2006 Suzuki GZ250

[Strelok]

Just bought a used 2006 Suzuki GZ250.
I lucked out that it already has the Suzuki:
Windshield, Saddlebags, Saddlebag Guards,
Backrest & Rack, which were $700 worth of
accessories I would have gotten anyway.
Waiting on the Suzuki Engine Guards.

[blaine]

Welcome to the forum.FYI the aftermarket engine guard is much sturdier than the Suzuki one.The Suzuki guard is nothing more than for looks.
:) :cool:

[alantf]

The Suzuki guard is nothing more than for looks.


:plus1: Don't buy it. Somebody chip in with the best type? I can't help you with the choice as I'm not in America.

[Water Warrior 2]

If memory serves me correctly you will find some nice bars at MC Enterprises. They are actually made to do the job crash bars are intended for. Lynda had the OEM bars on her GZ and they are just a shiny decoration. They came with the bike.

[mole2]

Welcome to the forum from South Carolina. Ride safe.


:)

[tcrave]

Congrats on the bike! All those accessories add up quickly!

[Strelok]

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome.

I'm already committed on the Suzuki Engine Guards so hopefully
they will look nice and I'll never have to actually "test" them.

This is the smallest displacement Bike I've ever owned.
Sold my 1977 Honda CB750 Automatic with Sidecar.
Wanted to get a newer Bike than my others
but just didn't like how fat, heavy and
bloated the 500CC and bigger
Bikes have gotten now.
Everything is trying
to be a Harley.

:cool:

[Water Warrior 2]

Strelok, you will never test the OEM crash bar on a GZ. The rest of the bike will do that for you. Bars are to be considered sacrificial to save the bike. Suzuki went the opposite direction with the GZ.

[Strelok]

The Engine Guards are not just for crashing.
They are good at protecting your Engine
and Exhaust Pipes from flying debris.
Things cars don't even worry about
but can be deadly to Cyclists.

:)

[geezer]

i need some pics id like to see a "fully loaded" geezer :lol:

[Strelok]

geezer~

I'll try to get some pictures this weekend.

:2tup:

[alantf]

The Engine Guards are not just for crashing.
They are good at protecting your Engine
and Exhaust Pipes from flying debris.


???????????????? Do you know what an "engine guard" looks like? :??: I fear you're going to be in for a shock if you believe that's what it'll do. :cry:

[Strelok]

alantf~

Yep. Got them on my other Bikes.
My 1990 XV535 that I bought brand
new was my only form of transportation
for over 12 years as I owned no car or truck.
I rode 365 days a year rain or shine so I do know.

:)

[cayuse]

I think we're getting a little confused here about engine guards and crash bars.
Strelok, can you show us a photo of the guard?
I don't know if anyone here has ever seen one on a GZ250.
We've seen plenty of crash bars, both commercial and home-made, and they do not protect the engine from debris (unless it's like the size of a milkcrate!!!) :)

[Strelok]

We're all talking about the same thing.
Of course they are limited from protecting
the Engine/Exhausts from anything you might
encounter in the Road. Anything that would be
designed to be perfect protection in that area would
be detrimental to the Air-Cooling the Engine needs. My
point being was it's not just only about crashing your Bike.
They do offer some limited protection from things that fly up.
If you have anything between the road and your Engine/Exhausts
that's better than having nothing at all. Nice looking Bike there cayuse.

:roll:

[geezer]

sorry newb, i dont know why everyone is giving you such a hard time over the stupid engine guard thing. eventually they will leave you alone

[Water Warrior 2]

About face. Pick on Geezer now. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[mole2]

Take a look at the engine guard on my V-Star below. I low sided on a GZ at approximately 18 mph. It pinned my leg to the ground. Luckily it was on the opposite side of the exhaust or it would have burned me to the bone. I needed others to lift the bike for me to get out from under it. Do you get what I'm saying? If I drop the V-Star or low side it (at low speed) I will be able to get out from under it and it will be much easier to lift off the ground alone. That is what everyone is getting at. The Suzuki engine guards are just for looks. They protect nothing and, more importantly, won't keep the bike off of you.



http://www.yamahamotorcycleforum.com/gallery/files/1/5/0/3/4/2009_v-star_650_classic_right_frontsmall.jpg


:)

[Water Warrior 2]

Mole 2, have you tried to lean the bike over till it touches down with the bars ? I leaned Lynda's M-50 over on the MC Enterprises bars both at 45 and 90 degrees. Wasn't too much of a heavy lift because the bike basically rolls up and off the bars back to 2 wheels.

