GN250 - new or 2nd hand?

[-JT-]

My wife and I are just getting our learners, and will be getting a GN250 to build our confidence on a bike and on the road for a few months before upgrading. I'd like to hear your opinions on whether we should get a new or good-2nd-hand GN250 .. and why?

Thanks for any replies

JT

[NOMIS]

Hey... just go straight for a Yamaha R1 - nothing like learning on one of them...
Just kidding..

How much you want to spend is the question.

[ManDownUnder]

Go for good 2nd hand. A lot of them are used to start off on, then people quickly grow out of them ... so
1) There are enough good ones around
2) You are likely to do the same

They are reliable little beasties... save money - buy a second hand one and you'll probably get most of your money back when it comes time to sell anyway

[-JT-]

Happy to spend up to the price of a new one if that's the best way to go. I had seen mention of getting a 2nd hand one so that warranty issues are already dealt with but don't know how much of a factor this should be.

[Lucy]

Happy to spend up to the price of a new one if that's the best way to go. I had seen mention of getting a 2nd hand one so that warranty issues are already dealt with but don't know how much of a factor this should be.


I agree with Mandownunder, good second hand and save yourself some bucks for gear.

When I got my learners I got a brand new one, thinking to save myself the grief of getting one that had been thrashed or what not, but if I was to do it again I'd go for second hand because people don't really thrash GNs, they learn and then move on, some get sick of them really fast and move them on.

The things that go wrong will go wrong anyway, and if it's on your shift it doesn't really matter as most stuff is not covered in the warranty anyway. The speedo drive seizing might be but mine didn't break until after the warranty (about 6000ks).

Second hand ones also quite often have had better tyres put on, as lots of people change them really fast as the stock ones aren't very popular. So look for a second hand one with relatively low ks and different tyres and you'll be laughing. For example if I sold you mine, you'd be getting better/new lightbulbs, a new speedo drive and starter solenoid, and decent tyres.

They are a reliable and friendly learners bike, and a second hand one will be just as good, in my opinion.

Have fun anyway!

[moT]

Dont get a gn 250 at all it is by far the gayest motorcycle known to man i would rather ride a scooter or take the bus get a good 250 like a cbr

[chubby]

Second hand:

They are tough little buggus (and a fantastic, fun bike to learn on)
Popular as anything so easy selling
When you sell them your competing against all other second hand ones (so you will drop more money on a new one than a second hand one)
You will want to move on, with fond memories, once you have your full licence

and I agree with mandown under and Lucy.

Thats my 2 cents worth.

[NOMIS]

Dont get a gn 250 at all it is by far the gayest motorcycle known to man i would rather ride a scooter or take the bus get a good 250 like a cbr

haha yup! oh well id ride one at the right price.. hornet to a gn for more than $750 NO!

[Murray]

I think you answered the question yourself. You only want it for a few months before upgrading. How much depreciation is it going to cost on a new one (what value will it drop when you ride it out the door???) and how much price drop for a used one??? For resale after a few months when upgrading its a no brainer

[Murray]

Theres a nice looking GN250 at the bike shop corner te rapa and garnett

[-JT-]

Theres a nice looking GN250 at the bike shop corner te rapa and garnett


Yeah, that's their rental.

Thanks for your comments guys and gals. We know where to go from here now.

JT

[MaxCannon]

Hi JT,

I can vouch for a good used GN over a new one.
Mine has had zero issues in the time I've owned it.
Really easy to ride.
Pricewise the difference will get you a good set of gear and a few tanks of gas.

I've fitted better tyres and kept it fully serviced.

It's now up for sale, $2,300
2005 with with 11600kms
PM me if interested

[Badjelly]

Get a new Scorpio instead.

[tgb_novice]

Get a new Scorpio instead.

Yah!! :rolleyes: , Tries this in a different thread and no one bites seriously :oi-grr: .

Why do lots of people recommend a GN and just a very very few recommend a Scorpio ? :weep:

[Ixion]

One reason is that the Scorpio is a very recent model. Whereas the GN has been around for many years. So a lot of people have had experience (either thier own or someone known to them) of the latter, only a few of the former. And second Scorpios are still rare.

Either GN or Scorpio is an excellent machine for a learner.

