Best under $2750 bike for a new rider

**3lemental** · 14th August 2008, 21:56

Hi all, new round here and looking for a bike!!

The main options i'm looking at at the moment are the FXR150 and the GN250.

Before people start flaming the GN, i know it's not a glamorous or fast bike, but i'm looking mainly for a reliable commuter thats not to thirsty and has enough speed that cross country once i'm past my learners won't be unbearable.

The FXR is probably more what i want, but im having no luck finding any at reasonable prices, anyone know of someone selling one in CHCH?

So, what do people think? Any other suggestions?

To recap;

I'm looking for a reliable, <250cc Bike, low fuel consumption (if possible) and with enough oomph to go cross country on as and when. My budget is probably around $3k but i still need a helmet and safety gear, and i know that add to that insurance and WOF and rego etc and the cost will climb, so i'd like the bike to be around $2500 if possible.

Thanks all, and looking forward to joining the community!!

**cowboyz** · 14th August 2008, 22:01

many a many riders started out on a GN. Bagging them is part of the fun of owning one. (bit like hondas)

I havent ridden a GN but have ridden with a few and they are pretty bulletproof and trouble free bikes.

I have ridden a FXR though. Found it really peppy and fun to ride. Really really light (I had just jumped off the 9 though) but had a ball on it. Would be my pick of the 2.

**3lemental** · 14th August 2008, 22:07

Thanks for the quick reply,

Yeah as I said, fxr150 would probably be my first choice.

Any leads on where to buy?

Whats the brand-new price from a suzuki dealer?

**cowboyz** · 14th August 2008, 22:12

that would fall into the FIIK basket. Can you still buy the FXR new?

Should be able to pick up a second hand one in pretty good nick for $2K though.

**marty** · 14th August 2008, 22:21

mate huge list on tardme under $2500 -

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-170540925.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-169284128.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-170471690.htm

**MaxCannon** · 14th August 2008, 22:27

My GN was $2200 with only 2000kms on the clock
I sold it for the same amount 12 months and +10K kms later.

What I miss most about it

Very low fuel consumption. Best of 3.3l per 100km worst of 4l / 100km. On the ZZR my best is 6l / 100km and average is about 7

Dead simple to weave through traffic and tight gaps. Light weight, wide bars, low seat, narrow frame. Splitting was a doddle.

What I don't miss - open road performance. If I just wanted to go to and from work the GN was just about the perfect tool.
But with headwinds and steep hills limiting progress to about 80kph on full throttle I found it tedious travelling any distance on it.

My advice, look around the $2K mark for a simple bike like the GN.
Buy the best gear you can. Cheap gear is fine until it rains and you turn up for work with wet feet 'cause your boots leak and wet nuts 'cause your pants leak.
Take care of your bike, mainly keep the shiny side up and rubber side down.
After you graduate to your full you'll probably be able to flick off a sub 250cc bike for close to what you paid for it.

N.B The stock tyres on the GN are crap. I had some Pirelli's fitted and it was like a new bike - 10 times more grip in the rain.

**Jerry74** · 15th August 2008, 00:03

GSXR 250 or a ZXR 250 best bet mate

**bobsmith** · 15th August 2008, 07:59

They're both great bikes to start on.

I personally started on a FXR150 I bought one for 2k with 12k on the clock. You should be able to pick one up well under 2500 if you look around. Keep an eye on trademe.

Like others said make sure you spend good amount on gear. Especially if you'll be commuting it pays to spend a decent amount on good waterproof cordura jacket and pants as well as good leather gloves.

Most of all, HAVE FUN!

**3lemental** · 15th August 2008, 08:19

Thanks everyone for your thoughts;

Marty: Thanks for those listings but none of them are in CHCH and i don't really want to learn how to ride by going cross country (I've had minimal low-speed encounters with bikes up until now)

Everyone else: thanks for the feedback, should keep me going til something pops up around CHCH, any other sites to look at other than trademe? Any CHCH based motorbike shops anyone'd reccomend?

Thanks all

**avgas** · 15th August 2008, 08:34

Buy a gn.
Bloody awesome bikes.

**marty** · 15th August 2008, 10:22

here's your machine then.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-171268600.htm

**fridayflash** · 16th August 2008, 20:54

buy a gn and join the 'MIGHTY GN's" YEAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

**tate35** · 16th August 2008, 21:10

Originally Posted by 3lemental

Hi all, new round here and looking for a bike!!

The main options i'm looking at at the moment are the FXR150 and the GN250...

Hi there,
I have a rgv150 which is GREAT as I'm new to riding. But, i did have the privilage of being allowed to ride a gn250 last weekend - now that is a FANTASTIC bike, easy and a pleasure to ride

**Jerry74** · 16th August 2008, 21:34

Originally Posted by 3lemental

Thanks everyone for your thoughts;

Marty: Thanks for those listings but none of them are in CHCH and i don't really want to learn how to ride by going cross country (I've had minimal low-speed encounters with bikes up until now)

Everyone else: thanks for the feedback, should keep me going til something pops up around CHCH, any other sites to look at other than trademe? Any CHCH based motorbike shops anyone'd reccomend?

Thanks all

Trevor Pierce have heaps of 250's