Have you ever rode with a passenger?

[ll666]

Lately I have been on the hunt for a new bike, I have read every review and sit tested every bike I am interested in, but the best damn looking small bike by far is easily the GZ250 :tup: ..... Not to mention it sits like a bigger bike, I dont feel cramped at all at 5'9.

Anyways, I will be using it for city riding (Calgary, AB, Canada) but am having trouble trying to find any real reviews of people riding this bike 2up (passenger).
Anyone have any experience on the power 2up?

Basically I will need to be able to go 62mph/100kph at times, which I know the GZ250 on its own can easily do, but what about with a passenger?
Just need to make sure before I make the purchase for the upcoming summer :chop:

p.s. Our combined weight is under 300lbs... if that helps.

[Dupo]

I ran 2 up with it a few times. Mostly on flat roads but it was fine. I really didnt notice any major drop in power. Didnt really hit any hills so i cant help there, but it IS only a 250cc lol. But yea, it does fine and our combined weight was 350+. I had no complaints about the bike in that aspect.

[redhead]

Same here, use the bike for my daily commute and often drop herself off at work on my way in. Bike handles grand through traffic and will hit 100 to 110kmh happily enough, maybe even above it going downhill with a good strong wind on my back. Give it a test ride if you can :2tup:

[Badbob]

I have not ridden with a passenger but I have ridden near 300 mile trips with all my camping gear for a week on the bike. i weigh around 240lbs geared up. I don't know how much the camping gear, tools and clothing weighed but I'm sure it was around 100lbs. This should sort of simulate carrying a passenger. It changes the the handling noticeably. It's harder to turn and it just feels different in the corners. Be sure to adjust tire pressure accordingly as well as preload on the shocks. Since I'm heavy already and never leave the house without cargo of some kind on the bike I keep my preload at maximum.

Can I maintain 100kph with all this on my bike? Based on my experience yes with some exceptions.

Flat ground no head wind. The GZ250 will easily do this.
Flat ground stiff headwind. Headwind = any wind that isn't behind you. Yes in fourth gear.
Hills with no wind. Small hills more like big bumps if you get my drift. Yes with gear changes for steeper hills.
Hills with headwind. Possible depending on conditions but you are going to need to work for it.
Mountains and steep hills. Maybe depending on how steep but in general it ain't happening.

I'm not trying to chase you away from a GZ250. You can do this but you will be pushing the limits of the GZ250.

[ll666]

Thanks for all the comments here... Couldn't find this forum after I posted in it :oops:
Anyways, I almost purchased myself a new Suzuki S40 today as I was looking at the extra power, but when I was at the dealers I just kept thinking how beautiful the GZ250 is and how much I could save if I found myself a used one.

So I walked out :tongue:

On the hunt for a used black GZ250 now...... wish me luck!

The 2up riding sounds better, we actually weigh about 250lbs altogether, so like one big guy :neener:
Really hoping to find myself a nice used one before summer, its been my dream bike for a while now.

[Dupo]

I didnt even ask, have you ridden before or are you returning to riding after being off one for a considerable amount of time?

[Bill]

No doubt about it the GZ250 is the nicest in its class. However, it is a 250cc and the frame size is not really comfy for 2-up unless for shorter rides around town. Be sure to stiffen the shocks if you do.

Buy what fits you! For that matter take your intended passenger in with you so both of you can sit on it to see how it feels. Yes, after a few miles on it together it might feel a little different but at least you get a general idea.

Cheers!

[ll666]

I didnt even ask, have you ridden before or are you returning to riding after being off one for a considerable amount of time?

Yes I have done some riding before, and have the riding course under my belt. Only been off for about a year, but also only been riding for a few years before that. So somewhat beginner, but not fresh to riding...

Will take the 2up slowly, no worries there ;)


The rides will only be very short trips.. 10-20mins max.
She weighs about 110... Little one. Be like adding luggage :tongue:

[Dupo]

You'll be fine then :)

[Bill]

Sounds like you're good to go on the GZ250. At 5'9" and only a "Little Bit" on the back for short trips you should be fine and fairly comfortable. She should learn how to be a safe riding partner/passenger. There are wrong things to do as a passenger that are not safe.

My "Little Bit" (5'3") rides her own GZ250 so I don't have to worry about 2-up. For that matter she refuses to ride on the back of anyones bike (including mine) nor will she allow anyone to ride on the back of hers (including me). Not real trusting that anyone will handle the bike well or know how to be a passenger.

Be safe

[Badbob]

I highly recommend the Sargent's Custom Seats. See some photos and discussion here: http://www.gz250bike.com/viewtopic.php?t=111

I had my rear seat done because its a lot cheaper to have them done together than separate.

[ll666]

Sounds like you're good to go on the GZ250. At 5'9" and only a "Little Bit" on the back for short trips you should be fine and fairly comfortable. She should learn how to be a safe riding partner/passenger. There are wrong things to do as a passenger that are not safe.

My "Little Bit" (5'3") rides her own GZ250 so I don't have to worry about 2-up. For that matter she refuses to ride on the back of anyones bike (including mine) nor will she allow anyone to ride on the back of hers (including me). Not real trusting that anyone will handle the bike well or know how to be a passenger.

