Have questions GZ250 or Rebel 250?

[dhgeyer]

They don't maintain the training bikes very well here in NH, either. In all fairness, it's an almost impossible job, given the treatment they get. A chain can fall off any bike if it's too loose. They don't use Ninjas here either. They consider them too fast for training, and also don't want to have to keep fixing the bodywork. If you get a chance to try one of those, by all means go for it.

[alazar14]

Hey guys Im back again

According to many reviews

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadte ... index.html

It seems like the GZ250 is not getting much love. Most underpowered according to the review but one of the most comfortable rides for taller folk Again I do plan it to take it on the Highway once in a while which would require the bike to go 70-75mph. I am also wondering if you guys have noticed that problem about the seat sinking in a lot on long rides? Does it stay sinked in or does it pop back up quickly? I wouldn't want it to be like those cheap $40 dollar office chairs where the seat flattens out after 2-4 weeks. The GZ250 is still my top choice though. The bikes overall look, cheap price, high quality of Suzuki, and reliability speak wonders. The biggest issue Iv seen the bike have is very poor brakes. Anyone experience this as well? Iv read a lot of people talk bad about the bikes brakes.

I am beginning to consider a Vstar 250. Have you guys ridden on one? Some claim it can hold 80mph no problem I am 6ft tall though so it seems like it would be a bit cramped. I am planning to go look at bikes sometime this weekend. I need to sit on all of these 250cc bikes to get a feel for them. Can you guys give me any advice just by sitting on the bike what I should look for? I know one thing is if my knees hit the handbars it is to small..anything else?

I am also not leaving the Hyosung GV250 out of the question...I mean yeah its a Korean bike and probably does not have the build quality or reliability of a Suzuki Yamaha or Honda but It did seem to be the most powerful one of the bunch... I get a lot of mixed opinions about Hyosung though. There are posts online saying it can hold 85mph without much problem.

You guys have been a great help so far, I hope I am not pissing anyone off by posting so much on here. I am just trying to make a very well informed choice because this will actually be the largest buy of my life to this point. Currently my largest purchase ever has been my $1400 dollar gaming desktop in early 08. I plan to buy the bike in Dec-Feb.

[alantf]

Originally Posted by alazar14

The biggest issue Iv seen the bike have is very poor brakes. Anyone experience this as well?

Weeeell........... Depends what you mean by "poor". The brakes stop the bike just fine. The problem (for me) is that, yes, the back brake doesn't do an awful lot, but it's made up by the front brake being fine, so, if you let the front brake do most of the work while realising that you really don't need the back brake all that much at normal (for the gz) riding speeds, you'll be fine.

MY major problem is that living in the mountains, every ride starts with 2 or 3 miles downhill, with a 30 mph speed limit & hidden traffic cops (got a €100 fine the other month for going 6 mph over the limit!) so my front brake pads only last around 2000 to 2500 miles (engine braking is worse than useless on the hills) :2tup:

[mrlmd1]

My seat never sank in, I have no problem with the brakes. If anything, after I replaced the front pads, they were very sensitive and the bike stops on a dime.
Those reviewers do not spend as much time on those bikes as we do, and they do not have the same experiences we do. Just do yourself a favor and get the GZ, or the next size up, the 650cc single cylinder S40, and you won't regret it.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alazar14

Again I do plan it to take it on the Highway once in a while which would require the bike to go 70-75mph.

The GZ250 is still my top choice though.

This is a critical point.....CRITICAL.

If your freeway use will be more than just a couple of miles, you are looking at the wrong class of bikes. The Ninja 250 is the only bike in this class that is really highway capable and it would probably not fit you too good.

You will be SORRY if you do not also look at bikes with 400 to 800 cc because you will be needing more power really soon.

NOW........if you can resist getting on the freeways at all for a year and plan on moving up after a year or two........then we are back to the GZ........but you keep coming back to the freeway use and living where you do I can easily understand that.

I fear that you are about to make a mistake here. If your intent is to buy a bike you can keep for several years, I'm pretty sure you are.

[Water Warrior 2]

The GZ has acceptable brakes and they will perform pretty well. The rear can be a little wooden feeling but that is normal on many bikes. The combo of front disc and rear drum is common to a lot of bikes that are larger or the same size as the GZ and will get bad reviews from folks with experience on bikes with 2 front discs and 1 rear disc or drum. The rear will slow you down but the front will stop you. Use both for best results.

[bonehead]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

This is a critical point.....CRITICAL.

If your freeway use will be more than just a couple of miles, you are looking at the wrong class of bikes. The Ninja 250 is the only bike in this class that is really highway capable and it would probably not fit you too good.

You will be SORRY if you do not also look at bikes with 400 to 800 cc because you will be needing more power really soon.

NOW........if you can resist getting on the freeways at all for a year and plan on moving up after a year or two........then we are back to the GZ........but you keep coming back to the freeway use and living where you do I can easily understand that.

I fear that you are about to make a mistake here. If your intent is to buy a bike you can keep for several years, I'm pretty sure you are.

:plus1: Got to agree with Easy on this one. With the exception of the ninja, these bikes are at their Peak at 70-75.

[alazar14]

Iv also considered just waiting yet another year (Would be 4 years now) and buying a good condition used shadow when I have the $3200. I think I should be able to find a used shadow for $3000-3200 in very good conditions. I read online the Shadow 650 can top off at 95mph so its more than enough for highway use.
I have already found TONS of shadows around my area with about 15,000-25,000 miles for less than $2000

I am only worried that it may require a ton of repairs and very expensive ones at that. Considering I DO NOT have a steady income and I am basically blowing my lifes savings on this I hope it does not require a lot of repairs or insurance cost. As a student we tend to not have much money...

It's really to bad that no company can make a decent 250cc bike that can run some what fast. I mean yeah Hyosung can do it but it's really not built to last and repair wise will end up more expensive than actually buying a bigger bike within 2-3 years.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alazar14

I have already found TONS of shadows around my area with about 15,000-25,000 miles for less than $2000

I am only worried that it may require a ton of repairs and very expensive ones at that.

Listen to what YOU are saying......and think about it for a minute. :roll:
If you are afraid of getting a piece of junk, then don't buy a piece of junk. :biggrin:

Shop carefully. Look for a bike that not only looks to be in good condition (tires especially are expensive, and chains) but also runs and rides good too. Also one that is near 100% stock as far as the intake, engine and exhaust goes.

Some people take really good care of their bikes....right up until they sell them......and others don't. If you look closely and ask questions about service and repairs, it is usually pretty easy to tell the difference. If the seller says: "It doesn't run quite right but it ONLY needs........", then RUN away. If he really knew what it needed, he would have fixed it.

This time of year is a good time to be shopping; not so much in your area maybe but there should be some "winter" fall-out.

[alazar14]

If you were buying a used motorcycle from people on craigslist what are the questions that YOU GUYS would ask them?