New to bikes...Reccomendations

[Maadmike]

Gday PF Bikers.

I recently decided to get a motorbike, and was wondering what a common/decent bike is for learner. I'm not a total newb, but i will be on my L's, and don't really want to spend anymore than $5k.

I don't mind something that is requires alot of attention, but me being the rev head i am, i want something with high revs :) And once i'm on my open license or confident enough i'll be looking at doing a few mods, nothing stupid but just to sweeten it up.

The first thing i was told, get decent leathers, common sense really. But i don't see myself wearing them too often up here in Rockhampton.

Cheers for any help.

[banshee]

You were in the same situation I was in. I got a CBR250 (like everyone else really..), great to learn on, and fast enough not to get bored quickly on, and you'll get a very decent one for 5k.

But remember summer is coming up, so bike prices are going to get more expensive.

[Revhead]

If you want revs, it's hard to go past a CBR/FZR/ZX2R etc. They handle well if you get one that doesn't have rooted suspension (many are 10+ years old), will run a mid 14 with suitable amounts of revs and clutch abuse, and keep revving until very close to 20,000rpm :D You do need to rev the crap out of them to get them to move though, but once they're over about 12-14k they're not too bad.

I know leathers are HOT in summer, so make sure you get some summer safety gear too, at the very least some Draggin Jeans and an armoured jacket with removable liners. If (when) you come off you'll be glad you were wearing them :)

[Vicko]

Whats your experience?
What type of riding will you be doing?

[cheddo7]

I'd personally get a road/trail bike - drop them on their side, you just pick them back up, cheap to run, and the added benefit of being able to ride on the stuff that really teaches you - the dirt.
Cheddo.

[Sir Revalot]

I agree with Cheddo7. I had an Ag bike (Yamaha XT200) for my first Bike. Went to a big reserve near my olds' place and practiced wheelies, powersliding, locking up front and rear wheels etc. Dropped it many times but it never died.

On my road bike(s) I've had a number of times where I have slid on a bit of gravel/white line in the wet etc. on the road and due to the trail bike experience I have had, it didn't faze me and I continued riding just reacting to what had happened.

As far as summer safety gear is concerned, I'm thinking of getting full motocross body armour for my upper body and just wearing that with a long sleeved motocross-type t-shirt over the top. I'll wear the bottom half of my 2 piece leather suit so I can still get me knee down.. :lol:

[marcinek]

umm yeah. i say stick to the road bike. if you find 250's slow which they are get a 400. cbr400 or fzr400's are very nice imho.
if you are interested i have a 94 fzr 400 rr for 3.5 g, imaculate condition.