Good step up from a GN250?

[trd]

Firstly thanks to everyone who contributes and runs this site, it's been an awesome resource for me getting into bikes, I've been lurking for a while.
Long story short: lost my job = lost my work car, bought a badly damaged GN250 as I needed a cheap way of getting round, fixed it up, now I'm completely addicted to riding it, got new job yay $$$
I've started looking at getting a new (secondhand, will be new for me) bike, it will have to be a 250 I've narrowed it down to either a GSF250 Bandit (first choice atm), honda hornet or a Hyosung GT250 (and maybe a Yamaha Zeal only discovered this at a showroom yesterday). As you can see I'm a fan of naked bikes and inline 4's with the Hyosung being the exception, that made my list mostly because the price appeals.
It will be a daily rider commuting to work and I hope to do some touring. My budget is about $6k (at a stretch). I'm looking at keeping whatever I buy for about 2 years. I prefer reliability over power.
So anywhoo, anyone got any thoughts on these bikes and there suitability for the task? I have 0 biker friends otherwise I'd be asking them and my bike knowledge is not so good.
Thanks in advance.

[007XX]

Hi ya... and welcome to KB after all that lurking.

I know you have mentioned being a fan of inline 4s, but if you are considering a Hyosung, then forget about it and get yourself a VTR250.

Reliable, great resell value, awesome little commuter with enough comfort for touring as well. And you're bound to find a specimen in good condition for your budget.

At least take one for a test ride before you make up your mind and research it on here...heaps of KBers have had one of them and still rave on about it :niceone:

Good luck and let us know how it went.

[trd]

Thanks for the info, I'm trying not to make the list too big but it won't hurt riding yet another bike, one of the fun things about looking for a new bike has been riding a few differnent models (and realising just how much the GN lacks in the power/fun deparment).
I forgot to add if anyone has or sees a suitable bike in canterbury for sale then let me know.

[Lurch]

Without a doubt your best choice is a GT250.

Big, comfy, very economical and you'll pick up an almost new one for 5k.

[R6_kid]

Try any of the 250 twins on offer, keep a close eye on the quality of the bike, and how it feels to you. Don't blindly jump on board the hyobag train just to get a 'cool looking' bike.

[howdamnhard]

Try a Honda Spada.

[Oakie]

I have a good deal for you.

My wife's Honda CB250FM (aka Honda 'Jade') has just gone on the market.
It's a naked in-line 4 just as you like. 25,000 km and in good condition. Nice easy bike to ride but certainly has enough get up and go to keep you interested. I think it has the same motor as the Hornet but I'm prepared to be corrected on that. WOF'd last month with no issues and rego thru to March I think.

$3999 is this week's asking price.

[NinjaNanna]

Keep ya cash in your pocket at least until you've finished your probationary period in you new job and you've got a REALLY good feel for how secure the company is.

Practically when you first started riding the GN you probably thought it had heaps of power right? Well the same things going to happen with any of the bikes you've listed - in 3 months time you'll be thinking the same thing.

Are you still on your L or are you on your R now. How long until you can go for your open license? Regardless my advice to you is keep the GN get your open then buy a 600. Heaps of people do just that each and every year.

[Oakie]

Regardless my advice to you is keep the GN get your open then buy a 600. Heaps of people do just that each and every year.

A move from the GN to any of the bikes mentioned so far is still a decent step up though. It's not all about CC rating.

[R6_kid]

I have a good deal for you.

My wife's Honda CB250FM (aka Honda 'Jade') has just gone on the market.
It's a naked in-line 4 just as you like. 25,000 km and in good condition. Nice easy bike to ride but certainly has enough get up and go to keep you interested. I think it has the same motor as the Hornet but I'm prepared to be corrected on that. WOF'd last month with no issues and rego thru to March I think.

$3999 is this week's asking price.

