GN250 handling?

**Ven101** · 30th August 2010, 18:14

Hey all, Im completely new to motorbikes, and the gn250 is my first, whether or not thats a good thing is yet to be seen...

So, for the WoF, it needed new steering head bearings, new swingarm bearings and new rear wheel bearings, which I did all myself, and saved my self about 700 bucks of labour according to what the dealer would have charged...

So, it has all its wof and everything now, but at open road speeds, I just cant tell if the bike is meant to feel like it does or not, as I havent ridden other bikes at that speed to be able to tell.

The whole thing shakes and there seems to be bumps that I cant see in the road. And cornering, the rear wheel seemingly has a mind of its own, it doesnt slide or anything but just doesnt feel like its quite following the front...

It has spoke wheels, and they dont quite look true as they rotate, could it be this? Or are they all just vague like that?

Sorry if its a stupid question, or should be in a different area

**schrodingers cat** · 30th August 2010, 19:01

Your thread title is an oxymoron.

Sorry I can't be any more help

**bogan** · 30th August 2010, 19:04

Originally Posted by Ven101

GN250 handling?

Nope, not a standard feature. Also not available as an aftermarket mod.

seriously though, check for any play in wheels or suspension components, steering head etc. Measure the run-out on the wheels, tyre pressures, chain tension......

**Ven101** · 30th August 2010, 20:03

And yes, ive heard GN's handle like shit, now, after Ive already got the damn thing >_<

hmm yeah like i said, this is just after a few sets of bearings were replaced and rechecked by the wof guys, the only thing it seems like it could be is that the rear wheel isnt true, and it doesnt look like it is when its rotating.

Anyone got an idea of price and where to get a rear wheel trued?

**hayd3n** · 30th August 2010, 20:15

the wee gns handle fine ,ive only notice that they twitch once you get past 100kph
check your wheel alignment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBxK-OQ--fg
how old are the tyres?
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897
are the brakes binding?

**zoom** · 30th August 2010, 20:23

I started on a GN but a newer one. The speed wobbles is def a feature of the bike. They don't like going past 100 much. Having said that they are the best bike to learn on. Forgiving as sin and nifty enough to teach some good handling and cornering skills. Get that back wheel checked because if it feels wrong it usually is. Has it been crashed at all? I'd advise you to get some new tyres for it too if they are standard GN tyres. Those plastic things nearly killed me my first ride in the rain on the motorway.

**Ven101** · 30th August 2010, 20:29

Thanks for those articles, Ill have to check when im back with the bike, will try doing the alignment that way, I just used the swingarm mark pretty much

**SMOKEU** · 31st August 2010, 17:49

Originally Posted by zoom

I'd advise you to get some new tyres for it too if they are standard GN tyres. Those plastic things nearly killed me my first ride in the rain on the motorway.

They come out standard with Shinko's don't they?

**tri boy** · 31st August 2010, 19:50

Good on you for having a go at repairs.
Now take it to a qualified mechanic to help sort the handling faults, before it bucks you off in front of an on coming truck.

**hayd3n** · 31st August 2010, 19:57

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

They come out standard with Shinko's don't they?

cheng sing tyres

**YellowDog** · 31st August 2010, 20:05

Originally Posted by Ven101

Hey all, Im completely new to motorbikes, and the gn250 is my first, whether or not thats a good thing is yet to be seen...

So, for the WoF, it needed new steering head bearings, new swingarm bearings and new rear wheel bearings, which I did all myself, and saved my self about 700 bucks of labour according to what the dealer would have charged...

So, it has all its wof and everything now, but at open road speeds, I just cant tell if the bike is meant to feel like it does or not, as I havent ridden other bikes at that speed to be able to tell.

The whole thing shakes and there seems to be bumps that I cant see in the road. And cornering, the rear wheel seemingly has a mind of its own, it doesnt slide or anything but just doesnt feel like its quite following the front...

It has spoke wheels, and they dont quite look true as they rotate, could it be this? Or are they all just vague like that?

Sorry if its a stupid question, or should be in a different area

NO NO NO ! ! !

Where the hell did you find such a heap of crap?

The GN should be a nice smooth ride. You have serious issues going on there.

My advice: Get the wheels balanced. Check the play in the bearings and then get the bike checked out by someone who knows how it should ride.

Good luck.

BTW: Well done with all the DIY stuff.

**Mom** · 31st August 2010, 20:08

Originally Posted by zoom

I started on a GN but a newer one. The speed wobbles is def a feature of the bike. They don't like going past 100 much. Having said that they are the best bike to learn on. Forgiving as sin and nifty enough to teach some good handling and cornering skills. Get that back wheel checked because if it feels wrong it usually is. Has it been crashed at all? I'd advise you to get some new tyres for it too if they are standard GN tyres. Those plastic things nearly killed me my first ride in the rain on the motorway.

This is a spoked wheeled model, I imagine the crap tyres it came with have long since been replaced. Speed wobbles are not part of any bikes handling unless there is something wrong with the way they are set up.

Get your wheels balanced, and check your tyre wear, and pressure.

**Ven101** · 1st September 2010, 07:37

Yeah, its got pirelli city demon tires on it, and it feels like and looks like to my uneducated mind that the rear wheel is well out of true, as it is a spoke model, so I will be finding somewhere to get it trued when im home next week, I assume that the dealer can charge me shitloads for doing that?

**Gibbo89** · 1st September 2010, 18:31

Originally Posted by Ven101

Yeah, its got pirelli city demon tires on it, and it feels like and looks like to my uneducated mind that the rear wheel is well out of true, as it is a spoke model, so I will be finding somewhere to get it trued when im home next week, I assume that the dealer can charge me shitloads for doing that?

i wouldn't have thought they would charge you shitloads for that.