Thani-B
4th October 2009, 19:09
Mixed review of the 2004 GN250E, and my riding experience.
Edited version was printed in this month's Motorcycle Trader.
The first time I saw it, I thought it was perfect. I’d only ever been a pillion on bikes, and the prospect of having my own was very exciting. This particular bike that I was looking at was the 2004 GN250E. With roughly 6000kms on the clock. The price was right, the size was right, and it was even the right colour (black). So that afternoon, I bought my first bike. A few days later, a family friend dropped it off at my house. I stood there watching as they unloaded it off the back of the ute, anticipation growing. I couldn’t wait to go for my first ride.
After being shown the basic controls and buttons on the bike, I rode it up and down the driveway a few times, getting a feel for it. The next step was to gear up and off I went, on to the road for the first time. It was a daunting thought, here I was, cruising along at about 70km/h, with only my riding gear for protection. For someone that had spent most of the past few years in a car, suddenly having no seatbelt was a little bit scary. But the freedom, the bright shining sun, my hair flowing out of the back of the helmet, this new experience was like no other.
A minor incident, involving target fixation, a fence post, and a passing local fireman, was my first mishap. But after the footbrake was replaced, I didn’t have any further problems with my riding or the motorcycle. I began to ride regularly. I would do a commute of roughly 140kms per day, 2 or 3 times a week to go to University in Auckland. This, of course, meant lane-splitting. While I was still on my learners, it was something I tried to avoid, and I just followed along with the cars. However, it soon became apparent that bikes aren’t really made to sit in traffic moving along at 10km/h, and so I had to make myself do it. And it handled it well. Eventually it became a second nature. As did riding itself.
Leaning in corners, counter-steering, emergency braking. All are things that had to be learnt and practised but the GN could do all efficiently once one found out how it handled. The GN250, to me, is the perfect learner bike. It’s a very forgiving bike. The seat height of the bike, the upright riding position, and the light weight, make it an easy bike to manoeuvre, both while on and off it. I’m not the tallest person. I stand about 5’2”, so the low seat height of the GN was just right for someone my size. It made it easy to learn the basics of riding, and helped to get confidence up before attempting to ride a different bike.
I have a friend who has a ZXR250. He’s a slightly vertically challenged person as well, and he seemed to struggle with the size of his bike on some occasions. After a 20 minute ride on his bike, I was definitely glad I opted for a ginny as my first bike. His was a lot more powerful, yes, but on a learner licence you are only meant to go 70km/h anyway, so I don’t think it is really needed. In saying that, I did see what I could get out of the GN. Let’s just say, top of about 140km/h down the Bombay Hills. Frightening ride that was. Never again.
I’ve owned my GN for about 19 months now. A bit too long in my opinion, but it has served me well. In that time, I’ve replaced the chain, sprockets, tyres, front brake, and added heated handgrips. Without breaking the bank. It performed well for my restricted and full licence tests. It’s carried me 14,000kms, and has taken me south to Cold Kiwi in Waiouru and back for its longest trip. Now, I think I have outgrown it, and am looking to upgrade, but to all who are unsure of what bike to get for their first, or who are slightly nervous at the idea of a motorcycle, I would definitely recommend a GN250. It will not let you down.
Edited version was printed in this month's Motorcycle Trader.
The first time I saw it, I thought it was perfect. I’d only ever been a pillion on bikes, and the prospect of having my own was very exciting. This particular bike that I was looking at was the 2004 GN250E. With roughly 6000kms on the clock. The price was right, the size was right, and it was even the right colour (black). So that afternoon, I bought my first bike. A few days later, a family friend dropped it off at my house. I stood there watching as they unloaded it off the back of the ute, anticipation growing. I couldn’t wait to go for my first ride.
After being shown the basic controls and buttons on the bike, I rode it up and down the driveway a few times, getting a feel for it. The next step was to gear up and off I went, on to the road for the first time. It was a daunting thought, here I was, cruising along at about 70km/h, with only my riding gear for protection. For someone that had spent most of the past few years in a car, suddenly having no seatbelt was a little bit scary. But the freedom, the bright shining sun, my hair flowing out of the back of the helmet, this new experience was like no other.
A minor incident, involving target fixation, a fence post, and a passing local fireman, was my first mishap. But after the footbrake was replaced, I didn’t have any further problems with my riding or the motorcycle. I began to ride regularly. I would do a commute of roughly 140kms per day, 2 or 3 times a week to go to University in Auckland. This, of course, meant lane-splitting. While I was still on my learners, it was something I tried to avoid, and I just followed along with the cars. However, it soon became apparent that bikes aren’t really made to sit in traffic moving along at 10km/h, and so I had to make myself do it. And it handled it well. Eventually it became a second nature. As did riding itself.
Leaning in corners, counter-steering, emergency braking. All are things that had to be learnt and practised but the GN could do all efficiently once one found out how it handled. The GN250, to me, is the perfect learner bike. It’s a very forgiving bike. The seat height of the bike, the upright riding position, and the light weight, make it an easy bike to manoeuvre, both while on and off it. I’m not the tallest person. I stand about 5’2”, so the low seat height of the GN was just right for someone my size. It made it easy to learn the basics of riding, and helped to get confidence up before attempting to ride a different bike.
I have a friend who has a ZXR250. He’s a slightly vertically challenged person as well, and he seemed to struggle with the size of his bike on some occasions. After a 20 minute ride on his bike, I was definitely glad I opted for a ginny as my first bike. His was a lot more powerful, yes, but on a learner licence you are only meant to go 70km/h anyway, so I don’t think it is really needed. In saying that, I did see what I could get out of the GN. Let’s just say, top of about 140km/h down the Bombay Hills. Frightening ride that was. Never again.
I’ve owned my GN for about 19 months now. A bit too long in my opinion, but it has served me well. In that time, I’ve replaced the chain, sprockets, tyres, front brake, and added heated handgrips. Without breaking the bank. It performed well for my restricted and full licence tests. It’s carried me 14,000kms, and has taken me south to Cold Kiwi in Waiouru and back for its longest trip. Now, I think I have outgrown it, and am looking to upgrade, but to all who are unsure of what bike to get for their first, or who are slightly nervous at the idea of a motorcycle, I would definitely recommend a GN250. It will not let you down.