Trike a GZ-250 lately?

[SWASHBUCKLER]

Just wondering if anyone out there has triked a GZ? We're thinking about trying it because my wife loves to ride but can't handle the height and weight of the GZ-250. We tried everything and this is our last resort.

[Cathy]

Qasual:

How tall and how much does she weigh. I can't see how the weight and height of the GZ would even be a problem. My girlfriend Cathy is 5'2" 96lbs and can't fight out of a wet paper bag but is fine. I would recommend some sort of riding school where she is trained by a professional and taught how to handle the bike while upright and balance. The bike does all the work once moving and can be easily steered with with one finger.

[Water Warrior 2]

Find a good riding school. A really good riding school with experienced instructors. Also pick up a copy of Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough. Both of you read it cover to cover. I thought I was a fairly decent rider until I did both of these suggestions. A newbie has an easy time of it with proper instruction compared to an old guy with bad unsafe habits that need to be broken first. Training is the best life insurance you will ever buy and it is a one time expense.
Lynda had never ridden a bike when she bought her GZ. We went to classes together. She became an exceptional rider and 2 seasons later bought a M-50(800cc) V-twin. Rode it for 3 seasons. She is about 5' 3" so the GZ fit like a glove.
As for triking a GZ I would have serious thoughts about the small engine and the added weight involved.
My personal experience tells me never to learn from a friend or spouse and never teach a friend or spouse. You are too emotionally involved.

[SWASHBUCKLER]

Well you know she isn't 5' or 3", she's 4'8" and we are in our late 50s. Everyone seems to think that height difference between 5' and a few inches and several inches under 5' isn't a big deal but it is a huge difference! Her inseam is probably under 27" and with the width of the seat and tank it makes it very difficult for her to manage reaching the ground. We altered the bike a couple of years ago to a point where she can barely reach the ground with high soled bike shoes. We lowered the front forks a bit and put shorter shocks on it. For safety sake, we are checking out the triking option. Riding schools are of no use when a motorcycle is TOO big for someone to handle. So, all that being said...you guys know anyone under 5' riding one of them?

[grasshopper]

I understand your problem. I have a sister in law that height and about 80 pounds in her early 30's. I had her try to ride my gz250 last Christmas and she did not feel as if she could control it and was tippy toed on it. she felt very unsafe. I seen on ebay a company selling a bolt on trike kit but they do not offer the tires and fenders with the kit. they sell them separately . pretty high cost in my opinion but still cheaper than buying a trike. you might want to check that out. I hope you are able to work something out for her. good luck and ride safe.

[Cathy]

Qasual - I see what you mean but honestly that does not mean it is unridable and too big. On a different bike I am on the tip of my toes and barely can push the thing backwards while on top of it. That may not be the exact situation here but there are ways around it, I had to assume the Captain Morgan stance at lights now. Another thing that should be tried is to actually sit on a different bike, the Rebel has a seat height of 26.3" if I remember correctly and also has a tear shaped gas tank which makes it easier to mount.

I am good friends with instructors from multiple schools that use the Marauder as their learning bikes and they know every detail about them, even if it is not the learning tips and tricks around it. They might know how to alter it.

Small tippit here but when at a red light it is usually right foot up on the brake and left foot holding you up with the bike at an angle. A scooch of the bum you can pretty much be near up right so less weight is applied on the leg. But main idea is to have the brakes covered for safety sake.

I wish you best of luck and apologize for my shotty typing as it has been done on a mobile phone. Oh and WELCOME !

[SWASHBUCKLER]

The weight of the bike and (due to our age) lack of flexibility makes it hard to manage. Tip toe stopping is not safe. Unless you are actually her size you can't imagine the difficultness of the ride. People even slightly taller than her can manage the size of the bike because leg and arm length is suitable. I had to put other handlebars on her bike so it didn't pull her off the seat when she made a turn. Triking is going to be our only option I think. Going to a bigger heaver bike isn't going to work. We could go to the best instructor on earth and it's not going to make her able to manage handling a bike that's too big for her size.

