Hi Everyone

[puyallupmac]

I took my motorcycle training course a few weeks ago and bought an '07 GZ 250 today from a gal who lives just a few miles from me. She also told me about this place. So, here I am. Looking forward to reading what everyone has to say and learning about my new bike while I get some miles under my belt. So far I love it. Now if the sun would just come out! LOL

Mac
Puyallup, WA

[Moedad]

Welcome, Mac. I love the whole Puyallup area. I have a son in Lewiston and we've been through Puyallup a number of times. And you'll love your GZ!

[fossil]

That was me. I got caught up talking with my sister's boyfriend while walking inside the house that I did not get to see you ride away. When I realized that it maybe the last time I see the bike, I ran back out to see you ride off, but you were already gone. I felt sad.

I spent the rest of the day in Renton at the grand opening for the Downtown Harley-Davidson store. There was a band, free food, motorcycle stunt activities, vendors, and lots and lots of bikes. But I kept on thinking about my (okay your) GZ 250 (Hank). I am going to miss the bike.

Today was a good day for riding. I little chilly, but still a good day.

I hope you enjoy the bike.

[Water Warrior 2]

Welcome Mac. You have a great first bike to develop riding skills and confidence. Stick with us and you can't go wrong. A lot of folks grow into another larger bike but still hang around to help out new riders with their smile factor.

[Water Warrior 2]

Fossil, are you looking for a larger bike now ? If so, what has captured your attention so far ?

[alantf]

Hi fossil, Have you got a new bike, or just stopped riding? Funnily enough I'm just off to get a shower, then off to a Harley dealer's open day, about a 40 km ride away in La Laguna (o.k. I know the place name means nothing to you) Don't know about the bands, but I'd love to try out a Sportster.

[fossil]

Fossil, are you looking for a larger bike now ? If so, what has captured your attention so far ?

I bought a 2009 Vulcan 500 back in January. I only have about 300 miles on it now. One thing for sure is that it does not get a good as gas mileage as the GZ 250. It's about 140 lbs. heavier and I can feel that extra weight when I do a few practice swerves.

Here is a pic of me on it for the first time.


http://www.postimage.org/Pqibqp0.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pqibqp0)

[alantf]

then off to a Harley dealer's open day

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeell .............. Never seen so many poseurs in one place at one time! Why do they have to have every square inch of their clothing covered with badges & sewn on thingies that ALL say "Harley Davidson" O.k. one badge with the name, to show what you ride, but not fifty!

When I arrived, all the Harleys were lined up at an angle to the wall. Five minutes later it was twenty Harleys & a GZ. Walked down the line, turned round, & - hey - it looked good. Strangely enough, my black GZ looked as if it was meant to be there! What I noticed, especially, was that I was the only bike there with a luggage box on. Now ..... I use my bike as a workhorse (I automatically head for my bike before the car) but it seemed as though the Harley riders just used them as a hobby. Hell .... If I'd wanted to pick up two packs of beer (48 cans) on my way home - no bother. Not so for the Harley riders.

In the store were bikes at 21,100 euros (around $28,000) My car only cost 10,600 euros! I saw a great retro leather jacket (like The Fonz used to wear) at 518 euros ($650?) Who on earth can afford those prices these days?

As for the bikes themselves - o.k. nice looking - but most of them totally over the top - It's made me realise that when (if!) the time comes for me to upgrade, it's gonna be to either a Suzuki or Honda. Today's open day was enough to put me off Harleys & the culture of the harley riders for life.

When I say (if) the time comes for me to upgrade, I was thinking about that as I rode home down the autopista. I realised that I was cruising at 70 mph, with a bit in hand to occasionally pass vehicles doing the same speed, and, guess what - I WAS ENJOYING THE RIDE - Why do I have to think about trading up when I've got everything I want.No ........... the GZ'll do me fine for a long time yet! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[5th_bike]

In the store were bikes at 21,100 euros (around $28,000)
Well Alan if you would not want to spend $28,000 on a new Harley, do realize there is always Craigslist, Harleys galore with prices around $18,000 to $23,000 for 2003 to 2006 Harleys mostly with very low mileage. :chop:

PS oh, and once I can afford it, I'll get me a Moto Guzzi V7 Classic.

[Moedad]

Welcome, Mac. I love the whole Puyallup area. I have a son in Lewiston and we've been through Puyallup a number of times. And you'll love your GZ!

Whoops, I meant Pullman in reference to Lewiston, but I've been through Puyallup too and I like that area as well. We have other family in Snohomish up north of Puyallup that we visit sometimes.

[Water Warrior 2]

Fossil, congrats on the new bike. The Vulcan is another of those time tested bikes that just work so well. Will you be adding stuff to it for travelling ?

[Water Warrior 2]

Alan, I know what you mean about posers in their costumes. We get a lot of them here too. We also get a lot of real bikers that use their H-Ds as pack mules on long rides and they seam very satisfied with the bikes. There are those who buy the lifestyle and those who buy the bike and ride till the wheels fall off.

