Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

Not sure if this baby is still available.. http://www.bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/sale-2008-kawasaki-250r-ninja Regards, Corné

Hi Shah, I would recommend going for a cheap disposable bike to start with but bear in mind that a lot of the guys giving training have bikes for your daughter to start on. Rider training Tony Sparg 082 651 5681 Max Lange 084 800 9292 Feel free to contact me if you need help or advise. 073 157 1168 freakonaleash@telkomsa.net skype: marius-burger RIDE,RACE,PLAY! I RIDE THEREFORE I AM!

Hello Shah , I agree with Marius and also recommend Max & Tony. I did not know anything about bikes and learnt from these guys . They are really good , oh , and patient. Regards

Went through this with my nephew 4 years back. I started off trying to teach him how to ride - MUCH BETTER to go with Billy, or one of the other instructors He started off with a new GoMoto (125cc "geared" bike). It served its purpose, but gave us lots of waranty issues. He had no offs in 10 months and took good care of the bike, so we sold it and upgraded to a Yammie. He totally misjudged himself with the brakes and the front "washed out" on a very wet patch. Point being - send her again for training if she gets a new bike. The day after the 1000km service a lady was blinded by the setting sun and she took him out on the bike. Bike was a complete write off, he had a torn ligament and some "tissue damage". I had taken all possible steps by providing a roadworthy bike, ATGATT, training, yet he was still involved in an accident. I can not describe how I felt, untill we knew that he was OK ..... The above will not (and should not) keep her of a bike. Just spend as much effort on training as possible, BOTH riding skills and defensive riding techniques. Sorry if this sounded like a sermon. Just a recap of what we went through. Not sure if it applies or helps you.

I totally disagree with starting off with one of the cheap 125's and strongly recommend you go with the 250 from the off. Let her learn properly on a geared bike (if that's what she intends riding) and then develop her confidence on a fantastic bike. Going the 125 to 250 route is going to cost you a bundle and frankly, you will not achieve anything. Max or Tony will teach her to ride on a geared bike which will be very close to the GPZ250 and her skills and confidence will grow much quicker on the 250. She'll also immediately be able to ride distance on the 250. Two friends in this club have started with 1200cc bikes. Confidence comes from training and then gaining familiarity with your bike. Lawrence STARCOM SOUTH AFRICA - DEALER AND DISTRIBUTOR LONGWAY MOTO - Motorcycle Tours and Rentals 021-554-3573 Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadsides, loudly p

I went to Billy de Beer for training and he started me off on a 250. Best thing he could have done - I bought my 650 November 2008 and I think the transition was much smoother that let say if I had learned on anything smaller than a 250. Had a lesson or two with Tony Sparg as well - brilliant. I would also suggest that you take your wife with to the training sessions - It will help when she see for herself how your daughter grown in terms of skill & confidence

I agree with Hermanator, I ride a scooter and a bike, it would be best to train on a bike rather than a scooter, after all it is called a scooter, try learning braking on a scooter, and you are very likely to fall! Go with Max, Iv'e watched a number of his students, as well as the ladies training day! The most important thing is being taught the basics properly and correctly,....braking and cornering!! These are better learnt on a bike! The rest comes from applying these over time.

Jean, my wife wants to learn to ride again, we now have a 650 Funduro, The route we have taken is: Do a few lessons with Billy de Beer on his bikes and then go to Max Lange to learn the finer arts. Jean can be considered as a maturing Lady. Word choice, not always so easy, Phew. Ignore opinions, heed facts. Trust is the most important asset one can have.

Furthermore try and encourage off road riding, good gravel roads, it will give her a good indication of what the bike does underneath her whilst on the go, then do one of the off road courses offered by Country Trax, these guys are good and have untold patience. Ignore opinions, heed facts. Feet on the pegs, always.

I have just come off the track with Max and Tony this morning, we had a complete mixture of people on the track with us. There is nothing better than the calm and un-pressured way that these 2 gents teach and work with women especially. You really will be making an investment in good tuition send her to these gents. Keep your feet on the pegs, and your hat on - Safe riding to all

Ps. Not on the 250R Ninja ;-)

I was at a loss what to give my youngest son a worthwhile 21st birthday present that he could treasure for life.................an advanced driving course at Killarny, money well spent. Ignore opinions, heed facts. Bum in the saddle.

Thanks Corne. Looks like the black one I saw at Suzuki South. I will give Marike a call.

Thanks all. I fully agree that after ATGATT, proper professional training is the next important step. I have no problem investing in training. The question now is whether to "waste" on a 125 cc or "save" and go directly to the 250 Ninja. I am sure she will drop the bike several times during training. It is part-and-parcel of learning how to ride. It will be a shame to put dents and scratches on a Ninja though. Sigh. On the other hand, what do I do with a 125 when she is done with it?

Thanks BenG. Good suggestion and will do.

Hi zz, Have you considered an off/on road type bike? one sits higher giving a better view of what is happening up front and is possibly lighter. No need to waste, give the 125 to your good lady to learn on. Ignore opinions, heed facts. Bum in the saddle.

Three options worth considering: - ONE incident with all the plastics on the 250 can cost more than a "cheap bike" ... - Have a look for a 250 Yammie (think it is the TW250) EXCELLENT starting bike. Takes the tumbles in its stride and you will not loose as much when you re-sell it. - "bobbins" is the last resort if the young lady is insistent on the 250. It goes a long way towards protecting the plastics. Personally I would go with the TW250.

Cheesy, I was thinking about offroad bikes. My daughter is petite with 27-28" inseams (I think) and most offroad (dirt) bikes are quite high. Pluses: Dirt bikes can take a lot of abuse, cheap when second hand. Minuses: Too high

Go with Max and pay extra to use his bikes for the initial training then go on her own bike for the last bit, in between lessons ride her own bike to practice her "homework".

Fit crash bobbins to the bike. They're quite inexpensive, don't detract from the looks of the bike and will protect the expensive painted bits in the event of a slow speed off or static drop. I've dropped an 1150RT after over 20 years of riding, so it's not only beginners that drop their bikes. Lawrence STARCOM SOUTH AFRICA - DEALER AND DISTRIBUTOR LONGWAY MOTO - Motorcycle Tours and Rentals 021-554-3573 Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadsides, loudly p

It's interesting to see everyones opinions on starting off. I started off in a different way thought. My dream bike was a Cagiva Mito, which is a 125cc 2-stroke sports bike with an ultra peaky power delivery and razor sharp handling. The bike arrived at home and was parked in the driveway. I had been briefed on all the controls but my idea was quite vague. I got on and taught myself how to ride. I spent a few days in the neighborhood and then ventured out. I had no accidents til 3 months into it where i crashed into the back of a taxi simply because of lack of experience. My feelings are that getting the Ninja for your daughter isn't a bad idea and training will help immensly. Motorlease Biketique BMW R1200S racer #70R1200S racing