Any Suzuki GN125 owners?

[highwayrider]

I've ridden one of these around a car park for about 15 minutes, but my impression was that of a super comfy bike, plus it was very easy to ride and almost impossible to stall. I'm seriously considering 1 for my first bike, though I've heard the top speed is no more than 50mph!

I'm 6ft tall and about 13stone, so a little worried I might be on the big side for the bike. Tbh though it didn't feel too small when I got a chance to ride one, but I keep hearing it's bikes like the Honda Varadero for the 6ft plus riders.

Anyway what's the top speed and reliability like?

Cheers

[noobRider]

Mine was really reliable and pretty comfy but it was a bit small. I'm just under 6ft and it felt a bit cramped after a while and I was pushing myself back on the seat. It is a really easy ride though and I liked the upright riding position. I couldn't get mine over 50mph
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Licence: Nov 2012, Bikes: Suzuki GN125, Moto Guzzi Strada 750, Triumph Sprint ST 955i x 2
AnPhonEh: I need plans, I need contingency plans also, I need back up contingency plans

[highwayrider]

I'm really tempted by the little thing, but then I did only ride one for 20 mins. Maybe a CBF would be a better bet. I did my CBT on one and found it to have really good acceleration. Can do about 65mph I hear.

[EazyDuz]

I had a GZ125 which basically had the same engine as a GN125, solid engines but like you said struggle to hit 50, 55-60 downhill.
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To shreds you say? Tss tss tss

[TH427]

I bought a 2000 reg 17000 mile for £475. It was pretty corroded but I tidied it up a bit. Hammerite and high temp spray paint can do wonders. The engine is quick enough around town, but anything over 45 is painfully slow progress, the engine vibes make you think you're ragging it more than you are. I saw 70mph down a hill with a tailwind and my chin on the clocks. Top speed of 60/65 is realistic. Compared to the CG125 and YBR125 it is a bit slower. However as with any 125 fuel economy is brilliant. 100+mpg
Lots of stuff just depends on if you get a good one or not.
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2000 Suzuki GN125 (Sold) - 1989 Kawasaki GPZ600R (Sold) - 2010 Yamaha XJ6N (Sold) - 2004 Triumph Daytona 600 (Sold) - 1994 GSXR750 Cafe Racer

[krarkol]

Did about 10,000 miles on mine! Was a decent bike really even when I ragged all over lancashire

I got indicated 75 on occasion, used to sit at indicated 65-70 for extended periods of time and I found it quite nippy on acceleration too

Great little bikes to build up experience on!
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Bandit 600 - deaded

[noobRider]

The only reason I got indicated 75 was because the speedo was in KPH
MPG was fantastic though.
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Licence: Nov 2012, Bikes: Suzuki GN125, Moto Guzzi Strada 750, Triumph Sprint ST 955i x 2
AnPhonEh: I need plans, I need contingency plans also, I need back up contingency plans

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Get a vanvan. Seriously - they're loads better than the gn.
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[tom_m]

I had a gn for my first bike. A 1994 one, good learner bikes, mine got absolutely tortured and just wouldnt die. They are bulletproof little engines. As for speed it would sit comfortably at 55mph, but my ybr only sits at 60mph so no big difference
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Current: 2005 Kawasaki Er-5 C5P
Past: 2012 Yamaha Ybr 125, 2004 Yamaha Neos 50, 1994 Suzuki Gn 125, 2005 Aprilia Sportcity 125, 1988 Yamaha Tzr 125
Theory: Passed... Mod 1: Passed 22/08/12 Mod 2: Passed 22/10/12

[Spamalittle]

[highwayrider]

[highwayrider]

Van Van looks tiny, like a monkey bike.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Have you sat on one - been up close? They're not small - erm, wait. They're certainly not monkey bike small - let's just say that. They *are* low. Or low enough for shorter riders to be comfortable on. But I'm 5'11" and could - and do - ride it all day. LOADS comfier than a CG for instance. Might not be saying much, mind you.

Pricey? Yes - can't deny it. The GN is not built in Japan, however - which is what adds to the cost of the VV. You'll always pay about £500 more for it over the GN - for any given year. For me the cruiser style in a 125 doesn't jibe somehow. I appreciate this is a somewhat superficial issue at this level of biking - but nope. There's something I find a bit meh about a tiddler cruiser.
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Spamalittle]

Agreed - they are a bit pricey but reckon you get what you pay for which is a well made, bulletproof bike (which looks awesome too ) They do tend to hold their value very well too.

As for height, read over on the vv forum a while back about one chap who is 6'4'' and rides one no problem
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Story so far: RV125 VanVan > SV650 > Indian Scout > Triumph Thruxton, SV650 (again) & CG125

[krarkol]

If you do get a GN, get one before 2000's. I think they started making them in china or something like that after this and build quality issues started appearing.

Only problem I ever had with mine ('97 model) was the exhaust header bolts seizing and the header had left a small gap. This failed its MOT and they snapped the bolts taking the exhaust off and had to re-tap the head. Was never right after that as the bolts ended up at a funny angle so could never fit the exhaust proper so they just kept falling off
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Bandit 600 - deaded

[tom_m]

[highwayrider]

[krarkol]

Found mine through autotrader and was around 15 mile away from where I live.

Cost me around £800 to buy and £350 to insure at 17

They are quite rare really, but at the same time there's plenty around
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Bandit 600 - deaded