GN250 for a first bike?

[R-Dizzle]

Hey
Thinking about buying a bike, currently have no motorbike license so I'll have to go with a 250cc.
I'm thinking a Suzuki Gn250 is the best bet for the first bike. However a CBR would be nice .
So could i get some opinions/advice on:
-Is the Gn250 the ideal starters bike?

-What should i watch out for when buying a Gn250? It will be a later model Gn, 2000-2004 probably.

Any comments appreciated, cheers

--EDIT--
Sorry if this is the wrong section or a thrashed post, i forgot to search.

[Ixion]

The Ginny is an excellent starter bike., Oddly, the older models are reckoned superior to the later ones, the former being Japanese made, the latter Chinese.

You might wish also to consider the Yamaha Scorpio (some examples are starting to come onto the secondhand market); or the Yamaha SR250, the GN250 competitor, reckoned by some to be a little superior.

I always note that in winter I see few motorcycles when riding to work. And of those, the predominant model is the GN250. Rain, wind, nothing stops a Ginny. They are an excellent machine.

[Katman]

The Ginny is an excellent starter bike., Oddly, the older models are reckoned superior to the later ones, the former being Japanese made, the latter Chinese.

+ (too many to even count).

From about 2000 onwards the GN250s became a shadow of their former self.

Buy an older one. It will go forever.

[Fatt Max]

Agree with the opinion here. The GN250 would be the way to go if that is the choice.

I would have got one myself but the VL250 came up so I went that way...wider seat you see

Good luck

[Bren]

I have had a couple in my time, and as said they are a reliable machine...they do tend to get a bit boring after a while....

A GN250 is in Car terms a white Toyota Corolla station wagon, bland, reliable, and quite a few about.

maybe the Ninja might be worthwhile looking at, although expect to pay a bit more for one of those. they are user friendly, and not a bad looking bike...more of a mx5 ...bit sportier than a ginny

[Mom]

I am a big GN fan too! Though those little scorpios are not bad either. Only comment I would make re buying a GN is what purpose you want it for. Ideal if a commuter, with some small open road type travel. They are limiting on the open road, as you are sitting about 6500rpm at 100kms leaving almost nothing for getting yourself out of trouble, or overtaking and the like. Still nothing wrong with cruising along, I did many open road trips on my little GN.

[ukiwi]

We have a 1986 gn. Used it for me and the wife to learn on then both bought new bikes, just cant bring ourselves to sell it.
Still reaches 100 without to many issues, runs forever on a thimble of petrol and starts no matter what the weather or how long she has been left.
Every learnner should start on a gn

[GrayWolf]

I do know a lady Wima rider who is looking to sell a 2005/6 GN.
Cannot fault it for reliablity or economy. I would have to agree with the cooments here, its not a good open road bike. It simply doesnt have the power to overtake etc.
If you want a bit more 'big bike type' performance, VT250 or even a low K's GSX 250 or a ZZR 250.

[Lucy]

Hey

-What should i watch out for when buying a Gn250? It will be a later model Gn, 2000-2004 probably.

Any comments appreciated, cheers

--EDIT--
Sorry if this is the wrong section or a thrashed post, i forgot to search.

Watch for rust, a second hand modern one will have some, but it can be dealt with and stopped (Inox lanox worked well for me).

A second hand one will probably have new bulbs and hopefully new tyres.

Ask them if the speedo drive has ever seized, if it hasn't there is a good chance it will. Try and get one from a wrecker because new they are $160.

You'll save a lot of money buying second hand. Most people learn and then pass them on, so the condition is usually fine. Nothing decent is covered under warranty anyway.

Really nice bike to learn on, very relaxing to ride, and very forgiving.

[BASS-TREBLE]

I agree with everything said.

I've had a GN for nearly a year and have worked the miles from 4000 to 18000 so far in that time and has never faulted me.

I get a steady 27km/l which includes 'highway' riding at around 110 with a 70kg rider. That makes a 250km range with a little left.

If you look after it you will only need the standards such as oil changes and tires, oh don't forget chain lube.

They crash nice too, I have twice on gravel at around 60 and all needed was superglue to fix an indicator.

Go for it

Edit: It's a 05'

[PrincessBandit]

Me too - agree with everything that's been said about the ginny. Mine is an 06 model and chinese; have to say it has had it's annoying moments (onto it's 3rd speedo cable and I believe my son has just told me it needs another, the rev counter swings like a crazy thing at times, and it does get pushed around a bit by nasty head and cross winds) but it's pluses are right up there too (easy to handle, very forgiving, so economical).
Have to say I've had wide open throttle on the ginny; don't think i'll ever get to do that on my bandit

[Insanity_rules]

If you can learn to fang a GN and live to tell then you can progress to anything. A cbr is a fine bike that handles sharply, is quick and fun but inexperience could see you have a very high speed mishap.

If you are an experienced rider just with no license go the cbr. If your learning then the GN is a hoot of a bike, teaches all owners a lot about dynamics and handling of a bike, reliable as hell and cheap to run and repair.

Your call

[wants_to_ride]

What does fang mean?

[Choco]

A GN250 is the best learner bike in the world!
They rock on gravel, can go off road and have great petrol economy!

They will however "keep you safe" on the highway as overtaking can be a bit of a mission and as a general rule of thumb you try not to do it , but when you have learned the basics and gained some experience you may want to move onto something a bit quicker!

Get one, they will teach you a lot

edit: never underestimate someone on a GN, they can do some pretty amazing things!

[Kiwi Graham:Me]

cant go wrong with the GN250, great bike to learn on and easy to sell on when yor ready for somthing else, Look after her and she'll look after you.