Stalling during first fifteen minutes

[alantf]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

and works so hard to go 55

What, even after you've got it back from the shop. You said it was fine now. Certainly doesn't seem like it to me.

[music man]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

Music, I posted a lengthy semi apology but it got lost when I submitted it. I can't recapture it, but it boiled down to:
1) I was sincere when I said the GZ feels funny when I get back on it.
2) I understand the practicality of the bike and its appeal to those that are riding mainly for practicality. I'm more of a "fun" rider.
3) I shouldn't have asked Patrick or Sarris to bail me out.

Sorry.

I am sure it does feel "funny" when you get back on it, after being on Bigfoot (I mean the Stratoliner) but that is not really what you said, and 2, are you trying to say that the GZ is not fun to ride, because I have had more "fun" on it than I have had in a long time (and if it wasn't fun, you would have rode it for a month and quit riding motorcycles all together. It just doesn't seem appropriate to say that kind of thing, it would be like getting on a homosexual community website (that you are a member of, and a sponsor of) and posting "don't you feel silly being gay".

But anyways, I am sorry I hijacked this thread, and I will get off my soapbox now.

[alanmcorcoran]

Originally Posted by alantf

What, even after you've got it back from the shop. You said it was fine now. Certainly doesn't seem like it to me.

I guess I deserve all of this. If anyone is still interested, here is an explanation:

The GZ IS running fine. As good or better than ever. And I am enjoying it much more than when it was stalling at every stoplight. But I am up through fifth gear by the time I hit forty and have to wind it up into the whiny end of the RPM's to get to 55. 65 is generally doable given a flat stretch and a speedo crouch, but 70-75 almosts merits a call to the trade press. I basically ride it WTFO near 100% of the time.

The Strat can hit 70 in third gear if you want. Normally, I'm in fifth, but the RPM's are a leisurely 2800 or so. It is way more stable on California roads, I feel a lot safer in the California wind, and it handles the California speeds (basically 85 until recent financially motivated crackdown) without any strain. I know, I know - this is a GZ site and the content should be mainly about the GZ. The only reason I mention it is that I think a lot of people on here ARE planning on going bigger once they get some experience on the GZ and I was lucky to be able to "test drive" the bike I bought before I bought it. Not sure how it is in the rest of the country, but it seemed like all I coud do untl I found the rental place was to read, look and sit. No riding!

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

have to wind it up into the whiny end of the RPM's to get to 55.

In 5th gear ???

That's another problem.......a simple slip of the proverbial pencil takes the discussion off in an entirely wrong direction. Being a writer, maybe you need an editor to check your posts before you hit "Submit" !! :poke2: :crackup

So......once again life comes full circle. Didn't you pop in here a time or two BEFORE you got the GZ ?? It seems I remember telling you that it probably was NOT a good choice for your particular urban situation; now you agree.

I think I told you that the Strat was likely too BIG too.....but it looks like you might skate by on that one !! :biggrin:

[alanmcorcoran]

I meant fifth gear and 55. What's the RPM's on a GZ in fifth at 55?

(I agree, I am a little sloppy with my typing and I should edit more.)

I may have read some of this site before I got the GZ, but I thought my first post was "My first nine miles", which, of course, would have to have come after I got the GZ. (My memory is pretty crappy, I don't trust it myself.) But, my intention with the GZ, from the get go, was to get something small to learn on so I didn't die right away, and, after 3000 miles, if I was A) still alive, and B) still enjoying it, get something bigger.

Music Man accused of me of being (insecurely) macho, and intimated that's why I went with the Strat. I can't deny that I have many moments of anxiety and, even fear, but the reason I went with the Strat is the same reason I went with a Suburban when I got an SUV and a Steinway piano when I could afford it. I know that when I get something less than what I consider ideal for me, I inevitably regret it, and it takes some of the fun out of it. I'm not crazy in this regard (I don't drive a Ferrari or anything) but I'm pretty consistent. I can't always afford what I want right away, but when I can, I go for it. I paid an obscene amount for my Trek 5200 bicycle, but, after I got over the first few hours of nausea, I never regretted it.

I went from having only 3K on the GZ directly to The Beast. The Beast is not perfect, but I swear, I am pretty sure if any of you prudent naysayers climbed on it and pointed it down the highway, you would agree that it is a blast to ride.

[mrlmd1]

And just why do you hit 5th gear at 40 mph, especially if you're planning to get up to 65? I bet you don't drive a stick shift car that way. Fifth gear has very little torque and it will take forever to get to 65 going from 40 to 65 in 5th, and be harder on the engine, and much more fuel inefficient, than winding it up through the gear range into higher rpms all the way. That's more of a problem with riding style than with the bike, as it's not designed to do what you want it to do. Maybe you should be in 3rd at that speed, accelerating, not in 5th. Or if you are "cruising" at 40mph in 5th, then drop down at least into 4th so you can accelerate. Don't blame the bike for any shortcomings if you drive it like that. You seem to marvel how the Strat can hit 70 in 3rd so you are winding that up. Treat the GZ the same, use the engine as it was designed to be used.
We can understand the difference in riding the 2 bikes, but they are 2 different machines designed for 2 different purposes and really can't be compared when you are talking about the same thing. Each was designed for a different goal so keep that in mind when you diss one or the other. :retard: :shocked:

Your post above came on just before I submitted this, but you catch my drift anyway.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

I meant fifth gear and 55. What's the RPM's on a GZ in fifth at 55?

I don't know for sure but it is nowhere near redline......which occurs, I believe, about 80.....if you can get it there.
I thought you had gotten over that fear of rev'ing it too high; guess not. :roll:

Somebody with a tach. has posted a chart on here somewhere.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

The Beast is not perfect, but I swear, I am pretty sure if any of you prudent naysayers climbed on it and pointed it down the highway, you would agree that it is a blast to ride.

I'll agree if you make that read "most".

Some of us, for whatever reason(s), just won't ever be comfortable on a bike that size.
Hell, I wouldn't even be here had I not traded in a (no doubt "better") 450 pound bike with 4X the HP on the little 300 pound one that will barely do 70.

I got to the point where I wasn't having fun on the I-4 standard anymore because it made me "nervous" just to climb on it. It make me nervous just LOOKING at bikes in the "beast" category........although I would like a shot at the new V-Max just ONCE......and the new "race inspired" Sportsters look pretty sweet. The local shop has one in flat black; WAY cool.

[alanmcorcoran]

Good point. I haven't had any accidents yet on either bike, aside from the parking lot kerfluffle with the Strat. I may be singing a different tune after I resurface part of the 91 with my thigh skin.

I can wholeheartedly agree that I have greater confidence on the GZ on the side roads. I think part of our differences can be attributed to the fact that it's much more likely out here that you are going to frequently find yourself on freeways whether you like it or not, even if it is just to get to the "cool" country road you want to ride on. You'll note that OC Hoosier, Moedad and Busyweb all went bigger in a fairly short time.

I am 100% better with the GZ on the freeway from whence I started, but I still only use (the freeway with the GZ) when I'm taking to the dealer.

[Sarris]

Alan; I'm 6'-1", 280 lbs. and only one person has asked me (in jest) if I had another GZ for my other ass cheek. If you FEEL uncomfortable you'll LOOK uncomfortable.

Most seem interested and astonished that it's "only" a 250.

The GZ is what it is. Kinda like girlz, they come in different shapes and sizes, you want to ride them all, some do ride better than others, but all are fun to ride none the less.

I appreciated both.

:2tup: