Have questions GZ250 or Rebel 250? - Page 6

alazar14 · 10-16-2009, 01:13 AM

How long can the engine last on a GZ250? Assuming it was properly kept How many miles.

I'm really starting to also consider just buying a used older but bigger bike. Maybe a Honda shadow 600 or a Vstar 600 both of which iv seen adds for around $3000 with less than 10,000 miles 10,000 miles + iv seen as low as $2500. I had no idea sometimes they would go that low. There must be something wrong with them though. I have no friends who know a lot about motorcycles so I can't really ask for them to check it or anything.

burkbuilds · 10-16-2009, 02:28 AM

There's a post on this site somewhere called something like, "Who has the most miles on their GZ250" and it seems like one guy had around 60,000 miles on his. I still think that at your height you would do better finding a slightly bigger bike and as someone pointed out you can sometimes find a bargain on a well cared for bike that has 10-20K miles on it. If you don't have a friend who knows bikes are there any good Motorcycle mechanics that you'd trust to check one out for a fee?

alazar14 · 10-16-2009, 02:58 AM

I am just now getting into motorcycling so I don't have any motorcycle mechanics in my area that can check one out. I have a cousin who is a very talented car mechanic though if that helps at all.

What I am thinking of doing is having the guy ride it to some where near my house including some interstate riding. I assume if it can ride on the interstate it shouldn't be in to bad conditions.

bonehead · 10-16-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alazar14

How long can the engine last on a GZ250? Assuming it was properly kept How many miles.

I'm really starting to also consider just buying a used older but bigger bike. Maybe a Honda shadow 600 or a Vstar 600 both of which iv seen adds for around $3000 with less than 10,000 miles 10,000 miles + iv seen as low as $2500. I had no idea sometimes they would go that low. There must be something wrong with them though. I have no friends who know a lot about motorcycles so I can't really ask for them to check it or anything.

I would have no problem buying a bike with 10,000 miles on it. Hell, my gz is only a year old and has 14,000. Just go look at the bikes, make sure they start and run/sound good. Check for dents and scratches that may indicate a down or a wreck. Check the brake operation, and look at the condition of the tires. And if the owner is willing take them on test rides. Good luck. :rawk:

mrlmd1 · 10-16-2009, 10:02 AM

Maybe I've missed something here. Have you taken the MSF course?, had any training in riding a motorcycle or any experience? Or are you just pondering what to buy to get into this? If you haven't already, taking an MSF course is the first thing you have to do, and the instructors can well advise you on what type/size/brand of bike to get for yourself.And after you ride a few of the different bikes they may have there, you may be better informed on how to make your decision.

alazar14 · 10-16-2009, 03:14 PM

I am just waiting for the date now. I signed up for the MSF class last week. It starts on the 27th.

dhgeyer · 10-16-2009, 04:17 PM

There's a good chance you'll be assigned either a GZ250 or a Rebel for the course, especially if you want to and/or ask to. I'm sure they'll let you at least sit on the other bikes. And you'll run into lots of people with lots of opinions during the course. Do yourself a favor and try not to be assigned a Honda Nighthawk 250. Horrible clutch. Brakes aren't so great either. The shorter bikes are easier for the tight maneuvers also. They may stick you with one because you're tall, but try to resist.

alazar14 · 10-17-2009, 04:43 AM

Well I seem to be finding GZ250s quite easily. So I may just end up buying one simply because they are so easy to find in my area. And cheap. Hopefully the MSF will have one I can ride and get a feel for. If I like it ill get one for my first year or so to learn to ride on. I don't want to drop a big bike....

diffluere · 10-19-2009, 02:26 AM

Try not to ride the Kawisaki Eliminator 125 either. I hated the clutch on that bike, and when the chain fell off when I was riding it they let me on the GZ. I was instantly in love. You're a lot taller than me though so you should be able to avoid this.

When I took the course they also had a Ninja 250 and a Suzuki supermoto. Maybe you can try one of those too. The two tallest guys got to ride these bikes.

Water Warrior 2 · 10-19-2009, 06:41 AM

If the chain fell off the riding instructors are not doing a complete job of instructing. They should have been teaching students how to do an inspection of tire condition, tire pressure and chain slack/condition. This along with control functions and all lighting fixtures being in order. Oh yah, and tapping the spokes for the proper sound to indicate tightness. Many new riders really don't know a chain from a barn door and can just assume a bike is like a car. Not so by any stretch of the imagination.

