Impulse buy, new rider

[billsnogo]

I just happened to notice a posting on CL on friday that had a GZ250. Had to click on it, as I have been thinking on and off for a handfull of years about getting a small bike after the brother-in-law said he would give me his old exciter, but it blew up before I could make the trip to pick it up. The GZ250 looked nice, 17K miles, cherry red, $1500. Hmmmm........

I have been working a lot of overtime and doubletime, a couple of weeks and this will be paid off with just the overtime......Hmmmmm

Looked again yesterday for a small bike including the rebel and gz250, and my wife had noticed a green gz250 I had been looking at and told me I should buy it, as she likes riding on them (mainly with her brother when we visit), and wants me to drive he around. I said I would think about it.

Called the seller today, went with my pickup and trailer to check it out. I know pretty much nothing about bikes, muscle cars are what I tinker with (along with other expensive hobbies :roll: ). It looked pretty nice, a scrape on a fender about half the size of a dime, and a scratched (lightly) end of handle bar, otherwise very clean bike. He started it, and it sounded fine to me, so I said I would take it.

Went to the cash machine, and it would not let me withdraw all I needed and was getting pretty frustrated. Called the seller and asked it he would take what I had (and it was everything, including my wife's and I's singles). Came up with $1360, and he really sounded like it was not going to work out, but he agreed! :2tup:

Now I am a proud new owner of a 2001 gz250, dark green, 5,100 miles, no permit, no experience, no time for much practice (remember all the OT and DT, now I NEED it to pay for it :shocked: ). Will study for my permit in between work, and school (going for cnc machining, lots of homework). Then after a little practice I will go for a basic riders course to get my endorsement, and learn some badly needed skills.

It took me a little while to find out how to open the little storage compartment under the seat, and how to find neutral, but had practiced in the back yard on starting off in first, and went pretty decent, need more practice with open rood ahead.
So.....sorry for the long winded post, but kind of excited :tongue: , oh, and hello from Minnesota (ya, you betcha!)

[bpdchief]

Hello and welcome to the family. Man, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but..... that backrest/rack is the wrong color for your bike. Being new to the family, I can't let you go round looking like that...so... because I'm such a nice guy I'll buy that from you for oh lets say $50 plus shipping. :-) All kidding aside, that is a great looking bike. Your going to love it, all the guys and gals on here will answer any questions.

[blaine]

Welcome to the family. :cool:

[Rionna]

Hi, welcome to the forum from Ohio. Love your bike. Great color and price. Ride safe!

[Water Warrior 2]

Welcome to the forum. Always glad to have a new member join us. Nice looking bike you brought home. I think it is one of the nicest colors Suzuki ever sprayed on a GZ. Glad to know you will doing the training course and practicing to increase your skills.
Do you have a maintenance history for the bike? It more than likely needs to have the valves checked and adjusted just to be on the safe side. Usually about an hour in most shops. Also if the tires are original they should be replaced. Anything over 5 years of age is not a good thing. Rubber dries out and gets hard and slippery which does not lend itself to proper grip. Yeah, I know, there goes the OT but you must take care of your own safety above all.
Don't be afraid to ask any seemingly stupid questions. Stupid questions are the ones you don't ask.

[Tugboat Annie]

Welcome to the forum. I'm new here myself. I really really like the color of your bike! Ride safe!

[greatmaul]

Wow great buy! I love the backrest, and the windshield will make life so much nicer for you both. Also glad to hear you're getting professional training with the MSF, that's a great step towards safety.

And, before anyone else mentions it, once you have the bike and the course paid off, pick up a copy of Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough. It's pretty much the bible of safe riding and tips. Well worth the small cost you can get it for off of Amazon or ebay.

Welcome to the forum!

[PimpS]

Welcome Billsnogo! You are about to experience the greatness of humbleness and simple pleasures of this bike!

[cibolorider]

Hi Bills,
I have one that color and I love it. I've only had it a few months but other than a flat I have had no problems. I use it to commute to work 15 miles a day round trip on low traffic surface streets and it's a blast, not to mention the money I save on gas. I average 60 to 65 mpg and I am very satisfied with that. I'm also very lucky because where I live I can ride it almost every day year around. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine. Ride safe.

[vikz250]

very nice..