Most mileage done on a Chinese GN?

[HTFU]

Having noticed another post about the mighty GN, I got to thinking.

Whose 2004-2007 chinese GN has done the most total mileage without a rebuild or major repairs.

Anyone clocked it yet ?

[sunhuntin]

i had 10,000k on mine before i gave up wasting money on her, lol. that was in a year.

[HTFU]

i had 10,000k on mine before i gave up wasting money on her, lol. that was in a year.

Yep 20000 km and it was time to move mine on as well :shifty:.

Like you, I am also loving my 250 upgrade on the GN.

[Jeremy]

I have an 04, and it's done about 25K. I don't think it'd last to 40K though, 'bad' things are starting to happen to it.

[howdamnhard]

Mine got to 11000Km and then the speedo drive failed asaparently the Chinese don't bother to lubricate them properly when assembling them.So far the only other things have been tyres.Hope to get many more miles out of her.:scooter:

[howdamnhard]

I have an 04, and it's done about 25K. I don't think it'd last to 40K though, 'bad' things are starting to happen to it.

What bad things? Give us a heads up so that I know what to expect.:(

[Ragingrob]

Mine's done 32K as you know Robignevil, I've only had it for a month but I know the previous owner took great care of it...Runs fine but after all this I'm thinking maybe I should trade it up!

[Ragingrob]

Twinkle has just alerted me to the fact the someone, somewhere on these forums has done 80K on a new chinese GN! Where are ya?!

[sunhuntin]

in the year i put up with scuffy she had the following repairs either done or needed:

chain stretched twice, the second time jumping off on a corner and getting caught. luckily, it was a slow corner and across the road from work.
tail light by 2 [easy to replace at work]
head light by 1
speedo [took 5 weeks to replace]
dash light never went [speedo]
neutral light on dash blew before i even got it
and the clincher was the battery wasnt holding the charge, cant recall the name of the part, but it was broken either way. ended up getting me stranded between shifts, and almost stranded twice between wangas and turakina. took it in to get it fixed, saw the sexy ass of the virago and traded in.

none of what broke was covered by the warrenty, so i spent money that shouldnt have needed to be spent. for a brand new bike, she was a real disappointment.

gns are good bikes... but not the new ones. get an old 80s if you have to have a gn at all. the new ones will just let you down.

[Ragingrob]

What're some good suggestions to another 250? One with a bit more pace lol...but still in the lower price market?

[sunhuntin]

im on a virago, but they average about $5000... i got $2000 for the gn when i traded in, so that helped. a friend has a hyosung 250 and loves it, and another had a suzuki [i think] 250 cruiser, not a gn. long, low and black, dunno the model, that was nice. very comfy to sit on as well, quite a wide seat, wide bars.
if you want sportsbikes, i wouldnt have a clue, lol.

[Squiggles]

Bandits have a lower price and good rep

[deanohit]

im on a virago, but they average about $5000... i got $2000 for the gn when i traded in, so that helped. a friend has a hyosung 250 and loves it, and another had a suzuki [i think] 250 cruiser, not a gn. long, low and black, dunno the model, that was nice. very comfy to sit on as well, quite a wide seat, wide bars.
if you want sportsbikes, i wouldnt have a clue, lol.

VL250 Intruder. Damn nice looking bike with a V-twin. See first pic.
Theres also the GZ250, lower cruiser styling but the same motor as the GN. See second pic, modded but you get the idea.

[sunhuntin]

wasnt either of those... i will ask next time hes in. he recently upgraded to a 750 of the same bike.

[HTFU]

So far. The Chinese GN with the most mileage on it belongs to

Raginrob 32000km :first:

[sunhuntin]

saw my friend today... he had a 250 honda magna, and traded in for a 750 shadow. where i got suzuki from, i dont know, lol.

[Maha]

in the year i put up with scuffy she had the following repairs either done or needed:

chain stretched twice, the second time jumping off on a corner and getting caught. luckily, it was a slow corner and across the road from work.
tail light by 2 [easy to replace at work]
head light by 1
speedo [took 5 weeks to replace]
dash light never went [speedo]
neutral light on dash blew before i even got it
and the clincher was the battery wasnt holding the charge, cant recall the name of the part, but it was broken either way. ended up getting me stranded between shifts, and almost stranded twice between wangas and turakina. took it in to get it fixed, saw the sexy ass of the virago and traded in.

none of what broke was covered by the warrenty, so i spent money that shouldnt have needed to be spent. for a brand new bike, she was a real disappointment.

gns are good bikes... but not the new ones. get an old 80s if you have to have a gn at all. the new ones will just let you down.


