New Rider, First Bike & Lots of Questions

[kedebrav00]

Hello, I have just learned how to ride a motorcycle. As you may guess I am learning on a GZ250. I decided to buy a used GZ250, as my first bike. I figured it would help me get comfortable on the road since its the bike i'm learning on and it's the rated the best beginner bike. Since you guys seem to know a lot about GZ250 I wanted to describe my bike and ask a few questions. please let me know what you think.

Bike Details:
The bike I am buying is a 1999 GZ250 it has about 1700 miles on it.
It was own by a motorcycle school.
it has one dent on the gas tank
when I went to look at it didn't start right away the guy selling the bike said it was the battery and jumped started it.
The cost of the bike is $650.00


Questions:
(1) Am I getting a good deal on the bike. I couldn't find any blue book value for used bikes?
(2) Should I ask any question in particular before buying the bike?
(3) I live in New York and the bike is two hours away. Do you think its a good idea to ride the bike to the city?
(4) Anyone know any good place in New York TriState Area or Online to get Used Accessories - i.e(Used Helmet, Jacket, and
Boots)?
(5) I've posted two pictures of the bike if anyone can pick out some anything suspicious let me know.

[Water Warrior 2]

Welcome to the forum. Gonna leave most of the answers to folks who know more about the GZ than I do. Only one comment to make: Do not buy a used helmet.

[blaine]

Hello,Welcome.I think you are getting a very good deal.It sounds like you need a new battery.You should plan on replacing the tires if they are more than three years old.(check dates on sidewalls).I have a 99 model with 41000 kms on it,it still works excellent.

[alantf]

Do not buy a used helmet.

:plus1: :plus1: :plus1:

[SuziQ07]

Hello,
In my opinion, that seems like a rather reasonable price for a bike with such low mileage. I would not be too worried about the dent in the tank, as it's just cosmetic. It depends on how much it bothers you. I have a dent in my tank from the previous owner as well. At some point I may do some body work. It would be very important to carefully examine the tires and look for wear, cracks, and rot etc. You could find some used motorcycle accessories and gear on http://www.craigslist.com. I also agree that buying a used helmet is never a good idea. At my local Harley-Davidson shop two people dropped helmets as they were shopping. The store clerks had to take them off the shelves, as they can not be sold as new at this point. She said just a drop on the floor could comprise the safety of the helmet and there may be unseen damage on the inside.
Good luck to you!

[Easy Rider]

Hello, I have just learned how to ride a motorcycle.

Questions:
(1) Am I getting a good deal on the bike. I couldn't find any blue book value for used bikes?

(3) I live in New York and the bike is two hours away. Do you think its a good idea to ride the bike to the city?

(5) I've posted two pictures of the bike if anyone can pick out some anything suspicious let me know.

Welcome. I hope we can be helpful in making your riding more enjoyable.

This may seem like a picky thing to mention but it isn't: You have not "learned" to ride a motorcycle yet; you have just started learning. It is an ongoing process that often takes many years and you kind of go back to rookie status each spring, if you don't ride all year.

1) Yes, I think the price is more than fair. You may have a few additional expenses on maintenance but the "schools" try to keep them in good shape mechanically. All the major used car rating services do motorcycles too, I think. KBB and NADA for sure.

3) Probably not for a rookie.......but that may depend a lot on exactly where you live. If there is a reasonable route that does NOT involve an Interstate or freeway, then maybe. Sunday afternoon when traffic is light would be best. Finding an experienced rider to bring it back for you would be much better.

5) While this is just the opposite of my usual advice..........the resolution on those pictures is so LOW that it's impossible to see any details.

Tires and chain are the two biggies. If there is good tread (should be) and no obvioius big cracks, then the tires should be good for 5 years.

[GZ Jess]

You may have done this but I would check the signals and alignment of the bike. I say signals because when I took my course not one bike had working signals from being dropped. I say alignment (may not be correct term) for the same reason. I saw some school bikes take some major abuse so just check it all over and if you know someone that has been riding for a little while let them ride it too. If it is indeed in working order and the dent is all you can find then I would say it is a good deal! I think U Haul has a motorcycle trailer for $15 a day that you could rent there and turn in at home.

