Why I bought a ginny [Archive]

Steve 555

30th June 2007, 19:48

Well I find alot of people cringe when I say I have a GN250. But the main reason I bought it was because of the fact I am a COMPLETE newbie. I didn't want to buy anything with fairings in case I binned it. Also it was in my price range and to be honest I quite like the look of them. I know they are chinese made so the quality may not be as good as the japas but for what im doing (commuting to work) it is great. It also handles the twisties pretty well. I have heapsa fun on it so thats what counts. So anyone thinking about I learner bike I highly recommend a ginny. If they can't afford something more pricey. Cheers GO THE GN

bounce

30th June 2007, 19:54

All good Steve, it's a confidence inspiring bike and rest assured you will get good resale on it when you're ready to move on :yes:

Steve 555

30th June 2007, 20:06

cheers bounce like the look of the vtr 250 maybe my next bike does it go good on the motorway

McJim

30th June 2007, 20:11

I considered a ginny for my first bike but was advised I would grow out of it in 3 weeks.

I got a VTR250 and grew out of it in 6 months. Had to ride it for another 6 before I got my full licence. I borrowed my wife's RG150 to get the occasional speed fix though!

Have fun.

Did you buy used or new?

Steve 555

30th June 2007, 20:18

Hi Mcjim bought my ginny second hand an abosolute minter. only done 1900kms when I bought it. Was bought new by first owner for his wife but she wasn't interested and it stayed in storage for nearly a year when he finally decided to sell it. The guy I bought it off in rotorua just got into biking after 17years. So he had it for 3months then sold it to me it looks better than some of the ones in the suzuki showroom.

Lissa

30th June 2007, 20:24

I had a GN as my first bike.. brought it brand new, got told I would grow out of it in 6 months, sold it after 5 months. But I didnt use it for commuting... and it would be a bloody excellent first bike to learn and commute on!

I can honestly say I wouldnt have been able to ride my Bandit if I hadnt first learnt on my Little Ginny... She was Black and I even put little flames on her, to make her a little different, I was proud to own that bike.

Ok so I got a little bit of ribbing for having one, but I also got alot of people (esp the oldies) who wanted to have a closer look at her. So yea.. I agree, Cheers to the GN!

Steam

30th June 2007, 20:27

...I find alot of people cringe when I say I have a GN250. ...

Yeah GN's are cool. Look at mine. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=46936

bounce

30th June 2007, 22:45

cheers bounce like the look of the vtr 250 maybe my next bike does it go good on the motorway

yeah it does, and will run all day at 100, still because it is only a 250 the gearing is quite low so it is buzzing along a bit on the open road. I only took it as far as Palmy a couple of times, kept it mostly around town where it does brilliantly.

gargantua

30th June 2007, 22:50

I've has bandit1200, gsx1400, gsx1100g,cb750,bandit 400etc as my only bike at each time. Now, my only bike is a ginny. Nothing wrong with a ginny. They are real motorcycles.

007XX

30th June 2007, 22:51

cheers bounce like the look of the vtr 250 maybe my next bike does it go good on the motorway

Absolutely! I did the same...bought a second hand GN (except mine was as asthmatic as you could get..older than me too!), but she was a good old girl.

Now I got the VTR250 :love:...man, what a cool bike. Awesome jump in confidence, especially due to the riding position of the VTR. More power, but not too aggressive (got to love the Vtwin power delivery). Got more street cred as well. And VERY comfortable (6 hours in the saddle Auckland - Napier for the Cold Kiwi..No problem!)

Steve 555

1st July 2007, 11:27

Awesome guys thanks for all your feedback on the mighty GINNY

avgas

1st July 2007, 11:57

The GN250 is a fantastic bike (well all the GN's are).
Don't worry boss - its almost never the bike, always the rider. NO one talked shit about a friends GN125 when i rode it home for him weaving in and out a traffic at 120 leading a friend on a CBR250.

babyblade250rr

1st July 2007, 12:42

i agree i have ridden a gn250 and it was great for commuting round the auckland city traffic and very simple to deal with, and as far as im concerned any vehicle is great as long as it has two wheels!!!

