First bike options?

[ahmedzakis]

Any difference between the 2??

Cheers

[Ixion]

Not nowdays , I think.

Long long ago, before you were born, there was a GN250 that only had a kickstart. So the first electric start ones were designated GN250E. But nowdays you will never see a non electric, so most people don't bother with the E.

[ahmedzakis]

Not nowdays , I think.

Long long ago, before you were born, there was a GN250 that only had a kickstart. So the first electric start ones were designated GN250E. But nowdays you will never see a non electric, so most people don't bother with the E.

I have one concern less now. Thanx!!

[kensuem]

Here I go again,sticking up for the GN.Have had my Chinese assembled one for 8 months now,have done nearly 8000klm,in all weathers.Only real problem was a crack in the lower fork leg,but replaced under warranty.No sign of rust anywhere,handles OK,always starts first time,cheap to run.What more could you ask for $3600,on the road?Cruises ok at 105 to 115,winds up to 125 given time.Yes it is slow on hills,but change down early and rev it hard and it is not so bad.May be small but can be just as much fun on the bends as a bigger bike.The chain has required adjusting several times,but it only takes 5 minutes,and a spray with Castrol chain lubricant keeps it quiet.
Treat it like the old fashioned design it is and maintain it properly and you wont have any problems

[Komuter]

HI mate,

As a newbie, I have had my Gn250-E for about 2 weeks now.

It was new, and a good price for what I could afford, as a first bike for $3300 I am happy with it. I do wish I could have afforded the Suz Intruder 250, but thats life.

I must say here, and will again often - SALESMEN SUCK - and once you have bought THEY WONT WANT TO KNOW YOU - I got mine on tick, which is fine and costs me the same as per the train.

Because of the NZ 250cc rule, I know I will get a good price for it in 12mths time when I go for something with a little more CCs.

Get better than average gloves, same for the helment, and get a WINDSCREEN and TOPBOX as part of the deal if you want those - AS YOU HAVE JACK SHIET consumer power once you have made your purchase. They will IGNORE your emails, wont RETURN YOUR CALLS, and will try every bullshit trick to FOB YOU OFF.

#1 TIP BTW - 7th FEB is tax day, so in the few days leading up to that they will be looking for cash flow.

To sum, its shiney new, and a good bike for me to learn on, and as they say there are plenty of them so unlikely to be stolen for an order - and the parts are available.

You will get good speed for around town, the motorway I struggle a bit - am an XXL guy, so looks a bit funny - but hey I have never had a brand new bike or car before this so thats ok, I also looked at the other brands but the price was just too much for what I am able to pay off at the moment.

IN all as a newbie am having an average to poor newbie biking experience - however this forum is the best site and most useful source of info anywhere!

Cheers & good luck.

[hazzy]

check this one out dude, just like mine, they reliable and cheap and much better than a GN, more power and better looking:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...764&key=301905

[gijoe1313]

And of course, making my compulsory shout out for ... Honda Hornet CB250 ...I know, not in your price bracket (gawd, if all things were in our price bracket, tis would be a glorious thing to behold!)

Just keep taking your time and sort out the options ... I looked at the mighty Ginny as my first ride, but stuck it out and tried out all sorts ... one leg over the little ol'Hornet and I was right away!

So, go out and sit on some!

[McJim]

The GN250 and FXR150 are both good first bikes. Used you should be able to fit either into your budget.

Many people on here have a fixation with speed and power and the old 'mine's faster than yours' mentality.

If 'speed and power' is not your bag then don't listen to them.

One piece of advice though - don't test ride faster or more powerful bikes if you are thinking of either of these 2 suzukis cos they will feel gutless in comparison to a twin or 4 cyl 250 and you'll end up saying "I wish I'd got that [insert model name here] instead of the FXR!"

[Karma]

It's not just about speed and power though really... I think the FXR150 and GN250 are both fantastic commuters, use piss all petrol, easy and light to maneauver, and fairly cheap if you drop / crash them.

Where both of these bikes falls flat on their faces is country riding... don't try and run a gn or fxr on a coro loop or even to some extent doing the thursday night ride up 16, it's not what they were built for and it's not what they enjoy doing.

So what do you use your bike for, if it's a way to get to work and back, sweet, GN or FXR it is, but if you plan to get out into the country, then get something else, ZXR / CBR / VTR / whatever...

[rookie]

Dont forget about comfort guys...riding position plays a huge part in commuting comfort. Im not sure about the FXR, but the GN has a position that is much better for the wrists...than say...a ZXR. Also the ZXR kicks up a stink if ridden below 8,000revs too much which again isnt very commuting friendly.

[kensuem]

It's not just about speed and power though really... I think the FXR150 and GN250 are both fantastic commuters, use piss all petrol, easy and light to maneauver, and fairly cheap if you drop / crash them.

Where both of these bikes falls flat on their faces is country riding... don't try and run a gn or fxr on a coro loop or even to some extent doing the thursday night ride up 16, it's not what they were built for and it's not what they enjoy doing.

So what do you use your bike for, if it's a way to get to work and back, sweet, GN or FXR it is, but if you plan to get out into the country, then get something else, ZXR / CBR / VTR / whatever...

Dont understand the idea that the GN is no good for riding in the country.It easily does the open road speed limit and is comfortable on long rides.
I wonder is this phobia about GN,s rather like the old Guiness add,"I dont like it,so Ive never tried it".

[avgas]

GN 125 (brand new these are dirt cheap and still do good speeds), GN250, TS125, SR250, GB250, Volty etc Naked, less than 20hp and single cylinder is what you want if your a first timer.
Can start as cheap as $500 with reg/wof if you look hard enough.

[ahmedzakis]

Thanx so much 4 all da valuable tips guyz. I am sure it will come in handy when I am deciding on my bike.


Cheers!

[Morcs]

Take a look at the Bandit, a very forgiving learners bike, but you wont get bored of it even after a years riding.

Mine is for sale if you are interested, $4,500. stick $4k under my nose early next week and i will bite your hand off

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-87210391.htm

[Waihou Thumper]

If you want a good bike then the Golf November 250 is great!
I have had mine for a few months (three) done over 7000km on it!
Great on the open road if you know its limits, i.e bout 100-105kph......

I have ridden all around the Waikato, Waipa, Bay of Plenty and more....Taken it to Auckland and have done 400km days on it, which is about the limit of the bum!

I stop every two hours or so for a coffee and a respite for the arse....

It will be on the market soon and it has given me no trouble except the once when the chain jumped off near Mangakino, no problem, just popped it back on and then had it replaced. At 100kph, does 6000rpm and can do it all day...

Hard on the hands sometimes, bumps a bit of a bugger but for a few moths of grief I have learnt lots and really gained tons of expereince on the roads...