Thread: Motorbike Buying

Forget classic.

Your age? I ask 'cos I'm of an age (and waistline) where crouching over a tank is no longer comfortable. It's also hard on the wrists.

You are limited to LAMS bikes of up to 660cc. You could buy something which could be derestricted after you get your full bike licence.

Depending on your height I suggest one of the larger, i.e., 500-650 bikes that will continue to do service after you get your licence. A small 250 gets a bit tiring after a while. For example, look at the Suzuki GS500F (faired) or GS500 (naked) - a popular bike with novices and can be ridden long after you get licenced.

See also Approved motorcycles for novice riders

A used BMW R850R will be my choice, is a very well balanced bike and will be good for long trips as well.

Originally Posted by Chucaro

A used BMW R850R will be my choice, is a very well balanced bike and will be good for long trips as well.

It's not approved for learners. Too big an engine.

any thing from the honda or kawa retro style would be my choice , my self i ride a kawa er5 (500cc)

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.

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 650 which is a LAMS approved bike, either the sports model or the conventional model which is cheaper are both good.

I would not buy one older then a late 2009 as the new models are far superior to the older models with better fuel injection and brakes etc. These bikes also handle very well for what is considered by many as a cheap manufacturer.

Right now the new bike market is flatter than a pan cake with new bike sales down around 40% since the beginning of the GFC so go and haggle a really good deal, you will be very surprised at how much of a discount you will get. If a bike shop won't haggle just ring around until you get a really good deal.

Right now the new bike deals are to good to ignore plus you get warrenty, purchase price includes stamp duty and 12 months rego which needs to be added on when you buy a second hand bike and you won't need to buy new tyres or chains and sprockets that often are worn out.

Good luck.

cheers,
Terry

Originally Posted by TerryO

At the risk of having Vlad put **** on me again for mentioning this brand,
Terry

Originally Posted by p38arover

Forget classic.

Your age? I ask 'cos I'm of an age (and waistline) where crouching over a tank is no longer comfortable. It's also hard on the wrists.

You are limited to LAMS bikes of up to 660cc. You could buy something which could be derestricted after you get your full bike licence.

Depending on your height I suggest one of the larger, i.e., 500-650 bikes that will continue to do service after you get your licence. A small 250 gets a bit tiring after a while. For example, look at the Suzuki GS500F (faired) or GS500 (naked) - a popular bike with novices and can be ridden long after you get licenced.

See also Approved motorcycles for novice riders

Well I'll have to forget it if there's nothing classic that's appropriate and from the responses it seems that way.

As for age I'm a skinny 22 yr old