[Strelok]

It seems like the gist of this thread has turned into how worthless the
Suzuki Engine Guards are and to berate the person that doesn't agree.

I have no desire to have aftermarket Crash Bars regardless which I
won't argue are probably larger, heavier and more substantial for spills.

It seems like I am unable to make my point of things on the road that you
may run over that having ANY type of bars where something could fly up is
better than nothing at all. Now the conversation has sidetracked to falling over.

Unfortunately I have had the displeasure to do that more than once and several
times at higher speeds than you mention. In those cases it was the handlebars
that made contact making the issue of Crash Bars/Engine Guards moot. I also
skinned one of my Spotlights like featured on the V-Star. I also made the mistake
long ago of letting my brother tow my disabled Bike with his Pick-up. Everything
was going fine until his speed dropped which made the tow-line have too much slack.
I ran over it and in a split-second my entire Bike with me on it was thrown up in the
air and slammed down on one side with me still on it. Ouch. Don't anyone here
ever try that one. So my point being when I talk about crap flying up and possibly
hitting the Engine/Exhausts it's nice to have something in front blocking that. I don't
consider the ones shown on the V-Star 650 to be Engine Guards as those stick so far out
those are more Crash Bars than anything. If you know you're going down I recommend
trying to throw yourself away from the Bike rather than to let it crush you if you can.


That's a really nice V-Star 650. I really like how the front turn signals are clear and not yellow lens.

:)

[alantf]

If you know you're going down I recommend
trying to throw yourself away from the Bike rather than to let it crush you if you can.




"if you can" - thats the key! A coupla years back, when I got sideswiped by a SUV I was overtaking, it was all over in a fraction of a second. The bike went down. The "engine guard" got bent, but it was the ONLY thing that saved my leg from being trapped/burnt. If I'd have had chance to roll away from the bike, I would have been squashed by the vehicles coming towards me. O.k. - go for the "pretty one" but if you have an accident like I did, and get your leg trapped, don't forget that we have all been trying to help you. Whatever you might think, the so called "engine guards" are meant to protect YOU. People here, who have had experience of the flimsy Suzuki guards, Know what they're talking about, through experience. If you think you know better than people who have fitted them, then so be it. Actually, you come across as though you don't want to be shown as being wrong on anything. Oh well...........

[cayuse]

Cool down people! Seems like there's a lot of pent up hate about the OEM crash bars!
They are what they are..... not as sturdy as aftermarket. Let's leave it at that.
Should I even bring up the fact I have NO crash bars on my bike? Oops, now it's out! You can nail me to the cross, too!

Let's all enjoy the ride. I'm looking forward to photos of Strelok's goodies.
:)

[Strelok]

Finally had some free time to install the Engine Guards and take some pictures:

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5486/gz25001.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/8708/gz25002.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/7559/gz25003.jpg

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/8769/gz25004.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/7906/gz25005a.jpg

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/9468/gz25006.jpg

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/6862/gz25007.jpg

I have no idea why the Suzuki Instructions said to remove the bolts
holding down the left exhaust flange. I ignored that part and got them
on fine. What was also funny was I guess someone had too much Sake
at lunch back at the Suzuki Factory in Japan. Inside the box were complete
instructions how to install the Suzuki Sissy Bar & Rack written only in Japanese.

:tongue:

[mole2]

Finally had some free time to install the Engine Guards and take some pictures:


I have no idea why the Suzuki Instructions said to remove the bolts
holding down the left exhaust flange. I ignored that part and got them
on fine. What was also funny was I guess someone had too much Sake
at lunch back at the Suzuki Factory in Japan. Inside the box were complete
instructions how to install the Suzuki Sissy Bar & Rack written only in Japanese.

:tongue:

Well, give them some slack on the instructions. All that radiation has to take a toll somewhere. Just kidding.


