Deep in the heart...
I would always say go for the bike, its heaps cheaper to run and fix but you will get wet. Besides that its great, GN's are good learner bikes but I would say to stick to it for a bit longer than 6 months, you will never regret taking a bit more time to learn things properly. Get yourself to some riding lessons too, you will learn heaps and meet some good local people to assist with your riding skills.
Welcome to KB, you dont have top be crazy here... but you will fit in better.
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"There is no limit to dumb."
"Resolve to live with all your might while you do live, and as you shall wish you had done ten thousand years hence."
Look Ma, no hands hehehe
Welcome to KB..........
Yep start out on a GN250... they are great for learners to learn on....
I would agree with everyone else and say get warm waterproof jacket, pants, gloves and boots and a BRAND NEW HELMET.
The riding gear you can buy second hand and it can be really good gear.
But buy a BRAND new Helmet that is most important.
If poss buy 2 sets of gloves... so that when you are drying out the wet pair you will have a dry pair to use when going home etc. Nothing is worse than putting on wet gloves and having to ride 40kms in them.. brrrrrr
The warehouse has wet weather pants $8.83 (yellow or green) if you need something to wear in a hurry if you dont have proper pants.
Put your feet into plastic bags inside your boots that will keep your feet dry as well.
(yep people I didnt recommend a virago - they are much too expensive to buy for a school kid)
Forum whore
I commute about 60km a day, mostly motorway, usually on a 250. Petrol is about $17 per week (blurdy hell, it was $11 not long ago!).Originally Posted by Seraph
I....In your opinion would a 250 be a realistic option to be traveling 80km + a day on? and be cheap enough to run? including wof's, rego and standard maintenance? I'd first be looking at something like a gn250 for the first 6 months or so then upgrading to a bandit250 or similar after that. Thanks, any advice is greatly appreciated.
Rego is whatever rego is ,and WoF twice a year. I do my own maintenance, but it's not dear on a bike. A GN is cheap to maintain, only one cylinder, air cooled, tyres are cheap .
A very sensible choice is the GN, one of the best learner's bikes ever made.
And welcome.
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Whats this????? A teenager with a head on their shoulders???I'd Be totally new to riding, but considering the ammount and place i'd be riding I'd definately be looking for the closest riding schoolI don't wish be be a danger, or hazzard to other road users or myself.
Your looking at all the right things mate... Personally i wouldnt go for a GN250 considering most of your riding will be on the open road... It has a top speed of 125ish and a little bit sluggish in acceleration... Im not saying they are not a good bike, they are excellent to learn on...
I think you should look at a bandit or something similar (ie naked and 250 multi) and decent wet weather gear (nice cordura with armour)...
As for costs... Petrol consumption is far less than a car... My GSX-R600 will get 200km's on the open road for $22... Thats better than a late model 1.5 litre car!!!
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Hardcore Biker
Yes! that's where i like it to stay
The only issue with that would be 1. availibility down this way, and 2. a slight cashflow problem....Being a student at tops i'd have $3k for a bike and gear...last time i checked at Motorcycle World in timaru the chepaest 2nd hand 250 they had was $3500, going upto $5995 for a bandit 250, and the usual brand new GN's at whatever price they are new..$3450 or something?
Forum whore
Keeping an eye out here will definitely help you with both bike and gear.
Have a look at QUASiMOTO & Minotaur leathers (They have Codura gear too).
Bikes on here are generally not too bad and you'll get heaps of help from the friendly KB team if needed. You're one stop shop.
They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the evening,
we will remember them
Moped rider
I think you've got a good plan for learning. I too started out on a GN250 (about 6 months ago) and they are great for learning bike craft on. 40km won't be too bad but you will find that once you get a bigger bike (even a bigger 250) that the riding is so much more relaxed. This is a function of two things though, increased experience and not being blown all over the place as much. I can now ride much further on my ZXR 250 than the GN and I actually find the riding position more comfortable.
GNs can handle the open road reasonably well. I managed Auckland - Dunedin the long way with no troubles other than a sore bum. You really do notice the lack of grunt and susceptability to wind gusts as it's a single cyllinder naked bike. It cruises at 100km in 5th on 6000RPM with a redline of 8000RPM. If you don't mind hearing her sing then 110km/h cruising isn't too bad.
