Australias licencing scheme varies by state for cars :D not sure about bikes.. it's staged similar to america, with the driving having to do so many hours with an approved person before they can advance to the next stage etc etc.

As for bikes, I think your allowed upto a 600 or a 650 as a provisional bike (but not more than so many bhp) so a 400 would still be a good choice!

Plus it's closer to Japan so shipping is easier than uk.

No doubt one of the aussies will be along to correct me with the proper proceduers soon :D

Julesholling wrote:Put me down for a white one too

Why do they sell these in Aus and not here though. I can understand about the Japanese market as the licence was harder to get for a 600cc and that as 600's are reletivly cheap compaired to the 400 here nobody would buy them. But why are they sold in Aus still? Is the licence system similar to the one in Japan?

Possibly because its only spitting distance from Japan to Aus, they got the CBR250RR as well.

Druid

Neosophist wrote: As for bikes, I think your allowed upto a 600 or a 650 as a provisional bike (but not more than so many bhp) so a 400 would still be a good choice!

Plus it's closer to Japan so shipping is easier than uk.

Yeah pretty sure it's both those reasons. Learners are allowed a bike of up to 650cc as long as it falls into the power/weight rules. CB400's are eligible so also are NC35's (NC30's aren't). Eligibility is based on manufacturer's power ratings. Australia is now starting to see many interesting grey import 400's that fit these rules (honda GB400, yam SRX400, duc SS400 etc).

Australia got the CBR250rr, that was when learner licensing rules were restricted overall to 250cc bikes only. Honda brought in the bike to compete with high sales of grey import CBR's. We also got ZXR250's.

DataRacer wrote:

Neosophist wrote: As for bikes, I think your allowed upto a 600 or a 650 as a provisional bike (but not more than so many bhp) so a 400 would still be a good choice!

Plus it's closer to Japan so shipping is easier than uk.

Yeah pretty sure it's both those reasons. Learners are allowed a bike of up to 650cc as long as it falls into the power/weight rules. CB400's are eligible so also are NC35's (NC30's aren't). Eligibility is based on manufacturer's power ratings. Australia is now starting to see many interesting grey import 400's that fit these rules (honda GB400, yam SRX400, duc SS400 etc).

Australia got the CBR250rr, that was when learner licensing rules were restricted overall to 250cc bikes only. Honda brought in the bike to compete with high sales of grey import CBR's. We also got ZXR250's.

Oh cool, I see! Hmmm quite a nice selection of different bikes :)

SRX400's christ that brings back some memories :D

I considered one of those (albeit the 600 model) when I was after a thumper. Went for Honda's XBR500 instead.. similar but as nice as the Honda GB500/400/250's that might be knockin around in aus :) although kickstarting anything 400+ all the while isn't fun hence the honda + electric start :)

Is the Ninja the same one we get over here?

Kawasaki 250R parallel twin?

http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/Ninja250R" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Neosophist wrote:Is the Ninja the same one we get over here?

Kawasaki 250R parallel twin?

http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/Ninja250R" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

No

ZXR250R inline-4 I think a 19k redline and looks like a ZXR400/750 in miniature
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwG7R5KtW2g" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Druid

Oooh the old 250 of the 'screamer' F1 sounding generation.

Awesome :D

Never seen one of those in the flesh before. I wonder how it stacks up compared to a CBR250

Neosophist wrote: Never seen one of those in the flesh before. I wonder how it stacks up compared to a CBR250

The zxr were regarded as pretty much the quickest 4-stroke 250cc, but not much in it and all top end! The fzr250 I rode when I was younger was also a lot of fun (18.5k redline).

All of them are light and agile and have enough power for city commuters.

A guy had one when I was at uni, sounded ace but never got a chance to blag a go.

Dunno about the ZXR and the FZR250 I rode was ropey but the CBR250 is/was a peach, massive wide powerband, silky smooth and an ace noise. Pulled from nothing (would pootle nicely at walking pace) up to ~45mph at 18.5k in first. :)
Just needed double the power really

Druid