Hello

[OldF7Guy]

Hi everybody. Im new to the site but not motorcycling. I have found a renewed interest in smaller bikes like the GZ.

[alantf]

Originally Posted by OldF7Guy

I have found a renewed interest in smaller bikes like the GZ.

Like a lot of us, with the increases in fuel prices. The GZ gets around mid 60s to 70 MPG.

[5th_bike]

Welcome to the forum - from yet another old guy ! :rawk:

The 250 is a nice bike but I wish the many 350s and 450s etc. from the old days were still available.

[Water Warrior 2]

A GZ 400 would be the ultimate small bike in the cruiser line. A little bit bigger for the highway but still light enough and nimble for streets and back roads. Wishfull thinking and it will never happen in this lifetime with the bigger is better attitude which leads to 800 plus displacements as a starter bike for some folks. Most if not all the 500/600 twins have disappeared from the landscape too.

[alantf]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Most if not all the 500/600 twins have disappeared from the landscape too.

Found my ideal upgrade.
Yamaha V-star 650 classic (not available in North America) Now, if I can Just find some way of affording one. :??:

[Water Warrior 2]

There is a very nice V Star for sale here but the shipping would be hard to tackle.

[OldF7Guy]

Originally Posted by 5th_bike

Welcome to the forum - from yet another old guy ! :rawk:

The 250 is a nice bike but I wish the many 350s and 450s etc. from the old days were still available.

A 350 would be almost perfect for me. My first ride as a kid on a real motorcycle was on a Honda CB350 four. I was hooked right then. Its too bad that size has been abandoned by everybody. The old CB's would top out at a about 100 mph.

[alantf]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

There is a very nice V Star for sale here but the shipping would be hard to tackle.

Like I said, the "custom" is not available in N.A. It's got a bobtail rear fender (that I like the look of better than the usual flared fender) & a lot of detail changes that I like. Check out the 2011 Yamahas at totalmotorcycle.com

Whoops! Just realised - I wrote "classic", when I meant Yamaha V-star 650 Custom, in my post above. :blush:

[Water Warrior 2]

Alantf, Custom or Classic we got em in Kanada. Just looked at the 2011 site. Go to Yamaha Power Sports.ca Who does the marketing for Yamaha ?

[alantf]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Custom or Classic we got em in Kanada.

Yes, that's cos Canadian/European spec seems to be the same thing. It's the American emission regs etc that stops some bikes being sold in America.