Motorbike beginner

[SauRoNZA]

At the end of it all, I settled on a Kawasaki Ninja 250R, which I'll be getting tomorrow morning

Also, I'm a beginner too, going for my learner's this month and booking for driver's right after.

To the guys suggesting 650's, lol, why?

Versatility vs cost.

A Ninja 250 costs a fortune for what it is and a slightly second hand ER6N is equally as easy to ride if not more so for bigger/taller riders without being intimidating to a new rider while offering years of riding versatility that a 250 simply cannot.

It keeps up to traffic much more easily and can maintain highway speeds as well. Hell I've even toured cross country with one, something almost impossible on a 250 Ninja unless you just want to prove a point.

On the cheaper and less sexy side of things a KLR is the superman of bikes and you'll ride that thing forever and a day across any terrain and it will still fire up every time.

 

[SauRoNZA]

If I was really limited to R20k-ish I would skip bikes altogether and rather buy the Honda PCX150 Journeyman scooter, brand new and out of the box.

Has all the storage you could ever need and stop start technology that makes it CRAZY light on juice.

 

[DA-LION-619]

A 650 is not a 650 is not a 600.

Capacity means nothing, power and torque mean everything and inline with that different engine configurations.

A single cylinder 650cc or parallel twin are perfect for a beginner, while a 600cc inline four cylinder or V-Twin are not.


HOWEVER to the OP.

Before buying a bike or even looking for one....LESSONS LESSONS LESSONS.

And change your budget to 40k and buy something decent that will last and won't kill you while it falls apart or can't keep up with traffic.

I can't really learn if I don't have a bike to practice on.

If I was really limited to R20k-ish I would skip bikes altogether and rather buy the Honda PCX150 Journeyman scooter, brand new and out of the box.

Has all the storage you could ever need and stop start technology that makes it CRAZY light on juice.

Yip also looking at that but it's an automatic right?

 

[SauRoNZA]

I can't really learn if I don't have a bike to practice on.


Yip also looking at that but it's an automatic right?

Go to someone like Billie de Beer or any other biking school to learn and decide whether biking is for you in the first place.

Having to buy a bike to practise on is a terrible way to go about it and often ends badly.



Yes it's an automatic, but for your budget rather buy something new and in good order than something of questionable origin. Trust me I'm not a fan of scooter either but for that kind if money it's what I would consider.

 

[DA-LION-619]

Go to someone like Billie de Beer or any other biking school to learn and decide whether biking is for you in the first place.

Having to buy a bike to practise on is a terrible way to go about it and often ends badly.



Yes it's an automatic, but for your budget rather buy something new and in good order than something of questionable origin. Trust me I'm not a fan of scooter either but for that kind if money it's what I would consider.

Is the such a place in Durban? I couldn't locate one. Just to note this bike is not for a daily commute. If I get license on an automatic does that means I won't be able to drive manual?

 

[SauRoNZA]

Is the such a place in Durban? I couldn't locate one. Just to note this bike is not for a daily commute. If I get license on an automatic does that means I won't be able to drive manual?

I do believe bikes are only capacity restricted and that if you do your license on an automatic above 125cc you'll get a big bike license.

Pretty sure Durban will have something. Where would you go to do your K53 training?

 

[vicv]

Is the such a place in Durban? I couldn't locate one. Just to note this bike is not for a daily commute. If I get license on an automatic does that means I won't be able to drive manual?

It's the same as with cars. Automatic and/or >125 = Limit on license

 

[DA-LION-619]

I do believe bikes are only capacity restricted and that if you do your license on an automatic above 125cc you'll get a big bike license.

Pretty sure Durban will have something. Where would you go to do your K53 training?

There's a handful of places to get training in driving a car or truck, not the same with a bike. I'm actually starting lessons for the car next month, I'm planning to get the bike license before the end of next year before my learners expires.

 

[Nerhzelok]

Versatility vs cost.

A Ninja 250 costs a fortune for what it is and a slightly second hand ER6N is equally as easy to ride if not more so for bigger/taller riders without being intimidating to a new rider while offering years of riding versatility that a 250 simply cannot.

