Need help buying my first motorbike

Hi,
I'm new to the motorbike world,but I can't wait!!

I've got my training this weekend and then I get my L's.

I'm still weighing up what bike to get. I've narrowed it down to either a ninja or a hyosung gt... However this is where I need help.

Firstly which is better and value for money?

Also I have been pricing up used bikes both bikes in 250 and in 650 (which would be restricted until I have full license).

Used 250's cost almost the same as the 650's - Q. Does that mean I get a lams 650 then unrestrict later?

Or do I get a 250 to save a bit of money? My worry is I may have the 250 for a few months then decide I need something more powerful. Help?

After that dilemma of engine size, I still don't know whether to get the ninja or the hyosung? Ninja is about 2k more but insurance is about the same. Advice? Suggestions?

Thanks
j

you would out grow of the 250 fast. One thought would be to buy a used 250 which should be cheap and when you feel comfortable then sell it and then buy the 650. I think one of the biggest mistakes I see is someone buying a bike that is to big.

yeh i see what you mean.

but if i am going to out grow the 250 fast.
I may aswell just man up on the 650 - and do some test riding around backstreets until i'm comfortable.

That will save the hassle of looking for another bike after a few months.
Also, selling the 250 bike that i would have.

j

I can appreciate your problem. I went through this same kind of dillema for about 7 years until I bought my first bike. The cool thing about Minnesota is that I am restricted to cc on a permit. When I was looking for a bike, I thought about how much I was going to riding, was i going to riding with a lot of people, and am I going to go on long trips? I concluded that I needed a bike that was small enough but yet had enough power to get me out of trouble, to be able to keep up with other bikes, and to also be cheep enough on insurance. I found that a Sportster, for now, was the way for me to go. I changed almost everything on it so I could have the power, the size and the cheep insurance.

You make a good point. I would probably just buy the 650 and be discrete until you are comfy, then when you are ready, show it off!

nice im sold... now to begin shopping.

how many jobs will you have to hold down for the insurance.

I would have to say that the insurance on those bike's is very expensive. and it does get more expensive the bigger the cc, and I mean by alot too.. By the way, don;t dink around, might as well get the fastest production bike out there.

jaysab - I absolutely love my Suzuki DR650SE, and it may be a good ride for you, too. It can go dirt or street and does both just fine. It is real light for a 650 - just 366lbs wet. It is incredibly nimble, handling real well at low speeds - so a great city bike, too. It can two-up easy enough, though I wouldn't put a passenger on it for a long ride.

The bike is also darn near bulletproof, and though it is a single cylinder (easier to maintain) it is real smooth due to the counter-balancing. Used ones are available and anything with less than 20K miles is probably sound.

My H-D Road King is still my main street ride, but had I got the DR first I may not have thought to even get the Harley (I know, heresy for me to say that!), or at least wouldn't have HAD to have it as soon.

Hi guys, I decided to get the hyo gt650r.
But I'm looking to get abused one.

I'm currently looking at one that has been unrestricted...
Is it possible to get them re-restricted to be a LAMS learner approved motorbike??
Would be good to hear from you?..
J

Hyosung is owned by suzuki but made in korea (cheaper labour) but with mostly suzuki parts, so it isn't really a brand new company.The quality should be there and future parts available.

With a first bike buy cheap (because you will drop it,we all have) and keep it cheap,no mods no pipes no paint and save some money! Learn exactly what you love about riding and buy your second bike accordingly - enduro,racer,touring,daily driver or something custom like a "chobber".

It is likely that you can get it back into the LAMS category, but you should definitely check with your local authorities on this, or at least some other Down Under bikers or bike shops. We don't have that kind of program here in the USA, most bikes just have to comply with emissions and light/turn signals requirements. Good luck!

:cheers: