Who has the GZ with the most mileage on the odometer?

[alanmcorcoran]

Seems like there's a lot of people on here with relatively new GZs... Mine is an '08 for instance, w/all of 1500 miles. I've been noticing that the GZ seems to be built very solidly, kind of reminds me a little of 1960-75 Detroit Iron. Of course, it has a much smaller engine, and one that seems to work pretty hard all the time.

I'm curious how many miles people have gotten out of them before they're no longer economically viable...

[music man]

Well I have just hit 9,000 miles on mine (6,000) of those miles are mine, If I had to guess I would say on this site it would be BadBob.

[jonathan180iq]

I had 5800+ when I sold mine.

[trykemike]

I have currently 18000 km (11000 milles ) . It runs perfectly.

[caroledee1]

Mine has 13,700 miles on it. I bought it May of 2006 with 1500 miles by the
1st owner. Never laid down, knocked over or wrecked. I paid $1500 for it. I think I've gotten my money's worth. :2tup: I have enjoyed every mile, too. Rain or shine, you can't beat the feeling of freedom riding!

[mr. softie]

Caroledee1 you been ridin'! :2tup:

My 1999 GZ as 9,600 miles on it. It had 5,600 on it when I got it in mid July this year. I commute and take the longer ride on weekends when I can. At this rate it should last many years. Hoping for 50000 miles on this motor. Plus, a rebuild can't cost that much. :rawk:

[Easy Rider]

Mine has 13,700 miles on it. I bought it May of 2006 with 1500 miles by the
1st owner.

WOW! With that much road time, we're gonna HAVE to arrange a trip to Champaign next year some time......or someplace in between. I forget where in the state you are.

I've only got 6K; 5 of it mine, in one year.

I'd bet on Bob as the mileage champ......of those presently active with a bike that is still running.
I think we had one user with something like 80K miles......before he blew it up. Those were 80,000 HARD miles too. :cry:

[jonathan180iq]

Bob has somewhere in the mid 20ks, I think.

[NoMates]

10500 miles on my little blue beastie :skull: , only 500 are mine thou. Im the 8th owner and only 3 have done any miles. I guess it has spent a lot of time sitting at a dealership as a trade in waiting for a new owner. :whistle:

[goneoutflying]

My 1999 Gz had 1200 miles on it when I bought about a month ago, sine then I have put over 500 miles on it. One of the previous owners was Jimmy Buffet's drummer :rawk:

[Badbob]

26,799.1 miles today. Bought new with 2 miles on the odometer. Daily rider.
My wifes bike has 10,710.0. Bought used with a little over 4,000 on the odometer. Weekends and trips.

[Canuck]

35,000 kms to date...

bought it at 17000 kms..

Still riding excellent with the 16 tooth front sprocket mod too

less stress to take it up to 50000 kms im hoping!

[GZ250]

Bought new in 2005, Close to 19000 miles as of today. Great condition and problem free bike.

[Sarris]

2005 GZ w/ 13,750 trouble free miles. 2006 HD Streetglide w/ 32,000.

:)

[Gradyonechord]

Mine is a 2003 and has 27,900 miles on the odo, will turn over 28,000 tomorrow likely. Changed out one head gasket, one clutch cable, one chain, one set tires, one battery. I bought it in 2005, with about 9,000 miles on it. The head gasket failed a little bit over last summer, nagging me for about 6 months until I changed it out before a trip to Virginia Beach, cost about 12 or 15 dollars but a whole saturday delicately reading the shop manuel and doing the work, enjoyed it, actually, with a few beers. Clutch cable failed in the middle of rush hour in the middle of an intersection last monday, sucked. Normal ops otherwise. Killed a deer with it,summer of 2007. Had to replace windshield, headlight bracket, handlebars, front brake master cylinder and line, some other repairs with tape.
Usual mileage between 75 mpg and 85 mpg, low as 68 on interstate with cold rainy headwind. High as 90 riding on the blue ridge parkway and dipping off down to the valley before filling up. Use a full face helmet, leather boots, textile padded pants, textile padded jacket, riding gloves. By the way this saved me when I hit the deer. Open road ride most of time with deflector windshield set to barely kick slip stream over my shoulders. Will interstate cruise easy for hours at 65 to 70 or until feet get gane green. My Gz250 feels good at 65, fast, faster than 70, but it has the speed there if you know how to get it with the windshield setup and body, luggage, position.
I use valvoline synthetic 20w50 in hot weather and gastrol syntheticblend 10w40 in winter. No particular reason for the brands, except that I bought several quarts on sale. I change the oil every 2000 miles without adding in between usually.
http://www.postimage.org/aVuwN7r.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVuwN7r)

[alanmcorcoran]

Damn Grady! I think you edged out BadBob. I think you are the current mileage leader. Quite a bit of experience too. Hope to see you weigh in a little more often.

