FNG

[emory70]

i'm emory, and i just bought a gz250. light metallic blue. picked it up at a local dealership with 7400 miles. that was on monday afternoon. between then and today, i have added about 325-350 to the total. my work in 50 miles from home, so i needed to get away from my unreliable raggedy taurus wagon.

the day i picked up the bike, i had only ridden in the motorcycle safety class. that was at the end of may. i had my buddy run me to the dealership so i could ride it home. he followed me, which was probably a good idea on his part. not 5 miles down the road, some woman almost ran into me.

rode to work tuesday, so my boss (a scottsman) could laugh at my "poof chariot." otherwise uneventful day. same as wednesday, where i was able to drive around a huge storm. not so lucky thursday, when i managed to ride through 3 (or was it 4?) different storm cells. weeee!!

today was the kicker. got about 15 miles down the road this morning (i leave at 430am), and the rear tire went flat. i felt a vibration, and then when i slowed for a light, it felt like the rear end was on ice. that's not good. called the boss and he said he'd pick me up. looked it over and found a nail. boss showed and i reluctantly left the bike at the gas station. the gas station was less than a mile from a bike dealership, so the boss dropped me off and aired up the tire for me while i warmed up the bike. as soon as we were done, i hauled ass to the dealership. bad spot of luck getting the flat, but it could have been SO much worse.

[mole2]

Welcome aboard Emory. Ride safe and keep the shiney side up. :2tup:


:)

[emory70]

so i was looking the bike over the other day and the cute little LEDs for my blinkers don't look right. oh wait, they are something the p.o. put on. grr! oh well.

i got busy this morning before it got too hot. pulled the rear seat and reflectors to clean up the look a little. then i got to looking at the exhaust... hmm... those 6 holes in the perimeter of the baffle don't look too kosher. another mod by the p.o. guess i better look to see what else has been done to the bike.

[BillInGA]

Hi emory, welcome to the forum. Sounds like your bike's previous owner has indeed done some modifications.

You might want to check out the modifications section of the forum to get an idea of what many owners have done to modify their bikes.

It also wouldn't be a bad idea to download the Owner's Manual and Service Manual (available on this forum) and give your new ride a thorough going-over.

Ride safe and have fun!

[emory70]

i've been all over the site. that's how i picked up on the muffler "mod." sounds ok i guess. the bike looks pretty much stock other than that and the LEDs. i'm starting to go over it this weekend, changing the oil and other regular maintenance. once i can get an oil filter. might just hafta wait til i can get some offa ebay.

me being me, i can see the bike getting further mods, if only to make it look more like a mini harley.

any evidence of passenger capability has to go
muffler is ugly
handlebars are too low and have too much pullback
fenders need trimming
seat sucks
lighting upgrades needed

yeah, i may have to just buy another one as a project bike.

[Sarris]

http://s1.postimage.org/CT3ar.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxCT3ar) http://s4.postimage.org/s6NZJ.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVs6NZJ)


Looks like one of the pack. Solo'ed out, leather, police windshield etc. I no longer own the Sportster (center)

Good Luck. :)

[alantf]

lighting upgrades needed



Warning! Warning! (sound of claxon offstage)

Just make sure that you don't exceed the GZ's meagre charging capability! :tdown:

[emory70]

the only thing i do to exceed any of the bike's capability is put my fat ass on it.

i like the way you did the strips on your tank and fender sarris. looks very nice.

my buddy dragged me out today to test ride a victory. he is convinced that he needs one of them for a first bike. it was my first time on anything but my geezer or the tw200 i rode in the mst class. very nice, but too big. i'm almost 6', but i have shorts arms and legs, and really had to do a lot of reaching and stretching on that kingpin.

later we drooled over some harleys. i think an iron 883 or a 48 is in my future.

[Sarris]

The Iron is OK. The 48 is nice looking, but it's only got a 100 mile tank and the exposed frame rail is a ball buster.

I go 6'-1" and about 280 lbs., and I found the Sportster I owned was way too small and uncomfortable for me. I sold it after only 6 months.

If you are a Harley type, I'd suggest a Fat Bob or a Dyna. You got to ride to decide.

PM me if you need any HD info.

