8000 miles

[rmartin]

Well if all goes well I will turn over 8,000 miles today. I bought the bike used in May of 2005, and did not ride it in 2010. The carb was gummed up, and I rode a Yamaha dual sport last year.

This year I have averaged over 80 mpg after getting the carb cleaned. A friend did it for me for free. He likes to work on bikes. He just returned, and I think hi is bored.

I have 4 cycles to choose from to ride, but on short trips, and just messing around I prefer the GZ. I have 2 Yamaha dual sport tw200. One is licensed for Illinois, and the other for Arizona. I brought the one home from Arizona, but will probably eave it out there this next winter, as I plan on getting a place to store it.

The other cycle is a 2008 Kawasaki Nomad 1600. My wife and I usually take this together. I seldom ride this by myself.

I also ride a Honda Rincon and Rubicon atv.

[rmartin]

Well I did turn over 8000 miles today. Actually 8043. So I must have gone 75 miles messing around.

Aug 14, 2011 turned over 8,300 today.

Aug 19, 2011 turned over 8,400 today.

Aug 21, 2011 turned over 8,500 today.

Aug 25, 2011 turned over 8,600 today.

Sept 10, 2011 turned over 8,700 today.

Sept. 23, 2011 turned over 8,800 today.

Oct. 3, 2011 turned over 8,900 today.

Oct. 4, 2011 turned over 9,000 today.

Oct. 7, 2011 turned over 9,100 today.

[rmartin]

.

[jonathan180iq]

Congratulations. :rawk:

[birdmove]

rmartin, what do you think of the Yamaha TW200s?

jon

[rmartin]

I have 2 of them. They perform fine for me. A little harder to get on and off because of the extra ground clearance. You can turn a lot shorter with them. Probably due to the fork angle. They seem to balance better at slow speed. I actually get a little better mpg with them.

They are a fun and unique bike especially the back tire.

The seat is a lot better on the 250.

I ride the gz more because of all the short trips, as it is easier to get on and off. Sometimes, I might only go 100 yards to go across the road where I work part time. I can run home for lunch in 20 seconds.

I have one for Illinois, and one for Arizona. They are like the gz just a fun little bike that can be handled easy. For long rides I take the 1600 Nomad.

Going to the Farm Progress Show about 100 miles away. I am taking the TW because if I have to ride in fields, it is great for that.

[rmartin]

Working to much, not riding enough. Going to have to figure out how to change this concept of retirement.

[Water Warrior 2]

Working to much, not riding enough. Going to have to figure out to change this concept of retirement.
How long have you been retired ? 6.5 years here.

[rmartin]

10 years and 4 months on the retirement. Been helping a farmer friend that I grew up with and have known since I was 5 years old. Been spending about 6 months on the road camping and out of that about 5 months in Quartzsite, Arizona.

I am a retired Industrial Arts Teacher, and my wife was a Special Education teacher.

How about you Water Warrior.

[alantf]

8 years, 9 months here. I find plenty to do. People bring me stuff to repair, in my workshop. :)

[Water Warrior 2]

Prior to retirement I worked in water treatment plants for 25 years. Wasn't the best idea but it had decent benefits and a pension plan. 31.5 years into the plan overall. 1998 the future took a turn for the worse(I thought), lost my home, wife left later on and I became an apartment dweller closer to work. Life eventually became less hectic and I started to like myself again. Don't do much since retiring because I don't have as much to take care of on a daily basis. Lynda and I joined up after retirement when I moved here to the west coast.
Dishes, laundry and shopping are enough to keep me busy. Lynda still works so my days are almost all Saturdays.

[rmartin]

Didn't ride the atv today, but went on a 60 mile motorcycle ride. I had to take some parts down to the combine and help put them on.

The weather here in Illinois has changed, we were sweating last week, and now our sweat is changing to ice. Not quite, but getting close. We had an overnight low of 37.

It was about 50 when I took the parts down to the combine. I rode 30 for the first 3 miles adjusting to the colder temps. I speeded up some, and by the time I was about half way there I was going 55. It is taking some adjusting to getting used to 90+ down to these 40's and 50 lows. Yesterday's high didn't even make 70.

[mrlmd1]

Spam gone. Deleted it, there's a few more on here I'll get.

[Water Warrior 2]

61 F here with partial cloud cover. And a rainbow for some strange reason. :??:

[rmartin]

Well, I did it this time. I was going to go for a ride as I got off before dark tonight. Got on the GZ, and it would not start. Battery totally dead. Who ever rode it to wrk today, forgot to shut the key off.

It is on charge at work, and I took the atv home, 200 yards across the road, Hopped on the TW200 and went for a ride on it instead. Had just as much fun, but did a different type of ride.

Darn people that ride the GZ (me) that did not turn the key off.

Hope the battery comes out ok.

[blaine]

Well, I did it this time. I was going to go for a ride as I got off before dark tonight. Got on the GZ, and it would not start. Battery totally dead. Who ever rode it to wrk today, forgot to shut the key off.

It is on charge at work

Darn people that ride the GZ (me) that did not turn the key off.

