New boy on the block

[Steve 555]

Hi all I am the newbie to this site. Also a newbie to riding. Bought a mint cond 2004 GN250. Had my first proper ride today man im hooked. The GN has done 1854.00 kms. I don't think it is even run in properly yet. I nearly bought an FXR but decided on a GN as it seemed a bit easier to ride for me. Had my uncle to check it and it was all good. Any other GN250 owners in tauranga keen for a ride let me know. Any GN250 clubs around????. Also would like to know were I can find a GN owners manual.

Cheers Steve

[kiwifruit]

welcome to the site :)

[NZsarge]

Welcome Steve, enjoy

[jtzzr]

welcome mate !

[twinkle]

Also would like to know were I can find a GN owners manual.

I've got one. If you pm me your email address I'll forward it on to you.

[T-Thunder13]

welcome aboard!

[Trudes]

Welcome to KB Steve and to your new life! The GN is a great little beginner bike, can't go too far wrong, just watch the rust factor though. Enjoy and stay safe!:sunny:

[Steve 555]

Thanks so much for welcoming me guys and girls. How can I stop rust chrome polish??? Anyone keen for a ride let me know. :scooter:

[MidnightMike]

Hey there steve, welcome to the site, not too many Gn's round but a good bike to start on.

[Meanie]

Hi Steve welcome to the madhouse

[Steve 555]

Hey guys brakeing on a bike. best to use both brakes at a time is this right. Also is changing down to slow down a good idea. I know these questions may seem silly sorry.:shit:

[MidnightMike]

You might want to contact a mentor if your a complete newbie and serious about learning.

The ones local are: DMNTD and Cajun

[johnnyflash]

Hi Steve, welcome to the site, great bike the GN, had one myself for 8 years as a commuter bike, Never had any problem with rust though, as long as you look after it it will look as good as the day you bought it.

[MidnightMike]

Hey guys brakeing on a bike. best to use both brakes at a time is this right. Also is changing down to slow down a good idea. I know these questions may seem silly sorry.:shit:

Yes both brakes at the same time.

And yeah changing down as you slow.

See my previous post.

[Steve 555]

Thanks just contacted DMTD cheers guys

[breakaway]

Hey there steve, welcome to the site, not too many Gn's round but a good bike to start on.

Are you kidding? I thought there were heaps of GNs around here :D


Hey guys brakeing on a bike. best to use both brakes at a time is this right. Also is changing down to slow down a good idea. I know these questions may seem silly sorry.:shit:

1. Use rear brake carefully, because when braking, most of your weight is on the front of the bike, therefore making the rear "lighter". If you're not careful, might lock it up. Remember most of your braking power comes from the front brake.

2. Changing down? Be careful, since 4 strokes bikes have more engine braking, and if you change down while going too fast, could cause a lock up or spinning.

And check this site out, has all (most, with the exception of "Does the blue car have to give way" questions) the questions you will get in the theory test - http://www.drivinginstructor.co.nz/index.php?goto_page=courses/test_menu.php

[MidnightMike]

Are you kidding? I thought there were heaps of GNs around here :D


In Tauranga i wouldnt say their everwhere. (thats what i was wanting to type)

Steve, did you buy your gn off a guy called robert?

[Rotor]

Hey guys brakeing on a bike. best to use both brakes at a time is this right. Also is changing down to slow down a good idea. I know these questions may seem silly sorry.:shit:

If your just learning then the front brake is the go for emergency.
If you use the rear break to much the back wheel will lock up and that will make the bike start sliding.
As for changing down gears with your GN you will probably have to "blip" the throttle as you go down gears and remember that you are using your front brake as well, might be to much for a learner to do all at once, so the front brake is the go. One more thing for emergency stopping is no matter how good your brakes and tires are if there isn't enough room to stop then you have 2 choices CRASH or let go of the brakes and change direction and dodge.
Go find a deserted piece of road and do some emergency braking and see for your self.
Normal stopping-it is cheaper to replace break shoes than a gear box

[Matt_TG]

Welcome to KB Steve. :Punk:

My first steed was a GN, I look on them with a kind of fondness :love: . I'm currently in Te Puna with the inlaws while our house in Papamoa is being built, and could be keen for a leisurely ride without trying to lay it down on the corners.

Matt

[Northpoint]

Welcome to KB Steve. Good luck, have fun & stay rubber side up.

[twinkle]

1. Use rear brake carefully, because when braking, most of your weight is on the front of the bike, therefore making the rear "lighter". If you're not careful, might lock it up. Remember most of your braking power comes from the front brake.

2. Changing down? Be careful, since 4 strokes bikes have more engine braking, and if you change down while going too fast, could cause a lock up or spinning.

Thats not quite so true on a gn as it is on a sports bike. A bit more of the braking comes from the rear brake, and the compression is quite low on a gn so there isn't so much engine braking.

[MidnightMike]

Thats not quite so true on a gn as it is a sports bike.

Bwhahaha :rofl: :killingme :killingme

Man, I almost peed a bit.

[breakaway]

Thats not quite so true on a gn as it is a sports bike.

Does that make my RG150 a superbike? :ride:

(Sig'd :D)

[twinkle]

pffft I knew what I meant :nya:
better edit that :shit:

[Rotor]

GN's don't have the greatest brakes on the best of days

[cowpoos]

GN's don't have the greatest brakes on the best of days
amoung there issuses......

[Stella]

"2. Changing down? Be careful, since 4 strokes bikes have more engine braking, and if you change down while going too fast, could cause a lock up or spinning."

What should the revs be around when changing down?

I find I change up smoothly (bearing in mind I have only got to second, tootling around a carpark) but down is a bit jerky.

Not sure what it means to lock up a wheel (or spinning, not heard of that before). And I heard someone say something about 'blipping' the throttle when changing down, but does that mean more or less throttle?

Thanks.

[breakaway]

What should the revs be around when changing down?

This will come to you naturally, you will be able to tell by the sound of the engine if it's time to switch down or not.


Not sure what it means to lock up a wheel (or spinning, not heard of that before).

If you're going 100 in 6th gear, and you pull the clutch, and change down to say 3rd, Your revs will go high, and your wheel might lock up. So make sure your not going TOO fast before you select a lower gear. Inversely, if you rev too much, and then change up, your wheel might start spinning too fast resulting in loss of traction. Unlikely, but just something to watch out for.


And I heard someone say something about 'blipping' the throttle when changing down, but does that mean more or less throttle?

Blipping means giving it a real quick twist.

[johnnyflash]

Thats not quite so true on a gn as it is on a sports bike. A bit more of the braking comes from the rear brake, and the compression is quite low on a gn so there isn't so much engine braking.

Yep, think I gree with that, my memory of the GH250 was that is was a bit too light in the front for my liking, due to the seating being fairly well back and if pillion they sat darn near on the number plate.. great little commuter tho, and I always used both brakes, just ddepends on road surface and urgency as to how much I balanced em out...

[Steve 555]

Hey guys nah didnt buy it off robert I don't think is he in rotorua this is were i got the bike from.

[klingon]

Hi Steve, welcome to the GN250 club! I think you just joined it! :D My Volty (TU250) is an honorary member of the club as it is very closely related.

You made an excellent choice for a beginner's bike. Congratulations. And remember, do what DMNTD says, not what he does. :shutup: