New from Oregon

[Sillydiabetic]

Hey gang!
Just another dude from the PAC NW with very little experience on a bike, thinking about buying a GZ250. I was initially thinking about an Aprilia Sportcity scoot, but decided that chains are preferable to belts!
My main reason for getting a 250 is economics. My car is sucking down gas faster than gas prices are rising, and insurance rates are slowly peeling away my hard earned dollars. A 250 for getting back and forth to work will save me around $1500 per year, and I would like to do my own maintenance work from time to time. So that's my story, nothing exciting (like me). I figure selling my car will buy the bike flat out and still leave me with enough money to buy a gun safe!

[Water Warrior 2]

Welcome Silly. Always nice to have a new member come onboard. The GZ will be a great source of fun and econmical transport. I do wonder though, will the lack of a car be an inconvenience and a frustration more than you anticipate ? Summer is a great time to ride in your area but your winter weather can really be a big reason to have a car waiting in the wings. Maybe hold off on the car selling idea until you are very sure you want to have 2 wheels only. Parking the car for the summer might be a good idea.

[blaine]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Welcome Silly. Always nice to have a new member come onboard. The GZ will be a great source of fun and econmical transport. I do wonder though, will the lack of a car be an inconvenience and a frustration more than you anticipate ? Summer is a great time to ride in your area but your winter weather can really be a big reason to have a car waiting in the wings. Maybe hold off on the car selling idea until you are very sure you want to have 2 wheels only. Parking the car for the summer might be a good idea.

:plus1:Welcome I'm with W.W on parking the car for the summer.Nice to have for poor weather.
:cool:

[Sillydiabetic]

Fortunately, my area has a light rail system that stops a block from my office, and I also have another car. I appreciate the input, and I probably should've explained a bit more. The icy days will be a bit more hassle with either using "my wife's car" or having her drop me off, but she's on board with the whole idea. Thanks for the reply!

[Water Warrior 2]

Sounds like a winner. You have built in backup and a 2nd source on rails. Cool.

[alantf]

Originally Posted by Sillydiabetic

I was initially thinking about an Aprilia Sportcity scoot, but decided that chains are preferable to belts!

Hi there,
While in no way trying to turn you off a GZ, Aprilia is a well known brand, here in Spain. Seems to be reliable, because lots of people have them. When you say scoot, I imagine you mean an automatic. They all have belts. My first two wheels over here was a cheepo, used, Peugeot scooter. O.K., so the belt snapped, but that bike had MANY years & MANY kilometers under its belt. Chains or belts will both wear over time.

If you're talking chains/belts on bikes, although I've never had a bike with a belt final drive, people tend to say that they're quieter & need less maintenance than chains. Some of the latest belts are reinforced with Kevlar etc., so I don't reckon there'll be any problems. :2tup:

[blaine]

My 454ltd is belt drive,as the early Vulcan's.As stated they are cleaner,quieter,and stronger with no maintenance except for the odd adjustment.They will last up to 4 times as long as a chain,but are about twice as expensive as a chain.Not to mention that most of the newer Harleys are belt drive.
:cool:

[alanmcorcoran]

I can't tell you which is better but I can tell you my ~$16K Strat has a belt and my ~$3K GZ has a chain. When I've looked at bikes, the higher end models tend to have less chains and more direct drive or belts.

On other item re economy - I suggest you look for a newish used GZ - many people buy them and then either never ride them or trade up shortly after getting them so there are a lot of low mileage used models out there. When you are doing the economic math be aware that, dollar for dollar, bikes tend to require more frequent maintenance than cars and, generally speaking, do not last as long. That being said, the GZ is still going to be cheaper to operate, maintain and insure than a car, but perhaps not as dirt cheap as you might think. In addition, you are going to have to invest in a helmet (good ones are pricey) and riding gear (boots, jacket, raingear, gloves, armored pants - it can add up - I've spent well over $1000.) You will go through tires faster as well.

Again, it is still going to be cheaper than a car, but I'd be curious about a head to head comparison of a GZ against something like a ford focus. Riding a bike is a risky form of transportation - almost everyone on here has had their bikes down at least once - fortunately, most of us have avoided serious injury (but some have not!)

I guess what I am saying in a very roundabout way is - get a motorycle if you want to ride a motorcycle - don't get one to save money.

[mole2]

Welcome aboard Silly! My recommendation is since you are a new rider (to be) you take the MSF BRC (Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course) so you get off on the right foot and don't develop bad habits. Good luck and ride safe.

[Sillydiabetic]

Thank you all for the tips. I am enrolled in a three day safety/training course and can't wait. I've goofed off a bit with a friends bike, but want to ditch any bad habits and learn the proper techniques. As far as the belt vs chain controversy I brought up, I mentioned that because apparently the Sportcity needs it's belt changed every seven thousand miles max. Being the kind of guy that does preventative work, I can't justify replacing that belt every 6000 or so! I fear having difficulty finding parts also. With OR weather varying from the 20s to 102 degrees every year, that belt is going to need more attention than it's worth. The Aprilia folks don't suggest using the Kevlar type either as apparently it doesn't last any longer.
Now I may be wrong, but the GZ doesn't need it's chain regularly changed out nearly that often, does it?