New Biker (AJW)

[AJW]

We are looking at becoming bikers and have just passed our theory to get our learners licences. What is Suzuki GN250 like on the open road and would it be ok for a bigger fella like myself, being 6ft2 and around 130kgs? Let me know. We are new to this KiwiBiker site so not sure how this works. Thank you. AMOS (and wife Erin).:cool:

[nzspokes]

Welcome aboard.

A GN will struggle on the open road with you on. I would say look for a Suzuki GSX650fu or a bigger CC cruiser if thats what you like.

[Akzle]

taupo eh.
Theres a few members (pun intended) there. Take some muffins around and im sure they'll impart wisdom...

[Jin]

At your size a gn250 is a no go unless you want to look like a circus bear on a tricycle.

[EJK]

All depends on your budget but there are better LAMS approved bikes which would be better suited than GN250s. But that being said, a few years ago me and a mate rode across Auckland motorway on a GN250, both of us combined weigh of around 200kg (with all the gears). Still cruised at 90-100kph okay. Not great, but okay.

GN250 is great for traveling around the country. Easily cruises at 100kph.

[Duncan74]

Welcome.

I'm 6'4" and 100 kg. I ride a LAMS V-Strom 650, and find it comfortable enough to do 3hr stretches to Akl and back no issues, and did 2000km in 5 days as a tour almost straight from new with no discomfort. I test rode a GSX650 and found it uncomfortable. Does depend on flexibility, but I'm used to being on a time trial (pedal) cycle for 5-6 hours at a time and so would guess at being slightly more flexible / used to being in a tuck position than most at my height. However the wee-strom may not be good for your OH if she's not tall.

But get to the dealers, sit on a few and see how you go.

As an aside I borrowed an izuma 250 last weekend whilst the v-strom was being serviced and whilst obviously way down on power to the strom, was really good geometry and stable as in the wind. I did miss the screen though, for my needs then that would become tiring (and cold) quick. However, for summer sunday blasts, no issue.

[FatMax]

Im a big fat bastard and for me stepping up to 650cc was the way to go.

As said above go sit on a few and see what suits you comfort wise.

Oh and dont get wrapped up in 'Brand Snobbery', just ride what you like and can afford

Enjoy

[Maha]

Not 100% sure but it is possible that can get dispensation to get something bigger because of your size, like an 800cc cruiser? There was a big guy a few years ago that did just that.

[Tazz]

Get one (secondhand), and if you don't like it after a few weeks, sell it and get something different. Easy =)



As an aside I borrowed an izuma 250 last weekend whilst the v-strom was being serviced and whilst obviously way down on power to the strom, was really good geometry and stable as in the wind. I did miss the screen though, for my needs then that would become tiring (and cold) quick. However, for summer sunday blasts, no issue.

An Izuma will have a decent amount more punch than a GN, and other than price would probably be better in almost all aspects.

[FatMax]

Not 100% sure but it is possible that can get dispensation to get something bigger because of your size, like an 800cc cruiser? There was a big guy a few years ago that did just that.

Yep Foghorn did that

[Maha]

Yep Foghorn did that

Yes that's it I couldn't get passed Porky Pig but I knew that wasn't his name.

[GrayWolf]

Kia ora guys,
nice to see sensible advice being given here :)
The 'ginny's' are superb 'newbie' bikes for the exact reason they are reliable, easy servicing, LOW POWER = forgiving of human error. However,
you'd realise it's limitations almost on the first 100mtrs ESPECIALLY 2up, not enough power and very likely with both aboard way too cramped. Likely even a GS500 or similar would be 'too small' physically. The wee strom, or even look at the single pot 'adventure bikes' XT600/660, DR650, KLR650, GSorF650 etc tall bikes but will do the job well { I used to own an early XTZ660'tenere'} any of them are nice power delivery {grunty low down} and will cruise along at 100km's without revving themselves to death {a la GN250} May need some altering to suit your needs.. seat/bars but there is a plethora of aftemarket bits for all of them. A 'weestrom' Vstrom650, or any of the 650 cruisers, even a hyosung GT650 {standard} all are about s/hand at reasonable prices, and as yet have not been through a mass of nutbar low servicing, bike thrashing twats, like the average 'sporty' 250 likely has been.

[Swivel]

Welcome aboard, personally I think you are far too big for a GN, Its hard to find anything of a decent size been as big as you are in the LAMS category. Maybe a Hyo 650 cruiser.

[FLUB]

I'm 6'5" and one of my bikes is a KLR650. One of the easiest bikes I've ridden and surprisingly really comfortable. I did Ride Forever silver on it and was really impressed with it's handling, I think due to its relatively low weight. In the carpark I was easily outbreaking the instructor on his Speed Triple, although he said that he wasn't surprised as he'd had KLR's on his courses before.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[WristTwister]

GN250s are good starter bikes to get your CBTA-Restricted sorted on quickly. You'll have to wait 12 months after your restricted to get the full btw.

If you're both sharing a bike then the GN250 won't be intimidating at all - but the other members are right, its a 250 so they aren't as fun on the open road and I never see them on the motorways. If you're going to ride 2 up, cross the GN250 off entirely and get something bigger like a V-strom.


<tbody>
Some GN250 alternatives:


ACE 250


Yamaha MT-03 or MT-07 LA


Yamaha Scorpio or Virago


KTM 200 or 390


Honda 300 or Kawasaki 300


Suzuki S40


Suzuki V-Strom 650 LA

</tbody>

[Banditbandit]

We are looking at becoming bikers and have just passed our theory to get our learners licences. What is Suzuki GN250 like on the open road and would it be ok for a bigger fella like myself, being 6ft2 and around 130kgs? Let me know. We are new to this KiwiBiker site so not sure how this works. Thank you. AMOS (and wife Erin).:cool:

Welcome to the wonderfully insane world of bikers

GNs ? Road lice ... won't carry you and the wife very far at any sort of speed ... I'd go with the GSXF650FU (LAMS approved) as a first bike for two up ..

[Banditbandit]

GN250s are good starter bikes to get your CBTA-Restricted sorted on quickly.



GNs are pieces of shit - I would nerve recommend anyone get one for their first bike - I rode one a few years back (during a training course when a student has a GN) .. I was horrified at how bad it was.

I've known people who've Lerner to ride a GN, then moved to something else and had to spend a few weeks getting used to the different way the new bike handled ... basically had to learn to ride all over again ...

[Maha]

GNs are pieces of shit - I would nerve recommend anyone get one for their first bike - I rode one a few years back (during a training course when a student has a GN) .. I was horrified at how bad it was.

I've known people who've Lerner to ride a GN, then moved to something else and had to spend a few weeks getting used to the different way the new bike handled ... basically had to learn to ride all over again ...

They seem/feel like shit when you get back on one after not being on one for a while. However they seem and feel great when you have nothing else to compare it too. I bought a 600cc sports bike while on my restricted and was riding that for about a year, then had to get on a GN250 to do my full...it felt horribly weird I must admit and I was sure I was going to fail because of my unsteady bullshit on it first up. In saying that I still think they are a good bike to learn the basics on.

[leathel]

I put dirt bike bars on my Daughters GN and that changed the way she rode instantly, she couldn't get used to the turn in type buck horn bars after riding dirt bikes. With the std bars I thought it was hideous to ride but after the change over I could ride it without my elbows digging in to me on tight corners...... But there are far better bikers on the lams list for the bigger person!

Rose loves riding her GN and keeps up on winding roads fine but dies on up hills with head winds.... But nice and low and no power to get in trouble with for the learner (hate the Factory Handle bars though)

Lots of LAMS bikes out there but it depends on your budget to what you can get :)

[Jin]

Yeah agree they are good and cheap to learn on. Learning isn't just about handling. Reading the road navigating traffic etc they are fine. Low powered means you are less likely to get in trouble on them although they are scary in traffic because they are so small and underpowered.

[swtfa]

Welcome aboard AJW and wife Erin :) Napier/Taupo is a fun ride :)

[nzspokes]

You guys realize the OP has not logged in for a couple of weeks?

[Duncan74]

You guys realize the OP has not logged in for a couple of weeks?

Was thinking exactly the same earlier.

[Mines-fastr]

Hi all, couldn't resist so I'm going to add my 5c I would go with an '88 CBR mc19, good to learn on and should handle 2 people, you can always drop a little weight. Ideally you should be around the 100kg limit plus you can let your wife have the bike when your confidence grows and you go big(as in cc not forcing the food down your throat to you balloon.)