Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi,

I'm going to be taking my motorbike test soon & have been looking around for a bike thats has a 250cc engine & around 33bhp because as you may know for the 1st 2 years in the UK that will be the maximum I can ride, I've been phoning around show rooms & was informed by a yamaha dealer that the Virago isn't being produced any more (if so that may just be for the UK)but looking at your site it seems to me that the yamaha V-Star has taken it's place, is that true?

I was also looking at theSuzuki GZ250 & the Honda CMX Rebel 250cc. By now you will know I'm interested in cruisers.

Could you tell me the pro's & cons for each one if you compare them with each other? There doesn't seem to be much of a choice in the UK for Cruisers Particularly small 1's & finding the imfo I need is like , I haven't rode a bike since '88, I assume you can get the price down from the Forecourt price just like you do a car!

Thanks fo any help,

David (UK)

David J wrote:Hi,

I'm going to be taking my motorbike test soon & have been looking around for a bike thats has a 250cc engine & around 33bhp because as you may know for the 1st 2 years in the UK that will be the maximum I can ride, I've been phoning around show rooms & was informed by a yamaha dealer that the Virago isn't being produced any more (if so that may just be for the UK)but looking at your site it seems to me that the yamaha V-Star has taken it's place, is that true?

I was also looking at theSuzuki GZ250 & the Honda CMX Rebel 250cc. By now you will know I'm interested in cruisers.

Could you tell me the pro's & cons for each one if you compare them with each other? There doesn't seem to be much of a choice in the UK for Cruisers Particularly small 1's & finding the imfo I need is like , I haven't rode a bike since '88, I assume you can get the price down from the Forecourt price just like you do a car!

Thanks fo any help,

David (UK)

Welcome to the Total Motorcycle community David!


It's really good to hear that you will be taking your motorcycle test (which I'm assuming is a safety course too?), If not, really consider taking a motorcycle safety course, it not only give you confidence in riding but boosts your skills a lot too.

Take a look at the 2009 models: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/2009models.htm as they are very similar to the UK versions.

From what I know, the 2009 V-Star 250 http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2 ... ar-250.htm is not coming to the UK. Sadly, there are few cruiser choices in the UK vs North America, but you have a heck of a lot more standards here.

The Honda Rebel 250 (IMO) is the better bike of all 3 from a new riders experience as it's lighter in turning and easier to handle for new riders, the Suzuki I've heard from new riders "feels top heavier" and steers slower in a corner. Don't expect a lot of different between the 3 in power though.

There are quite a bit of used 250cc bikes for sale in the UK, have you looked in the UK Autotrader (www.autotrader.co.uk)?

Buying a used bike is generally the best first step for your first bike. Many riders start off thinking "this is the style I love" and then switching to something else for their 2nd bike. And 1st bike's have the greatest chance of an oops too. Plus used is generally cheaper too.

Mike

Yeah the test includes safety aspects...you spend about 35 minutes on the road, and any safety errors get you failed.

I'd also agree on buying used, much cheaper, and with the economy as it is you'll probably be able to get the price down even further

Mike wrote: It's really good to hear that you will be taking your motorcycle test (which I'm assuming is a safety course too?), If not, really consider taking a motorcycle safety course, it not only give you confidence in riding but boosts your skills a lot too.

Hi Mike.

I blogged my Direct Access when I took it: > here <, although it is due to change inimently.

Our CBT is like the Safety Course, except it is taken on sub 125cc motorbikes.

David There aren't too many sub 33bhp cruisers coming into the UK new, actually aren't too many new sub 33bhp bikes full stop.

One that does occur to me is the Hyosung GV250 - one of the lads in Florida on here had one for a first bike and never said a bad word about it.