Motorcyclists of GetSome

[The Demon Lord]

I know there are some bikers around here,

I am probably going to be moving house soon, moving into my own house. In light of this, it means I am going to have to move further out (where I can afford property) and my current car (Mazda 6) although isn't particularly fuel hungy, the increase in distance is making me think about turning to the Dark side.

TBH, I probably would only bother with my Learner motorbike licence (although the idea of a Turbo-charged Hayabusa is a tempting arguement for a Full bike licence...) and am thinking something like a Honda CB400R (or similar) so that I can ride to and from work for my commute to save on Gas.

My question is - I have heard that once you add ACC levies, Decent safety gear (Helmet, Leathers, Armour, boots etc.) that it all adds up quickly and doesn't do much to offset the savings in Fuel.

So - Opinions?

[Pitchey]

The initial outlay, quality gear, (don't scrimp), is an ouch, but once that's done, and providing you take care of it, it'll last you years, mine has.

In the long term I think it pays off, not to mention being able to zip past the traffic when it's at a standstill going to or from work!

[Hmmmgood]

Let me know if you decide to get a bike,2 of my flatmates work for separate motorcycle accessory importers.Will be able to get you some good gear for less.

[frankytanky]

PM me your budget, I will see what I can work out. (*Part owns Honda shop)

As Pitchy says, the outlay is big, however good gear will last practically forever if it is looked after. (I am still in my riding gear that I brought in 2002, well not really in it cos that would be weird sitting at home and such, but I still use it.)

[Xsannz]

yeah, in fact i have some gear i can give ya, good set of gloves and a spare helmet, its a small, but its an AGV...  and have some old slightly battered but still good all weather gear..

[Pitchey]

Dammit it Franky! Stop putting those sorts of images in my head!

Also, use the "e" dammit!

[Xsannz]

lol, i have sat around in my leathers at home in front of the pc, whilst trying to stretch them in a little.. no helmet though...

[Scream]

Sure the gear and ACC levies add up, but if you keep the gear for a while it does sort it self out. You also save in more ways then money, being able to jump right to the front of traffic at a light saves a LOT of time, main thing is really just keeping an eye out for everyone else on the road, doesn't matter how safe you ride there's always some fuckwit that will try and change lane on ya, if you think your an alert driver now, wait till you've ridden a bike for a bit haha

[Pyromanik]

Gotta keep your head up.

[deanox]

spare helmet, its a small, but its an AGV...

Needs XL to accomodate Norseman beard and hair!

[The Demon Lord]

Needs XL to accomodate Norseman beard and hair!

not to mention my Ego....

Thanks for all the replies - haven't got a budget or anything serious yet, just thinking about it and wanted some opinions. If I were to get a bike aswell (and be on a learners) any recomendations on what I should get (if anyone suggests a Moped, they can fuck off and die....) and how much I should be looking to spend etc?

Same applies for gear - any ball park figures?

[frankytanky]

not to mention my Ego....

Thanks for all the replies - haven't got a budget or anything serious yet, just thinking about it and wanted some opinions. If I were to get a bike aswell (and be on a learners) any recomendations on what I should get (if anyone suggests a Moped, they can fuck off and die....) and how much I should be looking to spend etc?

Same applies for gear - any ball park figures?

Friend you have picked the best time to convert....... but seriously, they have just changed the learner rules to accomodate the fact that 250cc is not ideal for everyone, not is it set on a power to weight ratio providing the bike is 660cc or below.
This opens a whole range of bikes up instead of being pigeon holed into a small 250. Saying that there are some good 250's around.
First figure out what type of bike you want, ie sport bike, touring, cruiser. They all have pros and cons, important things are riding position and comfort, handling, performance/economy, and of course how fucking awesome you look.
Rule of thumb...
sports bikes have responsive steering and performance, but can be uncomfortable on long journeys due to the riding position.
Cruisers, slow steering and not much performance, quite comfy but catch alot of wind due to the upright riding position and lack of fairing.
Touring is the best blend of everything.

Plug for Honda here.... Honda just released 3 new bikes all powered by the same engine but with different design to each. The CB500F/CBR500R/CB500X. If you are looking new then these are pretty good, reasonably priced (starting at 10495) and they look good too. They are getting really good reviews. They aren't rocket ships but they are excellent commuters.
The thing with bike folks is they generally want the fastest loudest bike they can, so they can wind it out for probably the 1% of the whole time they have the bike. the bikes i mentioned above are optimized to run in the 99% bracket of riding. heaps of torque but low in hp, great commuter weapons.

2nd hand? the world is your oyster here.... I would steer clear from anything earlier than about 1996, prior to this I personally don't think chassis design was that great, the bikes feel heavy and cumbersome through the corners.

Let us know what you are thinking of and we can throw in our 2 cents.....

[frankytanky]

Also, gear, I think around $1500 should get you started pretty well.

[Ares Helix]

Demon Lord - if you are thinking of reducing the number of wheels and need a buyer for the Mazda 6 hit me up, as my wife's looking at them currently.
I take it the car is manual?

