GN250 vs FXR150

**MidnightMike** · 29th December 2005, 11:17

Well ive finally got to the point where i can actually afford a bike. Ive sold my scooter

and now ive got about 3k. And ive been looking at 250's and 150's for quite a while. I quite like the fxr150 ,and each time i go to a dealers i was suggested a gn250

. Im not to keen on the Gn but i was wondering if I could get some sort of reviews of both of them from you guys who have owned them or ridden them.

**gamgee** · 29th December 2005, 11:24

the fxr150 looks like a mountain bike with fairings, the gn is just plain ugly
the fxr is quicker, better styled
the gn250 is one of the most reliable bikes around
the fxr is known to have an inaccurate speedo
if it's your first bike go and buy an older gn (like late 80's-early 90's) for under $1500 thrash round on it till you get you're restricted licence, then get a more powerfull twin or 4 cylinder 250cc bike

**madboy** · 29th December 2005, 11:25

Until last week I would never ever have recommended a GN to anyone. I can't think of a slower more ill handling bike. Except that road racer dude who carved us up last week on TRTNR. Okay, so skill couldn't completely overcome physics, but it was a little embarrassing following him up the takas.

I'm completely biased toward sports bikes. Both GNs and FXRs would be completely unsuited to open road riding. Although both can do it, they've got nothing in reserve to pass anything or pull up a decent hill without losing speed. But if you're just after city work, then either would be fine. FXR prob looks better in my opinion.

**MidnightMike** · 29th December 2005, 11:27

I did also have a look at a zzr250

which i preffer over both of them. But it did need new tyres and new pipes.

**T.I.E** · 29th December 2005, 11:35

the gn has better torque, and thought it would be faster off the marj than the 150 but both are not the best for open road but ok. but if your not experienced the gn is a great way to start.
but a twin like a gpx250 or zzr can handle open roads alot better, but don't go for a 4 pt if you have no experience, you need some idea with those bikes.

**MidnightMike** · 29th December 2005, 11:37

Its pretty much anything up to $3500.

**gamgee** · 29th December 2005, 11:44

seriously consider what i said
get a cheap old gn to learn the basics on, then it doesn't matter if you crash it, drop it, kill it... whatever
then once you're past that stage, step up and buy what you really want, for $3500 you should be able to get a fairly nice cbr/zxr/zzr/fxr/gsxr/gpx 250, i'm a bit biased on the last one, but i just love it so much
do you really want to risk binning a $3500 bike just because you were inexperienced?

**MidnightMike** · 29th December 2005, 11:50

I guess so. Riding scooters = no experience im guessing.

**HDTboy** · 29th December 2005, 11:52

Buy my CBR250, I'll be at the mount this weekend if you want to look at it

**MidnightMike** · 29th December 2005, 11:54

Is that thing even road legal? / Have you got any pics?

**HDTboy** · 29th December 2005, 11:58

Yeah it's road legal, there's a pic in my profile. I'll try and find more when I get home.
It's fuckin reliable too, it's been my daily driver since Feb

**Maha** · 29th December 2005, 12:06

Originally Posted by MidnightMike

Its pretty much anything up to $3500.

I got a GN250 as a first bike for two reasons, 1- was all i could afford to spend on a brand new bike then and , 2- my partner said it was a gr8 bike to learn on. I went with that, she has had her bike license for 25 yrs and also own'd a suzuki dealership in the early 80's. She ended up buying one also a few months after and we had a lot of fun on them, even had mine doing 120 passing a milk tanker once but that was at its limit, poor thing. Sold it on here a day after the posting and could have sold it many times over looking at the views it got. I went from that bike str8 onto my YZF 600 , dont miss the GN but loved while i had it, and no i dont work for Suzuki NZ, just my opinion....good luck MidnightMike

**ducatilover** · 29th December 2005, 12:18

the gn is slow, bad handling [though pireli sportdemons help] and uncomfortable when commuting 14okm each day as i do. the fxr will probably do more than 80 into a moderate head wind.

my 04 gn blew 2 headlights and a brake light in the short time i owned it

the tappets were fucked although i didnt push it past the redline more than twice and that was before the 5000k service.... the righthand side cover and chaingaurd fell off....hmmmm....

i personaly had a bad experience with the gn and would not recomend it to anyone.

and dont get me started on rideing it hard [ahem] over the takas.... that fucken drum overheats and doesnt work [i had that fixed but didnt make any difference]

please dont buy a gn

**Oakie** · 29th December 2005, 12:53

Being a scooter rider I guess all you'll be doing for a start is commuting so it's not an issue on either bike that they won't do 120kph (although I did once have an indicated 126kph up on my FXR with a tail wind and it would do 100kph two up ... just)
I've ridden both. The GN is easier to ride than the FXR. Infact the first time I rode the GN I had gotten straight off my FXR and jumped on the GN ... and I didn't want to get off it. The GN is just a sweet little bike to ride if you're not used to (or don't need) a powerful machine.
The only issues I have with the FXR as a first bike are the skinny tyres which can make handling interesting in the wet... and the mirrors ... which give a great view of your elbows but not much else.
Neither bike is particlarly exciting although I think the FXR just shades the GN.
I've thought about both bikes and the best way I can sum up is to say that if one of my daughters was going to take up biking I'd rather she do it on a GN than an FXR.
And yeah, as others have said ... get an older one so you can drop it a few times without hurting your investment too much.
Final advice ... ride 'em both and pick the one that feels better.