Re: Advice for an absolute newbie

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Re: Advice for an absolute newbie

you can buy a second hand 150 CC bike and use it for say 6 months then sell it off and buy CBR250.

Re: Advice for an absolute newbie

YOU CAN GO FOR CBR 250r or watch out for the new duke 390 however pillon comfort ... I doubt on that. BUT BEFORE GOING FOR A NEW AND EXPENSIVE BIKE I WUD RECOMMEND BUYING A USED ONE TO SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS COZ I THINK A 250-500CC WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR A NEWBIE.

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Re: Advice for an absolute newbie

My advice.. Buy a used Unicorn/ P180/ P150/ Apache.. Learn the Art of biking from The Art Of Safe Riding , enhance your skills, meet Hyderabad XBhpians for group rides where you can ask them the silliest question ( I hope they won't mind answering ) and then decide what type/ categories of bikes are you really into..Thunderbird and CBR belong to two very different categories. Who knows you may end up dreaming about the Duke 200/ Duke 390??

CBR review- http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/first-im...s-cbr250r.html

TB500- http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/motorcyc...-500-a-11.html


Do let us know about your final plans and other questions that you may have... You may keep your first bike as a souvenir..

Re: Advice for an absolute newbie

whatever second hand bike you buy just learn and use within city dont take it for long rides you never know when it will ditch you since the bike was not in your care from the start,I had problems with my second hand bike it was a victor..sold it after learning tried my best to keep it in condition but that was too much money so got myself a Honda Dazzler and living happily with it
Just my advice..

I have done a testdrive on thunderbird 350 new one can't say about performance, but the seats are very comfortable(I found it to be comfortable).
Read reviews do testdrive and decide your bike

Re: Advice for an absolute newbie

I would suggest to go for a 150cc 2nd hand bike, Unicorn/CBZ-xtreme/GS150R. These bikes are very reliable if maintained well and comfortable for long rides with pillion. Finding a well maintained 2nd hand can be a tough task though.
If you have apprehensions about buying a 2nd hand, go for a 125-135cc bikes like Yamaha SS125 or Discover (both best in terms of VFM) and use it for 8-12 months. These are good city bikes and can be used for touring too.

I would advice you against buying a 250+cc bike now. These bikes have to be ridden properly and maintained well, else by the time you learn to ride well, the bike will be start giving trouble. The spare parts for these bikes will also cost you a bomb.

Re: Advice for an absolute newbie

CBR 250R is your best bet. Get the C-ABS version. Even those who don't have any experience of riding a bike before can start from the CBR. Buying a second hand bike just for the purpose of learning to ride is a waste of money imho. 250s are not overpowered, and on top of that, the CBR is powered by just a single cylinder. You shouldn't be worried about getting a new bike when you are a beginner, unless you are getting something above 500cc.

Re: Advice for an absolute newbie

Any bike (your interests) is fine as long as you take it slow (read - learning); of course, that said, anything above that would result in fatality. Powerful bikes are potential threats too, if not ridden in a way it should be ridden.

Re: Advice for an absolute newbie

Thank you for all the suggestions. The general consensus seems to be that I should go for a second hand bike first, it seems sensible that is what I plan to do. Unfortunately there was a medical emergency in the family and that resulted in a huge outflow of money. My buying decision will have to be postponed for a month, I will be getting a used bike the first week of October.

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[MENTION=55137]I_Live2Ride[/MENTION]. The Art of Riding seems to be very useful.

Re: Advice for an absolute newbie

[MENTION=26981]dijo[/MENTION] - sorry to hear that, bro!! I totally understand & agree to how decisions can change due to family commitments. Take care. you can buy the bike anytime later in life but tend to your family first.

Re: Advice for an absolute newbie

In case you are planning to buy a used bike it is always better to buy a HH splendour. It will cost you less, will cost less for spares, repairs and maintenance needed and will be easy on fuel and you will not mind at all if it falls down somewhere in the mid of a traffic or if you have to pull it a few kms and then buy a few safety riding gears to save your skin when you fall. Check out the respective thread to know more or quote me again to help you find that thread.

But anyday if I was you I would have done what Ezil had told in his post above. Ride responsibly and Ride safe

Re: Advice for an absolute newbie

Sorry to hear about your family. Anyway, you are going to be buying the bike so its your own decision. If you are really going to get a used bike, ensure that its in a proper condition to atleast last until you get your CBR. Used splendors can be got at a cheap price and you wouldn't have to worry much about mileage. But frankly, imo, the cbr 250 (especially with c-abs) is a very learner friendly bike. It might be a premium bike here, but if you look at the bigger picture, CBR 250s and Ninja 300s are sold predomoniantly as beginner bikes. Like I said before, you really shouldn't be worrying much about getting a 250 or 300 or even the CBR 500(if you know what you are doing). They do just fine, its the 650s and supersports or litre bikes that you should stay away from when you are a beginner. But then again, that's just my opinion.
P.S: The CBR 500 is not yet available in India, just brought it up for a comparison.
Oh and one more thing, please do watch or read Keith Code's Twist Of The Wrist. Even though I ride just an activa, I can surely say that my riding abilities have considerably improved after watching TOTW. Now Im just waiting to get my long awaited first bike to test some more.

Re: Advice for an absolute newbie

i absolutely agree with princesirohi
i think it is the right way to proceed..