Howdy y'all

[BillInGA]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I bought my 2004 GZ250 in 2006 with 1,100 miles on it. Stock bike with a set of puny saddle bags.

I have put 6,000 miles on the bike while "commuting" to work in nice weather (it's only 1.5 miles to the office) and on occasional weekend rides of 2 - 3 hours.

Mods: I quickly ditched the saddle bags, but kept the supports on for future use. I have been using a Cor-tech Sport tail bag for my cargo needs. After lots of research I finally did the Pilot Screw adjustment (yesterday). Initial test ride indicates good results - enough power to ride on the freeway and keep up with traffic.

To Do List:
Windshield - I'm leaning toward the Slipstreamer Sport Fairing SS-28
Sissy Bar / Cargo Rack - I'll probably fabricate my own based on what I've seen in the forums
16T Front Sprocket - I'm curious to see how this will affect the bike's performance

Future Plans: I'm planning to do a long cross-country trip at the end of July - Atlanta to Denver. I'll be spending this spring & summer gearing up and prepping.

[Easy Rider]

To Do List:
Windshield - I'm leaning toward the Slipstreamer Sport Fairing SS-28

Future Plans: I'm planning to do a long cross-country trip at the end of July - Atlanta to Denver. I'll be spending this spring & summer gearing up and prepping.

Got a link to the shield you are looking at ??
The word "fairing" in the name might not be good. You CAN get one that is TOO big.....especially on a little bike.

I'm planning a somewhat shorter trip at the end of May; from Illinois to Atlanta....and beyond.
Maybe I'll see you then. My GZ went to Atlanta last year.

Oh, and welcome; several Georgia (and vicinity) dudes here already. :tup:

[JWR]

Hey BillInGa,

I will be down your way this week-end.
Road Atlanta.
Welcome aboard.

[burkbuilds]

Hey Bill, glad to have you posting now instead of just lurking on the forum! I ride through Kennesaw on I-75 a couple of times a week on my way to Marietta, and my oldest daughter will be graduating from the Kennesaw State University next month.

[blaine]

Welcome aboard! Ride safe

[BillInGA]

Hey Bill, glad to have you posting now instead of just lurking on the forum! I ride through Kennesaw on I-75 a couple of times a week on my way to Marietta, and my oldest daughter will be graduating from the Kennesaw State University next month.


Early congratulations to your daughter (and you). I'm a KSU alumni myself (MBA - Finance, 1998)

[BillInGA]

Thanks to all for the warm welcome. Nothing less than what I've come to expect from this group.

:2tup:

[BillInGA]

Got a link to the shield you are looking at ??
The word "fairing" in the name might not be good. You CAN get one that is TOO big.....especially on a little bike.



Here's the link: http://www.slipstreamer.com/Product/Sport/sport.html

The SS-28 is second from the bottom. It's hard to tell from the Memphis Shades site, but I think it looks a lot like your Santa Cruz - maybe a bit shorter, though. I like the idea of having the hand grips covered.

[blaine]

I have the 'SPITFIRE',first one at top of page.

[dhgeyer]

Welcome to the forum! Sounds like you've learned a lot already.

From a long time tourer, a word or two of caution. Atlanta to Denver is fairly ambitious on any bike, much more so on a relatively small one like the GZ250. May I suggest putting in a few long day rides first, to get a feel for how far you can expect to go safely and comfortably in a day? Then I would suggest a couple of shorter tours - three or four days. What to take and how to pack it isn't something we're born knowing.

I only suggest all this because you say you've only done 2 to 3 hour rides so far. All day, day after day is a much different animal.

Some might say that the GZ250 isn't up to a trip like that. I can only say that I wouldn't do it, but I'm 63. Longer trips have been done on that bike, so I would say it's definitely doable if you are up to it. It will be physically and mentally demanding.

Oh, and I second the Spitfire for the GZ250. It's big enough but not too big.

[BillInGA]

My weekend jaunts usually run about 3 hours and anywhere from 75 to 100 miles.

About a year ago I did a day trip from Kennesaw to Toccoa, GA - about 250 miles round trip. The most challenging part was trying to keep up with traffic on a section of 4-lane that was 65 MPH. With my recent Pilot Screw mod, I'm expecting that won't be a problem. The most valuable lesson I learned from that trip is EARPLUGS!

I'll be making some long day trips to validate the capabilities of both me and the bike.

It is a long trip to be sure - about 1500 miles each way. I've driven it probably a half dozen times in the 15 years since I moved here from Colorado. So I'm pretty familiar with the route. The worst part is western Kansas / eastern Colorado. It seems like it takes forever to see the mountains.

I approach motorcycling like I approach flying: set and follow procedures, don't exceed your personal limitations, and of course the 5 P's - Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.

So, for the next several weeks, planning, planning, planning before I commit to making the trip.

[blaine]

As you already done the 'pilot jet adjustment you might consider doing the 'needle shim' I found a big difference in pulling power when I done mine. The bike runs very lean from the factory.

[blaine]

As you already done the 'pilot jet adjustment you might consider doing the 'needle shim' I found a big difference in pulling power when I done mine. The bike runs very lean from the factory.

[blaine]

As you already done the 'pilot jet adjustment you might consider doing the 'needle shim' I found a big difference in pulling power when I done mine. The bike runs very lean from the factory.

[BillInGA]

I was going to do the needle shim first, but the pilot screw seemed to be a much simpler first project. In retrospect, I probably didn't have to completely remove the carb. I could have just rotated it in place after all the hoses and cables were disconnected. Getting it back in was less than trivial. :whistle:

Needle shim is next, then 16T front sprocket. Windshield and cargo rack after that.

:tup:

[dhgeyer]

We're in a similar state, Bill. I'm also planning the longest ride I've ever done for Spring/early Summer. I'll be riding essentially coast to coast, from here in Merrimack, NH to California and back. I'm allocating a month or a bit more. I'll be riding a BMW R1200R, with BMW sidecases and topcase, and a tank bag. Having a lot of cargo space really helps, especially if most of it is lockable. I want to be able to leave the bike unattended while I go for long walks and take pictures, eat meals, and so on.

Anyway, I also am testing capabilities of me and bike, as this bike is new. I've been paying special attention to getting the large windshield set up so that it doesn't buffet my head. I had to make a pair of air deflectors to make it work, but I've got it licked now. The 1200 boxer engines are very smooth at operating RPM's, and of course have no trouble keeping up with traffic. The weak link is me, and I have to know how much I can push a day. I did a trip a little over a week ago to Buffalo and back. I went out in one day, 433 miles (60 miles winding mountain 2 lane, 273 miles of superslab, and the rest relatively easy federal 2 lane). I did that on 2.5 hours of sleep! I came back over the next two days on all federal 2 lane, and much more sleep. I can do it, but I wouldn't do the equivalent of that first day for several days running. That would be way beyond my limit. It adds up over days, and one thing that should be in our planning (yours and mine) is a rest day every few days, with limited riding, some walking, and a lot of rest. Veteran tourers will generally tell you that.

If you haven't already, check out some of the motorcycle touring websites and books. There's a lot of information out there.

[blaine]

Needle shim can be done by turning carb to one side,but I found it just as quick and easy to take carb off. Maybe do main jet at same time. I used a 130 jet.

[mrlmd1]

I had the Slipsteamer SS28 windshield/sport fairing on my bike, there's pics of it on here, and I liked it very much. It's 15" tall, nicely covers the grips, has a 4 point mounting system so it's very solid and doesn't vibrate, and did a good job of blocking the wind with no wind coming up underneath hitting your neck and chin like with some other shields. I think that's a real good choice. I wish I kept it to mount on my S50 - it was much better than the 18" Malibu windshield/fairing I have on the S50 now.

[Easy Rider]

I think it looks a lot like your Santa Cruz - maybe a bit shorter, though.

I think you'll be OK with that one. My problem is that the bottom skirts are too long. When I have the shield angle where I like it the best, I get an inrush of air from the bottom. I now have the shield standing almost straight up and it's better.......but I don't think that angle would have worked out at ALL on the GZ; too much wind resistance.

[Easy Rider]

Needle shim is next, then 16T front sprocket.

I hate to say this but I think you have some conflicting plans.

A BIG sheild and the 16T sprocket don't go well together.
Neither does the 16T and keeping up with 65 MPH "interstate" traffic.

Changing the sprocket is fairly easy and inexpensive but I think we can probably save you the trouble. Too bad to 'cause I really liked it that way......but I NEVER ventured on a heavily travelled Interstate (or similar).

[mole2]

Welcome to the forum Bill. If you ever plan on riding up Myrtle Beach way give a holler. :biggrin:


:)

[BillInGA]

I hate to say this but I think you have some conflicting plans.

A BIG sheild and the 16T sprocket don't go well together.
Neither does the 16T and keeping up with 65 MPH "interstate" traffic.

Changing the sprocket is fairly easy and inexpensive but I think we can probably save you the trouble. Too bad to 'cause I really liked it that way......but I NEVER ventured on a heavily travelled Interstate (or similar).

You're correct, I do have conflicting plans: local commuting and a long cross-country trip.

I see the 16T as applying to my local commuting. From what I've read it improves the overall readability of the bike around town. Considering that my daily commute is a mile and a half and maxes out at 35 MPH, top end speed is not really a big concern. Typically, I won't see anything over 50 MPH riding locally.

Also, I don't see the 16T as a permanent fixture. If it's not right for the long trip I don't have a problem swapping it out for the 15T. From what I've seen in the How-To's it doesn't seem to be too much trouble. I'll know for sure once I've done it myself.

The windshield, on the other hand, may require some more thought. I really don't need one around town. It's only above about 55 that I start noticing the adverse affects of the wind blast. I like the idea of covering the handlebars, for both the aerodynamics and protecting my hands. I don't like the idea of dropping $150+ to find out that the SS-28 is too much windshield. I may start out with a smaller windshield like the Slipstreamer Spitfire. Plus it's half the price of the SS-28.

[Easy Rider]

You're correct, I do have conflicting plans: local commuting and a long cross-country trip.

Those two things do NOT necessarily conflict with each other........IF you resign yourself to NOT riding on the freeway-type roads.

I went from Illinois to Atlanta and back with a BIG shield AND a 16T and had no problem at all.
BUT I was happy to use US 41 all the way and not get upset with a 55 MPH nominal speed or those few times when I could not maintain even that.

Wind is not the only reason for a windshield. Rocks and bugs can hurt a LOT, sometimes even with full gear on.

Given the further explanation of your situation, I think you definitely shoud try the 16T. To me, it felt like a different bike.

[BillInGA]

Currently my planned route is along federal and state highways. Even though I'm not planning on using interstates, I might want to keep that option open.

As I make incremental changes to the bike I'll keep track of the corresponding changes in performance. I found a 15-mile loop that I'll use to assess the effects of each change. It includes sections of US-41 with some good-sized hills, a few miles on I-75 as well as some side roads. I'll use my current configuration as the baseline, since I don't want to go back and undo the pilot screw adjustment.

I'm thinking this thread has gone way off topic, so I'll start a new one in the appropriate spot when I have more to report. Stay tuned...

:rawk:

[mrlmd1]

There's nothing wrong with having a windshield for riding around town. They do just as much in town as on the road protecting your face and neck from road debris flung up by cars, and bugs flying into you. And the SS28 is not a large windshield, and most certainly NOT too large. I really liked mine.