[dhgeyer]

You should probably stick to the intro here, and ask your question in the "General" forum. You'll be more likely to get more responses.

Having said that, I'll stick my $.02 here. I wouldn't say that I have back problems, but my back isn't exactly strong. I've found that the cruiser style of motorcycle isn't the best for a weak back. Feet forward, arms forward, all your weight is on your butt, you tend to slouch, and the bumps go up your bent back. That is my experience. I love the GZ250, but I need to rest frequently while riding it. A standard style, or even a not too extreme sport bike would, in my experience, be a better bet than a cruiser for someone with a bad back. Getting your feet under you allows you to get some weight off your back. Leaning forward a little (not way forward like a crotch rocket) puts a little weight on your arms, which gets a little more strain off your back. Your bent legs act kind of like another set of shock absorbers.

The GZ250 is a great little bike, and if you're not going to do long rides, or if you take breaks, you'll probably be fine. When I had a Vulcan 1500 (big cruiser) and had a lot of trouble with my back, I got a backrest. I found that it didn't help much for long rides. My back still hurt a lot. When I got my first standard style bike, an '83 Nighthawk 650, it was a revelation. I was much more comfortable.