Hello from Maryland

[Maryland Mark]

Hello all,
Just bought my 09 GZ about a month ago (put on ~500 miles), what a blast!
My last bike was a Honda VTX 1300, a great bike with shaft drive, and water cooled, but not nearly as fun as the GZ.
With this bike you really feel part of the experience, not to mention much more practical for my purposes. And believe it or not I actually feel more comfortable on the highways (as long as I stay under 65 mph). My buddies can't figure it out, but due to work schedule I usually ride alone - and at my age I don't worry about impressing anyone.

I have been lurking around, picking up tips and enjoying the conversations. Hope to attempt my first valve inspection/adjustment. Have seen some nice info here, but is this something a fairly non mechanical person could (or should) do?

Thanks, and sorry for being so long winded!

Mark

[blaine]

Hi.Welcome to the forum.Valve adjustment can be a little complex if you don't understand the basics of a engine.If you understand what " top dead center" and intake & exhaust valves are,and feel comfortable doing your own maintenance,than go for it.If you don't feel comfortable after doing all the research,than I would leave it to a professional.Good-Luck.Keep us updated

:rawk: :2tup:

[Maryland Mark]

Thanks Blaine!
I am trying to read up on the anatomy of an engine, but it does not come easy.
I have a friend who is a bike mechanic, but he is busy, busy, busy. Maybe when winter hits I can have him on standby.

Mark

[mole2]

Welcome aboard. Ride safe and keep the shiney side up.

[ArizonaKev]

Welcome to the forum Mark! Always great to have another GZ rider aboard. And if you think what you wrote was verbose, well let me tell ya' - you ain't seen nothin' yet! Ha ha ha! :lol:

I am intrigued by the fact that you had a VTX1300, and actually enjoy the GZ more. I keep waffling back and forth between wanting a bigger bike, then not, then wanting one... thing is, I just enjoy my GZ so much. And it really is perfect for what I bought it for : a fun, economical commuter to get me to work and back. And it is very comfortable and easy to ride.

So do you mind me asking (and feel free to be as verbose as you wish in your reply - the more the better! Lol) what exactly it is you like better, or maybe some specifics about the VTX that you didn't like as well as the GZ? Thanks!

:2tup:


AZ Kev

[Maryland Mark]

Sure, as mentioned the VTX is a great bike, everything except fuel injected (05 model). My mistake was not really knowing what I was going to use the bike for! I got caught up in the bigger is better mantra, so I had this big cruiser that I was taking on short commutes on mainly surface roads. I did some long distance trips with groups, but they were infrequent and became even more so as my work and family life changed (in 5 years I only put 7,000K on it). Having no garage also made it more difficult as i stored the bike in my shed, and had to maneuver 640 lbs of bike over several hundred feet of back yard. I also ended up plowing several hundreds of dollars (maybe 1500) for a new saddle, risers, exhaust, windshield etc. to make the bike fit and sound like I wanted it to. Not to mention the time polishing the (plastic) chrome, cause you can't ride a dirty cruiser! And no carrying capacity - couldn't even pick up a gallon of milk, or 12 pack w/o preplanning (getting out the saddle bags).
I also like the control and input you have with a smaller bike. Kinda like the difference between a luxury versus a sports car (don't laugh...please!) I mounted a top case on my GZ, but other then that plan to keep it bone stock.
One last thing; I like the statement the GZ makes: economical, practical and unique in a world of chromed out mammoths and suicide sport bikes.
Just my experience, to each their own, but before getting something bigger, heavier and less fuel efficent, decide what you really plan on doing with your ride.
Hope this answers your question w/o putting you to sleep!
Mark

[Water Warrior 2]

Welcome Mark. Glad to hear you are enjoying the GZ. Yeah bigger is better is not always the case as you have found. My SO Lynda started with a GZ and upgraded to a Zuk 800 V-twin which is as big as she felt was needed.
Post a couple pics when you can.

[alanmcorcoran]

MM - and it's a lot easier to "Back Up" the GZ, especially if you have foolishly parked it pointing downhill, into a loading dock. I ride the Geezer to the office when I go and around town (as opposed to my big cruiser) - it feels less dangerous.

[ArizonaKev]

Thanks MM - great response, and great info! You brought up a lot of good points as to why the GZ is more practical and fun for you - and it sounds like for me too. I really like what you said in the last part as well, about the statement the GZ makes. Nicely put : )

I am thinking more and more now that I will probably end up sticking with my GZ for some time to come. The only real reason I could see for getting a bigger bike at this point would be - in all honesty - to show off, to be able to "beat people off the line", or pass people at will. I used to think I would use a bigger bike for highway trips, but here in Phoenix, I just don't think there is any way I would do that : every freeway/highway leading out of this joint is busy as hell, and dealing with all that high speed traffic on a bike just doesn't sound fun to me. And that is the reason I would want to go on a highway cruise - to get out and enjoy 'the open road'. Perhaps if I was in a smaller town, or back in my home state of South Dakota or something, that would be a possibility. But here, in the suburban sprawl that this valley has become, there is no real 'open road'.

Alas, I will probably ride my GZ til the wheels fall off, and then decide if I want something bigger! :lol:
Thanks for the awesome response MM - I appreciate the thought you put into it.

:2tup:

AZ Kev

[Maryland Mark]

Kev, glad I was articulate what is a hard thing to describe with the whole "big versus small" bike debate.
I think the responses sum it up well: a feeling of more control, better commuter and yes, easier to get out of bad parking situations! I too plan on riding my GZ for a long time, but if my circumstances change, my bike may change as well. For now it meets my needs and reflects who I am am at this point in my life.

And as Allan mentioned, it feels less dangerous. On a 250 you know your limitations and ride within them. On my VTX I would sometimes push the envelope - hitting 100 mph plus on straight a ways, tearing off the line etc. Now when I run 65 I get all the thrills I need. I guess it is all relative, but it all boils down to wind in the face, freedom, and stress relief.

WW, if I can figure out how to post pics I will. The forum may get a chuckle of my pillion mounted top case (had to sacrifice the foam). A little ghetto - but a great set up for me (I don't ride 2 up). Also provides a back rest!
Thanks all for your kind words and encouragement
Mark