Is a GN250 an ok bike to start out on?

[DrunkenMistake]

Yup, just goggled it. Seems odd ball.

Yah, my fault for linking that other one, I didnt even take notice, I dont want to kill you with shitty welds! haha

[jaffaonajappa]

yeah, the vedict on the "newer" chinese bikes is still undecided....but....am thinking its going to be similar tot he chinese bikes from 3+ years ago. Junk.
some of them last a weeee while, many didnt. Very hard to get part for them. Or mechanics that are willing to work on them.
In 5 or so years, Im guessing the chinese bike manufacturers will have some decent quality control....but so far....the examples seen in NZ have earned a pooor reputation. With very few exceptions.

If its not a Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, or Kawasaki......then its not really recommended for a learner on a budget.

And if you can avoid the Hondas too....you wont get laffed at as much :P jokes

[DrunkenMistake]

And if you can avoid the Hondas too....you wont get laffed at as much :P jokes

He only said jokes so he doesnt get attacked by a group of hardened KB keyboard warriors.

I own a Honda, and I owned one before it..

You get laughed at alot, Only get a honda if you have self esteem like steal..

[tigertim20]

Are there 'better'?? 250's? yes for performance etc.
However, this IS your first bike, there is a likelyhood you will have an ooops at low speed. New riders can and do get caught out by wet drain covers, wet tar snakes, diesel, wet road marking paint etc etc. You may not have an ooops. But for 2k? I'd go the ginny for 6 months or so, you'll get your money back on it, and once confident THEN look at the VTR/GTR etc. I am 104kg and ride my partners ginny to work sometimes. They are not fast, they are VERY forgiving of mistakes compared to a higher powered 250. THey have been around for over 20yrs unchanged, so Suzuki must have gotten something right!!!!

there are alot of bikes out there that are modestly powered, wont get you into trouble easily, are robust, economical and forgiving. heaps of them. Like a gpx, or a vt whether oler or newer, what about an older cb250/cb250rs, they come up often for very little coin, the list goes on, there are other options in cruisers as well, the GN is bandied about only because its been around forever, so everyone has seen one. there are better options.

yeah, the vedict on the "newer" chinese bikes is still undecided....but....am thinking its going to be similar tot he chinese bikes from 3+ years ago. Junk.
some of them last a weeee while, many didnt. Very hard to get part for them. Or mechanics that are willing to work on them.
[/SIZE]

have you watched the 'on any sunday' movies?
theres a comment on there during one of the scenes at a trail ride or something
'and here we have an offering from a japanese manufacturer, very unusual, and I doubt you will ever see many of these'
China makes a fuck load of parts forall sorts of things, Including parts for japanese bikes. Look around your house, everything you see was once upona time a brand that was referred to as 'oh thats some shit fucking brand from the middleof nowhere, it will be shit'.

Not saying that everything linked is a great bike, but if someone doesnt be brave and give it a go, we will never know for sure the good and the bad points of it.
sorry, o/t

[nzspokes]

Well the CB240rs is still available, so will go look. See how much work it needs. Where would be the best place to get a clutch lever for it?

[dogsnbikes]

Well the CB240rs is still available, so will go look. See how much work it needs.

Very forgiving bikes like the GN is.......I use too ride my CB250RS from wanganui to wgtn and I'm 6'2" & 120kg and it never missed a beat,I sold it locally last november and see it around alot,the guy is loving it.....

but either it be the GN or the CB you wont regret it They are easy too work on if your that way inclined and as mentioned already it will teach you to actually ride a bike......Enjoy

[Chancebmx25]

Great learner bike i personally just think there sewing machines

[ducatilover]

I owned a GN for a grand total of three months. I put just under 11,000km on the poor thing. I was riding a 160km commute, then I would go riding every night, weekend etc in the rain or on a sunny day.
They are a good wee bike for commuting, but, after my experience wouldn't recommend one to someone who has ridden before or plans to ride everywhere with it. If you're a fresh rider and just want a bike that'll do the job and not explode, then go for it. But, I'd keep an eye out on the other available bikes. If you're after a cruiser or older looking bike the XV250 Yammy might tickle your fancy, SRV250 Yammy was also a cool little bike GB250 Honda, VT250 Magna, CB250 etc etc etc there are heaps of bikes out there that'll do what you want for bugger all coin.

[Str8 Jacket]

The best thing that I ever did was write my GN off!

[HEMA]

My first bike was a GN400, lasted me through high school and the army. Did about 28000km on it all over Southern Africa.

[Icemaestro]

I've had a look at the 'cb250rs' it's actually a cbx250rs - I had one for my first bike. They are great wee bikes, pretty similar to a gn but with a little more go.

Problem with that one is it needs a good strip and clean of the carbs, and they are worse to get out and back in than my vfr (and that's saying something).
Also the battery is buggered, and possibly the RR (not sure, didn't have a voltmeter on it).
Also could do with a service with plugs etc.
Oh, and the front tyre either has a puncture or the lack of valve caps has meant that it is half flat (as I realised 1m up the driveway).

Contemplated buying it myself but umming and ahh ing over all the work it needs doing. to be honest, for a new rider, I'd go the GN...I'm just tempted by nostagia over my first bike :-P

[nzspokes]

I've had a look at the 'cb250rs' it's actually a cbx250rs - I had one for my first bike. They are great wee bikes, pretty similar to a gn but with a little more go.

Problem with that one is it needs a good strip and clean of the carbs, and they are worse to get out and back in than my vfr (and that's saying something).
Also the battery is buggered, and possibly the RR (not sure, didn't have a voltmeter on it).
Also could do with a service with plugs etc.
Oh, and the front tyre either has a puncture or the lack of valve caps has meant that it is half flat (as I realised 1m up the driveway).

Contemplated buying it myself but umming and ahh ing over all the work it needs doing. to be honest, for a new rider, I'd go the GN...I'm just tempted by nostagia over my first bike :-P

Thanks for the info!! Carbs i can do, Ive done a lot with motors etc( built race motors for cars etc). RR? Is that the regulater? Punture is an easy fix. And expected to spend some time and money on it. Will take a look but keeping an open mind.

[Banditbandit]

Im starting riding after I get through my BHS etc. Have been looking at a cruiser style 250. Would like a Intruder but way out of my current post divorce budget. So a GN looks to be the starter. Are they OK? Im 172cm so size would be OK? Im thinking about spending 2k on the bike and there seems to be a good few in that range.

Hmmm .. many people would say yes .. and many people learnt to ride on one ...

I didn't learn on one (too old) ... but I once rode one and hated it .. and would NOT recommend it as a learner bike. I found the seating position to be ackward and not conducive to good handling. The bike I rode also had higher bars and more pulled back .. and it felt like the front end was doing its own thing and was barely under control.

I'd recommend something less cruiser-like ... The 1980s Honda CB250RS was a great learner bike .. not sure what the modern equivalent is ... Maybe Hoysung?

[Sable]

Lol. No. They're pieces of shit and you WILL get laughed at. In terms of street cred (and performance) they're more or less a scooter. You can do better.

[Icemaestro]

Thanks for the info!! Carbs i can do, Ive done a lot with motors etc( built race motors for cars etc). RR? Is that the regulater? Punture is an easy fix. And expected to spend some time and money on it. Will take a look but keeping an open mind.

regulator/rectifier - likely to be just the battery though. They are a single but twin carbs.