New to motorbikes

Yamaha YZ250 is full offroad.

Agree with Oupa. YZ 250 full offroad.
Going to cost you a small bike's price to get it modded to pass a road worthy. ButvI would not suggest modifying a full off road to be a road legal dualpurpose. Off road bikes service intervals ie. Oil changes and so on are measured in hours. And they are not meant to be used at constant high rpm as it will do in a commute. Pop a motor on a 4-stroke single and you look at 5-6k for a rebuild.

What is your budget? If you are looking for a decent starter with good offroad capabilities and good commuting capabilities I would look at the Honda CRF250L.No reason you can not finance in 2012 I bought my first new bike a Yamaha XT660R with a Learners and financed it. Cost me R1900 a month and R500 insurance. Instalment was high as I did not pay a deposit.

He should buy a YZR or NSR 500cc 2 stroke and get it over and done with, pure bike :whistle:

If you can still get one of those in a good condition and can afford it and the petrol then hell yes buy one legendary bikes. Maak net seker jou mediese fonds is goed en op datum

Ek dink nie jou medies sal jou dek nie, 500cc 2 stroke... no way...

You wont live long enough to make the first months payment lol

First time he lets the powerband kick in.......

Thnx gents. With friends like you who needs enemies? I don't have a budget as long as it is good value for money. I intend to take some road trips with the bike on the highway and often.

What distance do you have in mind?

Check out the specs of the Honda CRF250L
6 gears
Liquid Cooled
Fuel Injected so you dont need to worry about carburator
set up. I would serioudly consider this as a first bike. Keeping in mind you eant to plsy offroad with your mates some weekends.
Honda Kyalami sells them with a 3year service/maintenance plan and warranty and road side assistance

Thanx man. Expense for an off-roader bike no 2, ma se kinnes... :blink: Maybe I should look at a road bike first and then later get technical with the off-roaders. What would be a good first bike? Should I just buy any running 250 under 20k?

Defintely go for something like the Honda CRF250L. Considering the fact it is a dualer some good fun offroad (as long as its nothing to heavy) and some great speed on road without worrying about killing yourself.

Something more on road the Honda CB300F. Its a CBR300R without all the fairings. Problem is only came out this year so seconds are going to be hard to come by and if they are they will be kinda expensive .... check out the link for some info.


Otherwise a Suzuki GW250. All together great bike. New price is around the 50k mark and again a new model so chances of getting seconds are slim. Best thing they make an all black model which I must say looks mean even though its a 250. Not sure how big you are but if you too big this wont work as it will look like a pocket rocket.

I'm 1.86m and 89kg.

When I buy a car I know exactly what to look for and how to haggle down the price. Problem is with bikes I'm clueless. :blink: So far these are the deals I am considering:

www.automart.co.za/bikes/yamaha-r15-exce...tion-2010-id-2310781

www.automart.co.za/bikes/honda-repsol-or-swop-2013-id-2388561

bikes.autotrader.co.za/used-motorcycles/...zar/10-000-to-24-999

www.automart.co.za/bikes/hyosung-gt-250-r-2007-id-2406263

www.gumtree.co.za/a-motorcycles-scooters...47453240910806547409

This will be my second bike, check it out MA:

www.automart.co.za/bikes/ktm-390-duke-2014-id-2385394

Just buy the KTM! A month on a smaller bike and you'll be bored. I'm excitedfor you. I was looking at getting a bike a few months ago but my wife quickly put an end to that idea.

MA has a point hey.

The minute you get the hang of the whole riding thing you are going to get bored with a too small bike.
Looks like your budget is at R20k so my honest opinion if it was my money get the Hyosung for now get started and save for the 390. If you want a off roader later we can talk about a 2008 CRF450. Bear in mind full off road...

I agree, you'll get bored of a 125 or 250 very quickly bro..

A few more motards just to put it out there.

vanderbijlpark.olx.co.za/ktm-525-swop-for-golf-iid-824148960 - (not 100% motard but)

johannesburg.olx.co.za/aprilia-sxv-550-motard-iid-826339135

vereeniging.olx.co.za/husqvarna-450-2008-iid-831230784

Motards are pretty comfortable, atleast for me... Plus you tall so crouching over a small 125 road bike wont be very nice. That aprilia is tits man :woohoo:

Shot for the Karma reset Pyro

Pyroclasm wrote: That KTM is so damn sexy that I will probably feel depressed for weeks if I drop her. Is it a bad idea to get an on/off roader for a first bike? That way I can keep the bike for the weekend bush trails my mates are into and then I can join them. Also off roaders are kinda designed to be dropped, no?

Getting a dualie (on-road which is capable of off-road) is a great idea I think!
Also remember that a dualie is not an off-road bike, they are not built for off-road competitions. IMO a proper off road bike will handle a fall better due to the lack of things which make a bike road legal (mirrors, flickers, lights etc. etc.)

