KEY POINTS:
With summer coming, two-wheeled commuting's more attractive. But what to buy?
Avoid the on-a-car-licence brigade _ the 50cc, 50km/h rules are restrictive around hills or when travelling further afield. A licence accesses so much more fun.
You might still want a scooter. At $6490 the Vespa S125 isn't
the cheapest, but it comes with all the Italian pizzazz of this iconic brand. The 125cc engine's not powerful, but the CVT (continuously variable transmission) makes the most of it. It'll take you to 100km/h _ just _ so the open road is yours. Yet its featherweight is friendly around town, or when hauling it into that sneaky parking space.
A scooter's easy to get used to, and friendly to shorter riders. Most have good in-built under-seat storage, too. But the small wheels and poor dynamics make them less friendly at open road speeds.
Another popular beginners' option is the cruiser. This $6100 Suzuki VL250 Intruder is the best we've ridden for a while. Its Harley-aping twin-cylinder configuration looks grown-up, it's confident at open road speeds, yet it's not so heavy it feels awkward threading Monday-morning traffic.
It is large enough to suit most riders, will take a pillion if required, is well-built and looks cool enough to be admired by non-bikers, at least. Nice throaty engine note, too.
A cruiser's low centre of gravity boosts confidence. Its long wheelbase makes it feel stable and again, its low seat suits shorter people. But what if you're not short?
A dual purpose bike's the thing for taller folk _ and lets you head off-road (where newly-learned skills will benefit your on-road control). The $7595 KLX 250S is a more dirt-oriented variant than some, but it's road registered so you get the best of both worlds.
That height is mandated by the generous suspension travel you need off road, but dirt bikes are light so it's easy to manage. They're also extremely manoeuvrable, great when negotiating gridlock, or that tricky forestry loop.
This 250 uses a variant of the KLX 300R's engine and delivers similar power and torque to the 250 Ninja road bike, while the lower gears offer plenty of pull from the lights.
It's frugal, at around 3l/100km, and will cruise comfortably at 100. Then head straight off road, where the dual purpose tyres do a decent job unless it's wet. But what if you can't afford this much? There's the used market, back to smaller scooters _ or the likes of Yamaha's $3999 Scorpio.
It's a Dave Dobbyn. It's not big, it's not handsome and it's not powerful, but you get hooked on the thing. It has conventional big-bike riding geometry, so it's more nimble than the cruiser. It's happier on open and bumpy roads than the scooter. And unlike any dirt bike its friendly seat height will suit anyone under beanpole dimensions.
It'll do 100 with ease, if not much more. And it handles well _ find a twisty back-road and a beginner can have a blast. More advanced riders will relish the challenge of hurling it round with the throttle pinned to the stop.
Tempted? First get the best riding gear you can afford, with a full face helmet, gloves, boots that cover your ankle and long sleeves and trou the absolute minimum.