[alantf]

Harleys galore with prices around $18,000 to $23,000

Yes, but the point I'm trying to make is that it only cost me the equivalent of $15,000 for a brand new Citroen car. That's got 4 wheels & a lot more work must surely have gone into making it, not to mention the cost of all the materials. I think the answer must be that Harley, the dealers etc get a MUCH bigger profit than the car dealers. The Harley I mentioned is seven times the price of a GZ. In my opinion, I can't see seven times more materials or workmanship. Over here, I could get the equivalent Honda or Suzuki for less than half that price. I really think that it's all to do with " I'VE GOT A HARLEY"

[alantf]

[quote="alantf"]I saw a great retro leather jacket (like The Fonz used to wear) at 518 euros ($650?) [/quote}

This morning I decided to go for a ride to the local leather factory, but they hadn't got any biker gear in, so on my way home I called in at a bike shop that I sometimes use for spares. I got an Interstate leather (A Milwaukee company) Classic Rider leather jacket for 205 euros. In America they go for about $150 (But all imports are more expensive over here) When I got it home & took out the removable liner I couldn't believe the label - MADE IN PAKISTAN. Still, it's a great coat, & the guy said that the only difference between that & the 518 euro jacket was the "Harley" badge sewn on the liner. Oh well..... I'm quite happy to let the posers pay that for a label that no one's going to see while they're wearing the jacket.

[burkbuilds]

It's pretty much that way with any clothing line. My home town used to produce an abundance of textiles here (now they are mostly overseas) and the same factory line that made the "cheap" shirts you could buy at K-mart for $8-12 were the same ones they sewed (or glued) a little aligator onto and sold for $30 at other stores. Same for socks, t-shirts and everything else. I once visited San Antonio, Texas and decided to buy me a real cowboy hat there. I went in a Western store, paid a pretty penny for the hat and as I was walking down the street I looked inside only to discover that it was made at Chattanooga Rope and Sadlery, in my hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

[drs]

Does anyone have a good source for the luggage boxes?

[alantf]

Does anyone have a good source for the luggage boxes?

I don't have a source, since I'm not in America, but as for the box itself - For the last few years I've used "shad". At the moment I've got a Shad 46. It's big enough to hold two helmets or my toolbox when I go out on a job. Never had any problems with them. On the other hand, one of the posts said that the Shad side boxes were shite, so I accept that advice, But (personal preference) the top boxes are fine.

http://www.postimage.org/PqBp040.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqBp040)

Edit :- I looked at the photo in "preview", & the box looks enormous. It's not really bigger than the bike - it's just the angle the photo's been taken at!

[alantf]

http://www.postimage.org/aVtQgZi.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVtQgZi)

This seems a better photo to show the size. By the way - no problem (with bike handling) filling it 'til it won't hold anymore. The only problem is that you have to take the backrest (sissy bar?) off, or the box won't open, but the box itself makes a good backrest for your passenger. In fact, my wife (who does a lot of riding behind me) prefers the box to the original backrest.

Just in passing - my wife's 69 years old, & she still rides regularly behind me! Age doesn't matter when you've got a "biker" mentality.

[adrianinflorida]

Does anyone have a good source for the luggage boxes?

I don't have a source, since I'm not in America, but as for the box itself - For the last few years I've used "shad". At the moment I've got a Shad 46. It's big enough to hold two helmets or my toolbox when I go out on a job. Never had any problems with them. On the other hand, one of the posts said that the Shad side boxes were shite, so I accept that advice, But (personal preference) the top boxes are fine.

http://www.postimage.org/PqBp040.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqBp040)

Edit :- I looked at the photo in "preview", & the box looks enormous. It's not really bigger than the bike - it's just the angle the photo's been taken at!
What, is Fernando Alonso selling Suzukis in Tenerife now? :)

[alantf]

What, is Fernando Alonso selling Suzukis in Tenerife now? :)

Actually, he's Juan Antonio Alonso Hernandez, & the shop is "Alonso Competición". I don't know if he's any relative, but the shop's got a few photos of Fernando.

[dannylightning]

I took my motorcycle training course a few weeks ago and bought an '07 GZ 250 today from a gal who lives just a few miles from me. She also told me about this place. So, here I am. Looking forward to reading what everyone has to say and learning about my new bike while I get some miles under my belt. So far I love it. Now if the sun would just come out! LOL

Mac
Puyallup, WA

great choice for a first bike. i like they way the gz rides way better than any of the other small bikes i have tested out. some of them i felt kind of shakey on. and i figured it was just cus i had not rode in so long.. but the second i set on a gz i liked it and the second i got one on the street i loved it. i think it seems to have way better balance than the other small bikes i rode.

im ready to move up to a bigger bike only after a short time of riding the gz but i think when i do, i will keep the gz around for the excelent gas milage.. i average around 75mph in town for trips around town.. it is definately a keeper.

you want to do a good check up on the bike. make sure every thing is tight. check your air filter and oil, change it if needed. inspect the tires and any thing you can.. you can download the owners manual, parts and service manual for this bike off of this site...

[adrianinflorida]

What, is Fernando Alonso selling Suzukis in Tenerife now? :)

Actually, he's Juan Antonio Alonso Hernandez, & the shop is "Alonso Competición". I don't know if he's any relative, but the shop's got a few photos of Fernando.
Being the first Spanish F1 champ, I figured it was a requirement to have a photo of him in every home and business, like the way everyone in the U.S. in the 1960's seemed to grow up with a photo of JFK in their house. :)