In terms of what to consider as a first bike, that Honda CRF250L seems good but a bit pricey IMO, I think the BMW GS range is quite good as well (650 GS perhaps) although more road than off-road when compared to the CRF250L.
Kawasaki KLR650 - sure it is a 650cc motor but it is a single cylinder and is nowhere near as powerful as a 600cc inline 4 which you'd find in a street fighter / superbike. You will find them dirt cheap 2nd hand and more suited to off-road than the BMW 650GS. Yamaha XT660 is something to consider.

The Suzuki V-strom 650 is getting a bit more powerful and then the Triumph Tiger 800 as well.


My knowledge on the dualies is a bit limited as I have never really considered one for myself.



However if you want to get a road bike consider something like a Honda CBX250 (AKA the Honda Twister), Honda CBR250 (pricier though), the Honda e-Storm isn't bad but a bit slow.



My personal opinion is get something cheap and smaller (even if its a road bike) and ride that for a few months until you are use to it, then sell it and get yourself something bigger and more fun and something you plan on keeping for a while longer.
This also gives you more time to do some more research and make up your mind whether you want a road bike or a dualie.

Out of all the links to bikes you posted, the only one which I would consider (especially if you wanted to go off road) is the Honda XR. The KTM is just too expensive for such a slow bike, I wouldn't be able to justify the price to myself
I would happily spend that or more on a bigger bike though

Pyroclasm wrote: Should I just buy any running 250 under 20k?

Without a doubt, I wouldn't recommend spending much more on a 1st bike. The cheaper the better as you will just use it for a few months before upgrading to something bigger IMO.
125 - 250cc is a bit boring. The fun starts when you get to the 400 - 600cc range, depending on the bike.

Muscleaddict wrote: Just buy the KTM! A month on a smaller bike and you'll be bored. I'm excitedfor you. I was looking at getting a bike a few months ago but my wife quickly put an end to that idea.

Good, You have kids. :kiss:

So I did the BMW Novice course and it was bloody amazing! I think the reason why it was so great is because we had a fantastic and patient instructor. He taught some road tactics that makes a lot of sense and gives much more chance for cars to see you. At the beginning of the course I had to walk the bike so that I don't fall off. At the end of the course we were swerving around cones and deliberately get the bike to lean almost against the tarmac. I would never have believed I would be able to do that at the start of the course. At the end of the course we parked our bikes and the instructor told me to get on his 1200GX Adventure bike we are going for a joy ride. That dude drives it like he stole it! Dayum! Definitely in the top 5 coolest things from 2015.

Back to the point. The instructor told me I should skip the small bike BS, go for a 800/1000cc and get on with it. Anything else I would get bored within a month. He says I will definitely get a superbike soon as he knows the type. I have done some bike shopping but the problem is I am not sure if what I want to buy will be uncomfortable to drive on the highway for normally an hour. What do you gents think about:

BMW F800R (in love with this one) :love:
Honda Fireblade
Kawasaki ZX6R or ZX10R
KTM Duke 690 (is there a 990?)

Any other suggestions?

Pyroclasm wrote: So I did the BMW Novice course and it was bloody amazing! I think the reason why it was so great is because we had a fantastic and patient instructor. He taught some road tactics that makes a lot of sense and gives much more chance for cars to see you. At the beginning of the course I had to walk the bike so that I don't fall off. At the end of the course we were swerving around cones and deliberately get the bike to lean almost against the tarmac. I would never have believed I would be able to do that at the start of the course. At the end of the course we parked our bikes and the instructor told me to get on his 1200GX Adventure bike we are going for a joy ride. That dude drives it like he stole it! Dayum! Definitely in the top 5 coolest things from 2015.

Back to the point. The instructor told me I should skip the small bike BS, go for a 800/1000cc and get on with it. Anything else I would get bored within a month. He says I will definitely get a superbike soon as he knows the type. I have done some bike shopping but the problem is I am not sure if what I want to buy will be uncomfortable to drive on the highway for normally an hour. What do you gents think about:

BMW F800R (in love with this one) :love:
Honda Fireblade
Kawasaki ZX6R or ZX10R
KTM Duke 690 (is there a 990?)

Any other suggestions?

That BMW F800R will be a very comfortable ride, just get a larger windshield. Something like this: to keep the wind off your chest (especially at higher speeds) should you find the stock one not suitable.

If you like the Beemer, I think it is a fantastic choice - even for a first bike!
However I highly recommend you test ride them all to make 100% sure it is what you really want.

Superbikes are really uncomfortable, even for someone as small as me. I rode my friends 2007 GSXR 600 literally a KM and was already starting to notice how unpleasant the seating position is compared to my Z750S!

In terms of speed, the F800R will still be plenty fast and more than sufficient to get you away from most cars at the robot (some of the more exotic ones might be a problem ). You do not NEED a faster bike.