What he said... offer him $3500 and get yourself a minter!!! :sweatdrop

And Oakie, pretty sure they are both MC14 motors, so you're probably right on it having the same engine as the hornet.

[YellowDog]

Keep ya cash in your pocket at least until you've finished your probationary period in you new job and you've got a REALLY good feel for how secure the company is.

Practically when you first started riding the GN you probably thought it had heaps of power right? Well the same things going to happen with any of the bikes you've listed - in 3 months time you'll be thinking the same thing.

Are you still on your L or are you on your R now. How long until you can go for your open license? Regardless my advice to you is keep the GN get your open then buy a 600. Heaps of people do just that each and every year.
I agree. 250s are fine until they just don't have enough 'umph' to negotiate the steeper than expected hill.

Wait a while and get a 600+.

However FWIW - I rode a Hyosung GT250 and was very impressed (for a 250).

[Oakie]

I agree. 250s are fine until they just don't have enough 'umph' to negotiate the steeper than expected hill.

That's what the gearbox is for though. I just happened to take Mrs Oakie's 250 to work today and in respect of your comment took note of what it did going up the solitary hill (Port Hills Road / Centaurus Rd). In the right gear and right revs it flew up just like my bike. Even had to slow at the top. Depends on gear ratios of particular bikes I suppose though. I know I've gone up hills on my bike where say 5th was too high but 4th was too low.

[trd]

Thanks for all the replies guys. If I was happy touring on the GN I'd keep it but being an 85 that has had a very hard life it's days as a long distance machine are pretty much over, it'll cruise at 100 but it's not comfortable to be on for a long time at all. I did think about changing a sproket but I'd just be putting more money into a bike without adding any value, I'd rather put the money into a more suitable bike.
I'll PM you about the honda Oakie, I've been a little misled about the reliability of that particular engine I think, seems lots of people say it's bulletproof which is what I'm after.
Like I say I'll be aiming to keep whatever I buy for a couple of years, I know I'll probably end up with a bigger bike eventually. As for 250's and hills, I often ride over dyers pass to Diamond Harbour to see my dad and even the GN will go a a reasonable pace uphill if you kept it in the right gear and revs, as soon as you go too slow though it won't regain the speed. I usually end up going up faster than I go down due to the GN's crappy brakes.

[CookMySock]

250s are fine until they just don't have enough 'umph' to negotiate the steeper than expected hill. [...] However FWIW - I rode a Hyosung GT250 and was very impressed (for a 250).The Hyo's are plenty cool, and enough power to roll up most hills in top gear at the speed limit, unless the hill or you are rather massive.

There's not much wrong with the Hyosungs. The things to watch for are ;

Gearbox. With the cold engine idling at around 2,000rpm, clutch in and click through first, second, and then try and find neutral with the bike stationary. Warm the engine up (20 min open road ride) and see if it's any more difficult to find neutral. If it is, then this gearbox has been mistreated. Don't touch the bike, as you will need new engine cases and a complete engine strip to fix the problem. Engines with this fault have a strange spongy feeling clutch, and are extremely hard to find neutral.

Engine. Starts and idles smoothly with no rattles and clunks - you either get a good engine or a dud one.. There are plenty of dud ones, but there are also plenty of good ones. Oil is not overfilled - it makes a bad metallic clatter if you overfill the oil in these. Oil colour is clean - these engines run real lean, and must have regular oil changes.

Electronic Dash. Lights up properly and everything works. Expensive to replace.

Go for a good ride on one - an hour or so. Don't push the shinko tyres in the wet at all, or they will bite you.. Don't push the bike hard into corners on heavily undulating road - they don't have a quality suspension in them, and you will find yourself on your arse.

Cheap to buy, cheap to crash, cheap to fix.

Steve

[Oakie]

lots of people say it's bulletproof which is what I'm after. 'Honda' and 'bulletproof' are pretty synonymous.

[Hiflyer]

The Hyo's are plenty cool, and enough power to roll up most hills in top gear at the speed limit, unless the hill or you are rather massive.

