Helloooooo Everyone

[mgalactico]

Hi, a new rider from the Boston area. So glad I found you guys. this summer I bought a 2002 GZ with 3000 miles on it, first motorcycle, and have enjoyed it quite a bit. I took it for a ride last two weeks ago and since then I've been working on winterizing it. I'l almost done but I keep thinking "Do I really have to stop riding in winter?"

Anyways, I've used several posts from this site on getting my bike ready for winter.

Thanks a lot for all the advice!! :bow:

[Gz Rider]

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[greatmaul]

Hi! I just started with a GZ250 since August. I don't know much about "real" winters, though. In CA, that mostly just means that it's overcast. Welcome to the forum!

[Water Warrior 2]

Welcome to the forum. Riding in the Boston area in winter ?? No personal experience but I would suggest you take a look at the streets for other riders out there. If there are none or very few then you best keep the bike parked.
With little or no experience you will just be waiting to have a bad day on anything but clear dry roads. If the tires are more than 5 or 6 years old they will be hard and slippery to begin with in most cases. Combine that fact with cold temps of the road surface and any snow or rain.....................You will get hurt.
If this is your first bike you really don't have a skill level to tackle anything but summer conditions. Not putting you down, just telling you to be safe rather than sorry.
Save your $ for new tires in the spring and some proper riding gear. Then have at er in style.

[blaine]

Welcome to the family.Ride safe. :) :cool:

[Gz Rider]

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[ecr959]

Hello Galactico

Welcome to this great forum, where everybody knows your bike because its the exact same bike. I was from NYC until 5 weeks ago, now I'm in Raleigh. I'm a beginner, got my rider's course, my license and my GZ250 all done just last August. Have fun learning stuff on this forum, the more you learn about the gz, the more money you can save because you will do things yourself.
Wear proper warm clothing if you ride now. Wear good gloves, ankle-high boots, good eye protection, and a good helmet, ALWAYS.

Welcome again.

[mgalactico]

Thank you guys for all the advice. My comment was actually rhetorical. I'm done for a few months. I'm thinking April 1 as the new start date. :grin:

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

[mole2]

Welcome to the forum from South Carolina. If you haven't already it would be wise to take the MSF BRC (Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course). It will be the best money spent on your safety.

When you start riding in the Spring do be aware of leftover sand on the roads from the Winter. It will act like ball bearings under your tires. Ride safe.


:)

[mgalactico]

Thank you for the advice. I did take the class. Had to do the riding in the train but out was worth it.

mgalactico

[greatmaul]

I didn't get to ride in a train. *jealous*

j/k ;P

[PimpS]

Mgalactico!

Welcome, i'm a newbie here, still in proces of getting my gz but already feel the road beneath me... This forum is really great and got me inspired to start learning for taking care of my future bike. Tell me, cause winter here can be long and strong, what did you do to your bike to have it winterized, so that bike is waiting for spring?

Take care and safe!

PimpS

[mgalactico]

I was looking for a post that I used but have not been able to find it. As I recall what I did was:
- Fill the gasoline tank
- Added gas stabilizer
- Drained carburetor
- Waxed bike
- Cleaned and shined Chrome
- Cleaned the whole bike
- Soaked small rag in DW-40, stuffed in exhaust, and covered the end with a small plastic bag help by a rubber band.
- Did the same for the air intake chamber
- As my ride will be stored in a shed with no heat I also took the battery out and bought a Battery Tender Junior 12V to keep it charged
- Took the seats out and stored them inside the house wrapped in a bag
- Took the spark plug out, that was huge pain until I had all the tools I needed, put 25 cc motor oil, pushed the bike around for bit to get everything coated, put spark plug back in.

I also used articles as follows for reference and research:
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/winterize.htm
http://www.wikihow.com/Winterize-Your-Motorcycle

Do a search for 'winterizing motorcycle' and you will find plenty of advice.
-

[mavrix]

welcome to the forum from a fellow Massachusetts member!

[mgalactico]

I, like your windshield. Which make and model is it?
mgalactico

[mavrix]

I, like your windshield. Which make and model is it?
mgalactico

If you meant my windshield, I'm not sure since it came with the bike when I bought it used. It's stored at my parents garage for the winter, but I'll take a look at it the next time I'm up there.

[mgalactico]

Thanks

mgalactico

[Rookie Rider]

Welcome. Is it really necessary to winterize it that much ? I just filled it with fresh gas and put Stabil in the tank. Nothing more, its in my cold garage too.

[Gz Rider]

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[mgalactico]

I hope so Gz Rider. That is the goal. April 1 can't come fast enough.
:D

mgalactico

[Water Warrior 2]

I hope so Gz Rider. That is the goal. April 1 can't come fast enough.
:D

mgalactico
What ??? You don't just pray to the Gods of asphalt ?? :lol: :lol:

[Gz Rider]

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[mole2]

I hope so Gz Rider. That is the goal. April 1 can't come fast enough.
:D

mgalactico

April 1- you poor northern soul....

lol Yup...the season hasn't ended here and it doesn't appear there will be an end. My dafodils are six inches tall with flower buds on top. They may just bloom on New Years Day. :2tup:


:)

[Gz Rider]

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[Way]

Okkkkk, I'm going to stifle the hatred I feel for certain southern riders right now :tongue: and welcome mgalactico to the forum...

I'm in northern VT now but I worked about 5 years at the PO down there. First at the South Station GMF and then in Chelsea where as a carrier, I covered Chelsea, Revere, Everett, East Boston and Winthrop. Sundays I also covered Malden, Melrose, Somerville and Stoneham on Express mail. This was all before the Big Dig. Fun times and Boston was awesome. :rawk: Make sure you emphasize visibility and defensive driving for sure though.

[mavrix]

Thanks

mgalactico

The windshield is the HD-0 Mini Police by Slipstreamer. It's on this page towards the bottom.
http://slipstreamer.com/Product/Cruisers/cruisers.html

Sorry it took so long to respond; we went to Florida on a vacation and then I was crazy busy with work.

[PimpS]

I like this windshield... hm...