I don't have a motorcycle, YET!

[blaine]

Originally Posted by BillInGA

When I was researching my first bike 4 years ago I was looking at the Virago, Rebel and GZ250. I was only looking at used bikes. The Viragos (now V-star, I presume) were comparatively more expensive. I read that the Rebels were a tight fit; once I sat on one I was in complete agreement.

Ultimately, I settled on the GZ250 because of the following factors:
- Lowest comparative price
- It felt like a bigger bike
- Larger fuel tank

The only concern I had was that is was a single-cylinder engine. Seems everyone is taught to want a twin. But after 4 years and 7,000 miles, I very happy with my little thumper.

I have 38000 kms on my G.Z. no problems.just normal maintenance'

[JWR]

I traded my GZ for a Virago 250.
Plus and minus for both bikes.

If the GZ had the V twin motor it would be the best 250 on the market.

JMHO

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by JWR

I traded my GZ for a Virago 250.
Plus and minus for both bikes.

If the GZ had the V twin motor it would be the best 250 on the market.

JMHO

Wait for it, your wish could come true. Actually Suzuki does or did make a V-twin 250 but it never made it to North America. IIRC they were available in Australia but quite pricey. A search of Suzuki Global might turn up one for you to see.

[JWR]

Yes, I have seen pictures on the net of these, but I believe they are no longer in production.

The Virago motor is a very different from the GZ.


Edit: VL 250 LC Intruder at 24hp. This is what we should have had.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by JWR

If the GZ had the V twin motor it would be the best 250 on the market.

Or even the parallel twin which it LOOKS like !!!
Faked me out on the show room floor for sure.

[JWR]

The Virago will pull in 5th gear from 15 mph to 85.
It really does best from 35 and up, no need to down shift. It is easier to ride at a slow speed also.
The same roads that I had to down shift the GZ, it will gain speed going up in 5th.

The Virago is not as comfortable as the GZ, and it has no storage.
A lot of little things on the GZ I liked better, but the performance is night and day different.

[alantf]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Suzuki does or did make a V-twin 250

IIRC it's the "intruder"

[Mercutio57]

I first looked at the Rebel, but after checking various online reviews (especially those of the 2000 GZ250 on Epinions.com) the GZ began to look like the better choice for me. What clinched it, quite frankly, was actually seeing in at the dealer's. In photographs the GZ250 didn't impress me; in "person" I found it very appealing. In fact, I told the salesman that if it fit when I sat on it, he had a sale. It did, and he did.

This was a 2009 model, by the way, for which he mistakenly quoted me the 2008 price. His manager honored the mistake, so I got a nice deal.

By all accounts the Rebel would feel too cramped for me, and the idea of a 250cc v-twin struck me as being too "when I grow up I want a Harley," which I don't. A small displacement thumper, on the other hand, calls to mind the classic BSA machines of my youth & childhood.

Besides, thumpers have that, well, "thump" when they idle!

A successful road test and some 4000+ trouble free miles later, I'd say that the GZ was a good choice. It starts up every time, comfortably goes as fast as I'm willing to take it, handles like a dream, and sips gasoline. If I were to venture out onto multi-lane highways I would of course need something bigger, to be sure, but for in town and local roads it is just about perfect.

[Mercutio57]

PS: Because everyone where I live rides either an enormous v-twin or a crotch rocket, my little thumper is an anomaly and hence attracts a fair amount of attention!

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Mercutio57

It starts up every time, comfortably goes as fast as I'm willing to take it, handles like a dream, and sips gasoline.

If you read through the mountain of posts here, you will find that the only re-occurring complaint is about the carb gumming up. You can prevent that (probably) by giving it a shot of carb cleaner in the gas every 5 or 6 tankfulls during the riding season and the recommended amount of Stabil or Seafoam during storage.

The top ranked "mod" is the 16 tooth front sprocket.