There's not much wrong with the Hyosungs. The things to watch for are ;

Gearbox. With the cold engine idling at around 2,000rpm, clutch in and click through first, second, and then try and find neutral with the bike stationary. Warm the engine up (20 min open road ride) and see if it's any more difficult to find neutral. If it is, then this gearbox has been mistreated. Don't touch the bike, as you will need new engine cases and a complete engine strip to fix the problem. Engines with this fault have a strange spongy feeling clutch, and are extremely hard to find neutral.

It's called clutch cable adjustment. . . do it and you will magically have neutral, i thought I had a prolem . . . but. . . . no.

Engine. Starts and idles smoothly with no rattles and clunks - you either get a good engine or a dud one.. There are plenty of dud ones, but there are also plenty of good ones. Oil is not overfilled - it makes a bad metallic clatter if you overfill the oil in these. Oil colour is clean - these engines run real lean, and must have regular oil changes.

Sorry to be a kill buzz but there are such things as average ones, you just have to not RAPE THEM

Electronic Dash. Lights up properly and everything works. Expensive to replace.

Go for a good ride on one - an hour or so. Don't push the shinko tyres in the wet at all, or they will bite you.. Don't push the bike hard into corners on heavily undulating road - they don't have a quality suspension in them, and you will find yourself on your arse.

I know you only ride hyosungs and all that but I'm pretty sure that

1. going from a GN 250 to a GT250R will be heaps and the Shinkos will put up with whats thrown at them

and

2. the shinkos are fine, you gotta know your limits, if you end up on your arse then your obviously a bit too eager....

Cheap to buy, cheap to crash, cheap to fix.

Steve


But yea the GT250R is awesome, I went for a cruise up SH16 today and found that its so much fun! chicken strips all but gone, seriously though it can provide more than enough fun, and if you think that you might not have enough money to buy AND maintain a 600 theres no reason to not buy a 250 you can have heaps of enjoyment out of for a few years while you save up.

[Hiflyer]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-228041067.htm


id ask how the damage on the clutch lever happened if it "has never been dropped"

[NinjaNanna]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-228041067.htm


id ask how the damage on the clutch lever happened if it "has never been dropped"


hmmm looks more like a busted brake lever not clutch lever????????? That's weird that they'd get that wrong???????

[CookMySock]

It's called clutch cable adjustment. . . do it and you will magically have neutral, i thought I had a prolem . . . but. . . . no.No. This is a real fault. I can show you the broken bits if you like. Perhaps you think I don't know how to adjust a clutch cable, but really I cant be effed arguing with you.

Steve

[hayd3n]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-228041067.htm


id ask how the damage on the clutch lever happened if it "has never been dropped"

its the front guard on backwards or just a hyo thing?
nope just checked its a hyo thing
Other known specifications of the Kinetic Hyosung Comet are as follows: 5-speed. 150 / 70x17 tyres. 27 bhp. 10000 rpm max. Estimated top speed - 125 kmph ...
pft get a vtr 250

[Squid]

The Hyo's are plenty cool, and enough power to roll up most hills in top gear at the speed limit, unless the hill or you are rather massive.

I had the use of a GT250R last week up in the north island and I CANT say it liked going over the kaimai ranges much. It made it eventually in 4th gear and well under the speed limit though...



Go for a good ride on one - an hour or so. Don't push the shinko tyres in the wet at all, or they will bite you.. Don't push the bike hard into corners on heavily undulating road - they don't have a quality suspension in them....

Yeah what he said!! The shinkos are pretty usless in the wet. Admititly this was going from the Michelins on my gixxer but it felt like riding on wet grass. :blank:





'Honda' and 'bulletproof' are pretty synonymous.

I did a google search for "honda" and it just came up = gay :argue: :dodge:

[Dare]

I had the use of a GT250R last week up in the north island and I can say it liked going over the kaimai ranges much. It made it eventually in 4th gear and well under the speed limit though...
Can or can't?


