Newbie from TN

[plskthompson1]

Hi, I just picked up a 2006 GS250 for the wife to learn to ride on and hope to get a few pointers about the bike as time goes along.

[alanmcorcoran]

Welcome to the site. You picked a good bike to learn on. Hows the riding weather in TN? Our number one pointer about the bike:

1) Locate and make sure you know how to use the On/Prime/Reserve fuel petcock. (hint: it can be confusing and you don't want to have it on reserve by accident or when you run out of gas, you are completely out. Most of us also zero out the trip odometer when filling it with gas.)

Have fun!

[Mercutio57]

Welcome! You can't go wrong with the GZ.

[burkbuilds]

Welcome to the forum, enjoy the new ride!

[mole2]

Welcome to the forum from another newbie.


:)

[alantf]

Hi there,
The biggest "fault" (if you can call it that!) with the gz is the temperamental carb. Be sure to go out & buy a bottle of carb cleaner, & keep it somewhere handy, so that at the FIRST signs of the engine running rough, you can add it to the petrol in the tank. :2tup: :ride:

[plskthompson1]

Riding weather is awful right now. I did take her out for a little run Tuesday when I got her home, and was surprised at how well it carried someone my size. It should be perfect for the wife. Any suggestions on where to get a sissy bar for a decent price?

[plskthompson1]

Hers the only pic I've got of it. More to come later.
http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt127/plskthompson1/Mobile%20Uploads/1265940278.jpg

[mrlmd1]

Watch out for the right side saddlebag. The exhaust is going to melt/burn a hole through the bottom. You may want to search on the forum for various heat shields that members here have been fabricated out of aluminum or similar and have pop riveted or bolted to the bottom of bags.

[burkbuilds]

I'll second mrlmd1's caution on the exhaust. I did a number on a set of bags I had with this same issue. Resolved it by riveting some checker plate aluminum to the bottom around the exhaust area, but you still want to have some clearance for air to cool things off there!

[bonehead]

Ya, but if you go ahead and burn the hole in it then you don't have to worry about it (like I did)

[k1w1t1m]

Welcome aboard fellow Goldwinger

[plskthompson1]

The bags are coming off. The po already burned a hole on the bottom, and, IMO, they look a little awkward because they seem a little oversized.

[alanmcorcoran]

Looks like you got an aftermarket seat. Is it a Mustang? Or just it just look like one piece in the picture?

[plskthompson1]

It's two pieces. I thought it was stock. I'll look again tomorrrow some time.

[Water Warrior 2]

The saddle strap is just covering the separation between the seats.