Motor bike advice

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ella254

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I am 45 and a complete newby in the motorcycle world. Writing my learners this month. Can the experienced riders advise me on what motor to buy? The choice is overwhelming.

-Use: mainly around town or back roads. No desire for speed or long road trips. Max 1hr.
-We live near the coast and our town has some steep roads so we do need some power.
-Mostly lady rider (177 cm/63kg). Needs to safely carry an adult passenger as well.
-Might have to dub as second car now that our eldest has a driver's license and takes the second car regularly.
-love a more retro look.

Thinking of a scooter but don't know which brand is advisable and how powerful we should go.






 
Of you intend doing back roads - some gravel, look for a 650. The older BMW 650 GS would be ideal. It has enough power, suits your height and is very reliable. Scooters do not do well on gravel. But, please do more than just a licence- do go for riding courses like those given by BMW and others. Remember, all vehicles on the road are trying to kill you; at least depart from that premise, and you will be safer.

And, a 650, if you respect it, is a safe bike for a beginner. Having too little power on tap is a dangerous as not being able to control too much power. Do not believe the nay-sayers. My wife started with a 650 Aprilia and became an extremely competent rider manoeuvring her later BMW 1200GS where guys chickened out. Jan Staal du Toit of the BMW rider academy nicknamed her "Gutsy Girl".

Go for it! Safe kilometres.
 
Well first off, what is your budget?

A maxi scooter would be ideal, loads of under seat storage for trips to the shops. You dont really need anything massive, so maybe look at:

sym.co.za

CITYCOM 300i - SYM South Africa

The Sym CityCom 300i is the perfect companion on any journey in or out of the city, designed to be practical but not forgetting that scooters have to be stylish and desirable at the same time. The 16-inch wheels offer the best combination of stability and handling while the riding position has...
sym.co.za sym.co.za

or a 2nd hand Suzuki Burgman, Yamaha T-max or something along those lines.

Bike wise, BMW F650 or maybe a Honda NC750 would be a good choice.
 
Get a 650GS. Best starting bike, especially if you are talking about "back roads". Also, it has enough power to get you out of sticky situations. Remember, the most important safety device on a bike is the throttle.
 
Something like the Yamaha Zuma 125 maybe?
Since you are near the coast (not sure how far though), chat with some surfers - a lot of them in KZN use scooters to go to the beach and some really dodge places afterwards!
Been thinking of getting one myself actually.
 
shinji said:
Something like the Yamaha Zuma 125 maybe?
Since you are near the coast (not sure how far though), chat with some surfers - a lot of them in KZN use scooters to go to the beach and some really dodge places afterwards!
Been thinking of getting one myself actually.
Click to expand...
For the dodgy places?
 
As said above... BMW F650gs.. I had one. Great little bikes and the only reason I got rid of mine was to get a 1150gs.
 
I'd avoid a scooter. The small wheels don't generate enough rotational mass to keep the bike stable. Agreed on the 650 GS others noted. Other bikes to consider: The Yamaha 650 Tenere. Very cool bike although slightly more offroad oriented.
 
650Gs or the Suzuki SV650 , you can pick up a real bargain if you look around. Stay away from the crotch rockets and anything really old , it's not a classic it is junk no one wants anymore
 
SV650 is a pretty solid suggestion, as well as the 650GS.
 
How big is the possible passenger?
Def look at at a dual sport (On and off road), the Bmw 650 isnt bad, I had one too, Wasnt my fav bike, but had more than enough power to cart my then 190kg's around.

Do not go for a scooter, Scooters have small front wheels, those lead to lots of falling. Scooters are kak

Personally, I would look for a Kawa KLR 650, Bmw 650, or even a Drz400,

Hell, if its two lightweights like under 130kg's max, Play around in the 250-300cc range too.
 
As so many people have already suggested, F650GS is a great beginner bike, I actually sometime miss how easy it was to ride. While at 177cm you should be fine, if you can find one with a lowered seat then that will make you feel even more comfortable on it.
 
Fantastic. Thanks so much. You seem to be in agreement here which is super helpful. I am going to read up on these and see if I can test drive. Definitely going to get my driver's and have already got a contact on defensive driving classes which I intend on taking before venturing on the roads.
Passengers are between 55 and 85 kg.
 
With back roads I did not actually mean dirtroads, just more off the highway through the villages for some touring.

Sat on a BMW 310 today which felt nice size-wise.
And a Sym 600. That last one felt quite bulky and heavy. Could barely get it up its stand.

Also realising it can't be massive as it needs to share garage space with our camping trailer so it can stand inside.
 
We're settling on a 150cc or 200 cc SYM scooter. Although I was drooling over the beautiful bikes suggested, the reality is that it will be 80% run around town use. And then it is nice to have something less heavy and bulky which I might even ride with a skirt if I wont exceed 40km/hr. So I am going to park the big bike dream (for now) and get what is more practical.
 
TheFriendlyGhost said:
have a look at the Honda NC700 and 750. Extremely light on fuel. The also come in a DCT option. The are some decent pre-owned available
Click to expand...
I know this is an old post. But honestly there is no better bike for any person wanting to commute to work and back every day. They are the most reliable machines currently. And average anything from 28-35kmpl. They get as good gas mileage as little 125-250cc bikes.
 
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