Hawkeye

1st July 2007, 12:53

vamr

1st July 2007, 13:51

xwhatsit

1st July 2007, 14:52

I like Ginnys -- they look like they'd be fun, just like an old Volkswagen Beetle or a Landcrab or something. I wrote somewhere else that the flaws in a bike are what makes up its character, and often it can be fun riding around those flaws.

I like the engine, too. I have a 250 single, but it's like Deviant's NZ250 -- high revving, high-ish (for its time) compression, makes most of the power up in the rev range. The GN250 has more of a `classic' small capacity single, with torque right from the word go, just twist the throttle and it'll gently `tick tick tick tick' wind itself up. Very relaxing.

Quite a pleasant little bike, I know they can be used for blatting around the open roads if you're keen, but if you see them for what they are there's no reason to slag them off. Every bike has its niche, the GN250 has his, although unfortunately it doesn't line up with the views of many of the GSXR-toting crowd that lurk around here so it cops a beating.

breakaway

2nd July 2007, 20:44

Drum

2nd July 2007, 21:09

No reason to be ashamed of a Ginny. You ride one until you get your full license and then move on.

I can't understand why people knock them all the time.

delusionz

2nd July 2007, 23:23

Why does GN250 have two into one exhaust when it only has one cylinder?

Shadows

2nd July 2007, 23:26

Why does GN250 have two into one exhaust when it only has one cylinder?

Two exhaust valves

delusionz

2nd July 2007, 23:34

hmm :crazy:

delusionz

2nd July 2007, 23:39

I was gonna get 1 of them, I never saw myself on a sports bike, just the thought of it scared me. Then I got to thinking about it, if I have to have it for atleast a year maybe a year and a half I probably wont be happy with it for that long as I love to ride for fun and do very little commuting. Now I'm glad I got a sports bike

rideNroot

3rd July 2007, 14:25

Not sure why I wanted a bike.. bit of getting around & a bit of cruising..
Don't feel the need to speed, only allowed to do 70km/h anyway, so I bought a ginny. Never felt comfortable sitting on / riding sports bikes being a big fulla.

Yeah, could have spent the same amount of cash buying a better bike, but I don't mind.
Just plan on doing my time till I get my full.

jrandom

3rd July 2007, 14:51

GN250s are just fine by me. I'd have one, if only so that I didn't have to feel so guilty about commuting 10km to work on the GSX-R750, like I did this morning. Tomorrow I shall be good, and use the pushbike like I should.

I have plenty of respect for anyone sensible enough to ride a ginny during their restricted licence period.

xwhatsit

3rd July 2007, 15:28

Two exhaust valves

Not necessarily true, plenty of four valve thumpers out there with a single exhaust. However they do have an exhaust from each exhaust valve, Honda's XR/XL series have had that set-up for years. Supposedly helps breathing, but I think it's mostly to do with marketing. I do like the twin exhausts on my bike though, they look pretty.<hints id="hah_hints"></hints>

delusionz

3rd July 2007, 20:06

yeah I quite like having a tail pipe on each side, quite like dual carbs too.

Shadows

3rd July 2007, 22:45

Two exhaust valves

Not necessarily true, plenty of four valve thumpers out there with a single exhaust. <HINTS id=hah_hints></HINTS>

Agreed, I am aware of that... I fail to see how that makes my statement any less true for a single with two headers though. Unless by some bizarre stretch of the imagination it had more than two exhaust valves.

It is just the difference between the designer choosing to join the two exhaust flows inside the head or choosing to do it with pipework.

xwhatsit

3rd July 2007, 22:55

Agreed, I am aware of that... I fail to see how that makes my statement any less true for a single with two headers though. Unless by some bizarre stretch of the imagination it had more than two exhaust valves.

It is just the difference between the designer choosing to join the two exhaust flows inside the head or choosing to do it with pipework.

<hints id="hah_hints"></hints>Sorry, didn't mean to come across like that, was just pointing out that singles with single headers needn't be just two-valve heads, which was not something you disputed but I just wanted to add.

Shadows

3rd July 2007, 23:14

<HINTS id=hah_hints></HINTS>Sorry, didn't mean to come across like that, was just pointing out that singles with single headers needn't be just two-valve heads, which was not something you disputed but I just wanted to add.

