Don't knock GNs

[superjackal]

Hi y'all
Took about 10 bikes for a test ride today and none of them felt as agile as my GN. I guess I've had it set up nice for me but I have to say I'm going to miss the old girl. They really are great beginner bikes. With more power and braking.......
Wish I had the cash to keep it, Chinese built n' all......
GNJ

[BigAl]

Wow, what did you ride?

[FJRider]

One ride wont tell you much. If the GN is the only bike you ride ... you will be familiar with (and used to) how it handles.


Quite often ... one (short) ride on a possible replacement bike will do more to put you off it. Take it away for a weekend ... and clock up a few km's on it.

[Phantom Limb]

Really??
Sorry mate but you need to ride some more bikes!

[tigertim20]

If you rode ten bikes in one day, then you cant have had time to ride them far enough to really see how they handle.

aside from that, it can take weeks to get the feel for a new bike and how it handles before you can appreciate its ability.

Go back and ride them for longer!

[Grizzo]

Yep, longer rides on different bikes will get you away from the feel and comfort zone of the gn.

[PrincessBandit]

What the others have said. I too started out on a ginny and loved it to bits. Once I got used to the bandit though...didn't miss it at all.

Any new bike will take some getting used to especially if you've found your first one really comfortable. It's all about moving away from the security blanket of the known and familiar to something else (which in turn will hopefully become comfortable and familiar).

[ducatilover]

That's because GNs tip in fast and weigh nothing.
You will be very pleased with the stability of real bikes :2thumbsup

GNs rule 279309

[Disco Dan]

Hi y'all
Took about 10 bikes for a test ride today and none of them felt as agile as my GN. I guess I've had it set up nice for me but I have to say I'm going to miss the old girl. They really are great beginner bikes. With more power and braking.......
Wish I had the cash to keep it, Chinese built n' all......
GNJ

Consider your GN... KNOCKED.

[Kickaha]

What are the rear shocks off?

[ducatilover]

What are the rear shocks off?

:weep: broken, rooted and stripped originals
Got some interesting ones coming

[Ender EnZed]

Took about 10 bikes for a test ride today and none of them felt as agile as my GN.

10 test rides in a day? That's a lot of new bike-ness to be taking in.

What were they and what was your test route?

[GrayWolf]

I am one of those who wont hear a bad word against the Ginny, yes they are slow, they are low powered, but as a beginner bike they are nigh perfect. :2thumbsup
Sure you can outgrow the performance quickly, but then again,, a Ginny is as fast(er) than some of the old BSA 250's that were very popular (C15 etc).
of course they handle well?? they weigh nothing, on the downhill of the Wainuiomata hill going towards the Hutt, I could get down there at higher speeds and definitely 'quicker' on Vicky's GN than either my old FJ1200 or the ZZR1100....
But if you are ready to move on? Then look back with 'teary eye' and accept that the replacement will have much more to offer than the venerable Gn does..
You'll find on the rougher surfaces a bit more weight makes the bike more stable, however balance that with the fact sprotbike trail and rake can be a bit twitchy on those surfaces anyway...

[EJK]

Go ride a Yamaha Scorpio.

Then come back and tell us if it's more "agile" than a GN.

[Banditbandit]

I rode a GN - ONCE - I Hated it ...

You like yours now ... but wait about six months on a new bike then ride a GN again ... and see if you stil like it as much ..

[Paul in NZ]

I like GN's and SR's and most light bikes. They are huge fun one you get past the I must look ridiculous on this vanity issue..

Yeah - I wouldnt want to ride one to Auckland but for belting around the village they are hilarious. Plus those bikes have introduced thousands and thousands of new riders to the joy of motorcycling by giving them a confident starting point.

Horah for the humble GN - the BSA Bantam of its generation!

[bogan]

Wow, what did you ride?

My guess is he went down to the local harley dealership...

Or maybe other bikes with different riding positions that didn't have the same feel, so of course they wouldn't feel as nimble after just a short ride.

[Grashopper]

Wow, what did you ride?

+1 Would be interested to know which bikes you tried, too.

Give that KTM Duke 200 a try. It's a lightweight and supposed to be really agile, but with lots of torque, a max speed of up to 140kph and good brakes. And really nice looking bike, too.

[fyrgem]

I learnt to ride on a GN250 a few years ago. Problem is when you try out a normal sized bike, they look and feel intimidating, now I've upgraded to a VTR250 and having to re-learn the basics in bite-sized pieces.
I do find she responds much better, and you don't have to brake three days in advance. ;)
plus she is MUCH sexier than the GN!

