Best Starter Bike

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keymaster

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Hi Guys

I've decided to start riding a bike, since Traffic in Cape Town is getting worse and worse, especially in Table View Area...sometimes it will takes me 40min drive from Table view to Milnerton (10km) in the morning and about 1 hour to Town...

So I've decided to start riding a bike purely for work and go to class.
The only experience that I have is on a 125cc scooter, therefore I was wondering which used/2nd hand bike might be the best to start learning.

250cc (Sport):
Kawasaki Ninja 250R
Honda CBR 250R

250cc (Street):
Suzuki GW250
Honda CBX 250

Other than that, I was told to start with a 600 and nothing lower?
Also, I don't like off-road bikes...

Thanks
 
Go to the Think Bike forums

I started on a 600 and in the beginning it was a lot of bike to handle but I managed without dropping it.

The "sport" bikes you have mentioned are not in fact sport bikes. They just look sporty but make good commuters

What I would recommend, go to a bike training school, do the beginners training and make sure that the school you go to has a 600 to test. If you are a relatively big guy, 80kgs and above, I would say try start on a kawasaki er6n or f. This should all be informed how comfy you are on the 600 during training. The ninja 250 isn't a bad bike and it probably has enough oomph but I prefer the additional power that the 600 offers
 
T-minus 13 days for me until I make the switch to a bike as well :D Stay in the same area, but travel to Bellville for work. But if you're going to town why not take the bus?

Anyway, as for a bike, I decided to go for a 650 (BMW Sertao). Its got enough grunt to get you out of trouble if needed, but not enough that I'll do silly things with it. What kind of budget you looking at? Judging by the two you've listed I'm assuming around 30k? Dont forget to make room for at least 5k on gear (mine is costing me a scratch over 10k).

Now for a bit of personal preference - I prefer a sit up bike, easier on the wrists and you have a higher vantage point than on a sporty bike which I think is useful in traffic. So something like a NC700 would also be great, but likely out of your budget
 
RandomGRK said:
Go to the Think Bike forums

I started on a 600 and in the beginning it was a lot of bike to handle but I managed without dropping it.

The "sport" bikes you have mentioned are not in fact sport bikes. They just look sporty but make good commuters

What I would recommend, go to a bike training school, do the beginners training and make sure that the school you go to has a 600 to test. If you are a relatively big guy, 80kgs and above, I would say try start on a kawasaki er6n or f. This should all be informed how comfy you are on the 600 during training. The ninja 250 isn't a bad bike and it probably has enough oomph but I prefer the additional power that the 600 offers
Click to expand...

Yes, you are right, the "Sport" is just for the looks. I much prefer "Naked" bikes.

Now I see why some people say start on a 600...
If its a 600 I really like Triumph Speed Triple series, they are beautiful, Kawasaki ER6n is good choice too.

there is a bike training school?

And my cousin and I are wondering, when we buy a bike from the dealers, do they deliver it to your house? Since we don't know how to ride a bike...yet.

Archer said:
T-minus 13 days for me until I make the switch to a bike as well :D Stay in the same area, but travel to Bellville for work. But if you're going to town why not take the bus?

Anyway, as for a bike, I decided to go for a 650 (BMW Sertao). Its got enough grunt to get you out of trouble if needed, but not enough that I'll do silly things with it. What kind of budget you looking at? Judging by the two you've listed I'm assuming around 30k? Dont forget to make room for at least 5k on gear (mine is costing me a scratch over 10k).

Now for a bit of personal preference - I prefer a sit up bike, easier on the wrists and you have a higher vantage point than on a sporty bike which I think is useful in traffic. So something like a NC700 would also be great, but likely out of your budget
Click to expand...

Nah, don't like the bus, I go to other places after work/classes and I keep books and stuff on the car.

My budget...I'm thinking of second hand bikes around 20k-25k if possible or even lower. Since I know its gonna get a few scratches and bumps before I can start riding properly.

Other than the bike training lessons, is there other way to learn riding a bike by yourself? Or perhaps with a friend assisting you?


Thanks
 
Last edited:
I started on a older VFR400, so if it dropped, not much damage. 3 Months later i sold it for pretty much what i paid and got a new 600.
 
keymaster said:
Yes, you are right, the "Sport" is just for the looks. I much prefer "Naked" bikes.

Now I see why some people say start on a 600...
If its a 600 I really like Triumph Speed Triple series, they are beautiful, Kawasaki ER6n is good choice too.

there is a bike training school?

And my cousin and I are wondering, when we buy a bike from the dealers, do they deliver it to your house? Since we don't know how to ride a bike...yet.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Some can deliver yes, just ask them to
 
rakabos3 said:
I started on a older VFR400, so if it dropped, not much damage. 3 Months later i sold it for pretty much what i paid and got a new 600.
Click to expand...

Maybe an old 400 would be good idea, in between 250 and 600...but isn't old 400s pretty heavy?

Thanks
 
keymaster said:
haha not yet, I just wanted to find out more information about the bikes so I can start saving and planning.
Will probably register for a learners next month.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Go now, like today or tomorrow, the waiting times are insane (when I went it was 6 weeks). You can use the link below as a guideline, but still phone them and find out for sure what their waiting time is. I kept putting it off, found an awesome deal on a bike, and now I'm stuck waiting a total of 6 weeks to be able to take my ride on the road :cry:

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/DriversLicences/Pages/default.aspx
 
Archer said:
Go now, like today or tomorrow, the waiting times are insane (when I went it was 6 weeks). You can use the link below as a guideline, but still phone them and find out for sure what their waiting time is. I kept putting it off, found an awesome deal on a bike, and now I'm stuck waiting a total of 6 weeks to be able to take my ride on the road :cry:

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/DriversLicences/Pages/default.aspx
Click to expand...

haha i'm in no rush at all, I still need to start saving and it will only happen later this year since I'm only starting my new job in the next month or two.
But thanks for the heads up...

