Beginner motorbike

[Alonso Harris]

Hi Alonso

I haven't purchased my first bike as of yet (been putting money away each month to save for something). My dad purchased a Sym Crox 125 scooter 2nd hand about 2 years ago now and I have been using it as a run around for about a year now. I'm in a rather strange predicament regarding these cheaper bikes (by cheaper I mean significantly less than big name brands like Honda, Yamaha or Suzuki). This bike has mostly been a pleasure to ride, easy to work on and far cheaper than any car to maintain but I have started to find some issues with it. The first issue came in the form of a starter motor solenoid which was damaged (thankfully only cost around R300 to replace and a local Suzuki dealership ended up repairing it for me). Earlier today, I decide to go for a ride down to the beachfront. I get on as usual, turn the key, hit the ignition and it fires first time but then I can hear the starter motor failing to disengage from the engine. I immediately killed the engine, left it for a few minutes and then tried again only for it to do the same thing. I then removed the key from the ignition and to my dismay the bike began turning over (even with the key in my hand!). I got it to stop by disconnecting the whole battery (which is now flat as a result of turning the engine over for a good 5 minutes before I could grab a screwdriver to disconnect it). The bike will run absolutely fine if I kick start it.
As stupid as this story sounds, that has just been my experience with it. I don't blame it, I mean the whole scooter cost less than 8 grand so how can you really blame it for not lasting but you would think it would last at least 3k kilometres.
Long story short: I have always been a little reluctant to throw money at the big name brands like Honda or Yamaha but the responses I have gotten about big name bikes (from friends and colleagues) has been overwhelming positive. You can still buy a Sym Blaze XS200 bike for around 18k brand new with 2 year warranty but long term it will probably give issues (not that I have heard anything bad about them from a few friends that have bought them brand new).
If you have the money, go for a Honda, Yamaha or Suzuki. It's not that I don't like the Sym bikes, I just don't enjoy spending my weekends fixing menial issues on bikes that just don't happen with name brand bikes.

Hope this helps
Cheers

 

[Alonso Harris]

Howzit Bru

Thanks for the response. I wasn't expecting one.

I must say I find myself inclined to something in the 250/300cc category ( Something I could get on the highway with and not have to be on full throttle).

But in Ill definitely look at the Sym blaze and its well within my budget and that 2 year warranty sounds appealing.

( Maybe you'll see me in the area as I recently moved to Berea )

Thanks again

 

[JTronix86]

Thanks for the advice all. Will look into rider training before making any decisions. Anyone know of rider training facilities in Durban by any chance?

Not sure if this thread is still being watched or open; would like to find out on available rider training facilities in the Durban area for Kwa-Zulu Natal, as well as the False Bay areas for Western Cape.

 

[WinstonWifDatBladyHyundai]

Not sure if this thread is still being watched or open; would like to find out on available rider training facilities in the Durban area for Kwa-Zulu Natal, as well as the False Bay areas for Western Cape.

Howzit bud

I've checked out the linkj posted within this thread before and there are some good facilities within the Western Cape. Check out the link below. I'm not sure if there's a facility near you however if you could find out from one of the testing centres I'm sure they can point you in the right direction. Perhaps post them below for fellow newbies like myself aswel.

cheers

Link: https://www.msi.org.za/academies

 

[Gtx Gaming]

Checkers sixty scooter, those stuff klaps it down road here by me.

Think they like 17k new.