Good learner bike for a girlie

[Tdubb]

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

+1, well said to all that. A 125 is to small. My wife road a Ninja 250 for a year, and she just moved up to an M750.

Is that VTR a European, I've never seen one. Man, that is a great Monster knock off.

[heatherp]

I started out on dirt bikes so don't have much cred when it comes to learner street bikes but my head says go with the VTR = baby monster.  I still think learning on a kick start small dirt bike did me a lot of good though.

[Queestce]

+1, well said to all that. A 125 is to small. My wife road a Ninja 250 for a year, and she just moved up to an M750.

Is that VTR a European, I've never seen one. Man, that is a great Monster knock off.

Nope, its just a Honda. Based on the old Spada/VT-250F engine so they are very reliable, capable bikes. They do look a lot like a Monster. People I'm with keep seeing people riding them and saying "Hey, they have your bike too!"...

[Two dogs]

Nope, its just a Honda. Based on the old Spada/VT-250F engine so they are very reliable, capable bikes. They do look a lot like a Monster. People I'm with keep seeing people riding them and saying "Hey, they have your bike too!"...

I think the VTR was released pre Monster ? If so not a knock off .
Hay Q is that youtube clip by any chance on the back road near Colac behind Great Ocean Road ?

[Mr.S2R]

If you wanted something that is V-Twin, single sided swing arm, and 250 I have seena couple of these around



Honda Bros!!

[suzyj]

Thanks guys!  I hadn't considered a Spada - I remember looking at them back when I bought my Across.

Oh well, come tax time we'll add up our money and see what we can swing.

[dan_t]

Yeah, I say bugger the cost & go for one of these..........


Ducati Australia has announced a new capacity Monster being introduced exclusively for the Australian market and the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMs).

The new Monster 659 is based on the Monster 696 and shares all the same key features and benefits that has made the 696 a big hit with many riders including; lightweight, easy handling, low seat height and rider friendly V-Twin power delivery.



“Ducati has produced the new Monster 659 specifically for our market as we want as many Australian Learner rides as possible to have the opportunity to ride a new Ducati” said Warren Lee, CEO – Ducati Australia. “The 659 is based on the 696, already a very popular model with younger, female and less experienced riders, so it was the ideal basis for our LAMs model.”

As with all new Ducati motorcycles in Australia, the Monster 659 is covered by a 2-Year Unlimited Kilometer Warranty and 24 Roadside and Emergency Assist. So unlike an older or import model, Learner riders can ride the 659 with the absolute confidence and reassurance of a new Ducati and support should it ever be required.

The Monster 659 is expected to arrive and be on sale from early June with an introductory RRP of $12,990 plus Dealer and Statutory Charges. From late July / early August the Monster 659 with ABS is anticipated to arrive and will have an RRP of $13,990 plus Dealer and Statutory Charges.

Learner Rider can contact their closest Authorised Ducati Dealer for more information or purchase enquires.

Source: Ducati Australia


I should also add that this is advertised for sale today on the back page (full page advert) of the 'Bikes' suppliment in the Sydney Morning Herald.

[suzyj]

Yeah, I say bugger the cost & go for one of these..........

Just two problems with that.  Firstly, there's just no way I'm gonna buy her a more expensive bike than my own.  Secondly, new monsters are ugly.  Yeah, I went there.

[dan_t]

Just two problems with that.  Firstly, there's just no way I'm gonna buy her a more expensive bike than my own.

Secondly, new monsters are ugly.  Yeah, I went there.

That's why I have an S4RS!!
[moto]

[ollie]

go the VTR 250

I had one as my first road bike - I had bucketloads of fun on it. It's got enough go to do highway speeds comfortably, handles brilliantly and stops well. it's light and with a low seat makes it easier for a learner, the engines bullet proof and the hold they're value really well - down the track you'll have no probs with getting a good resale price either.

[J5]

depends on a lot of factors

easiest to ride VTR250 / spada

extra short person the yamaha zeal as good arm length to bars

across like a lot of bikes is getting a bit long in the tooth, fairings become expensive to fix

there is plenty of bargains to be found if you keep your eyes open and are prepared to do some work yourself

just got a decent spada for a mate for $500

had a VTR250 as a commuter which i scored on ebay for $1500 , added rego, rode it for 5 months then sold for $3500

an across i got for $500, spent a bit of cash on it and sold for $2500

have had  a few ZZR250's for $500

some learner bike designations

Yamaha zeal is a naked FZR250 4 cyl
Honda hornet is a naked CBR250 4 cyl
Kawasaki balius is a naked ZXR250 4 cyl 250

Honda VTR250/SpadaVT250 V twin 250

Kawasaki GPX/ZZr250 parallel twin , both decent to ride , not quite as easy as a VTR and has fairings, been around since late 80's to only a couple of years ago

that VTR on ebay is a mixed bag , likely to have gone around the clock seeing as a 2000 model with new tyres, brakes , chain and sprockets , mixed speedo readings, a $750 staintune pipe complete with road rash

i wouldnt bid without seeing it IRL

[girly]

My girlfriend started out on a new VTR250 and loved it - so if you're after a naked then it is a good choice.  Haven't heard anything negative about them.

I still have my first bike - a '90 CBR250 - and it's still going strong.  The seat height is under 800mm so it is ideal for learners who are a little vertically challenged.  Plus there are plenty of them around for parts still.  It can't keep up with the bigger bikes on the straights, but can hold its own in the twisties.

I haven't heard good things about the new CBR250 so I wouldn't recommend one of those and I definitely wouldn't recommend any 125 (I think someone mentioned the new CBR125 before) - the tyres aren't any bigger than a postie bike!

[lila696]

Secondly, new monsters are ugly.  Yeah, I went there.

Wow i have never heard that one.

Amazing and the Monster rated 12th as Europes best selling bike in 2010 and second biggest seller for Ducati behind the Hypermotard.

Glad you went there.

[Betty]

Wow i have never heard that one.

Most people are more diplomatic than that ... but Suzy had a financial reason for shutting down that side of the argument (personally it is really just the frame I can't come to terms with from an aesthetic point of view).

Amazing and the Monster rated 12th as Europes best selling bike in 2010 and second biggest seller for Ducati behind the Hypermotard.

Really? Outsold by the Hyper ... is that 'in' Europe or 'from' Europe?

I think the 'old' Monster used to make up more than 50% of Ducati sales ... but the range is more diverse nowadays.

In no way did I mean for this to become a 'new-style' vs 'old' debate so hope it hasn't come across that way.

Suzy, just get a mini-monster and make everybody happy

[suzyj]

Well after much searching, it looks like we're going to make an offer on a '91 Spada.  These little bikes are just so much fun it's amazing.