Thinking about getting a bike.

copacetic

copacetic

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I know nothing at all. Scooter is not fast enough for freeway to work.

Not looking for something massive, insanely fast or anything, kind of like the look of something like:

Honda%20CBR250R%20%2011%20%204.jpg


How do you guys deal with the rain?

Any tips for a total noob in general?

Budget is currently at R0 - This is an info gathering exercise.

Thanks.
 
Got myself an NC750X, just the most easiest big bike to learn.

Its relatively cheap too, but with your budget(with regards to the CBR250) I'd get the NC700X second hand.

Check out some reviews.

The most important think about a bike that can drive on the highway is safety gear, get a decent jacket, and get a visibility jacket especially if you're a noobie (like myself)
 
Nether said:
The most important think about a bike that can drive on the highway is safety gear, get a decent jacket, and get a visibility jacket especially if you're a noobie (like myself)
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+1000, never skimp on safety gear that could save your life one day.

Also, ATGATT :D
 
K not being funny but... You thought about getting a bike, while busy eating a pizza and clipping your toenails ?

Not the best way to approach this type of thing - let me try help a bit.

The bad

When it rains, you get wet.
It's f-ing cold in winter
Cars generally try to kill you, as well as busses, taxi's, pedestrians, potholes, small animals running across the road and a whole host of other things - things try to kill you !
Helmets,jackets, riding pants, gloves etc are very expensive, factor this into your accounting!
Besides fuel consumption, biking is not always more cost effective than a car ( and in a car, get to try kill m/cyclists!)
Tyres and general components are generally more pricey than a car.
If you just riding a bike for the sake of riding a bike - it can be boring! A bike is meant for more than just going forward. ( see The good section)
Non- bikers will not understand biking and think you're a scumbag, pain in the #ss, self rightous prick ! But that's only partly true and their problem.

The good

It's AWESOME
If you have a bike and make plans to do something other than going forward - seeing the country, travel with mates or just going for a brekky, it's magic on another level.
New people to meet
New experiences
Traffic isn't a problem
Oh! and it's awesome.

The serious

Visit this site:
www.wilddog.za.net
You will get a world of advice here and you'll start to get an idea of the type of rider you want to be - track, road, dual sport (although this is mostly D/S bikes) or motorcross.

Seriously, do some homework, ask a lot of questions because buying the wrong bike may spoil the experience for you.

Good luck !
 
How are bike components more expensive then a cars? How much is a service?
 
copacetic said:
I know nothing at all. Scooter is not fast enough for freeway to work.

Not looking for something massive, insanely fast or anything, kind of like the look of something like:

Honda%20CBR250R%20%2011%20%204.jpg


How do you guys deal with the rain?

Any tips for a total noob in general?

Budget is currently at R0 - This is an info gathering exercise.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

As a 250 owner, with basically the same engine (definitely not the same aero though, mines the dual sport version). I'd advise against a 250 for any freeway riding. It's not that it can't do 120, it just doesn't have much in reserve when you are at that speed. I try to avoid freeways and do mostly slower city riding where the bike is much happier, as am I.

In the rain, you can wear some rain gear to keep you semi dry, it doesn't work that well in heavy rain though. It's normally better to wait it out if possible.

The fuel savings are great for me, they'll be less so on freeway riding compared to a car. The time savings are immense though, especially in bad traffic.
 
My 1st bike was a aprilia Rs250. Loved it and enjoyed the trips up and down the coast on breakfast runs but you can get hurt very quick from idiots on the road.
uploadfromtaptalk1423762255833.jpg
 
gelid said:
How are bike components more expensive then a cars? How much is a service?
Click to expand...

My first service was R 985.74 and second R 1035.96 @ the dealership. Those were routine, no extras (mostly oil and filters).
 
copacetic said:
How do you guys deal with the rain?

Any tips for a total noob in general?
Click to expand...

Avoid turning on paint (like pedestrian crossings) and manhole covers since they are quite slippery when wet. Cheap road repairs also tend to be slippery, even in the dry. Having waterproof boots that come high up on your leg (like just under you calf) are needed to keep your feet dry since most pants will ride up your leg a bit while riding, which will then act as a nice funnel for all the water to go directly into your boots (where it'll stay since they are waterproof). The rest of your gear simply needs to be waterproof, only special requirement is that it's made for motorcycling. I have not gotten wet in Cape Town torrential downpours with my current gear. Not even when it rained so much that half of CT was flooded and I had to travel 110km. People who get wet simply don't have the right stuff.

If this is going to do a lot of commuting, a more upright position is wanted. It's easier on the wrists and you get to see further ahead. These bikes also generally have more torque so they are easier to handle in slow traffic. So anything from a single cylinder 650, to the NC700 to your typical adventure bike is perfect. For commuting the NC700 / NC750 is probably the best. And you can get a full auto (a good double clutch, not a crummy scooter auto) on that bike, which also has ABS for a little more piece of mind.

edit: and whatever you decide on getting, in the first few days it's a really good idea to find a quiet spot and just get used to the bike. Do some tight circles, figure eights and emergency braking.
 
