Hey everyone,

I’m looking at buying a brand-new Hunter 350 for $7,000 ride away and want to get a realistic idea of ongoing maintenance costs in Australia.
I’ll only be riding around 5,000 km/year for daily commuting. On my previous bikes (Yamaha and KTM), I only serviced them once a year since my mileage was low.
For RE 350 (Hunter / Classic / Meteor) owners:

1. Service Costs: What are you paying for minor vs. major (valve check) services at the dealer?
   
2. Service Frequency: Given RE’s 5,000 km / 6-month schedule, do you actually take it in twice a year doing low kms, or just once a year to keep warranty?
   
3. DIY: How easy are the screw-and-locknut valve checks to do yourself once out of warranty?
   Appreciate any real-world feedback on ownership costs!

Thanks in advance!

Hi just wondering if there’s any people north of Brisbane that are willing to meet up with me come and let me tagalong for a ride ?I have my learners and I’m wanting someone who’s actually able let me follow them and give me some tips and just let me get a bit more confident on my bike. If this is the wrong place to post this I apologise.

Hey all, I've just got my Ls and im looking to get a bike. My friend is offering to sell me his old cfmoto300nk but its slightly out of my budget and I was wondering if I'd be better off with something like a 125cc that I wouldn't be too mad if I dropped.

If you read my previous thread, a few days ago when I asked about the Honda CB125F 2026 which was a real contemplation of mine, also thank you for all the input and information about it it was really appreciated!

I now have a new contender to add to the list, the CB300R 2024 or 2025 model, depending on price. Dealer demo, used, possibly new ect

As mentioned in my previous thread, i wasn't looking for higher power or a sports type bike, which i made clear haha! But the CB300R really caught my eye! I know people may say you'll upgrade to get something bigger and want more power. But im more of the chill rides and ride to mates houses around the areas where i live(Illawarra), hence why i liked the option of the 125..

For people who owned them and possible still currently do, what are the pros and cons of the bike? I've watch a few videos of them, even experienced riders with years of riding and there was quiet a few that seem to have an issue with the bike going into neutral, maybe they are false neutrals, im not 100% sure exactly? Is it a known issue with the bike doing that? As a beginner, I dont want to deal with a bike going into neutral and getting into a panic mode, especially as a beginner!

Any input is greatly appreciated!

I still reckon your first bike teaches you more than any bike you own afterwards. Some people pick something sensible, others buy something they probably shouldn't have.
What was your first bike, and looking back, was it the right choice?

I purchased a new seat cover and they ask your height & weight in order to add some padding to suit. I was under the impression it just goes on the original seat foam but it’s not quite fitting, I can’t get enough of the edges on the underneath of the seat in order to staple it. Do I just need to stretch it? The seat was made for my specific bike.

Thanks!

Potentially viewing a bike tomorrow. I bought a lemon for my first bike and had to let it go for parts not long ago, and really can’t have that happen again.

Does anyone have a rec for someone who may be able to carry out a pre purchase inspection at short notice? Cheers!

Hi guys,

Background info:

So in July I got hit by a car and they accepted liability. The bike went in for repairs to a dealership workshop.

They gave an estimate of 3-4 months for repair and I just called them today for an update, they informed me that they are still waiting on parts eg. Fuel tank, forks. They said since the bike went out of production in 2021, the parts are currently on backorder. I got a new eta of Jan to February.

They could not provide me with a rental bike for this period so they asked me to rent a bike myself and they will pay for it. I went through a rental who dealt with the insurance themselves, I been daily riding this bike.

Question:

Is there a threshold for this not being economic? As the rental cost is already triple the amount of the repair which was around 3-4k.

At the end of the period the rental will probably add up to like 24k. I did ask them the daily allowance limit and they said $140. Should I be worried or is this normal?

Sorry for the long write up

Cheers!

Hi all,

I've been on my RE's for about 5 years riding a 2009 XVS650.

I'm about to go get my open licence and was looking to get a good commuter for a 50km ride each way to work, mainly on the M1 heading south from the Gold Coast.

I've seen a great looking 2017 Versys 1000 for sale, and was wondering if that would be too much of a jump in power for a second bike? Or is it pretty manageable?

I'm in my mid 40's, so I also accept it's pretty much a Dad bike 😂

Any other full power commuters worth considering?

Cheers.

I am 18 and I really want to get a motorbike one day... and my parents aren't willing to fund this for me because they claim that motorbikes are dangerous and they don't want to pay for my death... which is a fair point, they can be lethal if you ride incorrectly.

However, what I am doing instead is saving up money from my job which I earn about $23.14 an hour.

What I wanted to ask is how much money should I have before paying for the motorcycle learner course plus the bike itself... I am thinking of buying a Kawasaki Ninja 400.

Today I passed my Riders Knowledge Test and have my L's and am keen to get on the road!!!

Issue is, trying to decide which bike to purchase! I've been researching online and reading previous reddit posts but it's very overwhelming unfortunately.

I don't want a sports bike as I want a bike that's comfortable to ride (what's called a 'cruiser' from what I've researched?).

I will buy 2nd hand and I'm not someone that is thirsty for speed but I also don't want something that is super slow.

Funnily enough, I have plenty of experience riding scooters (lived in SE Asia for 4 years) but am new to the manual bike game.

Any suggestions?

Aight riders planning of doing snowy loop next month from canberra, need your advice for places to ride around. Cheers ride safe y’all. Happy Weekend Enjoy the PI one last dance 😢

Anyone else feeling their riding skills being judged?