It keeps up to traffic much more easily and can maintain highway speeds as well. Hell I've even toured cross country with one, something almost impossible on a 250 Ninja unless you just want to prove a point.

On the cheaper and less sexy side of things a KLR is the superman of bikes and you'll ride that thing forever and a day across any terrain and it will still fire up every time.

Now considering he's a student, would he really need something more than 600cc? Or even 300 for that matter? Especially if he's a beginner.

Cost vs. versatility wise, you have a point. But he's inexperienced, cost of life far outweighs the cost of a decent 250cc that won't hold up well against a 650 on the highway (and you more than likely wouldn't require that sort of power to begin with). I wouldn't say it's just about it being versatile in that regard, it's about entering the motorcycling world without immediately endangering yourself on a bike that has a higher learning curve than is necessary.

 

[ShaunyCT]

It's ridiculous to suggest a more powerful bike to newbie. Those things are too powerful, it's like suggesting a M3 bmw for somebody who never drove a car before.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Now considering he's a student, would he really need something more than 600cc? Or even 300 for that matter? Especially if he's a beginner.

Cost vs. versatility wise, you have a point. But he's inexperienced, cost of life far outweighs the cost of a decent 250cc that won't hold up well against a 650 on the highway (and you more than likely wouldn't require that sort of power to begin with). I wouldn't say it's just about it being versatile in that regard, it's about entering the motorcycling world without immediately endangering yourself on a bike that has a higher learning curve than is necessary.

Nobody suggested a CBR600.

Heard of the NC700? It was built for beginners fitting in exactly with the euro spec of starter licenses at 43kw. The other parallel twin 650cc's are exactly the same in that regard. Low power high torque engines.

All really depends on your needs and how long you want to ride the bike. It's just another option, nobody was forcing it down his throat. A 650cc for a little more money second hand will not only be a newer (safer) bike but will last him a good five years before he gets bored and wants another one.

But cost wise is exactly why I said opt for the scooter which you can buy brand new for 25k from what I remember. Do the license with a manual if the endorsement really does exist, although I would make double sure of that.


What do I know...I started on a GSXR600...which I know is the wrong bike for a beginner.

 

[SauRoNZA]

It's ridiculous to suggest a more powerful bike to newbie. Those things are too powerful, it's like suggesting a M3 bmw for somebody who never drove a car before.

It's not more powerful, just more versatile.

250 Ninja = 31 horses @ 11500rpm.

KLR650 = 44 horses @ 6500 rpm.

The KLR is a lower revving easier to ride engine with a much more reasonable seating position. Infinitely more easy to ride for a newbie than the sports replica Ninja.

We aren't talking 85kw superbikes for noobs here. Capacity does NOT equal power.

 

[RandomGRK]

Exactly like Sauron said. Don't look at the cc only. I once had a 750 that was only kicking out 50hp.

My current 675cc is making 107hp

To all those who are struggling to comprehend, read Saurons posts again. There is nothing I can add. He's said it all there. A beginner can start on a parallel twin 600 and up.

I started on a Honda Hornet, inline 4. Definitely not a beginner bike but it can be done. Both Sauron and I are still here. Not recommended but if you take it easy, go for training and flip the switch to paranoid mode, you'll be fine.

 

[DA-LION-619]

Slightly OT: does anyone do a clutchless shift? I wouldn't try it but do any of you ride like that.

 

[AfricanTech]

It's not more powerful, just more versatile.

250 Ninja = 31 horses @ 11500rpm.

KLR650 = 44 horses @ 6500 rpm.

The KLR is a lower revving easier to ride engine with a much more reasonable seating position. Infinitely more easy to ride for a newbie than the sports replica Ninja.

We aren't talking 85kw superbikes for noobs here. Capacity does NOT equal power.

Exactly like Sauron said. Don't look at the cc only. I once had a 750 that was only kicking out 50hp.

My current 675cc is making 107hp

To all those who are struggling to comprehend, read Saurons posts again. There is nothing I can add. He's said it all there. A beginner can start on a parallel twin 600 and up.

I started on a Honda Hornet, inline 4. Definitely not a beginner bike but it can be done. Both Sauron and I are still here. Not recommended but if you take it easy, go for training and flip the switch to paranoid mode, you'll be fine.

this and this.