Well I wouldn't exactly call what I was saying clear to begin with.

swbarnett

3rd July 2007, 23:55

I bought a GN250 primarily because I was shit scared of getting back on a bike after a 13 year absence (although I needn't have been) and the GN seemed like a safe option. Other 250s just seemed too expensive.

My particular GN has a straighter set of bars that mean I'm not sitting on the pillion seat and I've just put a set of Avon Roadrunners on. Combine that with a small top box and soft side bags and the GN makes an excellent commuter/shopper and is still a lot of fun. The rounder tyres mean that I'm no longer feeling it doesn't want to go round corners and it changes direction in the blink of an eye when lane-splitting.

When I can afford it I will move up to something bigger but until then I'll be quite happy to stick with the GN.

Steve 555

5th July 2007, 21:39

do you guys find it hard crusing on ya ginny I am worried the engine is gonna fall to bits on the motorway ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.:gob:

delusionz

5th July 2007, 21:44

uh ohhh.... that doesn't sound good, do you have a temperature gauge? these are not water cooled, be careful!

Steve 555

5th July 2007, 22:59

nah no temp gauge

delusionz

5th July 2007, 23:09

Any particular sounds or feels you're worried about?

FROSTY

5th July 2007, 23:13

Steve--Many er um ok many many years ago when the GN's were new on the market my girlfreind did a full tour of New Zealand on her Ginny
She was staying with me all day riding at 100-120ks

Steve 555

6th July 2007, 18:44

Nah not really will just go with it

twinkle

6th July 2007, 21:00

Why does GN250 have two into one exhaust when it only has one cylinder?

among the other things said, one pipe out each side leaves room to fit the frame close to the engine between the pipes :sunny:

fireliv

6th July 2007, 21:12

If it suits your riding style at the mo..good on ya!

Personally theya re not for me...I love my Jesse... if only she wasnt sounding like a horse going through a blender........

twinkle

6th July 2007, 21:22

if only she wasnt sounding like a horse going through a blender........

always wondered what a horse going through a blender sounded like...
:rofl:

terbang

6th July 2007, 21:33

They are, like all bikes, just great and I am sure you will enjoy your time on it. My missus had one and she rode it all over the place when we we were living in Christchurch. She rode to the west coast for naughty weekends without the kids, she rode to Akaroa for lunches and she used it as a shopping basket. She loved every minute that she rode on that thing, right up until she planted it into the front of a Nissan! She still reminisces about her dearly departed GN 250 though.

Korea

6th July 2007, 21:43

You bought a WHAT?

...why?

Just kidding - that's a good place to start.
Enjoy~ :niceone:

Steve 555

6th July 2007, 22:05

Ha well it gets me from A ta B. Until I get my NC30 400 Honda.:yes: Oh and you are spot on that is what some people say. One guy told me Ginnys are basically a pushbike with a motor.

Lucy

8th July 2007, 00:03

xwhatsit

8th July 2007, 00:41

among the other things said, one pipe out each side leaves room to fit the frame close to the engine between the pipes :sunny:

<hints id="hah_hints"></hints>No wai... have you seen any of the old singles -- AJS 350 `Boy Racer' and the Ducati singles with single downtube frames; just have the exhaust port offset to one side. In fact, the GN125 has a single exhaust, doesn't it?

klingon

8th July 2007, 16:40

I have a Volty (TU250 - close relation of the GN). I like it because it's simple, reliable and pretty much indestructable.

Apart from riding, the other thing all newbies need to learn is the essential art of motorcycle maintenance. The GN250/TU250 has everything accessible, parts are cheap and easy to get, no special tools or skills required and very little you can do wrong.

I've been commuting to work on it virtually every day since I got it in November 06. The Volty is perfect for the job. Also ideal for small shopping trips, going to cafes, visiting friends. In summer we constantly rode it around town 2-up and spent a day pootling around Waiheke on it (highly recommended).

As soon as I got it, the Volty became the default form of transport for the household. The car hardly left the garage from November until March, and the SV1000S only came out for the long out-of-town rides.