Good Luck!

PS Check the bars to make sure they are not bent and grip ends to make sure that if it has been dropped the throttle doesn't stick and levers aren't bent (all problems my school bike had).

[kedebrav00]

Hey Guys thanks for all of the quick response. I am a rookie. I've just learned how to ride and I have been taking lessons for a few weeks now. I am taking the basic rider course that will waive me from taking a road test on July 4th weekend. I should have my license on July 5th just in time for the summer.
I guess I will purchase a new helmet and i'm going to ask that the bike gets delivered to me.
Once I get the bike I'll take it to a mechanic and get it checked for any mechanical issues I might not of be able to see with my own eyes.


PS - I love this site, I'm so excited to get this bike.

[blaine]

Ride safe,Good luck.
http://www.postimage.org/templates/images/smiley/character/8.gif (http://www.postimage.org/)

[ArizonaKev]

Welcome to the forum, and congrats on your new (to you anyway) GZ!

It sounds like you have gotten a lot of good advice, and from your last post, sounds like you are making some good decisions. The one thing I was going to say was to definitely NOT ride it home if you are just learning, especially from that far away. Even if you were an experienced rider, that's a long way to go on a bike that you are not used to, and have no idea how good the brakes are, how good the clutch is, how good the tires are, etc. I am glad you are going to have it delivered to you. I would not suggest taking the bike out into traffic until you have checked everything out, and made any necessary adjustments to make it comfortable (rear brake lever positioning, shift lever positioning) and safe (mirror adjustments, brake adjustments, etc).

By the way - if there are really only 1700 miles on it, and everything but the tank and the battery are in good shape, I would say you are getting a pretty good deal. And as far as the mechanical stuff goes, make use of the "search" feature on the sire, and check out some of the GREAT posts people have added, showing you how to do everything from adjust those levers I talked about, to changing the tank, to making homemade bike stands - if you have a question, chances are there is an answer here somewhere. I've been on here for about 2 months, and I LOVE this site - don't know what I'd do without it!

Enjoy your new bike, ride safe, and again - welcome :2tup:

AZ Kev

[Water Warrior 2]

Hello,
In my opinion, that seems like a rather reasonable price for a bike with such low mileage. I would not be too worried about the dent in the tank, as it's just cosmetic. It depends on how much it bothers you. I have a dent in my tank from the previous owner as well. At some point I may do some body work. It would be very important to carefully examine the tires and look for wear, cracks, and rot etc. You could find some used motorcycle accessories and gear on http://www.craigslist.com. I also agree that buying a used helmet is never a good idea. At my local Harley-Davidson shop two people dropped helmets as they were shopping. The store clerks had to take them off the shelves, as they can not be sold as new at this point. She said just a drop on the floor could comprise the safety of the helmet and there may be unseen damage on the inside.
Good luck to you!
It is very unlikely the dropped helmets were damaged in any way. Possibly the finish was marked but nothing more. What you do have to worry about is a used helmet that has had an impact with a head in it and the protective material inside the helmet being deformed. It will no longer serve it's designed purpose. The dropped helmets were probably later sold as new but discounted due to the finish being marred. A helmet shell itself is quite robust and can take a lot of banging around without being comprimised.

[blaine]

Most manufacturers state that if helmet is dropped not to wear it as it can have unseen damage."SNELL" states that helmet dropped from 2 feet on a hard surface such concrete or hardwood will not protect in a accident.They state that helmets dropped have unseen stress fractures.

[mole2]

Welcome aboard and ride safe! My only little bit of advice is NO used helmet and, having come from LI, I wouldn't try that ride back to NYC as a newbie. Between the traffic and bridges it would be a hell of a ride.


:)

[Water Warrior 2]

Most manufacturers state that if helmet is dropped not to wear it as it can have unseen damage."SNELL" states that helmet dropped from 2 feet on a hard surface such concrete or hardwood will not protect in a accident.They state that helmets dropped have unseen stress fractures.
We will have to agree to disagree on that. If a 2 foot drop will cause damage to a helmet then #1 I don't want that product line, #2 the manufacturers better get their act together and do something.

