View Full Version : New GN250 owners
samnz
30th April 2008, 23:49
Sorry all - I've had to amend this post. Very genuine reason until I can find out more details on this bike.
In due course, I hope to have this matter resolved and will be able to update this thread.
Thanks
Sammy
LET'S TRY THAT AGAIN - shall we???
Greetings everyone. Sammy here and new to the forum - new to the 'speak' and - new to riding.
Picked up a bargain 84 GN250 two days ago. Learners coming up soon and caaaaaaaaan't wait to start clocking up some miles.
Had a mission trying to track down the validity of the sale and make sure everything with the bike was squeaky before I carried on with the thread. Suffice it to say, IT'S ALL GOOD! With the help of another forum member (thanks spud :rockon: ) we were able to eliminate some suspiti-suspiscio-susp ----- "dodgey crap" and everyone's happy!
Anyway - we had a mate look over it today and he was impressed! He said it was a great buy and the only thing needed was a front fork seal which is just starting to clap out so he's going to put it in for us - and he popped in an inline fuel filter thinking there might be crap in the tank from being stored for so long. Put in a new battery - took it for a spin and was over the moon with how it performed.
Then we put it back on the trailer and headed home :( So I'm a goody-good :innocent: plenty of time for riding I say :)
COUPLE OF Q'S:
Bought us new HJC helmets and teknics gloves. Pants and jacket are next. Could I get away with just getting a touring jacket and wear jeans? Or is this not the done thing? I see alot of bikers do this but my mate frowns upon it saying "never skimp on gear" - "there's no substitute for safety" etc etc.
How do you stop the helmet from fogging up? As soon as that visor's clipped shut, it's panick stations! Do those vents (push to open/close) actually work?
I've got plenty of other questions but I'm starting to write a book here.
Oh - ANY tips about riding open road would be great!
Cheers everyone
Sammy
COUPLE OF Q'S:
Bought us new HJC helmets and teknics gloves. Pants and jacket are next. Could I get away with just getting a touring jacket and wear jeans? Or is this not the done thing? I see alot of bikers do this but my mate frowns upon it saying "never skimp on gear" - "there's no substitute for safety" etc etc.
How much do you value the skin on your legs?
How do you stop the helmet from fogging up? As soon as that visor's clipped shut, it's panick stations! Do those vents (push to open/close) actually work?
There's a de-mist solution called 'catcrap' which works wonders for me, others put a film on the inside of the visor, I can't remember the name of it though
I've got plenty of other questions but I'm starting to write a book here.
Oh - ANY tips about riding open road would be great!
Relax, avoid the 'newbie death-grip' pay attention to what's happening around you, and enroll on a ride course.
Cheers everyone
Best of luck to you.
Sammy
-Nick.
:apint:
Terminated
1st May 2008, 22:34
I've got plenty of other questions but I'm starting to write a book here.
Welcome. Take your time, and take it easy. Writing a book, you know is not a bad idea - record your own riding experience, keep it as a personal journal, or indeed post up a blogg. Take a moment to read through some of the entries in the links below.
Heads Up and Take It Easy
MaxCannon
1st May 2008, 22:35
A while back when I was walking the dog I went past a guy in his garage with a rather beaten up VFR400.
Got talking about what happened. From a 30kph off on gravel his arms and legs were torn up like he'd been attacked with cheese grater.
Jeans are better than shorts but proper gear offers much better protection.
In terms of fogging keeping the visor open just a tiny crack usually does it for me.
If your's won't stay in a good position (and I mean just a tiny little opening) then you can stick a wad of tape in place so it can't close completley
Nagash
1st May 2008, 22:36
Ah brilliant,
YOu're at the stage when you have a bike but no license to ride it bit..
I loved that bit haha.
I asked other riders like a million questions, some of them quite ridiculous that you can only experiance from actually riding. You just gotta relax and wait and be patient.. as soon as you start riding all your questions will be answered.
