Noob from WA

[prof_stack]

Very nice site! I've been riding almost 40 years, using 7 motorcycles over that time: 90cc, 175cc, 499cc, 883cc, 1340cc, 482cc, 984cc. All pleasure riding. No commuting as its only 5 miles and bicycle is better for that.

My touring days are behind me and rides are now 50 to 200 miles per day, mostly on rural roads. My Buell XB9S is the best bike I've owned. No problems and it is maintenance free (except for oils and tire check) and averaging 58 mpg on the longer day rides. I don't scrape the pegs these days....

But I'm looking at the possibility of getting a smaller motorcycle to do these day rides and still be fun. I realize that losing 75% of the HP is quite a change!

Two days ago I test rode a GZ250, putting 20 miles on the slightly used (570 miles) '07 model. First gear was useless and it really should have a 16T sprocket on the front rather than the stock 15T as some people have done. But I was mostly impressed. I'll post some questions in the General section later and look forward to any answers you all can give.

Good to be here. :)

[Easy Rider]

Two days ago I test rode a GZ250, putting 20 miles on the slightly used (570 miles) '07 model. First gear was useless and it really should have a 15T sprocket on the front as some people have done. But I was mostly impressed. I'll post some questions in the General section later and look forward to any answers you all can give.

Good to be here. :)

And nice to have you.......even though without a GZ, you're just a poser! :roll:

You might want to have a look at the Suzuki S40 also. It the GZ's big brother. Similar in a lot of respects and only 50 lbs heavier.

The sprocket upgrade is to 16T; stock is 15.

[prof_stack]

And nice to have you.......even though without a GZ, you're just a poser! :roll:
You might want to have a look at the Suzuki S40 also. It the GZ's big brother. Similar in a lot of respects and only 50 lbs heavier.
The sprocket upgrade is to 16T; stock is 15.
Thanks Easy! I edited my post to indicate the 16T. The S40 is the 650 Savage in past days, right? I'm not as impressed with it as with the 250, at least right now.

[Easy Rider]

The S40 is the 650 Intruder in past days, right? I'm not as impressed with it as with the 250, at least right now.

Yep. Me neither. :tup:

[birdmove]

Prof Stack, didn't you ride a Blast before you got your XB?

jon in Puyallup.

[prof_stack]

Prof Stack, didn't you ride a Blast before you got your XB? jon in Puyallup.Yup, that's me; still riding and looking for new angles. Is your last name Neet? Or is my memory fading...?

If I hadn't test-ridden the XB9S in Dec of '02 I would probably still be on the Blast, a fun bike which treated me well. Interesting how priorities change over time. A smaller cycle now sounds good to me. Ideally I'd like a 400 or 500 single but there are none out there right now that interest me. The new Royal Enfield looks great but the Internet groups report continual problems with the bikes.

The GZ250 intrigues me somehow. And, of course, there is much fun in pursuing knowledge about new motorcycles. :tup:

[jonathan180iq]

I'll hold my "welcome aboard" until you get the bike :)

good luck in your decision,
Jonathan

[birdmove]

Yep,thats me-last name Neet. I've been riding for over 45 years now. Right now, I ride a KLR650 and a Honda Ruckus. Just sold my 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic. I do like thumpers too.I have test ridden both the Blast and an XB9/Firebolt.Both were great rides. Another bike that interests me is the Hyosung GT250. Moto International is a dealer, and has new,leftover 2005s at about $2500.00.They are a 250 sporty v-twin.

jon

[jonathan180iq]

And very fun to the ride. They are the only real competition for the Ninja 250.

[prof_stack]

Thanks for all the nice comments, guys! I'm heading out to do more looking. Maybe another test-ride.

Is it true that one can get the best deal when buying on the last day of the month? :roll:

[jonathan180iq]

No, but it is true that you can almost always get them to throw in a free helmet. Make sure to ask.

[prof_stack]

How to begin?

I'm at home now after being in the ER of Harborview Hospital in Seattle for 6 hours. The driver of a Honda Civic failed to yield to me at a flashing red light. I had a flashing yellow light. I was in the middle lane of a one-way street and an SUV or pickup on my left must have blocked the view of the Civic driver.