My first bike was a Honda CB 650 (many, many moons ago) - bought from a buddy for 2K - I learnt on that bike - both to ride and how to maintain a bike and figure out what was wrong

LOL, I remember working out how to hotwire it cause the ignition was broken, and as a poor student, I couldn't afford to have it fixed for months.

Another time the rear wheel bolts wore out their coil chambers and I hit the yellow pages looking for an engineering shop that was prepared to insert helicoils for me, then finding new bolts....

Aah, those were the days

The spark plugs on that damn bike are upside down, so if you rode for long enough in the rain, you were soon not running on all cylinders

 

[FBloggs242]

Budget? I got a BMW F650GS (old single cylinder) as my first bike five years back and it's been a great beginner's bike yet still holds me in good stead today. Honda's NC700X is also great as a beginner's bike, I test rode one the the other day, not worth trading in for myself but a very easy to ride machine nonetheless.

Are you nuts recommending a 650 for a beginner... the person needs to learn roadcraft on a 125 before getting a larger bike... this is how beginners die because they get a bike to big and lack of road skills

Stick to a 125 mate for a year or two so you learn your roadcraft ..

 

[FBloggs242]

Nobody suggested a CBR600.

Heard of the NC700? It was built for beginners fitting in exactly with the euro spec of starter licenses at 43kw. The other parallel twin 650cc's are exactly the same in that regard. Low power high torque engines.

r.

This is wrong as beginners in Europe and the UK have to be on a 125cc with under 14.5 HP with a max speed of 65 MPH... his is to save lives and make a better rider

Category A1 (small motorcycles up to 11kW – 125 cc)

Category A1 covers small bikes with:a cylinder capacity not more than 125 cc
power output not more than 11 kW and a power to weight ratio not more than 0.1 kW per kg
motor tricycles with a power output not more than 15 kW

The minimum age limit for category A1 will still be 17 years.

You’ll have to pass theory and practical driving tests to get this entitlement.

Category A2 (medium motorcycles up to 35 kW)

Category A2 covers medium sized bikes, with or without a sidecar, which have:an engine power output not more than 35 kW
a power to weight ratio not more than 0.2 kW per kg – the bike must also not be derived from a vehicle of more than double its power

The minimum age for category A2 is 19 years.

There are two ways to get this entitlement.

Direct access
If you you’re aged 24 or over, you can take a theory and a practical test.

Staged access
If you’re aged 21 or over and have held an A2 licence for two years, you only need to take a further practical test.

Category A

Category A covers machines unlimited in size and power, with or without a sidecar, and motor tricycles with a power output of more than 15 kW. There are two ways to get this entitlement.

1. Direct access
If you don’t have two years’ experience, you’ll have to be aged 24 years or over. You’ll also need to pass the theory and practical tests.

2. Staged access
You can get this category from age 21 if you have two years’ experience on an A2 motorcycle and you take a further practical test.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Slightly OT: does anyone do a clutchless shift? I wouldn't try it but do any of you ride like that.

Yes.

I use the clutch to pull away and 1st to 2nd, after that no clutch required. Largely because I suffer terrible hand cramps as I get older, will probably fit a quick shifter when I have cash.

This applies to up shifts only of course.

 

[XennoX]

Grommit this is not Europe - those rules do not apply here.

 

[SauRoNZA]

snip.

My bad it was 35kw and not 47kw as I remembered.

That being said in a country where you can buy a license, a Hayabusa and a coffin all in the same day as long as you are 18 years old I think the difference between 35 and 47kw on a "standard" bike is hardly even worth a mention.

If the OP asked this on a "biker" forum they would tell him a Hayabusa is fine for a learner bike and that it's within the realm of your right hand and your control over it which is utter bollocks.

I stand by my statement that a 650cc Parallel Twin motored bike is just fine for beginners...knowing a number of people who started there and are perfectly alive without any major drama than the odd keeling over which we have all done.

There's even the new 500cc bracket although I have no idea what the price bracket is like or if we'll even get them. I know they are Euro spec compliant though.