[Easymeat56k]

Do you have a background in motorbike riding, like motocross?
Do you know anyone who can teach to ride skillfully?
Do you enjoy hospital food?
Do you have life assurance?
Unless you love getting soaked by rain, take the car on wet days.
When riding, treat every other road user as though they are trying to kill you
because some texting while driving mother*@#ker will send a message, "ran bike over, lol."
A good commuting bike doesn't cost as much to run as a high performance bike due to less power wearing out
chains, sprockets, tyres.
look for gear with the built in armour in the back, elbows, shoulders.
In 20+ years of road riding, I've T boned a car, fell off in high winds and fell over a few times on wet/icy roads.

[The Demon Lord]

Demon Lord - if you are thinking of reducing the number of wheels and need a buyer for the Mazda 6 hit me up, as my wife's looking at them currently.
I take it the car is manual?

I wish it was manual - had to get an Auto, but will be keeping the Car (am a drummer, so fitting a drum kit on the Back of a Bike is a bit tricky)

Probably will be a sports or a touring bike for me (not a fan of Cruisers, never have been)

Easymeat:

1: Not really (although have taken various friends bikes for blasts round carparks)
2: My brother
3: Hell no!
4: Getting a mortgage, so pretty much will be.
6: Every other road user is already a fuck-knuckle IMO
8: Definately going to get gear with Armour built in if I can - I understand that it is folly not to.

[Pitchey]

These may be of assistance:

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/getting/motorcycles/approved-motorcycles.html

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/getting/motorcycles/lams.html

Also, don't forget that if you only hold a Learners, you're still bound by the conditions of that Learners license for that particular class of vehicle you're operating.

[The Demon Lord]

These may be of assistance:

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/getting/motorcycles/approved-motorcycles.html

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/getting/motorcycles/lams.html

Also, don't forget that if you only hold a Learners, you're still bound by the conditions of that Learners license for that particular class of vehicle you're operating.

Already been reading up on those exact links.

[Bounty Hunter]

I'll vouche for the new hondas, they look like great starter bikes.

Over a long enough period the savings in petrol will make a difference, but that depends on how reliable the bike is, and how good your gear is.

Convenience is the biggest factor I've found, filtering through traffic, parking at the door etc are all greater benefits than just the cheap running.

And you meet the nicest people riding motorcycles.

[Lias]

n If I were to get a bike aswell (and be on a learners) any recomendations on what I should get (if anyone suggests a Moped, they can fuck off and die....)

Hey now.. you've met me and know I'm not a small guy, my first bike was a TR-50 Street Magic (which is basically a moped in a bike shape) cos I could ride it on my car learners ;-P I commuted on that for a while until I got my bike license and got myself a good old GN250 :-)

GN250 isn't a bad first bike at all, cheap, reasonably reliable, and can do the speed limit. (oh and I've done Hamilton - Wellington return more than once on one.. sore arse afterwards mind you!)

[Pyromanik]

not to mention my Ego....

Thanks for all the replies - haven't got a budget or anything serious yet, just thinking about it and wanted some opinions. If I were to get a bike aswell (and be on a learners) any recomendations on what I should get (if anyone suggests a Moped, they can fuck off and die....) and how much I should be looking to spend etc?

Same applies for gear - any ball park figures?

(Yamaha) Scorpio fantastic learner bike. But with most under 250's, might be a little small if you're quite a large fellow. Not that it can't handle larger folk, you just might find the frame a slight bit small.

That said if you're a smaller fellow, knowing that as a learner if you do fuck up you'll be able to pick the machine back up can provide a good bit of piece of mind. Nothing more tiring than a white knuckle deathgrip ride. Also I have to add, knowing that you're a fellow screen watcher for most of your day hours, RSI that you didn't really know you had can be a complete bitch on a motorcycle. Comfort is far more valuable than how hot you think you might look with a particular machine between your legs. Try before you buy.




franky: I saw a super sexy Honda 250 parked outside work the other day. Late model V twin. Any idea what it might have been? It looked very boss for what is traditionally an out of balance looking market (cf YZF150R - looks good, but so small with such skinny tyres, just seems out of balance with visual weight, 'na'mean?)

[frankytanky]

franky: I saw a super sexy Honda 250 parked outside work the other day. Late model V twin. Any idea what it might have been? It looked very boss for what is traditionally an out of balance looking market (cf YZF150R - looks good, but so small with such skinny tyres, just seems out of balance with visual weight, 'na'mean?)

This?


VTR250, they stopped bringing them in when the CBR250 arrived, they were a very well made bike with a price that reflected it.

[Bounty Hunter]

VTR would be at the top of my learner 250 bike.

Naked. sexy. FAT rear tyre and great build quality.

I'd tend to go higher than 250 though for the longevity of ownership.

[Pyromanik]

Naked. sexy. FAT rear tyre and great build quality.

Yes, indeed. Very sexy. The one I saw was charcoal, well sexy indeed.
Must have been 2k9 revision, new looking with EFI and all that.


On another note, tiny sports bikes seem to be quite the thing atm.

[winfieldsaregoo]

vfr 400s are a cool bike,poor mans ducati