I recently upgraded to a ZXR250 which is a 4 cyllinder sports bike. Not nearly as economical (still 20km/l open road 6th gear) but a lot faster and more stable. I wouldn't reccomend starting on it though due to cost and too much speed/ harder to handle. I don't regret a thing starting on a GN.
For petrol economy the GN will get close to 30km/l open road sitting on 100km/h. Very good by anyones standards. FXR150 is closer to 35-40km/l I believe. Might be worth looking into how those run at open road speeds. I think they're similar to GNs in performance but haven't ridden one before.
You should be able to buy a 2004-2005 model GN close to $2600-2800 from a dealer with only a few 1000 kms on the clock. You can buy a private one for less which would be a good option. Budget $1200 for good gear - essential!!
Good luck
"channellling the Pleideans"
I once rode a TS125 from Waimate to Timaru and return in a day. when I got back I felt like Id been on a week long tour! through Africa!
It gets bloody cold and 'orrid down there but the GN will be cheap to run, and good to learn on.
I thought elections were decided by angry posts on social media. - F5 Dave
Hardcore Biker
Just having said that i've been informed that there's a 2004 GN250, Being sold at a bike shop near Timaru, for $2200 (might even sell below that...)with wof nd rego....buying privately would give less com-back if something went wrong in a hurry than if i got one from a shop wouldn't it? Is this a good price? cosidering it's in good nick..cosmetically anyway, not too sure about the mechanical side of things...yet
Night rider
$2200 is a very good price from a dealer. If you don't take it at that price then please let me know and I'll buy it for the wife. (might even make a dollar or two at the same time.)
Last edited by Jantar; 17th May 2006 at 17:16.
Time to ride
wheelchair rookie
At your age I did the same on an A100 before upgrading to the RD250LC. Anything is possible if you want it to be...I'm just in the process of looking at options of transport, mainly a car or bike, and could do with a little advice on bikes from anyone willing to give some
Those who insist on perfect safety, don't have the balls to live in the real world.
Moped rider
Hey, yeah that sounds pretty good. But saying that it really depends on its condition and how its been treated. Even though it's 2004 these bikes are cheeply made and are prone to rusting. My 2004 that I bought had started to rust already because the owner hadn't taken the best care of it.
Rust/heat damage to the front exhaust pipes are inevitable because of the heat present, but you can slow the process considerably by buying a good metal polish and cleaning it after each ride.
Go check it out though! could be a good deal. There are a few things I would look for when going there though.
- Is its general condition good? - a little rust is expected, but considering its 2004 it should be okay and not overly rusted.
- Is the oil level, brake fluid level and chain/sprocket in good nick? If these are low or the chain is in bad nick/un lubed then that's just an indication of poor maintence - Not necessarily a make or break thing but worth looking for.
- Is there rust in the petrol tank?!?! this is important and GNs tend to get rusty tanks. Rust in tank is not good.
- Does it have a service history and has it had its scheduled services? This is also important.
- Closely related to the above, has the dealership done any servicing (eg oil, and filter etc?)
- what's the mileage?
These engines are pretty safe so mainly need to know if the oil has been changed regularly and has it had its services.
Plus remember it's coming into winter and not many people are buying bikes so don't be pressured into buying the first thing you see! This also means you can get a deal on gear if you buy from them. If no gear, try to knock a hundy or so off the bikes price.
Look Ma, no hands hehehe
also most dealers will throw in a helmet as well...
some are really generous and will throw in $300 worth of gear... (jacket OR pants)
so see what offers they are willing to throw in... wheel and deal with the dealer.
Bite my shiney metal ass
Welcome to the madhouse. Good move commuting on a bike but go the good warm dry gear. Look on trade me for everything except a helmet. GN's are a good lil bike and pretty bulletproof too.
Exert your talents, and distinguish yourself, and don't think of retiring from the world, until the world will be sorry that you retire. -Samuel Johnson
Hardcore Biker
Quick update on that GN, Went to have a look at it after school
Thanks for all the hints, tips and advice people! U'z rock!
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