I have recently become interested in riding, and although I have some experience with off-road riding, I only got my bike learners permit on Friday. I am having my first paid lesson on Monday and I am keen to go for my test as soon as possible.

 

Meanwhile, I am looking to purchase a bike. After discussing this with my partner, I have come to the following conclusion. I can purchase a brand new Yamaha Virago XV250 (just under $6000 on road), which is legal for me to ride on my learners permit and will do me for my first year of riding until I can sit my unrestricted exam (I'm in WA, so I am limited to 250cc). i can also use this bike for my lessons I will undertake - I am basically doing these lessons to ensure that I learn the correct methods so as to pass my learners. I am looking at getting the Yamaha new because any of the second hand bikes seem to be priced close to the current promotion price offered by Yamaha.

 

Realistically, I think the Virago is not a bike that I would intend on keeping (I would outgrow if fast). I could see myself more comfortable on a HD 1200 Sportster Custom right now (I'm 6' 1"). I thought maybe I should just purchase one instead of the Virago, and when i do my paid lessons and learners practical test, I could use the bike supplied by my paid instructor.

 

I know it is not legal for me to ride the HD Sportster at present (or even at all in my first year), but if I were to always be with my partner (and yes this would be the case), who is a very experienced rider, would this really be a problem?

 

Am I being delusional in thinking its ok to go out and by a Sportster right from the get-go? Should I just do the 'right thing' and get a Yamaha XV250 for now? What would you do if you were in my position?

have you seen the Hunter Spider, 250 or 350, not a bad looking bike

have a look at the sponsor add here on this site

Thanks all for the input so far. I guess I will be more realistic and go ahead and get the Yamaha. I should just be happy with that to start with, and the time will probably go pretty quick. I am lucky that my partner is willing to fork out for a brand new bike for me to start out with. I am just envious of his new Fatboy.

Cheers
CG

doh !

Experience is one thing and it is all well and good, and i can talk from experience everything with riding comes down to the attitude of the rider. You can have a 250 cc m/c that goes just as fast and most times quicker than a larger bike. But if the riders mind set is one of speed speed speed and screw everyone else instead of awareness and driving to the conditions, then it wont matter what bike that person is on.

The thing about a 250cc bike as opposed to a larger bike in my opinion means nothing, it comes down to the riders mind and how he/she rides.

Sometimes it seems to me that the m/c sellers want a bite of the cherry twice.

Realisticly what is the difference between riding a 250 bike as opposed to a larger one other than what a politician has deemed law. If this was the case why is it then a P plate car driver can go buy whatever car they wont and not a four cylinder.

Wouldnt it be better to learn on a bike that you will use all the time and get use to that and have the correct riding skills and mind set(irrespective of size).

(ok now u can flame me )

 

 

Like I said in my original post I do have experience with off-road riding (and yes, that is not the same as on-road), and would definitely feel comfortable on a HD Sportster (or similar). I will only be 'cruising' and want to do it on a bike that is comfortable for my size and that I enjoy riding (and hey, even if that turns out to be the Yamaha 250cc, then so be it). I doubt that there will be any issues with my handling a HD Sportster - also, the weight of the bike is not a problem for me. I will always be with my partner who is VERY experienced and with him being in the profession he was in, there is no way he would let me have a bike that he did not believe I was capable of riding or at risk of harming others. I will not be carrying a passenger on any occasion (including my partner) - even when I am fully licensed. If it is possible to ride larger then 250cc as long as supervised, then that is great, otherwise I'm happy to stick with the Yamaha for now and upgrade in 12 months. At the end of the day, it's a bike, and 12 months is not really that long of a time.

Thanks for everyones comments, much appreciated.

Cheers
CG

I just want to make it clear. If it is definitely not legal for me to ride a bike larger than 250cc WHILST being supervised (as I said I would not do this alone), then I would not be doing it. I should of clarified that earlier. I have no intention of riding around alone. I don't want people getting angry/annoyed/upset/whatever. Anyway, thanks to all who took the time to read my post and reply. Much appreciated.

