Are you positive you don't need signal lights ? Best to check with the local LEO on the street. As for the headlight off switch.............Are You Nuts ??? The GZ is hard enough to see with the light on. Throw away the switch and buy a SilverStar bulb. Leave it on Hi-beam during the day. Cagers still turn left in front of well lit bikes, you have just upped the odds of being an organ donor. Is this a bit of a rant ?? You bet. I just don't want you getting hurt, crippled or killed because a soccer mom didn't see you.

Honestly, the high beam in the day thing seems to over-do it for me.

When I see a superbright headlight coming at me during the day, I actually can't see that it's a person on a motorcycle until we are within shouting distance. The low beam, however, doesn't wash out the ability to see the rider and I immediately recognize that it is a motorbike.

It's like looking at Pluto and not being able to see Charon.

You mean something like this?

http://www.postimage.org/PqUNAV0.jpg

Photo property of Whynot?

Unfortunately, He's correct about the signals in most cases. It's a crazy law, but I believe it reads that you don't have to have them, but if you do have them, they have to function properly. :??: Go figure? But, I believe you do have to use hand signals and can be ticketed if you don't!! As for cutting the headlight off.......??? :tdown: Each to their own I guess...but if it's running up our insurance rates it's our business !!

Well, now you stirred the pot !! :roll:

That is an old, tired and, for the most part, invalid arguement.

I firmly believe that people should do things that are good for them and NOT do things that are bad for them......
BUT......
I believe in the freedom to be stupid. Since you cannot eliminate stupidity with rules, I FIRMLY believe that you and the government should mind your own business and stay out of mine.

If you eat too many cheese-burgers, it will make you have a heart attack. That runs up my insurance rates. Let's make a law limiting how many cheese-burgers you can eat. BS. :cuss:

Not wanting to start a fight thread here; just had to get that out. :oops:

Hey, I'm all in favor of natural selection. ;)

And don't complain about motorcycle insurance rates for cryin' out loud! Even the most expensive insurance provider will insure you for a fraction of the cost to insure a car (for the GZ250, anyway!).

Thanks, that gave me a mounting idea.

As for the headlights, I mostly just use the off switch for starting the bike, since I ride more in the winter than the summer. The headlight is the biggest drain on the electrical system and a dead battery is a concern for me. When I get on the bike, my life is in my hands and I don't rely on headlights or any other gadgets to 'save' me or improve my chances, I only rely on myself. Law isn't gospel.

To get back ontopic, anyone know bar end mirrors that work with this bike (with little vibration, good FOV)?

See my post titles "Extra Brake lights and bar end mirrors"

Or something like that...

Here you go:

http://www.gz250bike.com/viewtopic.php?p=7957#7957

Headlight Off Switch
 

What headlight "Off Switch" :??:

My Florida bike doesn't have an off switch for the headlights. By law they're on all the time.

;)

Re: Headlight Off Switch
 

He added one. "The law" doesn't seem to be a major concern. :roll:

Re: Headlight Off Switch
 

:oops:

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

In the short time I have had my bike.

1. Head light modulator

2. New Headlamp H4 blue..Very Bright White Light

3. Driving Lights.

4. Windshield.

5. LED Bulb replacment in Tail Light, Neutral Switch, and Turn Signal Indicator.

6. Blue LED light strip on back fender under Tag and under gas tank.

7. Bad Boy Air Horn

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

You might try the original "Back Off" unit from Signal Dynamics. Simple three wire installation. I have it on mine and it works great.

http://www.signaldynamics.com/products/Modules/xp.asp

Also, be careful about excessive battery drain from the driving lights, as the GZ's electrical system is pretty weak and fairly maxed out.

:rawk:

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

What does a headlight modulator do?

I like the looks of that Back Off unit.

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

A headlight modulator flickers the headlight constantly. It adds a strobe effect (but at a fast frequency) which is easy to notice far away which greatly increases your visibility. Its drawback is that it retards the ability for oncoming traffic to determine your distance and closing speed.

Also, it can actually promote target fixation by the same oncoming traffic, which can be bad for you.

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

Ahhhh. I think a brighter blue/white bulb like those dudes rolling around in Escalades use would be a good idea then. I always seem to notice those.

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

I agree with you on the blue xenon bulb, but the headlight modulator really pisses people off. I'd also like to install a crystal cut head lamp unit instead of the flat stock frennelled lamp to promote a longer beam distance.

:)

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

Thats the cover that goes over the bulb?

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

:yes:

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

It's the entire unit that the bulb goes into. It looks like a sealed beam round headlamp with a hole in the back for the bulb. They vary in price from about $20 to $100 or so. Some have skulls, iron crosses, or other decorative features molded into the glass lens. I want a clear ice model for it's enhanced projection.

:cool:

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

Sounds great.

If you come across any please share the link.

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

Here you go. I just haven't gotten around to doing this mod yet.

http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup...ore=All&page=1

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

Have you read any of the threads here that talk about the weak electrical system on the GZ and how something like driving lights can run your battery DOWN ??

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

Those are a bit spendy eh????

THe bulbs normally run $15 or so. So thats 48 os so (or more) for the cover.

Hmmmmmm.

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

It does give you a much better light spread and projection. A safety issue perhaps??

LOL

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

Yep. What is safety worth. You're right.

I havent ridden at night so I dont know what my stock setup gets me.

After doing so this could be a no-brainer.

Or it could seem like money for jewelry.

We'll see! I'm looking forward to that 1st night ride.

I'd go out tonight but the Wild Turkey wouldn't help my reaction times any....... :)

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

Bravo!!!

:2tup:

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

You might be surprised. Peoples' reactions to the GZ's night capabilities are mixed, but I've personally had NO problems with the headlight "spread" or brightness on mine (even the low-beam). Others find it very lacking.

I keep the Ninja on bright no matter the time of day or night, but on the GZ, I usually ride in the daytime on bright and nighttime on low.

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

I'll test it a bit on familiar roads here some night.

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

Very good decision :2tup:

Also be careful of being on the forum, then going out to the garage to modify your motorcycle. Luckily when I did it was only to remove the stickers on fender, and side panels. It looked great... but it could have been :cry: O_o

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

Yeah. Some of these ideas sound neat. But I'm not real mechanically inclined.

I'd end standing over abunch of parts not knowing what the hell I did or how to get it back together.

If it aint broke DONT FIX IT.

THough I do see a new headlight inmy future. That I think I can tackle. :)

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

I was told to put a 14T on the front....but I am reading everyone has gone to a 16T...are you putting them on the front or the back...I am told a 14 on the front will give me 10mph more top end...thoughts....???

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

Sure, but at the loss of low end power.

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

So it drops the revs down so when you are in top gear and moving right along it wont feel like you need another gear...?...

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

I'm pretty sure that going to a 16 tooth front sprocket raises the gearing, thus allowing you to stay in (stretch out) the lower gears longer. Theoretically, the 16 tooth front sprocket should raise the top speed, but because of it's low power output (torque), the GZ motor hits its power limit at a lower top speed.

If you go to a 14 tooth front sprocket, you'll lower the gearing allowing you to have Ferrari acceleration in first gear but only for about 10 feet. Your bike will accelerate faster and harder, but all your gears will run out faster and you will also lower your top speed, probably more than with the 16 tooth.

Jonathan can add his two cents to clarify this further.

:2tup:

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

Yes, that is with the larger 16T front sprocket. It is a VERY worthwhile change.

Whoever told you to put on a smaller front sprocket must be used to riding 2-cycles in the dirt.
That would NOT be a desirable thing to do.
It would leave you with only 4 gears as 1st would be TOTALLY useless.

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

Not too much to add. It's already been discussed, almost to the point of ... :horse:


viewtopic.php?f=8&t=317

& here:

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1058

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

Couldn't have said it better myself. I did consider a 16 tooth sprocket for the front of Lynda's bike but after a 5oooKM(3100 mile) trip we both agreed it was just right. I believe Suzuki dialed in the GZ for most riders and most roads without straying to far from their target.

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

All the mods on Lynda's GZ are for safety/comfort and convenience.
Headlight modulator.
Brakelight modulator.
SilverStar headlight bulb.
One 20 watt halogen driving light for added visibility.
Heated grips.
Handguards.
Windshield.
Replaced pass seat with top box and doubles as a backrest.
Reflective tape front/rear and sides. Better than OEM reflectors in my opinion.

Re: Best mod you've done so far?
 

I bought a used gz250 and I am excited to start the mods. I am wondering what kind of windshield you guys thought is the best.
Also, what do you guys do to keep the battery from dying in this season? Anyone used battery warmer/heater?