My new GN250 - Yes it's wifey approved, based on the colour!

[caspernz]

Didn't they have a pink one?

Yes, but seeing you've already ordered the only pink one allotted to NZ this year...I had to go with yellow

[caspernz]

The first 2500 kms.

Yes it's taken about five weeks to get to this point. Haven't even fitted all the extra bits'n'pieces yet, too busy with various more important things.

Suspension now set to suit me and my riding, kinda surprising to be able to find a setting that works without resorting to aftermarket items. Maybe once the rear shock needs rebuilding I'll venture down that path.

Tyres are another surprise. Old hat the BT015 Bridgestones may be, but they cope with most of my riding without fuss. OK, in cold and damp weather they move a bit on tar snakes, but nothing to worry me unduly. At a guess they'll be up for replacement by the 6000 km service though

Fuel economy can be a bit hit and miss, as expected. Cruising along at a legal (or almost) pace, it runs at about 5 ltr/100kms. Crank it up a bit and you can add 50% or more to that. Not unexpected with the power that's on tap of course...

The ABS works fine, not a pain at all, and maybe because the Brembo response is nicer than the previous setup? Yes I know you can beat ABS under ideal conditions, but hey we all know that not all riding is done under ideal conditions

Being back on a proper big bike after a spell away from big stuff, and having grown up a bit since last owning a big bike...the overriding aspect that comes thru for me is how relaxed and docile this bike actually is. No need for dodgy overtaking, with this much grunt you can just pick your spot and scoot past easily.

There's a Jekyll & Hyde quality about this type of bike though, and balancing the two is the trick I guess

And no I haven't started thinking of which bike is next...

[caspernz]

So the first year of Busa ownership is almost up, and seeing as I passed the 10,000 km mark last month, may as well drop a little update in here.

Tyres.
Original BT015s came off around the 5000 km mark, not a bad tyre at all, and in all fairness I don't run them down to the canvas either.
Bridgestone S20s were next, did about 4800 km on them. Again not a bad tyre at all, but perhaps not the best choice for a heavy grunty bike.
Michelin Pilot Road 4s (standard version) are on there now, around 500 km so far. Have had plenty of Michelins before, so I'm obviously a fan. I like this tyre, the only unknown is how many clicks I can get from them.

Farkles.
Wired up the battery tender and fitted a GPS/GSM tracking device. The GPS thing was mainly to keep the wife happy, so she'd know where I was, morbid thinking perhaps but hey I get it.
Still have a wiring loom for the radar detector (which is running off an accessory power socket at present) to fit if I ever get around to it. Ditto for a GPS speedo which I was planning to sneak in there somewhere.

Switched to Mobil 1 at the 6,000 km service. Seems to have made gear changing a fair bit smoother, but then adding kays helps as well I realise.

For me it's been a pleasant experience so far. I'm past the need to prove anything to anyone, so yep at times I'll be loitering along at around the speed limit and guys may think to themselves "why buy a Busa if you ride like that" and yet other days I'll scoot around a group of slower riders and they'll think I'm a hoon perhaps.

I'm pleased I waited for the ABS version of this dinosaur to come out though, it's one feature which has had a workout or two. In all honesty, circumstances in the past year have meant I've spent far less time riding than intended, but hey that's life! It's by no means a cheap bike to own, but it puts a grin on my face whenever I head out...

[Ender EnZed]

Good stuff. I take it your GPS tracker doesn't give the wife a speed readout?

[Big Dog]

I miss the gentle nature of the Hayabusa. And the Jekyll and Hyde revelation when you tip past 6,500.

Nothing like the feeling.
I love my new bike, especially for commuting, just a little sad I had to sell by Hayabusa to buy it. If my financial position ever allows me a toy bike Hayabusa will be high on the lists.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[caspernz]

Good stuff. I take it your GPS tracker doesn't give the wife a speed readout?

Aaahh well, yes it does actually. But it's in 30-45 second pings, so rapid overtakes hardly ever register. Not really into silly speeds anyhoo

I miss the gentle nature of the Hayabusa. And the Jekyll and Hyde revelation when you tip past 6,500.