Hope the battery comes out ok.
I hope that you are charging it at no more than 2 amps. :??: :)

[rmartin]

I have it on 10 amps for a few minutes to get it started, and then on a 750 mil-amp charge. That seemed to give it a boost to start charging. I had it on the 750 for several hours, and the headlight would not glow at all. Now it lights up, and will see how it is tomorrow.

[alantf]

I hope that you are charging it at no more than 2 amps.

I know we've always said not to exceed 2A, but, just out of curiosity, I checked the manual. It states, "0.7A for 5 to 10 hours, or 3A for 1 hour. Be careful not to permit the charging current to exceed 3A at any time." Wonder why we've all come up with 2A? :)

Hope your 10A hasn't damaged the battery.

[Water Warrior 2]

I hope that you are charging it at no more than 2 amps.

I know we've always said not to exceed 2A, but, just out of curiosity, I checked the manual. It states, "0.7A for 5 to 10 hours, or 3A for 1 hour. Be careful not to permit the charging current to exceed 3A at any time." Wonder why we've all come up with 2A? :)

Hope your 10A hasn't damaged the battery.
I have a 2 amp charger. I have never seen a 3 amp charger. And just maybe we are being cautious with a 2 amp rule. Why cook a good battery.

[rmartin]

Well the 10 amps for 45 min., did the trick. After the 45 minutes I trickled at 750 milamps for 12 hours. Fired right up onits own, and is still starting. It has been a day or two now. Lost track of time as I put in a couple long days helping a farmer.

Had to switch to the dual sport as I had to ride farm fields on errands. We are moving away from the base farm, so I wil be back on the GZ tomorrow. Will know in the morning if it starts. Supposed to be around 44 degrees, so that shuld be a good test on the battery.

I think all the 2am charges I have or the neighbor has in on the frinze, none look like they worked, that is one of the reason for the 10 amps for 45 minutes.

[rmartin]

Felt really stupid today. I had not been riding much this last week. Working a lot on the farm. Early starts and late nights.

Went to McDonalds today to get lunch for one of the guys, and noticed the mileage was the same as when I left. I thought I had a broken cable. It had only come unscrewed. I think it may have been off for several days. Kept wondering why the mileage hadn't gone up.

Probably shouldn't be riding a motorcycle if you are that dumb.

[rmartin]

Hadn't ridden much lately, but today I rode to check out where they were combining. It is around 15 miles to that field, One guy was having rouble with a tail pipe that came off the diesel muffler. I finally got the clamp off, drove back to the shop to get the part. I was supposed to be on a liesurely ride. Got back to the field, worked on it a few minutes, and then the driver had to take his load in. When he came back I crawled on the cap, and we got it reattached.

Then it was mid afternoon, and the crew formen called, and needed some answers o n a semi. I measured it, and the driver left for the elevator. I left to get something to eat. Ended up work all afternoon. Got home close to 8. Ended up working most of the day, but still managed to ride over 100 miles.

[Water Warrior 2]

Hadn't ridden much lately, but today I rode to check out where they were combining. It is around 15 miles to that field, One guy was having rouble with a tail pipe that came off the diesel muffler. I finally got the clamp off, drove back to the shop to get the part. I was supposed to be on a liesurely ride. Got back to the field, worked on it a few minutes, and then the driver had to take his load in. When he came back I crawled on the cap, and we got it reattached.

Then it was mid afternoon, and the crew formen called, and needed some answers o n a semi. I measured it, and the driver left for the elevator. I left to get something to eat. Ended up work all afternoon. Got home close to 8. Ended up working most of the day, but still managed to ride over 100 miles.
For a retired guy you sound very busy. At least you aren't wasting away in a rocking chair.

[mole2]

Hadn't ridden much lately, but today I rode to check out where they were combining. It is around 15 miles to that field, One guy was having rouble with a tail pipe that came off the diesel muffler. I finally got the clamp off, drove back to the shop to get the part. I was supposed to be on a liesurely ride. Got back to the field, worked on it a few minutes, and then the driver had to take his load in. When he came back I crawled on the cap, and we got it reattached.

Then it was mid afternoon, and the crew formen called, and needed some answers o n a semi. I measured it, and the driver left for the elevator. I left to get something to eat. Ended up work all afternoon. Got home close to 8. Ended up working most of the day, but still managed to ride over 100 miles.
For a retired guy you sound very busy. At least you aren't wasting away in a rocking chair.

He should have stayed working as he'd be more relaxed and have time for himself. lol


:)

[rmartin]

Today after the doctor's appointment, I met the fire trucks, I continued on and went to the post office.

Then when I left I saw the water truck leave.

I rode out to the edge of town and saw the smoke. It turned out about 6 miles east of where I was. I rode out there. It was a combine on fire, as well as the corn field.

Then the head guy I work for called, and asked if I was at the shop. I ran an errand for them, but told them I could not do any more as I had to get my meds as I was completely out, and I had to get them.

