GZ 250 Forums - View Single Post

sharon_koontz · 10-19-2009, 11:29 AM

Sorry I haven't been back for a while after all the help you guys have been. I had some issues to iron out and take the MSF test but I passed only because I had my own "custom fitted" bike.
Remember, I am not 5 ft tall, I am less than 4 ft 10 in and not just "short", I am ultra petite. I found that being small didn't just mean that the height and weight of the 250 were overwhelming to me but the handlebars were too wide for my arm length. I would get part way through a sharp turn and have to stand on the footpegs to complete it. I also didn't have the strength I needed to turn it or balance it. This is what we did to make this bike fun and easy to manage for me. First the easy part. We raised the front fork tubes up toward the handlebars by about 1 1/2 inches. You could go further if you need to but be careful of the balance. We found that the shocks on the Kawasaki 125 were the same but only 10 1/2 in instead of the 12 in on the 250. I found a dealer that even got me an after market price. Shop around. They are expensive. You can put these down on the lowest setting assuming that you don't make the bike much lower when you sit on it. After you do all that, you'll need to have the sidestand shortened. I took mine to a welding shop and had them cut about a 1 in. piece out and weld it back together. It only cost me $10. The handlebars were a big decision because we didn't know if we could change them and have everything fit.
I got High bars from JC Whitney item #CCE025143 for around $60 and Soft grips CCE013291 $12. This was the GREATEST change! It made the bike so easy for me to steer it was incredible. We pulled them back some and they look really cool on this type of bike. Like they belong there. The soft grips made the controls easier for me to use. My hands didn't slip off the brake and onto the gas.
I got a really good pair of motorcycle boots. Harley Davidson is the only company I found who makes them in smaller sizes for kids. I actually saw them at a local shoe store but I found them cheaper on-line.
Last and ongoing is building strength. I started lifting weights and carrying weights when I walk every day. It's been amazing what a difference this has made in my ability to move my bike around and ride it safely. Dannylightning has some good tips on here for an easy workout. The only thing I've noticed so far is that something make a slight "clunk" sound if I hit a big bump. I think it's the fender bumping the tire but I haven't noticed any scraping marks on the tire from the frame or anything. I can still get my hand up under the back fender and over the tire. The seat is now 24 in. from the ground and I can put both feet flat on the ground with my boots on. The only thing left is painting "Miss Purdy" over the winter. If someone can tell me how to get a picture on here, I'll post one. Thanks again to all of you for your help. I would not have accomplished this without your input.

10-19-2009, 11:29 AM	#58
sharon_koontz Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lewistown, PA Posts: 14	Re: LOWERING MY 2000 GZ250 Sorry I haven't been back for a while after all the help you guys have been. I had some issues to iron out and take the MSF test but I passed only because I had my own "custom fitted" bike. Remember, I am not 5 ft tall, I am less than 4 ft 10 in and not just "short", I am ultra petite. I found that being small didn't just mean that the height and weight of the 250 were overwhelming to me but the handlebars were too wide for my arm length. I would get part way through a sharp turn and have to stand on the footpegs to complete it. I also didn't have the strength I needed to turn it or balance it. This is what we did to make this bike fun and easy to manage for me. First the easy part. We raised the front fork tubes up toward the handlebars by about 1 1/2 inches. You could go further if you need to but be careful of the balance. We found that the shocks on the Kawasaki 125 were the same but only 10 1/2 in instead of the 12 in on the 250. I found a dealer that even got me an after market price. Shop around. They are expensive. You can put these down on the lowest setting assuming that you don't make the bike much lower when you sit on it. After you do all that, you'll need to have the sidestand shortened. I took mine to a welding shop and had them cut about a 1 in. piece out and weld it back together. It only cost me $10. The handlebars were a big decision because we didn't know if we could change them and have everything fit. I got High bars from JC Whitney item #CCE025143 for around $60 and Soft grips CCE013291 $12. This was the GREATEST change! It made the bike so easy for me to steer it was incredible. We pulled them back some and they look really cool on this type of bike. Like they belong there. The soft grips made the controls easier for me to use. My hands didn't slip off the brake and onto the gas. I got a really good pair of motorcycle boots. Harley Davidson is the only company I found who makes them in smaller sizes for kids. I actually saw them at a local shoe store but I found them cheaper on-line. Last and ongoing is building strength. I started lifting weights and carrying weights when I walk every day. It's been amazing what a difference this has made in my ability to move my bike around and ride it safely. Dannylightning has some good tips on here for an easy workout. The only thing I've noticed so far is that something make a slight "clunk" sound if I hit a big bump. I think it's the fender bumping the tire but I haven't noticed any scraping marks on the tire from the frame or anything. I can still get my hand up under the back fender and over the tire. The seat is now 24 in. from the ground and I can put both feet flat on the ground with my boots on. The only thing left is painting "Miss Purdy" over the winter. If someone can tell me how to get a picture on here, I'll post one. Thanks again to all of you for your help. I would not have accomplished this without your input.
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