As Gub (I'm digging that nick-name man) said, catcrap helps with the visor, but also as soon as you start driving the visor will clear up too, just open it up when you're waiting at lights or itnersections or whatever, and it'll soon clear up when you start driving. vents are really for keeping you cool.
Considering open road riding already? Good on yah! Err tips.. you won't listen (no one does) but ride at your own pace. Do push yourself more and more because it's the only way you'll learn but when you start fucking up continously I recommend you pull over and just start again in a relaxed frame of mind. Hopefully you realise you're making mistakes before you come round a 35 decreasing radius corner at 70k's an hour..
Good luck with your new riding mate! Good first choice of bike, the GN's have been the steed of choice for many a rider's beginning. I just recommend you don't try test riding other bikes.. or you'll honestly just sit on your GN and absolutely hate it. That happens alot to.. Happened with me.
I learnt on a 125 scooter/motorbike (it's complicated) and I used to absolutely adore it. Had a go on a 250 and bought a new bike with in a month :P
Good luck with the riding brother! You'll love it! Go meet up with the Christchurch crew when you get your license.
[Edit] Oh and for the gear thing.. I rode with neither a jacket nor leather pants for a good.. 3/4's of a year of riding. Absolutely stupid idea.. Jacket - bloody minimum. You'll see alot of riders commuting in a jacket and jeans, to me (I'm not much of a safety nazi..) that's acceptable. It's a risk, but an acceptable one. If you're talking about open road riding, then pants are essential. Wouldn't go out without 'em. Open road is unpredictable and the changing factors WILL catch you out.
Gloves too. That's the usually the first part of your body you put towards the ground in a crash.
Awesome choice of bike! :niceone:
Get the best gear your able to afford (if you can only afford $100 pants, it's better than nothing) and just take your first month or two on the bike nice and easy.
Try find a learner-friendly ride in your area or start a thread and organize your own!
Enjoy your bike (I Love mine to bits) and keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up!
Choco.
welcome Sammy :) Just sold my GN today, they are the most beautiful bikes and I'm sure you will love it the way I've loved mine. If you really want to wear something casual try Draggin Jeans - a lot of the bikers you see might have had these on. I've worn mine comfortably all day at work, they wash easily and are reasonably wind-proof and warm.
-Nick.
:apint: Catcrap - added to shopping list. Thanks Nick
Take a moment to read through some of the entries in the links below.
Thanks heaps BuckBuck. Brilliant reading!!!
Jeans are better than shorts but proper gear offers much better protection.
Cheers Max. Am quickly coming to my senses after reading that. I live on a gravel road and aaahhhhh - I don't wanna be pulling stones outa my ass!
In terms of fogging keeping the visor open just a tiny crack usually does it for me.
If your's won't stay in a good position (and I mean just a tiny little opening) then you can stick a wad of tape in place so it can't close completley
I'll give it a try ... next time not whilst wearing it inside the car :rolleyes:
Good luck with the riding brother! You'll love it! Go meet up with the Christchurch crew when you get your license.
Yeah thanks mate! I sooooo want to go out and meet other riders but - must be patient. By the way, do bikers wave / nod / finger point / indicate (like truckies do) - or are they too busy sussing out each other's ride? ;)
Gloves too. That's the usually the first part of your body you put towards the ground in a crash.
Agree - I'm actually quite protective of my hands in general. I'm a pianist, photographer and have friends in the Deaf Community - so ultimately I'd be lost without fingers or hands :crybaby:
Thanks Choco for the welcome also. Meeting up with a mate of ours who used to be a 'road racer'??? Might have to try and recruit him into the forum ;)
Hi Karla. Those Draggin jeans look awesome! Saw some on trademe and to be honest, I'd never heard of such a thing as reinforced jeans! So thanks for that.
Nagash
1st May 2008, 23:45
Cheers Max. Am quickly coming to my senses after reading that. I live on a gravel road and aaahhhhh - I don't wanna be pulling stones outa my ass!