[Cathy]

Qasual:
I'm sorry, the Rebel is another 250cc motorcycle pretty much exactly the same so not bigger at all. It's shorter and have a more accommodating gas tank, that is before any alterations as well. So possibly shortened at the struts much make it perfect and hopefully both feet will touch the ground to support the bike.

I personally have to do a captain morgan stop because the bike is to tall for me as well so I try my best to put my feet and someones else shoes. I'll ponder on this all day and hopefully we at this forum can help !

[Water Warrior 2]

That does sound like a tough problem to solve. I also can relate to the older age and flexibility thing.
Hmm, have you ever looked at an MP3. They won't fall over but you may when checking out the price. 2 wheels up front that allow leaning in the curves but can be locked up to stand upright at a stop. Quite an engineering feat but rather complex. They are more scooter than motorcycle but seem to handle well from what I have read online. Check it out.

[jonathan180iq]

BurkBuilds did some fancy work on a Vulcan 900. This thread might be helpful:
http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5623&highlight=trike

Unfortunately the photo of this one has a bad link...
http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4440&highlight=trike

Quimrider also found a link to an older one:
http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3742&highlight=trike

[Cathy]

I sat on my bike for a minute and got excited for riding and proceeded to talk with Qasual about a motorcycle safety course. =3

[Water Warrior 2]

Cathy, When Lynda was searching foe a school she found one in Vancouver(forgot the name)and V-twin School in Abbotsford. We went with Abbotsford due to timing and whatnot. It was also tax deductible due to being registered at the university.

[Cathy]

I actually found a friend through Qasual who works at Pro Ride that does the lessons at Capilano University where I attend. *Big grin*

I can go to classes right after my classes.

EDIT: I just realized this is not the "What I did..." thread SORRY!

[JohnC]

she's 4'8" and we are in our late 50s. ...Her inseam is probably under 27" ...

I don't want to sound like an a$$, but my inseam is 30", I'm (well) over 60 and I ride a Thunderbird Sport which has a 31.1" seat height, is very top heavy and weighs in at 494 lbs dry. When I sit on the GZ I feel like I'm practically dragging my butt on the ground.

To say she can't reach the ground with all the concessions and mods just baffles me...

[Water Warrior 2]

I actually found a friend through Qasual who works at Pro Ride that does the lessons at Capilano University where I attend. *Big grin*

I can go to classes right after my classes.

EDIT: I just realized this is not the "What I did..." thread SORRY!

Perfect !!!!!!

[Water Warrior 2]

I don't want to sound like an a$$, but my inseam is 30", I'm (well) over 60 and I ride a Thunderbird Sport which has a 31.1" seat height, is very top heavy and weighs in at 494 lbs dry. When I sit on the GZ I feel like I'm practically dragging my butt on the ground.

To say she can't reach the ground with all the concessions and mods just baffles me...

You may remain baffled till you get older and have less strength. Age does make a tremendous difference. Everyone is different and the gals have less strength to begin with. Lynda was fine with her GZ and then her Suzuki 800 V-twin until she stated suffering some minor health issues. It's not just the height issue that may make the bike harder to ride. A combination of factors can make riding near impossible to ride safely and with confidence.

[JWR]

The Yamaha Virago is smaller and lighter feeling than the GZ.
The Virago will also pull from 20 mph to top speed in high

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-boBhh7UpuJg/Tz0i85mDkcI/AAAAAAAABLs/TskGHQA8kCg/s576/IMG_0134.JPG

[jonathan180iq]

She may want to try the Eliminator 125. It's a good little bike that's as light as a bicycle.

[JohnC]

You may remain baffled till you get older and have less strength.

I AM older and have less strength! I've let that progress as far as I can allow. No more birthdays and no more loosing strength! I'm keeping the Thunderbird until I die!

[jonathan180iq]

I AM older and have less strength! I've let that progress as far as I can allow. No more birthdays and no more loosing strength! I'm keeping the Thunderbird until I die!

...http://www.michaelspornanimation.com/splog/wp-content/M/dana-carvey-grumpy.jpg By golly!

[JohnC]

By golly!
That's my demented mother-in-law's favorite interjection. On average, she uses it every other sentence...