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copacetic said:
I know nothing at all. Scooter is not fast enough for freeway to work.





Not looking for something massive, insanely fast or anything, kind of like the look of something like:





Honda%20CBR250R%20%2011%20%204.jpg






How do you guys deal with the rain?





Any tips for a total noob in general?





Budget is currently at R0 - This is an info gathering exercise.





Thanks.
Click to expand...



My advice before continuing this conversation.



Burn the R500 odd and go do a beginning rider 5-hour training course.



If you still think its for you after that,then we talk.





Bikes are not for everyone, and many people don't acknowledge this, which is how people die.

*****

Rain is a non-issue. Whoever above said you get wet, is doing it wrong. I'm drier on the bike when I get to work than in my car, because I leave the house already kitted.
 
Oh and you make a massive mistake thinking a scooter isn't good enough for work.

There are some supremo monster scooters out there, but also some cheaper options that are very practical and will do the job just fine.

But anything without ABS is a no go.

This would be my option if I started now.

http://www.ktm.com/za/naked-bike/390-duke/390-duke.html
 
SauRoNZA said:
Oh and you make a massive mistake thinking a scooter isn't good enough for work.
Click to expand...

Will respond to the rest later, and I thank everyone for the input so far - I just want to point out that I currently own and use a scooter, and I meant it specifically is not fast enough for the freeway (it's a 150CC, and the road is only a 100 KM/h zone, but it does not feel safe).

I will respond to everyone this weekend.
 
I purchased a KTM RC390 two months ago, awesome bike..


bSTWrXY.jpg
 
Dude. Get yourself a bike. You will never look back.
I ride everyday, to work and back, for leisure. Come rain or shine.
You will need protective gear, boots, helmet, jacket, pants, gloves. If you go expensive you can get all these that are fully waterproof. If not, invest in a good rainsuit.

Ride like you are invisible, most car drivers don't look out for motorcycles.

Also know that there are only 2 types of motorcycle riders, Those who have fallen and those who still will fall. If you can accept that, you are good to go.
 
Heebs said:
Seriously, do some homework, ask a lot of questions because buying the wrong bike may spoil the experience for you.
Click to expand...

I don't think this will ever be a problem for me.
I love bikes in general. I have owned superbikes, commuters. I now own a small 180 cc commuter and a Beautiful Supermotard. I have a pitbike as well. Would love a KTM 1290 adventure, also a Honda msx 125. Been thinking about getting a Ural gear up. Would love to learn to ride with a sidecar. Man, I just love bikes.
 
Ridolfc said:
Dude. Get yourself a bike. You will never look back.
I ride everyday, to work and back, for leisure. Come rain or shine.
You will need protective gear, boots, helmet, jacket, pants, gloves. If you go expensive you can get all these that are fully waterproof. If not, invest in a good rainsuit.

Ride like you are invisible, most car drivers don't look out for motorcycles.

Also know that there are only 2 types of motorcycle riders, Those who have fallen and those who still will fall. If you can accept that, you are good to go.
Click to expand...
definatly agree on the two types of bike riders
 
I have ridden bike my whole life. I grew up riding on my dads old gsx200 x5 speed. Then got a new cbr125rr when i was 15 so i could ride to school. Then after school i had an old kawasaki z750 gt shaft drive.

The 125 i rode on freeways. 140kmh down hill and 100kmh uphill. 115kmh on the flats. I would suggest getting a honda as they can take alot of punnishment.
Mine has 45000km on it and going strong (this is alot for a bike)

They are economical and extreamly reliable. Your bike choise is going to come down to your budget as you say. i would suggest getting the cbr 500. its a very detuned engine so it will last for ever. The economy on it is great. i would suggest getting it second hand if uou wanna save some bucks.

Definatly get your self some gear. if your budget is tight the first things you must get is a helmet and gloves and a foldup rain suit (jacket and pants, they can be the thin plastic type ones) i would store this in the bike under the seat.

Next i would get a biker jacket then shoes. The pants are not a huge show stopper as jeans are great.

i dont suggest getting a one piece suit, reason being even though they offer alot of protection they are impracticable to wear to and from work. and you will then start not wearing any form of protection which is wrong.

The last thing and most important thing is that riding a bike is easy and fun, but riding on the road and trying to predict what other people are going to do is difficult and comes from alot of experience.

Start slow and safe while you build confidence and experience.

but definatly ride a bike it has such a beautiful sense of freedom.
 
Nah mate, the two kinds of riders are either old or bold, not both. I've learnt to ride at the tender age of 12 on an suz er 185,then both mbx and mtx, it250, bandit 400, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR (race specced, titanium full system, racing rear sets, power commander - insane piece of kit.) now on an 1200 Kwak. Bottom line, get full gear and get used to it. Think for cages (cars ), learn to read people inside, swift head movements indicates lane change etc. Go on superbike school or track days, learn the machine, you'll find that your skill level fades before the bikes does. At the end of the day, enjoy it, it farking fantastic
 
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