GN250 on the open road

[jrandom]

So, how come GN250s are so slow?:spudguita

I think it's because, in outta-tha-factory state, they're "softly tuned".

Ahem. That's as it may be.

However, I think that if you rocked up to a tuning shop on your GN250, having just shelled out for the obligatory pre-tune go-fast paint job with skulls, flames, topless centaur maidens, etc, in time-honoured petrol tank paint job mode, and said "Now I wish this motorbicycle to go fast, my good man. See to it!" there would be much laughter from the GSXR riders, yea verily.

GNs have a purpose in life, but it is not to go fast.

[White trash]

I spoke to Stewart from TSS (Lower Hutt) He suggested NOT buying the new GN250, mainly cause its made in China and you can get an older one for under $1000 easy and it will probably be more reliable.

Not true. :spudwave:

[vifferman]

GNs have a purpose in life, but it is not to go fast.

Not even with GSXR stickers and paintjob? :spudwhat:

[jrandom]

Not even with GSXR stickers and paintjob?

Well, mebbe... true...

My FXR went a lot faster after I wrote 'TL1000S' on the side in black marker pen, you know.

[vifferman]

My FXR went a lot faster after I wrote 'TL1000S' on the side in black marker pen, you know.

You do know that doing that caused all the TL1000Ss in the world to slow down by an infinitesimal amount? Somewhere, at just that moment, some TL1000S owner was tearing his hair out, because he'd spent a bazillion dollars on the latest go-faster doodads, and yet, inexplicably (shit - that's a hard word for this time of day, especially following after 'infinitesimal') his bike was slower than before.

[jazbug5]

Welllllllll.

I think anyone who has suffered outings with me & my arthritic old bike will testify that she ain't fast. I have tried various (apparently hilarious) methods to improve her speed: plastering myself across the tank, imaginitive and multiligual swearing, tickling... but no. Stick her on a slight incline or point her into wind and she spits her dummy and gives a (very) grudging 80. However, combine those factors in reverse - ie pointing downhill with a stiff breeze at your back- and a death defying 120 is your reward. It might be even faster than that if you're heavier than 50kg, though..!
However, reliable is certainly an accurate description; parts are comparitively cheap, there isn't a fairing to f*ck up (or to help deal with buffeting,mind you) and they're as tough as old boots. And about as sophisticated.
As for distance, I have gone Welly to Taupo and back, and am now in Northland, having ridden up here from Welly. I am probably doing in the region of 60-150 on her every day, and apart from guzzling huge amounts of oil, she's taking it well.

Oh, and one more thing: the handlebars they come with SUCK. Paul in NZ (All hail to the King) very kindly gave me a different set to use, and helped me fit them too (after Toad suggested it would help). The handling was ridiculously better afterwards.

Hope this is more use than a poke in the eye with, er, something poky...

[vifferman]

Jazbug! You're back!!

Go on - tell me you've been here all along, and I just failed to notice...

I wasn't meaning to denigrate your choice of steed.
Well.... yes, I probably was, but not at your expense.

To be fair, the GN250 is probably an ideal learner's bike for all the reasons you mentioned. AND it doesn't have a stupid name, like Xelvis, or Zeal, or Volty, or Goose...

[jrandom]

AND it doesn't have a stupid name, like Xelvis, or Zeal, or Volty, or Goose...

You forgot 'Jade'.

And 'Intruder'.

And 'Scarver'.

At least I have 'FZX' as a backup description when in Serious Motorcycling Company.

[jazbug5]

Yeah, maybe we could have one of those silly competitions to come up with bike names..??
Like, er, 'Thruster' or 'Rabid Gerbil' or or or....

ANd nice of you to notice my absence Mr. Viffer.

I have been languishing in Northland these last few weeks; chained to a radiator because they liked my 'purdy mouth'.It's been fun (hmmm) but it is time to return to the Wellington flock (and running water, tarmaccadem and... the internet...)

Anyway, I'd better go; I think I hear the hound dawgs again...

(See you all soon)

[wolverine]

sounds like this thread is largely wound itself up, but thought I would just put my 10 cents in, and agree with Jazbug...

having just brought one of those new GNs last year (and sold it last week for a very immanent trade-up), they can get to 120km on the flat at a push, but will quite happily sit around 100km on generic motorway

hills do present a problem, where you're more down round the 80km mark, and a strong wind you'll certainly notice having to open it right up to keep up decent speed

as for distance tho, if you're happy at 100km then they seem to put up with it fine, but I think you'd get bored pretty quick having no 'extra' there when / if you wanted it (i.e. passing on a hill,...)

overall : great learner, great commuter, will put up with longer distance but not in an exciting way

- best of luck with the shopping tho =)

[hobdar]

Not true. :spudwave:

Which part? The older one being more reliable or new ones being made in china? or the older ones being under $1k? or all of it.....just saying what i thought i was told....although the context was i am only going to be on it 6 months max (fingers crossed)

[White trash]

The part about them being less reliable than an old one. They're exactly the same bike, just assembled in China

[jrandom]

The part about them being less reliable than an old one. They're exactly the same bike, just assembled in China

Mmm hmm. People need to realise that being 'made in China' doesn't imply crappy build quality.

Chinese industry is quite capable of building to the same, or higher, standards as anyone else, and will happily do it under contract if that's what they're being paid to deliver. They have a reputation for doing it cheaper than anyone else, too, which reputation is entirely deserved. Cheap doesn't have to mean crap.

These days, I'd be entirely happy to trust machinery or electronics built in China under the brand of a company from Japan, the USA, NZ, etc.

Dunno if I'd buy a bike *designed* and manufactured entirely under the auspices of a Chinese company, though.

[vifferman]

having just brought one of those new GNs last year (and sold it last week for a very immanent trade-up)

"Immanent", eh? I think you meant to post this on the 'Scottish thread' ("Religious Ravings")...
However, if you meant imminent, what are you trading up to, and how soon? :spudwhat:


Cute avatar, by the way...

[wolverine]

"Immanent", eh? I think you meant to post this on the 'Scottish thread' ("Religious Ravings")...
However, if you meant imminent, what are you trading up to, and how soon? :spudwhat:

Cute avatar, by the way...

Aww, and I even ran it through the Word97 spell checker - pity the thesaurus wasn't installed on these e-café 'puters. Can I be forgiven ?, English is after all my only and native tongue.... (sigh!)

up to RVF400 - paying way too much for it from a dealer, but with luck it'll be worth it in the longer run... mmm better than GN250,...