GN250 for a first bike?

[R-Dizzle]

Hey
Thinking about buying a bike, currently have no motorbike license so I'll have to go with a 250cc.
I'm thinking a Suzuki Gn250 is the best bet for the first bike. However a CBR would be nice :).
So could i get some opinions/advice on:
-Is the Gn250 the ideal starters bike?

-What should i watch out for when buying a Gn250? It will be a later model Gn, 2000-2004 probably.

Any comments appreciated, cheers

--EDIT--
Sorry if this is the wrong section or a thrashed post, i forgot to search.

[Ixion]

The Ginny is an excellent starter bike., Oddly, the older models are reckoned superior to the later ones, the former being Japanese made, the latter Chinese.

You might wish also to consider the Yamaha Scorpio (some examples are starting to come onto the secondhand market); or the Yamaha SR250, the GN250 competitor, reckoned by some to be a little superior.

I always note that in winter I see few motorcycles when riding to work. And of those, the predominant model is the GN250. Rain, wind, nothing stops a Ginny. They are an excellent machine.

[Katman]

The Ginny is an excellent starter bike., Oddly, the older models are reckoned superior to the later ones, the former being Japanese made, the latter Chinese.



+ (too many to even count).

From about 2000 onwards the GN250s became a shadow of their former self.

Buy an older one. It will go forever.

[Fatt Max]

Agree with the opinion here. The GN250 would be the way to go if that is the choice.

I would have got one myself but the VL250 came up so I went that way...wider seat you see

Good luck

[Bren]

I have had a couple in my time, and as said they are a reliable machine...they do tend to get a bit boring after a while....

A GN250 is in Car terms a white Toyota Corolla station wagon, bland, reliable, and quite a few about.

maybe the Ninja might be worthwhile looking at, although expect to pay a bit more for one of those. they are user friendly, and not a bad looking bike...more of a mx5 ...bit sportier than a ginny

[Mom]

I am a big GN fan too! Though those little scorpios are not bad either. Only comment I would make re buying a GN is what purpose you want it for. Ideal if a commuter, with some small open road type travel. They are limiting on the open road, as you are sitting about 6500rpm at 100kms leaving almost nothing for getting yourself out of trouble, or overtaking and the like. Still nothing wrong with cruising along, I did many open road trips on my little GN.

[ukiwi]

We have a 1986 gn. Used it for me and the wife to learn on then both bought new bikes, just cant bring ourselves to sell it.
Still reaches 100 without to many issues, runs forever on a thimble of petrol and starts no matter what the weather or how long she has been left.
Every learnner should start on a gn

[GrayWolf]

I do know a lady Wima rider who is looking to sell a 2005/6 GN.
Cannot fault it for reliablity or economy. I would have to agree with the cooments here, its not a good open road bike. It simply doesnt have the power to overtake etc.
If you want a bit more 'big bike type' performance, VT250 or even a low K's GSX 250 or a ZZR 250.

[Lucy]

Hey

-What should i watch out for when buying a Gn250? It will be a later model Gn, 2000-2004 probably.

Any comments appreciated, cheers

--EDIT--
Sorry if this is the wrong section or a thrashed post, i forgot to search.


Watch for rust, a second hand modern one will have some, but it can be dealt with and stopped (Inox lanox worked well for me).

A second hand one will probably have new bulbs and hopefully new tyres.

Ask them if the speedo drive has ever seized, if it hasn't there is a good chance it will. Try and get one from a wrecker because new they are $160.

You'll save a lot of money buying second hand. Most people learn and then pass them on, so the condition is usually fine. Nothing decent is covered under warranty anyway.

Really nice bike to learn on, very relaxing to ride, and very forgiving.

[BASS-TREBLE]

I agree with everything said.

I've had a GN for nearly a year and have worked the miles from 4000 to 18000 so far in that time and has never faulted me.

I get a steady 27km/l which includes 'highway' riding at around 110 with a 70kg rider. That makes a 250km range with a little left.

If you look after it you will only need the standards such as oil changes and tires, oh don't forget chain lube.

They crash nice too, I have twice on gravel at around 60 and all needed was superglue to fix an indicator.

Go for it

Edit: It's a 05'

[PrincessBandit]

Me too - agree with everything that's been said about the ginny. Mine is an 06 model and chinese; have to say it has had it's annoying moments (onto it's 3rd speedo cable and I believe my son has just told me it needs another, the rev counter swings like a crazy thing at times, and it does get pushed around a bit by nasty head and cross winds) but it's pluses are right up there too (easy to handle, very forgiving, so economical).
Have to say I've had wide open throttle on the ginny; don't think i'll ever get to do that on my bandit :lol:

[Insanity_rules]

If you can learn to fang a GN and live to tell then you can progress to anything. A cbr is a fine bike that handles sharply, is quick and fun but inexperience could see you have a very high speed mishap.

