Beginner questions, new vs used, gear etc

[Citizen Snips]

Pretty generic beginner thread so bear with me.

In the next month or so I'll be organising my motorbike license, going through Qride/Qsafe and buying a bike and gear, obviously have noob questions though.

Main uncertainties are:

Buying used vs brand new as a first bike?
Used seems like the logical decision considering I'm bound to drop it at some point.
But then I also consider that for only like another thousand I could just get something completely new and keep it until the end of my restricted license period. Decent condition ninja/cbr 250r are around $4500 - $5500. Brand new for roughly $6000? Eh

So in the case of me getting something new...
What bike protection is actually available?
Other than frame sliders, is there actually anything else that may offer a little more protection to the bike in the case of me dropping it? In my research I've seen a lot of beginners snapping or bending clutch or front brake levers and damaging the handle bars etc

Qride/Qsafe
Everywhere I've read, people favour Qride over Qsafe saying that you'll get more useful information out of Qride.
Not really a question I guess but anyone with experience of Qride, what was it like, how much did it cost you (everywhere has different rates I know), did you take your own gear + bike or have it supplied for the course etc


I know there's a lot of these threads so sorry for any repetition or stupid questions, I've browsed pretty heavily through this forum before posting

Any insight would be appreciated.
Cheers

[Krafty]

if you are afraid of dropping the bike then used is the way to go. If I understand you correctly that your graduated licence system has a cc size restriction and your dream bike is out of reach save your money, buy something that has some hours on it already so that you can get a good bargain and ride it till its time to trade up.
If the first bike you get is the one you want to keep forever then buy new.

[Leprichaun]

Pretty generic beginner thread so bear with me.

In the next month or so I'll be organising my motorbike license, going through Qride/Qsafe and buying a bike and gear, obviously have noob questions though.

Main uncertainties are:

Buying used vs brand new as a first bike?
Used seems like the logical decision considering I'm bound to drop it at some point.
But then I also consider that for only like another thousand I could just get something completely new and keep it until the end of my restricted license period. Decent condition ninja/cbr 250r are around $4500 - $5500. Brand new for roughly $6000? Eh

So in the case of me getting something new...
What bike protection is actually available?
Other than frame sliders, is there actually anything else that may offer a little more protection to the bike in the case of me dropping it? In my research I've seen a lot of beginners snapping or bending clutch or front brake levers and damaging the handle bars etc

Qride/Qsafe
Everywhere I've read, people favour Qride over Qsafe saying that you'll get more useful information out of Qride.
Not really a question I guess but anyone with experience of Qride, what was it like, how much did it cost you (everywhere has different rates I know), did you take your own gear + bike or have it supplied for the course etc


I know there's a lot of these threads so sorry for any repetition or stupid questions, I've browsed pretty heavily through this forum before posting

Any insight would be appreciated.
Cheers

I got my bike licence in QLD via QRide with Honda Australia Rider Training (HART), located at Underwood or thereabouts if I recall. This was 2.5 years ago.

Bit of background: I had pretty much never ridden before, except for taking a mate's 125 without a clutch round some bush trails once. I did a 2 day course with HART over a Saturday and Sunday, and got the piece of paper, took it to QLD Transport, and got my licence on the Monday. That afternoon I bought a brand new bike. 2009 Suzuki GS500F.

If you can afford it, go new. I paid $7800 for mine brand new. A 250 is obviously cheaper if that's the way you want to go.

Look into Oggy Knobs. They're available for most popular bikes and very easy to install. They'll protect any fairing and depending on the bike, handlebars etc from drops. Having said that though, one important thing, is be prepared for when you drop it. Don't freak out and jump out of the way. Once the bike is going down, it's going. Guide it down as gentle as possible. I did this with mine about 3 days after getting it, with no protective items on it, and it didn't get damaged at all. It's never happened since.

Obviously having not done it through QLD Transport directly, I can't compare, but I'd say these are very likely:
- QRide is a lot less stressful - it doesn't feel like you're being assessed. You're in a group of people, all doing the same thing, and it's fun.
- Bikes are usually supplied.
- You get to learn, and get qualified, at the same time. (With doing the test through QLD Transport, you need to learn first, then do a test, like car licence)

HART has their pricing on their website. Go check it out - if you can afford a few days during the week, this is the best way to go. Weekend is more expensive.

[Citizen Snips]

Thanks for the comment Krafty

I'm only really concerned with doing stupid shit like dropping it or something because i've never ridden before.

If I understand it correctly, we have (at least in my state) a year of restricted license where we're limited to not more than 150kw/tonne and no more than something like 660 cc I think.

