Getting a bike, WHICH ONE??? Please help

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Bobenstein

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I am getting my first bike, and being a teenager it needs to be cool...Bright, fast and as cheap as possible. A few people say that a big boy is not a very good bike ( http://www.bigboyscooters.co.za/bb-scooters-v1/gpr200r.html ) but it seems very cheap for what it is, good value for money, or am i missing something.

Then went onto gumtree to see what i could get for similar money and came up with two main options. Honda CBR150 which is more common than a VW Golf, but still expensive ( http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c...es-motorbikes-Honda-cbr150-W0QQAdIdZ238954762 ) or another brand i never heard of before called a Phoenix, which also seems relatively cheap in comparison( http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c...-motorbikes-PHOENIX-GP-200-W0QQAdIdZ237171049 )

Basically i want 2007 or later, fuel injection preferably, 150-200cc as cheaply as possible.:twisted:

Are there any bike gurus out there who can give me some tips on what else to look for when buying my first bike, and when buying second hand bikes in general

Thanks
 
HavocXphere said:
You'll probably get some solid answers here, but maybe ask at www.thinkbike.co.za too.
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+10000

also check out http://www.flamesonmytank.co.za

Honda's are more expensive than a Suzuki / Yamaha, etc with similar size engine etc. Fanboi's would kill me for dissing my add-extra-R5000-for-Honda-wings-badge comment but it is true. I won't deny that they are good bikes though.

Just be careful of the cheap Indian and Chinese models.
The Phoenix's that I've seen are kinda like generic Hondas.

I went with a second-hand Yamaha for my first bike. Was easy to learn on, riding and basic maintenance (for someone who only ever rode a Vespa once or twice)

How much are you looking to spend and what would you be using it for mostly. That would narrow down your search a bit
 
I commute daily on my GS1000G or my brothers scooter (on permanent loan). My primary transport for the last 12 years. In my experience do not put all your money into your first bike. cause you are "Young, dumb and full of CUM" (My friends Vespa R40 000 lasted 2 weeks, before he joined the Gravity Club)

On a serious note, the Bajaj bikes are value for money, as well as economical and cheap spares. Or a 150cc Scooter for convenience. It all depends how far you commute and at what speeds you need. Nobody likes a Scooter doing 80km/h on the highway and you would be putting you life in danger.

You could always buy an expensive "fast" bike and use all your money for upkeep, thereby not being able to save for a decent bike once your first has been pulled through your ..... My first lasted 2 years, and thinking back, its a wonder i am still here.

And finally, remember, rubber side down!
 
Roadkill2 said:
"Young, dumb and full of CUM"
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Haha thanks for all the advise, going to need to remember that one. will look on the other sites, but the thing with the Big Boy GP200R is that it is R14K brand new, 200cc and ORANGE!!! This seams right if they are good enough quality. Its also a South African brand...
 
Mantis said:
+10000

Just be careful of the cheap Indian and Chinese models.
The Phoenix's that I've seen are kinda like generic Hondas.

How much are you looking to spend and what would you be using it for mostly
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And South African models?

Looking for about 8-15K and its for going to school ,friends, gym etc...Not on the highways, just back roads and small carriage ways
 
id take the honda

there are no south african made bikes, they all just chinese imported rebranded items
i recall alot of complaints with bigboy on other sites, not sure if it was service or for spares?
so just keep that in mind
 
D3x! said:
assuming you don't mind buying a second hand bike,
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I don't mind a second hand bike at all. Just wary of old bikes as parts are hard to come by. I don't know much about bikes so value your comments a lot . Found a lot of reports on bad build quality on the big boy on ThinkBike and on here http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/278759-Bigboy-Scooters and http://forum.thinkbike.co.za/showthread.php?35995-BigBoy-SRT250 ...

Back to the top question is the Phoenix brand any good, cus they also cheap-ish. Will try look them up as well
 
ive never heard of a phoenix until today!!!

how available are spares? service?
wat happens if u drop the bike and need a new fairing?
the dealer will say the spares are freely available, until u actually need one
even tho they look good, i wouldnt get one
just get cheap honda/yamaha/suzuki
 
Bobenstein said:
I don't mind a second hand bike at all. Just wary of old bikes as parts are hard to come by. I don't know much about bikes so value your comments a lot . Found a lot of reports on bad build quality on the big boy on ThinkBike and on here http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/278759-Bigboy-Scooters and http://forum.thinkbike.co.za/showthread.php?35995-BigBoy-SRT250 ...

Back to the top question is the Phoenix brand any good, cus they also cheap-ish. Will try look them up as well
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Well Honda spares won't be a problem and it is a 2 stroke so the acceleration is amazing!

Never heard of a Phoenix before.

PS. how old are you, surely if you aren't 18 you can't go for anything above a 125?
 
Bobenstein said:
I am 18...But its not for highway and on a matrics/ uni student budget so trying to get something that will go, but not too fast...

How much wuld the service and parts as described in this add cost? Assume there would be a little more as well. http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c...rcycles-motorbikes-CBR-125-W0QQAdIdZ240157885
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This is a CBR 125 which as far as I know is a 4 stroke, whereas the LS is a 2 stroke, huge difference in power. Personally I would take the 2 stroke.

On my LS I got roughly 0-100 in 8 sec - which imo for a small bike is f##k fast!

The CBR does look good though and I can't give an accurate price on the service and parts, best would be to call Honda and perhaps a second quote from another bike shop.
 
I would like to add to my advice.

You can buy 2 x Chinese scooters for the price of a "Good quality" one. By that time you will have hopefully gathered some sense, and saved for a bigger bike.
Think of the Chinese scooters as throw away. But i would recommend that what you choose can at least maintain 100km/h.

Another thing, tell them to take that c@ppy "offroad tires" off before you buy it, as a condition of sale.
 
Go for a trail bike. Cheap, robust, light and ‘cool’.
 
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