Road Bike?

NeonNinja

NeonNinja

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So I’m very elementary when it comes to bikes.
So I’m interested in a bike; a road bike. Don’t require something fancy, fast, etc. Just something basic and reliable. The cheaper the better.

Which brand/make should I go for?

Nooby question: How does one acquire a learners/drivers licence? How much is it?
What about the physical testing and stuff?

Thanks…
 
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Well, what you gonna use the bike for, and where you going to drive it?
A Vuka is ok for running up and down the local, but not reccomended for the highway.
 
Chinees bikes is ok for city driving, but highway is a totally diffrent story.
Just imagine you trying to pass a bigrig going 100km/h and you trying to pass it at 120. The wind is going to push you all over the show.
Or imagine some MP flying past you in an A6 at 150km/h.
I would not go onto the highway in anything less than a 400cc, but that is just me.
 
Second hand Suzuki SV650, add proper gear and training (BMW in PTA pretty good)...

License similar to car, go for learners learn to ride properly then drivers test.
 
Just get yourself a second hand Honda CBX250 Twister. Can't go wrong. Reliable, cheap to maintain, parts available everywhere and it sniffs a petrol pump and runs for a month.
 
RVQ said:
Second hand Suzuki SV650, add proper gear and training (BMW in PTA pretty good)...

License similar to car, go for learners learn to ride properly then drivers test.
Click to expand...

Good bike, this. I had the Suzuki DL650 and it was a brilliant for commuting and going away over the odd weekend.
 
Ok, i started on a 125cc gomoto freedom. Not great for freeways, and hell of a dangerous with those tiny thin wheels....but honestly, I've had the most fun on that bike. Its like a cheap asian party between your legs, lol. * reminisces*

Anyways, I then went to a CBR900RR Fireblade, amazingly fast. Smooth as silk on the freeway and doesn't get affected by wind.

So I reckon something in between that will be fine. Anything bigger than a 250cc, and seeing as its your first bike, I'd limit it at 650cc. Dont go bigger than that.

Delivery bikes rule for cheapness and reliability... Yamaha SR250 = super rad. You see them everywhere.
Also, I dont think that motomia is that bad...honestly. I reckon it'll handle fine for what you want. Just clean it regularly, keep it undercover, tighten the bolts often and give it regular services, and dont gas it too much either. You'll be happy as hell, and remember....traffic can't see you for jack. Dont think they can until you get eye contact.
 
Nocturnity said:
Just get yourself a second hand Honda CBX250 Twister. Can't go wrong. Reliable, cheap to maintain, parts available everywhere and it sniffs a petrol pump and runs for a month.
Click to expand...

How could I forget the 'Toyota Tazz' of bikes. Perfect beginner bike, cheap and easy to fix, doesn't cost an arm and a leg and decent-ish power

markface said:
Ok, i started on a 125cc gomoto freedom. Not great for freeways, and hell of a dangerous with those tiny thin wheels....but honestly, I've had the most fun on that bike. Its like a cheap asian party between your legs, lol. * reminisces*

Anyways, I then went to a CBR900RR Fireblade, amazingly fast. Smooth as silk on the freeway and doesn't get affected by wind.
Click to expand...

Wow... just a 'small' upgrade...
 
RVQ said:
Wow... just a 'small' upgrade...
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Yeah, possibly a little too bigger jump, hahaha. Especially since I hadn't known about counter steering and such like at the time. Flip, madness!

Those CBX250's are awesome, agreed.
 
Nocturnity said:
Just get yourself a second hand Honda CBX250 Twister. Can't go wrong. Reliable, cheap to maintain, parts available everywhere and it sniffs a petrol pump and runs for a month.
Click to expand...

I concur. Heard only good things about these little bikes. Cheep 'n cheerful. At one stage considered getting myself one, then remembered how much I weigh :o and realised I need something bigger.
 
Just remember to behave like a car, take up your space like a car would.
Don't drive on the side of the road, don't pretend that you're on a bicycle.
That's when k a k starts to happen, and FAST.

The only time you can dodge between traffic is when it's dead still.
 
...and read up on counter-steering. And target fixation too. Makes a huge difference.
 
Well, you don't really need to be aware of counter-steering. It just happens by default. As you become comfortable with your bike, you learn how to lean. On some bikes you need to focus on it. Others, not so much. For example, my Boulevard requires serious focus on counter-steering when going round a corner and with the Z750, you don't even realize you're doing it (micro adjustments have a macro effect).

Target fixation is VERY important though. That, and looking out of the corners. Might just save your shiny new paint job, or, save your life.
 
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Nocturnity said:
Well, you don't really need to be aware of counter-steering. It just happens by default.
Click to expand...
For about a month into having my Fireblade i didn't know about counter-steering. It was a revelation when i finally made the connection. It is honestly the only way to make that bike turn.
Smaller the bike, the more 'by default' is feels, i must admit.
 
Nocturnity said:
Well, you don't really need to be aware of counter-steering. It just happens by default.
Click to expand...

This is largely true because radical counter-steering is beyond the reach of the average rider (it goes against instincts). I have seen a good, defensive riding, example in a film. A bike was threading through traffic at a robot. Suddenly a car door opens ahead for a passenger to exit. With correct counter-steering and sufficient momentum, the rider lays the bike (momentarily) almost flat on the road and evades hitting the door.

A more practical example was when a container truck crossed ahead of a friend of mine on his bike. There is space between the front and back wheels to slide through. Using counter-steering he laid his bike down on the road and commenced to slide between the wheels. It was perfect. Unfortunately, a protruding bar underneath the trailer clipped his head. He died anyway, but that was just bad luck. It doesn’t detract from his elegant counter-steering.
 
Agreed. It is very useful to have counter-steering as a tool if you're an advanced rider. I've also put a bike down rather than ride into something by using counter-steering, but if you don't know how to do it correctly, it won't really help because instinct will take over in most circumstances.

A pity about your friend. Sounds like a scene from a movie!
 
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