Had that.. cept it was in my shoulder. Got them wire scrubbed out! Not as fun as it sounds..
Yeah thanks mate! I sooooo want to go out and meet other riders but - must be patient. By the way, do bikers wave / nod / finger point / indicate (like truckies do) - or are they too busy sussing out each other's ride? ;)
And yep, bikers wave or nod to each other. Though some get quite picky on the whole thing.. just search 'wave' on the forums and they'll be heaps of posts about it. Sprotsbikes won't wave to cruisers - vice versa. Never wave to scooters. Commuters don't wave unless it's raining. It's just confusing..
10 characters. :clap::clap:
Spuds1234
2nd May 2008, 02:00
Yip the bike is definatly not stolen.
You will have to give me a yell some time on a clear saturday so I can show you all the good roads around the place.
You wont be able to have that beer though for a while yet. Im told it sucks getting used to be able to have a few beers and then drive a car, only then to get your L for a bike and being back to zero beers for a while (only when your on the bike of course).
I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you have re motorcycling. Otherwise pop along to the Christchurch maintenance evening(s) (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=72248) when they get started up. Heaps of friendly bikers there to help you out with just about anything.
Have fun riding your new baby. You'll never forget your first bike.
JMemonic
2nd May 2008, 05:15
As Spuds said come alone to the maintenance evenings if you can (once we get them started of course), you have had some brilliant suggestions made so far the most important of course being gear.
A wee tip head off to Trevor Pierce motorcycles, fast, if you are lucky they might still have some discounted jackets left and one in your size cant remember the name exactly BHM, BLM something like that, or have a shop around. Draggin Jeans are great for the summer unfortunately not so good in the winter months :( so a decent pair of pants would be the go, and yes I know it all costs (perhaps more than your bike). For gear go to some of the places you might not normally go, Street and Sport have a good range as do Budget Motorcycles so your options are pretty endless.
Not to sure what is happening yet but it looks like some folks are going to organise a regular weekend ride (anyone want to take the ball on this) so keep looking for that, its to take over from the Wednesday Night rides (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=63581) until summer rolls back around.
Lastly but not least welcome to the life enhancing experience that is motorcycles, like in all things there are some good bastards, and some just plain bastards out there, you get to work out who is who yourself.
Always keep that old joke in mind the one bout the bird in a pile of cow droppings and you will be right as rain, look forward to meeting you.
chubby
2nd May 2008, 08:23
GN250... ahhhhhhh a great bike, good buy and happy riding.:clap:
Grasshopper, all of what is said above is priceless information. You have a head full of questions and thats great. The biggest answer to many though is to just get on that bike and ride.
Enjoy :clap:
And yep, bikers wave or nod to each other. Though some get quite picky on the whole thing.. just search 'wave' on the forums and they'll be heaps of posts about it. Sprotsbikes won't wave to cruisers - vice versa. Never wave to scooters. Commuters don't wave unless it's raining. It's just confusing..
Hmmmm that's pretty sad actually ... in a funny way. :) I think I'll practise up on the nod first - then work up to the wave.
Yip the bike is definatly not stolen.
You will have to give me a yell some time on a clear saturday so I can show you all the good roads around the place.
You wont be able to have that beer though for a while yet. Im told it sucks getting used to be able to have a few beers and then drive a car, only then to get your L for a bike and being back to zero beers for a while (only when your on the bike of course).
I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you have re motorcycling. Otherwise pop along to the Christchurch maintenance evening(s) (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=72248) when they get started up. Heaps of friendly bikers there to help you out with just about anything.
Have fun riding your new baby. You'll never forget your first bike.
Gidday Alex! Yeah part of me was totally wrapped it wasn't your bro's - but the other part of me feels ill to think there are losers out there who don't give a rats about other peoples' property.
Guess I'll be havin a beer when I get home :( But then again I'll probably be freezin my butt off on the rides so a 'chino will do me fine!:baby:
As Spuds said come alone to the maintenance evenings if you can (once we get them started of course), you have had some brilliant suggestions made so far the most important of course being gear.
