Differences between model years?

[Quimrider]

Besides paint colors, does anyone know or have a reference to tell what if any difference there is between the 99 thru 07 GZ250?

[Badbob]

I've run across some differences in parts between the 2000 and 2005 models. The only one that comes to mind right away is the passenger foot pegs are different.

There are electrical differences. See the schematics in the service manual. One of the schematics has a sensor that the others do not have. Other than that it's really hard to see what is different. There must be differences other wise why would there be so many schematics.

[Badbob]

Got one for you. Front axles are different.

2005
http://upload2.postimage.org/463202/100_0316.jpg (http://upload2.postimage.org/463202/photo_hosting.html)

2000
http://upload2.postimage.org/463213/100_0315.jpg (http://upload2.postimage.org/463213/photo_hosting.html)

You may also notice that the hub covers are different. the 2000 is plastic The 2005 is aluminum. They must have had warranty issues with the plastic ones. This one came loose right after we got it. The plastic pins would not keep it in place. I put little pieces of duct tape over the pins to wedge them in until I could get it fixed. I for got all about it until now. that was about 4,000 miles ago. I guess I don't need to get it fixed.

Mike how about posting a photo of your torx (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_10664) front axel.

[Gadzooks Mike]

Ok, here 'tis. It's a T-60, and I was lucky enough to find a socket with a 1/2" drive. Of course, all of my ratchets are 3/8" drive, so I had to buy yet another adapter....

But Robert, to me this looks exactly like your 2005 wheel.


http://upload2.postimage.org/480168/FrontWheel.jpg (http://upload2.postimage.org/480168/photo_hosting.html)

[Badbob]

Ok, here 'tis. It's a T-60, and I was lucky enough to find a socket with a 1/2" drive. Of course, all of my ratchets are 3/8" drive, so I had to buy yet another adapter....

But Robert, to me this looks exactly like your 2005 wheel.


http://upload2.postimage.org/480168/FrontWheel.jpg (http://upload2.postimage.org/480168/photo_hosting.html)


That definitely isn't a torx just a big allen head. A real big one. Pictures are better than a thousand words.

So there are only two axle types we know about. I got to find one of those big allen wrenches before I need to remove my front tire. I know there isn't one of those in the tool kit. It would not fit in the bag.

[Gadzooks Mike]

a T-60 torx fits the hole nice and snug. I couldn't find anything else close, so I got the T-60.

[Badbob]

You'll need to put that in your road kit. In case you need to get the front wheel off some where. I've been carrying what I thought was a tire repair kit. Turns out that I can't get my front wheel off. Duh..............

[Gadzooks Mike]

It's in the kit already. Just got my tubes yesterday as well. Dang, they take up a lot of room! I'm getting more and more convinced that I need to get these wheels sealed and run tubeless.

[Badbob]

It's in the kit already. Just got my tubes yesterday as well. Dang, they take up a lot of room! I'm getting more and more convinced that I need to get these wheels sealed and run tubeless.

I here you. Keep in mind that tubeless tires have there own issues.

[Badbob]

I don't know how I forgot about this.

http://upload2.postimage.org/603921/2000_Suzuki_GZ250_Adjustable_Front_Brake_Lever.jpg (http://upload2.postimage.org/603921/photo_hosting.html)

We were told that it came from the factory with this. Anyone else got and adjustable front brake lever?

[caroledee1]

Yes, my 2000 has the same front brake lever adjuster.

[Gadzooks Mike]

No, and I'm jealous. Ok, I'm not really, but I want to be. Those are the grips you put on, I'm guessing. How do they feel? I put on some leather lever covers this weekend, then took them off and put them on backwards. I like the feel of the laces against my fingers when I pull the levers in. Right-way out, they were just sort of slippery leather.

[Badbob]

The grips came on the bike. They were not mounted properly and I had to redo them. My wife likes them. I don't. You have to remove the handle bar weights to install them. In spite of what the manufacturer claims you do need the bar weights. When we first got the bike at 55 mph you could not see anything in the mirrors and riding for an hour at 65 mph would make your hands go numb. I had to put lead shot in the bars to get the vibration down to tolerable levels and even then the stock bars vibrate less. The only thing I like about them is the larger diameter gives you a little finer throttle control. They cost about $80 and they are made out of chrome plated plastic. The profit margin on these things must be huge.

They do look pretty.

[Gadzooks Mike]

Yeah, I'm still chuckling about the story of you loading in the shot mix....

[Water Warrior 2]

Happy Hobo's 06 does not have an adjustable front lever. 05 VStrom does and I quite like it.

[Water Warrior 2]

Corporate lawyers will probably not allow proper tools to remove the front wheel. Just a case of covering their A$$ and I really can't blame them.

[Badbob]

Yeah, I'm still chuckling about the story of you loading in the shot mix....

I'm not laughing.

[Badbob]

Our 2000 GZ250 has a chrome horn and the 2005 has a Black horn. They also look different as far as I can tell they mount the same. I think the chrom horn is a bit louder.


http://upload3.postimage.org/11980/2000_Suzuki_GZ250_Horn_01.jpg (http://upload3.postimage.org/11980/photo_hosting.html)

http://upload3.postimage.org/11990/2005_Suzuki_GZ250_Horn_01.jpg (http://upload3.postimage.org/11990/photo_hosting.html)