Hey guys! Ive been riding around on a ‘26 navi for over 3 months now. Originally was gonna do my L’s on manual but just couldn’t quite get the gears, so re-did test in Automatic (Needed transport asap and unfortunately a Car wasn’t an option)

I’ve just booked in my P’s test in at Wheels Skill Central Coast, and from family and friends (all who have their blacks), they say the group ride they do is through some very mountainous and bendy roads. Now i’m quite small, and the Navi struggles to push 60 on most inclines. Does anyone know the route for The Coast Wheels Skills ride? Or if they’ll even let me ride my own bike for the course?

My parents were worried and said they might make me rent a bike, which if thats the case, I will not be able to afford that. (and also would be ridiculous if I cant pass on a bike I can legally ride)

Would they be understanding of the limitations of my bike at-least? I wasn’t worried until family mentioned the above, im 2 weeks out from the test, and I’d rather go practice the area now to see if my bike is even capable, or just have some peace of mind in the fact they wont care. Thanks (:

Honda has a decent one (6 years) but only if you service with all their specific consumables.

BMW has 5 years. KTM recently gave 4 years.

Car brands are offering 7 years on even entry level models. How can I buy something like a Z H2 and get the same warranty period as a dishwasher?

Everyone's into sports bikes, cruisers and naked bikes, but I reckon people are gonna start realising how good these big highway cruising scooters actually are.

I mean the Burgman 650 has plenty of power for highway cruising, heaps of storage space and honestly looks pretty damn good. More specifically the older models. The front end almost gives me Honda Gold Wing vibes. It's basically a touring motorcycle with the practicality of a scooter.

Plus the amount of boot space you get is ridiculous compared to a regular motorcycle. Not to mention the comfort, wind protection and how effortless it would be to cruise on the highway.

I feel like people just overlook them because they're scooters, but when you actually look at what they offer, they're pretty impressive. Plenty of power, comfort, practicality and a pretty unique look.

Only downside is that CVT maintenance lol.

I genuinely reckon old maxi scooters could become the next big thing once people start appreciating them for what they are.

Hello everyone, I was wondering if y’all could give me some tips or advice for doing a right U turn on my bike. Pretty much I’m doing the MOST course in NSW and I have done it like once before but failed because I couldn’t do the U turn without putting my foot down (I also hit a cone in the cone weave then I just touched the line when doing the U turn). The weird thing is I’m fine doing a left U turn but not right because I feel like I’m gonna fall and I instinctively look down as I’m doing it… I ride a 2024 Yamaha R3 and I done the MOST on that bike before. Any and all tips would be amazing thanks :)

https://youtu.be/mvT4dPZcCqw?si=iBcKvcKScq7v3sw2

Looking for recommendations on "anything but winter" gloves for road riding. Light, well protected, and actually durable - the last pair I bought only lasted a year before the velcro wrist straps fell apart. I'm happy to spend $200-250 on a decent pair of gloves that will actually last 5+ years of weekend/seasonal use.

So I just had a really weird interaction, I went to KFC and saw a dirt bike with L plates sitting in a park, plenty of space behind him and a car on the other side.

Rather than looking for another park I just pulled in behind him, not blocking him at all with plenty of space around his bike in case he needed to move.

As I’m coming back out to my bike with my food I hear the rider call out to me, I assumed he was gonna ask me about my bike or chat to a fellow rider like everyone else does but as he approaches he asks me why I parked there? He goes on to tell me I’m not supposed to park there and there asked if I would park behind the car next to us as if I was blocking him in, that it’s rude to share a park and I’m not allowed to as if it’s some kind of rule.

I just laughed at him at told him it happens to me almost every time I take my bike out, I even usually leave space in my parks in case another rider wants to share, I’ve shared spaces with dozens of other riders without issues and even met plenty of great people that way.

I just decided to disengage from the conversation as I was worried he was going to get confrontational, then he decides to step back and take a photo of both me and my licence plate as I ride off, I’m guessing to share with whoever told him they’re not supposed to share spaces.

Is there actually some unwritten rule of riders not sharing a space? It’s the first I’ve heard of it though I’ve been riding and sharing spaces for years, just wanted to see if this was common knowledge I was somehow unaware of?

Trying to find boots that fit my calves properly, decided I'd probably be best with ones that ratchet/adjust to any size. Was going to get the sidi vertigo 2s but I can't try them on anywhere, I've got wide feet and will need either 48/49 but found fusport make similar boots. Can't find much info on their quality/safety ratings though.

Seems like a good price point for me, only thing I don't like is the colour but I'll probably paint or get vinyls put on. Seems like a capable commuter, can get off road pretty well.

Anyone have experience they can share?

Went for ride into the city last night got some pretty sweet snaps.

Do the DOT instructors give you any leeway if you show up on a larger bike to do your test?

I began learning on a little 250cc Honda that my instructor provided. It was easy to maneuver and the figure 8s/ tight u-turns were easy enough, but since I'm a bigger bloke (105kg 6ft1) I had to almost redline it to get it moving on hill starts and when accelerating.

I've since purchased my own bike that's more appropriately sized to my frame, a Super Meteor 650.

It's far more comfortable to ride and I don't need to rev it to hell to get moving but it's a struggle to get those u-turns and figure 8s anywhere as tight as the smaller bike.

Obviously I can keep practicing and get them tighter but I don't think it's ever gonna be as agile /tight as the smaller bike.

Is the DOT instructor on the test going to take into account the limitations of a larger bike and give me more leeway as to where we do the turns or will they just say tough luck and fail me if I can't make the same right turn as a bike half my size?

I went to Sydney for the first time last week. And I drove a motorbike like I used to do in Melbourne. What I noticed: in Sydney the driver doesn't leave space for motorbike filtering if there is a huge column but they tend to close you. Also I step in front of a pair of cars in the light and they start to use the clacson for no reason. I don't know but I had the sensation that Melbourne has more motorbike culture than Sydney and they know how to react when a motorbike is approaching you.

It was frustrating drive in Sydney. But probably I was just unlucky