If a helmet was replaced everytime it fell off a bike, rolled off a chair or slipped out of hand there would be very few riders. Nobody could afford to ride.

[blaine]

Most manufacturers state that if helmet is dropped not to wear it as it can have unseen damage."SNELL" states that helmet dropped from 2 feet on a hard surface such concrete or hardwood will not protect in a accident.They state that helmets dropped have unseen stress fractures.
We will have to agree to disagree on that. If a 2 foot drop will cause damage to a helmet then #1 I don't want that product line, #2 the manufacturers better get their act together and do something.

If a helmet was replaced everytime it fell off a bike, rolled off a chair or slipped out of hand there would be very few riders. Nobody could afford to ride.

I don't agree with it.I am stating what manufactures and safety councils say.I too have dropped my helmet and don't intend to run out and buy a new one.
http://www.postimage.org/templates/images/smiley/happy/8.gif (http://www.postimage.org/)

[5th_bike]

Welcome to the forum ! :rawk:

If you didn't know already, the dent in your tank is from being dropped on its left side, it's the imprint from the left turn signal.
I have a similar dent on the right side, from the PO. Funny, mine needed a jump start too when I first saw it, from lack of use. It had 35 miles on it and was 2 years old when I got it.

The bike looks like a good deal to me. Do count on spending a similar amount or maybe more, on new parts and accessories. Drive it home if you feel confident, but have someone follow you in a car if at all possible.

Check it before you take off, um, I forgot the acronym of the checklist, was it "S T A R T" ? Anyways, just Google "Motorcycle checklist before you ride" or similar.

Have fun ! :2tup:

[SuziQ07]

Most manufacturers state that if helmet is dropped not to wear it as it can have unseen damage."SNELL" states that helmet dropped from 2 feet on a hard surface such concrete or hardwood will not protect in a accident.They state that helmets dropped have unseen stress fractures.
We will have to agree to disagree on that. If a 2 foot drop will cause damage to a helmet then #1 I don't want that product line, #2 the manufacturers better get their act together and do something.

If a helmet was replaced everytime it fell off a bike, rolled off a chair or slipped out of hand there would be very few riders. Nobody could afford to ride.

I don't agree with it.I am stating what manufactures and safety councils say.I too have dropped my helmet and don't intend to run out and buy a new one.
http://www.postimage.org/templates/images/smiley/happy/8.gif (http://www.postimage.org/)



I don't necessarily agree with it either, however that is what the manufacture says. And I know for a fact that Harley will not sell a helmet that a customer drops on the floor because it may have unseen damage. There is nothing to debate...do the research, and you will find out the same thing. The bottom line is this: buy a brand new helmet when purchasing a bike. It's like buying a used car seat for your baby.

[Water Warrior 2]

Some manufacturers will X-ray your helmet for you if you send it to them. Can't recall which ones do this service but it would be a goodwill service and probably builds a good relationship with customers. If possible always have a back-up helmet in the wings if your regular lid is in doubt. As soon as my back-up turns 5 years old it gets junked and the primary becomes a back-up when a new lid is purchased.

[blaine]

It boils down to always buy your helmet new,that way you know the history of the helmet.If you drop it you know if you feel comfortable to continue using it.

[kedebrav00]

Hey Guys, hope all is well. I got my license last week Monday.
I've clocked in about 20 miles on my GZ so far, I plan on riding to and from work on a daily basis.

I live in NYC and I have a question for anyone who rides in the New York City.
What is the deal with parking a bike on the sidewalk or on the street.2. Whats a good

[Viirin]

Hey and welcome

I don't mean to come off like a dick straight off the bat but 1700 miles for 11 years seems like very few to me - only saying this because i had similar circumstances when buying mine and i doubt mine has it's original spedo on it. Was your bike off the road for a few years or only used for dry miles?

