I miss my GZ250bike

[mr. softie]

Wish I had been able to hang on to it, fun bike!

My Honda GL650I has traveled 19,000 miles since I purchased it one year ago, with me riding it to Georgia twice (Suches), North Carolina twice (Mt Airy), Vermont once and a trip to see my relatives in Wisconsin and Minnesota. A better choice for long tours than the GZ, but the GZ rules around town. There is an active group of CX and GL riders who get together for rallies and camp outs throughout the year

I was unemployed for over 14 months, but have fortunately found a job, starting Monday. I am the new service manager at a 350 unit apartment building.

I am keeping my eye out for another GZ, 70 mpg is hard to beat for getting to work and back. Great little bike. The GL650I really opened up my touring possibilities though. Also a great bike.
Here is a shot from one of my trips down the Blue Ridge Parkway last summer on my way to TWO...
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/interactman/TWO%202009/BigRock.jpg

[alanmcorcoran]

Welcome back softie. We missed you. Glad you got a job.

[patrick_777]

Welcome back, man. Good to see you found a job finally. Stick around this time!

[mr. softie]

Thanks Alan and Patrick, not working sucks big time, but I made the best of it. Now it is "nose to the grindstone" time so I can pay my bills. I'll check back from time to time, I have not forgotten the good folks on this board.

[BusyWeb]

Welcome back Mr. Softie.
I was wonder where you were... ha ha ha.
Hope you find good GZ soon!

[mr. softie]

Hi Busy, I always enjoy your ride reports and photos. I have some catching up to do.

[JWR]

Welcome back.

I think I saw you...

[attachment=1:33z4kca8]IMG_2916.JPG[/attachment:33z4kca8]

Or maybe here...

[attachment=0:33z4kca8]DCP_5411.JPG[/attachment:33z4kca8]

Good to see things are going better for you.

Jerry

[mr. softie]

I appreciate that Jerry. My next trip to TWO is scheduled for the weekend of April 24th, I am going to try to make it although work might get in the way. Then I am planning to be at the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground in North Carolina May 5th and 6th. Probably a better chance of making it to that one. These are both HTTA (Honda Transverse Twins Association) "events".

[JWR]

If you make the TWO, do give me a shout..

My ole PC won't be too out of place.

[birdmove]

I've heard the CX500/CX650 Hondas were very well made and very long lasting. By the way, did you know Honda made a CX650 Turbo model? They also tried making a flat track bike with I believe the CX500 engine. It was mounted sideways in the frame as I recall. It wasn't a success though. The CX500CX650 engines were pretty late model push rod engines, but were still pretty high revving even with push rods.

jon

[burkbuilds]

Hey Mr. Softie, good to see you back on here and congratulations on the new job!

[mr. softie]

I've heard the CX500/CX650 Hondas were very well made and very long lasting. By the way, did you know Honda made a CX650 Turbo model? They also tried making a flat track bike with I believe the CX500 engine. It was mounted sideways in the frame as I recall. It wasn't a success though. The CX500CX650 engines were pretty late model push rod engines, but were still pretty high revving even with push rods.

jon

Hi Jon. The turbos came in both the 500 and 650 variants. Fuel injected. I have seen quite a few and they are pretty fast once the turbo spools up. I want one. There was also a "CX650E" model, sold in Europe and Canada, styled like the turbo (toned down) but with carbs. I want one of those too, very cool looking. No, the flat tracker was an experiment, and while fast it was expensive to build. Short lived but an interesting footnote. Yes the transverse twins are known to go 200,000 miles between major overhauls. And they are higher revving for push rod twins. I am turning 5000rpm at 65 mph, redline is at 9000rpm. Mine is happiest at around 75-80mph, with a top speed of 105 or so. I am averaging a bit over 50mpg, over 19,000 miles of mixed high speed touring and bopping around town.
Stock it puts out over 65 hp from 672cc. Good torque, with a strong low end. Four valves per cylinder, single camshaft. There is a fellow who builds salt flats record setters, using these motors. He holds the current world speed record in his class.

[mr. softie]

Hey Mr. Softie, good to see you back on here and congratulations on the new job!
Thanks! I started yesterday. Nice to be employed for sure.