New to GZ250bike.com

[PG tips]

New here, in Dublin, Ireland. It's my first bike, being doing a few lessons since the start of last year. Have wanted to get a bike for a while, ease of getting around,cost and general fun, I'll have to get the terminology right. I got my bike last Autumn, but didn't get out much. Great to find this forum, I've looked over the different topics, I'm interested to put a tacho on, a speedo in km/h maybe some extra front lights and do a few other things, I already put a pair of saddlebags on, handy for a bit of carrying capacity. My bike is a 2000, claims to have low miles and is quite clean, I'm in the process of seeing what mpg (L/100km) it gets. Was doing the oil change and filter over the weekend, only realised during that was given the wrong filter, definitely need to find a place I can get parts easily.

[alantf]

Hi there, & welcome to the mad house. :2tup:

Firstly, PG tips are my favourite tea bags. :tup:
Secondly, is your bike a 125 or 250?
Thirdly, with my 250, I fill up every 200 kilometers. It takes around 7 litres, so that's 3½ litres per 100 kilometers (72 miles per English gallon) :2tup:

[Pelagic]

Welcome Mr. Tips,

How about Lyons like the rest of us?

I don't hear from other Irish Geezers. Ride down to Portlaoise and I show you around the Slieve Blooms.

It seems best to get parts from the UK, but the guy in Kilkenny is quite good.

[blaine]

Welcome to the family. :) :cool:

[alantf]

How about Lyons like the rest of us?



We can get Tetley's or PG tips. :yes:

Don't suppose the Yanks know what we're on about. ;) :lol:

[PG tips]

Actually, I prefer Lyons, I havent had PG tips in a while, now its Aldi/Lidl.
I just remember the adds from the 80's maybe even 90's :) , its appropriate for a mad house :)

My bike is a 250, not sure of the mpg yet, filled it up to the brim last time, just gonna wait till I need to switch to reserve, then top it up and record the mileage. I have a mph speedo, was thinking of changing to kmh, but probably stick on a tacho before then, thats the plan anyway.

I will put on a windshield eventually too,along with the other things I mentioned. I tried tucking in, but it only helps a bit, I've been told a windshield helps a bit. Handy to know someone around is good for getting stuff for the GZ, I'll have to get his contact details off you, maybe i can get him to post me stuff. I will probably look for a few things online too.
Portlaoise isnt too far reall, its all motorways down that far now, isn't it? I'd have to find another route, I'm still on my learner permit, so no m-way, test this year so need to get out and practice, the new rules don't apply to me as I had A/A1 ticked on my first learner permit when I started driving a car (old provisional licence years ago, but never got a bike).

Thanks all

[alantf]

They've opened up a lidl on the island, near us, but of the drinkables I only get my coffee from them. 95 centimos for a 250 gramme packet. Nice coffee. I get my PG tips from another supermarket. €1.95 for 40 bags :cry: Got a nice tank bag from Lidl's, last week, for €29.99.[attachment=0:2vzjk1dm]b61.jpg[/attachment:2vzjk1dm]

They'd also got some cheap modular helmets, but I wasn't keen of them.

[PG tips]

I got my gear off one of them, I got it for starting out, most of its ok, not sure the trousers are fully waterproof, plan to replace it bit by bit. It was at freezing when I collected the bike, could have done with an extra layer under the gloves or the mit things that go on the handlebars, don't think Id need them most of the time.
I got my panniers elsewhere online, I might have a look at the tank bags next time they come up, but its unlikely they will match my faux leather yokes.

[mole2]

Welcome to the forum. Ride safe.


:)

[Rookie Rider]

Welcome aboard, alan, i'll stck to Lipton tea bags. Thats all i know.

[alantf]

not sure the trousers are fully waterproof, plan to replace it bit by bit.

Your best bet for waterproofs is a camping/hiking shop. Good quality, & a lot cheaper than the bike shops. I've had mine for years. Just give 'em a spray of reproofer every year, then back in the saddle bag, so they're ready for when it rains. :2tup:

[Road_Clam]

not sure the trousers are fully waterproof, plan to replace it bit by bit.

Your best bet for waterproofs is a camping/hiking shop. Good quality, & a lot cheaper than the bike shops. I've had mine for years. Just give 'em a spray of reproofer every year, then back in the saddle bag, so they're ready for when it rains. :2tup:

There is NO such thing as "waterproof" rain gear. There is cheap rain gear that eventually lets water in in a short period of time, and then there is the high end gear that is far more "resistant" to water intrusion over say an all day highway ride. I have a premium Nelson Rigg 2 pc rain suit, I also use rain gaitors over my rain pants and boots, and I make extra protection "rain gauntlets" from extra large zip loc plastic bags. Drove 366 miles in the driving rain and just my neck got a bit wet. :2tup:

[Water Warrior 2]

The only real waterproof gear comes with 4 wheels and a roof. 2 wheeled waterproof gear gets better every year but I'll stick with what works reasonably well and already paid for.

[DianeinNM]

How about Lyons like the rest of us?



We can get Tetley's or PG tips. :yes:

Don't suppose the Yanks know what we're on about. ;) :lol:

Ha! I'm heading down to the import shop today for some PG Tips. I don't think I can get Lyons, though.

:-) Diane

[PG tips]

Lyons, nice cup of tea, wiki has it right 6 mugs a day.
Been a few years since I was in the states, last time I had to bring a box with me :)

I'm afraid I have turned this into the PG tips Vs Lipton tea debate forum.

So now to the GZ 250 :)

[greatmaul]

Hi and welcome! I have a windshield and I really like it. I don't really look through it, but it keeps all the wind off of you and makes for a very comfortable ride. I also put some led lights on the front for extra visibility and a taillight modulator on the back.

I bet the gz250 would be perfect for roaming around Ireland. Have fun!

[bpdchief]

Welcome to the crew. Great bunch on here and they won't steer you wrong. A windshield will make a world of difference for you. Post pictures of your saddlebags when you can. I'm using a backpack right now - not the most comfortable esp when the temp is 95 F 35 C.
PG tips is a fine tea, I get my Squadron Leader pipe tobacco from a friend in Yorkshire, I've a fine Peterson pipe and Jameson is always close at hand.

Not only am I a Police Chief, but, to make matters worse the name's O'ROURKE and that's Irish enough.

Practice practice so you can get your full license. Ride safe watch for the idiots!!

[Water Warrior 2]

I just have to sit here and giggle. When we get off topic it is so dam interesting it is hard to believe. Yeah, we are a very diverse international family and I like it.

[Rionna]

I don't know if this has anything to do with the topic lol but "Welcome to the forum from Ohio!"

[alantf]

I get my Squadron Leader pipe tobacco from a friend in Yorkshire,

Born, bred, and lived the first 56 years of my life in Yorkshire, and never heard of that one. Used to smoke a pipe. Still got one or two, including a fine meerschaum, but it's cigars now, as they're so cheap over here. :) (used to smoke walnut sliced or mahogany sliced)

[PG tips]

Welcome to the crew. Great bunch on here and they won't steer you wrong. A windshield will make a world of difference for you. Post pictures of your saddlebags when you can. I'm using a backpack right now - not the most comfortable esp when the temp is 95 F 35 C.
PG tips is a fine tea, I get my Squadron Leader pipe tobacco from a friend in Yorkshire, I've a fine Peterson pipe and Jameson is always close at hand.

Not only am I a Police Chief, but, to make matters worse the name's O'ROURKE and that's Irish enough.

Practice practice so you can get your full license. Ride safe watch for the idiots!!

Well back out for a spin today, I getting curious as to what mileage my bike does, when I switch to reserve, I'll zero it.
but I've almost done a 100miles and the tank still has loads in it, maybe the bottom part has less volume and goes down quicker than the top? :??:
I plan to run it a good bit before I do a long trip, think the rear brake needs adjustment anyway, so I'll have to look at that, there is loads of play and it seems fairly weak.
I'll get around to taking a picture of the bike and the saddlebags, my girlfriend got them for along with some spacer bars for each side for Xmas and they are quite big at about 34 litres total, I probably would have went for smaller, but I used them today and half filled them.
Next time I pack the balaclava, better to be looking at it than for it :) as there was a cold gale blowing down my neck, least it was dry though.

[Water Warrior 2]

PG, you will find the rear brake is not as effective as the front. Make a pedal adjustment/slack adjustment to suit your foot position. Also check to be sure the brake light works after the adjustment. It can be adjusted too. It is a smaller round plastic switch just to the rear of the brake pedal and is adjusted by rotating the threaded plastic body.

Bigger bags are very handy. You will soon find yourself packing extra clothing along just to be safe and secure. You won't overload the GZ. It is a small pack mule and loves a slight challenge.

[Skunkhome]

Usually use Lipton or Community but have a bit of Bigelow. Really a bean man...dark roast.

[Skunkhome]

Have you filled up yet? I run about 206 miles before the bike starts calling for the reserve and I get about 75 miles per US gallon in mixed driving with a stock bike.

[Rookie Rider]

I got 214 miles on a full tank with some still in it and in the reserve.

[vikz250]

congrats on your ride! one of my dream is visit Ireland,Scotland etc.,my mother inlaw is scottish ,my wife been to scotland when she was young, someday but thats after we visit my old stampping ground Manila,Philippines..

[Skunkhome]

I got 214 miles on a full tank with some still in it and in the reserve.
Well that is half the equation. How many gallons did it take to fill?

[PG tips]

well, It looks like I am averaging 65mpg (imp gallon)
Ive gotten from 180, probably driving harder or lower in the gears to 220miles