[Maha]

I learnt to ride on a GN250 a few years ago. Problem is when you try out a normal sized bike, they look and feel intimidating, now I've upgraded to a VTR250 and having to re-learn the basics in bite-sized pieces.
I do find she responds much better, and you don't have to brake three days in advance. ;)
plus she is MUCH sexier than the GN!

We used to be a 2 X GN family at one stage...I went from one of them to a YZF600...nothing intimidating about that at all....:rolleyes:

[fyrgem]

We used to be a 2 X GN family at one stage...I went from one of them to a YZF600...nothing intimidating about that at all....:rolleyes:

haha, maybe I just need to take a concrete pill :laugh:
might be because I'm a shortie too. :p didn't mention that

[superjackal]

Sorry, a bit pissed when I wrote that last night. :whistle: It was 8 bikes over 2 weekends. The bikes were:

Hornet 250
Er-5 x2
GS500 x2
Ninja 250
Honda VF400
Suzuki S40

Have bought a Kawasaki Er-5. Very comfortable, nice upgrade in performance. Pick it up at 7pm tonight. Can't wait..........

Might still keep the GN for the wife but they really could do with better brakes....

[Maha]

haha, maybe I just need to take a concrete pill :laugh:
might be because I'm a shortie too. :p didn't mention that

The YZF was an easy bike to ride, but I soon grew out of that bike and wanted something bigger. Being of short stature will dictate what bike you to certain degree, the are ways and means to get around a slightly taller bike to make it a comfortable ride. The VTR you have at the moment is a great 250. A friend of ourS had one and went form that to a SV650 and then back the Honda after a short while with a VTR 1000.

All in good time, enjoy what you have at any one time and you can't go wrong.

[ducatilover]

Have bought a Kawasaki Er-5. Very comfortable, nice upgrade in performance. Pick it up at 7pm tonight. Can't wait..........
Well done, good choice!

Might still keep the GN for the wife but they really could do with better brakes....
:lol: nah, just more power

[superjackal]

Well done, good choice!

:lol: nah, just more power

I'm pretty sure you recommended the ER-5 to me, big thanks for that.

[ducatilover]

I'm pretty sure you recommended the ER-5 to me, big thanks for that.

:2thumbsup they're nice bikes. I'd commute on one any day

[Fast Eddie]

Might still keep the GN for the wife but they really could do with better brakes....

really? I can lock up both front and rear on mrs gn250 and it will stoppy if you give it a bit of a bounce. adequate I thought.


DL - I'm pretty sure you recommended the ER-5 ...

another bike I've crashed nicely.. Their brakes weren't so good to me, I was out braked by an ancient triumph t120 and ran up the back of the old goose.

[Grashopper]

Have bought a Kawasaki Er-5. Very comfortable, nice upgrade in performance. Pick it up at 7pm tonight. Can't wait..........


Cool! Congrats. Hope she will always get you everywhere safely.

Be sure to post pics tonight :)

[GrayWolf]

I rode a GN - ONCE - I Hated it ...

You like yours now ... but wait about six months on a new bike then ride a GN again ... and see if you stil like it as much ..

yeh yeh,, as I said earlier, rode Vicky's Ginny when owning an FJ1200 and a ZR1100, the ginny is a hoot in town traffic and urban riding, just accept it for what it is, and dont compare it to other bikes,,,

[BigAl]

just accept it for what it is, and dont compare it to other bikes,,,

What.... That's like saying I'd rather eat baked beans than fillet steak.

[GrayWolf]

What.... That's like saying I'd rather eat baked beans than fillet steak.

So your saying that you would'nt eat baked beans? Just because you have fillet steak?

nothing wrong with a Ginny if you just accept it for what it is, and treat it as such.

[FJRider]

What.... That's like saying I'd rather eat baked beans than fillet steak.

As a rider of an FJ1200 ... and having ridden a GN on many occasions ... many times I have preferred the plate of baked beans ... (exhaust issues though :innocent:)

Cheap to buy, cheap to fix, quick to prepare and use.

[ducatilover]

What.... That's like saying I'd rather eat baked beans than fillet steak.
No

So your saying that you would'nt eat baked beans? Just because you have fillet steak?

nothing wrong with a Ginny if you just accept it for what it is, and treat it as such. This.


As a rider of an FJ1200 ... and having ridden a GN on many occasions ... many times I have preferred the plate of baked beans ... (exhaust issues though :innocent:)

Cheap to buy, cheap to fix, quick to prepare and use.

Baked beans are rather easy, and gives you practice for riding in the wind

[superjackal]

Cool! Congrats. Hope she will always get you everywhere safely.

