New Biker (AJW)

[AJW]

We are looking at becoming bikers and have just passed our theory to get our learners licences. What is Suzuki GN250 like on the open road and would it be ok for a bigger fella like myself, being 6ft2 and around 130kgs? Let me know. We are new to this KiwiBiker site so not sure how this works. Thank you. AMOS (and wife Erin).

[nzspokes]

Welcome aboard.

A GN will struggle on the open road with you on. I would say look for a Suzuki GSX650fu or a bigger CC cruiser if thats what you like.

[Akzle]

taupo eh.
Theres a few members (pun intended) there. Take some muffins around and im sure they'll impart wisdom...

[Jin]

At your size a gn250 is a no go unless you want to look like a circus bear on a tricycle.

[EJK]

All depends on your budget but there are better LAMS approved bikes which would be better suited than GN250s. But that being said, a few years ago me and a mate rode across Auckland motorway on a GN250, both of us combined weigh of around 200kg (with all the gears). Still cruised at 90-100kph okay. Not great, but okay.

GN250 is great for traveling around the country. Easily cruises at 100kph.

[Duncan74]

Welcome.

I'm 6'4" and 100 kg. I ride a LAMS V-Strom 650, and find it comfortable enough to do 3hr stretches to Akl and back no issues, and did 2000km in 5 days as a tour almost straight from new with no discomfort. I test rode a GSX650 and found it uncomfortable. Does depend on flexibility, but I'm used to being on a time trial (pedal) cycle for 5-6 hours at a time and so would guess at being slightly more flexible / used to being in a tuck position than most at my height. However the wee-strom may not be good for your OH if she's not tall.

But get to the dealers, sit on a few and see how you go.

As an aside I borrowed an izuma 250 last weekend whilst the v-strom was being serviced and whilst obviously way down on power to the strom, was really good geometry and stable as in the wind. I did miss the screen though, for my needs then that would become tiring (and cold) quick. However, for summer sunday blasts, no issue.

[FatMax]

Im a big fat bastard and for me stepping up to 650cc was the way to go.

As said above go sit on a few and see what suits you comfort wise.

Oh and dont get wrapped up in 'Brand Snobbery', just ride what you like and can afford

Enjoy

[Maha]

Not 100% sure but it is possible that can get dispensation to get something bigger because of your size, like an 800cc cruiser? There was a big guy a few years ago that did just that.

[Tazz]

Get one (secondhand), and if you don't like it after a few weeks, sell it and get something different. Easy =)

As an aside I borrowed an izuma 250 last weekend whilst the v-strom was being serviced and whilst obviously way down on power to the strom, was really good geometry and stable as in the wind. I did miss the screen though, for my needs then that would become tiring (and cold) quick. However, for summer sunday blasts, no issue.

An Izuma will have a decent amount more punch than a GN, and other than price would probably be better in almost all aspects.

[FatMax]

Not 100% sure but it is possible that can get dispensation to get something bigger because of your size, like an 800cc cruiser? There was a big guy a few years ago that did just that.

Yep Foghorn did that

[Maha]

Yep Foghorn did that

Yes that's it I couldn't get passed Porky Pig but I knew that wasn't his name.

[GrayWolf]

Kia ora guys,
nice to see sensible advice being given here
The 'ginny's' are superb 'newbie' bikes for the exact reason they are reliable, easy servicing, LOW POWER = forgiving of human error. However,
you'd realise it's limitations almost on the first 100mtrs ESPECIALLY 2up, not enough power and very likely with both aboard way too cramped. Likely even a GS500 or similar would be 'too small' physically. The wee strom, or even look at the single pot 'adventure bikes' XT600/660, DR650, KLR650, GSorF650 etc tall bikes but will do the job well { I used to own an early XTZ660'tenere'} any of them are nice power delivery {grunty low down} and will cruise along at 100km's without revving themselves to death {a la GN250} May need some altering to suit your needs.. seat/bars but there is a plethora of aftemarket bits for all of them. A 'weestrom' Vstrom650, or any of the 650 cruisers, even a hyosung GT650 {standard} all are about s/hand at reasonable prices, and as yet have not been through a mass of nutbar low servicing, bike thrashing twats, like the average 'sporty' 250 likely has been.

[Swivel]

Welcome aboard, personally I think you are far too big for a GN, Its hard to find anything of a decent size been as big as you are in the LAMS category. Maybe a Hyo 650 cruiser.

[FLUB]

I'm 6'5" and one of my bikes is a KLR650. One of the easiest bikes I've ridden and surprisingly really comfortable. I did Ride Forever silver on it and was really impressed with it's handling, I think due to its relatively low weight. In the carpark I was easily outbreaking the instructor on his Speed Triple, although he said that he wasn't surprised as he'd had KLR's on his courses before.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[WristTwister]

GN250s are good starter bikes to get your CBTA-Restricted sorted on quickly. You'll have to wait 12 months after your restricted to get the full btw.

If you're both sharing a bike then the GN250 won't be intimidating at all - but the other members are right, its a 250 so they aren't as fun on the open road and I never see them on the motorways. If you're going to ride 2 up, cross the GN250 off entirely and get something bigger like a V-strom.

Some GN250 alternatives:

ACE 250

Yamaha MT-03 or MT-07 LA

Yamaha Scorpio or Virago

KTM 200 or 390

Honda 300 or Kawasaki 300

Suzuki S40

Suzuki V-Strom 650 LA