Hoping to learn more about my GZ250

fossil · 01-10-2009, 01:07 AM

I am still not up with all the motorcycle terms referenced on this site and in motorcycle magazines and books. Before I ride, I always check the tires, chains, and most of the time the lights, but sometimes I don't think I really know what I really should be looking for. Eg. okay the chain feels like it did the last time I checked it so it should be okay? I haven't been too concerned about maintance stuff yet because its a brand new bike and I did take it in for it's first service when I hit 600 miles. It now has about 1,300 miles on it. So to get better understand of the mechanics of my bike, I am taking the "What Every Motorcyclist Should Now" course this weekend. It's a 6 hour course offered through the Puget Sound Safety - http://www.pugetsoundsafety.com/.

Anybody have experience with a course like this? IF so, what was it like and did you get a lot out of it? :??:

FYI: You bring your own bike to the class.

alanmcorcoran · 01-10-2009, 03:30 AM

Fossil,

I'm afraid I'm like you, except I don't even check the chain. I'm having to learn a bit more as the bike has been running rougher (I'm at about 2900 miles.) I adjusted the idle today!

Let me know what you learn at the course.

Chris · 01-11-2009, 02:54 PM

Your bike will smooth out. Expecially if you cruise country roads instead of riding in the city.
Sounds like both of you are doing well on watching maintenance, but you did not mention lubing the chain. Chain lube is, of course, the best, but a heavy oil put on by hand is good also. My chain feels much smoother with new lube.
You'll need to have the valves adjusted at about 4000 miles, but sounds like you are some ways from that.
I use my bike a lot for country highway cruising (75mpg) and also for travelling (63mpg). No problems, runs great. A bit cold right now, waiting for warmer weather.

Chris, retired guy near Atlanta.

Water Warrior 2 · 01-11-2009, 06:36 PM

Fossil, education is the right thing and you are 2 steps ahead of many riders. #1, you are on a good informative forum. 2#, you are attending a hands-on course with your own ride. You have 2 sources of valuable tips that are needed for the care and feeding of your GZ. As for a pre-flight check, please do the lights check every ride and double check the brake light function. Looking forward to your experience and comments about the maintenance course. Ride Safe.

Joho · 01-12-2009, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

As for a pre-flight check, please do the lights check every ride and double check the brake light function.

Excellent piece of advice for any rider; and also for cage drivers (at least once a week!)

This can save many riders from annoying traffic tickets and preventable accidents. (knock on wood)

fossil · 01-12-2009, 09:20 PM

This course was most informative. There were only 4 people in the class. We had my GZ 250, Bergman 400 scooter, and a Honda sports bike to look at and compare the differences. We didn't actually do any work to our bikes, except check the air and remove a seat or two to view other components. The Honda sportsbike dude had only have the air recommended in his tires, the instructor would not let him leave until he got the right amount of air in his tires. The MSF course was across the parking lot from where the maintance course was so they just had to go a few hundered feet for air.

Inside the classroom, there was a engine block on a cart and many, many parts in boxes to look at and review in class. It was a 6 hour course. I feel a lot more confident and knowledgable about my bike. I even had to ride 11 miles home in the rain, which gave me a little bit more confidence about riding in bad weather.

We did learn about T-CLOCS too. I am familiar with it because we covered in the Motorcycle Safety Course.

alantf · 01-13-2009, 07:03 AM

Excuse me,
What are T-CLOCS? I'm not American, & I've never heard the term before. Thanks.

alanmcorcoran · 01-13-2009, 02:24 PM

It's a pre-flight safety check neumonic. I think it's Tires, Control, Lights, Oil, Chain? Chassis? and Stand. I'm sure it's on the Internets.

