Which Bike?

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gunnerpc

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I am about to buy my first bike and after doing some research and looking at a few bikes at Cycle World (they were very helpful), I have determined that I should get either a Honda Rebel 250 or a Suzuki GZ 250 (Marauder). Technically and emotionally I am leaning towards the Honda, but I find the Suzuki more comfortable to sit on and handle. So, I am looking for any additional info to help with the decision - e.g. is the 2 cylinder Honda really much better than the single cylinder Suzuki for performance, is the maintenance etc. better on one or the other, does one handle better than the other etc. At the end of the day, if there's not much performance and technical diff., I'll go with what feels more comfortable for me actually sitting on it (the Suzuki). Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thx
 
I can't speak much about technical differences, but I imagine that differences in performance will be minimal. Go with whichever bike is ergonomically more comfortable for you. I know that when my partner and I were choosing between 250 cruisers, we chose the Suzuki because it felt a bit roomier.
 
How tall are you? How much do you weigh? Two good articles for you:

http://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/honda-rebel-250-review

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles...uzuki/2010-suzuki-gz250-marauder-ar66173.html

The Suzuki looks better, but the Honda with the twin will sound nicer. Suzuki have the gift of making comfortable bikes, even the superbikes are more comfortable than any competition. The pros call it the "sit in" effect, and Suzuki have mastered it better than any manufacturer. Ergonomics is obviously very important at Suzuki. Having said that, you do realize that these bikes have 20 HP? You will out-grow either of them very quickly. Are you going on the highway? If so, you may want to look at the next size up as bikes with such a small amount of power can actually be dangerous in highway situations.
 
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Before I looked at either of those air cooled relics (yes I had a Rebel 250 when I was 16...and the numb feet to prove it!), I would first call up Platinum Powersports about the Kawasaki Eliminator 250 they are selling. Styled like a power cruiser (Think 900 Eliminator and Yamaha V-Max styling) with a liqquid cooled Ninja 250 motor in it. Light yrs ahead of either the Rebel or the Marauder, faster, nicer, smoother, quieter.
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