@ RED thanks for the information. A member is forwarding me some information on licensing tomorrow and I will speak with my instructor on Monday (thanks for the tip). I've had my car licence for well over 20 years and partner has been driving/riding for more than 30 years so hopefully this should be ok. I will only ever be riding with my partner and before I go ahead with anything will ensure that there is no problem with licensing/insurance etc. At the end of the day, if it isn't fully legal I am not going to do it.

Cheers

Why dont you get him to buy you the Sporty then buy a cheap second hand 250 yourself to get you through the 12 months. That way you get what you want and you stay legal

Trees and rocks seem to have more brains than some drivers!!!

Just remember if you buy the 1200 in your name , first time your out riding and they punch in the reg , its going to come up that your not liscenced . My advice get a seconhand legall one , learn on the roads put in has many miles has you can , and don't lose too much when you trade up

Thanks once again for all the input. I got some great information from a member earlier today, and I am keen to sort this out (the right way) on Monday morning. I will post back with any information I get that may be useful to anyone else in WA in a similar position.

Cheers
CG

Update Guys. I have sorted out all the legalities. In WA, I can ride above a 250cc (once licensed in two weeks), as long as the supervising rider holds a license for the class I am riding in (which my partner is licensed for). So, passing my learners, I am able to ride anything above the 250cc with my partners supervision (this 'law' is in place in WA until LAMS is introduced in 2012, but LAMS won't end up affecting me).

So what does this mean for me? Well, today my lovely sugar daddy got me an awesome Harley Davidson Sportster IRON 883 from Perth Harley Davidson in Cannington. It has Vance and Hines short straight shots and sounds sweet as.....

Pick it up on Wednesday - can't wait. Oh, and it's all LEGAL and fully insured in my name baby!!!!!

 @RED

Yes, I left out of my post above that I will have my R learners in two weeks (as I have to pass my R-E test before I am allowed to get my R learners). Forgot to type that in my excitement! So it's fully legal. My partner is riding the bike back from the dealership on Wednesday for me.

Cheers

CG

Hey thanks Jim!

Thanks everyone for the comments/feedback.

Well today, I went to pick up my bike. I had been going back and forth in my head about the peg/foot placement on the 883 as I wasn't 100% happy with it due to my height (over 6 foot), my legs felt cramped (if that makes sense). So we discussed installing forward pegs, but I also wanted to change the seat on the 883. Then my partner suggested I just go for the Custom 1200, since it already had the front pegs and the seat I wanted and it had a larger fuel tank. It also felt much more comfortable for me when I sat on the bike. So Oliver from Perth HD arranged for me to go ahead with the Custom 1200 instead of collecting the 883. It will be ready to collect on Friday afternoon (those guys are so flat out at the moment). The staff are so nice (I felt bad about the change of mind). But at the end of the day, it is best to get the bike I want from the start. Plus, they get to sell me a more expensive bike.

@RED: Thanks for the help.

@lucky: Yes, its all legal and insured.

@Sonny: I will be doing an advanced rider course (through my local HOG) on my new bike once I pass my R test.

@muffin: Oh, my partner is not really my sugar daddy (I own my own car, property etc.), I just call him that as he is a little older than me (only 10 years, but yes he is very generous). Although I think it was his fault that I wanted a Harley in the first place! I am very lucky.

@Jill Yes, Oliver used to own the Bundy dealership, he is now in Perth. They are all great people and will be sure to tell them 'hi' from you tomorrow. I got a really, really good price on the Custom 1200 as it was the second bike we purchased in two weeks. I decided to skip getting the 250 and went straight for the Harley.
@Infidel We will definitely need to hook up for a ride, would be sweet.

I ended up going with the Custom 1200 in Sedona Orange/Black. Was originally going to go for all black, but partner liked the look of the orange one when I sat on it. Getting a few little accessories to personalise it.

Picked up my bike this afternoon and went for a ride. Very happy with purchase. Just have to take it back next week to get my new pipes put on as they weren't in stock.

Thanks again.