700+ Mile Ride

[WdavisUI]

I was throwing around the idea of taking my 2004 GZ250 on about a 380 mile each way ride from Boise, ID to Coeur D'alene, ID. It is about a 750 mile round trip and i was wondering if anyone has taken their GZ on a ride that long before. If so how did it hold up? Last thing i want to do is get 300 miles from home and have it over heat or something. My bike is a 2004 but in good shape with only 1200 miles. Any tips or ideas? I think i would split up the ride into a few days but is that too much to expect out of 250CC's? Thanks.

[Jaime]

If it overheats in 300 miles, it overheats in 20 miles. That's it.

[Easy Rider]

I think i would split up the ride into a few days but is that too much to expect out of 250CC's? Thanks.

No problem. I'm sure others will speak up who do it regularly.
I plan a trip this summer that is 650 miles each way. Will take 2 days (at least) each way.
EDIT: Oops, make that 3 days each way.

[johnsandlin]

Sounds like a great trip! I've been to Boise many many years ago and thought the area had some terrific scenery. You might want to check out Patrick Henry's (that his real name!) website at http://home.comcast.net/~pat1776/index.html. He rode from Nashville, TN to Alaska a few years back on a GZ250. He regularly takes 1000 mile trips on his bike. Some really good ride reports on his website. I think he is a great writer.

[jonathan180iq]

Make sure you take an extra spark plug just in case. The bike will hold up just fine as long it is proper tune.

[davidc83]

I put 11,000 miles on my gz250 last year in 6 months (original plugs).
My first bike meet was at Helen Georgia, it was a 1100 mile bike trip.
In August I did a 2500 mile bike trip to Franklin Georgia. met Jonathan 180ig there.
This ended up being a 2500 mile bike trip. One day I did 550 miles (half at 70+mph on the Interstates) and it was 105-110 degree outside, not counting the heat of the Interstate.
Patrick Henry in Nashville has done a 10,000 mile bike trip in 18 days. He did it a couple years ago with a doctor who did the trip on a Bergman scooter. They rode from Florida to California, to Alaska, to New England and back to Florida.
During the summer, on the weekends, I normally ride 200 miles a day. My commute to work is almost 100 miles and I rode it almost everyday during the spring/summer/fall.
380 miles is no big deal, except for your butt. Good luck with the Monkey butt. I put a sheepskin cover on mine: helps a great deal.
Have fun.

[Easy Rider]

I put 11,000 miles on my gz250 last year in 6 months (original plugs).


Is there more than ONE ?? :??:

[davidc83]

Sorry, plug. Typo.

[CMS]

Wow ,I hope I can ride at least half as much this year, as you did last year. I too comute to work ,but mine is only a 60 mile round trip. Does the sheep skin butt pad really work ? I'v thought about buying one, but on my other two bikes I changed seats. Whats your thoughts on the GZ250 ? Seat change or butt pad? CMS :rawk:

[davidc83]

Good luck finding a seat. BadBob in Florida had his redone $$$ and he really likes it. The sheepskin works for me but I also have thousands of miles riding horses. The sheepskin is an inexpensive try and if it doesnt work for you, you can always sell them on ebay for close to what you paid for it. It depends on your posterior.

Mar10th I am riding from Indiana to Gainesville, Florida for a bike vacation (can't make it to bike week). I havent made up my mind to ride the gz250 or the C50 yet. If I ride the gz, I have to change the 16T front sprocket to the 15T sprocket (cant do Interstate speed with the 16T).

[CMS]

Thanks for the reply,I think I'l try the butt pad.Good luck on your trip,sounds like fun. I'v read about the 16t,I'm going to leave mine at 15 and possibly change the rear sprocket . I did this on my DRZ400 and it really helped. :tup: CMS

[Easy Rider]

If I ride the gz, I have to change the 16T front sprocket to the 15T sprocket (cant do Interstate speed with the 16T).

Or you could take 2-lane US routes. It will run 55-60 all day with the 16T.
US 41 is a good road all the way to Atlanta with some REAL interesting riding in the mountains.
Don't know how it is south of Atlanta.

Much as I love my GZ, I think I'd vote for the C50! :tup:

[Easy Rider]

I'v read about the 16t,I'm going to leave mine at 15 and possibly change the rear sprocket .

And WHY would you want to do that?
Front sprocket is quick, easy and cheap......still can use the same chain in most cases.
Changing the rear is (somewhat) complicated, difficult and more expensive.....since you usually can NOT use the same chain.

:??:

[jonathan180iq]

Not to mention that gear ratios are gear ratios and a rear sprocket change doesn't offer many more options than a front sprocket change.