10-16-2009, 01:13 AM	#51
alazar14 Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 41	Re: Have questions GZ250 or Rebel 250? How long can the engine last on a GZ250? Assuming it was properly kept How many miles. I'm really starting to also consider just buying a used older but bigger bike. Maybe a Honda shadow 600 or a Vstar 600 both of which iv seen adds for around $3000 with less than 10,000 miles 10,000 miles + iv seen as low as $2500. I had no idea sometimes they would go that low. There must be something wrong with them though. I have no friends who know a lot about motorcycles so I can't really ask for them to check it or anything. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-16-2009, 02:28 AM	#52
burkbuilds Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shannon, Georgia Posts: 1,268	Re: Have questions GZ250 or Rebel 250? There's a post on this site somewhere called something like, "Who has the most miles on their GZ250" and it seems like one guy had around 60,000 miles on his. I still think that at your height you would do better finding a slightly bigger bike and as someone pointed out you can sometimes find a bargain on a well cared for bike that has 10-20K miles on it. If you don't have a friend who knows bikes are there any good Motorcycle mechanics that you'd trust to check one out for a fee?
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10-16-2009, 02:58 AM	#53
alazar14 Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 41	Re: Have questions GZ250 or Rebel 250? I am just now getting into motorcycling so I don't have any motorcycle mechanics in my area that can check one out. I have a cousin who is a very talented car mechanic though if that helps at all. What I am thinking of doing is having the guy ride it to some where near my house including some interstate riding. I assume if it can ride on the interstate it shouldn't be in to bad conditions. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

10-16-2009, 10:02 AM	#55
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: Have questions GZ250 or Rebel 250? Maybe I've missed something here. Have you taken the MSF course?, had any training in riding a motorcycle or any experience? Or are you just pondering what to buy to get into this? If you haven't already, taking an MSF course is the first thing you have to do, and the instructors can well advise you on what type/size/brand of bike to get for yourself.And after you ride a few of the different bikes they may have there, you may be better informed on how to make your decision. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

10-16-2009, 03:14 PM	#56
alazar14 Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 41	Re: Have questions GZ250 or Rebel 250? I am just waiting for the date now. I signed up for the MSF class last week. It starts on the 27th.
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10-16-2009, 04:17 PM	#57
dhgeyer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Merrimack NH USA Posts: 722	Re: Have questions GZ250 or Rebel 250? There's a good chance you'll be assigned either a GZ250 or a Rebel for the course, especially if you want to and/or ask to. I'm sure they'll let you at least sit on the other bikes. And you'll run into lots of people with lots of opinions during the course. Do yourself a favor and try not to be assigned a Honda Nighthawk 250. Horrible clutch. Brakes aren't so great either. The shorter bikes are easier for the tight maneuvers also. They may stick you with one because you're tall, but try to resist. __________________ 54 HD Hummer,64 Honda150,66 Ducati250,01 Vulcan500,02 Vulcan1500,83 Nighthawk650,91 K75,95 VLX,04 VLX,01 GS500E,01 Ninja250, 02 Rebel,04 Ninja500,06 Concours,96 R850R
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10-17-2009, 04:43 AM	#58
alazar14 Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 41	Re: Have questions GZ250 or Rebel 250? Well I seem to be finding GZ250s quite easily. So I may just end up buying one simply because they are so easy to find in my area. And cheap. Hopefully the MSF will have one I can ride and get a feel for. If I like it ill get one for my first year or so to learn to ride on. I don't want to drop a big bike....
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10-19-2009, 02:26 AM	#59
diffluere Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: gainesville, fl Posts: 137	Re: Have questions GZ250 or Rebel 250? Try not to ride the Kawisaki Eliminator 125 either. I hated the clutch on that bike, and when the chain fell off when I was riding it they let me on the GZ. I was instantly in love. You're a lot taller than me though so you should be able to avoid this. When I took the course they also had a Ninja 250 and a Suzuki supermoto. Maybe you can try one of those too. The two tallest guys got to ride these bikes. __________________ "An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered; an adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered." - Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936)
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10-19-2009, 06:41 AM	#60
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Have questions GZ250 or Rebel 250? If the chain fell off the riding instructors are not doing a complete job of instructing. They should have been teaching students how to do an inspection of tire condition, tire pressure and chain slack/condition. This along with control functions and all lighting fixtures being in order. Oh yah, and tapping the spokes for the proper sound to indicate tightness. Many new riders really don't know a chain from a barn door and can just assume a bike is like a car. Not so by any stretch of the imagination.
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