New to riding

[IRingTwyce]

Hello everyone! I'm new to the world of motorcycles. I'd been tossing around the idea of riding for quite some time. About 3 weeks or so ago I took a safety course and had a blast. Got my motorcycle endorsement one week ago today. I've been looking and looking for a good cheap bike to start on, but haven't had any luck. But I've got a great friend and coworker who has a '01 GZ. He's allowing me to ride it as long as I want, so I can make sure I enjoy riding before dropping 3-7 grand on a bike. Plus, it gives me a forgiving ride to learn on and become comfortable.

I started cleaning it up (it lived under a carport) and began riding it Saturday. So far I've put just under a hundred miles on it. I've become quite comfortable at speeds up to 45-50. Above that I get a little tense. Passing my first semi (opposite direction) was quite a shock and unnerving, but I've learned to adjust to it.

I've already done quite a bit of lurking and I'm looking forward to learning a lot about this bike.

[Dupo]

welcome to the site.

3-7 grand? You can get one off ebay for around 2 grand usually.

[alanmcorcoran]

Welcome! I think there are at least two GZ's for sale on this site, but I don't think they are in your neighborhood. I think both are going for under 2K.

[Easy Rider]

Hello everyone! I'm new to the world of motorcycles.

I've already done quite a bit of lurking and I'm looking forward to learning a lot about this bike.

Welcome! :cool:

What kind of bike are you thinking about?

Tell us a bit about yourself ......so we can then tell you how the GZ250 is the ONLY bike that will really make you happy!! :whistle:

You might want to ask your friend how old the tires are on the borrowed GZ. If they are 4 years old or more, don't get too agressive in the corners !!

[Easy Rider]

3-7 grand? You can get one off ebay for around 2 grand usually.

He just said "a bike"; not necessarily just a GZ !! :biggrin:

[IRingTwyce]

He just said "a bike"; not necessarily just a GZ !! :biggrin:
Exactly! The GZ I'm riding is a loaner. When I'm comfy on it and know for certain I want to keep riding, then I'll be looking to pick up something in the 800-900 cc range. Probably a Boulevard or Vulcan if I buy new. The Vulcan feels the most comfortable underneath me.

As for myself, I'm 6' and 240 lbs. and I do plan to do some highway riding in the future. Since I live in N. Central Texas and work in S. Louisiana there will probably be some commuting on the bike eventually (600+ miles each way). So the GZ is probably just not going to have the legs I need/want. But for now, I'm enjoying it immensely. However, after making my first cold-morning ride (around 45 or so...which is quite cool for S. Louisiana) I definitely know I need to find some warmer gear! My hands were COLD when I got to work this morning. Thank goodness it's only a 10 minute or so ride!

[alanmcorcoran]

Wow, 600+ miles in ten minutes. You have got to post the mods that make your GZ do those kinds of numbers!

[goneoutflying]

Wow, 600+ miles in ten minutes. You have got to post the mods that make your GZ do those kinds of numbers!

I am not sure 3600 Mph will fit in that top speed section. :crackup

Aside from the 10 min, 600+ miles each way, all you would do all day is ride, not that is a bad thing of course :twisted:

O yea, welcome to the group.

[IRingTwyce]

:roll: 630 miles from TX to LA. 10 minutes from the staff house to work. Two weeks in LA, one week home in TX. Rinse and repeat.

:) And thanks for the welcome.

[goneoutflying]

WOW you really will be riding all the time! :2tup: :ride:

[alanmcorcoran]

Dude is gonna save a ton on gas. But he'll have to fill up FOUR times, just on the way in!

[Easy Rider]

Dude is gonna save a ton on gas. But he'll have to fill up FOUR times, just on the way in!

630 miles in a single day on a GZ is a LONG day; an absolute minimum of something near 11 hours. I think that is something to be undertaken only by the most serioius maschocists! :cry:

[alanmcorcoran]

He's gonna need a seat mod, pronto. Probably an ass mod, too.

[IRingTwyce]

At this point I have no plans to make that particular drive on two wheels! I much prefer to turn my brain off somewhat on the highway and you can't really do that on a bike. Besides, the desire for a bike was never influenced by gas prices. My company reimburses me for mileage. I like to be comfy if I'm travelling for 8-10 hours at a time. Plus, with the car I have I can make 500+ miles on a tank. If I DO make the trip on a bike, it won't be until I buy something a little more "highway capable."
He's gonna need a seat mod, pronto. Probably an ass mod, too.
Yeah, the seat is already an issue with me. I'm tall enough that to be comfortable I have to sit towards the back edge of the seat. So whenever I let off the throttle I slide down and forward. Drives me nuts (and kind of squashes them too!).