GN250 vs FXR150

**fishb8nz** · 29th December 2005, 21:03

I've been a big rider in a different life and have returned on a GN125 for the last 18 months, riding 14,000 km/yr. Surprisingly it handles better than the GN250, but obviously not as fast. My buddy and I (a couple of old farts) travel 35lm, each way per day. He's 100 kg on the 250 and I'm 72 kg on the 125 - there's not a heck of a lot of difference. My buddy can't keep up with me on the twisty bits.
I choose to travel at 80 kph as I don't like to rev the guts out of it, but travelling the 35 km at 80, rather than 100 means it takes 2 minutes longer, limited speed zones makes the maths work. I'd never suggest the 125 unless it's purely 50/60/70/80 kph zone, and if that's what you do, then the 125 is ok. More open road, then the GN125 is a great choice, until you're ready to move on. Cheap, economical, reliable - works for me.

**Indiana_Jones** · 29th December 2005, 21:05

:eyepoke: shhhhhhhh he wants a FXR

-Indy

**inlinefour** · 30th December 2005, 02:26

Whats with the poor choice of bikes? I can think up a heap of much better bikes to start off with. Or is it just me?

**MidnightMike** · 30th December 2005, 08:14

Whats your suggestion then for under 3k?

**thealmightytaco** · 30th December 2005, 09:02

And why are you up at half 3 in the morning inline, get some sleep man!

**MidnightMike** · 30th December 2005, 09:10

He must be nocturnal.

**sels1** · 30th December 2005, 09:55

Thought about getting a street legal trail bike?? eg Honda XL 250, Yam XT250Kwacka KX etc? They go well enough on the road and you have the option of going and playing in the dirt too where you can get lots of extra skills and minimum damage to you or bike if you fall off while experimenting.

**flash** · 30th December 2005, 09:57

i learnt on a crm250r trail bike and i loved it. it could go fast but i likd the seating position and the extreme acceleration (seem it was a 250 two smoke)

**Indiana_Jones** · 30th December 2005, 10:31

I used a dirt bike 1st, it's great to learn in a field, like it's been said don't matter if drop it etc

-Indy

**MidnightMike** · 30th December 2005, 11:12

Im not too keen on the trail/dirtbikes, they are quite expensive anyway.

**inlinefour** · 30th December 2005, 11:21

Originally Posted by thealmightytaco

And why are you up at half 3 in the morning inline, get some sleep man!

I'm being payed to be awake at night at the moment. I'm awake now cause some wanker decided that he could not leave a message and REALLY had to talk to me so would keep ringing & hanging up until I got shitty enough to answer the phone. As for choice of bikes, dunno tends to be up to the buyer in what he/she requires. All I know was I grew up with RD/RZ/TZR 2-strokers and fark they was fun!

**ducatilover** · 30th December 2005, 12:41

Originally Posted by MidnightMike

Whats your suggestion then for under 3k?

http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/De...rcycletradernz

there used to be a 1999 srv250 in masterton motorcycles for $2995 which i rode and thought it was much better than the gn, it had a semi decent amount of power and adequate torque, and it leaned fucken miles down and sounded sooooooo sexy

my personal favorite first bike, otherwise any twin [parralel or v] would be suited to learning on the open road

**Phurrball** · 30th December 2005, 14:11

I agree with what's been said re the FXR and GN struggling for top end power - don't think I'd be doing too many overtakes on either...That said, they're both great at what they do and would do the job well. I only have a little experience on the GN (Doing BHS - 'twas a pussycat to ride) - but I have ridden Mrs P's FXR quite a few times.

The FXR has no problem hauling my 90kg frame around, but I do find it a little cramped (I'm 177cm/5'11"ish in the old money). The FXR has absolutely no problem keeping up with my 4cyl 250 Bandit on the motorway - but it lacks top end poke. If you get an FXR you absolutely must put on better tyres. The factory tyres are crap (and that's being kind!) Mrs P's FXR has Pirellis of some flavour on it now - thay make all the difference. (Can't check as bike is in Auckers, and we are not)

If you end up getting an FXR from a dealer, then make sure you twist their arm if it still has factory tyres on it still! (Thanks Coleman's for doing us a deal on those tyres BTW

)

And those mirrors! They are shite! I've seen at least on FXR in Auckland with 'proper' mirrors grafted on - shouldn't be too hard to do with a visit to the wreckers if the factory mirrors really bother you - ya do get pretty good on the old head check with mirrors that crap!

Either way you choose, you'll enjoy an easy and gentle introduction to the wonders of motorcycling! (With outrageous fuel economy that makes this rider of a greedy-Bandit sick every time we fill up together!)

PS Make sure you have a goodly portion of dosh available for the best gear you can afford - I'd suggest around the $1K mark personally. Get good gear - you won't regret it, and it'll be with you longer than your first bike.