1175 replies to this topic

[ams]

Discuss anything with a motor and 2 wheels. Even scooters (ugghh).

You don't need a bike to GET your license.

Get the license then just test ride a brand new one of everything LAMS approved. Ninja 250 or 300, GS500, Hyosung, CB250.

Just see what feels right. Think about the seating position, how it feels on the road, how the weight of the bike feels when you turn....it's all very different for each bike and you won't know you like it till you've ridden it.

Bikes are very different to cars, they are very personal.

[Zac]

LOL!

 

much win...

 

so wow...

 

many bike talk...

[ams]

Quality post Sack.

Do you have anything useful to contribute?

What are you list of bikes you're looking at?

What are you considering for your 'big boy' bike?

[Zac]

No idea as yet... I like the look of the super sports bikes as opposed to cruisers.

 

I also don't mind the naked bike look, kind of have a transformer feel to them.

 

So what are the pros and cons of naked bikes vs super sports bikes?

 

I know naked don't have fairing, so less to scratch if dropped... how about manoeuvrability?

[ams]

Depends on the reason you bought the bike.

Super sport bikes are - as the name suggests - more about maintaining speed. They are more streamlined and have full fairing and as a result make you lean further forward for the bars. They are great on long sweeping corners and long straights, great for weekend cruises and good for long distance rides.

Naked and semi-faired bikes are more about street riding, better for riding in traffic, waiting at stop lights, low speed cornering etc. As a commuter I think they are better bikes because it's more of an upright seating position. Generally naked bikes have less wind protection so it's not as comfortable to maintain long distance riding.

Again, still a very personal thing but that's just my opinion.

[Zac]

Good information there...

 

So if I am looking for a bike to just ride on the weekends and once in a while... and the ride would probably be for a long distance, and for fun, a super sports bike would be more idea, since it is not really for commuting.

 

So the upright seating position is more for balance or comfort too?

 

I'm leaning more towards the sport sports anyway, but good to know about the naked bikes too.

 

If I were to get a 500cc or 650cc bike on my L's how likely am I to drop it? What does dropping a bike do, other than scratch it? Does it destroy any of the internals?

[skillionaire]

I was just making this thread. Haha. 

[ams]

Sitting upright is more comfortable if you're constantly stopping (ie. red light, in traffic etc) as it's not as hard on your lower back. If you're actually moving it doesn't put as much strain on it.

Bikes are tough. You might scratch up some of the fairing but no it's unlikely you will break anything internal. There are lots of aftermarket parts you can buy to protect vital parts of the bike (front forks as an example) from being damaged IF you drop it.

Again, it's just to do with the balance of the bike. If you feel unstable around corners then the seating position or weight distribution of the bike probably isn't right for you.


There are a lot of cross-over bikes that have the best of both worlds, so it's not as cut and dry as "supersport or naked".

[Morgan]

Do want a GS500F. Will be getting my license post 24th birthday so I don't gave to spend the extra 2 years on p plates.

[Zac]

Might have to take a look at these crossover bikes too.

 

So for a first bike, budget between 4-6k, including rego?

[ams]

Yamaha have just released (in the last 2 weeks) this bike, MT-09.

3 cylinder 850cc motor that's lighter and actually faster than the R6 (supersport) bike.

$12,990 rideaway brand new.

[Zac]

Nice looking bike, but no wind shield and quite expensive... but nice though...

 

Not a huge fan of where the exhaust is either.. too close to the foot isn't it?

[Liberty]

That's a nice bike, but in all honesty I wouldn't pay that much for a bike. Not for me. I like bikes and stuff but not more than a car.

[ams]

too close to the foot isn't it?

Wind goes from the front to back so unless you were rolling down a hill backwards you wouldn't feel the heat.

It's not a LAMS bike, it's a big boy bike.

[Zac]

Wind goes from the front to back so unless you were rolling down a hill backwards you wouldn't feel the heat.

It's not a LAMS bike, it's a big boy bike.

Haha... rolling down a hill backwards... Lol... but I was thinking of where the exhaust outlet was, wouldn't it still be a little weird when say, stopped at the lights?

 

Anyway, all good... big boy bike is a little far away from me... LOL!

 

I'd like a bike for fun, not going to use it for commuting, unless I find a job I could ride/drive to, which isn't going to happen where I am in Sydney...

 

Really must test ride as many bikes as I can before buying one when I get the license...

 

Can you tell me anything about bike maintenance? Like oil changes, and something about oiling the chain?

[Morgan]

Thread needs more pics.

 

Dad's been riding since 16.

 

Had 4 bikes before I came along (one of them stolen on a test ride ) but sold them when they started a family.

 

Got back into it in about 2007? when he bought an 04 Honda CBR 1100 Blackbird XX special edition (matte black/gold wheels). Epic bike. So fasts.

 

 

 

 

Sold that in 2010 and bought an 09 Kawasaki GTR 1400 with 1900 km on it! He still has this now and loves it. Engine is nearly as big as my first car but the Blackbird was still quicker

 

This one is for comfort though... It's a massive bike (has a diff - not a chain!)  He does heaps of long rides with the bike crew he runs (http://www.ccbikers.com/)

 

He's been known to take Friday off work, jump on the bike and ride to QLD for the weekend! Wouldn't want to do that kind of ride on anything else

 

 

 

(Far left)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Had a confrerence in NZ a few years back. Hired a V-Strom and headed to some pretty amazing spots around the country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He also hired a bike (not sure what one) in San Francisco eariler this year and went up into the Nappa Valley. Can't find any pics though.

[Zac]

I think it is the fun and freedom of a bike that makes me want one so much... however, I am a family man... so not the easiest thing in the world to juggle...

 

Anyway, I turn 30 next year... so why not.. lol

[ams]

Mine. 2013 Suzuki GS500F.

[Zac]

Nice looking bike for that...

 

There is one on eBay... a 2008 model for 5k...

[ams]

I paid $6k for a 2013 model with 2km on the clock.

Included 6 months rego too.