I've joined the addiction.

[mithuth]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/292593_3939979619542_1281464982_3534712_785710869_ n.jpg

Here's a pic of my lil scooter bike I just picked up a few weeks back. It's my first bike, and I'm already starting to want something a bit bigger. Pictured behind it is my second bike (a 99 Marauder 800). I actually bought it before the 250, but due to some title issues, I took delivery afterwards.

The 250 was a bike used in the PA motorcycle safety program, so it's been dropped and beat up pretty good. The prev owner had a new tank put on and had the whole bike repainted, hence no decals. It had ~3100 miles on it when I bought it and now has around 3700 after only a few weeks.

Anyhow, howdy from northwestern PA.

[PimpS]

Welcome Mithuth!

Interesting, tell me about that second bike of yours, marauder 800, how do you like it? Do you recommend it for an upgrade from gz?

[blaine]

Welcome to the family.That's a nice looking pair of Marauders. :) :cool:

[mithuth]

ty blaine. They're ok I guess. The price was right on each of them, so I figured why not.

tell me about that second bike of yours, marauder 800, how do you like it? Do you recommend it for an upgrade from gz?
Here' a better pic.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/p480x480/556944_3939982219607_1281464982_3534714_287608088_ n.jpg

I really enjoy the 800, for all the more I've been able to ride it. The first thing I did was remove that god awful windshield.
It's got a few issues I need to work out before really opening it up. The chain is a bit loose and needs adjusted, and there's an issue with the starter my buddy told me i should get fixed before riding it much. When I try to start the bike, the starter/solenoid just clicks but does not start the bike. If I put the bike in gear and rock it a bit with the clutch out, push the starter button and squeeze the clutch, it will fire right up. Apparently this is a common problem with some bikes and I need to take the starter apart and clean it/replace it or risk it grenading on me while at speed and possibly damage the bike or myself. So I haven't gotten much time on it to make a recommendation one way or the other. I do know the 50-so miles I've put on it were awesome.
It's got power on tap. The 250 tops out around 65 for me (5'11", 220#) and to pass someone doing 50 in a 55, it's a real struggle to muster the momentum to get around them in a safe and timely manner. The first time I cracked the throttle on the 800 already rolling at 50, I was at 70 before I realized it and had to back of pretty quickly so I didn't get myself into trouble. It was quite a rush.
The 800 is a great bike and I can hardly wait to get the little things wrapped up and take it out and really enjoy it.

Now to offset all the hype I've put on the 800. I still think the 250 (or equivalent) should be a staple in anyone's riding experience. I plan to keep mine for a long time and use it for around town driving. Being light and nimble, it's great for dodging and avoiding obstacles that pull out without looking.

[Water Warrior 2]

Welcome to the family. Like your choice of bikes. Lynda started with a GZ and later upgraded to a M-50. The 800cc engine is all you really need to travel around the planet.

[greatmaul]

Hi and welcome! That's a great pair of bikes! I've had the GZ for about 8 months now, and just got a Suzuki VX800. I think it may have the exact same engine as your Marauder. I know what you mean about the power. They make a great team, because like you said, the GZ is nimble and light weight, perfect for almost everything except high speed freeway rush hour traffic, and then I take the 800.

[Rionna]

Hello and welcome to the forum from Ohio! You have some great looking bikes. How long have you been riding?

[mithuth]

How long have you been riding?
About 3 weeks. lol

Ok, that's sort of wrong. I rode dirt bikes when I was a teen (about 20 years ago). On a whim decided I wanted to start riding again and bought these bikes within a week of each other.

[greatmaul]

I rode dirt bikes when I was a teen (about 20 years ago). On a whim decided I wanted to start riding again and bought these bikes within a week of each other.

That's cool. A lot of the research shows that people with previous dirt bike riding experience are much better riders on the street. They're better able to control the bike and don't freak out if it starts sliding and such.

[Water Warrior 2]

Dirt riding: the most fun you can have with your clothes on. :lol:

[mithuth]

That's cool. A lot of the research shows that people with previous dirt bike riding experience are much better riders on the street. They're better able to control the bike and don't freak out if it starts sliding and such.
I was actually kind of disappointed that I couldn't kick the rear end out, but that's probably for the best. lol

I did have my first off road experience with the 250...
I was riding behind my mom (who also rides a gz250 btw) on an old back country road through the forest. We were on a steep up hill that fed into a 25mph, 90 degrees right turn into a down hill. So you were literally changing from up hill to down hill and making a 55mph to 25mph braking all at the same time.
She saw the 25mph sign a bit late and locked up the brakes for a second, hooked a hard right and made the corner. Me, well I was watching the loose dog that was heading out towards the road towards us from the house on the corner, so I wasn't so lucky. I locked up both front and rear in a straight slide, hoping to make a full stop or decent slow so I could let off the brakes and hook the right.
"Nope, not happening," I thought to myself and I immediately went back to dirt bike mode. I saw an access road and let off the brakes so I could control the bike a bit better. I stood up on the pegs and aimed for the access road. Through a big patch of gravel, into a mucky mud hole about 8ft wide and 6ft long I went. I did gently slow the bike and get it back under control pretty quickly.
I turned it around and came back out, avoiding another trip through the mud and gravel as best I could. My mom's face was white as a ghost and her hands were shaking. She was VERY shook by what happened. Me, not so much. Maybe I'm just too stupid to realize the mortal danger I was in, or maybe due to past experience I wasn't in quite as much danger as she felt. Either way, I had a good deep belly laugh about it and told her to give me a little more warning before hard turns, then smiled and rode off.

Edit to add:
I kept teasing her (and still do) that she helped cement in my mind that I need to sell the 800 and get a 450 or 650 on/off bike. lol

[Water Warrior 2]

A good street legal enduro would be a hoot. Personally I have found that anything over a 250 is a bit of overkill. Anything over 300 pounds is a *itch to pick up and you will have to eventually.

[mithuth]

A good street legal enduro would be a hoot. Personally I have found that anything over a 250 is a bit of overkill. Anything over 300 pounds is a *itch to pick up and you will have to eventually.
I couldn't agree more on the 250 aspect in the woods. My only counter point is being off road and on, I'd want to get something just a bit bigger than a 250 so I can go more than a top speed of 60-70. I want a top speed more like 100-125. Not that I want to go that fast, but if I'm doing 55 and i crack the throttle, I want something that doesn't feel like I should get off and push to go faster. The 800 is awesome for that. If I hit the gas, it goes. No questions asked, it goes right now.
I'd like to duplicate that in an on/off bike.

[Water Warrior 2]

I'm sure there are machines out there that will do the deed. How much $ are you prepared to spend is the question.

[mithuth]

I'm sure there are machines out there that will do the deed. How much $ are you prepared to spend is the question.
Somewhere between "as little as possible" and "whatever it takes" lol

[Water Warrior 2]

I'm sure there are machines out there that will do the deed. How much $ are you prepared to spend is the question.
Somewhere between "as little as possible" and "whatever it takes" lol
Yamaha makes an absolutely sweet 250 street legal enduro with all sorts of great features but the price is just a tad high for my tastes. Not sure what the cruising speed would be on road but off road it appears to be a winner in my books. Lots of suspension travel that won't beat you up after a few hours playing "Mr Adventure".
Lots of the younger dirt riders here just hang a cheap lighting kit on their dirt bikes and ride across town to hit the mountain trails. They keep it street legal so as not to annoy the LEOs.

[mole2]

How long have you been riding?
About 3 weeks. lol

Ok, that's sort of wrong. I rode dirt bikes when I was a teen (about 20 years ago). On a whim decided I wanted to start riding again and bought these bikes within a week of each other.

Welcome to the forum from South Carolina. You should think about taking the MSF BRC (Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course) as it's the best investment you can make in your safety. Ride safe.


:)

[mithuth]

Welcome to the forum from South Carolina. You should think about taking the MSF BRC (Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course) as it's the best investment you can make in your safety. Ride safe.


:)
Thanks from PA. :rawk:

I'm taking the PAMSP (PA Motorcycle Safety Program), which is the equivalent of the BRC everywhere else, as soon as I figure out a time I can miss work. It seems they schedule the program evenings right when I work. lol

[PimpS]

What about 650 honda transalp?

[PimpS]

http://bikeglam.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/13176.jpg

[mithuth]

I'm actually leaning pretty heavily towards the Honda CRF250L
http://www.thepandacover.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-Honda-CRF250L.jpg

Though I'd love a bigger motor...