Be sure to post pics tonight :)

How do you post pics? Keeps asking me for a URL address?

[oneofsix]

How do you post pics? Keeps asking me for a URL address?

when replying scroll down past the text window and you will find a manage attachments button, give it a go. Look forward to seeing the pics.

[superjackal]

when replying scroll down past the text window and you will find a manage attachments button, give it a go. Look forward to seeing the pics.

Ah-ha! Thank you.

[slofox]

Quite often ... one (short) ride on a possible replacement bike will do more to put you off it. Take it away for a weekend ... and clock up a few km's on it.

I dunno, I must be easily pleased - 20 minutes on the gixxer six was enough to hook me completely.

[FJRider]

I dunno, I must be easily pleased - 20 minutes on the gixxer six was enough to hook me completely.

I know of an R series BMW rider who traded up to a K series (similar cc's) ... the first weekend ride was Paradise to Greymouth via the south island east coast and over the Arthurs. He moaned all the way up at each stop how bad it was ...

By Greymouth ... it was ... OK ... I guess ..

Monday on the way home ... nothing but praise.

New bikes are often very much "different" to your old one. Experienced ... and regular riders, are usually quick to see what the advantages of the "new" will be. (in time)

[slofox]

I know of an R series BMW rider who traded up to a K series (similar cc's) ... the first weekend ride was Paradise to Greymouth via the south island east coast and over the Arthurs. He moaned all the way up at each stop how bad it was ...

By Greymouth ... it was ... OK ... I guess ..

Monday on the way home ... nothing but praise.

New bikes are often very much "different" to your old one. Experienced ... and regular riders, are usually quick to see what the advantages of the "new" will be. (in time)

The GSXR kinda clamped itself onto me as soon as I got on it..."CLICK!" That was it really...

Having said that, my SV took a while to feel right.

[GrayWolf]

The GSXR kinda clamped itself onto me as soon as I got on it..."CLICK!" That was it really...

Having said that, my SV took a while to feel right.

My MT-01 was like that, rode it back from the 'Tron to Welly. Felt right at home almost immediately. by the time I got to Welly, crossed to Picton/Blenheim, and rode it over the Kaikoura's the next day< I was happy following a couple of Duc's going at a 'reasonable' pace back towards Blenheim.

[GDOBSSOR]

I am one of those who wont hear a bad word against the Ginny, yes they are slow, they are low powered, but as a beginner bike they are nigh perfect. :2thumbsup
Sure you can outgrow the performance quickly, but then again,, a Ginny is as fast(er) than some of the old BSA 250's that were very popular (C15 etc).
of course they handle well?? they weigh nothing, on the downhill of the Wainuiomata hill going towards the Hutt, I could get down there at higher speeds and definitely 'quicker' on Vicky's GN than either my old FJ1200 or the ZZR1100....

I won't be ready to move on for a wee while. My GN is a Japanese one (1987) and I love her to bits. When I'm ready to either go overseas or get a new bike, I'm lending it to a good friend of mine who wants desperately to learn to ride. Thing is, because of her age, she's not worth all that much now, but she still runs almost like new and she costs almost nothing in insurance and petrol and is a cheaperish rego, so I'd say that even after getting a higher-performance bike, she'd be good to keep as a run-around for around town or along the beach as well as for teaching my friend to ride. I don't think I'd want to do a long trip on it without a break though... Perhaps it's just the fact that I'm not very experienced, but we were both quite tired after doing Wellington to Martinborough.

[bosslady]

I won't be ready to move on for a wee while. My GN is a Japanese one (1987) and I love her to bits. When I'm ready to either go overseas or get a new bike, I'm lending it to a good friend of mine who wants desperately to learn to ride. Thing is, because of her age, she's not worth all that much now, but she still runs almost like new and she costs almost nothing in insurance and petrol and is a cheaperish rego, so I'd say that even after getting a higher-performance bike, she'd be good to keep as a run-around for around town or along the beach as well as for teaching my friend to ride. I don't think I'd want to do a long trip on it without a break though... Perhaps it's just the fact that I'm not very experienced, but we were both quite tired after doing Wellington to Martinborough.

It's fine for long trips. I did 1400kms++ over Easter weekend

[huff3r]

It's fine for long trips. I did 1400kms++ over Easter weekend

Thats impressive! But yeah, definitely fine for long trips. I did 400 odd ks from Whitby to Martinborough, over the saddle road, and back to whitby on mine. Just not so good when you get stuck behind a truck in a headwind. No chance of passing.