If you are an experienced rider just with no license go the cbr. If your learning then the GN is a hoot of a bike, teaches all owners a lot about dynamics and handling of a bike, reliable as hell and cheap to run and repair.

Your call

[wants_to_ride]

What does fang mean?

[Choco]

A GN250 is the best learner bike in the world!
They rock on gravel, can go off road and have great petrol economy!

They will however "keep you safe" on the highway as overtaking can be a bit of a mission and as a general rule of thumb you try not to do it :bleh:, but when you have learned the basics and gained some experience you may want to move onto something a bit quicker!

Get one, they will teach you a lot :yes:

edit: never underestimate someone on a GN, they can do some pretty amazing things!

[Kiwi Graham]

cant go wrong with the GN250, great bike to learn on and easy to sell on when yor ready for somthing else, Look after her and she'll look after you.

[BASS-TREBLE]

edit: never underestimate someone on a GN, they can do some pretty amazing things!

Choco stop trying to make yourself sound like a good rider.

But on a more serious note, a GN will teach you a lot about mechanics because everything is so simple and obvious. It has very simple wiring, very basic single cylinder set up and the rest of the bike is basic.

[discotex]

What does fang mean?

It's kinda like a pootle but not ;)

[Choco]

Choco stop trying to make yourself sound like a good rider.

:girlfight:
I was the same sorta speed as you on the Gisborne Tour!

Was referring to the wheelies, gravel drifting and offroading you can do on them!

[karla]

Gn was a lovely bike to learn on, for me. But watch the tyres, they are really slippery in the wet.

[klingon]

Hooray for the Ginny! Perfect first bike. Reliable, simple, ever-popular & virtually indestructible. Go for it!

As others have mentioned, once you've done the learning bit you're likely to want to move on to something bigger & faster, so keep resale value in mind and try to keep your Ginny in good saleable condition.

[dwnundabkr]

i think you will find most people here would have started on a mighty GN but most will never own up to it.
the gn was my first road bike over 20 years (1986)ago brought brand new for $3000.00
awesome bike did 30,000 ks on that bike in under 2 years went everywhere,
three spills only damage sore arse and new handle bars and plastics,
handled well on road, off road, one wheel,drifting(gravel) two up even three up(not on highway):whistle:
easily sit on hundred ks but not much after that maybe 130-140 was my best but that was down hill with a tail wind.:sweatdrop
i have heard the later ones are not as good quality, but bang for bucks do oil changes, check tyre pressures, lube chain and ride it.:niceone:

[Tank]

Im just looking at buying one again for my wife as a 'move up' from her scoot - she wants to get into ADV riding !!!

Go with the older ones - rock solid, easy to ride, easy to sell.

[Lucy]

Im just looking at buying one again for my wife as a 'move up' from her scoot - she wants to get into ADV riding !!!

Go with the older ones - rock solid, easy to ride, easy to sell.


With good tyres, a GN is perfect for adv riding. Read some of HTFUs threads. I rode mine happily on gravel, it was light and easy to control, and could put my feet down easily. The newer ones aint all bad, the tool kit is handy for side of road chain adjustments!

[racefactory]

are there any decent sticky tyre choices for GN's?

[BANZAI]

never underestimate someone on a GN, they can do some pretty amazing things!

I second that! :p

GN burnout and stoppie FTW :headbang:


are there any decent sticky tyre choices for GN's?

Pirelli city deamon on mine not sticky enough for you?

When you get GN,better change tyres to better quality one and shorter handle bar. Standard tyres are crap and those long handle bar gives unconfortable riding position even small person like me.

And when you goto open road ride you will get left behind. When group ahead of you got to the destination and start taking thier gear off and maybe half way of cigarett you can finally arrive to the destination :yes:

And it doesnt go more than 110 in strong wind :pinch:

[racefactory]

It has a top speed of 122kph tested by Banzai... took 2km to get there. that's with a 50 something kg rider...

[Choco]

It has a top speed of 122kph tested by Banzai... took 2km to get there. that's with a 50 something kg rider...

WRONG!!!
132Km/Hr is the world record (on the flat, no wind, recorded from someone elses speedo) held by me :D

Banzai's tricking his GN out to beat it

[Ixion]

Meh Amateurs. I got a Beeza bantam up to 65mph.