Once you get your bike, you should go back for another track day training course type thing where you are able to use your own bike. Not sure what all was covered, however a few of the basics would be counter-steering, emergency braking, cambers, looking through the corner, learning to shift your weight around the bike and it sounds as if you have learnt how to lean into a corner already and just about scrape your knee!

Some of the things you learn and practice are invaluable, especially on South African roads with the way some of the cars & taxi's drive as well as the pot holes and roads which are filled with loose gravel and oil etc.


EDIT: Have you considered the Kawasaki Z800? An amazing all-rounder bike, still very easy to ride and has significantly more power than the BMW yet still retains that street fighter look.
It is almost comparable to a 600cc superbike in terms of performance. 0-100 in around 4.5 seconds.

It all depends on what type of rider you are.
The street fighters & adventures are cumfy and corner well but they are more like robot racers.
If you love cornering and high speeds and precision then a 1000cc Superbike will be the way to go, but you won't be able to jump on it and just ride down to the coast. The wrist pains etc. that people talk about on superbikes only happen when you lift someone (in my experience).

If you're not one for speed then go for something like the Kawasaki Z1000 with a little screen for the wind.
I wouldn't go smaller than a 1000cc.... coz if you go smaller you will want to upgrade it within 6 months for sure.

BeastGP wrote: I wouldn't go smaller than a 1000cc.... coz if you go smaller you will want to upgrade it within 6 months for sure.

I disagree completely!! I know many bikers who have had 1000cc superbikes and "downgraded" and I myself have had my Z750S for 5 years and am still more than happy with the acceleration and speed it provides and have no desire to upgrade to something bigger.

By upgrading to a 1000cc bike I would increase my maintenance costs, I can do 0-100 1 second faster, cornering isn't as friendly (especially for a beginner) due to the extra weight, the bike itself costs more and fuel consumption is higher.

For the average rider, the only advantage to a 1000cc bike compared to an equivalent 600cc - 800cc is that it is faster in a straight line.



I was at Zwartkops for a training track day and there was this kid on a Honda RS125 in Class A. So in the same class as guys who used to race in the sunday class I think it was called? Anyways, this kid on the RS125 was putting the others to shame. He ended up lapping some of the riders and in the corners none of the other bikes could keep up!

PsyCLown wrote:

BeastGP wrote: I wouldn't go smaller than a 1000cc.... coz if you go smaller you will want to upgrade it within 6 months for sure.

I disagree completely!! I know many bikers who have had 1000cc superbikes and "downgraded" and I myself have had my Z750S for 5 years and am still more than happy with the acceleration and speed it provides and have no desire to upgrade to something bigger.

By upgrading to a 1000cc bike I would increase my maintenance costs, I can do 0-100 1 second faster, cornering isn't as friendly (especially for a beginner) due to the extra weight, the bike itself costs more and fuel consumption is higher.

For the average rider, the only advantage to a 1000cc bike compared to an equivalent 600cc - 800cc is that it is faster in a straight line.



I was at Zwartkops for a training track day and there was this kid on a Honda RS125 in Class A. So in the same class as guys who used to race in the sunday class I think it was called? Anyways, this kid on the RS125 was putting the others to shame. He ended up lapping some of the riders and in the corners none of the other bikes could keep up!

That is only coz the kid is talented not coz he's riding a 125.... So you want to tell me if you put that same kid on a prepped 1000cc he will be slower LOL!

There is no way a factory 600 is faster than a factory 1000 in ANY way. And the 600's or 750's are defiantly not 1 second behind a 1000 0-100. And then what happens 0-200? as a 1000 does like 160 in 1'st gear....

I always say, you can ride a 1000 like a 600, but you can't ride a 600 like a 1000.

Like I said, it depends on the rider, I have been riding bikes for 20 years, know professional races, been in bike clubs etc. And a much larger percentage upgrade. Just my 2c

Shot gents! I think both of your opinions are a lot closer than what you think. Price wise the 1000cc's are much more expensive I see. Had a look at the Kawasaki 800 and it looks good. Much more powerful than the BMW!! And R25k cheaper. But that doesn't mean anything until you see the girl infront of you and there is chemistry.

Pyroclasm wrote: Shot gents! I think both of your opinions are a lot closer than what you think. Price wise the 1000cc's are much more expensive I see. Had a look at the Kawasaki 800 and it looks good. Much more powerful than the BMW!! And R25k cheaper. But that doesn't mean anything until you see the girl infront of you and there is chemistry.

As I said, you gotta test ride them all.

You will know when you have found your bike.

This is an old thread, but I'm curious to know if Pyro got a bike in the end and what?

Anyone else with something bike related to share?

After 11 years of absence from bikes I got a good deal on a Honda CRF250L a week ago and it's a great machine. I only do trail riding though and it's perfect for that, such an easy bike to ride.

I know someone that is looking at the "BMW GS 1200 Adventure" or "Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro". Difficult decision, but a nice one to have.