I t-boned the Civic. I remember there suddenly being a car RIGHT THERE IN MY PATH. Then my egg got scrambled. The driver called my wife and apologized profusely. Apparently I gave him the phone number. Don't remember much. The policeman, at the hospital, said I was going 20-25MPH and that the Buell was in pretty good shape from his reckoning. The driver was cited for failure to yield. The medic who came with me in the emergency van rides a Suzuki GSXR600 and made sure my ballistics gear did not get cut off.

Six hours in the #1 trauma center in the NW and I was in good, albeit busy, hands there. Cat scan, x-rays, vitals, fluids, wait, wait, and more wait. Full moon did its usual craziness and the place was hopping with drowning victims, police-guarded patients, and medivac choppers coming in.

The full-faced helmet had a serious gash along the chin and a big bruise in the back where it contacted the ground. A half-helmet or open-faced one would have reset my teeth, I'm sure. The leather boots got a chunk out over the steel toe. The Joe Rocket ballistics so far look fine.

Anyway, my right side is very sore and will get sorer, I think. Being 56 years old might slow the healing compared to when I was 33! Tylenol and ibuprofin will be my friends for a couple of days. :tup:

But other than that things seem to be okay. Praise the Lord that I'm home and able to type this after 4 hours of sleep.

Still considering the GZ250 although the wife would prefer I stop riding, and, as incentive, get that $3k guitar I've been dreaming about. :cry:

[Eeyorebiker]

That sucks.

I am really glad that you are still here with us. Kudos for wearing your gear! It would have been much, much worse without it.

Take it easy.

:)

[birdmove]

Sorry to hear of the accident Prof. Sounds like one of those that happened so fast, there wasn't anything you could have done. I'm 53 myself, and my healing is very slow. Its good you had your good riding gear on.

Take care, Jon in Puyallup.

[jonathan180iq]

I'm sorry that you get hurt. As said, this is a perfect oppotunity to tell some people why gear and full face helmets should be mandatory.

Be careful,
Jonathan

[Dirt_McGert]

Dang, sorry to hear about that. Atleast you're still in one piece! Just today in the afternoon, I was driving down the highway and a car pulled out right in front of me from the right side, probably about 15-20 yards away. I was travelling 35-40mph, so I did have to "slam" on the brakes - chirped the back tire. I honked and looked at the car - full of kids probably 14-15 years old - they all had a concerned look on their face hehe. It was fairly close, but I knew I wouldn't collide with them. In your case though, you didin't have time to do anything since the car was right there, not much you could've done.

Anyways, hope you're healing well.

[prof_stack]

I got the police report yesterday. Four witnesses were listed. Nice. The driver of the Civic was a 26-year old male carrying two 16-year old females. He is insured and so all expenses should be covered.

The description and image drawn on the report show that I hit the car and went over it and landed in the middle of the intersection. So I likely landed on my right side as that is where the soreness remains. I'll be seeing my doctor on Thursday. Hmm, I seem to recall him last telling me about the dangers of motorcycling. :roll:

Later today I will see the Buell and snap a few photos. The shop guy will confer with the Geico guy and determine the damages. It appears it will be fixable and not be totaled. We'll see. Part of me would like to have it totaled and make it quick and easy to get a GZ250.

But honestly I have to decide whether to continue riding (most likely) or say goodbye to a lifelong passion. I don't think I'm ready to grow up yet! :rawk:

[jonathan180iq]

Best of luck with your decision. Just remember that there are risks involved with everything. Motorcycling is really no different than riding in a car or walking on a sidewalk. There is always the risk of an accident. But, with proper attire, training and a cool head while riding those risks are greatly reduced.

I'm glad you're alright.

Take care,
Jonathan

[Badbob]

A half-helmet or open-faced one would have reset my teeth, I'm sure. The leather boots got a chunk out over the steel toe.

Full face helmet is the only way to go. One of the books I have has a diagram showing statistically where most of the head injuries occur. Most of them are in the area not covered by a 3/4 helmet. This and sliding on my face in the dirt many years ago keeps me in a full helmet no mater how hot it gets in there.

So I'm not the only one who wears steel toed boots. I started wearing them because i have one of the hard shifting GZ250s that on its best day will make my foot sore if I shift a lot. I got used to the steel and now prefer it. I wore some very soft hiking boots recently because my steel toed boots were wet. I'll wear them wet next time.

I'm glad to hear there were no major injuries. It sounds like your just going to be really sore for awhile. Been there done that and have much sympathy.

When you have had time to think it over would you mind discussing/analyzing what happened and any ways it could have been prevented or avoided? Maybe we can all learn something from this.