders even on the track! good luck man bikes are tops so enjoy, but dont pay too much for your first bike you will want something bigger in no time.. cheers

[pussysoldman]

Big boys look hillarious on small bikes, but I wouldn't worry cos you don't have to ride it for long..
Get a puttputt to learn on, and as someone else has mentioned, wait until you don't have cc restrictions, then buy something nice and big.
Also, bikes under 250cc used to be a fair bit cheaper to register, but don't personally know about insurance.
I learned to ride many years ago on a Honda XL250, then progressed to a
GPZ1000rx. Recently have done a bit of cruising on a mate's HondaVT750 Shadow, and I am now looking for a VTX1800

[nemesis5]

i just bought my first bike, the ever popular CBR250RR - lots of people suggested it around me (3 mates all had them as first/second bikes), but the more reading i did suggested get something without fairings, simpler, cheap crapper etc etc...which left me in a somewhat confused state to say the least. so i went and hired a Spada (cant get much more plain jane than that) and rode it for 5 days, then borrowed a VTR250 for a week afterwards before getting on my mates CBR for a few days following that to see what i liked.
CBR won hands down, it felt best, looked best, stopped and cornered best...i mean if you can get your head around riding as in controls, road position etc enough to get you to enjoy the bike for what it is - while you're on L's get something thats not going to bore you to death at least! the old CBR's or FZR's or TZR's or whatever are great fun for that and should help you learn to lean so by the time you're past P's you'll be much closer to getting that real bike and being able to actually ride it (instead of sit and steer it)....just my input (and a whole 1.5-2 months worth of riding experience, lol
:wave:

[mikey01]

Hey guys, I think the whole 250cc thing is a thing of the past as these two stroke rgv250 etc are actually faster then some 400cc and 600cc bikes out there. The RTA (I think) has addressed this by limiting the power allowed to 150 kilowatts / tonne.

There are also different rules depending on your age. If you are over 30 you are limited on power for your L's but once you have passed the P's test you can ride anything. R1s GSXR1000 etc.

My recommendation would be a KTM 525 with motards rims. They are learner legal and with a couple of mods go unreal.

Good luck with riding it is great fun...just remember bikes always come off worse in an accident.

Cheers

[old holden V8]

Hi BDZ88.

I have been riding for 25 years. I started out on a 250 road trail, but quickly progressed to an RD 250 yamaha (2 stroke) which was a great bike.

In Victoria we don't have LAM's yet (Learner approved motorcycles (soon hopefully!), where the power output & weight comes into play, so that cuts out the 'Hi Po' race replica 2 strokes. So things like 660cc singles are OK, HD 888's, that sort of thing)

So you need a 250. Do you like the 'cruiser' style? or maybe road/trail? or 'race' style? Like mentioned above by the bike shop person, test ride!

You will need to attend a rider training session, and a written test for your learners. Most places will hire you a bike to do that test. Later, after a predetermined time, you can attempt another practical test and then get a Probationary licence. You will find all the info is on the Vicroads web-site.

Get yourself all the gear. I recommend a synthetic jacket and pants. The sky is the limit for price so, again shop around. You need a good helmet (try a few on, as they are a little different in fit. Remember that it'll be tight at first, so allow for that.

Right. Gloves. 2 pairs, summer and winter. Boots - try a few on again, there are many styles to chose from. You can try Medal boots in Gertrude st for a pair of locally made top quality boots - pretty sure he still hand makes boots on a limited basis.

Insurance. Please read the existing thread - it'll cost you though!

It's also a good idea to get some sort of carrying system set-up. You might want to cart some stuff around. I use a tank bag, some use a back pack...but beware they can be very unsafe in an accident.

Try and take a bike person with you when you go shopping. Buying a bile is very exciting business, don't buy he first thing you see!

Lastly, bikes are *expensive* animals to run. Some spares prices will make you faint, that's if they have not become obsolete! (and I have talked about tyres)

They are very addictive. Once you have one, you'll always want one in the shed. I have ridden to WA/SA border for the weekend and home again in my younger days - 3 times plus numerous rallies.....

You really need to go on a Rally!

And remember. Watch out for those damn cars! You need to ride with a very defensive attitude on the roads nowadays.

I love bikes, what other road vehicle can you buy from the showroom floor and take to the track and turn out a 10 second 1/4 mile? Or the beautiful note of a Ducati? Or the chrome of a Harley? The cheekiness of a Vespa?


HTH

:-)

Laurie.