GN125: China VS. Japan

[Romeo]

Hey guys,
Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with either of these two.

The missus is looking for a cheap runabout and she's got her heart set on a GN125.

There's two options at the moment.


Brand new 2010 GN125H model for $3,000

or

Mint Second hand 2005 "Japan" GN125E model for $2,200 (16,000kms)

Both of these are from the same reputable Suzuki dealer.


I've heard a lot of grim tales about the Chinese ones, and a lot of good things about the Japanese ones. But which one is really worth more in the long term?

How can I confirm that the 2005 model is actually from Japan?

Thoughts etc?


Cheers,
Alex

[R6_kid:Me]

For that sort of money you'd be better off finding something more like your CB175 (I'm jealous!)... $3000 would buy a very good condition late 70's-early 80's commuter 250 that will probably be more reliable than a new GN125.

But to answer your question - you'll have to wait for someone else to read the thread!

[EJK]

I havn't owned both bikes hence my opinion is absolute dirt worthless but I think Chinese brand are fuck not worth it.

Hope that helps.

[The Baron]

Hi - my son had a GN125E- it was a great bike - If it is her first bike, go for the second hand one. It will be a training bike after all and I don't think she will keep it more than a year or two before moving up. My son had his for 18 months before going to a 250.
Hope this helps.

[Buddha#81:Me]

that money would get you a FXR150 and would run rings around them both.......not to mention the wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better looks.

[Joliet]

Being that "missus", I'm here to explain why I want a GN125.

I'm short. As in, 5'2" short. I don't want to lower a bike and I'm not comfortable standing on my tiptoes at the lights or leaning the bike over to rest on one foot. - Done that before with a Bandit, not interested in doing it again. Even a GN250 is too tall for me.

I don't want an old bike, I'm not interested in having a "mint" 1970's or 1980's bike (they don't exist for my requirements anyway). - Done that before with my RD50, not interested in doing it again.

I wanted a GN125 because I'm comfortable on it and I've riden one before (passed my learners on it), it's just for getting to work and back and any other run arounds that I need doing, not for going on rides or "moving up after a year". I don't want a sporty looking bike like an "FXR150" that "would run rings around them both" because I'm not interested in power, I don't want a cruiser looking bike like a GZ250 etc because I don't like the riding position - my legs are too stretched on them.

I wanted a new one because it comes with a 12 month warranty so I can relax for at least a year, and I like the idea of doing WOF's and Rego's only once a year.

I know *what* I want, but the boy is not letting me have it. So I've given up anyway, it's not worth the arguments.

[CookMySock]

I know *what* I want, but the boy is not letting me have it. So I've given up anyway, it's not worth the arguments.

Just go and buy it, miss. Worst case scenario is you might loose a grand on the resale value, or the boys spend hours fixing it. Either way its nothing to loose sleep over.

Buy it. The boys will get over it, and they will possibly afford you a little more respect next time when you say what you want.

Steve

[woodyracer]

that money would get you a FXR150 and would run rings around them both.......not to mention the wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better looks.

exaculy, get a fxr150, ive had both {as in both motors as a bucket} and the power difference is major, my gn125 bucket had a racing cam, and a racing exhaust, the stock fxr i owned after that was sooooo much faster, and handled alot better.....

Oh and looks like buddha said

[SMOKEU]

You say that you don't need a lot of power; but after a while you will have a craving for more power. I know that you don't want to drag every car off at the lights, but the lack of torque on a 4 stroke 125cc bike quickly becomes apparent, especially in situations with a lot of traffic when you're trying to quickly get into a gap. I used to own a CG125 and it wasn't a nice feeling having to rev it hard in top gear just to stay at 60kmh. With your budget, you could easily afford a Japanese 250cc cruiser type bike and they are quite low to the ground so it will suit you quite well. Coming into winter, I'm sure that bike shops will be struggling to make sales so this is the perfect time to grab a bargain. The resale value of a GN125 is quite poor as well.

[howdamnhard]

Having owned a Chinese GN250 I would go with the older Japanese GN125. But your mrs wants a new one so you may as well make her(and you) happpy and get her one, not worth the agro,he,he. It'll make her feel special and as she points out will be under 12 month warranty. Just depends how long she wants it. It's going to be gutless though.

[BuzzardNZ]

I have heard that the Jap build quality was far superior to the Chinese models. I'd go for the jappa.

[allycatz]

Not too long ago Carver I think? did a favourable review on a new GN125...look it up or PM him

[Jonno.]

Being that "missus", I'm here to explain why I want a GN125.

I'm short. As in, 5'2" short. I don't want to lower a bike and I'm not comfortable standing on my tiptoes at the lights or leaning the bike over to rest on one foot. - Done that before with a Bandit, not interested in doing it again. Even a GN250 is too tall for me.

I don't want an old bike, I'm not interested in having a "mint" 1970's or 1980's bike (they don't exist for my requirements anyway). - Done that before with my RD50, not interested in doing it again.

I wanted a GN125 because I'm comfortable on it and I've riden one before (passed my learners on it), it's just for getting to work and back and any other run arounds that I need doing, not for going on rides or "moving up after a year". I don't want a sporty looking bike like an "FXR150" that "would run rings around them both" because I'm not interested in power, I don't want a cruiser looking bike like a GZ250 etc because I don't like the riding position - my legs are too stretched on them.

I wanted a new one because it comes with a 12 month warranty so I can relax for at least a year, and I like the idea of doing WOF's and Rego's only once a year.

I know *what* I want, but the boy is not letting me have it. So I've given up anyway, it's not worth the arguments.

FXRs are likely to be more relyable then a GN125 even with a 12 month warrenty. GN250s are reknown for rust issues even after a year kept indoors.
Take an FXR for a ride. You can take one on the motorway easily, they're hardley a sports bike, and they're relatively up right.

[Joliet]

FXRs are likely to be more relyable then a GN125 even with a 12 month warrenty. GN250s are reknown for rust issues even after a year kept indoors.
Take an FXR for a ride. You can take one on the motorway easily, they're hardley a sports bike, and they're relatively up right.

Why would I go on a motorway - I'm a learner, I'm not even *allowed* to go over 70 - and yes, I play by the rules.

Fact is, I know what I want and I'm not here to be convinced otherwise. We just wanted to double check that the jap ones really were better than the Chinese ones.

[JimO]

its for you and you know what you want but i would reccomend a vtr 250 over both of your choices, you will get 1 for the same sort of coin your looking at and it will have resale value unlike your choices