HibiscusTunes
Expert Member
- Joined
- May 13, 2008
- Messages
- 1,619
I quite like this helmet https://www.acesports.co.za/products/shark-evo-one-2-helmets?variant=13936597598317
I quite like this helmet https://www.acesports.co.za/products/shark-evo-one-2-helmets?variant=13936597598317
I just learned to take note of where I park.
Being a smaller guy I'm much more comfortable tippy toeing the bike than moving it off the bike. On a more steep incline dropping the bike becomes a reality if I don't have a foot on either side.
All that said I'm fine with my bike, it was just the beginning where being used to not thinking about it in a car, I now simply reverse in, and can tippy toe the rest that I don't reverse in.
Can’t go wrong with the NC as a commuter or starter bike mate.
Nothing wrong with the automatic either.
Only concern I would have is if you are a bit of a shorty and only starting out they can be a bit tall and therefore intimidating.
I’d rate if you are 1.8m or taller you’d be just fine.
Also don’t be in a rush to buy. Put that money you would have paid on insurance away into your bike fund so long and build it up a little more while getting used to it and buy the bike you are really happy with.
Insurance premium doesn’t change with the license usually. Rather it’s the excess that changes instantly. Then when you’ve had your license for a length of time the premium comes down. I recall more than 2 years.
I rode the NC750 manual quite a few times and I was fine with the height - I’m 1.70m. This was probably a 2013 model or thereabouts (if they were around then), so not sure if the geometry has changed but if not, he’ll be fine at 1.78m
I think the 750 was in fact lowered at stock height to be more accommodating. Or they narrowed the seat, because the height was artificial due to the seat being super square and wide.
The 700 was super tall.
Personally, i'd love a grom, but only as a second/third bike to have fun with. in the long run your itch is going to get worse and you're going to want to upgrade, its just not powerful enough, there's some posts by @SauRoNZA (i think) highlighting the point that smaller bikes are in fact dangerous on a highway, and i'd agree, a safety aspect of a bike is its ability to accelerate so fast and get away from trouble, something you'll need more on a highway.Read upto page 359.
Going to a few motorcycle dealerships in Pretoria today to see if I fit any bike at standard spec. Maybe a GROM?
Personally, i'd love a grom, but only as a second/third bike to have fun with. in the long run your itch is going to get worse and you're going to want to upgrade, its just not powerful enough, there's some posts by @SauRoNZA (i think) highlighting the point that smaller bikes are in fact dangerous on a highway, and i'd agree, a safety aspect of a bike is its ability to accelerate so fast and get away from trouble, something you'll need more on a highway.
So, a grom would be awesome, great small bike to learn on, but you won't be happy for long at all.
EDIT:
Just to add, i started riding on a Yamaha wr250f offroad, and wanted that same power as a minimum for a road bike, which my 650cc Kawasaki Er6 fulfilled, however that lasted a year before i wanted more.
I know that's personal choice and most would be happy with the 650, but a 125 is guaranteed to leave a huge hole in your heart, that can only be filled with Power... Or maybe i'm just Power Hungry..
I quite like this helmet https://www.acesports.co.za/products/shark-evo-one-2-helmets?variant=13936597598317
So I went to a few dealerships, found this one that fits me well, and looks good: https://www.autotrader.co.za/bikes/...i9zb3J0L3ByaWNlL2FzYy9zZWFyY2g&result-index=4
The dud of the day was BMW. Not a single person in the huge centurion dealership lifted their head while we walked through the floor and looked at the different 310 bikes. After seeing what I needed to see (310gs is indeed a very good looking bike!) we decided that BMW will be a no go.
Duke 390 also fits well, feels very light.
I am still considering getting a lowered NC...

Having ridden both a 125 and 250 on the highway.
Can't comment on BMW... waits for @SauRoNZA
Duke 390 is a good fit, has abs too. its a very slim bike.
That ER6 is a ER6-N for Naked, you get a ER6-F too which i have.
My 2013 ER6-F:
View attachment 640404
I don't have ABS though i don't particularly miss it, only had one emergency braking event, stay calm enough to not lock the front, and still calm enough to perform cadence braking on the rear when it locked up.Pure madness... Also as a rider with a bike with no ABS, I wish I had ABS. Few things make you really stop and look at your life after having a front and back lockup in a close call.
I quite like this helmet https://www.acesports.co.za/products/shark-evo-one-2-helmets?variant=13936597598317