[rmartin]

Turned over 9100 miles today. We went to Walmart to get meds yesterday. As usually we never get all are meds on the first trip. Come close yesterday. The lady said they did not get this one perscription. Wife goes to Doctor's office today, and she showed that she had sent it in. She called it in again, and gave us a hard copy today. I tooke the GZ down today to get it.

Nice day in Illinois for a ride.

[rmartin]

yes, on the 75 mpg. I took the Jeep the first day however, it only gets around 18mpg. Actually on the GZ lifetime that I have owned it is around 82 or 83 mpg.

I have tw200's that get even better, but the seat is not as comfortable. That would be hard for some gz owners to believe there is a seat more uncomfortable.

I did buy some other stuff while we were down there in the Jeep.

[rmartin]

Nov 20, Well I officially parked the GZ for the winter. I am getting ready to leave for AZ for the winter, and am taking my dual sport Yamaha TW200 to ride in the desert along with the atv's.

Would like to have all my toys out there.

Will be back next spring to report on the 250.

[blaine]

Hope you filled the tank,added some stabilizer,and changed the oil.
Have a great off-season & Happy Holidays. :cool: :)

[JWR]

Winter desert pictures are always welcome.
Have a great winter.

[rmartin]

Yep, filled the tank and stabilizer. I think I did that twice, but not sure.

Did not change the oil, I know you are supposed to, but I have always done it when I get back.

I should post some pictures, I have a friend that takes a lot of pictures. I always have to borrow the wife's camera for that. Then when sotmething goes wrong or doesn't work I get blamed for it. So I have avoided the pictures for that reason. I hear about how I screwed her camera up for years.

[rmartin]

Won't be to long before leaving AZ and heading back to Illinois. Hope the 250 starts fairly easy. Rather ride than fiddle.

[rmartin]

Getting close to turning over 10,000 miles.

Hard to get many miles as I have 4 different bikes I ride regularly.

2 yamaha TW200 with around 9000 on each, and a Kawasaki with over 5000 miles.

[Water Warrior 2]

:hmm: Trying to wear out 4 bikes at the same time would certainly keep me busy.

[rmartin]

Yep, sometimes I just stand and look at them, and think what do I want to do, or where do I want to go.

[bwader]

I have a 2005 GZ I rode yesterday 126 miles and filled up and the gas price went even lower today.

It was $3.129 the day before NOW its $3.079/ gal!

There are 6 pumps at this station and there are people waiting all around in line.

Other stations nearby are $3.27 or $3.30's in Franklin, VA In Chesapeake its 3.30-3.40's and VA beach its much higher.

I'm at around 9,100 miles and I get 60 mpg riding 60-65mph highway and 16 tooth sprocket.

I stay in 5th gear too unless I need to accelerate quicker.

Been thinking of trying a 15 tooth sprocket again, but I KNOW the gas mileage will suffer.

I'm heavy at 250 pounds and 6' 3'' and best gas mileage I got was 65mpg. Worst was 51 mpg in heavy traffic riding 60 miles and in a 4 miles stretch it took 25 minutes.

[alantf]

You're lucky. At $3.079 per gallon, that's 81 cents per litre. We're paying the equivalent of $1.45 per litre, and in England it's much much higher. :cry:

[Water Warrior 2]

You're lucky. At $3.079 per gallon, that's 81 cents per litre. We're paying the equivalent of $1.45 per litre, and in England it's much much higher. :cry:
$1.39 a litre here but that it subject to any change in the alignment of the stars in Hollywood.

[studysession]

Getting close to turning over 10,000 miles.

Hard to get many miles as I have 4 different bikes I ride regularly.

2 yamaha TW200 with around 9000 on each, and a Kawasaki with over 5000 miles.


How do you like the TW200? I like the looks and style....might want one some point

[bwader]

You're lucky. At $3.079 per gallon, that's 81 cents per litre. We're paying the equivalent of $1.45 per litre, and in England it's much much higher. :cry:

Yes indeed! So 3.78 liters in a gallon, DAMN $5.48 A GALLON!

In the USA the average is anywhere from $3.00-4.10 a gallon. Now that I think of it, I didn't think of the currency cost of different countries. I know a Canadian dollar is a little more than an American dollar and a Euro is at least twice as much and more. So that's a factor too.

Where I live its probably the cheapest gas prices I just looked on Gasbuddy.com for franklin VA and man its always more in Virginia beach city 30+ cents more usually.

The gas prices vary from city to city and state to state due to local taxes are different.

[alantf]

In England, the cheapest is around the equivalent of $8.11 per American gallon.

[Rookie Rider]

$3.87 a gal here in NY. I was in Florida all week and it was $3.22 a gal.

[mole2]

$3.34 here in coastal South Carolina.


:)

[rmartin]

9600 miles now.

Gas prices here fluctuate about like the stock market.

[rmartin]

Took the wife yesterday to a hospital 55 miles away for some scheduled maintance. Gas prices were $.22 more per gallon than home. Got home and went to get gas and they lowered it $.02 per gallon here. It is now$3.33.

[rmartin]

Had some extra time today, so changed oil and filter in 3 bikes. One being the GZ with 9600 miles.

[studysession]

nice