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Review of the Genuine Blur
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JackTradeParticipant
I’ve ridden both, and GZ250 is, as WeaponZero says, more of a cruiser style….low seat, forward foot pegs. Single gauge is classic cruiser, as is peanut-style gas tank.
Nighthawk is a (perhaps the) classic standard…slightly higher seat, a neutral riding position (foot pegs right directly below you) and more nimble handling. Twin gauge pod setup, though one is just lights (though Honda adds a quite nifty when-to-shift indicator in the form of markers on the speedo that indicate the speed range for each gear…I love a good low-tech solution like that).
But they basically have similar performance, so I’d say its whichever style you more prefer. Both are pretty basic designs, so you shouldn’t have any reliability issues I’d wager.
JackTradeParticipantIt’s definitely an adjustment from cars, not being able to see directly behind you. When I first started riding, I thought the same thing as you (“why didn’t they talk about this in class?!”), then remembered “oh yeah…no mirrors…”
I find that if I dip my shoulders a little, I can usually get a (slightly) better rear view. But the key is really having a mental map of what’s around you at all times.
JackTradeParticipantIt’s just a nitpick really.
Like you, I like a snug fitting jacket, and I’m not a fan of the kevlar safari jacket look of touring style jackets. I don’t carry tons of stuff or anything, I just wish a little more thought was given to pockets by more manufacturers.
For instance, Tourmaster makes some jackets that has a small key pocket on the right sleeve by the writs…a small but great idea.
I live in an apartment, with an underground garage that has to be opened by a key fob. With my current jackets, I keep that fob in my left hand handwarmer pocket. So I usually come up the entrance, and then put the bike in netural and then try to fish the fob out of my pocket…I’m sure it’s amusing to the people behind me to watch this. The sleeve pocket would make that much easier. I’m not going to buy a new jacket just for that of course, but I wish that kind of thought went into more jacket design.
JackTradeParticipantNot all of us have locks on our storage compartments!
Although the catch to mine is so hard to find, maybe I shouldn’t worry about it…when I bought my bike, the previous owner and I spent about 10 minutes trying to find the latch to open it.
JackTradeParticipantWelcome to the forum, and check out craigslist in your area to see what kind of used bikes are available and for how much. I’m suspecting that since you live in SOCAL, there’s going to be a TON of every possible type.
Have you taken the MSF basic rider course yet? If not, definitely do so…it’ll give you the basics, and you’ll get a chance to see how different types of bikes actually feel.
JackTradeParticipantNeat that they’re actually talking and listening to their customers.
Next time you’re doing product development with them, see if they’ll address one of my minor critiques of most sportbike wear out there…not enough purpose-driven pockets. If they fix it on their stuff, I’d buy from them.
Pretty much every sport-type jacket out there has pretty minimal pockets. I suppose if you’re at the track, you don’t carry stuff around with you, but on the street, it’s a necessity for most of us.
For instance, we all carry around our registration and insurance info when we ride…why can’t jackets have a large flat, *water-resistant* (this is key…I have my stuff in a ziploc bag) pocket specifically designed for them?
JackTradeParticipantWeaponZero pretty much nailed it, but I’ll add the contrarian choice of the Buell P3 Blast.
Somewhat unusual bike, “standard” in style, and is widely available used. Seats available in either 29 or 25 inch heights. I have one and really like it. Definitely generates a lot of conversation.
Buells across the line are (were…sigh) unique machines though, and this one is no different…love it or hate it styling, and a different type of power delivery (very torquely off the line, runs out of power up top).
JackTradeParticipantThough I love how the whole concept of “getting qualified training” doesn’t appear until the end, almost as an afterthought.
Wish they’d spelled out what they mean by “entry-level sportbike.” They’re referring to the dynamics and characteristics of a particular type of motorcycle for a particular purpose, but not everyone’s going to understand that…they’re going to think they mean “the racy-looking ones”.
Someone who barely passed the BRC is going to read this article (somewhere else on the net, not here I mean) and all they’re going to remember from it is “we consider these bikes to be entry-level sportbikes” as they march into the dealer to buy a 650r they can’t handle.
JackTradeParticipantand it didn’t really help me at all. Of course, that’s mostly because I’m not a very good driver, but the point is well taken I think.
I think with me, all the new, motorcycle-specific stuff I had to learn crowded out anything I might have used from my automobile experience. About the only place where it helped was an understanding of lines in turns, something key to motorcycle riding, but not really known to your average driver.
To expand on eternal’s point, in cars (barring a Veyron or whatever at triple digit speeds perhaps) bad things happen a lot slower than they do on motorcycles. Car crashes seem to happen almost in slow motion, but a bike going down happens in a split second.
JackTradeParticipantwhat kind of design did you have painted? Have any pics?
I’m intrigued, as I don’t care for most of the “racer-inspired” (or whatever…they’re too busy for my tastes) graphics that come from the factory on helmets.
JackTradeParticipantbut given the age of the bike, it sounds like your carbs could be gummed up, and the bike is running too lean, causing it to die w/o being at full-on choke.
Just a thought though…I’m sure others who are better at the mechnical stuff than I will chime in.
JackTradeParticipantFor either city or freeway work. It’s really a matter of your tastes at this point, which one feels/looks better to you. Most people tend to like the look of the Ninja better, though I personally like how the GS500 has somewhat retro looks (from the back, it looks like a sportbike from the 70s/80s).
The GS500f has more power due to the bigger displacement, but is of an older (if quite competent) design.
Ninja 250 looks more like a modern sportbike…most non-riders will have no idea it’s not a supersport. Handling on the Ninja is rumored to be better.
Oh, and Madjak, thanks for posting that….I read it back when I was first getting into riding, and couldn’t find it again later.
JackTradeParticipantThey don’t provide very much protection at all, unless in a crash you happen to land on the top of your head.
Stick with your full-face.
Edit: or how about a 3/4 helmet? You’ll get a little more protection on the sides that way at least, and offer a face shield.
JackTradeParticipantThat’s a great shot from a great angle.
JackTradeParticipantThe SV650. It’s a better bike overall.
BUT there are plenty of non-monetary reasons to consider as well (most of which have been summed up nicely here), as well as more removed-from-the-immediate-purchase-price ones of insurance cost, condition of the bike, need for repairs, etc.
Whatever you choose, don’t stress out about it too much. Despite what you may think now, this is not going to be the last motorcycle you purchase.
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