[Gradyonechord]

I dont go very fast, but I go pretty far.

[maryes7]

My bike has 1,365 miles on it. It had 103 miles on it when I bought it. I ride everyday and I love my bike.

[CMS]

I dont go very fast, but I go pretty far.
Do you have the 16 t front sprocket or the stock version? :) CMS

[Gradyonechord]

Its all stock.

[Badbob]

If you add up total miles on GZ250s I still win. I got two of them here. :)

[alanmcorcoran]

Well, the thread does say "the GZ" with the most mileage... I was trying to get a sense of how long the engines last. My 98 Camry has about 120K on it and my daughter's 95 has 197K. I'd seen some posts of people rebuilding after blowing up some element of the cylinder at less than 20K, which seemed sort of early to me. I'm doing about 500 miles a month which would put me at 20,000 in less than 4 years.

[Badbob]

I only know of one blown engine and none where the cause was clear. This engine has been around for many years. If there were major issues with it you would hear about it.

You could have a problem with a brand new engine or you could take a thousand mile trip on a high mileage engine and not have any problem at all. You could baby the engine and have it blow itself to bits because of some defect you had nothing to do with. You might even treat an engine like crap and have it work fine for many thousands of miles. If you are seriously worried about breaking down on the road, don't go.

I know of one person who is not on this forum who has over 50,000 miles on a GZ250.

[alanmcorcoran]

Not really that worried about the engine breaking down en route. Just trying to get an idea how long an engine of this type typically lasts. (I have wondered what I'm going to do if I get a flat. Does triple A "tow" motorcycles?)

[Sarris]

They will provide flat bed service in Florida if you buy AAA RV coverage, which is more than the standard coverage. I have and have used it. No problems .

:biggrin:

[Easy Rider]

They will provide flat bed service in Florida if you buy AAA RV coverage, which is more than the standard coverage. I have and have used it. No problems .


Same in Illinois. You get a few other additional benefits too. The extra cost isn't that great.
(Don't ask ME how much; the wife pays the bills!)

[Moedad]

Not really that worried about the engine breaking down en route. Just trying to get an idea how long an engine of this type typically lasts. (I have wondered what I'm going to do if I get a flat. Does triple A "tow" motorcycles?)

Alan, I bet you passed me on miles by now. I've put maybe about 1,935 on mine so far.

[alanmcorcoran]

We're close. I am 11 miles short of 2K. Might take the long way home tonight to pass that milestone. When are we going to hit the road again? Haven't done any long rides since our Ortega adventure. The weather is supposed to be very nice this weekend. 85 I think!

[Moedad]

We're close. I am 11 miles short of 2K. Might take the long way home tonight to pass that milestone. When are we going to hit the road again? Haven't done any long rides since our Ortega adventure. The weather is supposed to be very nice this weekend. 85 I think!

I have to go furniture looking on Saturday, so I can't commit to a time. Sunday afternoon might be a possibility. Might be a good day for a coastal ride.

[Badbob]

I have wondered what I'm going to do if I get a flat. Does triple A "tow" motorcycles?

You can fix a flat on the side of the road. It isn't easy but it can be done. I carry everything I think I'm going to need to fix a flat on long trips.

tire irons
pump
spare tubes
PVC jack stand
wrenches
allen wrenches
patch kit

It would be good to know how to change the tire before you leave. I use a Harbor Freight tire changer at home to change tires but the first time I did it with three tire irons just to see if I could.

Fortunately flats are not common.

[deadman13]

I think mines a bit over 18100. Just filled up and reset trip. Love getting change back on a $5 fillup. Guy in the suv just flipping me off...

I got mine with about 12k on odometer. Been playing a bit. Hoping to get around to all 48 states here in one shot with any luck.