[SWASHBUCKLER]

Well, by golly... be prepared to see some pics of a tricked out triked GZ250 in a couple of months. We decided that we'll be boppin' around town (slowly) and really liked the looks of the Cass County Trike so we're giving it a whirl. My wife's safety and happiness is worth whatever it costs. The kit is extremely well made and should be sweet to see!

[Water Warrior 2]

A couple of months........cool. The clock is ticking. Keep us updated with pics and words of progress.

[grasshopper]

I'm glad you made the decision to go with the trike. I can't wait to see the pics. be sure to include one with your wife riding it and let us know how she feels on it.

[shaunCW78]

A gz250 trike?....cool.

[SWASHBUCKLER]

We're actually triking two GZ-250s. A few years ago we bought 2 GZs to play around on and customize. My wife did a great job doing some custom "Bedazzling" on hers with a simple pink/metallic purple and metallic silver paint job and cool leather work. Mine has some custom painting on it and leather work with my wife's help(quite a master of her sewing machine!). We lost interest and she found it difficult to ride so they sat in the shed a couple years til we sold them to some friends. Well they rode them a time or two but really only bought them impulsively. We really didn't like seeing them sitting in the garage getting dirty and grundgy so we struck up a deal to get them back. My wife was determined to trike hers and after some research we found these really well built kits from Cass County Choppers in Missouri. After we get them built and tested we'll post pics and feedback. Maybe we'll start a new trend in the wonderful world of the GZ-250!

[grasshopper]

I found the pic of one from cass county choppers.
http://98.130.250.93/images/003a.jpg

[Water Warrior 2]

That is a pretty tidy looking set-up. Did you get a cost of the mod?

[mole2]

The weight of the bike and (due to our age) lack of flexibility makes it hard to manage. Tip toe stopping is not safe. Unless you are actually her size you can't imagine the difficultness of the ride. People even slightly taller than her can manage the size of the bike because leg and arm length is suitable. I had to put other handlebars on her bike so it didn't pull her off the seat when she made a turn. Triking is going to be our only option I think. Going to a bigger heaver bike isn't going to work. We could go to the best instructor on earth and it's not going to make her able to manage handling a bike that's too big for her size.

I haven't read through this whole thread yet so someone else may have suggested this. Have you checked out a Yamaha V-Star 250 yet? They sit a little lower than the GZ and may work out for you. Have her sit one at a Yammy dealer.


:)

[grasshopper]

That is a pretty tidy looking set-up. Did you get a cost of the mod?

states this kit is a little under $3,000.00 but does not come with wheels, tires, or fenders. It is a bolt on kit.

[Water Warrior 2]

states this kit is a little under $3,000.00 but does not come with wheels, tires, or fenders. It is a bolt on kit.

That's a lot of cash but can we really put a price on fun? Sitting at home in a rocking chair is kinda boring compared to riding and enjoying the fresh air.

[grasshopper]

It still is cheaper than buying a trike.

[SWASHBUCKLER]

We're thinkin' in a couple of years we might be able to work a rockin' chair onto our trike in place of the seat.

[Water Warrior 2]

We're thinkin' in a couple of years we might be able to work a rockin' chair onto our trike in place of the seat.

You must be of the Rock an Roll generation. :lmao:

[SWASHBUCKLER]

Well, after some challenging issues, that were quickly resolved by my friend and design engineer Ron at Cass County Trikes, the build is almost complete. I took my wife's trike up the street for a quick spin and discovered the "unusual" feel of the three wheels under me but there was enough power to suit me and it ran exceptionally smooth. There are some minor things that I need to do before I post any pics if this winter weather ever gives us a break!! The entire kit including the fender supports is machined from billet aluminum and extremely well built...not a cheap set training wheels...this is a well made, very cool looking trike kit. After I'm done(totally) I'll post pics and maybe by then have had a chance to do a little more than take a quick spin. Stay tuned.....

[Water Warrior 2]

Yup, a trike is a totally different ride. I really really want some pics of the finished product.

[grasshopper]

Can't wait to see the pics.