New Biker (AJW)

[Banditbandit]

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).

Welcome to the wonderfully insane world of bikers

GNs ? Road lice ... won't carry you and the wife very far at any sort of speed ... I'd go with the GSXF650FU (LAMS approved) as a first bike for two up ..

[Banditbandit]

GN250s are good starter bikes to get your CBTA-Restricted sorted on quickly.

GNs are pieces of shit - I would nerve recommend anyone get one for their first bike - I rode one a few years back (during a training course when a student has a GN) .. I was horrified at how bad it was.

I've known people who've Lerner to ride a GN, then moved to something else and had to spend a few weeks getting used to the different way the new bike handled ... basically had to learn to ride all over again ...

[Maha]

GNs are pieces of shit - I would nerve recommend anyone get one for their first bike - I rode one a few years back (during a training course when a student has a GN) .. I was horrified at how bad it was.

I've known people who've Lerner to ride a GN, then moved to something else and had to spend a few weeks getting used to the different way the new bike handled ... basically had to learn to ride all over again ...

They seem/feel like shit when you get back on one after not being on one for a while. However they seem and feel great when you have nothing else to compare it too. I bought a 600cc sports bike while on my restricted and was riding that for about a year, then had to get on a GN250 to do my full...it felt horribly weird I must admit and I was sure I was going to fail because of my unsteady bullshit on it first up. In saying that I still think they are a good bike to learn the basics on.

[leathel]

I put dirt bike bars on my Daughters GN and that changed the way she rode instantly, she couldn't get used to the turn in type buck horn bars after riding dirt bikes. With the std bars I thought it was hideous to ride but after the change over I could ride it without my elbows digging in to me on tight corners...... But there are far better bikers on the lams list for the bigger person!

Rose loves riding her GN and keeps up on winding roads fine but dies on up hills with head winds.... But nice and low and no power to get in trouble with for the learner (hate the Factory Handle bars though)

Lots of LAMS bikes out there but it depends on your budget to what you can get

[Jin]

Yeah agree they are good and cheap to learn on. Learning isn't just about handling. Reading the road navigating traffic etc they are fine. Low powered means you are less likely to get in trouble on them although they are scary in traffic because they are so small and underpowered.

[swtfa]

Welcome aboard AJW and wife Erin Napier/Taupo is a fun ride

[nzspokes]

You guys realize the OP has not logged in for a couple of weeks?

[Duncan74]

You guys realize the OP has not logged in for a couple of weeks?

Was thinking exactly the same earlier.

[Mines-fastr]

Hi all, couldn't resist so I'm going to add my 5c I would go with an '88 CBR mc19, good to learn on and should handle 2 people, you can always drop a little weight. Ideally you should be around the 100kg limit plus you can let your wife have the bike when your confidence grows and you go big(as in cc not forcing the food down your throat to you balloon.)