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Buying a bike... advice please

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 11:07
by KillerByte
Without spamming another person's thread I decided to start my own and ask a simple question.

I want to buy a bike for R20 - 25 000. Needs to be legal to ride on the highway, since I travel from Pretoria to Midrand everyday.

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 11:10
by Ark

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 11:19
by Skidd
You wouldnt want a 2 stroke for this job :roll:

Partly becuase you dont want something that guzzles fuel and whines the living day lights out of its self undernearth you.

That being said the SuperMoto looks good otherwise look around for a second hand 400.

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 11:21
by KillerByte
now, all that being said I need to find someone to let me take their bike for a spin, since I have never ridden a motorcycle before.

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 11:24
by Skidd
Well I would have offered but you would have killed yourself on my 600.

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 11:28
by KillerByte
i think a 600 is a bit big.

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 11:44
by IcePick88
You are correct. A 250 is a great beginners bike. Trust me. Before I bought mine, I have also never ridden a motorbike before. Actually went for my learners the same day as I picked up the bike! :)

For me (at around 90kg) the 250 is great. Lots of power high up in the rpm range. It's got enough power to get you into and out of trouble.

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 11:49
by Anthro
One of my friends has a Supermoto in Black - VERY good looking bike
#1. Becuse of the color
#2. It reminds me of some supermotards of the more expensive brands.. (knock off galore)

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 11:54
by Screeper
3 months warranty on the the electrics is a bit of a worry. Also 'currently applying for European certification' should sound some alarm bells...
I'd stay clear of that bike personally.

KB - as a beginners bike and/or a superb commuter bike then the Honda CBX250 is probably a really good bet. Easy to learn on and super economical. And it's a Honda so you can blow it up with a grenade and it will still run ;)
If you want any info on it pm me - bought one last year after selling my R6. Best everyday commuter bike I've ridden (with the exception of the 650 BMW). Just don't expect any land speed records ;)

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 11:59
by Drakonis
Speed is the last thing KB needs on a bike right now...

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 12:07
by KillerByte
Screeper wrote:
3 months warranty on the the electrics is a bit of a worry. Also 'currently applying for European certification' should sound some alarm bells...
I'd stay clear of that bike personally.

KB - as a beginners bike and/or a superb commuter bike then the Honda CBX250 is probably a really good bet. Easy to learn on and super economical. And it's a Honda so you can blow it up with a grenade and it will still run ;)
If you want any info on it pm me - bought one last year after selling my R6. Best everyday commuter bike I've ridden (with the exception of the 650 BMW). Just don't expect any land speed records ;)
economy?

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 12:20
by GrimStoner
I wouldn't buy anything less than a 600. You'll grow out of it too quickly. I started on a 1000, and already need something with more grunt.

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 12:33
by RobThePyro
This(XT660X)

AND

When your a better rider This

BUT

The second hand market isnt doing very well at all at the moment, so you could prob find a really good deal for a really good price!. look for either a 250 two stroke or 400 four stroke for a good beginers bike. Be warned though, you will find two strokes alot cheaper, and they have ALOT more power than their four stroke bretheren, BUT they are ALOT of maintenence and high fuel consumption...

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 12:55
by KillerByte
went and took a look at the CBX250 and i fell in love.

This bike will be fine for what I am doing, i just need it for commuting, i don't need the speed and power of a 400.

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 13:17
by KillerByte
plus I already decided to buy a Shoei helmet. After Rob's accident I know they can be trusted.

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 13:28
by Skidd
Nice one KB

Re: Buying a bike... advice please

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 13:33
by SykomantiS
KillerByte wrote:Without spamming another person's thread I decided to start my own and ask a simple question.

I want to buy a bike for R20 - 25 000. Needs to be legal to ride on the highway, since I travel from Pretoria to Midrand everyday.
Whatever you do, don't go two-stroke if you go anywhere near a highway. Quickest way to blow the motor... My sis had a Honda NSR 250, two-stroke. After only a few months ht e motor ceased, as she would once or twice a week ride from Pta North to Waterkloof, taking the highway. All that constant high-revving without pauses in between to lube the motor is not good. (Remember, a two-stroke gets its oil in the petrol, no oil sump or anything the like).

That being said, I'm a Suzuki fan, and they have quite the range of very economic four strokes in different shapes and sizes. And everyone knows, you can't break a Suzuki by riding it :wink:

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 14:27
by IcePick88
I agree. I dropped my brother in law off at Ultra City between Durban and richards bay, and he drove all the way home, BUT, he had to open the bike up to full throttle and then back off to let the engine cool. It's very frustrating.

Go 4 stroke for highway, 2 stroke town or track driving.

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 14:33
by SykomantiS
IcePick88 wrote:I agree. I dropped my brother in law off at Ultra City between Durban and richards bay, and he drove all the way home, BUT, he had to open the bike up to full throttle and then back off to let the engine cool. It's very frustrating.

Go 4 stroke for highway, 2 stroke town or track driving.
He got lucky... My sister was still riding when the thing spat one of the pistons out the exhaust!

Needless to so we sold the bike to a mechanic friend of ours who then sold it again...

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 14:35
by SykomantiS
IcePick88 wrote:I agree. I dropped my brother in law off at Ultra City between Durban and richards bay, and he drove all the way home, BUT, he had to open the bike up to full throttle and then back off to let the engine cool. It's very frustrating.

Go 4 stroke for highway, 2 stroke town or track driving.
He got lucky... My sister was still riding when the thing spat one of the pistons out the exhaust! And best of all she was less than 10k's from the house when it happened, not even on the highway yet...

Needless to so say we sold the bike to a mechanic friend of ours who then sold it again...

Edit: Eish... :oops: Sorry about the double post.

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 14:53
by KillerByte
Skidd wrote:Nice one KB
what you mean?

Posted: 10 Jun 2008, 16:22
by Screeper
KillerByte wrote:
Skidd wrote:Nice one KB
what you mean?
He means nice one for choosing the Honda I think ;)

I get almost exactly 4.0l/100km on my daily commute which is mostly in and around town.
On the freeway, if you cruise between 90-110km/h you will get about 3.4l/100km.
Gimme a shout if you have any questions :)