[Badbob]

Hoping to get around to all 48 states here in one shot with any luck.

All at once or one at a time?

Either way I'd love to do that.

[deadman13]

All at once, I hope. But it won't be any time soon. I have this planned out (mostly) and now just need the $. Im going to camp 90% of the time and take the scenic route, no interstates. This is something I've planned on for a few years now. But I've got a ways to go to get to my launch date. But I will be doing it on a gz with lucky. Just maybe not the one I have now....

[Chris]

Hi, Guys,
I've still got low mileage on my 2000 GZ compared to you guys, but I ride about 1000 miles a month. Planning a long ride to the Georgia coast (900+) and thinking of a very long ride to Key West (2700+).
I'll do the Georgia ride soon. My Harley friend and I may trailer the bikes to the Florida Keys and then ride.
My 2000 GZ is completely stock. So...what are the stock front and rear ratios? I'm not going to change, very happy with my gears. Just curious.

Chris, retired in Atlanta

[Badbob]

All at once, I hope. But it won't be any time soon. I have this planned out (mostly) and now just need the $. Im going to camp 90% of the time and take the scenic route, no interstates. This is something I've planned on for a few years now. But I've got a ways to go to get to my launch date. But I will be doing it on a gz with lucky. Just maybe not the one I have now....

Unfortunately even camping is getting expensive as state parks try to market the parks as resorts. Some of them are as expensive as hotels. However, if you stay off the beaten path you can still do it fairly cheap.

[deadman13]

Yeah, off the beaten path is exactly what im doing. Ill probably camp whereever I stop, nearest woods. Who knows. I did this via moped around 3 states, just for s@%t's and giggles. Just slept where I fell basically

[Badbob]

Yeah, off the beaten path is exactly what im doing. Ill probably camp whereever I stop, nearest woods. Who knows. I did this via moped around 3 states, just for s@%t's and giggles. Just slept where I fell basically


Take a look at this: http://tinyurl.com/54us4g

[Water Warrior 2]

All at once, I hope. But it won't be any time soon. I have this planned out (mostly) and now just need the $. Im going to camp 90% of the time and take the scenic route, no interstates. This is something I've planned on for a few years now. But I've got a ways to go to get to my launch date. But I will be doing it on a gz with lucky. Just maybe not the one I have now....

If you are going to ride all the way to Wash. state you might as well just head north to Alaska while you are at it.

[phatmanswingin]

I have wondered what I'm going to do if I get a flat. Does triple A "tow" motorcycles?

You can fix a flat on the side of the road. It isn't easy but it can be done. I carry everything I think I'm going to need to fix a flat on long trips.

tire irons
pump
spare tubes
PVC jack stand
wrenches
allen wrenches
patch kit

It would be good to know how to change the tire before you leave. I use a Harbor Freight tire changer at home to change tires but the first time I did it with three tire irons just to see if I could.

Fortunately flats are not common.
I know I'm a uber beginner but motorcycles tires have tubes?

[music man]

It depends on the motorcycle, the GZ has tubes in the tires, all spoked rimmed tires have tubes in them (I think).

[alantf]

Hey Deadman,
I noticed your remark about a $5 fill up. How much is petrol (gas) in America? Over here it's dropped to 66 centimos a litre (I think that's about $3 a gallon)

[deadman13]

Saw $1.65 last night here in charleston sc. It was $1.77 when I filled up and was over full at $4.80

[Badbob]

I know I'm a uber beginner but motorcycles tires have tubes?

A couple of years ago I didn't know much about this either. When I started getting interested in back road (way back) touring I decided I needed to know how to change a tire and what was needed for road side repairs. What is the chance that Joe Smith's Garage in Wide-Place-In-The-Road Alabama is going to have a clue about changing a tire on a GZ250? No I'm not picking on Alabama. It's just one of the places I ride that you don't have any trouble being a 100 miles or more from a motorcycle shop.

If it has spokes (wire like a GZ) you can pretty much count on it having tubes. These wheels can be sealed so it's not a hard and fast rule. Alloy wheels are generally tubeless but this is not always true either. My Yamaha XS11 isn't tubeless in spite of having one piece alloy wheels. There are also wheels that are basically sheet metal and they come apart. I know some older Honda's have these. Some of these have tubes. Some do not.