No mention of Rust??.....:whistle:

[sunhuntin]

lol, you reminded me.

actually, she wasnt too bad if i recall. the nuts on the back of the speedo and around the headlight [i think!] had started to go, but she wasnt too badly affected at that stage. there *may* have been some starting on the underside of the exhaust and frame [the very bottom, where all the road crap gathers, but i dont recall it. i was fussy, and cleaned her every couple of weeks, so that may have helped.

[Badjelly]

What're some good suggestions to another 250? One with a bit more pace lol...but still in the lower price market?
I'm afraid you're going to have to choose more pace or low price. If low price is important, why not a Scorpio? I'm very pleased with mine so far (6 weeks, 600 km from new). It's perfect for what I do, ie. one-up suburban commuting with steep hills but no motorways. Nothing's broken so far, though I think I will have a bit of work to do protecting the finish from the Wellington salt spray.

[Magua]

chain stretched twice, the second time jumping off on a corner and getting caught. luckily, it was a slow corner and across the road from work.


That happened to me on my old GN125, scared the hell out of me. Luckily it was on the last corner from home.

[Pancakes]

The Gn I had woudl wind the odo' over when you wound the trip meter to reset it too. So I'd do however many K's on a tank then reset it so each tank read as a thousand K's!

[koba]

Jeeze come on guys!

Sureley someones gotta have more done than that!

Im on an rg150 at the mo, it sees track action and 2up riding and the milage so far is.....

43,000 on the bike
and a WHOPPING 49,000 on the 2-stroke handgrenade motor!

Don't know rebuild history but I do know the last 2 owners who didn't touch it :headbang:

Even a chinese GN has gotta beat a 2 stroke tho :bleh:

[sunhuntin]

That happened to me on my old GN125, scared the hell out of me. Luckily it was on the last corner from home.

o yeh... im glad it didnt happen at speed... was only going about 30k [if that] as id just taken off from the lights. she was booked in to have it tightened the next day, lol.
im used to losing power like that due to getting pants leg caught in push bike chain all the time, lmfao.

[HTFU]

Jeeze come on guys!

Sureley someones gotta have more done than that!

Im on an rg150 at the mo, it sees track action and 2up riding and the milage so far is.....

43,000 on the bike
and a WHOPPING 49,000 on the 2-stroke handgrenade motor!

Don't know rebuild history but I do know the last 2 owners who didn't touch it :headbang:

Even a chinese GN has gotta beat a 2 stroke tho :bleh:

Yeah I thought it would be good to see if anyone has done 50000km + on the new motors, so we can get an idea how long they will last. 35000km the best so far for a chinese GN, I did 20000km in one year so there must be someone riding around on an 2004 model thats done some ks.

I know a few of the older ones had close to 100000km on them but not sure how much work was done on the engines to get them there.

[delusionz]

I see you have a GPX now Robingevil, Good stuff, That will definitely outlive and outpace a GN lol

[fredie]

stay away from shit china bikes please . all for the best go for japan bikes:clap:

[HTFU]

I see you have a GPX now Robingevil, Good stuff, That will definitely outlive and outpace a GN lol

Yeah, I did more K's than I thought I would and mechanic suggested I move the GN on to someone doing more city type riding.

GPX is a new 2007 one, had it for a few months now and yes the extra power is all good. Would have liked one of the new 650 Kawasaki's, but not enough coin at the moment. Can't really complain about the GPX though.

Haven't you had a couple of GPX's already?

[Bren]

What're some good suggestions to another 250? One with a bit more pace lol...but still in the lower price market?

GPX250 is a good alternative...as stated by robignevil....

