Well, I’ve finally done it. Talked the girlfriend into buying a bike that is! She’s decided that coming out with me for the occasional run through the hills is a real fun thing to do. She got her licence some time ago but she’s mostly been riding pillion on the ‘Blade and after a little coaxing she now wants to have her own bike. (Mmmm …. maybe I took a few corners too hard for her.)
I’m wondering if anyone has an idea or any suggestions / experiences with any of the LAMS bikes and would like to throw some ideas at me?
So now the real fun begins - I have to help her choose one!! She still has an RE licence so under the new laws she has to stay with a LAMS approved bike. I had a look through the list (you can see it here) but I’m stuck on what to suggest to her. Having been around 1000cc bikes for a while now I’m lost when it comes to most of the bikes on the list. I have to admit - there are things on that list I’ve never heard of. Like where will someone find a Matchless 600?
I had a thought that the Suzuki GS500 might be a good choice but I don’t think the GS500F (faired version) is on the list and she wants something that looks sportier - like a REAL sportsbike (that’s my girl 
). A Hyosung GT650R looks the part but … well … I’m not sure that it’s a good choice either.
So short of going out and riding a few bikes I really don’t know where to start. I’m wondering if anyone has an idea or any suggestions / experiences with any of the LAMS bikes and would like to throw some ideas at me?
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Re lams bikes. 1st a GS500 is YUK (personal choice of course), great commuter but pretty average at everything and excels at nothing.
Comment by squatter — Jul 12 @ 10:12 pmLOVE the new CB400 Honda, sweeeet motor, injected and vtec for about $9500K.
Also Yamaha has a modern bike just out, an XJ 600,sporty looks though a naked (1/2 fairing) current model is NOT lams approved but a lams version is on the way I believe….If anyone is into cruisers I just rode the new Honda VT400 lams approved cruiser, full size bike without the excess weight of a full size cruiser and what a pleasant bike, really liked it.
If your looking at 2nd hand sportsbikes, a cbr 400 I believe is lams but gee they are now getting quite old, remember with a import the compliance date is NOT the age of the bike, eg a 2008 complianced bike may be as old as a 1989 model.also worth considering is a Honda RVF400 http://www.bikepics.com/honda/RVF400/
(also ageing) but great bikes , they have more weight than the VFR400 so the horsepower / weight figure is different, the VFR400 does not qualify but the RVF does.
hope ive been of some assistance
good luck
Thanks for that squatter. The RVF400 certainly looks like a full blown sports bike and you wouldn’t think it’d get LAMS approval by looking at it. I guess it’d be a case of looking around and trying to find a good one somewhere. I wonder what sort of support there is here in Oz as well. And the mission continues ….
Comment by Davo — Jul 14 @ 9:16 amI’d recommend the 08/09 ninja 250r, although I’m a bit bias as I own one, heh.. I bought before LAMS was introduced, but still lams approved. Got another 6 months left on my RE.
Its a carb tho, no EFI, but the styling makes up for it, lots of people at first glance get it confused with a 600cc, had a few people actually ask if its a 600.. Handles well etc.
Comment by Trozza — Jul 14 @ 8:39 pmdavo just a word of warning regarding the hyosung 650 range at this stage they are not LAMS approved it will have to be plated a 2010 model.
Comment by Ridabike — Jul 17 @ 9:53 amThere are quite a few bikes not on the list honda cbr400 for example but you can apply to transport to have them put on the list at no cost to you
My first bike was a Suzuki Marauder GZ250 and was a great bike to learn on if the cruiser style is what you are after. Good, cheap, economical bike to learn on. I got my licence before the law changed, but my GZ250 was LAMS approved. I would highly recommend this as a learner bike.
Comment by Alleycat — Jul 17 @ 6:53 pmMy husband also used my bike as a work commuter and loved riding it all the time (even though he has an HD Ultra Classic)
I have just upgraded to a Harley Sportster 883L
Hi Im also looking for a LAMS Bike after recently acquiring my RE…but i so want a Suzuki 600 S Bandit 1996…can anyone tell me if this is approved as its not on the list at all…
Comment by briscitygirl — Jul 19 @ 12:13 pmhi BCG
Comment by tux62 — Aug 26 @ 1:50 pmI quick look over the bikes on the LAMS list shows that the 600 is not there. To many horses and not enough weight I suppose
good luck
glenn
I too am looking for an upgrade, currently riding an XV250. Yeah I know, but it happened along at the right time and price. I have contemplated a GS500F, but also happened to go past this bike shop and they had a Ducati 400 monster, which is on the list and so is its big brother the 600. If anyone can give me some feedback on the 400/600 dukes it would be appreciated. The lil Yammie just doesn’t cut it….
Comment by Newby — Feb 26 @ 2:20 pmWhat bout the Honda Bros? (NT400/NT650) they’re a very similar styling and still have a fair bit of go for a LAMS bike. it’s also got a very similar engine to the RVF400 and VT650
Comment by pdean8 — Mar 13 @ 4:34 pm