700+ Mile Ride

[CMS]

Thanks for the reply,I think I'l try the butt pad.Good luck on your trip,sounds like fun. I'v read about the 16t,I'm going to leave mine at 15 and possibly change the rear sprocket . I did this on my DRZ400 and it really helped. CMS

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by davidc83

If I ride the gz, I have to change the 16T front sprocket to the 15T sprocket (cant do Interstate speed with the 16T).

Or you could take 2-lane US routes. It will run 55-60 all day with the 16T.
US 41 is a good road all the way to Atlanta with some REAL interesting riding in the mountains.
Don't know how it is south of Atlanta.

Much as I love my GZ, I think I'd vote for the C50!

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by CMS

I'v read about the 16t,I'm going to leave mine at 15 and possibly change the rear sprocket .

And WHY would you want to do that?
Front sprocket is quick, easy and cheap......still can use the same chain in most cases.
Changing the rear is (somewhat) complicated, difficult and more expensive.....since you usually can NOT use the same chain.

:??:

[jonathan180iq]

Not to mention that gear ratios are gear ratios and a rear sprocket change doesn't offer many more options than a front sprocket change.

[CMS]

The reason for the rear sprocket change was due to the size of the front sprocket. When we went to the 16t it was to large and actually hit the rubber mounting bushing [ DRZ400S].It would have destroyed the bushing in a block and a half ride. the shop that changed it had a computer program that allowed you to enter front or rear or both sprocket sizes and showed the results in final drive ratio and mph. The Ninja 250 site has one on line in the FAQ section. It's interesting to add in different ratios and see the results. You Can tell the difference on the RPM and top end MPH on my DRZ, not a large difference but noticable. CMS

[jonathan180iq]

You used to ride a Ninja 250?
Have you seen the sweet-ass remodel that they did for the '08.

Finally, a Euro style 250cc in the states. If only I had some spare change....

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by CMS

When we went to the 16t it was to large and actually hit the rubber mounting bushing [ DRZ400S].It would have destroyed the bushing in a block and a half ride.

That is NOT a problem with the GZ.

[Badbob]

I rode mine 22,000 miles in two years. 470 miles was my longest ride in a day. I have ridden it in heat, cold, wind, rain, and way into the night. I have ridden it hundreds of miles at 60-65 mph in fourth gear because of head winds and/or the 16T sprocket that would not let me maintain a constant speed. I've probably ridden it over loaded for a good many miles. It will make the trip.

[mcintyre_aerospace]

A long trip sounds kinda fun, ill have to fix my bike up a little and go on one. Did you have any problems with overheating, because I know this bike can get pretty hot if you ride it a little hard.

[Badbob]

Originally Posted by mcintyre_aerospace

A long trip sounds kinda fun, ill have to fix my bike up a little and go on one. Did you have any problems with overheating, because I know this bike can get pretty hot if you ride it a little hard.

No over heating that I could see not having a temperature gauge. I would think that as long as you have air flowing over the engine as in moving it going to be fine. Most of these trips are in the summer with temperatures going well over 100 degrees more than once. It's always hotter on the road than at the weather station.

If your going to over heat its probably going to be while your sitting still in traffic. No air flow over the engine. I have a four cylinder air cooled Yamaha that you have to have a fan blowing on it any time the engine is running and it sitting still for any length of time. The engine puts off so much heat that without the fan it will boil the gasoline in the tank. I did this once before I knew better.