FXR vs GN

[Steve 555]

Are these two bikes a much of a muchness. I'm a bit disapointed with the GN's performance on the motorway is the FXR better oh man did I make the wrong choice for my first bike ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHH

[R6_kid:Me]

GN250's are pretty much just for commuting, or perhaps for crazy people to do longer open road rides if they fell the need.

The FXR is a fantastic commuter, but can also be fitted with sticky sports tyres and can be used as a weapon in the twisties to show big bike riders that its no all about outright power.

One is a sports bike, one is a commuter/cruiser... its all in the style and delivery!

[merv]

But one has 100cc less and I doubt that helps it overall. The FXR might look racier but is it faster? In a head wind up hill I doubt it.

After Lissa's comments about the GN and it being mentioned that they are a cramped bike to ride on it got me wondering (I've never so much as swung a leg over one so don't know really) but would the GN benefit from a decent set of lower handlebars because its the dicky chopper look that makes them cramped with the big swept back handlebars? Would a set of dirt bike bars help even so you've got a bit more room in front of you?

I presume the motor is similar performance to a DR or DRZ250 or is it better with its twin header pipes and all?

[FROSTY:Me]

Dude--I've owned BOTH bikes
The GN CAN be faster. As is they are about the same --The GN will out drag the FXR but the fxr will leave the GN for dead in the tight twisties.
Now fit a set of flatter bars and a handlebar fairing to the GN maybee gear it up a fraction and slide the forks a tadd through the clamps and I think you'llbe suprised at the improvement

[YLWDUC]

I've only owned an FXR, but it was enjoyable enough to ride whilst on my learners/restricted. My two cents boils down to the tacho on the FXR being about 10km overreading, which never made for very fast commuting. Sure was a safe way to avoid speeding tickets. The tyres were never wide enough to give me enough confidence on corners, and the half fairing wasn't quite big enough to take the wind off.

An FXR without all the crappy stickers would be my vote

[Moxy]

Don't sweat it. The GN will have good resale value, so just sell it and buy something else whenever you're ready.

I rode an FXR 150 for the years which I had my L/R license, and it was fine.

Merv, I've known lots of FXR riders who are quick-as, keeping up with the people on the big bikes around the hills, I've never known GN riders to be particulaly fast.. Also, I "commuted" all the way up to Whanganui on my old FXR several times with no issues. Comfortable all the way. FXR is a fine all-round bike for sure.

Steve, why don't you take an FXR for a test ride and see what you think.

[merv]

Yeah but we're trying to help Steve who has a GN and that's why I commented on the bars to make the GN more comfortable and racey as that would be a cheap mod and I figured with the bigger engine you know the saying there is no substitute for cubes. A killer on a small bike is the wind and lower bars would allow you to lean into the wind easier and keep your speed up.

I've had years riding small capacity trail bikes and if necessary on the road we even ride one hand on the throttle and all tucked in on the left, will add 10 - 20 km/hr to your speed. Difficult to do so easily with the damn ape-hangers the GN has.

If you want to move up but are still stuck having to ride a 250 do what Lissa is doing and buy a sportier 250 - why settle for 150? A twin or four is going to eat any single in a straight line on the motorway too, but probably not in the twistys.

[Steve 555]

Nah I think I will wait and get something when I get more confident a 600 or something. Good thing about the gn is if I did drop it there wouldn't be a fairing to crack. Think I made the right choice for me anyways. cheers guys

[skidMark]

But one has 100cc less and I doubt that helps it overall. The FXR might look racier but is it faster? In a head wind up hill I doubt it.

After Lissa's comments about the GN and it being mentioned that they are a cramped bike to ride on it got me wondering (I've never so much as swung a leg over one so don't know really) but would the GN benefit from a decent set of lower handlebars because its the dicky chopper look that makes them cramped with the big swept back handlebars? Would a set of dirt bike bars help even so you've got a bit more room in front of you?

I presume the motor is similar performance to a DR or DRZ250 or is it better with its twin header pipes and all?

ive owned both the fxr and gn 250 a fxr is faster than a gn250 alot more grunt stupidly better cornering, and you can get decent tyres for it.

i put moto x bars on my gn and it was still rubbish in comparison to the fxr150

[kensuem]

I have read all these posts and tried to keep quiet,but i just have to stick up for the poor old GN.
I ride mine every day,whatever the weather,from Katikati to Waihi and back every day.It is reliable,cheap to run,easy to maintain and despite what everyone says not that slow on the corners.Anyway,what is slow on the corners?the ones marked at 75,I usually go through at 110,and the ones at the start of the gorge,marked at 45,I usually enter at about85 and exit at 65 to 70.Is that slow?,i wouldnt realy know.On the open road i can 110 to 120 in good conditions. For what it costs it is good value!

[CM2005]

you could bucket the FXR and ride it home again...?

[disenfranchised]

Now fit a set of flatter bars and a handlebar fairing to the GN maybee gear it up a fraction and slide the forks a tadd through the clamps and I think you'll be suprised at the improvement

What about the Volty and the GZ250.....they're all pretty much the same bike aren't they, but with different enough styles to change the riding position.

[Quartermile]

oh god take the
FXR!!


you will thank yourself for it

[Steve 555]

Thanks for sticking up for the GN but to be honest I like both bikes test rode an FXR today. Great fun. You guys are awesome thanks for the insights.

[merv]

Thanks for sticking up for the GN but to be honest I like both bikes test rode an FXR today. Great fun. You guys are awesome thanks for the insights.

... but would you waste money changing bikes like that to an FXR when in my view you'd be better to save your money and putting it towards something at a different level altogether like a full noise 250 or something bigger when the licence allows?