[Grashopper]

Lol, yeah, as soon there is something in front of you that only goes 80 or so you're stuck. Unless there is a really really long passing lane or it goes downhill for a while (and the truck or camper van don't accelerate at the same time :brick:)

[bosslady]

Lol, yeah, as soon there is something in front of you that only goes 80 or so you're stuck. Unless there is a really really long passing lane or it goes downhill for a while (and the truck or camper van don't accelerate at the same time :brick:)

Nah, you can still pass shit, you just gotta plan how to, an hour in advance, joking, lol. Can pass, not easy though but I don't know that I could do it on your one.

Forgot to add, that's one thing I fucking hate. You finally get a safe place to pass and the bastards bloody speed up!

Most embarrassing for me though, is when people pull a little to the left so I can pass them but because I can't get up to speed quick enough, or rather am going as fast as I can, I can't pass them safely...

[ducatilover]

Passing on a GN can be done. Roll on throttle, slip stream, lane split and pray.
When mine was a pathetic 300cc it had no issues rolling on in top to pass people doing 100 (closed private road) well, untill the clutch shat out and the bottom end exploded.

[Subike]

Yes I do feel sorry for you guys on your GN 2fiddys,
Great little bikes, determind to never break down them things, Just love them. Nice little cruzier
But for the same price as?
I change into top gear @110 kph, indicated, and it stops accelerating @ 138kph. tail wind, 145kph. indicated...true.
Bugger eh. overtaking never a problem, unless on a hill. But 100kph into a norwester, with a windscreen... not a worry.
Did ChCh to Blenheim and return at Easter, , sat on 120kph indicated there and back...
Dang you guys bought the wrong 2fiddys ...

[ducatilover]

Yes I do feel sorry for you guys on your GN 2fiddys,
Great little bikes, determind to never break down them things, Just love them. Nice little cruzier
But for the same price as?
I change into top gear @110 kph, indicated, and it stops accelerating @ 138kph. tail wind, 145kph. indicated...true.
Bugger eh. overtaking never a problem, unless on a hill. But 100kph into a norwester, with a windscreen... not a worry.
Did ChCh to Blenheim and return at Easter, , sat on 120kph indicated there and back...
Dang you guys bought the wrong 2fiddys ...

Mine owes me less than $1000 and it's 589cc. I consider it to be pretty good value, I paid $660 or something for it.
Granted, it's not quick. But I have a 100+hp bike for shenanigans :2thumbsup

Mind you, I personally wouldn't pay "good" money for one, because, they are absolutely poo. And I'm allowed to say, I've had two.
Well, more "mildly almost adequate", than poo

My Spada was the best all round 250 I have ever ridden. That is the correct 250.

[Grashopper]

589cc for a bike of so little weight. It should be pretty damn fast, shouldn't it?

Anyway, the thread title is "Don't knock GNs" so if anyone wants to swap a little Duke for my GN, after all the positive advertising here, please contact me. You even get 50cc more for free. Isn't that a great deal? :D

[ducatilover]

589cc for a bike of so little weight. It should be pretty damn fast, shouldn't it?



I doubt it'll end up being "fast" to be honest. It's only going to be knocking out a thumping 50hp or so and 140kg wet, so a similar power to weight of a Smurf on blue V drink. I'm not sure I'd be stupid enough to try throw more hp than that at a GN lol

[huff3r]

Yes I do feel sorry for you guys on your GN 2fiddys,
Great little bikes, determind to never break down them things, Just love them. Nice little cruzier
But for the same price as?
I change into top gear @110 kph, indicated, and it stops accelerating @ 138kph. tail wind, 145kph. indicated...true.
Bugger eh. overtaking never a problem, unless on a hill. But 100kph into a norwester, with a windscreen... not a worry.
Did ChCh to Blenheim and return at Easter, , sat on 120kph indicated there and back...
Dang you guys bought the wrong 2fiddys ...

Oh don't feel you have to feel sorry for me, I love the GN. I love that it hasn't depreciated a single cent since I bought it. I love that it costs me damn near nothing to run, and hasn't had anything go wrong with it at all yet (that wasn't self-inflicted), and that repairing the accident damage I managed to cause it cost me damn near nothing as well.

The GN is boss. :cool:

[Valkyrie]

Passing on a GN can be done. Roll on throttle, slip stream, lane split and pray.

Oh my...I lie down on mine and have got it up to 130 on a flat road :wings:

and none of them felt as agile as my GN.

I sat on the monster and it was instant love...:banana:
So responsive. Learning to ride on the Ginny like learning to drive in a mini, just honest, has been awesome.
But there:rolleyes: is more.:sunny:

Surely every bike has something to teach?