Hi Newbie from Michgan

[Shiverbird]

Hi My name is Shelly and I purchased my first bike at the age of 48 and I got a 2009 GZ250.

I love this bike :biggrin: I still have my permit and ride with my hubby. We will be signing up for the Class to take

This site is wonderful, I did not know much about my bike and went to turn after stopping and went over a curb and dumped the bike I was not hurt but my pride was. Came to this site and I was not going to First gear before stopping I would do that after I stopped. So THANK YOU for all the info you give out.

I have 500 miles on her and she is off to get that very important first oil change.

Can I ask a question, does your rump hurt after riding a long time and any tips on what I can do?

[Rionna]

Welcome to the forum Shelly. I'm a newbie with the same bike as yours. This site has been incredible for advice, support, and encouragement. The experienced riders are willing to share their wisdom with us newbies. Yes, my rump is sore after riding. I'm going to look for a replacement seat because I want to enjoy each mile. My bike, the Beast is also off for his first oil change and maintenance. Congrats on your bike, be safe and have fun!

Rionna

[blaine]

Welcome to the forum.Yea,the seat is a bit uncomfortable,but it's bearable.Ride safe & have fun.
:)
http://s1.postimage.org/7ffxh2is/Chopper_Emo.gif (http://www.postimage.org/)

[Water Warrior 2]

Hi Shelly. Glad to have you join us and boost our numbers. Sounds like you missed an owie when hitting the curb. The training class will help a lot. Also do yourself a big favor and buy the following book. Proficient Motorcycling by Davis Hough. It is the single most important piece of reading concerning your riding career.

[mole2]

Welcome to the forum from South Carolina. I second the recommendations from Water Warrior. Ride safe.


:)

[Shiverbird]

Thank you for the warm welcome

I have order the book Proficient Motorcycling by Davis Hough.

[Water Warrior 2]

Thank you for the warm welcome

I have order the book Proficient Motorcycling by Davis Hough.
RIGHT ON !!!!!.....................you will come to realize it is the cheapest life insurance you ever buy.

[Shiverbird]

I have signed up for the Class the end of July also suggested to hubby he needs a refresher class

[geezer]

yeah this seat sucks.

[jonathan180iq]

Many Gz riders complain about the factory seat compressing after a short period of time and not providing enough cushion.

There seem to be only a few DIY options available, as no company makes an aftermarket seat for the little thumper and there are no seats from other bikes which will fit. (SEE BELOW*)

Badbob has done the most work in the seating department. He had Sargent Cycles custom design a seat to fit the GZ. I believe that this is still something that is only produced when requested.

See his post:
http://www.gz250bike.com/viewtopic.php? ... ht=sargent



Can I do anything to improve the seat?
Luckily there are a few ways to improve the cushioning of the seat without having to spend big bucks on a custom design.

Several members have simply added motorcycle specific gel pags to their seats and were satisfied with the improvements.

Another option, which might be aesthetically appealing, would be to remove the factory seat cover and install some type of padding. Then, you could recover the seat with the material of your choice and you would, effectively, have a custom desinged and more comfortable seat.

-For a quick how-to on shaving the foam from your seat or for how to recover it, see this link:
http://www.gz250bike.com/viewtopic.php?t=628

-Mr. Softie has completely replaced the foam in his seat. See his thread here:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1599

*Recently, one of our newer members, Kcarvajal, has added a how-to for swapping in a Harley seat.
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4779 (http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4779)


Lastly, you can simply cover your seat with a sheep skin cover or anything in between. It's ultimately up to you.
Good luck.

[GZBrian]

Hello and welcome from Indiana. We rode in Michigan twice and you have some nice roads up there. You will enjoy your GZ very much. Nice cheap way of entertainment that we have found, and you will too. Ride safe. GZBrian

[Shiverbird]

Glad I am not the only one with a crappy seat. On Thursday I had to take the Bike for the Very important first oil change. Since I do not have my license yet I had hubby drive the bike and I rode the car. We were going to ride both bikes and I would ride back with him but we had some other business in the same area with many supplies to be dropped off. So when we got to the dealer he gets off the bike and says what are you complaining about after 20 miles I felt nothing and he agreed it is not a great seat.

So Jonathan Thank you for all the info you gave me I have been looking at the gel seats and I will look into the Sargent seats also

Brian yes it is cheap entertainment Hubby has a 950 Yamaha and he wants to go like the wind and I want to enjoy the ride and go about 50 he wants me to go faster and I said that is why I have my bike to enjoy the ride at my speed so needless to say he goes slower with me

Thank you again for all the info This site is wonderful

[Water Warrior 2]

Shelly, ride your own ride. Of course hubby wants to go faster as his bike isn't even breathing hard at 50. Ride in your comfort zone and enjoy the bike. When my SO had her GZ I had to ride a bit slower than my normal speed but it was a nice way to relax and smell the flowers. Lynda traded up after 3 full seasons of riding and gaining skills and confidence on 2 wheels.

[Shiverbird]

Water Warrior

I do go at my speed and I I do smell the roses, He will say when we stop what happened and I have to remind him that my bike is not as big and he shakes his head. Well we took the bike for a oil change and he road my bike because I do not have a reg license let. Know he understands what I have been telling that the bike goings to 55 and that is about it. So now he is listening Things are great

[geezer]

that reminds me of a ride i went on with a few chicks. a harley big twin and a suzuki 800, i told her no more than 75 mph so she did 75 the whole time. once we finally stopped i asked her why she was going so fast. she had no idea till i made her trade bikes :biggrin: