Although I’ve heard it has been a foolhardy trend for many beginning riders to start with bikes that have more power than they can handle, I wanted to be the responsible type of beginning rider and ask you guys on your opinions for a good starting bike for someone who has never ridden before. I have heard that 400cc and below is a good place to start, what exact models available in Taiwan do you recommend?
I have only started shopping for a few days and these are the few I turned up
Sym Type-Racing 150cc
Sym 125cc
Suzuki DRZ400SM 400cc
When I was in the States, I did some research on the DRZ 400SM however, with the availability and repuation of the Kawasaki KLR650, I ruled it out…speaking of which, is the KLR650 or any other decent and affordable dual sport available here? (read: affordable for a someone who has recently graduated, meaning no GS1200 for me )
Some rough price estimates would help also, thanks in advance!
I’ve got a Hartford 150, and that has got to be the easiest bike to ride ever.
I out my SO on it when we were out by the beach as she wanted to try with the gears etc, and she got on, let the clutch out and rode off into the sunset stepping thru the gears like a pro.
[quote=“shadoh6”]I have only started shopping for a few days and these are the few I turned up
Sym Type-Racing 150cc
Sym 125cc
Suzuki DRZ400SM 400cc
Some rough price estimates would help also, thanks in advance![/quote]I’m not sure what you mean by a “Sym Type-Racing 150cc”. The regular crop of small motorbikes such as the SYM Legend (125cc), the Hartford 150s and the Yamaha SR150 are around 50,000NT new I think. As Truant says, the physical aspects of riding them are quite easy to learn, though in my opinion 90% of safe riding is mental and that’s not such an easy thing to pick up without some decent driver/rider training.
A Suzuki DRZ400 is about 260,000NT and requires a special license. It’s a completely different kind of bike. Not incredibly powerful but far more so than the little 150s, and definitely capable of getting you into trouble. When people talk about starting on a 400, I think they mean doing so having received appropriate, professional rider training – something much more common in the west than here.
So if money is no object and you can get decent training, then sure buy a 400. Otherwise buy a 125 or 150 for now, and concentrate on developing your observation and defensive riding skills.
the hornet 250 is a good starter bike too… even though i’m hoping to upgrade next year sometime, i still love my hornet to death and would keep her if i had the chance/required space to own two bikes~
another point is: what kind of bike are you looking for?
there are the - i call them naked retro - SYM 125/150, Hartford 125/150,200 and so on or do you want a big scooter (plenty of them around here) or something that looks like a trail bike or supermoto-style? in that case there is a Kymko Stryker 150, small but not too bad, Hartford 125/150/200 to name but a few.
I’ve got a Hartford 200 (www.hardfort-motors.com.tw). i chose it because of the looks (you rearely see it on the streets) and because i’m a bit taller, so the smaller sized bikes were just too small in proportion and didn’t leave any room for the missus and luggage when you go away over the weekend.
go and check it out, i’ve paid around 90K for a brand new one. i have to say, good value for money. we love the bike rotten.
Thanks for all the quick and informative replies guys!
A few quick questions though:
I have been brainwashed with the idea of the Japanese superiority in reliabilty in autos, does this apply to motorcycles as well? Will buying a Japanese brand give me less chances of mechanical failure?
I’m around 6’1", so is that a little too big for any of these bikes?
6 foot 1 is probably a bit tall for most of them. You’ll have to just get used to feeling a bit cramped.
If you’ve just graduated and just got here there’s no way you can afford anything bigger than a 150 or so – even a 2nd Hornet 250 will set you back NT$170,000 or so, and anyway, you have to have held a “normal” Taiwan bike license for a year before you can even apply for a big bike license.
[quote=“shadoh6”]Thanks for all the quick and informative replies guys!
A few quick questions though:
I have been brainwashed with the idea of the Japanese superiority in reliabilty in autos, does this apply to motorcycles as well? Will buying a Japanese brand give me less chances of mechanical failure?[/quote]You don’t really have a choice. 200cc and under bikes are made in Taiwan. They’re reliable though not terribly exciting. But for your first bike you don’t really need anything very exciting.
The vast majority of 250cc and over bikes available here are Japanese. They are technologically more advanced, but also far more expensive.
[quote=“sandman”]6 foot 1 is probably a bit tall for most of them. You’ll have to just get used to feeling a bit cramped.
If you’ve just graduated and just got here there’s no way you can afford anything bigger than a 150 or so – even a 2nd Hornet 250 will set you back NT$170,000 or so, and anyway, you have to have held a “normal” Taiwan bike license for a year before you can even apply for a big bike license.[/quote]Just to clarify, you can ride up to a 250 on a “normal” Taiwan bike license.
[quote=“shadoh6”]
2. I’m around 6’1", so is that a little too big for any of these bikes?[/quote]
As truant mentioned, I am selling my Hartford HD150S and have been riding on it for almost a year now. I am close to 190cm tall and I must admit that it could be bigger. Nevertheless, I was able to manage riding it just fine. I did two longer trips on it, one to Yilan and back within a day. And another two day trip to Wuling Farm, past Yilan. I was doing just fine one those trips, just the usual butt hurting at the end, common to any longer motorcycle ride, unless you go for a Gold Wing or such sofa-like cycles. If you are interested, I could offer you a test ride.