Yet another should I buy - '04 GSX250

**Ender EnZed** · 24th January 2012, 20:54

GSX250s make excellent learner bikes provided you're not a tiny wee thing and you have a bit of confidence. They're definitely not the lightest 250 out there, but still a long way from HEAVY. And they're much better value than a Ninja if you're after a >10 year old parallel twin.

Generally speaking, any bike at a dealer in Wellington will be absolutely fine for the next couple of years at least. A few scratches will be nothing more than that. That said, $5k is way too much for a GSX250.

If you've got ~$3k to spend then my advice would be to find the best condition(first piority) and newest/lowest kms(equal), Japanese(Chinese bikes are for the bold and poor) 250 you can find. I wouldn't buy a bike I hadn't seen myself, this really restricts things to the Wellington region. If you've got more than ~$3k to play with then my advice would be to first plan on training (as much as you can find time for), then gear, then spending more than ~$3k on a bike.

**GingerMidget** · 24th January 2012, 21:25

Dad has already offered to pay for some more training once I know how to control the bike a bit better. This is the same man who taught me how to do skids properly in the ute, so I knew what to do if I was being a dork on the track my first time, and things got a bit hairy.

Hoon streak runs a tad strong in this family

I'm limitting my area of choice to Wellington and Palmy at a stretch, cos I can get a bike down here easily enough, and I have a friend to check stuff out up there for me. Saving for an Arai before I buy a bike though. Rather a better helmet than an average helmet and a fast bike!

**sil3nt** · 24th January 2012, 21:30

Grab a GPX 250. Its the only bike my girl can touch the ground on. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-442124569.htm

Should be lighter than the GSX. Mine is over 20 years old and still going strong!

**Ender EnZed** · 24th January 2012, 21:58

Originally Posted by sil3nt

Grab a GPX 250. Its the only bike my girl can touch the ground on. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-442124569.htm

Should be lighter than the GSX. Mine is over 20 years old and still going strong!

That'd be a pretty solid choice if it isn't hiding anything and you got with a fresh wof and 6 months reg for $4k. My pick of the 250s in Wellington at the moment would be this VTR and this Hornet. The VTR will have a bit more midrange and be harder to make a dick of yourself on, the Hornet will have a bit more up top if you feel like being a Rossi wannabe off the lights. Both are good, tractable learner bikes that'll get you anywhere in Wellington as quick as you wanna go.

**ducatilover** · 24th January 2012, 22:04

Originally Posted by sil3nt

Grab a GPX 250. Its the only bike my girl can touch the ground on. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-442124569.htm

Should be lighter than the GSX. Mine is over 20 years old and still going strong!

Aren't the USDM indicators on it?
Bloody good little bikes

**MSTRS:Me** · 25th January 2012, 07:50

Why not look further afield? There's plenty of trustworthy, and very knowledgeable, KBers all over the country, who would be more than happy to check bikes out.
Hell - some may even do delivery. It happens...done it myself.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-442398315.htm

I'd be wanting to confirm that mileage, but it looks the part on the photos.

**MSTRS:Me** · 25th January 2012, 07:59

Just as an aside...I highly recommend the Honda Spada, like this one... http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-422688505.htm They are way better than the VTR. Better handling, more power and 6spd g/box. Generally speaking, they hold their price at around the $3000 mark year in and year out. Of course, if/when LAMS comes in all 250 prices will be affected, so factor that into what you are prepared to pay in the meantime.

**ducatilover** · 25th January 2012, 09:49

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Just as an aside...I highly recommend the Honda Spada, like this one... http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-422688505.htm They are way better than the VTR. Better handling, more power and 6spd g/box. Generally speaking, they hold their price at around the $3000 mark year in and year out. Of course, if/when LAMS comes in all 250 prices will be affected, so factor that into what you are prepared to pay in the meantime.

I think they'll hold value fairly well when LAMS comes in, they're perfect learner bikes, low seat height and super light (as you and I both know)
I wouldn't hesitate to have one as a commuter.
That one has been on the deck (new paint, stainless muffler cover gone, headlight and mirrors aren't standard) but, mine had too and mine was a brilliant bike.

If you like a GSX250, you'll love the Spada.

**GingerMidget** · 25th January 2012, 19:35

Originally Posted by Ender EnZed

That'd be a pretty solid choice if it isn't hiding anything and you got with a fresh wof and 6 months reg for $4k. My pick of the 250s in Wellington at the moment would be this VTR and this Hornet. The VTR will have a bit more midrange and be harder to make a dick of yourself on, the Hornet will have a bit more up top if you feel like being a Rossi wannabe off the lights. Both are good, tractable learner bikes that'll get you anywhere in Wellington as quick as you wanna go.

I've made a dick of myself on a VTR already. Learning E braking, and skidded on gravel. Oh hello small tree. Here is where I went wrong, Target fixation, and not listening. Than god this boy likes me a bit. Otherwise it would have been expensive. On the upside, I'd now own a vtr?

A guy came through work today, on a Spada, and I cheekily asked what he'd let it go for. He was keen to sell once he sits his full. Should have sat on it while he had it in, but sugar/caffiene brain wasn't running at anywhere near normal.

**Sliver** · 25th January 2012, 19:57

you get alot of bike in the later model gsx's for not to much coin, alittle slow but still a nice ride

**baffa** · 26th January 2012, 11:37

I'd say rock the VTR til you get your full. It doesnt have a high seat, and it is a narrower seat, which is good for shorties.

Plus it is "learner friendy". I dropped my VTR250 courtesy of an oil slick mid corner, and once I got a jump start and bent the gear lever back in place, she was right as rain.

**ducatilover** · 26th January 2012, 11:45

Originally Posted by baffa

I'd say rock the VTR til you get your full. It doesnt have a high seat, and it is a narrower seat, which is good for shorties.

Plus it is "learner friendy". I dropped my VTR250 courtesy of an oil slick mid corner, and once I got a jump start and bent the gear lever back in place, she was right as rain.

Except the Spada is better in every way

**Stirts** · 26th January 2012, 11:53

Originally Posted by GingerMidget

Learning E braking

Oi, E braking tree hugger ... have you not been paying attention to the "drug driving" ad campaign at all ... it applies to riding motorbikes as well you know.