GN250 lifespan?

**EthanL** · 10th March 2016, 14:27

I bought my first ever bike a couple days ago.
It's a GN250 2004 with 85,000km.
It runs great (my dad rode it about 100km back home)

Got the corrosion cleaned up with some sandpaper and water, looks good as new now.

Just wondering, what is the life span of these motorcycles?
Anyone know the average KM where things start to go haywire?

Thanks.

**RGVforme** · 10th March 2016, 15:05

Originally Posted by EthanL

I bought my first ever bike a couple days ago.
It's a GN250 2004 with 85,000km.
It runs great (my dad rode it about 100km back home)

Got the corrosion cleaned up with some sandpaper and water, looks good as new now.

Just wondering, what is the life span of these motorcycles?
Anyone know the average KM where things start to go haywire?

Thanks.

Welcome sir......Your off to a good start with your choice of bike.A strong engine in a perfect learner format in my view....At 85k any past abuse on the motor will show re some oil use between services and excess funny noises but if it runs good and sounds nice and tight and does not use much or any oil your pretty much ok.Alot depends on past use and service history rather than kms on the speedo but component and engine wise these are pretty good as far as life span go's.

Getting out there and working on it and riding it will create a base to go from to judge what is worn out and whats not on a bike with an unknown history and help you learn to pick up when something is wrong or going to break soon......Other than that just ride the thing.

...Oh and ATGATT....Google it and do some rider training.

**EJK** · 10th March 2016, 15:16

100,000kms is the lifespan of most motorcycles. You will need a full engine topend rebuild replacing red powerbands very soon.

Don't forget to top up blinker fluids while you're at it.

**Moi** · 10th March 2016, 15:22

Originally Posted by RGVforme

Welcome sir... Other than that just ride the thing.

...Oh and ATGATT....Google it and do some rider training.

Good sound advice...

And welcome...

**Tazz** · 10th March 2016, 15:44

600 years apparently.

**TheDemonLord** · 10th March 2016, 15:47

I'm pretty sure that in a Nuclear Apocalypse only Cockroaches, Toyota Hiluxs and GN250s will survive

**jasonu** · 10th March 2016, 15:50

Originally Posted by EthanL

I bought my first ever bike a couple days ago.
It's a GN250 2004 with 85,000km.
It runs great (my dad rode it about 100km back home)

Got the corrosion cleaned up with some sandpaper and water, looks good as new now.

Just wondering, what is the life span of these motorcycles?
Anyone know the average KM where things start to go haywire?

Thanks.

Keep it maintained and it will go for ever.

**RGVforme** · 10th March 2016, 16:16

Originally Posted by Tazz

600 years apparently.

comedy gold....lol

**Gremlin** · 10th March 2016, 16:16

Originally Posted by EthanL

Just wondering, what is the life span of these motorcycles?
Anyone know the average KM where things start to go haywire?

First it depends on how it's been treated. A motorcycle could be fucked at 10k (or less) or it can do 100k with minimal maintenance.
Second, is simple wear and tear based on life, exposure to elements etc. The wiring gets old, protective sheath starts to break down and more one-off items start to fail. Exactly when stuff breaks, that is pretty random.

Clutch cables need replacing as they fray (my CB919 is on it's third cable in 135k), the motor may need a rebuild, electrics may play up if the wires break/corrode/touch other metal parts.

In general, the GN250 is no highly strung garage queen, but you do spend a lot of time wringing it's neck to go anywhere. Remember that the older GNs were japanese and the newer ones (unsure when the switch was) are chinese, with a definite drop in quality. As with any bike that's a bit older or done more km, there will likely be more maintenance, and that's a bridge you'll cross when you come to it.

**Akzle** · 10th March 2016, 16:36

42 .

**nzspokes** · 11th March 2016, 05:43

Originally Posted by EJK

100,000kms is the lifespan of most motorcycles. You will need a full engine topend rebuild replacing red powerbands very soon.

Don't forget to top up blinker fluids while you're at it.

Bugger, my bike must be due for a rebuild then as it just hit 115,000ks.

I will see what its like at 200,000 then make my mind up.

**Grumph** · 11th March 2016, 05:51

Really only two areas to watch.
The cam runs direct in the head and lubrication can be poor. Regular oil changes help a lot.

Go through the main electrical connectors ensuring they're clean and not corroded. Most of the ones wrecked have burnt the stator due to poor connections.The ignition boxes fail too. Finding a good 2nd hand spare and holding it in reserve could pay off.

**Black Knight** · 11th March 2016, 10:27

[QUOTE=EJK;1130954473]100,000kms is the lifespan of most motorcycles.

Unless its a Honda CX,in which case 300,000 provided you oil and filter change every 5000K's

**Banditbandit** · 11th March 2016, 10:31

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Bugger, my bike must be due for a rebuild then as it just hit 115,000ks.

I will see what its like at 200,000 then make my mind up.

Don't take him seriously ...

But seriously, the lifespan of a GN ??? Too long ... they get in the way .. at least they are only small moving chicanes ...

Really seriously - the lifespan of a motorcycle depends on how it is treated - see all of the above ... I worked hard to own my bikes and I take more care of them than I do my wife (she can take care of herself and me ...)