Nothing like the feeling.
I love my new bike, especially for commuting, just a little sad I had to sell by Hayabusa to buy it. If my financial position ever allows me a toy bike Hayabusa will be high on the lists.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

Yes I agree, it's a gentle beast at modest revs. But also absolutely a Jekyll & Hyde machine. The cost of owning one, quite apart from affordability...takes an understanding wife/partner

[Big Dog]

Aaahh well, yes it does actually. But it's in 30-45 second pings, so rapid overtakes hardly ever register. Not really into silly speeds anyhoo



Yes I agree, it's a gentle beast at modest revs. But also absolutely a Jekyll & Hyde machine. The cost of owning one, quite apart from affordability...takes an understanding wife/partner

My wife was gutted when I sold mine.
If I had replaced it with a DR650 for fuel economy reasons I probably would be looking for a good attorney...

More than one occasion the ability to pass 200 in the bat of an eyelid got me out of trouble but yes in general half the fun on owning such an animal is in not getting bit...

[Ender EnZed]

Aaahh well, yes it does actually. But it's in 30-45 second pings

I guess that's long enough to deal with most straights in the North Island...

My wife was gutted when I sold mine.
If I had replaced it with a DR650 for fuel economy reasons I probably would be looking for a good attorney...

They're actually pretty similar on fuel when ridden at the same sort of pace.

[Big Dog]

I guess that's long enough to deal with most straights in the North Island...



They're actually pretty similar on fuel when ridden at the same sort of pace.

Can't say I've ever had a DR over 250KMPH...
However my on the other hand riding at sensible speeds round town my Hayabusa used to gobble between 6-14 KMPL vs 22KMPL at 120 if kept smooth.
Average consumption 16-18KMPL.
My DR350 would do 19KMPL at any speed until I changed the sprocket down 2 teeth. then it was 22KMPL all day every day. I have heard reports of DR650 running as well as 27KMPL when gentle on the throttle but don't have one for comparison. Would have one in a heart beat if the budget stretched to one... oh so many bikes... so little wallet.

[Ender EnZed]

Can't say I've ever had a DR over 250KMPH...
However my on the other hand riding at sensible speeds round town my Hayabusa used to gobble between 6-14 KMPL vs 22KMPL at 120 if kept smooth.
Average consumption 16-18KMPL.
My DR350 would do 19KMPL at any speed until I changed the sprocket down 2 teeth. then it was 22KMPL all day every day. I have heard reports of DR650 running as well as 27KMPL when gentle on the throttle but don't have one for comparison. Would have one in a heart beat if the budget stretched to one... oh so many bikes... so little wallet.

Neither..
But ridden at a fairly brisk (for a single) normal pace my DR650 would do about 18-19km/L. Much the same as a Hayabusa at the same (much more relaxed) pace .

Round town there's no comparison, the 'Busa drinks like a car.

[Big Dog]

Neither..
But ridden at a fairly brisk (for a single) normal pace my DR650 would do about 18-19km/L. Much the same as a Hayabusa at the same (much more relaxed) pace .

Round town there's no comparison, the 'Busa drinks like a car.

Aye. And the real running cost difference will be in servicing. Tyres. Etc.

Hayabusa servicing cost $450 average per 6000, DR home serviceable for about $60 every 4000.

Tyres $750 every 15000, DR 200 every 20000.
Insurance oddly is not much different.
Reg scary.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[caspernz]

More than one occasion the ability to pass 200 in the bat of an eyelid got me out of trouble but yes in general half the fun on owning such an animal is in not getting bit...

Haha, my wife is only an occasional passenger. She likes a turn of speed though, so the first time she gave me the ole giddy-up and I responded I think she wet herself and ten minutes later when we got home, she was still using words that belong in the Navy dictionary

The fuel economy on the Busa can be rather good, given the performance potential. On relaxed trips I can get 320-330 kms before low fuel light comes on, and that works out at just under 5 ltrs per 100 kms. Then again, spirited riding will have the light on before 200 kms have passed but who buys a Busa for fuel economy reasons anyway?

The greatest irony is that in my home country, The Netherlands, this bike has already been banned...much to a couple of the relations' disgust

[BlackSheepLogic]

that works out at just under 5 ltrs per 100 kms.

That's also what mine has also been averaging on the open road. Around town I use a smaller bike, the busa is not good in traffic.