Starting the hunt for a learner bike for Kristyn - she's getting sick of riding cupcake.

We don't really have the funds to spring for a Monster, especially given that she'll likely be flogging it off in a few years anyway.  I kinda liked the look of the Sachs Madass, but she thinks I'm insane.  Actually I admit I'm liking the whole doesn't-break-the-sound-barrier look of the Madass too, but then that's serious double standards.

So yeah, I'm up for suggestions.  She's a nutcase like me, only a little shorter.  I learned on an old Across - think sewing machine on steroids, complete with 16,500 rpm redline.  It was okay, but there really are easier bikes to get through the P's course on.

VTR250. Mini Monster!

Generally retain their value pretty well.


The way you ride with a pillion (faaast) I'd want my own ride as well!

I'm with Craig on the mini Monster VTR.
I was buying one before I discovered the real Monster.
Depending on how long she is going to keep it you might want to think about the CBR 125 also.
I have seen a few that have been striped and cafe-ed up and they look the business.

I really like the look/idea of a MadAss, but I've ridden one of the 125cc ones a bit and they're, ummm, compromised.

With me on board, it'll get to maybe 90kmh[1], but it takes a _long_ time to get there and gentle hill or minor headwinds will knock 10 or 15ks off that easily. If you're planning on riding it anywhere theres an 80 zone or faster, it becomes a game of energy conservation and mirror concentration to ensure you can avoid faster vehicles from approaching from behind.

I know the old "you need more power to accelerate out of trouble" excuse is too often bandied about by people who want to justify riding sportsbikes, but a MadAss 125 is a little scarey climbing up the southbound harbour bridge approach[2] struggling up past 70 while all the traffic around you is doing closer to 100...

I've got a Spada - the VTR250's predecessor, and it's a _much_ better bike for dealing with commuter traffic in 80 zones, and both it and the VTR are narrow enough that short people seem to handle them with ease.

I vote for the VTR250 (or a Spada if you're prepared to deal with a 20 year old bike).

big

[1] Shane, the scrawny ~60kg owner says the GPS records him having hit 97 once.
[2] it's actually quite a steep hill climbing up from down near where the the tunnel starts up onto the bridge deck - who knew? The Monster never notices...

well my first was a cb125n and then the suzuki, but im a short arse. i guess take her around the dealers and see what fits her the best and then look on the net.

Before I looked at your options I was thinking an Across Suzy.. But you'd be the best judge of that.

Pick of the list is probably the VTR though holding re-sale is a blessing and a curse.

IMHO I don't think anyone could ever go wrong with a CB250 or a GS500.. Cheap (relative).. HEAPS of parts around and knowing your tinkering skills, I'm sure that you two could come up with something very interesting with either of those as a starting point.

VTR250     My better half spent most of her learning years in one, she is only 159cm(stretched on tippy toes) , Plus it looks cool (yes mini monster), Stick some crash nobs on the side to protect the tank, and bonus no fairing to damage..

What she found great with the VTR is the seat is narrow and light. Now on the her lowered 620 (it's low ...the headers scrap over bumps), she has a hard time, as the extra weight, and the wider seat...not a small person's learner bike

Yes, very good re-sale value...but rather $$ to buy. We managed to get a VTR 2006 Reg-Write off, only 5000Km's, with a dent in the tank, missing 1 indicator and head light bezel for $3K...repaired & painted tank once she was confident and 10K Km's extra sold for $7K...
If your handy, you may find one around cheap with a little cosmetic damage, however check when it was written off.....rules have changed alot in the last year.

We got a VTR from this guy....ask for Rob..he looks dodge, however extremely helpful, and repaired the tank, painted, and swapped the original exhaust for a near new Staytuned system for a total of $300.....yes...$300.

You can even put in an order for a type of bike as he buy's them in from interstate, so you could get around having to put it over the RTA pit's

http://www.a1roadandrace.com.au/bikes-for-sale/    Press the side arrow button
http://www.a1roadandrace.com.au/honda-vtr-250-2001/
http://www.a1roadandrace.com.au/07-honda-cbf-250/

I'll be selling my 620 in July/August... when my P's expire, if you haven't made up your mind by then!

Another vote for the VTR250 (and the Spada). The 620 monster is a lot more money and perhaps not as forgiving as the 250. The CBR125 is underwhelming, and the sachs, well read bigs post.... A second would be the postie!

Quote from: Jukie on May 25, 2011, 01:18:32 AM
well my first was a cb125n

I used to race those in the bucket err super light (or super commuter as it is now known?) category - also how I learned to ride whilst racing!  Be hard pressed finding a road worthy one! (I have one in the shed!) 

good feedback guys ..................im in the mkt as well .............you get first pick though suzi...........regards hambo

Yea the VTR250, Spada, or the Suzuki Bandit 250 are all great bikes. I'd look past the Madass, they are great around town, but she won't be able to have much fun in the hills or take it on the highway. If she gets a 250 it will be much more forgiving than a 600 and a lot easier for her to get comfortable on. When she can ride the wheels of that she can move up to something more capable. A 250 ridden well can more or less keep up with most bikes in the hills anyway. Probably better to go for something naked as its quite easy to drop the first bike at the lights or whatever, plus oil changes and the like are a lot easier. I had a Spada 250, it was great, for about 3 weeks. Then the bottom end bearing died on it and it ground to a halt 300ks from home... I'd go for something newer with low K's that's had and easy life so it always starts first time for her... Good luck with the search!

Tom

Smell a bargain.....though quite a few bidders


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HONDA-VTR250-sports-black-motorbike-learners-REGO-/180671751591?pt=AU_Motorcycles&hash=item2a10e025a7#ht_658wt_1139

Suz
we have had both the VTR and the 125 at my place for Luba and Tyson
The 125 She will outgrow in a couple of months, great to learn on then your left with a bike that
struggles to keep up with traffic and climbing hills.  And has shit resale check how many are for sale on bikesales
low K's all the same story moving on yada yada.
The VTR is not only a great bike to ride brakes are good and the build quality is tops and low stand over height.
The motor is robust and will last for a very long time, resale is amazing ,we only dropped $1500 after
a year of riding.
If you get one go the older carbied model, slightly more power less plastic and easier to to tune with  better exhaust
Also whacked some aftermarket pipes (Roo racing) on it sounded great  
Gets my vote.

Just check the VIn # on used that seem to have low K's  for cheap , few grey imports around

The Madass just don't go there    the metal quality is so poor it will turn to a rusty heap within a year
there shit to ride too......... test rode one and could not give it back fast enough.

Kawasaki Balius - Ungodly noise in HD.

These make a pretty amazing sound for a 250 - more like an F1 car. Nice bikes too, but a bit rarer than a VTR or something for parts/service... Still