Personally I'd go for a good secondhand. Regard the first bike as an initiation sacrfice to the biker gods., You will probably drop it (I don't mean crash it), and that is less sorrowfull on a machine which already bears battle scars.

Unless you only want the machine for commuting you are unlikely to keep it anyway, so you will not have time to get the goodness out of a new machine.

Once you move on to your restricteds, review your requirments, in the light of experience. You may be surprised how much they have changed. It is easier to switch direction if you have little investment (monetary or emotiuonal) in the machine.

[McJim]

I thought they stopped making good GN250s in the nineties. When they shifted manufacture to China the build quality suffered. I am aware of some lucky individuals who got GN250s made recently where the chrome didn't spontaneously fall off but they are fewer than the ones complaining about problems.

If you can afford a new GN250 buy a used Volty.

Mind you if I was to do it all again here's my steed of choice:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-123451611.htm

[zeke]

New GN 250,s will be getting thin on the ground, apparently they no longer inport them due to headlight non compliance. We just went for a second hand vtr 250 for the wife and love it. Fast enough for open road, much better handling, cost a lot more, but probably stay with it for a few years.:scooter:

[zeke]

My wife and I are just getting our learners, and will be getting a GN250 to build our confidence on a bike and on the road for a few months before upgrading. I'd like to hear your opinions on whether we should get a new or good-2nd-hand GN250 .. and why?

Thanks for any replies

JT
Are you aware that the licensing reg s are about to change? after Aug u may be able to go up to a low power 650, have a look as there is a thread on this site somewhere.
We bit the bullet and bought vtr 250 which is great, but intend to keep for a few years, a sensible choice may be to go cheap and see what happens.
Good luck and happy hunting!

[1 Free Man]

My wife and I are just getting our learners, and will be getting a GN250 to build our confidence on a bike and on the road for a few months before upgrading. I'd like to hear your opinions on whether we should get a new or good-2nd-hand GN250 .. and why?

Thanks for any replies

JT
Hey there JT
Heres my 2 cents worth. I am new to motorbike riding. I bought a LV250 INTRUDER LC. bit pricier than a gn but it's a very nice ride. It has a nice low ride position and for me the inportant thing was that I could sit on it with both feet flat on the deck. Have a lady friend who has one and she loves it. She started of with a gn and traded it for the INTRUDER after a very few weeks.
I've clocked up 4600Km in 10 weeks. Cant stay off the damb thing.LOL
ADICTED that's the problem!!:2thumbsup

[Lucy]

I thought they stopped making good GN250s in the nineties. When they shifted manufacture to China the build quality suffered. I am aware of some lucky individuals who got GN250s made recently where the chrome didn't spontaneously fall off but they are fewer than the ones complaining about problems.

If you can afford a new GN250 buy a used Volty.

Mind you if I was to do it all again here's my steed of choice:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-123451611.htm

And there in a nutshell is why the GN is so popular - $3500 for a 25 year old bike.

A GN sprayed all over with Inox Lanox will hold on to it's chrome quite well...

[Maha]

My wife and I are just getting our learners, and will be getting a GN250 to build our confidence on a bike and on the road for a few months before upgrading. I'd like to hear your opinions on whether we should get a new or good-2nd-hand GN250 .. and why?

Thanks for any replies

JT


Go for good 2nd hand. A lot of them are used to start off on, then people quickly grow out of them ... so
1) There are enough good ones around
2) You are likely to do the same

They are reliable little beasties... save money - buy a second hand one and you'll probably get most of your money back when it comes time to sell anyway

Good advice Ned.....
Heres an oldie...well 87' but a proper one.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-153645689.htm

[Chill]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=158603262

That's my one for sale. I'll miss it!

[stevewederell]

Nice choice JT.

I bought mine when I was started riding last year. Simple kinda bike to learn not just riding but some simple mechanics as well. I would suggest checking the voltage while running to save you $250 for new reg/rec!:angry2:

Not long sold my Chinese 2006 baby for 2800 with a little over 6K on the clock, so I'm sure you'll find a good nick GN out there to suit you both.

Good luck and safe riding

Oh, the trademe ad posted looked like a reasonable deal too, especially with the Givi box.:clap: