Looking into buying my 2nd bike, moving up from the GN

[Alex Wong]

Welcome all, just looking for some advice on some bikes im looking into getting, while i still have affection for my 250GN, its not quite the thrill it was when i first got it a few months ago.
Thinking of a range of bikes but pretty much what i want is ability to tour and some tits on it. For that reason i've considered:

(these are all 250's, only on the last month of my learners)
Suzuki Across
Suzuki Bandit
Suzuki GSXR
Kawasaki ZZR & ZXR
Suzuki RGV(i understand this is somewhat of a deathtrap, but i would behave...)
Suzuki RG 1988

On a budget atm as im still saving up of about 2.5-3k so the bandit and across seem like the only options till i get some more dosh.
Any negatives and/or positives about the above bikes?

Choice

[AllanB]

Keep the GN and fast tract your full. Then get a larger ride. :yes:

[Alex Wong]

How is that going to fast track my full? Its the slow track D:

[Ntoxcated]

... what i want is ability to tour and some tits on it ...

You mean like a bikini fairing? :innocent:

[GPXchick]

I have had my bike 5 -6 weeks now and love it. Check out the zzr same engine as mine smaller fairings. My bike is the same motor as the Ninja, however i kick an extra couple of HP. WOOOP WOOOP and have 6 gears. Good luck on your hunt. :ride:

[Alex Wong]

haha, yeah, something like that.


ZZR? ahhh, inline 2 yeah? tested one awhile ago, think it was 92 or something, for 2.5k, worth it? the fairings all around were pretty rough aye.

Also i get what you're saying Allan, but its so hard! its just quite slow to be quite frank, and i would like to go quite fast, within logical reason of course.

PS: anyone know about the fuel economy of a 250 rgv? I wouldnt it imagine to be very good...but no harm in asking right?

[ducatilover]

The ZZR250 are okay, have you considered a VT250 Spada?

[Timmeh:P]

Hornet CB250!

Big 180 tyre on the back. Same frame as a 600, and has around 40BHP. A lot more grunt than any current 250cc. Will scream past any Hoyo or kawa!

Same engine as a CBR250RR. Lots of fun and feel like a big bike.

[ducatilover]

Hornet CB250!

Big 180 tyre on the back. Same frame as a 600, and has around 40BHP. A lot more grunt than any current 250cc. Will scream past any Hoyo or kawa!

Same engine as a CBR250RR. Lots of fun and feel like a big bike.

Awesome bike, possibly the most reliable 250 out there, have seen several do 100,00km. Great to ride and great looking, but, odd tire sizes = more money :facepalm:

[Timmeh:P]

Awesome bike, possibly the most reliable 250 out there, have seen several do 100,00km. Great to ride and great looking, but, odd tire sizes = more money :facepalm:

Too true, the odd front tyre size is an issue. However Cycletreads are yet to let me down on that one! Give them enough warning and they can source it for you.

[Maha]

''Thinking of a range of bikes but pretty much what i want is ability to tour''

The Bandit is the stand out on your list, theres also the 250 Hornet.
Much better riding postion for touring than those other things you listed.

[Laava]

Assuming you are under 25 and on a restricted, then the min time you need to be on a restricted is 12 months, reduced from 18 by doing an approved course. Now is not the time to trade up as you will soon have your full and want to trade up again! [IMO!] Bear in mind that 250's are expensive in this country and also that the learner requirement is due to change soon which will affect the re-sale hugely on 250's. I tried to find out when that is happening but unsuccessfully. I thought it was later in this year.

[Alex Wong]

Sweet will have a look at the hornet :) whats the bandit like? similar engine to the gsxr right? but unfaired hence much cheaper. which would be nice

I see what you mean, will be able to get restricted(and will) get it 2nd of april, aprox 6 months after learner was achieved haha. From what i read up on, the power to weight ratio laws were gonna be phased in over a decade? first of all to change would be learner and restricted licensing tests. Which would drive down resale value of 250's dramatically, but kinda counting on it not being for a bit.

On a level it makes sense to wait, but 1 year for a 20 year old is a long time...

[ducatilover]

The bandit is essentially a cheaper alternative to a Hornet, it performs and rides much the same, is reliable and great on gas. If you're on a budget one is well worth a look.

[Alex Wong]

Looking at a bandit 1998 for 2.9, sound good? will be rego'd. I like.

[ducatilover]

Looking at a bandit 1998 for 2.9, sound good? will be rego'd. I like.

That's very cheap, how many km?

[Alex Wong]

Hmm, the classified has closed so cant tell anymore. But its in wellington, am flying down anyway but wondering whether thats a good idea in any case, doing a ride from wellington to whangarei(first long ride) on a bike im not familiar with. Theres a 1994 kawasaki balius for 3.1grand with 20.5km in auckland that could end up being the better option? what do you think? its close, and its kawasaki, which from what i hear generally have a better quality build product. Considering i would have to book a different flight and pay petrol and everything for the ride back...

[ducatilover]

I'd take a bandit over a Balius any day. Sure the ZR250 looks neat, but, the Bandit is a proven reliable bike, just like all the Honda 250cc bikes...
The ZR250 from memory liked to eat cam chain tensioners and cam chains?
That is a long ride, but, do able. If you're not comfortable with the idea then don't do it.