A wee tip head off to Trevor Pierce motorcycles, fast, if you are lucky they might still have some discounted jackets left and one in your size cant remember the name exactly BHM, BLM something like that, or have a shop around. Draggin Jeans are great for the summer unfortunately not so good in the winter months :( so a decent pair of pants would be the go, and yes I know it all costs (perhaps more than your bike). For gear go to some of the places you might not normally go, Street and Sport have a good range as do Budget Motorcycles so your options are pretty endless.
Not to sure what is happening yet but it looks like some folks are going to organise a regular weekend ride (anyone want to take the ball on this) so keep looking for that, its to take over from the Wednesday Night rides (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=63581) until summer rolls back around.
Lastly but not least welcome to the life enhancing experience that is motorcycles, like in all things there are some good bastards, and some just plain bastards out there, you get to work out who is who yourself.
Always keep that old joke in mind the one bout the bird in a pile of cow droppings and you will be right as rain, look forward to meeting you.
Thanks for the tips mate. I'll definitely be gettin pants. Just went for a quiet dabble up the road in a pair of jeans and MAN IT'S COLD!@! I'd like to get a cruiser style jacket (Cordura - I think).
That Maintenance evening sounds awesome. Where do you guys come up with these ideas!? They're GREAT!!!
GN250... ahhhhhhh a great bike, good buy and happy riding.:clap:
Grasshopper, all of what is said above is priceless information. You have a head full of questions and thats great. The biggest answer to many though is to just get on that bike and ride.
Enjoy :clap:
Thanks Chubby. I'm heading out again soon to practise gear changing (up and down)...I suck - especially if I'm coming up to a corner.
Earlier today I went passed a dairy-crossing, where the cows cross the road and leave crap all over the road. I was only doing about 60 and when I hit just a small patch of mud. The bike gave a very subtle "whoop-whoop" as it tried to gain traction. Totally childs play for you guys probably, but I nearly SHAT myself!!! I can only imagine what blackice is like. So what's the trick? Button off, maintain revs, or apply revs for traction?
CHEERS EVRYONE! Sun's out again so I'm off! :)
Spuds1234
2nd May 2008, 18:23
Stay calm while riding.
Dont grip the bars really hard, be relaxed. Just let the bike do what it wants to. Dont try and brake or speed up.
Just carry on like its not there.
Also you dont have to worry about a bike falling over while moving. Its impossible due to physics. A motorbike has two great big gyroscopes that prevent the bike falling over ;)
After riding around for one winter (assuming you remain hard and dont take the car), you wont have any problems with slippery stuff on the roads. Just watch out for anything that isnt road. Painted lines, metal road covers, grit, desiel, oil at traffic lights where cars sit, plain ordinary concrete can be really slippery to.
If its not ashphalt its slippery pretty much.
Find yourself a gravel road. Ride along it. Quite slowly. Search the forum for gravel riding tips.
What it will do is get you used to having the bike move around a bit. By and large, it's no big deal.
Trust the bike. Riding a bike is like dancing , you and the bike need to be in harmony, moving together, not fighting each other.
And I echo the approval of the GN as an excellent learners bike (it is also a very good gravel road bike, a capability often overlooked).
Concentrate of on riding smoothly and safely, And gradually add speed. Don't try to do it the other way round, doesn't work
And get yourself on a rdiing course ASAP. And keep asking questions. On a bike you never stop learning. I've been learning for 50 years and now I know less than I did than when I was 16.
That's wickedley bloody good advice thanks Spuds!
I think my problem is that I'm not sure of the bike's capabilities. Perhaps if I can see someone demo the GN (my GN) where I can observe and just see how it handles, then I'd be a lot more confident in what it can do and how much it can take...what its limits are etc.
It's a bit like riding a horse (not that I do). I wouldn't dare try to jump a ditch if the horse isn't a jumper. But if someone clears a ditch on the same horse, my confidence would be greatly increased.
Hmmmm - think I'm getting a bit off track here so my apologies :)
Anway - I'm lovin the 'view' - lovin the 'sounds' - and can't wait for my next ride :)
Find yourself a gravel road. Ride along it. Quite slowly. Search the forum for gravel riding tips.
What it will do is get you used to having the bike move around a bit. By and large, it's no big deal.
Trust the bike. Riding a bike is like dancing , you and the bike need to be in harmony, moving together, not fighting each other.
And I echo the approval of the GN as an excellent learners bike (it is also a very good gravel road bike, a capability often overlooked).
Concentrate of on riding smoothly and safely, And gradually add speed. Don't try to do it the other way round, doesn't work
And get yourself on a rdiing course ASAP. And keep asking questions. On a bike you never stop learning. I've been learning for 50 years and now I know less than I did than when I was 16.
WOW - that's a great analogy - thanks. I kind of freaked when I started off on the gravel road. The best I can describe it is - it's a lot like riding a mountain bike in the mud...but you're going faster and have a much 'heavier' mountain bike. :)
I'll definitely be doing a driving course. Mainland Driving School have a whole day training course from learners to town riding and open road skills from $65 or $40 for a whole day on the track. Can't wait!
instead of catcrap, put 5 or 6 drops of undiluted dish wash detergent on the inside of the visor, smear it all around with your fingers, then polish it til dry with a tissue or really soft cloth (not a handee towel!)
or spit. spit works fine - polish it off also. detergent smells nicer though.
mrchips
2nd May 2008, 21:02
Good stuff, riding a GN is like riding on a piece of history.
A few things i could share with you:
Slow & steady building up that confidence, you should assume all road users are out to get ya, boy ricers have a thing for 'L' plates & especially don't like being beaten off the lights by a learner on a crusty old 250 !:shake:. ATGATT (all the gear all the time) + be visible to other road users.
howdamnhard
2nd May 2008, 21:29
Welcome aboard.The GN is a good bike to learn on,still got mine ,makes agreat commuter and learner bike.Listen to all the good advice given above.Riding a bike is challenging and you never stop learning or improving yourself.Take it easy,start in a nice quite car park,then move up to quiet roads and then only onto open roads.Do as many courses as you can.Always wear all your protective gear,its cheaper in the long run.Besides leaving your helmet visor slightly open and putting some surface tension breaking solution on it you can also get a stick on inner visor which acts like a laminated window and helps reduce fogging.Good luck and enjoy,hurry up and get your licence.:scooter:
Marty and Chips: Cheers guys. Dishwashing Liquid tip = priceless! Slow and Steady = valuable!
BuckBuck. Your Newbie Training thread has kept me for hours! Still chewing through it though and it is truly - truly captivating reading. Thanks - thanks - thanks!
Welcome aboard.The GN is a good bike to learn on,still got mine ,makes agreat commuter and learner bike.Listen to all the good advice given above.Riding a bike is challenging and you never stop learning or improving yourself.Take it easy,start in a nice quite car park,then move up to quiet roads and then only onto open roads.Do as many courses as you can.Always wear all your protective gear,its cheaper in the long run.Besides leaving your helmet visor slightly open and putting some surface tension breaking solution on it you can also get a stick on inner visor which acts like a laminated window and helps reduce fogging.Good luck and enjoy,hurry up and get your licence
Thanks for the welcome HDH. I think I'm up for any suggestions regarding defogging at this stage. The dishwashing liquid seems to work so far. But I'll have to test it in the real world - and not while sittin in front of the puta:shit:
Terminated
3rd May 2008, 10:50
BuckBuck. Your Newbie Training thread has kept me for hours! Still chewing through it though and it is truly - truly captivating reading. Thanks - thanks - thanks!
Your very welcome samnz.
You are getting wonderful encouragement and support in this thread. Go forward steadily at your own pace, practise and review, then practise and review some more.
Regards
Heads Up and Enjoy
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