I've never seen a dirt bike or dual sport that did not have tubes. They like to run low air pressure in the dirt and higher pressure when they get back on the pavement. They also have rim locks that keep the tire bead on the wheel at low pressures.

[CANDY]

I turned 11,000 last month. bought it new in june of 2007. just got my christmas present on friday dec.5th,it is a 2009 suzuki s40,red & white. will keep my 250 though. i love the 250 for curves and town riding. love the 650 for highways.already have 60 miles on the new bike. :2tup:

[alanmcorcoran]

Tell us how you like the s40 when you've got a few miles on it.

[racinnuts]

I have 30,401 miles showing on the odometer. But the speedometer cable broke at around 29,800 and I didn't replace it for a coupe of months, so I would probably have to add another 2,000 miles making the total 32,401. I use my GZ as my primary transportation year round.

[LeoJo]

I got mine on February 12th with 8,900 miles on it, today February 17th it has 9,447. I'm just riding locally to get use to the bike and shaking it down for a x/c to the Big Bend Park (Texas) next month. That will be about a 1500 mile long weekend trip.

[Easy Rider]

That will be about a 1500 mile long weekend trip.

A really long weekend, I hope. At ~300 miles a day, that's 5 days........or are you goin' for a GZ iron butt award ?? :biggrin:

[CMS]

I e-mailed last year ,the gentleman from Tenn.who rode his GZ from Tenn. to Alaska. He stated he still had the bike, and it had 35,000 + miles on it. I'am sorry I forgot his name,hope he reads this and confirms the milage. CMS :2tup:

[music man]

I want to say that his GZ had a little over 35,000 miles on it before he went on that trip.

[alanmcorcoran]

I think his name is Patrick Henry. I touched base with him as well, as he sort of abandoned his blog about the trip. Too bad, because he had an interesting perspective in his writing.

[oneyunguy]

I have 32,000+ kms which turns out to be 19,883 miles.

[Water Warrior 2]

I have 32,000+ kms which turns out to be 19,883 miles.

Have you ever ventured up to Squamish ? I buy coffee at StarBucks for anyone who visits us.

[oneyunguy]

Yes, I have, with some bike buddies. We stop at at a place on the north end of town and have a bite to eat and some fluids.

[Tuval]

Yo people...

Logged on and was suprised...

You actually have "no milage" GZ's...

My 99 GZ all original and a real eye pleaser will celebrate its 10th birthday this month, and has 39,373 miles on it (63 K Km). Same engine, same gaskets same muffler, same gear box.
Thinking of buyig for its BD the 16 sporket...

I love it and the only problem in my neck of the woods (Jerualem - Israel) is making sure no one steals it - so it has 6 locks on it at all times.

[Easy Rider]

Thinking of buyig for its BD the 16 sporket...


Good plan. The cost and effort are minimal and, I think, the benefit is large.
Even if you don't like it, there is little lost in going back.

How's your chain? If you are anywhere close to needing a replacement, you might want to consider doing chain and BOTH sprockets at the same time. :cool:

[burkbuilds]

Glad to hear about that one with over 50K on it. I'd like to ride mine to college for the next 4 years and right now I'm averaging about 1K per month, got 11,000 on it today. Bought it last Summer with 1700 miles on it, it's a 2005.

[Chris]

My GZ has 6200 miles it and I ride about 1000 per month. Bought it used when it was 8 years old with 350 miles on it.

TO Gradyonechord:


Did you see the post I put up a couple of weeks ago on the motorcycle weekend in east Tennessee? If not look up Camp Living Stones for details.
I live near Atlanta and I am going.

Chris, Atlanta

[alantf]

it was 8 years old with 350 miles on it.



???????????????????? approx 44 miles/yr, 3½ miles/month.

Whatever possesses someone to spend $3000 & then leave it to rot on the driveway? Too much money & not enough sense. If anyone out there finds someone wanting to throw $3000 away, please ask them to send it to me,& I'll waste it for them. The best part is - I won't charge them a single cent for doing it - unless they'd like to send me an extra $3000 for doing nothing!

[alanmcorcoran]

Probably rode it for a couple of weeks or a month, had a bad scare, and into the garage she went.

I got a wet suit I wore once or twice ten years ago. You can have it for the shipping and handling. One of these day I swear I'm gonna wear it again. Probably can't fit into it anymore or I'll discover it's been eaten by mutant moths.

