Newbie bike advice sought

Hi All,

Yep, I'm another newbie, only just received my Learner's permit last
week. That means I have to choose between a chook-chaser (eg. SL250)
or something more geared towards the road (eg. GPX250R). Now, which
will it be? .

Better supply my vital statistics first before I seek answers: I'm
over 40 y.o., about 5'10" and about 67kg (I used to race bicycles,
which is what has attracted me to motorcycles now).

I live in the Adelaide Hills and the way home involves a few kms of
winding, steep road with posted speed limits of 80km/h. I will mostly
use it to go to work (on sunny, dry days when the temps are just right
) and weekend bashing about but wouldn't be dependent on it as I'm
also a cage driver.

I've seen from other posts that the GPX250R is generally endorsed as a
good newbie bike and also for those with some experience. The
versatility of an SL250 does appeal to me though (and its simplicity)
so any persuasion or thoughts regarding one or the other would be
appreciated!

Also, anyone have any idea what sorts of money we're talking about to
insure say a GPX? I have a Rating 1 for cage driving, but not sure how
much that will help regarding bike insurance. Do insurers insure
riders with "L" plates?

Many thanks for any comments (of any kind)!

Cheers,
Nicholas

 

Nicholas

In the tight, twisting steep adelaide hills, both would be versatile, good
handling bikes. With the lower gearing, the SL might have a edge in
acceleration when things are getting steep, but as with all things, it
depends on what you find most comfortable and what your riding style is
like. A road biased set of tyres on the SL would give you a nimble little
machine.

It really is splitting hairs ultimately, what is good for one rider is not
for the next, so take all our comments with that in mind, I haven't even
ridden an SL so wouldn't know if they're a good bike or an undersprung,
horsepowerless bucket.

Stuart T

 

Best advice is to ride them all, don't exclude anything. Go with what fits
you best. Some have got harder seats, more upright seating positions etc.
Buy some good protective gear, and remember it will last longer than your
first bike.

You're looking for comments of any kind? From this group???

Can't wait to see this thread tomorrow.

 

Hi Nick

Both good choices for a learner bike. The single-cylinder SL is (IMHO)
probably only going to be a worthwhile consideration if you actually plan to
use it as a dirt bike, otherwise I'd recommend the twin-cylinder GPX. It is
possible to put road tyres on a dirt bike obviously, but then you've got a
single cylinder road bike. (... and the SL is too underpowered to really be
considered as a candidate supermoto).

If your heart is set on getting a dirt bike then I'd also recommend having a
look at the Yamaha TTR-250, it's got a bit more guts than the SL250. (And
it's electric start... I can't remember if the Honda XR250 is elec start or
not).

With your height and weight you'll get surprisingly good performance from
any 250, much moreso than us 6'+, 90+ kilo behemoths.

Welcome to the fold.

Cheers Manning

 

You're too skinny to be a real bikie. Have fun, and get fat.

 

In NSW I beleive once your on your P's, your over 30 and have a gold
licence, you are not restricted. Also we have Learner Approved MC's upto
660cc. If you have something similar, get the cheapest or easiest to sell,
cause you'll want to get rid of it as sson as your unrestricted, or get a
good LAM, like a 600 monster, XTZ660 dually etc (assuming the budget goes
that far). You really only want to have a 250 long enough to practice and
get your licence, esp if your going to ride the Adelaide Hills and go
exploring all over that wonderful state.

Cheers

 

...snip

The latter (if you want a chooky get something decent), but just because an SL
is gutless doesn't mean it can't be fun, you just might have your fun a bit more
slowly than others

JL

 

In my usual unbiased, non-parochial way, I say go for the GPX250.

67kg? You'll never be taken seriously as a bikie if you're that
skinny. here, have a pie. ;-)

My '88 GPX250 costs $140 for 3rd party property, or $170 for "Market
Value" comprehensive with NRMA. I'm 30.

You want a GPX250, you do!


BTH

 

(BT Humble) wrote in message

Thanks, but I can't afford to eat - have to save up for a GPX... .
Also need to improve the power-to-weight since it's only a 250...

[snip]

OK, not an arm and a leg then.

I'm beginning to think so too! Heck, if you can travel around
Australia on one (I've seen your "Odyssey" web pages - very
impressive) then those nasty rumours about the GPX can't be true. .

I did sit on one at the dealer's, though it didn't go very fast while
up on its centre-stand. Now I just have to get one as soon as I sell
my cage (it's ok, I've got a spare), convince my wife (the hardest
part) and try not to worry about the possibility of dropping the bike
with all that fairing...

I may check out used ones too, though I don't have access to friends
who are bike experts to help me. I guess patience is the key.

Cheers,
Nicholas

 

But I'm from Adelaide.

Over here if you have a driver's licence, you get your L's, then upon
doing the advanced course and passing the assessment, you get your
R-Date licence - no need to go onto P's. R-Date means you will still
be restricted to 250cc or under bikes (but that's *any* 250cc bike,
including an Aprilia, no power-to-weight restrictions) for another
year.

Over 30s don't get any concessions here.

Cheers,
Nicholas

 

Oh, you poor man. What a terrible time you must have had.

-----sharks

 

EXACTLY!
; )

Adrian
CT-110

 

Um, so does 5'7" and 93 kg qualify me to ride a postiebike happily?!
Question is, do I need to eat less or get a bigger bike?
Know which option I'd prefer!
; )

Adrian
CT-110

 

It's been tough, Mr Lebowski. Or is that Mr Seger? ;-)

http://members.optusnet.com.au/za2bb/temp/sharkey.html


BTH

 

The Dude. Or El Duderino, if you're not into the whole brevity thing.

Mr. Seger seems to have gone missing.
Anyway, you missed my best photo:
<http://zoic.org/sharkey/photos/misc/drunk.jpg>

-----sharks

 

Make the bad man go away!!!!!! I don't wanna know anything about Turkish
prisons!

 

That's really a camera obscura...

Gary