Thinking of taking up motorcycling as a hobby, but I've never had ride on a bike before so I'm looking for an affordable bike to get familiar with riding. Been looking at http://www.bigboy.co.za/bb-scooters-v1/gpr250r.html I'm not really concerned with reliability since I won't be riding more than 15km away from my house with it but I am however wondering about the safety of these big boy bikes?
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Big boy motorbikes safety?
- Thread starter k86k
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bullzeye.za
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I can't imagine that any motorbike would be considered "safe" - What kind of factors would protect you in an accident?
Frikkenator
Expert Member
Don't know what you mean by the safety of the bikes, but the big boys aren't bad. I've never had one, got a CBR myself, but from what I hear it's not a bad entry level bike. If you're looking for something that'll last you a wee bit longer, look at the CBR 250 (R40k) also a very good beginner bike and quite forgiving.
MisterFiftySomething
Executive Member
Any bike is only as safe as its rider. That goes even for a bicycle.
When you get on a bike you have to think for everybody else that is using the road as well.
When you get on a bike you have to think for everybody else that is using the road as well.
InternetSwag
Expert Member
Lawl.
It's Chinese, Chinese motorcycles and scooters are pumped out of China before they go through any real safety test. Not to mention they use old blueprints from japanese bikes made 20 years ago. The GY6 engine most Chinese scooters use is the poster child in case.
The short is, if you can fix something - you can buy Chinese.
Other than that I'd rather you buy a second hand 250 Honda Twister with less than 20k kms and that'll last you a lifetime.
Chinese bikes need to be serviced a lot and they use cheap nylon tyres that are not even rubber. They cost a lot to service as well, that's where the dealers really make moolah offa you. Replacing my scooters CVT belt and rollers costed about a R890 every 1k-1.5k kilometers. Ouch! It's the same with bikes, need to lube the chain etc. They also use cheap Chinese oil with the viscocity of melted butter. Youch, all of a sudden riding a bike aint all that smooth. Lots of things to consider, but I recommend Japenese, even if you buy a 125 cc.
Not something you want to learn on.
More information can be found here though, got any question just ask me - might boggle my mind a bit. - http://chinesescoots.forumwise.com/forum.html
It's Chinese, Chinese motorcycles and scooters are pumped out of China before they go through any real safety test. Not to mention they use old blueprints from japanese bikes made 20 years ago. The GY6 engine most Chinese scooters use is the poster child in case.
The short is, if you can fix something - you can buy Chinese.
Other than that I'd rather you buy a second hand 250 Honda Twister with less than 20k kms and that'll last you a lifetime.
Chinese bikes need to be serviced a lot and they use cheap nylon tyres that are not even rubber. They cost a lot to service as well, that's where the dealers really make moolah offa you. Replacing my scooters CVT belt and rollers costed about a R890 every 1k-1.5k kilometers. Ouch! It's the same with bikes, need to lube the chain etc. They also use cheap Chinese oil with the viscocity of melted butter. Youch, all of a sudden riding a bike aint all that smooth. Lots of things to consider, but I recommend Japenese, even if you buy a 125 cc.
Not something you want to learn on.
More information can be found here though, got any question just ask me - might boggle my mind a bit. - http://chinesescoots.forumwise.com/forum.html
Shake&Bake
Party Liaison
Any bike, any vehicle or even foot traffic can get you killed.
Buy the bike, don't buy the bike.
Either way - you can't escape your Final Destination.
:twisted:
Dom1n8tr1x
Expert Member
I would like to know why the rollers and CVT belt on your scooter only lasts 1-1.5k since they should last a couple thousand kilometers.
The dealer is definitely making a fortune off you each time.
InternetSwag
Expert Member
The belt has been snapping every 1k-1.5k km's depending on how I drive during that time period. I've since started doing it myself and the results are the same, just cheaper and it's such a *** job to do, taking off the cover and then the variator. I have pics up on my photobucket account of the first time I did it. I can link em if you want me to.
As per the mileage, I've heard people getting 7k, but the norm seems to be 2.5k. As with all things CHinese mileage may vary.
+1 theyve been ripping you a new one. go check out the SAscooters forum, theyll be able to help you in a jiffy. hope its not RAS, as im only trying to help.
To the OP, i wouldnt get a big boy. at the moment the quality control is a 'hit and miss'. you could get one that would go around africa, or one that could break down in the first 1000km.
if you only want to use it to learn get a second hand honda e-storm/cbx, ride it a few thousand km and sell it.then get a bike you really want.youll lose very little money and it will probably be a much nicer experience.
Dom1n8tr1x
Expert Member
This does not sound good at all. One of my dads scooters has done well over 3k and it's still going strong.
One of the following may be your issue:
a. Something is seriously wrong with your scooter, or
b. The dealer is selling inferior CVT belts to you.