I guess I could go really truly 'used' and try to pick up something like an early 2000's model Kawa gpx/zzr250. Just seems like a lot of extra effort if I consider that, if my development as a rider goes smoothly i'll be wanting to upgrade to something new, maybe a ninja 300 as soon as i'm confident enough to not wreck it in it's first few weeks

[Citizen Snips]

Yeah money isn't really a problem when I consider that. I'd rather have something new and really mine, and from what I've seen, smaller bikes really hold their value if they stay in good condition.

I'll definitely have oggy knobs fitted before I even sit on the thing haha

Thanks mate, really appreciate it

Edit: Wow HART is really not bad at all with their pricing. About a 3 hour drive for me but if it ends up being cheap enough compared to local Qride providers I'll probably give them a go!

[Leprichaun]

Yeah money isn't really a problem when I consider that. I'd rather have something new and really mine, and from what I've seen, smaller bikes really hold their value if they stay in good condition.

I'll definitely have oggy knobs fitted before I even sit on the thing haha

Thanks mate, really appreciate it

Edit: Wow HART is really not bad at all with their pricing. About a 3 hour drive for me but if it ends up being cheap enough compared to local Qride providers I'll probably give them a go!

Yeah I shopped around a lot before choosing them. They were great, and at a good price. I originally booked during the week, but they ended up cancelling that session due to low numbers, and put me into a weekend one, for the weekday price.

Bikes definitely hold their value better than cars. Just take care of it, and you'll be able to sell it down the track for something bigger. If you can spare the coin, go for something 500+ if you think you'll want to upgrade really soon. I've had my licence for 2.5 years and still got the same bike. Sure, it's not insanely fast, but it has enough for what I need for now. Great in the city, on the highway, and twisty mountain runs.

[Citizen Snips]

I was actually looking at a GS500f as a first bike. My riding will probably be about 80% highway and 20% city.Does it ride well on the highway? I obviously wouldn't know but I've heard people saying 250's don't feel up to highway speeds, makes me want something larger like the GS500 :S

[Leprichaun]

I was actually looking at a GS500f as a first bike. My riding will probably be about 80% highway and 20% city.Does it ride well on the highway? I obviously wouldn't know but I've heard people saying 250's don't feel up to highway speeds, makes me want something larger like the GS500 :S

Based on most of it being highway, definitely don't go 250. You'll need to be sitting at high revs to maintain those speeds, even in top gear. The GS500 sits at 5k RPM in 6th, so you'll likely find a 250 will be sitting at 8 or 9+ grand. Not great to sit at this for large periods of time.

GS500 is excellent on the highways. I've taken it on long rides as well (4 hours each way) and it was great.

[Citizen Snips]

Not a bad price either, bikesales has a heap of them. 2012 demo models with about 200kms for about $6500.
Any complaints about yours?

I'm actually thinking I might get a used one as my first.

[Leprichaun]

Not a bad price either, bikesales has a heap of them. 2012 demo models with about 200kms for about $6500.
Any complaints about yours?

I'm actually thinking I might get a used one as my first.

Yeah they're quite cheap for a 500. I haven't had a single issue. I've clocked 30,000km on mine in the time I've had it. Kept it regularly serviced as per Suzuki's warranty schedule. The only things that have needed doing in this time are a new battery, a new chain, and a new rear wheel, all of which are expected.

[Citizen Snips]

That's really good to hear!

I'll definitely keep the Gs500 in mind when I'm shopping for a bike later this year.

[Krafty]

I had a 1982 yamaha 400 seca as my first bike when I was 16. I put about 20,000kms on it before I sold it.
recently I missed it soo much I bought a 1983 Yamaha 750 Seca, looks identical but has 3 times the power.

The point Im trying to make is that with the right maintenance any bike can be a reliable daily rider, and a new bike will eventually require all the same regular maintenance that a used bike needs.

Also the bigger bikes are much easier to ride on the highways because of the extra power they can make quick maneuvers to keep you out of harms way where as you have to hold the little bikes to the bar and wait for them to catch up. but its all personal preference.

[Montana]

Honestly, if it's going to be your first bike, get something older and save yourself money in the beginning to make sure that you actually like to ride. I live in the US so I know this maybe different for you but I bought myself a 1979 Honda CX500 for my first bike, only had 13,000 miles on it and I only payed $650 USD for it. It isn't perfect but it works and it has enough power to get me around on the wide open roads of Wyoming. That being said my cousin has a 2000 Ninja 250 and it will push her along at over 100mph witch is plenty fast enough for any road.