Looking to Possibly buy a GZ250

prof_stack · 06-27-2007, 03:47 PM

I test rode a new GZ250 on Monday and rather liked it. I'm an experienced rider (currently riding a Buell XB9S) looking for a smaller and "simpler" ride. Here are some questions for all you esteemed members:

- Downsizing. For those who have gone from larger to smaller cc's, has your experience been a positive one? How often do you wish for more power?

- Dealer cost. In negotiating with the sales staff, it would be good to know their cost to give me a basis from which to start. The dealers here add about 1.5 hours labor in the assembly cost. Any tips for dealing with them?

- Seat (dis)comfort. My 20-mile test ride got me a sore rear end due to the seating position. I suppose a person gets used to it, but what sort of seat options have you tried?

- Problem areas. The reputation of the GZ250 (and earlier variants) is very good. But problems do emerge on most all bikes. What are "typical" problems that you have experienced?

- Am I nuts?. Yeah, why go smaller? Any comments?

Thanks for any and all replies! :2tup:

trykemike · 06-27-2007, 06:31 PM

I rode a 350 ccl Honda years ago 33 hp top end 95 mph 5 speeds. Size and weight about the same.

I am 5 ' 6 '' 160 lbs.

The bike does not top out like the 350 but it still goes quick enough ( 75 + mph ) for secondary highways.They can take you any where in an enjoyable ride.

What are your expectations ?

I have ridden both Triumph 650 Bonnevilles and Norton 750 commando. Both fast 100 + mph but we always dropped back to 55-60 mph cruising over the long haul.

Around Toronto the traffic is BRUTAL so caution is paramount. The GZ easily exceeds traffic.

The bike has it's own personality it can become part of you so you ride with it in unison.
It looks great too !!

prof_stack · 06-27-2007, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trykemike

The bike does not top out like the 350 but it still goes quick enough ( 75 + mph ) for secondary highways.They can take you any where in an enjoyable ride.

What are your expectations ?

Excellent question. I want simple, reliable, and economical transportation. Enough for a max 200 mile day ride but more like 100-150 miles.

Easy Rider · 06-27-2007, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prof_stack

I
- Downsizing. For those who have gone from larger to smaller cc's, has your experience been a positive one? How often do you wish for more power?

- Seat (dis)comfort. My 20-mile test ride got me a sore rear end due to the seating position. I suppose a person gets used to it, but what sort of seat options have you tried?

Been riding for 40 years. Started with a Honda S-90. Most fun I ever had on a bike.
Realized at the end of last year that the bike I was riding, although not large, was not really comfortable anymore (too heavy to be fun). The GZ has turned out to be the perfect "downgrade".
Look back.........not ME!

The seat gets me, after a while, in the back of the butt. Not contoured right (not at all) but, one way or another, that's fixable. I put a jel pad on last week and it doesn't completely fix the problem but moves it around a bit. I think I can live with it but now must try harder to park in the shade. Once that jel gets hot, it stays hot a LONG time!!

I think the only real drawback on the little beast is the brakes. The front disk is barely adequate and the rear is, well, ......a joke. I'm still not used to pushing that pedal until I feel a resistance and have (almost) nothing happen. I think that will get better as time goes along (just got to be FIRM).

**jonathan180iq** · 06-28-2007, 10:56 AM

I'm a 250cc advocate and my experience is mostly with 250cc bikes. However, I have ridden a Ninja 650 and an older Suzuki 600s.

I look at motorcycles as simple transportation; nothing more. nothing less. I don't ride this bike as a fashion accesory. I ride it because it is economical and faster than my bicycle. Most people on here average an honest 55-70MPG and with only 1 cylinder, there is less to go wrong. Maintenance is pretty simple and straightforward, assuming that you have the service manual.

If you are all about the looks and/or upgrades, there isn't much in the aftermarket for this bike.

Performance is sufficient for everything short of drag racing and out-running crime fighters.
Long hills and uphill switch backs can really slow it down.

