Motorbike Buying

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Originally Posted by reubsrover

Finally I'm after something classic that is easy to work on and has an enthusiast base and available parts

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This is going to be a problem. Most non Japanese "classic" (read, older) bikes are not exactly going to be up there in the reliability stakes, and parts prices may be a tad scary too.

Someone mentioned Laverda. These are BEAUTIFUL bikes, with amazing engineering, which you should avoid like the plague.

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Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Buy a bit of quality not pressed sheet metal, cardboard, planned obsolescence, and overpriced spare parts from the Orient. Look at a Guzzi, BMW, Triumph, Laverda, MV, Cagiva.

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ha ha it was Brian who mentioned Laverda.
Mmmm Guzzi.... mmmm.....

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Originally Posted by TerryO

At the risk of having Vlad put **** on me again for mentioning this brand, bang for your buck it is hard to go past a new Hyosung

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No risk mate, an absolute certainty.
http://gorlackers.files.wordpress.co...2/poo-pin2.jpg

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Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

A mate has a very nice 1988 Moto Guzzi Lario Sports 4 valve available. It is lams approved. I will pm you his contact details if interested. Bike is in Brisbane.

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Like this ?
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...011/03/417.jpg

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Originally Posted by Nero

Personally I wouldn't recommend a cruiser as a learners bike the seating position and peg position do not allow for good control when learning this is not helpful. They also tend to have short travel suspension so they achieve "the look" which when travelling on backroads is not helpful to anything.

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Rubbish. Well, partly. There are a huge number of cruisers and some (eg the Guzzi California) handle very well thanks.
Sadly none of these bikes are LAMS approved.

Looking at the approved list
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/...ist_110201.pdf

the things that appeal might be
Aprilia: Pegaso
BMW: F650, G650
Cagiva: Canyon 500 / 600
Ducati: Monster 600, M620ie LITE


THese are just the ones I'd personally consider. You need to first decide what STYLE of bike you want.

Don't discount the Japanese offerings there is a lot of value to be had in 2nd hand Jap bike, good build quality (usually) and easy parts availability. In fact being realistic - hard to go past for a first bike.

My first bike was a Honda CD250. Twas a good little thing but not so much on teh highjway !

I should also mention that I'm after something around the 3 grand mark so this may rule out the BMW although it does look like a very nice bike...
and as for sitting on 80kmh well yes in NSW I'll have to but I also spend a bit of time in Vic where Learners aren't speed restricted.

Thanks for the input so far...plenty of suggestions...a great starting point for my research.

My two bobs worth...

- stay away from R.E. or korean bikes, unless you want to spend half your time on the side of the road. Any perusal of bike forums will confirm this.

- as far as LAMS cruisers are concerned, they are very nice (Yammy's at least) but they do struggle on the MOST test in regard to the cone weave and u-turn...fact.

- stay away from grey imports, which are often flogged through "Learner" world type dealers. They are usually bitzas taken from various bikes of the same model to make a complete bike. They have no service history.

- You will be very lucky to get an adventure tourer at that budget. As far as cruisers on that budget, you are looking at the older 250cc Yamaha Viragos, Hondas and Suzukis style cruisers.

- Do you want to be bent over like a pretzel on a sports/sport tourer? Possibly not if doing big highway kilometres. If you like a classic style, I would be inclined then to look at naked bikes. More upright, yet have that kind of cafe racer type look. In your budget, you are probably looking at the Honda VTR (again 250cc range due to your budget). It has an external trellis frame, which gives it that Ducati type look. It is easy to ride, stable in traffic and is comfortable on trips. Similar to this:

http://www.motorsports-network.com/h...ls/vtr2502.jpg

The Japanese bikes should not be overlooked...yes they are everywhere, but that means parts are plentiful and servicing is cheaper.

For ****s and giggles, you could always go a 2 stroke Aprilia 125...learner legal and they go like the klappers :D

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Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Buy a bit of quality not pressed sheet metal, cardboard, planned obsolescence, and overpriced spare parts from the Orient. Look at a Guzzi, BMW, Triumph, Laverda, MV, Cagiva.

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Brian, I think you may be out of touch.

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Originally Posted by JamesH

I was disappointed not to see the Kawasaki W650 on that list, looks like it will have to be W400. .

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Yes, would have thought the W650 would be there. I quite like the look of that bike - British style without the oil leaks and poor build quality!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...011/03/427.jpg


I'm afraid your limited funds does put a damper on our spruiking of various bikes..... :D

...otherwise I'd also suggest the Suzuki SV650U (it might be possible to derestrict it). The 650 twin is not bad. I have much the same engine in my DL650 V-Strom and it's great to ride.

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Originally Posted by p38arover

......British style without the oil leaks and poor build quality!

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There is nothing wrong with oil leaks, British bikes are like a LR on 2 wheels :D

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Originally Posted by Chucaro

There is nothing wrong with oil leaks, British bikes are like a LR on 2 wheels :D

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The poms invented the oil leak. Rolls Royce developed it into an art form.

[QUOTE=p38arover;1449221]Brian, I think you may be out of touch.



/QUOTE]


No, I am not. I am heavily involved in the motor cycle collecting and restoration hobby. I am one of the principal suppliers of special purpose tools to the hobby. I supply rare, obsolete, hard to find, and "no longer available" taps and dies plus a broad range of engineer's cutting tools and other items used by restorers. I have seen plenty of Jap Bikes with the pretty bits stripped off and seen how cheaply many are made under the facade. I am also aware of the ruthless obsolescence policies as regards supply of spare parts after 8-10 years of the principal Jap makes and the staggering prices of their parts. USA after-market suppliers are the way to go for bits.


I surely don't like the dog rooting a bowling ball riding position of many current bikes. Could not possibly be comfortable for more than half an hour.

You are certainly getting some good suggestions on what type of bike, but by far the most important thing you should do for your safety, is to book into an accredited advance riders course as soon as you can . I rode a bike for work most days for 24 years, only a CT110, we had to attend a course every two years, and it never ceased to amaze me the bad habits we all picked up in that time.The course is worth every penny, you have only one life.Bob

One bike that is very good, is the NTV650 Revere, very reliable, easy to ride, comfortable and good value for money.

Baz.