** LAMS / Learners Bike Discussion **

[Zdster]

did you get a bike mike??

Had one for a while George . Send me a PM.

[Nax]

does anyone know what the protocall is like at motorbike dealers for test rides, cuz im literally going to go direct from my license course to the shop, im just a bit afraid to drop it or something and end up paying bux for it. but how else do they expect learners to try out the bikes? do they have a beaten up one or?

[Zdster]

does anyone know what the protocall is like at motorbike dealers for test rides, cuz im literally going to go direct from my license course to the shop, im just a bit afraid to drop it or something and end up paying bux for it. but how else do they expect learners to try out the bikes? do they have a beaten up one or?

Most shops wont let you test ride - its like your learners on your car. Best bet is to take a mate who rides to take it out for a spin and make sure it is mechanically alright. You can then just sit on it and make sure you are comfortable.

The other point is, as a learner there isnt to much point in you taking the bike out anyway as you dont have any experience and dont know what to look for (in terms of handling etc).

Best bet is to sit on a few bikes, find the one that is most comfortable, you like the looks off and suits your purpose. Then find a second hand one or new and get a mate who is into bikes to test ride it and check it out. If you need further evidence that it is mechanically ok, lots of shops do inspection work so just find somewhere good.

[Nax]

im the only one of all my mates who rides i dont even know an aquaintance who rides lol. i more just wanted to see wat the diff was between something like a cbr125, a cbr250 and posibly a vtr250 or even a cruiser on the road, ive only done dirtbikes,snowmobiles, atvs etc, so im not sure what to expect, and i dont want to get stuck with something that feels like a moped on the road.

yes im aware there is advice on here to say wat they are like, but as i say to clients, paper means nothing till u actually sit in it and drive it

[Zdster]

im the only one of all my mates who rides i dont even know an aquaintance who rides lol. i more just wanted to see wat the diff was between something like a cbr125, a cbr250 and posibly a vtr250 or even a cruiser on the road, ive only done dirtbikes,snowmobiles, atvs etc, so im not sure what to expect, and i dont want to get stuck with something that feels like a moped on the road.

yes im aware there is advice on here to say wat they are like, but as i say to clients, paper means nothing till u actually sit in it and drive it

I think you will find it hard to find a dealership who will let you test ride.

IMO the best thing to do is what I have stated. Find a comfortable bike to sit on. Do a fair bit of reading about the differences between the 125 and 250. The thing to remember is that neither bike is particularly quick (from a bike sense), but the 250 is going to be a lot less like a scooter than the 125.

IMO the vtr250 is the best of the ones that you have listed - it has the best all round handling, power and versatility for a learner. There is a reason that so many people choose to learn on one.

I think you were looking at buying new wernt you? While I dont think this is the best option for a learner, it will save on getting the bike checked out and you can buy of the dealership floor.

[Nax]

ide look at buying from a dealer either way, new or used, a 125 ide probably go new as they are already cheap and off the floor, a vtr is a bit dearer so ide prob look at buying used. is a cbr 250 gonna be a similair ride to the vtr? the look is growing on me for the vtr but i dont know if i can justify in my mind spending 6-8k on a bike im not really too flash on visually ya know?

[Type R Positive]

you will regret a 125.....

[Nax]

well the thing is i have a 7k a year car pack thro work, so i dont want to spend more then that (would like to have it completely paid off by the end of the year next year to upgrade to bigger bike on fulls) so if i get a vtr im gonna be really tight on buying gear and insurance for it, insurance im looking at around 1300, so that gives me just under 6 to spend sorta deal

[Zdster]

well the thing is i have a 7k a year car pack thro work, so i dont want to spend more then that (would like to have it completely paid off by the end of the year next year to upgrade to bigger bike on fulls) so if i get a vtr im gonna be really tight on buying gear and insurance for it, insurance im looking at around 1300, so that gives me just under 6 to spend sorta deal

You will be able to pick up a good used vtr for about $5k. Look around on bikesales (just be careful as there are lots of nigerian scammers on there) and go and check it out. When you find one that you like ask them if they can drop it off to a bike shop (if you are in Melbourne I would recommend one) for them to do a look over on it.

As Type R said, I think you will quickly get over a 125 unless of course you are only using it for daily commuting through the city where its size makes it slightly better.

[Zdster]

ide look at buying from a dealer either way, new or used, a 125 ide probably go new as they are already cheap and off the floor, a vtr is a bit dearer so ide prob look at buying used. is a cbr 250 gonna be a similair ride to the vtr? the look is growing on me for the vtr but i dont know if i can justify in my mind spending 6-8k on a bike im not really too flash on visually ya know?

Two things. I wouldnt get a learner second hand bike through a dealer - there are lots out there in private hands and will be a lot cheaper.

The second thing is that for most people you are only on a learner bike for the year before upgrading. Look at practicality first IMO and then consider looks. Its almost like saying I need a four door car for work, but I dont like the look of them so I will get a two door . . .

[Nax]

fair call on that one. the other reason im leaning towards a dealer is because working for honda, i will probably be able to get a good deal, and because its packaged with work i will need to do finance (and after the whole car finance b.s. ide rather just make it simple and quick, spent two months trying to find soemone who would help me, and in the end no one would) is a CBR250 out of the question here? i know its a bit odler but if i can find one with low k's are they half decent or am i best off just getting a vtr, and is there a sport front for the vtr like on the zeal? thanks for all the help guys, god i love OH

oh and its gonna be mostly for the commute, but i do do a fair bit of crusiing and driving (specially if im gettnig my confidence on the bike up ill be doing lots of around driving)

[Zdster]

fair call on that one. the other reason im leaning towards a dealer is because working for honda, i will probably be able to get a good deal, and because its packaged with work i will need to do finance (and after the whole car finance b.s. ide rather just make it simple and quick, spent two months trying to find soemone who would help me, and in the end no one would) is a CBR250 out of the question here? i know its a bit odler but if i can find one with low k's are they half decent or am i best off just getting a vtr, and is there a sport front for the vtr like on the zeal? thanks for all the help guys, god i love OH

oh and its gonna be mostly for the commute, but i do do a fair bit of crusiing and driving (specially if im gettnig my confidence on the bike up ill be doing lots of around driving)

Have a search on www.netrider.com.au and see what they think as well.

If you are sticking to a Honda, as I have said before, I would be looking at a VTR - will be newer, wont have the hassle of if it is an import etc, will more than likely be cheaper, dont have the issue of fairings, if you do drop one finding parts shouldnt be a problem, lots of good ones on the market etc etc.

Cant you just get finance through Honda HQ and then find the bike you are after or does finance have to come through a dealership?

Not sure if there is any other front ends around, but you could always strip it back further and make it a street fighter . Personally I wouldnt worry about the looks - I still have a GPX (which is ugly as sin) that I get around on to commute and as I like to say the rider makes the bike .