GN125/250 - a small bike for a lady rider?

[Eve]

Hi guys,
I have been riding a little honda ct110 for the last 6 years in Australia. I have now moved here to NZ and I am trying to find a bike with a low seat as most of the standard size 250s etc are still so high that I can't touch the ground comfortably!
I have been looking at the GN250s (Suzuki) and this size seems ok, can anyone here tell me if the GN125 is physically a smaller bike than the 250? I really don't need much in the way of power, I have been happy with my 110 for ages, but I do want to feel safe and able to put my feet on the ground so if you have any info on these GNs or if you know of another bike that might suit, please let me know :)

[sunhuntin]

crashe might be along soon, and she should agree with most of what i say about the mighty VIRAGO!

if you can find one, have a sit. they are lower than gns, and very comfortable. plus, they get all the attention and are often mistaken for being a larger cc than they are.

[Paul in NZ]

Go the GN250 - same size I think but it's resale is always going to be better.

Alternatives are SR250 (Yamaha) and Virago's or the new Suzuki V Twin 250 cruiser style bike.

[MidnightMike]

crashe might be along soon, and she should agree with most of what i say about the mighty VIRAGO!

I reckon at least half of those two's posts will be recommending these little bikes. :dodge:

They must be good, and are definately something to think about.


Heres a couple of links to some: The Virago's.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=105634114&key=459445
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-87428793.htm?p=5

Theres also the suzuki VL250: also a v twin.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=105299931&key=461580
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=105299857&key=461920

Good luck on your search. :rockon:

[Trudes]

Go the 250.

[Eve]

thanks for the links :)
both of those bikes look great and will be sure to keep my eyes open to try them out. Are they easy enough to throw around? do they corner well?
I am not strictly looking for a cruiser either - any other style bikes with a low seat? i have tried out a kawasaki zzr250 it was ok, anything similar to that, maybe slightly lower?

[MidnightMike]

thanks for the links :)
both of those bikes look great and will be sure to keep my eyes open to try them out. Are they easy enough to throw around? do they corner well?

Im not to sure about that, sunhuntin will know (as ive not ridden either as im a little too big for them.) :mellow:

Some other bikes that are reasonably small:

Honda's vtr250:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=104305786&key=505545

Yamahas scorpo Z: Brand new:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=88201483&key=506463

Honda's cbf250: Also brand new: I reckon one of these would be perfect, although quite pricey.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=102662415&key=506463

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=83897475&key=506463

And of course, SUZUKI'S ALMIGHTY VOLTY, which is what i used to have, same engine as the gn, but waaaayyy more style:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=99291496&key=506463

[breakaway]

Also look at the RG150.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=105464704&key=633599

[xwhatsit]

...can anyone here tell me if the GN125 is physically a smaller bike than the 250?

<hints id="hah_hints"></hints>I have ridden both, with a gap in-between, so I can't be certain on this -- however I'm reasonably sure they are very similar in height.

They have a different frame. The frame triangle and downtube are not the same at all. I think the GN125 might have a shorter wheelbase too?

At any rate the difference in height and manageability aren't really worth worrying about, they're too small. Both 125 and 250 are very light bikes, the differences aren't enough to make much of a change.

Get the 250, it'll be easier in that you'll spend less time worrying about fanging the throttle to keep up with traffic, and less time fussing about with the gearbox to keep the smaller engine going.

[Deviant Esq]

Best thing for you to do is to try out as many 250s as you can before making a final decision. Don't let seat height be your primary judgement - seats can be changed or reupholstered to make them lower and generally more comfortable - let's face it, most 250s don't have the comfiest seats.

Give the Virago a go, many here swear by it, and it has a reasonably low seat height. Also consider the Yamaha Scorpio - here's a brief review (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=50166) on it done by a well respected KBer. If considering a GN250 make sure you have a good browse through the threads in here about them. Personally I'd recommend a Virago or Scorpio over it, but you should decide for yourself.

And finally, welcome to KB m'lady Eve, hope this is of some use :)

[Eve]

Thanks everyone!
I am really looking forward to having a bike again, 6 months without one has made me really appreciate my wee honda back home.
Are there any other online sales sites that I should be watching for NZ aside from trade me?

[breakaway]

Yeah, keep an eye on the KiwiBiker online trading section. Trademe is horrendously expensive. But hey, what are you gonna do right?

[sunhuntin]

thanks for the links :)
both of those bikes look great and will be sure to keep my eyes open to try them out. Are they easy enough to throw around? do they corner well?
I am not strictly looking for a cruiser either - any other style bikes with a low seat? i have tried out a kawasaki zzr250 it was ok, anything similar to that, maybe slightly lower?

im a nana when it comes to riding. i did notice on my test ride of the v-go, just how shit my cornering "skills" were.
i have gone around some round abouts at a decent speed and just about laid down side ways without any loss of grip.
i think the virago is easier to ride than the gn. but then, i guess both will ride how they are ridden, so if you are hopeless at cornering, the bike you ride wont change that.
with the virago being lower than the gn, im always looking to see how low i lean, im terrified of catching a peg, or my foot, and arsing off.

CRASHE, WHERE ARE YOU??

[fishb8nz]

Hi Eve
I had a GN125 for a couple of years and thought it was a decent bike. I bought a bigger bike as I commute on SH1 and the GN125 was at flatknackers doing 100 km. Ok on quieter roads but as a safety requirement, you need to keep up with the traffic.
Around town it was excellent, you really can throw it around. I used to get up to 35 km per litre (usually 32) and that's an excellent gas mileage!

[MidnightMike]

Are there any other online sales sites that I should be watching for NZ aside from trade me?

Yeop, there is also http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/portal/alias__motorcycletradernz/tabID__0/DesktopDefault.aspx

You just put in your search criteria, (better to use advanced search) then you hit search and your given piles of bikes, all what you want and where etc.

Just make sure you put them in order of the latest listings.

Pretty much all the bikes on there are for sale through dealers.