[CMS]

The reason for the rear sprocket change was due to the size of the front sprocket. When we went to the 16t it was to large and actually hit the rubber mounting bushing [ DRZ400S].It would have destroyed the bushing in a block and a half ride. the shop that changed it had a computer program that allowed you to enter front or rear or both sprocket sizes and showed the results in final drive ratio and mph. The Ninja 250 site has one on line in the FAQ section. It's interesting to add in different ratios and see the results. You Can tell the difference on the RPM and top end MPH on my DRZ, not a large difference but noticable. CMS :tup:

[jonathan180iq]

You used to ride a Ninja 250?
Have you seen the sweet-ass remodel that they did for the '08.

Finally, a Euro style 250cc in the states. If only I had some spare change....

[Easy Rider]

When we went to the 16t it was to large and actually hit the rubber mounting bushing [ DRZ400S].It would have destroyed the bushing in a block and a half ride.

That is NOT a problem with the GZ.

[Badbob]

I rode mine 22,000 miles in two years. 470 miles was my longest ride in a day. I have ridden it in heat, cold, wind, rain, and way into the night. I have ridden it hundreds of miles at 60-65 mph in fourth gear because of head winds and/or the 16T sprocket that would not let me maintain a constant speed. I've probably ridden it over loaded for a good many miles. It will make the trip.

http://robertkeeney.com/gallery/d/2076-2/20070308-1008-GZ250-Loaded_For_Camping-6083.jpg
http://robertkeeney.com/gallery/d/1831-2/20060625-160726-The_Creek.jpg

[mcintyre_aerospace]

A long trip sounds kinda fun, ill have to fix my bike up a little and go on one. Did you have any problems with overheating, because I know this bike can get pretty hot if you ride it a little hard.

[Badbob]

A long trip sounds kinda fun, ill have to fix my bike up a little and go on one. Did you have any problems with overheating, because I know this bike can get pretty hot if you ride it a little hard.
No over heating that I could see not having a temperature gauge. I would think that as long as you have air flowing over the engine as in moving it going to be fine. Most of these trips are in the summer with temperatures going well over 100 degrees more than once. It's always hotter on the road than at the weather station.

If your going to over heat its probably going to be while your sitting still in traffic. No air flow over the engine. I have a four cylinder air cooled Yamaha that you have to have a fan blowing on it any time the engine is running and it sitting still for any length of time. The engine puts off so much heat that without the fan it will boil the gasoline in the tank. I did this once before I knew better.

[rbert16000]

The link below does not seem to work, Anyone have the correct site info?

[jonathan180iq]

What link are you talking about?

[rbert16000]

I was referring to the link that supposedly went to another website... I dont see it now... Must have made it in error... Sorry...

[Water Warrior 2]

I was throwing around the idea of taking my 2004 GZ250 on about a 380 mile each way ride from Boise, ID to Coeur D'alene, ID. It is about a 750 mile round trip and i was wondering if anyone has taken their GZ on a ride that long before. If so how did it hold up? Last thing i want to do is get 300 miles from home and have it over heat or something. My bike is a 2004 but in good shape with only 1200 miles. Any tips or ideas? I think i would split up the ride into a few days but is that too much to expect out of 250CC's? Thanks.
The GZ will absolutely make it. It is far stronger than you are. Fresh oil if needed, tires up to pressure and lube the chain. Ride it and enjoy yourself.

[WdavisUI]

Thanks for the replys, i am looking forward to the trip. Anyone know of a website where i can order some reasonably priced saddlebags for my GZ? Also i am worried about the speed limits on the highways along the way, i think for the most part it is 55 MPH but i know it turns into 65 MPH along the way, i currently havnt gone any faster than 60 MPH because it seems to be too much for the GZ to handle, am i just not giving it enough credit? Thanks for the help.

[patrick_777]

Thanks for the replys, i am looking forward to the trip. Anyone know of a website where i can order some reasonably priced saddlebags for my GZ? Also i am worried about the speed limits on the highways along the way, i think for the most part it is 55 MPH but i know it turns into 65 MPH along the way, i currently havnt gone any faster than 60 MPH because it seems to be too much for the GZ to handle, am i just not giving it enough credit? Thanks for the help.

I think you're just not giving it enough credit. I regularly hold between 65 and 75 on the standard 15t sprocket on straight roads. Once you get used to the engine screaming and vibrating like hell, you'll get to trust its stamina a bit more. Like others have said, these bikes are very sturdy, and with even a little bit of regular maintenance, they will hold out seemingly forever.

As a disclaimer, all GZ's are different, and some will not make a top end of over 65-70. A lot of the "speed" depends on load and wind resistance and maintenance regimen.

[countrydad]

Are you taking Highway 95? What a nice ride that would be, lots of scenery and plenty of mountain curves. I have been through there several times (not on my GZ) and am jealous.

[WdavisUI]

Yeah im taking 95, should be a great scenic drive.

[Moedad]

Yeah im taking 95, should be a great scenic drive.

Up 55 to McCall and then up 95? That's a beautiful drive. The Pancake House in McCall has HUGE pancakes. My 19 yo daughter ordered one and it hung off the plate all the way around. She couldn't finish it.

That's going to be a great ride. I'm envious.