gn250 - rip

[DuLuX]

Gutted!
I just contacted Wellington Motorcycles to sort out my GN250 which I was gonna buy after i do my Learners next week and.... they sold the last one and are not due to get in any more.. ever.
I called Suzuki and the GN250 has been discontinued and they are not getting any new ones in...

gutted!

So its either get one from Palmy while theyre still in stock or get something else - if i want a new one... and being a poor wee paddy I cant afford much more expensive than a wee GN.

What are the alternatives that are similar in price? I heard Bandits are good etc but more expensive... anything else spring to mind?

[apteryx_haasti]

Ah, yes, I had heard that also. Bummer - I bought one as my first bike last May and it's been fantastic.

There will probably be one available on trade me, failing that, call Palmy and put one on reserve! Good luck with your quest.

I also looked at a VTR 250, second hand, but the bike alone would have cost more than my new GN and all the gear. A great buy if you can get one. Great for commuting in Wellington, too...

A_H

[Pumba]

There was a thread on here about them being discontinued a wee while ago

Gutted!i want a new one... and being a poor wee paddy I cant afford much more expensive than a wee GN.

Not sure why you would want a new one anyways, they are cheaply built crap that is not worth the GN badge.

If you want a good GN find one from the mid 80's (disk brake on the frount not drum). It probally will have less rust on it than the last one wellington m/c just sold.

As for other options the bandit is a good bike, but f you want more of the cruiser style maybe the Virago 250. Im sure there will be other suggestions.

[nodrog:Me]

if they are really keen to sell you a gn they should be able to organize getting one in for you from another dealer, plenty of new ones still availiable at other dealerships.

[avgas]

Yeh i think you may want to broaden the options a bit - as there are literally 100's of good bike for less that $6K. Just because its less than 250 doesn't mean its slow or gutless.
Just to name a few:
Hyosungs, sr's, gn125, srv250, rg150, rgv150, fxr150........

[skelstar]

Theres a 7k km one at TSS in the hutt. V-Well looked after by its previous owner.

[Oakie]

Plenty of second hand ones around and from what I've heard from a bike mechanic, you are better off getting an older one than a new one anyway.

As an alternative, have a look at the Yamaha Scorpio (225cc) at about $3995 new.

[LardEmbargo]

As an alternative, have a look at the Yamaha Scorpio (225cc) at about $3995 new.

yeah, when I first did the Going Round Bike Shops thing having a sit on some, TSS said they were trying to point new riders in the direction of the Yamaha Scorchio instead of the GN anyway. Similar kind of engine (single cylinder 225 rather than a 250) but sort of built to moderner standards, they suggested.

I tried the Yamaha out and didn't think it was for me (and I couldn't get comfy on the GN at all - combination of stumpy legs and squared-off bikeseat I think) but there's a guy at work with a Scorpio who think's it's The Tits and reckons it's been great to learn on.

Have a sit on one, see what you think.

[MidnightMike]

Bro, get a volty.

[chris]

have a look at the Yamaha Scorpio (225cc) at about $3995 new.

Yes do! We've got one at the moment, it's a really good little bike for the money.

[bert_is_evil]

I borrowed a Scorpio to sit my license on at it was loads of fun. Did have one weird old fahsioned feature - the gear lever had a bit out the back as well as the front so you could stomp with your heel to change gears (not great habit to get into one would think). Also I noticed the one at TSS has been dropped and the gear lever is bent around at a funny angle, which is a refreshing change from breaking right off which is what they usually seem to do.

[DuLuX]

hmm i like the scorpio as well as the FXR150 - it has definitely made me open my eyes to other options now i cant get the default GN250 i get recommended....hmm

[JimO]

hmm i like the scorpio as well as the FXR150 - it has definitely made me open my eyes to other options now i cant get the default GN250 i get recommended....hmm

why not get a cheap shitter and then get a bigger bikewhen you get your full i paid a grand for a NZ 250 it will do everything your gns etc do and it will always be worth a grand

[bert_is_evil]

You will almost certainly want to get rid of it in a couple of years once you get your full so yep makes sense to just get something inexpensive.
IMHO I would steer clear of an FXR - I had one for a little while a few years back and it was really unstable, I put it down to the skinny tyres but I've heard lot's of people say the same thing since.

[crshbndct]

just get teh cheapest bike that runs and had arouns 200cc of capacity
spending $3k on a 250 is a waste. when even after like 2 months your bored of it. better to save up your bickies and just get what you want when your allowed whether it be crusier sports whatever.