Suzuki GN250 corrosion problems

[klingon]

Do you know what year they started being made in china?

Hi GusBruce, welcome to the forums!

I understand (and someone will be sure to correct me if I'm wrong) that you can tell by a quick glance if your GN is made in China - the Japanese ones have spoked wheels and the Chinese ones have those alloy-type wheels.

I can't remember who told me that... but it was probably someone on here. Which probably means it's a complete load of nonsense.

[Pete.Viking]

I agree with Ocean1's comments

Even if they try to claim it’s not covered by the warrantee there’s a “fit-for-purpose” element in the trading reg’s, it’s got to be of “marketable quality”.

In New Zealand we're lucky to be covered by the Comsumer Guarantees act that often goes beyond the factory warrenties provided with most products, under the act a product must be suitable for the purpose it is advertised for. In this case it is clearly not up to standard, more is expected of a motorbike and its actually the dealers liability. They are legally required to fix, refund, or replace when a problem arises whether or not the manufacturers warrentee covers it.

Also, aluminium corroding was mentioned, aluminium forms a thin aluminium oxide coating on the outside which is virtually unreactive (wont react with air or water), so anything other than a bit of white (the oxide is white) would sudgest that it just looks like aluminium.

[FROSTY:Me]

Hmm aint it cool when we hear one side of the story.
Yep the bikes from china do corrode easier than the jap ones.
What the op here has failed to mention is his TOTAL lack of maintainence or regard for his motorcycle.
He was rather selective in his photography. there are other pictures showing how HIS neglect was a major contributing factor to the corrosion.

[simfish]

Hi GusBruce, welcome to the forums!

I understand (and someone will be sure to correct me if I'm wrong) that you can tell by a quick glance if your GN is made in China - the Japanese ones have spoked wheels and the Chinese ones have those alloy-type wheels.

I can't remember who told me that... but it was probably someone on here. Which probably means it's a complete load of nonsense.

"I understand (and someone will be sure to correct me if I'm wrong) that you can tell by a quick glance if your GN is made in China - the Japanese ones have spoked wheels and the Chinese ones have those alloy-type wheels."

Is this true? Can someone please elabourate? I am looking to buy a GN250 and would rather make sure I get a Japanese one. Which year would I be looking for?

[mnkyboy]

"I understand (and someone will be sure to correct me if I'm wrong) that you can tell by a quick glance if your GN is made in China - the Japanese ones have spoked wheels and the Chinese ones have those alloy-type wheels."

Is this true? Can someone please elabourate? I am looking to buy a GN250 and would rather make sure I get a Japanese one. Which year would I be looking for?

Just don't do it. Find something else. Scorpio etc. Unless you have no money for something else.

[klingon]

Naw... the old GNs are great value for money as a commuter bike. It's just the new ones that have the problems.

I have a Volty (just like a GN and made in Japan) and it is a wonderful, reliable commuter bike that's simple to service on your own. Spare parts are also cheap and easy to find if you need them.

[FROSTY:Me]

I've had a fair bit to do with the Gn's since this thread was created. Unquestionably the GN's from china arent as good as the ones from Japan as far as finish quality is concerned.
BUT what I have also noticed is that the condition of the bike is in DIRECT proportion to the care the owner takes of the bike.
if the owner "just rides the thing". never cleans it,never maintains it it will deteriorate pretty darn fast.
They are more sensitive as far as cosmetic condition is concerned to just being washed,polished and lubed than the jap ones.
Interestingly enough I've got a 150 trailee that looks on the surface identical to a TTR125
But look closer and its stuff like The metal the back brake lever is made of is 2mm thinner. The footpeg brackets are the same.The pastic is thinner and made of the cheaper/less flexible plastic.
All in all every single thing is small but the sum adds up to a more frajile bike

[robertvi]

Just wait till the chinese start making planes!.............that should be interesting.

"Beijing - The chief designer of the country's first C919 jumbo jet has urged authorities to establish a multi-billion-yuan State fund to help boost the sales of homegrown airplanes..."

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2...nt_9651266.htm