2002 GZ 250 - Keizer Oregon

[molintorch]

Hi All,

Time has come to sell my GZ. I upgraded to a Ninja 650R in January, and no longer can justify having both bikes in the garage. Heres a quick summary of the bike, and please use the link if you want to read the details with all the photos. If you are interested, feel free to contact me, and make sure you mention you saw it on this forum. Thanks for looking!

2002 Suzuki GZ250 with 476 actual miles
2nd owner, purchased from dealership in Aug 2008 with only 251 miles, excellent condition. Oil was changed in Aug 2008 and again in April 2009. Has two minor scuffs on it from the previous owner. Bike includes a Battery Tender, windscreen, OEM toolkit, and three keys (one original, two copies).

http://salem.craigslist.org/mcy/1148725361.html

http://gallery.me.com/barkertodd/100065/IMG_0074/web.jpg?ver=12400905400001

[music man]

I don't need or want the bike, but where did you get those stands and for how much, also, how do you own a bike for 8 months and only put 225 miles on it. And how do you decide after 225 miles that you are ready for a bigger Bike (A Crotch Rocket at that). You put it out there so i just had to ask.

[molintorch]

Hi Again,

All valid questions :)

The stands are from New Enough: Front - $109 (http://www.newenoughhp.com/track_garage/motorcycle_stands__lifts/heindl_engineering/sportbike_motorcycle_front_forklift_stand.html) Rear Combo - $119 (http://www.newenoughhp.com/track_garage/motorcycle_stands__lifts/heindl_engineering/sportbike_motorcycle_rear_combo_stand.html)
Note, the rear is only available in black, even though their stock photo is Yellow. Its a combo stand since it supports bikes with or without spools (I wanted to keep my options open)

As far as why I upgraded bikes, well here was my thinking... The GZ was excellent for in-town, cruising, etc, but anytime I tried to ride more than 45 mins in town or 20-25 mins at highway speeds, the bike beat me up badly. Heres why... I'm 6 ft. 250 lbs, and have a bad left hip. The mid-mounted controls/pegs turned out to be a bad idea for me and the position really caused serious pain after a while. Since my main objective was to be able to commute to work this spring using the back-roads (55 miles each way), I realized really quickly that the GZ wasn't going to provide me that ability without significant modifications; modifications I wasnt willing to do for a bike in such nice condition. Knowing that, I set out looking for an alternate bike based on my experience over the 2 1/2 mths of riding the GZ on the weekends around town. In a nutshell, thats why the GZ didnt work for me :)

Why did I select the Ninja 650 R?
Well, this is a funny one, cause tons of people always ask me that. The irony is, while it has the Ninja badge (or use to in my case), its not really considered a crotch rocket. The engine is a parallel twin and the bike uses upright handlebars rather than the traditional clip-ons you would see on a sport bike. if anything, the Ninja 650R sits very similar to the SV 650 (not the SV650f fairing version). I think of my new bike more of a touring bike, and less of a sport bike. I even added a 1x1 riser to bring the bars up and back a little more for me, which helped quite a bit. As far as my hip goes, having my feet situated closer to a "standard" riding position (slightly back from standard I would say) removed all the issues for my hip. I bought the bike in Jan 09, and already put 2000 miles on it, my longest one day tour was 289 miles and I wouldnt have stopped except the sun was going down!

Yes I will be the first to say, its 1000% more bike than the GZ. And yes, I in no way came near to mastering the GZ in 200 miles. Riding the 650 required very good throttle control, and honestly, it required even more focus on good clutch (friction zone) control. I spent roughly my first 100 miles on the 650 in a parking lot working on low speed maneuvers, etc.. and the bike responds very predictably. The extra 100 lbs is there, but was extremely manageable.

Below are two photos. First is a stock photo from kawasaki that I show people who ask why I bought a crotch rocket, and the 2nd photo from late feb of my 650r; which I dont call a Ninja anymore :D Also, if you notice in the photos, the rider is sitting up on the tank... I sit back in my seat (aftermarket corbin seat) which puts the pegs more under me, than behind me.

