Can I get just a little more power??

peanut · 01-09-2014, 06:20 PM

I'm looking forward to starting my second season with my GZ250! And as its snowing I'm inspired to look up some fun mods I can do when the snows gone but its still too chilly to ride.

My bike is my daily commuter in on dry days, mostly 40-55 mph no highway. And its Illinois, so there aren't really any inclines. But I could use a little more power to feel safer.

When I leave work, its onto a 45 mph road for a mile, then 55mph for 2 miles, and then up a hill. I'm not sure if its still warming up or under powered, but it HATES getting up to 55mph that soon and slows down by about 5mph going up that hill. With semi's on the road and driving in the dark, it just doesn't seem safe.

Is there a mod I can do to get a little more top end power out of it? Would it be considered torque?

I'm hoping to avoid trading it in my beloved gz250 for a 450....

raul10141964 · 01-09-2014, 07:13 PM

mod the carb an air cleaner
i have this seating for a year an I happy

pilot 2.5
needle shim
140 main jet
mode air cleaner

5th_bike · 01-10-2014, 12:16 AM

It will do it in 4th gear.

Cathy · 01-10-2014, 06:36 AM

I think it is time to get cut haha !

Goose51683 · 01-10-2014, 03:26 PM

Peanut!...what part of Illinois are in you , I'm jsut across the border in the Hoosier state. We get lucky that we don't have much in the way of inclines, I couldn't imagine riding the geezer in a mountainous state.

I totally agree with Raul. I've done the carb jetting, etc, and ripped out the air box and its been worth it.

**jonathan180iq** · 01-10-2014, 03:33 PM

There are several power upgrade guides on the site:

Jaime's Power Increase Thread: http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/showthread.php?t=551

Needle Shim Mod: http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16

It really depends on how you're riding though. If you ride like it's a a larger cruiser and trying to power up hills with low RPMs, then it's going to struggle. But I live in an area with more inclines and really enojyed my mountain passes. Just drop it into 4th and enjoy the fact that it's a light and nimble 250.

peanut · 01-10-2014, 03:49 PM

Thank you all for the replies!

I've seen Jamie's Power Increase thread. To be honest, I only remember to look when I am at work... when all the pictures are blocked... But those 2 links show how to do what Raul suggested too, right? I'm, uh, new to motors too... I hate working on cars, but the gz is fun to wrench!

But perhaps I just need to downshift? I can drive a manual car but never have for more than an occasional trip once a yearish. So I'm quite green to knowing when to downshift. Will sitting in 4th gear at 55mph cause any damage? It sounds so harsh up there!

Oh! And I'm in Joliet riding to Morris. Probably right down the road from ya Goose!

Water Warrior 2 · 01-10-2014, 07:15 PM

Peanut. If possible do you have the opportunity to take a run at the hill at 60 or a bit more? 60 will be closer to max hp and torque of the engine. You will still likely slow a bit but not down to 50.
Lynda had the same situation with her GZ. A long grade that she more or less conquered with speed. Hit the bottom of the hill at max speed and slowed to 50 at the top.
Her M-50 could start at the bottom at 50 and a slow twist of the throttle could easily top the hill at 100. There is no substitute for displacement. Use the throttle when needed or gear down and maintain the speed of 55 going up hill. And yes, the GZ will sound like a potential grenade but it will hang together for the odd hill. A steady diet of high revs will give it a shorter life span and repairs.

Goose51683 · 01-13-2014, 05:44 PM

Peanut,

Looks like we are about 2 hours apart right now. Might have to get together for a ride when the weather turns nice again.

**jonathan180iq** · 01-14-2014, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goose51683

Peanut,

Looks like we are about 2 hours apart right now. Might have to get together for a ride when the weather turns nice again.

...And I'll teach you how to downshift on hills and use the revs of a 250cc engine.

Love,
Goose

01-09-2014, 06:20 PM	#1
peanut Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 64	Can I get just a little more power?? I'm looking forward to starting my second season with my GZ250! And as its snowing I'm inspired to look up some fun mods I can do when the snows gone but its still too chilly to ride. My bike is my daily commuter in on dry days, mostly 40-55 mph no highway. And its Illinois, so there aren't really any inclines. But I could use a little more power to feel safer. When I leave work, its onto a 45 mph road for a mile, then 55mph for 2 miles, and then up a hill. I'm not sure if its still warming up or under powered, but it HATES getting up to 55mph that soon and slows down by about 5mph going up that hill. With semi's on the road and driving in the dark, it just doesn't seem safe. Is there a mod I can do to get a little more top end power out of it? Would it be considered torque? I'm hoping to avoid trading it in my beloved gz250 for a 450.... Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-10-2014, 12:16 AM	#3
5th_bike Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: HoCo, Maryland Posts: 1,349	It will do it in 4th gear. __________________ 2005 "Saturn Black", stock + tach Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-10-2014, 03:26 PM	#5
Goose51683 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Indiana Posts: 621	Peanut!...what part of Illinois are in you , I'm jsut across the border in the Hoosier state. We get lucky that we don't have much in the way of inclines, I couldn't imagine riding the geezer in a mountainous state. I totally agree with Raul. I've done the carb jetting, etc, and ripped out the air box and its been worth it. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-09-2014, 07:13 PM	#2
raul10141964 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Elkhart, Indiana Posts: 369	mod the carb an air cleaner i have this seating for a year an I happy pilot 2.5 needle shim 140 main jet mode air cleaner
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01-10-2014, 06:36 AM	#4
Cathy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 157	I think it is time to get cut haha !
	0

01-10-2014, 03:33 PM	#6
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	There are several power upgrade guides on the site: Jaime's Power Increase Thread: http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/showthread.php?t=551 Needle Shim Mod: http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16 It really depends on how you're riding though. If you ride like it's a a larger cruiser and trying to power up hills with low RPMs, then it's going to struggle. But I live in an area with more inclines and really enojyed my mountain passes. Just drop it into 4th and enjoy the fact that it's a light and nimble 250.
	0

01-10-2014, 03:49 PM	#7
peanut Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 64	Thank you all for the replies! I've seen Jamie's Power Increase thread. To be honest, I only remember to look when I am at work... when all the pictures are blocked... But those 2 links show how to do what Raul suggested too, right? I'm, uh, new to motors too... I hate working on cars, but the gz is fun to wrench! But perhaps I just need to downshift? I can drive a manual car but never have for more than an occasional trip once a yearish. So I'm quite green to knowing when to downshift. Will sitting in 4th gear at 55mph cause any damage? It sounds so harsh up there! Oh! And I'm in Joliet riding to Morris. Probably right down the road from ya Goose!
	0

01-10-2014, 07:15 PM	#8
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Peanut. If possible do you have the opportunity to take a run at the hill at 60 or a bit more? 60 will be closer to max hp and torque of the engine. You will still likely slow a bit but not down to 50. Lynda had the same situation with her GZ. A long grade that she more or less conquered with speed. Hit the bottom of the hill at max speed and slowed to 50 at the top. Her M-50 could start at the bottom at 50 and a slow twist of the throttle could easily top the hill at 100. There is no substitute for displacement. Use the throttle when needed or gear down and maintain the speed of 55 going up hill. And yes, the GZ will sound like a potential grenade but it will hang together for the odd hill. A steady diet of high revs will give it a shorter life span and repairs.
	0

01-13-2014, 05:44 PM	#9
Goose51683 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Indiana Posts: 621	Peanut, Looks like we are about 2 hours apart right now. Might have to get together for a ride when the weather turns nice again.
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