[Tuval]

Hey people... was away for a couple of weeks - had a dispute with a doc. about my liver & she won... (Not fair - she had a knife...)

Any way - Easy rider - Chain & sporkets are new, as is battery, tiers, a few of the bulbs and other sacrifices to the gods of the road and safty. either way - canot complain. Itss a good little bike & I love rolling the curved roads aroud Jerusaem with it - Way cheaper than a shrink and way more satisfying.

Ride safe
Smile a lot

[davedrave]

Mine has 73k on the clock, but i'm not sure if its mils or kilometers lol

Just started riding it myself, my dad bought it a few years ago and it was left rotting on the driveway for a few years, amazing that the mileage is so high, and there are so few problems with it.

love the forum btw :biggrin:

[bonehead]

Mine is an '08 with 11800 mi. Ride it every day to work, and then some. The truck gets driven one day a week, for uniform swap.

[rbsteve]

I have a 2000. It has just over 84,000 kms on it. The engine was rebuilt by the previous owner before selling it to me, but it still runs like a charm.

[alantf]

Mine has 73k on the clock, but i'm not sure if its miles or kilometers lol



If it's an old bike, odds are that it's miles. I seem to remember that Ireland went over to kilometers just a few years ago, because I remember them changing the motorway restrictions from 70 miles/hour to 120 kilometers/hour, but I don't know if that applies to all of Ireland. Are you north or south of the border? Anyway, it should tell you on the speedometer if it's miles or kilometers. :2tup:

[davedrave]

Are you north or south of the border? Anyway, it should tell you on the speedometer if it's miles or kilometers. :2tup:

I'm in the Republic. Alas, there is both miles and kilometers shown on either side of the needle, as is the case with all or most oldish vehicles in Ireland. Miles are given more attention on the speedo (its illuminated with the lights on at night, whilst the kilometers arent) so would it be safe to assume the odometer is measuring in miles?

if thats the case, than the bike has done circa 115,000 kilometers.....i really gotta do some maintenence on it before it starts falling apart lol

[alantf]

would it be safe to assume the odometer is measuring in miles?



Easy way to tell ......... While you're riding, you'll probably pass a sign that says "xxxxxx kilometers to xxxxxx". Check your "mileometer", then when you get to xxxxx, check it again. If the distance is the same, then your "mileometer" is recording kilometers. If it's showing around 1/3 less, then it's recording miles. If the sign's in miles, then just reverse the instructions. :2tup:

[davedrave]

Ah a simple yet effective solution sir!

[Water Warrior 2]

If the miles are in bigger numbers then that would be an indication the odometer is in miles. Or, whatever numbers are on the outside of the speedo needle sweep will probably the same as the odometer. This would be easiest to read and a default mode kinda thing. If that isn't confusing anyone I can try harder later.

[Canuck]

im sitting at 48000 kms it was bought at 17500kms

[Water Warrior 2]

im sitting at 48000 kms it was bought at 17500kms
How long have you had the bike ? Sounds like you have been busy.

[Canuck]

I believe i am proudly the current GZ Odometer Winner... 50,000 kms (31,070 miles)

muahahha

[music man]

Yo people...

Logged on and was suprised...

You actually have "no milage" GZ's...

My 99 GZ all original and a real eye pleaser will celebrate its 10th birthday this month, and has 39,373 miles on it (63 K Km). Same engine, same gaskets same muffler, same gear box.
Thinking of buyig for its BD the 16 sporket...

I love it and the only problem in my neck of the woods (Jerualem - Israel) is making sure no one steals it - so it has 6 locks on it at all times.


You would be incorrect, I think This Person has reported the most mileage on a GZ for a member of our board.


Hell he posted that almost exactly one year ago, if no one has stolen it, he probably has ALOT more than that by now.

[blaine]

Mine has 43275 kms as of today.The engine has never been apart.It's first major work will be a clutch in the near future.

[OBryan]

Well My parked wrecked gz had allmost 11,000 miles on it..Not one single problem..Just did the regular maintanance. Oil change, filters, valve adjustments and all those goodies regularly.
I did find and I believe I read it here..Doing the oil changes at about 2 thirds of the recommended really helped on the fuel milage and the engine seemed to keep running smoother.. Oh I have about 800 on the replacement gz I bought..

[Canuck]

damn..