I did a google search for "honda" and it just came up = gay :argue: :dodge:
All I got was this...

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/honda-almost-gay-friendly-more-like-gay-cordial/

[bsasuper]

I thought the idea was to step UP from a 250, id look at the honda hornet 600, I just rode one from auckland to roto vegas with my mate on his R1, and on the twisty bits he admitted he was almost left behind:first:

[jrandom]

It will be a daily rider commuting to work and I hope to do some touring. My budget is about $6k (at a stretch). I'm looking at keeping whatever I buy for about 2 years. I prefer reliability over power.

Then for gawd's sake, why not buy a brand new Yamaha Scorpio 225 for $4000? Wonderful little bikes. I'd 'ave one.

And I'd give any cunt on a two-cylinder 250 the learn on it, too. Don't underestimate the Scorpios.

Whatever you do, don't go getting a Hobag or a fifteen to twenty year old rolled, bowled and arseholed Jap import IL4 250.

Seriously, go test-ride a Scorpio before making your final decision.

[Squid]

Can or can't?


cant. :doh: It didnt like it one little bit

[Choco]

Get a hornet! I did it and havent regretted it. Now i've sold it and looking to get the hornet's big brother: the 900!!

Search for the 'hornet swarm' thread. A lot of us upgraded to or learned on the hornet 250 and love them to bits.

[TOTO]

1. As an ex hayosund 250 owner i will say this - Stay the hell away from them. if I knew about those bikes what I know now I would have never touched one.

2. As and ex 250 hornet and a current 900 hornet owner I will say this - this the most awesomest bike I have ever ridden and Ive ridden many till now. It is simple and easy to maintain and last ages. A friend of mine juts clocked his 96 hornet over 100 000 km and the hornet is going like new. Dont be scared of the slightly older at all , as hornets they are virtually bulletproof, unlike the new hyosungs which shit themselfs after you pass the roughly 17 000km mark...


My word is go for the hornet , you will never look back.

[davebullet]

+1 for the VTR250. Low down torque of a twin is great. I haven't ridden an IL4 250 to compare, but our VTR250 is reliable as hell and does 30+ km/litre mostly commuting too.

[TOTO]

+1 for the VTR250. Low down torque of a twin is great. I haven't ridden an IL4 250 to compare, but our VTR250 is reliable as hell and does 30+ km/litre mostly commuting too.

agree. not as powerful as the hornet, but very very economical and so light and nimble trough the twisties.

[jrandom]

The Hornets and VTR250s are good. I'd incline toward a VTR. Fair bit of money to sink into a 250, mind you; my inclination toward the Scorpio is coloured by the fact that you could very sensibly keep it after you get your first 'big' bike.

Test-ride 'em all and see!

And this current thread (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=103124), which I assume the OP has noticed by now, is yet another reminder of why Hyobags are a dreadful idea.

[MSTRS]

I'll add to the clarion calls....get a VTR250 (the Spada is an older up-specc'd version with 6spd). Brilliant little bikes. Good for a 'fang' if you want. Good for touring (although not a lot of room for gear). Much better than any IL4 for commuting.

[carver]

Gsxr1000.....

[boomer]

gsxr1000.....

+1

_________

[short-circuit]

Triumph Rocket, Hayabusa, TL1000 - a nice graduated stepping stone.

[Cheshire Cat]

Good step up from a gn250?...........Anything? :laugh:

[carver]

+1

_________

easy to ride eh....