The latter would probably be your problem. Get a belt from another dealer and see if it still snaps at low km's.
Then again as you say, it could be the way you ride.
Maybe you could post the links up for others that may want to do it themselves. I found a nice 29min video on YouTube that shows how to do it in great detail. Here's the link for those interested:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EjW-iSP-Q8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
As for the OP. I got myself a brand new Jonway Galaktika last week. It's a really nice scooter and is great for using in town. As for Big Boy scooters, my dad bought one last year and the first couple hundred km's were without problems, then sometimes suddenly the scooter refuses to start after it has been driven. So I will be carefull what I choose.
SauRoNZA
Honorary Master
Ultimately you get what you pay for.
It's that cheap for a very good reason and sure not too bad for what you are paying but simply cannot compete with the pricier and better quality Japanese options.
Worst thing I've found on the Big Boy's are the cardboard brakes, which is why I'll never ride one again.
Rather buy something second hand or save the 40k to buy a brand new Honda CBF250.
It's that cheap for a very good reason and sure not too bad for what you are paying but simply cannot compete with the pricier and better quality Japanese options.
Worst thing I've found on the Big Boy's are the cardboard brakes, which is why I'll never ride one again.
Rather buy something second hand or save the 40k to buy a brand new Honda CBF250.
InternetSwag
Expert Member
this yo
Velenoso
Expert Member
I bought a small Puzey 125 scooter o think for 6k brand new a while ago. I used it in Cape Town while I was there for a long stretch. I did 3500km on it and sold it for 5k. Never broke down and I didn't service it. The hooter did stop working though.
2c
2c
Dom1n8tr1x
Expert Member
Not everyone can afford to buy a 40k bike and I'm sure most who can spend that much would rather buy a good secondhand car.
I also own a 180cc Bajaj Avenger, payed 15k for it 5 years ago. I haven't had any issues with it and build quality is excellent, it is basically a Kawasaki with Bajaj engine. They sell for 20k now with 200cc engine but I prefer the 180cc because it also has a kick starter and does not have an oil cooler.
InternetSwag
Expert Member
Thanks alot everyone especially Internetswag, your experience is very similar to what I heard from some guy I asked advice from with regards to the big boy bikes when I saw him riding one in PE. I think I'm gonna save up for a little while longer to get myself a Honda CBR250R, from what I heard it comes with free lessons at a Honda academy.
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Also check out the cbx250 twister.the delivery guys abuse them and have heard many reports of them going over 100 000km. yamaha has a ybr250. like a cbx250 but with fuel injection.
honda is bringing out a new range of 500cc twins soon. perfect step up when youre done with the 250. join a bike forum like thinkbike.loads of advice.
I would agree with Internetswag on this one, My dad is a mechanic and every single day he comes home cursing when a client brings in a chinese bike. They are seriously *** because the chinese just care about making cheap stuff.
I have a suzuki scooter which i got second hand for 5k. I have done over 10 000km (bike is on around 19 000km now) on it in the last year and not once has it broken down, I got a puncture once but replaced the tyre for R300. Other than that all i have had to do is check the oil every few months and put petrol in. Such a reliable little scooter.
I have a suzuki scooter which i got second hand for 5k. I have done over 10 000km (bike is on around 19 000km now) on it in the last year and not once has it broken down, I got a puncture once but replaced the tyre for R300. Other than that all i have had to do is check the oil every few months and put petrol in. Such a reliable little scooter.
bdt
Executive Member
Inasmuch as being on a bike can be considered 'safe', three things rule your life on two wheels: tyres, brakes and power (delivery).
- Tyres because your life depends on two tiny contact patches about the size of the top of a matchbox, you don't skimp there.
- Brakes; well, it's obvious: good brakes will stop you sooner, note that this also very much depends on tyre quality (and specially the front).
- Power: this is more subtle, specially down at small engine size but you want it to come on when you twist that throttle and you want it to do that reliably because a *lot* of the time the best way for a 2-wheeler to not be in a trouble situation is to scoot out of it.
Dom1n8tr1x
Expert Member
Not all Chinese or cheap imported scooters are bad. I know someone who bought a 125cc Vuka scooter secondhand with 19k on the clock and commutes in and out of town with it on a daily basis.
I believe it all comes down to how you ride and maintain your bike. I had a new 1999 Yamaha RZ50 and it gave me 10 years service without problems. I sold it to family and it probably lasted only two years with the boy who rode it.
I also owned a 1986 Suzuki GS450 which didnt give me any problems for the six years I owned it. I sold it to a friend and within a year the bike weren't running and stripped for spares.
I'm also someone who service my bikes myself. You don't need a degree to change spark plugs, oil, adjusting and oiling the chain exc which is basically what a so called service entails.