Enjoying life and my new GZ250!

[SuziQ07]

Hello! My name is Jolie...just bought my first motorcycle ever a week or so ago. It was a used 2007 with about 900 miles on it. So far I've been practicing my starts and stops and riding around parking lots in first gear. I'm signed up to take the motorcycle safety class at our local community college in early July...I'm really looking forward to learning some new skills and it's so important to me that I pass and get my license. I'm so glad to have found this forum...it's so helpful! :)

[blaine]

HI.Welcome to the fourm.Buy yourself some good gear to protect yourself.Lots of practace.Be safe,you will enjoy your bike.It will give you many miles of enjoyment.

[SuziQ07]

Thanks...I'm really looking forward to many miles of enjoyment. I did buy a 3/4 Gmax helmet with windshield, safety sunglasses, Harley leather gloves, and tall black Harley boots. I need to do some more shopping and looking around for a good quality leather jacket and maybe chaps down the road. The ladies leather jackets all seem to have really long sleeves...I need to find a short length or have something altered. I'm really glad I settled on the GZ250 after looking at the Yamaha Virago and the Honda Rebel!

[patrick_777]

Don't discount the textile jackets as well. Some of the quality ones are Kevlar lined and have as much skid resistance as a lot of leather on the market. You get what you pay for though, in both textile and leather products.

Very nice looking bike. Practice up and work regularly in parking lots for slow-speed and balance stuff. Trust me, working with and knowing the feel of the bike can save your life down the road.

[alanmcorcoran]

Suze,

I got my wife a spyder jacket that is quite small. Wasn't cheap mind you, but it's quite small.

Glad to have you on the forum! Keep up the practice - build good habits now and they'll stick with you.

[SuziQ07]

Thanks for all the supportive advice. Great ideas regarding the alternatives to leather...I need to do some more looking around. Today I'm going to enjoy the sun in NY and try to clean my little Suzie up a bit more...my Dad is also coming over to my house to try and make some adjustments to the foot brake...it's in such a strange position for my liking.

[ruxpin76]

I'm originally from Ithaca (Dryden, actually) and my dad now lives in Auburn...take advantage of the (relatively) short riding season, and perhaps you can extend it with good colder weather gear. Taking the MSF course at OCC or elsewhere?

It would be a long ride for me to get up there with my GZ on the backroads, but Upstate sure has some nice riding -- riding the Finger Lakes would be quite enjoyable. A nice ride around Skaneateles would be fun as well... Enjoy your GZ! Cheers,

~Ted

[SuziQ07]

I'm originally from Ithaca (Dryden, actually) and my dad now lives in Auburn...take advantage of the (relatively) short riding season, and perhaps you can extend it with good colder weather gear. Taking the MSF course at OCC or elsewhere?

It would be a long ride for me to get up there with my GZ on the backroads, but Upstate sure has some nice riding -- riding the Finger Lakes would be quite enjoyable. A nice ride around Skaneateles would be fun as well... Enjoy your GZ! Cheers,

~Ted

Hi Ted,
Oh yes, Ithaca...I love it down there...especially The Commons. I'm actually in Auburn often as I have relatives that work at CCC. I am signed up to take the class at OCC this summer in early July...I can't wait...I'm a teacher so as soon as school gets out for the year I'll gear up for the class. I live for the day I can ride around Skaneateles Lake on the backroads.
Thanks for your kind words.
-Jolie

[alanmcorcoran]

I lived in Ithaca for seven years and my wife is from Auburn. Lots of great motorcycle roads threaded in and around the Finger Lakes. Too bad the riding season is relatively short.

[mole2]

Welcome to the forum. Since you're going to take the course in July and they require at least a long sleeve shirt why don't you look into a mesh jacket to start with. When it starts to get colder you can purchase a leather jacket or textile jacket (I bought both). The mesh with armour will protect you and be a cooler option.

I lived in NY for 58 years but quite a ways from you - on Long Island to be specific. It's a great state but it's very expensive - at least on LI it was. I moved to SC and I'm loving every minute of it. :2tup:


:)

[dhgeyer]

Welcome to the forum SuziQ!

