Proud and slightly nervous father

[SpecVStrom]

Greetings from Northern California!

My 18 year old daughter is quite independent, and signed up for the California Motorcycle Safety Program on her own. Didn't even tell me until the week it was scheduled. Well, she passed the course and the DMV license test. She now has her California M1 permit, which I understand becomes a full on M1 license in 6 months.
So, to help out I bought her a 2009 GZ 250 with 553 miles showing on the odometer. Battery was dead, but a jump start got it to run smoothly for a few seconds at a time. Good sound and no smoke. Hopefully a new battery and some fuel system cleaning will make it a good runner.

Jaden

[Vegas Street Rider]

Great. Welcome to the forum. I would use Seafoam to clean out the fuel system. It has served me well for my GZ. I also have a 2009 with just over 18K miles on it. Has been very dependable and will be a great first bike for your daughter. Good choice.

[blaine]

Welcome to the family......I second the SeaFoam.

[SpecVStrom]

Thanks folks!

I got the new to us '09 home after installing a new battery, rediscovering the 'prime' position, and a lot of choke. I have not had a carbureted bike in quite a while.
After a good warmup, it ran well all the way home. About 35 miles.
I did stop along the way and change the position of the shift lever. It was up so high I could not just rock my foot to upshift. I had to yank my foot up off the peg vertical to upshift. Moved the arm 2 teeth.

When I got home I realized the front right wheel bearing had disintegrated. The hub appears undamaged. I have an 'All Balls Racing' front bearing kit (#25-1147) in hand from Rocky Mountain ATV-MC'. $11 for 2 bearings and 2 seals. They look stout.

I'll have to check over the seafoam threads and see if I want to do that. For now, it starts and runs fine. I crossed the 600 total miles mark riding it home.

Cheers, and God bless.

Jaden

[Vegas Street Rider]

Just noticed the question from your daughter. The Marauder is generally the European version of the GZ. In regards to the seafoam, if your fuel system is clean there is no need to use it. Some areas of the country or some independent stations will occasionally get gas that has impurities or a higher water content. I use it about twice a year just to flush the system out and reduce varnish build-up. Your choice.

[SpecVStrom]

Hi folks,

Thanks for all the good cheer.

A little update. After putting about a hundred miles on the bike, the motor starts easily first try, and runs well. I did not do anything to clean the fuel system. Just ran California gasoline through it.

I did replace the front wheel bearings. The kit came with seals that don't appear to be used on the GZ. I don't see any indication that these bikes ever had any form of bearing protection from the elements. Does anyone out there ride these in the rain?

Thanks Vegas! Not only does no one here call it a Marauder, but I can't even buy the GZ 250 decal for the battery cover. I broke it not knowing there is a retaining screw under the seat. The new replacement came bare.

So far, this seems like it's going to be a fine starter bike.

Jaden

[derbydave]

Hi folks,
I can't even buy the GZ 250 decal for the battery cover. I broke it not knowing there is a retaining screw under the seat. The new replacement came bare.
Jaden

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-NEW-Genuine-SUZUKI-GZ250-GZ-250-EMBLEM-DECAL-STICKER-68131-12F40-LK6-NOS-Part/323193959787?epid=12016195458&hash=item4b3fdc756b:g:gL8AAOSw-WFaoFyg&vxp=mtr

I left mine bare when I repainted the bike. The only decal I put on was a Suzuki S on each side of the tank. I like the clean look.

[b1pig]

The little GZ is a wonderful bike to start out on. Its forgiving and cheap to run.