[delusionz]

Yeah I bought a GPX, wrote it off and the insurance company bought me a new one, So two 2007 models I've had... My first one came from Mt Eden and had really soft forks my new one came from Spectrum and doesn't seem to dive as much

Would love to see who got my old one as a fixxer upper tho

[twinkle]

gargantua wins, 80,000ks :niceone: though he is having problems with the clutch, i guess that is major repair thinking about it...
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=55279&highlight=gn250+clutch

[ducatilover]

my second bike was a gn

it ate a chain that i kept well oiled etc
it ate the swing arm bushes...
every possible light....
gearbox started slipping out of gear....
pegs got worn down on the bottom quite alot:devil2:

all this happend within three monts of ownership and 10000km.:(

shit bikes. even my honda has taken a bigger beating and raping:spanking:

[Ragingrob]

Sounds like they can be shit from the start, but if they make it past 10,000km then they'll just keep going if well looked after :)

[HTFU]

but if they make it past 10,000km then they'll just keep going if well looked after.

Yeah, but still waiting for someone to post one with higher ks than yours. 35000km still the highest. Maybe they do more ks but no one has ever kept one long enough to find out. :killingme

[Ragingrob]

gargantua wins, 80,000ks :niceone: though he is having problems with the clutch, i guess that is major repair thinking about it...
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=55279&highlight=gn250+clutch

I think you've missed this one!

[HTFU]

I think you've missed this one!

2002 model. We had a lapse in importing them here from mid 90s (Japan) till 2004 (China). Not sure about Singapore which is where he comes from but I am guessing it means his bike is not chinese so doesn't count. To take out the title your bike would have to be a 2004 model or newer.

[twinkle]

time will tell us how good the motors on the new gn's are, at the moment we only have dodgy rumours to go on.
I mean, shit, i have a blown honda engine and a mate of mine has another blown honda engine. All honda's must have crap engines! oh teh noes!
If somebody buys a bike and then rides it around its whole life close to or beyond its max rpm the engine life will be shorter, duh! I wonder how many squids have tried to clock the rev needle, blown it up and then said to everybody "oh, i was just riding it along and the damn thing blew up".

[HTFU]

time will tell us how good the motors on the new gn's are,

Thats why I started the thread. Time is up, I want to know how good the motors on the the new GNs are.

3 Years is more than enough time for some GN riders to clock up some Ks. I did over 20000km in a year on my 2006 model, we know they are not an issue around the 10000 mark and perhaps up to 35000 but what happens beyond that.

If a few people post figures around the 40000-50000 mark then we will have an idea that the engines on the new ones are like most other bikes. You would then have to say the engine life of a Chinese GN is what you would expect of an air cooled single.

If we get some posts saying rings etc had to be done at X amount of Ks then people can start to make an informed decision about buying one (especially second hand).

Makes me laugh when people try and come in with what they believe to be a matter of fact post to enlighten us all (like the previous one).
If we can post jokes and other non bike on this forum then surely such an exercise in research as done in this biker thread, discussing peoples experiences with a widely used learner/commuter bike has to be useful.

[twinkle]

I reckon you might have to wait a couple of more years to get a decent number of bikes that have made it that far then.
The volty and the gz250 share the same engine, most likely from the same factory(maybe even a factory that has been making these engines for a long time?), there could be one of those around that has done a few more miles.

It makes me laugh when people use the words "research done in this thread" on a forum. We're all full of bullshit.

If you really want to find out how good they are track down every gn sold in 2004 and see how far they've managed to go.

[HTFU]

If you really want to find out how good they are track down every gn sold in 2004 and see how far they've managed to go.

Like I said thats the point of the forum. You will be surprised when one googles a topic such as GN250 that Kiwibiker is often in the top few pages. It was the research tool I used to buy my GN when I started looking for my first bike. Same again with the GPX, heap of good people on here giving good information from their experience with the bikes in question. Priceless and normally painless :bleh:.


We're all full of bullshit.

Its easy to pick those ones out :jerry:.


The volty and the gz250 share the same engine, most likely from the same factory

Again a while since imported here :sleep:. Factory in Japan most likely.

[twinkle]

:girlfight: My only point is that you want to find out how long these engines are going to last right? compared to what? the old gn's? but the problem is you can't objectively compare the two. to all other motorbike engines? Even more of a pain in the arse to compare.
And how do you know the engines aren't still coming from japan for these things anyway?:argue:

As for mine, 30,000ish, and the valves have finally settled in. When it dies i'll let you know :lol:

[HTFU]

Excellent, Twinkles GN has done 30000km - Took a while but we got there in the end.


how do you know the engines aren't still coming from japan for these things anyway?

A bit of research. There are about 3 factories in China that Suzuki has invested technology into.


but the problem is you can't objectively compare the two. to all other motorbike engines? Even more of a pain in the arse to compare.