[stevewederell]

I thought the idea was to step UP from a 250, id look at the honda hornet 600, I just rode one from auckland to roto vegas with my mate on his R1, and on the twisty bits he admitted he was almost left behind:first:

I'd totally have to agree with that. Think your limited to the 250's, my mates VTR was quite nice to ride, though I'de have to change lever angles. Happy shopping

[carver]

I thought the idea was to step UP from a 250, id look at the honda hornet 600, I just rode one from auckland to roto vegas with my mate on his R1, and on the twisty bits he admitted he was almost left behind:first:

he must be fucking useless then

[trd]

Thanks guys, some interesting suggestions there...
I've taken Hyosungs off the list, sounds like if you get a good one it will be fine but I'm not interested in taking that sort of risk. Scorpios don't look like much fun but I haven't ridden one.
Took Oakie's jade for a quick ride yesterday, really nice bike could of stayed on it for ages, nice and comfy and heaps of go (esp. compared to the GN) I'm having a serious think about it.
As for the VTR250, sounds like an option any one in CHCH got one for sale? I'm pretty keen to give all the options a ride if I can.

[Oakie]

Post deleted.

In response to earlier posts I posted a comment from a dealer regarding a 250cc in-line 4 vs a VTR only to find when I hit the button that Tim (TRD) had posted at exactly the same time that he wanted to look at a VTR. Because I currently have a stake in his decision, my post could been seen as a bit self-serving so it's deleted

[short-circuit]

I'm pretty keen to give all the options a ride if I can.

What about my suggestions eh? Tried any of them?

You've got to keep an open mind

[mathornet]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-229886463.htm

try riding it and offer him a price u want.. its a 2000 model! so its all sweet

[gatch]

I reckon you should get a perm Doug..

[mathornet]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=103352
get his!!!
reasonably good pricing!

[trd]

Thanks for all the input guys, in the end I bought this machine pic (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=134377&d=1247289824) from Oakie. Learnt a lot in the process like how overpriced the 250 market can be and someone saying "good condition" on trademe can actually mean "about to fall to bits".

There will soon be a GN250 on the market if anyone is looking for a great learner bike/commuter.

[Oakie]

I guess your post means that you got home safely Tim?

It was a pleasure doing business with you.

I hope you get a great ride out of it but a word of warning ... don't drop the bike or Mrs Oakie will be after you.

See you on the road sometime.

[Squid]

You've got to keep an open mind

Dont keep it too open though or you're brains will fall out :gob:

[trd]

Yep made it home, took me a while as once I was riding I didn't want to get off. Was great dealing you and Mrs Oakie and now I have another good reason not to do any bike dropping, hope it never happens.
Here's hoping for a fine weekend, think my gas bill is about to increase.


I guess your post means that you got home safely Tim?

It was a pleasure doing business with you.

I hope you get a great ride out of it but a word of warning ... don't drop the bike or Mrs Oakie will be after you.

See you on the road sometime.

[Indiana_Jones]

Street Triple

-Indy

[mister.koz]

Thanks for all the input guys, in the end I bought this machine pic (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=134377&d=1247289824) from Oakie. Learnt a lot in the process like how overpriced the 250 market can be and someone saying "good condition" on trademe can actually mean "about to fall to bits".

There will soon be a GN250 on the market if anyone is looking for a great learner bike/commuter.

On ya mate, nice bike and sounds like a good deal.

[ready4whatever]

honda hornets are fun. you pay more for it though. xv250? its a v-twin. way better on gas. and its yamaha

[Bend-it]

There's not much wrong with the Hyosungs. The things to watch for are ;

Gearbox...
Engine...
Electronic Dash...
they don't have a quality suspension...

:eek5: :rofl:


Thanks for all the input guys, in the end I bought this machine pic (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=134377&d=1247289824) from Oakie. Learnt a lot in the process like how overpriced the 250 market can be and someone saying "good condition" on trademe can actually mean "about to fall to bits".

There will soon be a GN250 on the market if anyone is looking for a great learner bike/commuter.

WHat?!?!!? No gsxr1000?!?!? Wuss...

;)

[marty]

get a VTR250 like this one: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-226626361.htm.


i'd have one in a flash, and i've had some rather larger bikes, and an RS250.

How much for the GN?