I grew up in East Aurora, outside of Buffalo. I still have a lot of ties there, and go out often. As a matter of fact, I just got back from a ride to Buffalo and back last Saturday. I rode out the Thruway, but came back Rt. 20 through Auburn. Oh, I live in New Hampshire now. I went out to visit the in-laws, but that was really just an excuse for a long ride in that exquisite weather we had a week ago. I may ride out there again this week if the weather we're having now holds. I'll wave as I go by on the Thruway.

I don't do all this on a GZ250, although I do still have one. I do the long rides on the BMW R1200R.

Anyway, good to have you on the forum. You can learn an awful lot here, and don't be afraid to ask questions.

[burkbuilds]

Welcome to the forum, your GZ looks brand new in the picture, very nice.

[alantf]

my Dad is also coming over to my house to try and make some adjustments to the foot brake...it's in such a strange position for my liking.

It's great that you've realised this. A LOT of riders leave the pedal where it is, & adjust their foot. Completely wrong.

The pedal adjustment is quite easy. There's a bolt (with a locknut) under the pedal. Adjust this to get the pedal in the right position - not forgetting that you'll have to adjust the nut on the brake lever (at the back wheel) at the same time. When you get it set up to your liking, you'll have to adjust the brake light switch, by twisting the barrel of the switch (under the bike) Like I said, 10 minutes & it's done. :2tup:

BTW, I should have mentioned that the brake pedal should be adjusted until it's JUST under your foot when you're in a comfortable riding position. Let your dad adjust it, then go for a 5 minute ride. When you get back he may have to "fine tune" it to get it spot on for you. :)

[SuziQ07]

my Dad is also coming over to my house to try and make some adjustments to the foot brake...it's in such a strange position for my liking.

It's great that you've realised this. A LOT of riders leave the pedal where it is, & adjust their foot. Completely wrong.

The pedal adjustment is quite easy. There's a bolt (with a locknut) under the pedal. Adjust this to get the pedal in the right position - not forgetting that you'll have to adjust the nut on the brake lever (at the back wheel) at the same time. When you get it set up to your liking, you'll have to adjust the brake light switch, by twisting the barrel of the switch (under the bike) Like I said, 10 minutes & it's done. :2tup:

BTW, I should have mentioned that the brake pedal should be adjusted until it's JUST under your foot when you're in a comfortable riding position. Let your dad adjust it, then go for a 5 minute ride. When you get back he may have to "fine tune" it to get it spot on for you. :)

What you are saying makes perfect sense...thanks for the advice. I realized when I first got the bike that I would have to lift my foot up and over to hit the brake and that just seemed weird! My dad made the adjustment (based on directions in an old forum discussion I found on here) and it's so natural to me now. With the old position I would have to look down to find the pedal and we know that's not good at all!! I'm so glad that fix was made as I was really worried about it and if I would be able to ride the bike. :2tup:

[SuziQ07]

Welcome to the forum, your GZ looks brand new in the picture, very nice.

I actually photographed my Suzi's better side. :tongue: Her other side has some minor damage from the previous owner...a small dent in the tank probably from the handlebar and some missing paint on the front fender. I'm already planning some repair work for this fall after I spend the summer riding. I at least want to either have the front fender re-painted or order a brand new one. Thanks for the compliment however!

[bonehead]

Welcome, and enjoy the insanity!

[blaine]

You may also need to adjust gear shift to feel comfortable.Make sure brake lite is comming on as soon as you put weight on pedel. GOOD LUCK!

[Water Warrior 2]

Check out New Enough for some riding gear. Their closeout section has some good deals in leather, textile and mesh. Get pants and a jacket, gloves at almost nothing compared to usual suggested prices. A very good return policy too if you need it.

[SuziQ07]

Check out New Enough for some riding gear. Their closeout section has some good deals in leather, textile and mesh. Get pants and a jacket, gloves at almost nothing compared to usual suggested prices. A very good return policy too if you need it.

Good to know Water...thanks for the great tip! I'll check it out for sure.