:)

[cayuse]

Sarris, I like ALL the leather on your GZ. :2tup:
Where did you get the tank and fender trimmings, and the bags?

[Sarris]

The tank chap and fender bibb are from Chilhowee (http://www.chilhowee.net/). They were a custom order and are probably still so. You'll have to call them to check.

The bags are stock Suzuki (small and shitty), but look OK. Do a search and you'll find my installation instuctions in a much earlier post.

PM me if you need more info.

Also, Emory, go for a 1200cc Sportster if you buy one. It's cheaper in the long run and a way better ride. Mine started life as an 883 and I converted it after only about a month. I'm not much of a Victory guy either. Looks too much like a space ship like for my taste.

:2tup:

[emory70]

the victory was nice, but not something i look at and go WOW over.

i'm undecided over an 883 or 1200. i know the peanut tank significantly reduces range, but to me a sporty HAS to have that tank.

dad used to be a big sporty fan, but has recently changed his attitude. he tells me to go straight for a dyna or softail. if i went that way, it'd be a street bob, softail deluxe, or fat boy. we differ in our style, but he is where i go for my hd info. he's been on everything but crotch rockets, and has ridden harleys off and on since i was a baby. he's now on his third heritage.

[alanmcorcoran]

There's a new super Strat for 2010 (or maybe it was a 2011?) Bigger bags, smaller windshield, but has a fairing now. Seems to have the same guts as my '07. Looks less like a cruiser and more like an I'm-not-sure-what. Saw one in V-Twin magazine with a weird 70's copper color. I like the idea of the bigger bags - and there are supposedly bagliners available as well. Can't really recommend one as their market is tiny compared to HD's but I can say you get a nice big air-cooled V-Twin bike with everything mechanical-wise included (no need for after market effing around) that lists for 17K (and probably sells for 2K less.) Negatives are bad gas mileage (you can get about 48 highway) and a smallish gas tank. Rides like a dream, accelerates like a rocket and has plenty of two up power. Fule injection, awesome brakes, belt drive, low profile tire/wheels, quick release sissy, etc. I think my version looks pretty cool too, but that's just me.

[Sarris]

Yeah Alan, it's called the Stratoliner Deluxe. You can see the writeup here: Stratoliner Deluxe (http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/1006_crup_2010_star_stratoliner_deluxe/index.html)

Looks like a real nice bike. No radio tuner , CD player, or cruise control. Does have an Ipod music system.

:)

[emory70]

starting to contemplate the 16 tooth mod. must read more.

[patrick_777]

starting to contemplate the 16 tooth mod. must read more.

It's cheap and if you don't like it, easily reversed.

[Easy Rider]

starting to contemplate the 16 tooth mod. must read more.

It's cheap and if you don't like it, easily reversed.

IIRC, we've had about 2 riders here that didn't like it and went back.
I think one even planned to change back and forth depending on his upcoming ride.
That would make the "vote" something like 40 to 2 in favor......just guessing......among those who have tried it.

[Palaka]

welcome I myself am new to the forum but there is a lot of good info on here. I am another one that has done the 16t mod carb shim and muffler. And I like all of them. good luck and happy riding.

[patrick_777]

[quote=emory70]starting to contemplate the 16 tooth mod. must read more.

It's cheap and if you don't like it, easily reversed.

IIRC, we've had about 2 riders here that didn't like it and went back.
I think one even planned to change back and forth depending on his upcoming ride.
That would make the "vote" something like 40 to 2 in favor......just guessing......among those who have tried it.[/quote:22zbbf2j]

That was me. I'm still on the fence about the 16t, personally...at least the option is there to go back if you want.

[emory70]

yeah, i like reversible mods. if it was one of my rc monster trucks i'd dive in, but with this being my primary work transportation... using first through fourth as actual gears would be nice, but i like the acceleration too. i like the sound the bike makes, even with the six shooter mod the p.o. did to the muffler. but i hate all stock mufflers. on everything. guess i'll keep reading, it don't cost nothing...

[emory70]

just got gas again tonight. 84.6 mpg

[GZBrian]

Hello emory70 and welcome aboard. Yeah, you gotta love the gas mileage from the GZ. I know we do.. Ride safe. GZBrian

[jonathan180iq]

Rain storms and flat tires build character.
Keep up the good work :)