:)

[cayuse]

lookin' good, Strelok! :2tup:

[cayuse]

lookin' good, Strelok! :2tup:

[savrip]

Hello everyone. Glad to be here among fellow owners. I was shopping craigslist for a Rebel, Virago, GZ250 type bike when I found a suitable GZ250 for $1500, 8k miles. This one came with some nylon-type saddlebags which I needed for hauling a few tools with me to work. It's nothing too fancy, but my intention was to get a bike for learning and transportation.

It turns out it's starting to be a little project. A week or so after I bought it I finally started to get some courage to take it on the road. After some close inspection I found a few broken spokes on the back wheel. The dealership wanted an astronomical fee for re-spoking so I thought I would give it a shot. Dealership $45 spokes + $255 (3hr) labor. I knew very little about what I was doing and had the wheel off, tire off, and respoked in about 2 hours. I could have done it even faster if I had realized the spokes had two different necks. I should have paid attention that they were in two different bags... I had a lot of fun doing that tonight and thanks to the service manual found here that job was a whole lot easier. While I have the wheel off I'm getting the tire replaced, it's a bit low on tread. It would have gotten me through the season, but I'd rather just have the wheel off once and get everything done. I'm trying to keep my total cost down on this bike so I can feel like I'm getting my money's worth if I turn it around in a year.

There was a worrisome noise coming from the engine last time I ran it for 10 miles. A ticking noise, which I know doesn't bode well. Starting it cold the other day I couldn't hear it. Any feedback would be appreciated on it. After the tire/wheel is back on I'll tackle that mess as well as cleaning the carborator and changing the oil. Basically I want to give it an tuneup to where I feel comfortable riding it. The last owner was a kid in his mid-20s that had it for 5 months. He probably wanted to turn it around before he had to buy a tire and fix the spokes.

I want to do a few things to spice it up. LED engine lights for night time visibility and probably a few more pieces of gear. The bike is very nice and a lot of my friends have commented on how much better it looks than the Rebel. I have to agree.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v187/savrip/phone_415.jpg

[Strelok]

savrip~

Welcome to the Forum!

I started out wanting a black GZ250 until I saw the blue you and I have.

Changing the Oil is a good idea and something I need to do myself.

I agree with you & friends it is so much better than the Rebel.

:2tup:

[savrip]

savrip~

Welcome to the Forum!

I started out wanting a black GZ250 until I saw the blue you and I have.

Changing the Oil is a good idea and something I need to do myself.

I agree with you & friends it is so much better than the Rebel.

:2tup:
Black doesn't do anything for me. It's a great accent color, but I like a bike with something to make it stand out. I passed on a 2006 Lifan 250 with 4 miles. It was black, that and the thought of a bike that hadn't been driven in 5 years kind of scared me.

[alantf]

Black ones are faster :whistle: :neener:

[cayuse]

Black ones are faster, but you meet more girls on blue ones. :lol:

[geezer]

as far as the ticking noise change your oil and check your valves, thats all you can really do till it BLOWS UP!! lol justkiddin

[Strelok]

I'm really starting to wonder about all these GZ250s blowing up.
Are they all cases of using Full-Throttle for too long a period?

:cry:

[blaine]

I'm really starting to wonder about all these GZ250s blowing up.
Are they all cases of using Full-Throttle for too long a period?

:cry:

Yes,most have have been run wide open & abused.If used properly,with maintenance,your bike will last a long time.When I sold mine,it had 45000 kms on it,and it still ran excellent
:2tup: :) .

[Strelok]

I removed my Suzuki OEM Windshield today to try out a couple of Fairings.
Big difference of being with it and without it. While it is not as large as some
of the Aftermarket ones, it looks a lot better than most of them and it fits good.
The one complaint I have is the low quality of the Nuts & Bolts that are used in it.
The previous owner had obviously kept my GZ250 outside and they got a lot of rust on
them. I would recommend replacing them for better hardware or keeping them very well
lubricated for protection from the elements. I probably need to get myself a good cover too.

:)

[Strelok]

The Mounting hardware for the Fairing I chose doesn't
work on the GZ and it's non-standard type headlight
and turn signals. After three trips to Home Depot I
think I have what I need to rig up my own design.
Should have it installed by this weekend and I
will take some pictures as soon as it's done.

:)

[geezer]

cool poptart cat guy

[mole2]

I'm looking forward to the pictures.


:)

[Strelok]

Posted my Pictures in the GZ250 Pics area.

See: 2006 Suzuki GZ250 with Fairing.

:popcorn: