gsx250 or comet250

[twistadias]

hey guys im new to kiwibiker. I just got my learners yesterday and i want to go in for a bike. I went to a dealer and the comet and gsx were the only ones he had. Both the bikes are for $5500. Comet is '05 and the gsx '03. I feel i could control the gsx since it was lower than the comet. He will also give me 3 months warranty. Is this a cheap deal?? Im new to this so i dont know much. Plz help me.Also which bike has better resale value since i will be going in for a bigger bike the moment i get my full.

THanks in advance

[RantyDave]

Hi, welcome.

You ridden them both? Go with the one you are more comfortable with. For $5.5k you should be getting a new (i.e. zero KM) Comet and this should come with at least a one year "no bs" warranty and I suspect they actually ship with two.

Go to more dealers (check "Sarge" on the site), try more bikes, pick the one you like. Under no fucking circumstances be pressurised into something, and if you don't like the shop just walk. There's no shortage of 250's in the world and there's no shortage of bike shops either. Make 'em work for their living.

Dave

[twistadias]

i live in auckland city and i only know of shops like red baron and mt eden motorcycles. Red baron is waaay too costly. These bikes are from mt eden. I actually dont know much abt riding the bike. I wil practice riding once i get a bike. I felt that the gsx was more comfortable since it was lower. Also the comet has a really fat tank so i wasn't comfortable. The gsx comes with an aftermarket exhaust already installed. Is there any site giving the technical secifications of the gsx like weight, power, torque and so on?? I use to rely on www.motorbikes.be but i couldnt find this bike anywhere on the net

[twistadias]

can you tell me of some more shops in auckland

[RantyDave]

I actually dont know much abt riding the bike.

Yeah, tricky one that, innit? I take it you've done your basic handling course? That's enough to go for a bit of a test ride, or at least it was for me. When it was my turn I hated the Hyobag for exactly the same reason as you did. The Honda VTR250 was a big improvement but was, like, how fucking much? ... and not a huge lot faster/cooler/whatever than other 250's.

I wil practice riding once i get a bike. I felt that the gsx was more comfortable since it was lower.

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

Look, rough rule of thumb with 250's.

* 250 singles - gutless and boring as shit much past the first three months. I should know, I have one, but as reliable as you like. 2nd hand GN250's are $1k-$2k and are practically disposable. My SR250 has a motor that looks like it would survive a hit from an atomic bomb.

* 250 twins - an improvement in that they'll be happy at 100k+ (once you're on restricted) rather than thrashing their tits off. More cash though and lots more moving parts. No real history of reliability problems though and the hyobag's are winning lots of friends. But if you don't like it, you don't like it.

* 250 fours - much more fun once you're past the first couple of months but some potential pain (not literally) before that. You really need to thrash their tits off, lots of coming off a roundabout in the wrong gear and going nowhere otherwise. I get the impression that they can be a mechanical nightmare, lots and lots of moving pieces going up and down very fast. Bandit 250's are nice IMHO if you can fine one.

* Two strokes - just don't. You have been warned.

The gsx comes with an aftermarket exhaust already installed.

Well, up to you how much you care about this sort of thing. Half the point of bikes is that you're now actually getting a chance to express who it is that you are here rather than driving just another generic cage.

Is there any site giving the technical secifications of the gsx like weight, power, torque and so on??

Yeah, I guess, google the bastard.

Dave

[RantyDave]

can you tell me of some more shops in auckland

Not that I'm from Auckland, but Colemans Suzuki appear to have a good reputation. "Sarge", seriously, go find him - sure he'll sell you a bike.

Failing that go to www.bikepoint.co.nz, select J.Random bike-you-might-like and it'll spit out a list of people that have one.

Dave

[Zapf]

get a nakked bike for your 1st bike...

because most people "will" drop their bike and nakked bikes are cheaper to fix... or less things to break.

[Dadpole]

* Two strokes - just don't. You have been warned.
Dave

Wait until Ixion sees that.

[ducatilover]

ask skelstar what his hyocrapwhats like, i have riden the gsx, and its very heavy [for me] and the hyosung has a v-twin..... and a superior power and torque to weight ratio, but worse hairydynamics blah blah i dont know what i'm talking about.

choose the one you feel most comfortable with and that is all i have to say

[limbimtimwim]

Comet is '05 and the gsx '03. I feel i could control the gsx since it was lower than the comet.

I can't speak for the GSX, I've never had a go on one. But I can say I have had a reasonable go on a Comet, and I agree on the height comment, and I am not short, I'm quite average. Actually, I suspect it isn't the height, but the centre of gravity on the thing is a little high. Add that stuff all stering lock and it feels a little tricky at low speed. And the suspension was weird. And the brakes had no feel. And it vibrated in the most horrible fashion. And it had no 'willingness' to go faster. And (As the dealer explained, though I have a problem believing them) there is some emissions thingy between 5000 and 6000 rpm that robs all the power by retarding the spark. The only good thing about it was that it had a more comfortable riding position compared to my old bike. But then it was trying to loosen my fillings, so it wasn't really more comforatable at all.

I had a Honda VTR250, in comparison I thought the Comet was rubbish. The Honda is far more confidance inspiring. But the dealers want a totally unfair amount of money for those.

Also consider the Honda CBR250RR, which has a very good reputation. They are often on trademe. But then I've never had a go on one of those either..

[Aaron]

I got a GSX250 '04 for my first bike, (still riding it), and can really recommend them for a good all round learning bike.

Pros:
- 4 stroke, idles REAL quiet, won't upset the neighbours.
- Big'ish, i.e. at 6' it doesn't feel 'too' small, not crampt.
- Nice looking, especially for a 250, (IMO).
- Big 17ltr fuel tank (inc or plus) 3ltr reserve.
- Because Suzuki designed it as a learning bike it's got everything you need, fuel gage, gear indicators, speedometer, rev counter, oil indicator, indictor light, (just that they're on, not what one). This last one is real useful because, (for me at least), in the riding position you cannot see the indicator lights. (Don't drop it, they're $74 a piece )

Cons:
- HEAVY, 182 dry weight. For me this means the bike will not do more than 145, (this is the fastest I've been, drafting behind that young lady who owns the nice R6 down here).
- HEAVY, if you drop her be up to speed on your deadlifts, have a weight belt, or hope a passing motorist will assist in getting it shiny side up.
- A common ailment I believe is the front disc making a rubbing sound, audible at low speeds. Not a problem however.
- Gray ones look like shite if they're a bit dirty, go for the blue one

I had never riden a motorcycle before buying the GSX250, (didn't even test ride it), and am very happy with my decision. At times I would like it to go faster, or at least have better accleration, (I'm one of those riders that give motorcyclists a bad name) but on the whole, excellent learning bike, and should last you a few years before you get 'too' bored of it.

I'll certinally be keeping it when I upgrade, (hopefully this year to a '06 R1).

[madboy]

Never ridden a COmet. My g/f had a GSX250 for a while. Great commuter bike. All the economy of a GN, but it looked like you were riding a sportsbike. Of course, it also had all the power of a GN which made splitting to the front of the queue a dangerous business on take off - I was used to an FZR400 at the time. I can't recall the handling being that wonderful, but for a learner it's more than okay.

Why I wouldn't buy one is because she paid $5995 over a year ago for a brand new one (which is a 2003 model anyway, just rego'd in 2004), and then sold it a few months later for 4-something. So if you're considering one now for $5,5 and it's only got to do learner duty, then you're chucking away a lot of coin on a not very interesting bike. Look 2nd hand privately, if you want one they must be around $3 by now.

I agree with the 2-stroke comments though. Great for enthusiasts, not so great for learners who want a cheap, reliable learnerbike.

[The Stranger:Me]

When you look at 250's the resale value on any of the big 4 jap brands is generally good.
So you may as well get what you like.
That said I am not sure about the resale on the Hyosung, but you can soon do a bit of research on this.

Have to agree, naked is good for learners. You would not believe the costs of some of the parts. Stickers alone for the Blackbird on just the left fairing are over $400.00. That said you can get non genuine complete sets for about US $50.00

We were considering a 250 recently and tested the hyosung and a Honda VTR 250. The VTR whilst dearer was definately the better bike.
Better power, brakes, handling and finish and it is naked (the hyosung we tested wasn't).

I would seriously consider the VTR 250. May be a bit dearer but you will get more back on resale and a more enjoyable bike.

[Highlander]

All ready looking to move on to a differant bike as soon as your licence allows why spend $5500 on your first one? As pointed out above most people will drop their first bike at some stage.

If it were my money I'd spend less leave the rest in the bank until I'm ready for the bigger bike and not be so worried about resale value because you'll probably decrease it anyway.

But then I'm known as a cheap skate.

edit: BTW Welcome to Kiwi Biker enjoy your stay.

[nudemetalz]

* 250 singles - gutless and boring as shit much past the first three months. I should know, I have one, but as reliable as you like. 2nd hand GN250's are $1k-$2k and are practically disposable. My SR250 has a motor that looks like it would survive a hit from an atomic bomb.

Dave

OOIIII !!!!!
I've got an NZ250 which is a 250 single that will do 165km/h !!!
It ain't gutless by any means, handles well and is very economical as well as looks good.

But there's not many around. Mine is for sale very soon though...