Yes another bloody 'first bike' post...

**Chisanga** · 13th November 2006, 21:29

I just need some help with my thinking here…

I have just passed my learners and am in the market for my first bike. I am approximately 6’1” and around 95kg. After buying gear etc., I estimate I will have around $6-7000 to spend on a bike.

So here is what I’m thinking; as I will be on the large size for most 250’s out there (I am more into the cruiser style of biking) I am thinking of getting a new GN250, going through the license process ASAP (I am over 25 so it could be down to 9 months if I do the advanced course) and then selling/trading the GN and using the left over cash (plus any extra savings) to get a larger cruiser in the 750cc range.

I will be using the bike mainly for general riding and commuting from Bucklands Beach to Auckland city when Uni starts again.

Does this make sense to anyone? My concern is really only with the performance of the GN, two different salesmen (yes I know they are trying to sell me more expensive bikes) have said with my size I probably couldn’t get much over 90ish on a GN, although as I have said I am more into cruisers so excessive speeding has no great appeal to me but I do want to be able to keep up with traffic for safety reasons.

I think if I spent most of my available cash on a “better” 250 I would be stuck with it for at least 2-3 years before I could again afford to upgrade.

I would appreciate any and all feedback from you knowledgeable bikers out there.

Thanks in advance.

**sunhuntin** · 13th November 2006, 21:40

i started on a gn [as many did] i had a shit load of problems with it too. headlight, tail light, chain loosening twice and coming off altogether on a corner. i had the new bike for 11 months, and she rusted fast. the worst was the piece under the muffler that holds it up...im a meticulous cleaner, specially underneath, but this part rusted on me way too fast. i dont live or ride near a beach, and cleaned almost every ride, so the rust is purely crap quality.
also, my speedo never lit up, my neutral light blew before i even got to take it out and my speedo shat itself coming home from paeroa, it took the dealer 5 weeks to get a new one.
basically, buy a new gn if you dont mind a bike that rusts before its even out of the crate.

im now on an 8 year old virago 250. with trade in, it cost me $2595. they gave me $2000 for the gn. im as pleased as punch with the yammy. sure, it bit deep into my savings, but to me, it was well worth it.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 13th November 2006, 23:05

First off congrates on getting your learners.

You should take it for a test ride... and see if it is comfortable for your height, as for the power, the GN is laking a little but I use to take my GN regularly from Auckland to Napier and back with out a problem and was able to keep up with traffic... (I did say keep up not much overtaking mind you) probably 110-120 tops... the trick is to keep your revs up.... change down a gear just before you need to not because the engine is struggling heck you may need to even quickly go down another... and it will sound & feel like the GN not going to handle it but it will... it does also mean you are using your gears a lot more, It may mean you have to chop and change going up a hill alot but you will be keeping thos revs up the speed would be too bad. but you will be supprised. I supprised a few of my friends in the day. I would have been about your size and weight.

My GN was quite realiable and didn't have much of a problem with it. But I hear the modern GN's have slid down hill a little.

Basically take a few bikes out for a test ride till you find one that meets your requirements and comfort

**Mr. Peanut** · 14th November 2006, 05:15

GPX250 would be perfect for you. I've ridden one and they're fantastic even two up. New ones are in your price range.

**MSTRS:Me** · 14th November 2006, 08:23

Originally Posted by MrPeanut

GPX250 would be perfect for you. I've ridden one and they're fantastic even two up. New ones are in your price range.

Yep.

**Drum** · 14th November 2006, 08:32

If you choose the right 250 then you will get your money back when you sell it, so it wont dig into your funds for your next bike.

GN's seem to go brand new for around the 3.5k mark. Second hand with low mileage, they go for arround 2.8k to 3k. So youre gonna lose around $500-$700.

If you buy a second hand 250 with low mileage (say less than 30,000 km's) you will put say 15,000 on it in the next year and still be able to sell it for what you paid for it - especially if you sell in summer.

**Patrick** · 14th November 2006, 08:33

I am "about" the same size (slightly taller and more of a keg gut

- 100kgs...) and the 250 Bandit did me fine... have the big brother now I have the full licence...

**Roj** · 14th November 2006, 15:59

Originally Posted by Chisanga

I just need some help with my thinking here…

I have just passed my learners and am in the market for my first bike. I am approximately 6’1” and around 95kg. After buying gear etc., I estimate I will have around $6-7000 to spend on a bike.

You should shop around alot, take as many as can for a test ride, there are quite a number of new bikes in that price range, or you could go for a used bike.

Since your plan is not to hold on to the bike for a long time, a good second hand bike might be better value as you won't loose so much depreciation as you would on a new bike.

I am a similar weight to you and my son's VT250 can get along with me on it fast enough for instant loss of licence. It is a 1989 model and cost $700 plus wof and rego. He was commuting 40 Ks a day when he was at home and it had no problem with it

**crashe** · 14th November 2006, 16:06

cruiser 250 bikes.

Well there is the trusty Yamaha VIRAGO 250cc

There is also the intruder 250cc
The Kawasaki have also brought out a 250cc cruiser bike.
Honda brought out the Rebel 250cc as well.

The VIRAGO is great to commute on in the city and fantastic on the motorways.. and she handles brilliantly on the country roads.

Best way is to go and sit on a few out there in the shops for size.

Henderson Motorcycles on View Rd in Henderson, West Auckland has a brand new VIRAGO sitting in there shop at the moment.

Brand new they are $7,999.

**Ralph** · 14th November 2006, 16:27

Welcome to KB.

I had a GPX250 for years when I was learning and it was rather neglected but never missed a beat, It was a fantastic bike to learn on. You say your onto your cruisers but test ride one, I also wouldn't buy a brand new bike for a first bike but thats up to you.
GN's are ok bikes but the others are right I think (not as good as they used to be).
Look around and test ride.

Good luck.

**Bend-it** · 14th November 2006, 16:42

yeah, but he wants a cruiser, so the bandit and gpx are no good... Unless you are flexible, in which case the bandit's an awesome bike! I just sold mine, yr2000, 20,000kms, for $4500.

For cruisers, hard to go past the virago eh...

**Blueskies** · 14th November 2006, 19:19

I have had a new GN for nearly a year now. No problems with it at all. I am into cruisers and this mini cruiser GN has been the best. Moving on up now and selling the GN but keeping the heaps of happy memories it has given me. Keeping the lessons too . . . .
Nighthawk is right re keeping the revs up and plenty of gear changing.

**hellnback** · 14th November 2006, 20:28

Originally Posted by Drum

If you buy a second hand 250 with low mileage (say less than 30,000 km's) you will put say 15,000 on it in the next year and still be able to sell it for what you paid for it - especially if you sell in summer.

Good plan. Don't waste your money on a 250, especially if you're already planning on upgrading. Buy something cheap to get your license on.

**Chisanga** · 14th November 2006, 20:32

Thanks for all your replies guys. Very helpful.

Just to clarify my original post. I'm not really looking at other 'better' 250's than the GN that cost around 6-7k as this will mean I will not be able to upgrade again for a couple of years.
I'm just mulling over buying a cheap bike that I know will be slightly too small, too underpowered to get me through the 9 months until I get a full and can get a biiger 750cc+ that is more suitable for my size.

And yeah I am into cruisers so the GPX isn't really my thing.
I like the Virago's but I don't think they are worth investing in due to my size... better to wait and get a bigger one after my full?

Comments?