Totally fair questions. Hopefully you see the logic in my decisions! Yes going up to the 650R was not the most safest route, but I'm taking it slow, and riding at my own pace rather than trying to drag knee. Really I think of it as my touring bike !

[edit: clarify... I bought the 650 in Jan as a used bike from the same dealer I got my GZ from... it was an 08 someone bought at xmas, owned it for two weeks, and then returned it to the dealer cause they couldn't afford it. The 650 had 56 miles, and a few scratches when I bought it... I got $2000 off MSRP out the door, delivered to my house 60 miles away. It was a killer deal that I couldn't pass up, which convinced me to buy it ]

http://gallery.me.com/barkertodd/100117/riding-20position/web.jpg?ver=12354529840001
http://gallery.me.com/barkertodd/100117/IMG_0710/web.jpg?ver=12358630220001

[music man]

That is the most thorough and best answer to any question i have asked anybody, (on this site or in person) in a very long time. Part of the question came from me and a friend of mine's conversation last night, about bikes that have had 2 sometimes three owners and only have 3-400 miles on them, and how that is even possible. And I wasn't necessarily putting you down for your decision so much as I was trying to get to the root of how you came to that decision.


At least you did try and start out on a 250 which is a lot more effort than a lot of people put out to actually ease into learning to ride.

[molintorch]

ha-ha no worries. I saw them as totally fair questions to ask :)

oh and I have to give credit where credit is due.. I took Basic Rider Training last August through Team Oregon. At the end of the class, the instructor told me to go buy a 250. Don't look at anything else!

[patrick_777]

That is the most thorough and best answer to any question i have asked anybody, (on this site or in person) in a very long time. Part of the question came from me and a friend of mine's conversation last night, about bikes that have had 2 sometimes three owners and only have 3-400 miles on them, and how that is even possible. And I wasn't necessarily putting you down for your decision so much as I was trying to get to the root of how you came to that decision.


At least you did try and start out on a 250 which is a lot more effort than a lot of people put out to actually ease into learning to ride.

:plus1: :plus1:

Very good and thorough answers, molintorch. The 650R is a helluva bike and the linear throttle makes it a good step up from a 250cc. It sounds like you made a well-informed decision.

[Water Warrior 2]

I am sure the 650R will serve you well. Hopefully the GZ will go to a good home and teach another newbie the joys of 2 wheels.

[mrlmd1]

Not to pick on you at all or pry, just curious - why didn't you trade the GZ back for the 650 instead of buying a second bike? Did you intend to keep both of them for different purposes? Just so I know for the future (like my own maybe).

[burkbuilds]

Great response to the questions! I understand about the hip and leg position. Although I'm tall too, 6' 1", my problem is lower back not hip, and the GZ actually fits me well since I ride pretty much sitting straight up, I have trouble leaning forward, and the foot pegs are in a good spot for me. Amazingly I'm more comfortable after riding the GZ for 45 minutes than I am riding in my wife's Caddy or my pick up truck. Good luck with your new bike, sounds like you are putting some miles on it!

[Water Warrior 2]

Ride a GZ with a driver's backrest and your cage will never wear out.

[molintorch]

Not to pick on you at all or pry, just curious - why didn't you trade the GZ back for the 650 instead of buying a second bike? Did you intend to keep both of them for different purposes? Just so I know for the future (like my own maybe).

When I bought the 650R, I just paid cash and didnt need the value of a trade in to buy the bike. In addition, I didnt want to mess with the possibility of getting low balled on my trade in value. Since I had more than enough room in my garage for the car and both bikes, I wasnt in any hurry to sell the GZ to make space.

After the first weekend of serious riding with the 650R, I knew it was a much better match for me, and thats when I decided I would hold onto the GZ till the weather turned warmer, and see if I could find it a new home. Really I wasn't in any hurry, and didn't have a "need" to sell it. I really still dont have a need, but I hate to see a bike sit there not being used :)