That being said, the bike can be fast.

The most important thing to remember, if speed if what you want, is that small bikes require the rider to work a little harder at carrying momentum. On a large bike, any simpleton can flip the throttle and release oodles of horsepower and power through any turn and onto a straight. On a small bike, it takes a little finesse to keep the bike in the optimal gearing and in the powerband to achieve the desired results.

If you are a huge guy (6'5" & 250) this probably isn't the bike for you.

One last thing, historically speaking, this bike probably equates to some of the WWII era cycles, as far as performance and comfort goes. However, it's technology and design is well beyond that. It's very reliable, effecient and friendly.

Enjoy,
Jonathan

Badbob · 06-28-2007, 07:53 PM

I've put almost 16000 miles on my GZ250 with several long trips and one over 400 miles in a day. The stock seat is brutal. I tried gel pads and an AirHawk before giving in and spending the money for a custom seat. There are photos posted else where in the forum. In short I had the seat reshaped and raised the height 2 inches. It made a world of difference.

I had problems with the turn signal switch because the dealer left it outside in the rain and it was corroded on the inside. A little cleaning and lube and its worked fine since.

The bike quit on me once and it took me several weeks to track down the problem. The wiring harness inside the head light housing was cut an a wire going the ignition was nicked. It was shorting out the exciter circuit.

I'm not an experienced motorcycle mechanic but I pretty much acn fix anything I can get good documentation and tools for. I consider the GZ250 very easy to work on.

The Suzuki windshield is junk. Doesn't keep the wind off you very well and there is a lot of turbulence around your head. If you ride a lot at highway speeds it will crack around the mounting bolts and slowly come apart.

The Suzuki Sissy bar isn't very good one made for looks more than function but its got lots of places to hook and tie thing down. Much better than any thing else I could find. The luggage rack is tiny.

GZ250s don't like being left out in the rain. My wife has one that was kept outside. I've been replacing water damaged parts on it since we got it.

Its great in traffic. Mine is a daily rider. The only time it doesn't get ridden is when in bad weather or when I need to haul cargo that will not fit on the bike.

prof_stack · 06-29-2007, 07:26 PM

Thanks for the replies, guys! Today I pedaled over to a Honda/Yamaha dealer and checked out the 250 Rebel and Virago. The Yamaha has those fake chrome things on the sides that turn me off. The Rebel just looks cheap. They had a used GZ250, traded in, but wanted too much $ for it.

Earlier I looked at the Hyosung 250 at Moto International. It looks too busy with all the knickknacks on it. Plus, I don't want or need water cooling on a 250.

So, perhaps tomorrow I'll take another test ride and test the sales-staff mettle! :roll:

