Hello all

[amanda]

My name is Amanda and *hopefully* I will be picking up my new GZ250 tomorrow. (Had a couple financing problems) This will be my first bike.

A little background:
My dad got me into motorcycles - he had 2 Harley's, a Wide Glide and a Sportster both '80s. I rode with him many times and he let me drive his wide glide around the driveway once :cool: (It was way to wide and heavy for me, I'm around 5'01")
My dad passed away 2 weeks ago from a 4 year battle with oral cancer and I'm getting my own bike in memory of him.
I didn't think I'd be able to find a bike that fit me so well so I was really excited when I found the GZ.

Will update tomorrow as long as I get it!

[alanmcorcoran]

Sorry for your loss Amanda. Good luck tomorrow.

[burkbuilds]

Sorry for your loss Amanda. What a nice way to remember your dad though. Hope you love the GZ, ride safely and welcome to the forum! :)

[amanda]

Thanks to both of you :)

Guess the app. didn't go through today so we'll see what Monday brings...

[burkbuilds]

If you can't work it out with the dealer on financing, (getting a loan right now can be tough) check around sites like e-bay (search for GZ 250) and you'll probably find a lot of GZ bikes with low miles in like new condition for a big savings over factory new. That's how I found my first GZ for $2100 with about 1700 miles on it. I only had to drive about 150 miles to pick it up. Good luck!

[amanda]

I got my bike last night!
I didn't like the dealership that was helping me with the new so I found an awesome deal on a used bike:
2008, silver, 900 miles, windshield and saddlebags included = basically new

Went driving for the first time around my hometown with my brother who has a Yamaha 950.
The only thing I really need work on is using the clutch - its really hard for me to remember/figure out what gear I'm in but I'm definitely learning fast.

I'll add pictures tomorrow

[New GZ250]

Congratulations! Enjoy your new toy, and I think it is difficult for many of us to know exactly what gear we are in at times. As they say practice makes perfect. Looking foreward to those pictures!
:)

[Water Warrior 2]

Congratulations Amanda. An almost new bike is as good as it gets when a dealer won't help iron out the wrinkles. Have fun riding and keep the shiny side up.

[alanmcorcoran]

I have a silver 2008 as well. Eventually, you'll find that it is not so important to know what gear you are in, but more important to be in the right one. You will quickly develop a "feel" for when to upshift and downshift. I make a habit of downshifting to first as I approach situations where I am likely to have to stop. You can tell when you reach first on the GZ cause it has a little extra "clunk" when it drops into gear. Also, if you forget to downshift ahead of time, and you can't downshift when stopped, try letting the clutch out (just a tad or you will stall!) as you downshift.

[amanda]

(pictures in the GZ pic section)

[burkbuilds]

Congratulations on finding a bike! Enjoy riding and if you haven't done this already, I'd recommend taking a Motorcycle Safety Course as soon as you can find one in your area, it will help you improve your skills and make you aware of a lot of things car drivers don't really concern themselves with but motorcycle riders need to keep in mind at all times.