Haven't checked my Chassis yet, but I think that's actually what it is.

fossil · 01-14-2009, 03:30 AM

Yes, T-CLOCS is a pre-inspection list. Here is a link to it: http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/T-CLOC ... cklist.pdf

01-10-2009, 03:30 AM	#2
alanmcorcoran Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 2,926	Re: Hoping to learn more about my GZ250 Fossil, I'm afraid I'm like you, except I don't even check the chain. I'm having to learn a bit more as the bike has been running rougher (I'm at about 2900 miles.) I adjusted the idle today! Let me know what you learn at the course. __________________ [hr:5yt6ldkq][/hr:5yt6ldkq] http://alanmarkcorcoran.com Motorcycles, Music, Musings and More…
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01-11-2009, 02:54 PM	#3
Chris Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 109	Re: Hoping to learn more about my GZ250 Your bike will smooth out. Expecially if you cruise country roads instead of riding in the city. Sounds like both of you are doing well on watching maintenance, but you did not mention lubing the chain. Chain lube is, of course, the best, but a heavy oil put on by hand is good also. My chain feels much smoother with new lube. You'll need to have the valves adjusted at about 4000 miles, but sounds like you are some ways from that. I use my bike a lot for country highway cruising (75mpg) and also for travelling (63mpg). No problems, runs great. A bit cold right now, waiting for warmer weather. Chris, retired guy near Atlanta. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

01-11-2009, 06:36 PM	#4
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Hoping to learn more about my GZ250 Fossil, education is the right thing and you are 2 steps ahead of many riders. #1, you are on a good informative forum. 2#, you are attending a hands-on course with your own ride. You have 2 sources of valuable tips that are needed for the care and feeding of your GZ. As for a pre-flight check, please do the lights check every ride and double check the brake light function. Looking forward to your experience and comments about the maintenance course. Ride Safe.
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01-12-2009, 09:20 PM	#6
fossil Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 19	Re: Hoping to learn more about my GZ250 This course was most informative. There were only 4 people in the class. We had my GZ 250, Bergman 400 scooter, and a Honda sports bike to look at and compare the differences. We didn't actually do any work to our bikes, except check the air and remove a seat or two to view other components. The Honda sportsbike dude had only have the air recommended in his tires, the instructor would not let him leave until he got the right amount of air in his tires. The MSF course was across the parking lot from where the maintance course was so they just had to go a few hundered feet for air. Inside the classroom, there was a engine block on a cart and many, many parts in boxes to look at and review in class. It was a 6 hour course. I feel a lot more confident and knowledgable about my bike. I even had to ride 11 miles home in the rain, which gave me a little bit more confidence about riding in bad weather. We did learn about T-CLOCS too. I am familiar with it because we covered in the Motorcycle Safety Course. __________________ 2007 GZ 250 Puyallup, WA
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01-13-2009, 07:03 AM	#7
alantf Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tenerife (Spain) Posts: 3,719	Re: Hoping to learn more about my GZ250 Excuse me, What are T-CLOCS? I'm not American, & I've never heard the term before. Thanks. __________________ By birth an Englishman, by the grace of God a Yorkshireman.
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01-10-2009, 01:07 AM	#1
fossil Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 19	Hoping to learn more about my GZ250 I am still not up with all the motorcycle terms referenced on this site and in motorcycle magazines and books. Before I ride, I always check the tires, chains, and most of the time the lights, but sometimes I don't think I really know what I really should be looking for. Eg. okay the chain feels like it did the last time I checked it so it should be okay? I haven't been too concerned about maintance stuff yet because its a brand new bike and I did take it in for it's first service when I hit 600 miles. It now has about 1,300 miles on it. So to get better understand of the mechanics of my bike, I am taking the "What Every Motorcyclist Should Now" course this weekend. It's a 6 hour course offered through the Puget Sound Safety - http://www.pugetsoundsafety.com/. Anybody have experience with a course like this? IF so, what was it like and did you get a lot out of it? :??: FYI: You bring your own bike to the class. __________________ 2007 GZ 250 Puyallup, WA Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

01-13-2009, 02:24 PM	#8
alanmcorcoran Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 2,926	Re: Hoping to learn more about my GZ250 It's a pre-flight safety check neumonic. I think it's Tires, Control, Lights, Oil, Chain? Chassis? and Stand. I'm sure it's on the Internets. Haven't checked my Chassis yet, but I think that's actually what it is. __________________ [hr:5yt6ldkq][/hr:5yt6ldkq] http://alanmarkcorcoran.com Motorcycles, Music, Musings and More…
	0

01-14-2009, 03:30 AM	#9
fossil Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 19	Re: Hoping to learn more about my GZ250 Yes, T-CLOCS is a pre-inspection list. Here is a link to it: http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/T-CLOC ... cklist.pdf __________________ 2007 GZ 250 Puyallup, WA
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