Looking for advice on GN250

**NOWOOL** · 7th April 2008, 12:52

Hi Gang,
I just got my learner's licence and i'm shopping for a used Suzuki GN250. anyone got advice on what I should look for when I check them out?

TIA

**Choco** · 7th April 2008, 12:59

Great choice of bike my friend!

Do the usual check of tires, lights, paintwork etc but be aware that GN's naturally rust (the new ones anyway) so a few specs here and there on the chrome doesn't mean it's been dropped in the sea.

Also bent foot pegs probably means it's been dropped because they take all the weight in a fall (twenty bucks for a second hand one though

)

Good luck hunting!
Choco.

**Pex Adams** · 7th April 2008, 13:00

My wife own's a Ginny and loves it to pieces... You can't beat it for a first bike, reliable, easy to maintain, cheap and there are thousands and thousands of cheap parts for them if you decide that riding it gets boring, and you want to lie it down for a rest.

Things I have noticed on her one, her chain crapped out quickly (I'm sure it was a chinese one). So that need replacing.
Front Fork seals, have been known to leak (normal in most bikes)
Tires - make sure they're not cracked, or really badly weathered.
Holes in the exhaust - Not a major, but has happened to the wifes.

Good luck with finding a good one.

**sunhuntin** · 7th April 2008, 14:44

only advice: get one from the 80s... japanese. ive owned one of each [86 and 06] the 86 was still running after being hit by a car. the 06 let me down more often than not over the year i had her.

**kensuem** · 9th April 2008, 00:03

Nothing wrong with a Chinese one if it has been looked after.Check service records.My 06 model is now 20 months old,has done 21000klm,with no problems,Fantastic value.Dont believe the stories about bad handling,the bike is as good as the rider!!!

**Lissa** · 9th April 2008, 10:23

I really dont know what to look for in a second hand GN so sorry I cant help. If you get one at a good price and you are happy with what a GN can give you go for it.

On the other hand, I have to be totally honest. My first bike was a GN. I rode this around the Wairarapa (alot of country roads) and I found it absolutely infuriating to ride. It lacks power, and I found it very dangerous in passing situations. BUT it is economical and if you are going to be using it for mostly commuting to work etc it is a good little machine. But if you want it to learn on and do alot of riding you might find that you will be a little disappointed after a few months and will want to upgrade. That isnt saying that alot of people dont enjoy their GN's I am just talking from my experience.

I never had any problems with handling on my GN. And it was a bit of a buzz to ride up the Rimutakas!!

**NOWOOL** · 9th April 2008, 11:57

Thanks for the advice. Yeah, I know its underpowered but the price is dictating what I buy for a first bike (250's are very high priced for what they are!). My Budget is $2400 and a bike within 5 hours drive. If you know of any reliable WOF & Reg'd twin-cylinders nearby I'd be interested!
Living in Middlemarch Otago doesn't make it any easier since if I break down (even at home) I'm 100k from the nearest service! Lotsa hills out here but fortunately next to no other vehicles on the roads.

**Squiggles** · 10th April 2008, 14:46

Given your location... ever considered a dual purpose bike?

**FilthyLuka** · 10th April 2008, 17:28

I have a gn thats for sale, 1990, 73000km. Regular oil changes and maintanace, just got new head gasket, new valve stem seals and two new exhaust valves (one was chipped so i replaced both), its due for a camchain ($53.50 for the chain, no idea about labour, shouldn't be much, cam chain is on the side, no gnarly method needed to replace)

Its in auckland

You can have it for a grand

**yungatart** · 10th April 2008, 17:45

I have a Spada here for sale (well actually hXc does).
Way cooler than a GN, very easy to ride, and more fun than a weasel down your trousers.
You won't 'outgrow' a Spada as quickly as you'll outgrow a GN either.

**NOWOOL** · 11th April 2008, 11:40

Yeah, I did consider dual-purpose but nothin' within my price range available in my area. A Spada would be very cool but it all comes down to price and can ride home within 5 hours (Shipping a bike from north island adds another $400 to price). Wife's stipulations are she wants it to look "pretty" and low k's since it'll be her bike when I get a full licence (Please no links to "girly" bikes! It'll be bad enough riding a bike around here with 250cc's and an L plate).

**sunhuntin** · 11th April 2008, 13:43

Originally Posted by kensuem

Nothing wrong with a Chinese one if it has been looked after.Check service records.My 06 model is now 20 months old,has done 21000klm,with no problems,Fantastic value.Dont believe the stories about bad handling,the bike is as good as the rider!!!

i had mine serviced regularly... how good a job the mechanics did, however, is another story, considering the fact they looked at me like a dopey blonde chick whenever i went in. and the work was all done by the local zuki dealer, where the bike was purchased.

**Maffoo** · 12th April 2008, 13:54

Originally Posted by yungatart

I have a Spada here for sale (well actually hXc does).
Way cooler than a GN, very easy to ride, and more fun than a weasel down your trousers.
You won't 'outgrow' a Spada as quickly as you'll outgrow a GN either.

how much for the spada?
my bike is for sale too on TM

**stevewederell** · 8th June 2008, 22:42

TIP: Buy a $14 multimeter and check that bastard reg/rec out.

Do this by checking the voltage across the batt' terminals while she's running about 5000rpm. If it reads 18V like mine, either flag it or buy it for at least $250 less as that's how much a new one costs. Also the batt' may be buggered (mine was boiling dry) so there may be larger costs. I'm not sure about cost to install, just grab the manual (pdf's are everywhere for free) and do it yourself.

Good luck mate
Steve

I'll miss the Ol' GN...

**NOWOOL** · 4th November 2008, 13:17

Thanks for everyone's advice. After failing numerous trademe auctions I bought a 2005 GN with 6000k from McIver and Veitch for 3000 (with orc). Fitted it with a Givi 755 fairing (since the wind kept trying to push me off at highway speeds) and a top box (same as Choco's).

I've put 2000k's on it since and moved onto my restricted licence. (I'd highly reccomend the tester in Mosgiel for licencing testing for anyone in Dunedin area!!).
Very reliable bike. starts everytime and no worries so far (touch wood). I did notice while shopping for a GN that every GN has rust to some degree (as you guys stated).

My wife has taken an interest into riding it but the seat and the clutch handle are a little to big for her (she's only 5ft). Anyway I can adapt the bike better for her and still keep it rideable for me (i'm 5ft 11)?

TIA