Milnerton is about 4 month waiting...insane~ Might even go to Somerset~lol

Thanks
 
The 4 month wait is for the drivers test, learners test has much shorter queues (thank goodness). But if you still need to save up then I guess you have lots of time. See you on the road later in the year then :)
 
What's your budget?

My recommendation is always to get your license first (or your learners at the very least) and never buy something without riding it as so many people tend to do.

650cc+ Twins (2 cylinders) aren't a bad deal for beginners (Kawasaki ER6 series if you are a bit short, Honda NC700 series if you are taller) but I would seriously dissuade going for a 600cc+ 4-cylinder motorcycle as those are way too much to handle for a beginner and a sure death trap.

One 600 is another another 600 is not another 600.

600cc Japanese 4-cylinder will do 130km/h in 1st gear and get there in all of 3-4 seconds if you just get the throttle wrong.

Twins are not so harsh and generally are more torquey which is what you want for commuting.


And buy all the right gear BEFORE you buy the bike. Don't leave it for later, it will never happen until it's too late.


Helmet, gloves, jacket at the very least. Boots next and pants are a bonus.

*****

If you have no interest in motorcycles are a whole then the 250's will do the job as commuters and remain exactly that.


650-700cc are "real" bikes that you can take on holiday and go touring with and do the odd breakfast run without dragging back the rest of the pack.
 
If those are the choices, I'd say go with the Honda CBX.


EDIT: On the other hand, you can get a Brand new bike for under 10K at motomia. It's a 200cc and Chinese, but they are bullet proof and great to learn on (not to fast).
 
Last edited:
SauRoNZA said:
What's your budget?

My recommendation is always to get your license first (or your learners at the very least) and never buy something without riding it as so many people tend to do.

650cc+ Twins (2 cylinders) aren't a bad deal for beginners (Kawasaki ER6 series if you are a bit short, Honda NC700 series if you are taller) but I would seriously dissuade going for a 600cc+ 4-cylinder motorcycle as those are way too much to handle for a beginner and a sure death trap.

One 600 is another another 600 is not another 600.

600cc Japanese 4-cylinder will do 130km/h in 1st gear and get there in all of 3-4 seconds if you just get the throttle wrong.

Twins are not so harsh and generally are more torquey which is what you want for commuting.


And buy all the right gear BEFORE you buy the bike. Don't leave it for later, it will never happen until it's too late.


Helmet, gloves, jacket at the very least. Boots next and pants are a bonus.

*****

If you have no interest in motorcycles are a whole then the 250's will do the job as commuters and remain exactly that.


650-700cc are "real" bikes that you can take on holiday and go touring with and do the odd breakfast run without dragging back the rest of the pack.
Click to expand...

Yeah I was worried about that as well, even if I do get my learners, I still can't test ride bikes...thats a dilemma i'm facing.
And thanks for the safety tips!

beans100 said:
If those are the choices, I'd say go with the Honda CBX.


EDIT: On the other hand, you can get a Brand new bike for under 10K at motomia. It's a 200cc and Chinese, but they are bullet proof and great to learn on (not to fast).
Click to expand...

I was looking at Bajaj pulsar and Bashan 250R, they are really cheap for a brand new bikes, BUT I've read quite a lot of bad things about chinese bikes...

Although they are a good choice just to learn...
 
Ok so you have never ridden a bike? Do a Google for bike training in your area and I cannot stress enough, join the Think Bike forums. Wealth of knowledge there.
 
beans100 said:
EDIT: On the other hand, you can get a Brand new bike for under 10K at motomia. It's a 200cc and Chinese, but they are bullet proof and great to learn on (not to fast).
Click to expand...

Of all the words in the English language you had at your disposal, you chose "bullet proof" to describe cheap chinese motorbikes?
 
Colin62 said:
Of all the words in the English language you had at your disposal, you chose "bullet proof" to describe cheap chinese motorbikes?
Click to expand...

Well, maybe not as bulletproof as some Jap bikes. But they are good (depending on how you look after it too), mine gave me a few thousand K's with no problems, sold it after 6000km. 36km/l is not too shabby too. I took it on tour too, over 1000km in one week, no probs.
 
i bought an aprillia rs250 as a first bike.
guy delivered it and i sat looking at it, clueless as to how to ride!
a few hours later, i was sorted! learnt all by myself ( and some youtube!)
a week later the 250 was sold. same week in came the 750 and finally a lid! lol!
now i'm on a 1000.

if you see yourself on a bigger bike eventually, that time will come sooner than you think!
so think big!
btw, the 1000 i'm on now weighs lighter than my old 750... so its not a physically bigger machine!
 
Colin62 said:
Of all the words in the English language you had at your disposal, you chose "bullet proof" to describe cheap chinese motorbikes?
Click to expand...

LOL! That made me laugh~

pboy said:
i bought an aprillia rs250 as a first bike.
guy delivered it and i sat looking at it, clueless as to how to ride!
a few hours later, i was sorted! learnt all by myself ( and some youtube!)
a week later the 250 was sold. same week in came the 750 and finally a lid! lol!
now i'm on a 1000.

if you see yourself on a bigger bike eventually, that time will come sooner than you think!
so think big!
btw, the 1000 i'm on now weighs lighter than my old 750... so its not a physically bigger machine!
Click to expand...

Was thinking aprillia too, but they are really expensive compared to the japs, also, on their website i didn't see 250s? Perhaps its the older models?

lol, I was thinking the same in regards to learning it yourself...or at least my cousin and I can figure it out.
and I think 675cc might be the limit, since my goal it to get myself a Triumph Speed Triple 675cc naked bike...

Thanks
 
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