I wish I could afford to have a nice big bike for long rides, and still keep the Volty for putt-putting around town. Go the simple life! :sunny:

twinkle

10th July 2007, 12:31

<hints id="hah_hints"></hints>No wai... have you seen any of the old singles -- AJS 350 `Boy Racer' and the Ducati singles with single downtube frames; just have the exhaust port offset to one side. In fact, the GN125 has a single exhaust, doesn't it?

I have now I think of it, but i've seen some bikes that have the port coming straight out the middle and the frame reaching around the front of it... why wouldn't they all have the port offset? expensive? :confused:

delusionz

10th July 2007, 13:24

Last night I rode my GN through the night from Auckland to Raetihi, (and it was raining heavily from the Harbour bridge to Cambridge) loaded up with me and my luggage, it didnt miss a beat and I never felt unsafe. It took ages, but I and my luggage are heavy, and I think it's slowness is what makes it a good safe learners bike. Although I did cruise at 100k at times, the rain and head wind made me a lot slower for a lot of the trip.

I understand the combination of Wet roads, Windy motorway (ie, harbour bridge), My 100 section front and 130 section rear tyres and My lightweight bike make the safest maximum speed of roughly 85 kph for me. And I have to be at full strength to keep it upright as large vehicles seem to want to slurp me in and the wind just wants to push me over. Now that's got to be tough for a learner who wants to keep their bike and their life.

xwhatsit

10th July 2007, 22:57

I have now I think of it, but i've seen some bikes that have the port coming straight out the middle and the frame reaching around the front of it... why wouldn't they all have the port offset? expensive? :confused:

You mean the frame changes tack to avoid the exhaust? Haven't seen that yet. There's a lot of twin-downtube frames that work well with a straight-out exhaust port. Either way it doesn't matter, I can't see designers sacrificing frame rigidity just for the sake of re-using an existing cylinder head design.<hints id="hah_hints"></hints>

Lucy

11th July 2007, 00:07

I understand the combination of Wet roads, Windy motorway (ie, harbour bridge), My 100 section front and 130 section rear tyres and My lightweight bike make the safest maximum speed of roughly 85 kph for me. And I have to be at full strength to keep it upright as large vehicles seem to want to slurp me in and the wind just wants to push me over. Now that's got to be tough for a learner who wants to keep their bike and their life.

Heard on the news that two bikes got blown over on the bridge - hope it wasnt you!

delusionz

11th July 2007, 03:48

Heard on the news that two bikes got blown over on the bridge - hope it wasnt you!

Nope, But I almost got blown over yesterday morning traveling at 30kph in Mt Eden, Also nearly hit a blue recycling bin flying around the road on the way back.

Chill

31st July 2007, 13:03

Steve--Many er um ok many many years ago when the GN's were new on the market my girlfreind did a full tour of New Zealand on her Ginny
She was staying with me all day riding at 100-120ks

I rode mine Wellington to north of Auckland and back, no problems. Just used bungy cords to attach a backback full of clothes on the pillion seat as a backrest and off I went.

Chill

31st July 2007, 13:07

All I'd change with a stock GN is:

- Change the back tire to something rounder, you will notice the difference when cornering
- Remove the baffle (makes it sound much better)
- Personally, I had to change the rear vision mirrors to something wider, otherwise I was just looking at my shoulders the whole time.

And keep the chain tight, can't afford to loose power through a loose chain.

But my GN can keep up 100kph and over no problems, so don't see why it can't go anywhere you want.

delusionz

31st July 2007, 16:39

- Remove the baffle (makes it sound much better)

They sound like shit to begin with, why make it more obvious?

Pancakes

12th August 2007, 14:22

Apart from riding, the other thing all newbies need to learn is the essential art of motorcycle maintenance. The GN250/TU250 has everything accessible, parts are cheap and easy to get, no special tools or skills required and very little you can do wrong.

Call a wrecker for the price on a head with valves intact! MOST parts are cheap for these, seems like the exhaust valves are what lets go. It's a guess but the fact that they have the reserve switch makes me think that the leaning out when it dies and you have to switch over means the exhaust valves see higher temps than they should each time you run out of the main tank which for me was on the m'way most of the time. I'd advise filling up before running it out and not over revving. Good bikes tho' low bits are easy to scrape! Makes it feel like your going low!