Again, don't mean to be a dick or anything - if the bike has 100 miles or 100,000 miles on it - makes no difference if it's running well (at least in my opinion) but ~150 miles a year just seems a little...strange

[ArizonaKev]

Congrats on getting your license! As far as the parking on the sidewalk question goes, I can honestly say I have no idea. My suggestion would be to ask an actual police officer sometime. Because no matter what the laws do or don't say, what really matters is what the police will or won't enforce. The law might say "no parking on the sidewalk" but that doesn't mean the police will enforce that law rigidly.

Just like here in Phoenix, Arizona : the law states that a person is not allowed to ride a bicycle on the sidewalks, they must ride in the street. But with the way people drive out here, you'd have to be crazy to ride a bicycle in the street! (unless there is a bike lane, which have very few of). And in the 26 years I have lived here, I have NEVER heard of a person cited for riding a bicycle on the sidewalk.

That's why I say, ask a police officer. Ride safe amigo :2tup:


AZ Kev

[kedebrav00]

The bike was originally owned by an MSS school upstate new york which was closed down.
The bikes were purchased by a mechanic that had them in storage because he had health issues.
There were over 40 bikes to choose from and none of which were over 2000 miles. I doubt anyone would go through all that trouble to replace speedometers.

Note: For those who don't live in NYC there are parking meters called MuniMeters where you print parking pass by the hour to put in your car and commercial parking only zones.
I learned the hard way. I spoke to a ticket maid/cop after I parked my bike in the city street.
I asked the meter maid/cop if I can park he responded by saying yes but sometimes you get tickets sometimes you don't. It depends on the meter maid/cop.
I've always notice several motorcycle parking on the street. After parking at 9AM I return to my Bike at 12noon notice that I did not have any parking ticket, I then returned at 5:15PM and then noticed that I had received a parking ticket and the other bikes did not.
This happened for one simple reason. I left my license plates on my bike while the other bikers took theirs with them.

[GZ Jess]

Wow, around here if you took the plates off your bike (or vehicle for that matter) and left it on the street, it wouldn't be there when you got back. You would have major tickets and an impound and towing fee instead of the $10 parking violation fee.

Jessica

[blaine]

Wow, around here if you took the plates off your bike (or vehicle for that matter) and left it on the street, it wouldn't be there when you got back. You would have major tickets and an impound and towing fee instead of the $10 parking violation fee.

Jessica


Same thing here on the Island.Plus you would need to show proof of registration & insurance before vehicle would be released.

:2tup: :cry:

[kedebrav00]

well I'm not sure why but this what people with bikes do.
So, I made it my business to look to see if parked bikes or scooters have plates on them, Most of them don't.
I understand the thing about towing so I asked some guys at the front desk in my office building if they ever saw bikes being towed they said yes.
They pointed me out to two bikes on the side walk. Instead on parking on the street these guys/girl parked on the side walk but they chain their bikes to a post. which is a great Idea but I don't want to have to carry a chain with me. especially on the GZ where would I store it. Well I parked my bike today and took my plates off. I didn't get a ticket or towed.
The only stupid thing I did was leaving the tail light on so I had to get it towed to the local Motorcycle shop because AAA don't jump motorcycles.
Note: I read the post about jump starting the motorcycle but there were no hills near me, plus it was raining I just got it towed.

[Viirin]

I carry a chain on my bike and i just wrap it around the sissy bar - fortunately here, rules for parking bikes are in a nice, grey area. So no one ever says anything to me about where i park

Sorry i didn't check the picture of your bike for a sissy bar - carrying a chain in a backpack would be a pain in the ass

[kedebrav00]

hey has anyone speedometer stop working and the millage gauge also stopped working. I wanted to knowif anyone has some advise before i take it to the mechanic.

[blaine]

You likely have a broken speedometer cable.Replacement is cheap,and only a few minutes to change.speedometer and mileage gage operate as one unit.

:itsokay: :tup:

[mole2]

hey has anyone speedometer stop working and the millage gauge also stopped working. I wanted to knowif anyone has some advise before i take it to the mechanic.

Start your own thread in the General section or whatever.


:)

[Easy Rider]

Start your own thread in the General section or whatever.


HAHAHAHA It IS his thread already !! :biggrin:

Doing a search on "speedometer" would probably find the answer WITHOUT a new thread.

In addition to a broken cable, it could just be loose at one end or the other.