new gn250s...what are they like?

[Waylander]

Anyway the Viragos are really great bikes no matter what size.

Don't know about the GNs cause I've never ridden with one so I'll let the others tell you about them.

Just wanted to say don't rule out the XVs so quikly. You really have to ride one to truely appretiate them.

[zooter]

So what bike do you fancy once you've got a full licence? No point in getting a zxr cbr whatever if you fancy a Harley.
I heard from a dealer that the chrome on the chinese ones can be suspect but covered under warranty. I guess if it doesn't break out in rust in the first few months you'll have traded it by then.
But why would you want to drop the depreciation on a new 250 when there are so many bargains around at this time of the year?

[crashe]

Sunhuntin - Go to your local bike shops and ask them to let you ride a Virago 250cc and then come back and tell us what you think of them.

I am suggesting the 250cc as you are still on your learners.

The Virago handles beautifully... and so nice to cruise on...

[campbellluke]

Virago 250cc only 22hp tho :-(

That's the same as a GN250.
Probably not worth it.

Edit: --->
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/yam...irago_1990.php

Top speed only 121. Just 5 gears.

I can get 121 in 3rd gear, and I have a 6 speed :-(

I think that the key is not to put too much money in your 250cc stage. So I would stick with the GN. The new ones shouldn't go any faster than the old ones. May be wrong on this? - Only GN I have ridden was from the 80s.

[crashe]

Virago 250cc only 22hp tho :-(

That's the same as a GN250.
Probably not worth it.

Edit: --->
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/yam...irago_1990.php

Top speed only 121. Just 5 gears.

I can get 121 in 3rd gear, and I have a 6 speed :-(.

Top speed on my Virago is a lot higher than 120km.... been up to 130km....
But on a few rides the lads reckon that I have gone even higher...

[White trash]

I can get 121 in 3rd gear, and I have a 6 speed :-(

I can do 146 in first gear.

[zadok]

The GN250 has been around for a long time and obviously got a good reputation for being a good learner/commuter, but I think it's time for you to move on, especially after what has been said about the build quality. Check out some of the suggestions in the right price bracket.

[Ms Piggy]

Hmm, I wouldn't go near the new GN250's. They are now made in China and I've heard that quality standards have suffered as a result. One can't expect too much from a brand new bike retailing at $3000.

Yep - agree with this. In my limited experience stay away form GN's if you want a bike that you can ride long trips on.

[campbellluke]

I can do 146 in first gear.

I can get 70 in 1st before my engine cuts out at 17,000rpm.

[mikey]

dont do it., youll regret for the next fwe years. sell your for 500 an take your mums 3000 an get yourself a zxr or cbr or if you can ride as good as me a rgv250 or fuck the law an get a 400

[NC]

ZXR250 or a TZR250 Much better

[scumdog]

I think when people see any big V-twin that's not a sportsbike, they'll compare it with Harley. Which I guess is a tribute to H-D marketing .

H-D is probably always going to be the yardstick against which all cruisers are measured. Unfair perhaps but reality.

And H-D enthusiasts will always sneer at Japanese bikes, the way Triumph and Norton riders sneered at the early Japanese sports bikes in the 1970's

Hey!! I never sneered at any Japanese bikes (I own one!) but I might sneer at their owners if need be (same as I'd sneer at a H-D owner if need be)
Each to their own eh?

But yeah, cruiser type bikes were made by H-D before Jap bikes were on the market so I s'pose it's only natural that any Jap bike that was a 'cruiser' style would be seen as a 'wannabr'.

I suppose if H-D made a R1 look-a-like it would get the same comments in reverse - a wannabe sports bike?

[thehollowmen]

My GN250 was traded in today.
it was 2004 and I had no problems with it, aside from the handlebars being set at the wrong angle and me (being new) not noticing.

Anyways.
My advice, save the money for something with a bit more power. Or a deposit on something larger when the full comes about.

[thehollowmen]

Hey!! I never sneered at any Japanese bikes (I own one!) but I might sneer at their owners if need be (same as I'd sneer at a H-D owner if need be)
Each to their own eh?

But yeah, cruiser type bikes were made by H-D before Jap bikes were on the market so I s'pose it's only natural that any Jap bike that was a 'cruiser' style would be seen as a 'wannabr'.

I suppose if H-D made a R1 look-a-like it would get the same comments in reverse - a wannabe sports bike?

I've heard some nasty comments outside the otago university to someone driving a 100 aniversary V rod.

[Jeremy]

Unless your current GN250 is having problems don't bother. Otherwise all your doing is swapping something that you know works to an unknown GN250 that just happens to have 0km on the clock. Save the money for something that you want.