Be safe

Well the plan is (she doesn't know yet) is that I am going to slowly try and teach her how to ride a motorcyle with me.... Gain her enough courage to get her into the riders course at least. Then when I move up to a new bike, she will take over the GZ250 and ride with me :tup:
Well, unless I get tooooo attached to it...lol

Always been a dream to get my girlfriend to ride along side me. :)

Still on the hunt for one though, looks like not too many around here selling them. Actually haven't even found one yet :(
Might post a thread so people around me can contact me if they are selling.


@Badbob
I will take a look at that seat... Thanks!
First need to find myself a bike though :tongue:

[Bill]

ll666,

I don't think I ever extended a welcome from my part of the country soooo... Welcome from the sunny northeast coast of Florida.

I'm surprised that you are having a hard time locating a GZ250. They are really popular with an excellent reputation. Around here they are the motorcycle of choice for the safety courses. That makes them particularly good if your girlfriend takes the course and feels comfortable on the bike she learned on. That's how it was for my wife when she took the course. She didn't have to sit but one time on a Honda Rebel and the choice was easy. Hope you have the same luck where you are.

By the way I didn't see where you have posted to introduce yourself but maybe it just escaped me. Where are you located?

Oh wait, I just read your first post again. Are you keeping warm in "Stampede" country? I've been through Calgary a few times on my way to Lake Louise for some downhill skiing. What a great part of the country.

Cheers!

[ll666]

ll666,

I don't think I ever extended a welcome from my part of the country soooo... Welcome from the sunny northeast coast of Florida.

I'm surprised that you are having a hard time locating a GZ250. They are really popular with an excellent reputation. Around here they are the motorcycle of choice for the safety courses. That makes them particularly good if your girlfriend takes the course and feels comfortable on the bike she learned on. That's how it was for my wife when she took the course. She didn't have to sit but one time on a Honda Rebel and the choice was easy. Hope you have the same luck where you are.

By the way I didn't see where you have posted to introduce yourself but maybe it just escaped me. Where are you located?

Oh wait, I just read your first post again. Are you keeping warm in "Stampede" country? I've been through Calgary a few times on my way to Lake Louise for some downhill skiing. What a great part of the country.

Cheers!

Thank you :) ... Actually I never did post a formal introduction here, probably should have :blush:
Quite cold here still with a bunch of snow, so have some time to hunt for my bike. Actually, you said the exact reason why I can't find one, they are just too good...lol. I guess people keep passing them on, from first rider to wife, from wife to child...etc. They are great to learn on, and the training courses often also buy them up. Not to mention that people tend to get attached to their first great bike.

Also the dealers here in Calgary dont even carry them new, which I thought was very odd. I went to every dealer here looking at new bikes and not one had the GZ250. Maybe because they have a lot of higher speed freeways here, and dont really recommend the bike, not sure.... Could just be too low of a commission for the stealership to sell them. I did ask, and they said they could always order them in :roll:

Back in Edmonton, where I am from, they all carried the GZ250.... Not sure what the real difference is, but I can always drive back to edmonton if I find a used one there at least.

[Bill]

ll666,
My wife and I just got in from a ride with the SCRC today. It was her second ride with them and a little more relaxed than last week. She rode her GZ250 and they both did real well. Although it was a little windy the temperature was perfect. I was surprised at how well she could keep her position with the "big dogs". We rode about 70 miles at about 60-65 mph most of the time - comfortable. I figure she was getting about 72 mpg (you'll have to calculate for kilometers).

You're probably right about the commision on the less expensive bikes. They stock them here in the local dealer but they wouldn't budge on the price. We found one on Eb*y that was located about 150 miles away so we sent emails and decided to take the chance. It worked out well. It was a 2006 and it just got its first service before we picked it up. Saved about $700-$900 from what the dealer wanted after tax, tags, etc. Deals are out there. Keep looking. Both Edmonton and Calgary are pretty big places.

Cheers!

[ll666]

I will keep an eye out for sure. I have never seen anything on ebay for canadians much, seems like most of the stuff is from the states. On ebay.ca there is probably only like 100 bikes altogether for sale within canada, so not a good search route for me at least.

I will just keep searching the bargain finders, and anything else I can.
I love that bike so much (look wise at least) that I already have some customizing plans for it to make it my own. Just need to get one to see how well it rides around here...lol

[jonathan180iq]

Yes. I have ridden with a passenger.

The bike functioned wonderfully. I didn't notice any power loss. Of course, I ride with a 5'0 100lbs. lady and my suspension loaded to the 5th setting.

[Water Warrior 2]

ll666, good luck with the search for a 250. We lucked out by accident when searching for a used beginner bike for Lynda in the Fall. Found an 06 on consignment at a dealer with only 385 KMs on it. Hadn't planned on an almost new bike but when factoring in the cost and initial repairs/maintenance on a well used bike with no known history we went for it. After logging 9500 KMs on a much bigger VStrom my initial test drive was a little disappointing but it seemed to be a good learning bike. Picked it up the next day and road it home 140 KMs. No more disappointment believe me. This little bike runs like a champ and I only hope Lynda lets me ride it more. It handled my 200 pounds quite well even when pulling a couple longer hills going home. After we take the riding course and Lynda gets her license I may never see her again. lol.

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