Just bought first bike...'01 GZ250

[gstam4]

Hi all, just bought a bike today and thought I'd join this site to help me learn about it. New to the bike, and new to motorcycles altogether - though I've been riding a 49cc scooter around the Florida State campus (I'm a grad student) for the last four months. I'll be taking the MSF course next week (which means I can't legally ride until then, since passing that course is required for the M endorsement here in FL).

Went with a red 2001 GZ250 w/ 23,xxx miles. Thought the miles were sort of high for a used bike, but I purchased from Orion Motorsports, which is well-reviewed online and whose staff really impressed me today. Came with a 30-day, 1,000-mile mechanical warranty. Looks like there's a small amount of rust on some of the pipes and spokes, and the left side of the gas tank has a dent; other than that, seems to be in good shape. Paid $950, which struck me as reasonable.

Mechanic went over the controls and features with me, and told me to use non-ethanol (any grade) and to keep up with lubricating the chain. Anyone have any other tips that can help me keep this thing in good shape? I'm not mechanically skilled at all, but would like to learn my way around the bike so that I can do the maintenance.

Look forward to posting on here more.

[Cathy]

Ooh, pretty bike !

Welcome to the forum, everyone here is very knowledgeable so do not be afraid to ask the simplest of questions. I think you got a good deal for a starter bike , these bikes are simple and easy to work with.

[blaine]

Welcome to the forum.The carb is the weak link.Run some SeaFoam thru your fuel once a month or so to keep things clean.. :) ;)

[Water Warrior 2]

Yup, that is a GZ. You can stay. Seriously though, congrats on your 1st bike. The price and warranty sound good.
Stick around and ask any questions you have. There are no stupid questions. We have all been stumped by the simplest things and were afraid to ask.

[grasshopper]

welcome to the forum. I just joined last December. this forum is full of great people and great articles! it is the best place to find any information on the gz250 on the internet. most questions you may have now or in the future may have already been asked but ask again if you haven't found the answer. like I said GREAT PEOPLE!

[gstam4]

Thanks all!

[gstam4]

Well, I might have a problem...or not. I haven't ridden the bike since I bought it last week, but started it today to give the engine a quick workout. I'll be able to ride after this weekend, when I complete the MSF course and get the endorsement.

There's a somewhat small puddle of fluid directly under the engine, and when I touched my hand to it, it looked like oil. Also, the engine was smoking a bit - I couldn't tell where the smoke was coming from, but it was about the equivalent of what you'd get when you blow out a candle (not much, but not nothing). The exhaust was putting out a good amount of smoke, too.

The dealer I bought it from told me it was in nice shape and needed nothing. I didn't notice any smoking or leaks when they had it running for me. Thoughts?

[Water Warrior 2]

It could be a slight bit of moisture from the drain hole at the bottom of the exhaust pipe. The hole is there to drain moisture and prevent internal rust. White smoke is just white smoke. Once things really warm up it goes away.
If you suspect it to be oil then just check to see if the drain plug is snug.
A big thumbs up for being observant.
As a rule of thumb I would check the tires once a week and all the lights before my first ride of the day. Ride Safe.

[jonathan180iq]

Double endorse WW. Lay down beside the bike and see if there is a bit of seepage coming from where the two halves on the crank case meet.

[gstam4]

Thanks, guys. Turns out the puddle under the engine smelled very strongly of gas, so the dealer is coming tomorrow to pick it up to look at/repair under the 30-day warranty.

Thought for a moment I might have made a bad purchase of a bike too far past its prime, but hopefully they can fix it up at the shop and there's nothing else wrong.

[Water Warrior 2]

Thanks, guys. Turns out the puddle under the engine smelled very strongly of gas, so the dealer is coming tomorrow to pick it up to look at/repair under the 30-day warranty.

Thought for a moment I might have made a bad purchase of a bike too far past its prime, but hopefully they can fix it up at the shop and there's nothing else wrong.

The dealer is coming to pick up the bike!!!!! WOW, sounds like a place to trust until proven otherwise. I have rarely heard of a dealer picking up a bike. Of course it just might be that they are afraid of a law suit and/or they want a repeat customer. 2 thumbs up for the dealer.

[gstam4]

Yeah, I've been pretty impressed with them.

Here's a question: my fuel supply valve has been on Reserve since the bike was dropped off 9 days ago. I didn't put it there; it's how the mechanic who was showing me how to operate all the basic controls left it. I wasn't sure why he left it on Reserve; I assumed it was because the bike didn't have much gas in it, and I planned on going to a gas station as soon as I started riding it after this upcoming weekend. Could the problem be that the valve is set to Reserve?

Here's a really dumb question: we don't have an Off setting, right - only On (pointed left), Prime (pointed down), and Reserve (pointed right), correct?

[ImaginativeFig]

Yeah there's no off on a GZ250, and my limited knowledge says that leaving it in reserve should be no problem. Prime's the one that I see multiple threads with people being like "OH SHoot, LEFT THE BIKE IN PRIME! WHAT DO I DOOOOO?!"

I hope the bike's alright! Yay for good guy dealer!

[Water Warrior 2]

Leave it in the ON position. The Fuel switch is vacuum operated and shuts off automatically when the engine is turned off. When the bike runs out of gas in the ON position you switch to reserve and head for the gas pumps. Switch back to ON after filling up the tank.
The PRIME position is not vacuum operated and intended to prime the carb if it is dried out due to the bike sitting too long and not being ridden. Never leave it in prime after the bike starts up. Normally folks just switch to PRIME for 30 seconds and switch back to ON before starting the bike after a long time parked.
There are 2 hoses on the back of the switch. One goes to the carb to supply gas. The other is a vacuum line from the engine to the switch.

[Goose51683]

Its great to see a dealer actually taking care of an issue instead of ignoring you.

Hopefully this turns out to be something quick and easy for you.