Looking at a used GZ250, what to look for?

[68rs437]

I'm looking at a 2002 Suzuki GZ 250 this weekend.
I Have seen several photos of the bike, looks good in photos, the guy says it's in excellent condition.
The bike has 17,000 miles on it.
What do I need to look at before purchasing the GZ250?
Do the GZ250's have common problems?
Is 17,000 a lot of miles on a 250cc bike?
Any tips or help with what to look for would be appreciated.
Thanks,

[5th_bike]

For that year and mileage, the asking price is usually less than $1,000. Most GZ250s have less miles from sitting unused.

What to look for (it's a long list, therefore incomplete):
- tires, aged over 5 years: need to be replaced;
- does the engine smoke/sound good (should sound like a sewing machine or lawn mower, knocking sounds - no good);
- all electrical in working condition, battery charges OK.
- any marks from being dropped.

If it has been maintained well and it is in good condition, you can double that mileage if you take good care of it.

[steelerdude99]

Originally Posted by 5th_bike

For that year and mileage, the asking price is usually less than $1,000. Most GZ250s have less miles from sitting unused.

...

17K miles is a lot considering that the GZ250 is not a "highway cruiser". In addition to what 5th_bike said ... even if "well maintained", ask specifically when the valves have been adjusted. At that that mileage, it should have been at least 2 times.

chuck

[alantf]

Originally Posted by steelerdude99

17K miles is a lot considering that the GZ250 is not a "highway cruiser".

chuck

remember that the bike's thirteen years old. That's around 1,300 miles a year, or 30 miles a week.

[steelerdude99]

Originally Posted by alantf

remember that the bike's thirteen years old. That's around 1,300 miles a year, or 30 miles a week.

I agree that it's 13 years old... When I first started looking last spring for a GZ250 in the VA/MD area, I saw many early 2000's w/ less that 5K miles on them for under $2000.00. It's not that a bike can't have high mileage and be in good shape, it's just that a 250cc would be more than likely used on short trips. Short trips are hard on an engine. A bigger bike, 650cc or above, is more than likely to be taken further per trip.

chuck

PS: The above are all just what I would look for. The bike you are considering just "may be" immaculate even with that many miles.

[steelerdude99]

Originally Posted by 68rs437

...
What do I need to look at before purchasing the GZ250?
Do the GZ250's have common problems?
Is 17,000 a lot of miles on a 250cc bike?
Any tips or help with what to look for would be appreciated.
Thanks,

I looked and found a GZ250 last year. Beware of a bike that is titled in state A, the seller is selling from state B, and you live and will get a license plate in state C. Two of the five bikes that I looked at had "red flags" where I just did not feel good about the title. So, I bailed. To me, if the sellers name (i.e. the guy with whom you are speaking) is not on the title, I bail. [ Is it his/her bike or someone else's ? ]

The bike ended up with had just over 3000 miles, the seller's name was on the title and that title was issued from my state of residence.

chuck

[Water Warrior 2]

BUYER BEWARE...............you just can't trust some folks.

[spldart]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior 2

BUYER BEWARE...............you just can't trust some folks.

I don't trust water is always wet... So .... yeah....
Caveat emptor.

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by spldart

I don't trust water is always wet... So .... yeah....
Caveat emptor.

I have never trusted water. I have a fear of any water deeper than the bathtub. So of course I never did learn to swim because of the fear. Yeah. WW2 is afraid of water. So of course I worked in water treatment plants for 25 years.