06-27-2007, 03:47 PM	#1
prof_stack Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 42	Looking to Possibly buy a GZ250 I test rode a new GZ250 on Monday and rather liked it. I'm an experienced rider (currently riding a Buell XB9S) looking for a smaller and "simpler" ride. Here are some questions for all you esteemed members: - Downsizing. For those who have gone from larger to smaller cc's, has your experience been a positive one? How often do you wish for more power? - Dealer cost. In negotiating with the sales staff, it would be good to know their cost to give me a basis from which to start. The dealers here add about 1.5 hours labor in the assembly cost. Any tips for dealing with them? - Seat (dis)comfort. My 20-mile test ride got me a sore rear end due to the seating position. I suppose a person gets used to it, but what sort of seat options have you tried? - Problem areas. The reputation of the GZ250 (and earlier variants) is very good. But problems do emerge on most all bikes. What are "typical" problems that you have experienced? - Am I nuts?. Yeah, why go smaller? Any comments? Thanks for any and all replies! :2tup: Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-27-2007, 06:31 PM	#2
trykemike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: toronto ont canada Posts: 177	I rode a 350 ccl Honda years ago 33 hp top end 95 mph 5 speeds. Size and weight about the same. I am 5 ' 6 '' 160 lbs. The bike does not top out like the 350 but it still goes quick enough ( 75 + mph ) for secondary highways.They can take you any where in an enjoyable ride. What are your expectations ? I have ridden both Triumph 650 Bonnevilles and Norton 750 commando. Both fast 100 + mph but we always dropped back to 55-60 mph cruising over the long haul. Around Toronto the traffic is BRUTAL so caution is paramount. The GZ easily exceeds traffic. The bike has it's own personality it can become part of you so you ride with it in unison. It looks great too !! __________________ sds4
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06-28-2007, 10:56 AM	#5
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	I'm a 250cc advocate and my experience is mostly with 250cc bikes. However, I have ridden a Ninja 650 and an older Suzuki 600s. I look at motorcycles as simple transportation; nothing more. nothing less. I don't ride this bike as a fashion accesory. I ride it because it is economical and faster than my bicycle. Most people on here average an honest 55-70MPG and with only 1 cylinder, there is less to go wrong. Maintenance is pretty simple and straightforward, assuming that you have the service manual. If you are all about the looks and/or upgrades, there isn't much in the aftermarket for this bike. Performance is sufficient for everything short of drag racing and out-running crime fighters. Long hills and uphill switch backs can really slow it down. That being said, the bike can be fast. The most important thing to remember, if speed if what you want, is that small bikes require the rider to work a little harder at carrying momentum. On a large bike, any simpleton can flip the throttle and release oodles of horsepower and power through any turn and onto a straight. On a small bike, it takes a little finesse to keep the bike in the optimal gearing and in the powerband to achieve the desired results. If you are a huge guy (6'5" & 250) this probably isn't the bike for you. One last thing, historically speaking, this bike probably equates to some of the WWII era cycles, as far as performance and comfort goes. However, it's technology and design is well beyond that. It's very reliable, effecient and friendly. Enjoy, Jonathan Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

06-28-2007, 07:53 PM	#6
Badbob Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tallahassee FL Posts: 945	I've put almost 16000 miles on my GZ250 with several long trips and one over 400 miles in a day. The stock seat is brutal. I tried gel pads and an AirHawk before giving in and spending the money for a custom seat. There are photos posted else where in the forum. In short I had the seat reshaped and raised the height 2 inches. It made a world of difference. I had problems with the turn signal switch because the dealer left it outside in the rain and it was corroded on the inside. A little cleaning and lube and its worked fine since. The bike quit on me once and it took me several weeks to track down the problem. The wiring harness inside the head light housing was cut an a wire going the ignition was nicked. It was shorting out the exciter circuit. I'm not an experienced motorcycle mechanic but I pretty much acn fix anything I can get good documentation and tools for. I consider the GZ250 very easy to work on. The Suzuki windshield is junk. Doesn't keep the wind off you very well and there is a lot of turbulence around your head. If you ride a lot at highway speeds it will crack around the mounting bolts and slowly come apart. The Suzuki Sissy bar isn't very good one made for looks more than function but its got lots of places to hook and tie thing down. Much better than any thing else I could find. The luggage rack is tiny. GZ250s don't like being left out in the rain. My wife has one that was kept outside. I've been replacing water damaged parts on it since we got it. Its great in traffic. Mine is a daily rider. The only time it doesn't get ridden is when in bad weather or when I need to haul cargo that will not fit on the bike. __________________ My GZ250 Blog Facebook Pinterest Google+ Tumblr YouTube Lumber Jocks
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06-29-2007, 07:26 PM	#7
prof_stack Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 42	Thanks for the replies, guys! Today I pedaled over to a Honda/Yamaha dealer and checked out the 250 Rebel and Virago. The Yamaha has those fake chrome things on the sides that turn me off. The Rebel just looks cheap. They had a used GZ250, traded in, but wanted too much $ for it. Earlier I looked at the Hyosung 250 at Moto International. It looks too busy with all the knickknacks on it. Plus, I don't want or need water cooling on a 250. So, perhaps tomorrow I'll take another test ride and test the sales-staff mettle! :roll:
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