[BANZAI]

It has a top speed of 122kph tested by Banzai... took 2km to get there. that's with a 50 something kg rider...

In very very strong wind.


WRONG!!!
132Km/Hr is the world record (on the flat, no wind, recorded from someone elses speedo) held by me :D

Banzai's tricking his GN out to beat it

Yep! Got 130 with someone elses speedo in down hill before :p


Meh Amateurs. I got a Beeza bantam up to 65mph.

Whoa! :gob:
http://www.freewebs.com/rasdv/bsa%20bantam%20120.jpg
This one?

[Ixion]

..

Whoa! :gob:
http://www.freewebs.com/rasdv/bsa%20bantam%20120.jpg
This one?

Exactly that one.

EDIT: Actually, no. Some perverted wankstrain has fitted a *battery* to that one. What sort of diseased mind would fit a battery to a Bantam.

[Choco]

Yep! Got 130 with someone elses speedo in down hill before :p


:shit:
Shit! You're getting close! let me know when you plan to go all out so i can come and watch you do it :P

[BANZAI]

Exactly that one.

EDIT: Actually, no. Some perverted wankstrain has fitted a *battery* to that one. What sort of diseased mind would fit a battery to a Bantam.

What does battery do to a Bantam? :confused: :lol:

[Ixion]

Do you realise how much a battery weighs? And how much horsepower it takes to generate the current to charge one. All that drag on the magneto flywheel.

[rossw]

WRONG!!!
132Km/Hr is the world record (on the flat, no wind, recorded from someone elses speedo) held by me :D

Banzai's tricking his GN out to beat it

I went on a ride around Northland last weekend (over 200 bikes mostly Harleys) for the White Ribbon Ride following a GN a large part of the way. It was out performing and handling many of the Harleys and giving my FZ250 a run for its money. We were riding around 120 with bursts to 130+. The GN must have been screaming but did very well for 380km round Northland after riding up from New Plymouth and having to go back. As for handling, it seemed to go round corners in the dry like it was on rails. I wanted one but couldn't get one when I first got my licence. I think they are legendary!

[BANZAI]

139 on slight downhill :first:

[Choco]

139 on slight downhill :first:

Hrmmmm... should i give you the title....

[BANZAI]

Hrmmmm... should i give you the title....

Don't worry I already put that in my signiture :msn-wink:

[Choco]

Don't worry I already put that in my signiture :msn-wink:

Congratulations! you are the new record holder of the GN250 land speed record (nz) :headbang:

Continue on your HARDCORE GN-ING ways my son.
Choco

Now you need to legitimately overtake a CBR600RR :laugh:

Current achievements:
Overall GN250 LSR - Banzai - 139km/hr
Stock GN250 LSR - Choco - 132 km/hr
Suzuki's top speed for the GN250 - 120km/hr

[BANZAI]

Now you need to legitimately overtake a CBR600RR :laugh:

Suzuki's top speed for the GN250 - 120km/hr

Ahaha I need skill of you and twinkle conbined to do that!!! lol

Um is that figure from Suzuki catalogue??

[Choco]

Um is that figure from Suzuki catalogue??

Something like that, i remember reading it somewhere

[davebullet]

How many revs is the GN250 pulling at 139k/hr and what is its redline?

[madbikeboy]

A safe guess is 500 RPM less than it was doing... :)

[BANZAI]

I think it was about 7500? Redzone is from 8500 but rev just wont go anymore :lol:

At around 7k it does around 125-130 so should be right.

[Badjelly]

People seem to be assuming that the numbers displayed on the rev counter and the speedo bear some resemblance to reality. This is not a wise assumption.

[archie-no2]

The gn250 is a great bike and they will keep on going they also hold there price if you buy one it shouldnt loose much money if your luckly you might even make some.

[ducatilover]

i had a ginny for three months. slow, uncomfy and piss poor brakes. a few things went wrong with mine but it was an 04 chinker made one. but yes the older ones are better, and i would say you would be better off riding a dirt bike:shifty:

[ducatilover]

How many revs is the GN250 pulling at 139k/hr and what is its redline?

it only does that down a hill whilst being outrun by a 1300 bg familia. and thats past the red line from memory. dont think a gn will ever be fast...nomater how loosely the term is used:bleh:

[Dean]

hi i have a suzuki gn250 2005 model i am selling it youll find it here on kb bike trader,it has low ks,a givi top box,just recently bought from colemans suzuki has wof till october will get 3 months rego .has served me very well,perfect for a learner/commuter.i can throw in a hld helmet and norton textile jacket.