If 10 people post GNs with Ks around 30000km etc then that gives us an idea that you can expect at least that amount, quite useful info really. Starts to put to rest the quality issue of the engine. If we get a heap of posts stating motor shat itself at 10000km etc also very useful.

[paddyrider]

I have had my GN250 10 mts now and I have done 27000k's. I am presently doing 1200 k's per week. It is going ok. I got one service done by the agent and that was the last they done. After 1500k's the rocker arm was bent also the bike kept blowing bulbs. After they fixed the rocker they still charged 200 for the service and that included $35 for bulbs. They scratched the bike. The side cover came off on my way home and they would not take responsability. I bought the workshop manual and now I do the service myself. I put a smaller back sprocket on and now I can kruse at 110-120 below 6000 rpm. I managed to get it up to 145k's. No there was no tailwind. I probably farted a few times but I doubt that would have helped. I passed a harley last week man they must be a waste of money. When my bike grows up it is going to be yamaha or kawasaki or a honda, we are still deciding, its not the bikes that are influencing my decision its the greasy sales persons.

Ps got my first speed ticket today 82 in a 70 zone.

[sunhuntin]

I have had my GN250 10 mts now and I have done 27000k's. I am presently doing 1200 k's per week. It is going ok. I got one service done by the agent and that was the last they done. After 1500k's the rocker arm was bent also the bike kept blowing bulbs. After they fixed the rocker they still charged 200 for the service and that included $35 for bulbs. They scratched the bike. The side cover came off on my way home and they would not take responsability. I bought the workshop manual and now I do the service myself. I put a smaller back sprocket on and now I can kruse at 110-120 below 6000 rpm. I managed to get it up to 145k's. No there was no tailwind. I probably farted a few times but I doubt that would have helped. I passed a harley last week man they must be a waste of money. When my bike grows up it is going to be yamaha or kawasaki or a honda, we are still deciding, its not the bikes that are influencing my decision its the greasy sales persons.

Ps got my first speed ticket today 82 in a 70 zone.

that sounds about right... it would be easier for them to right a list of what they do cover than what they dont.

did you replace the sidecover? drill 2 holes in both covers [one each side] and cable tie them on. thats what i did, and so have many others. i had my mates side cover come off at about 100k... he was in front. not fun having a chunk of plastic flying towards your face.

[paddyrider]

didnt replace it yet $160 is a bit much and 2nd hand about 80. If I sell it one day i might replace. been looking at getting a better 250 that will handle the k's im doing. not sure what yet.

[twinkle]

Again a while since imported here. Factory in Japan most likely.But you don't know, you're only guessing. The same factory that made those engines could still be supplying them.

A bit of research. There are about 3 factories in China that Suzuki has invested technology into.Cool, now we're getting somewhere. So which factory makes the engines? And how do you know? Are all the parts cast, machined and assembled in the same factory or some parts contracted out to other manufacturers?
Which factory assembles the bikes?


If 10 people post GNs with Ks around 30000km etc then that gives us an idea that you can expect at least that amount, quite useful info really. If we get a heap of posts stating motor shat itself at 10000km etc also very useful.Pretty limited use, since you wouldn't have any way of knowing how the motor was treated for that distance. One guy I met in Tokoroa thought 80ks was thrashing it, another guy I met in auckland thought that 120ks was normal cruising speed for it :blink: (yes with standard gearing).


Starts to put to rest the quality issue of the engine.Bullshit and jellybeans, unless you know something that you haven't posted.

[Ragingrob]

LOL alright guys...I think overall we can't tell at all, way too many factors to make any points statistically significant enough to give any evidence against anything.

[HTFU]

LOL alright guys...I think overall we can't tell at all, way too many factors to make any points statistically significant enough to give any evidence against anything.

Bro its all good. I'm not taking the information from this thread that seriously, shit I don't even own a GN anymore (one of my finals in my degree was a research paper LOL).

If GN owners can keep posting there mileage here a bit of a data base of Ks done will develop over time (or it will get lost in the archives), whatever. Someone doing a thread search for a rough guide to ks they may get out of their chinese GN can come here. Like I said thats my main use of a forum, to get a bit of information from the people who do the shizil, always keen to contribute where ever with what ever, plus I find this sort of thing interesting. :niceone:

[Finn]

No mention of Rust??.....:whistle:

Rust? They come with it straight from the factory.

[HTFU]

Rust? They come with it straight from the factory.

Really? you could get it Factory. I had to get after-market rust on my GN. (about a week later when it was out in the rain)

[twinkle]

LOL alright guys...I think overall we can't tell at all, way too many factors to make any points statistically significant enough to give any evidence against anything.
word.


the bike kept blowing bulbs
The headlight bulbs are nice and easy to find:pinch:

[Ragingrob]

So anyway, what's all this about changing gear ratios etc? Fill me in!

[HTFU]

I put a 39 tooth sprocket on the rear to drop the revs at 100km/hr. Gave 4th a bit more top end so passing was a bit better as well. This setup is definately a good open road option. 41 stock setup is more for around town riding.

[kensuem]

Bought new,June 2007,now done 16500 klm,no problems apart from a seized speedo drive.changed the chain at12000,new back tyre at about the same time.no sign of wear on the sprockets.Top speed 120[ridden flat out all the time as I am usualy late for work].about 210 klm on a tank full.Great value for money!!!

[HTFU]

Bought new,June 2007,now done 16500 klm,no problems apart from a seized speedo drive.changed the chain at12000,new back tyre at about the same time.no sign of wear on the sprockets.Top speed 120[ridden flat out all the time as I am usualy late for work].about 210 klm on a tank full.Great value for money!!!

16500 in 5 months. Someone's been doing a lot of riding :niceone:

[kensuem]

Sorry!!! that was supposed to read 2006!!!was half asleep when I typed it.:Oops:

[MGST]

A guy at work has got a Chinese GN - maybe 2005 model? Anyway his insurance company got it for him after his previous 6 month old 2004 GN got nicked and they found it off the end of a wharf on the North Shore when the tide went out. He put a nre rear tire on it last week at 22000km, and apart from that he has put 1 new battery in it. But he looks after it, it still looks like it came off the showroom floor yesterday.

[FilthyLuka]

Well, its not a chinese one, but my 1990 GN has done 70000k's

Since i bought it second hand I've:

ported the head (Had a grind stone, some sandpaper and some time), put on a freeflow pipe i had lying round and jetted the carbs. Reworked the gearing, got bored so i polished the engine internals when i did a oil ring replacement, replaced the Rear swing arm with a GN400 swing arm, gn400 front fork, replaced the front disk with a crossdrilled one. Cleaned the living shit out of the engine cause the last owner didnt know how to change oil, disposed of about 2 litres off universal GOO from the inside :sick: Checked valves, set the valve heights, replaced the valve stem oil seals and filled it up with castrol GTX 2o-50, she's goin like a dream and i've had her for 2 years now.

All together, including buying the bike in the first place, the mighty ginny owes me $1400 :-)

Oh yeah, thats not including the Jack Daniels Airbrushed tank and covers it came with :Punk:

It goes not too bad, can overtake pretty easily on the motorway and accelerates quick enough to keep me happy whilst commuting. But its still a GN, i thought i'd just get one for my learners and keep it till i got my full and a bigger bike. Its worked out perfectly, i've managed to learn to ride and handle myself on the road and now, at the end of the day, i have a nice stack of cash that i didnt spend on an RGV250 that is buying me a CBR900 in february >:-)

Oil it, keep it garaged and just bullshit your way through some trivial foolery 'till you get your full and then you will be happy you didnt spend that 6k on a learner bike...

Unless of course you are planing on spending 3k on a gn, which is just silly :nono:

[FilthyLuka]

Bought new,June 2007,now done 16500 klm,no problems apart from a seized speedo drive.changed the chain at12000,new back tyre at about the same time.no sign of wear on the sprockets.Top speed 120[ridden flat out all the time as I am usualy late for work].about 210 klm on a tank full.Great value for money!!!

Err, dude, add a tooth to the front sprocket if your doing that

When you give the GN balls, and constantly have it spinning high, the roller bearings start to slide instead of roll, this means you get a flat spot on the ball and it fucks out, had one case of a roller falling out of the bearing and messing up the engine internals :eek5: but no matter, just keep the oil level topped up and use decent oil and this wont happen to you. Even if it does, a new bearing is like $40 so who gives a shit :rockon:

[howdamnhard]

Now got just over 20 000km on it and the damn rectifier and speedo have packed up.:angry2::angry2::angry2:.The speedo drive was replaced only 9000km ago.