Big Man Little Bike

gtfoss1986 · 03-23-2014, 04:43 PM

Hello all,

I'm sorry if this has been posted before, or earlier. I've been getting the itch to motorcycle for a long time now. And now that I finally got the funds saved up I'm going to get a bike. I do a crap ton of research on anything before I buy it, but looking at motorcycles has to be one of the hardest as everyone is so opinionated, but what better way to get to the source of information than a fan based group on a specific model. I bought a 2009 Yamaha zuma last year with 0 miles on it in March 2013. It was still in the crate

, I love my peppy little two stroke in town and it does 48 with me on it. I put 1,600 miles on it when I stored it for the winter in October.

I have been out shopping and found that I want to start out on a 250, a few sites and people told me that I need something bigger being 6ft almost 300 pounds. The dealership I bought my zuma at was the nicest they told me to only buy on what I am comfortable on, and if that means a 250 than so be it, they didn't look down at me for wanting one which is why I put a reserve deposit down on a 2009 GZ250 with 2,100 miles on it and my price would be $1,800. It looks pristine, and I am waiting for warmer weather to test it, plus I trust these guys not to sell me crap as they know I am a repeat customer.

My issues are, will I be putting undo stress on this motorcycle with my size, I actually felt very comfortable on it but I worry about the machine?

Can it handle my weight as far as speed for hwy? I want to go up in Door County as I live in Green Bay WI which is about 45 mins of hwy at 65 mph and about 45 mins of hwy at 55 mph? will I damage my engine?

Are bigger guys a laughing stock on smaller bikes, it didn't really feel small on me at all?

Anyone here have experience with this?

Any help would put my mind to ease, I appreciate the feedback whether positive or negative, and sorry to make this first post so long and boring.

Thanks

alantf · 03-23-2014, 05:56 PM

Hi there. With your weight, and wanting to do 65MPH for long stretches would seem to be putting a lot of stress on the bike. I'm sorry to say that I don't think this is the right bike for you. I reckon that you should be looking at least for a 500cc bike. 170 pounds and town riding is what this bike is designed for. Even for a lighter person, highway riding means the need for a bigger bike, plus, at 65MPH you haven't much left if you need to get out of the way of a truck in a hurry. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

mole2 · 03-23-2014, 07:46 PM

I don't know if you can afford it or not but Harley Davidson came out with a new for 2014 500cc street bike. Might be worth taking a look at. The price seems fair.

grasshopper · 03-23-2014, 07:46 PM

I have owned a 2001 gz250 and my wife and I both rode together on it all the time. our combined weight is about 320 pounds. it did top out about 65 mph though. I'm 5'10" and felt comfortable. I never had any major problems either. I did move up too a bigger bike (Honda magna vf750c) to get interstate speeds and passing ability. At your size I would also recommend a bigger bike. The gz250 may only give you 20 more mph than your zuma.Remember you control the throttle so just cause it is bigger doesn't mean you have to go faster. I do believe you would be happier that you invested in a bigger bike from the beginning. I would definitely see if I could transfer my deposit to a bigger bike. I hope this helps you out.

Water Warrior 2 · 03-23-2014, 08:22 PM

Hmm, you may be pushing the envelope a bit with a GZ. Are you familiar with the Suzuki S-40(Savage 650)?? It is a slightly larger size bike with a 650 single cylinder engine. Basically the GZ's big brother in many way. Still not a rocket by any means but likely just right as a first bike for you.
Spend some time doing test sits on various bikes to get a feel for them. There are a lot of older 500 and 600 twins out there that would work nicely too.
Primarily you want a bike that you feel comfy on. Find a few and then research them on the net. Name the bike and add FORUM after it. Works like a charm. Don't spend much time on forums that are concerned with loud pipes and chrome. But do get at least an introduction from the members and read between the lines.
My choice is Japanese bikes because they are cheaper with no real exotic designs that cost an arm and a leg to repair if something breaks. Parts are readily available too. Ebay when all else fails. Please keep us updated.

gtfoss1986 · 03-23-2014, 09:10 PM

Thank you for the info guys, ya HD is way to much

they do have a few Kawasaki's and Yamaha's and Suzuki's in the 600 to 800 range, thank you for the post on the throttle, you are correct I am by no means a crazy driver, I have 3 seasons of EVOC and 5 years of SMITH under my belt, it the other crazy divers you gotta watch for. I will look into this when I can test ride other bikes, I just feel that the 500and up bikes are to top heavy for me to really learn on. But doesn't mean I won't try them.

grasshopper · 03-23-2014, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfoss1986

Thank you for the info guys, ya HD is way to much

they do have a few Kawasaki's and Yamaha's and Suzuki's in the 600 to 800 range, thank you for the post on the throttle, you are correct I am by no means a crazy driver, I have 3 seasons of EVOC and 5 years of SMITH under my belt, it the other crazy divers you gotta watch for. I will look into this when I can test ride other bikes, I just feel that the 500and up bikes are to top heavy for me to really learn on. But doesn't mean I won't try them.

Try some bikes that have a low seat. my magna seat is only 28 inches from the ground (low center of gravity) and feels like my gz250 did. The Honda magna is 200 pounds more weight than the gz250 and I got used to that very quickly. most of the extra weight is because of the bigger motor. even when my tank is full it feels good and controllable. Like WW said try a few bikes out. Good luck.

gtfoss1986 · 03-31-2014, 09:32 PM

I just wanted to follow up with you guys. I test drove the GZ250 tonight as well as Vn500. Buell blast 500 and a virago 250. I fell in love with the GZ. It was very forgiving compared to the blast. It was more nimble than the VN 500 and far more comfortable than the virago. It had plenty of power and the clutch is very forgiving. I got it up to 60 with a 20 to 30 headwind and 70 is were I said enough. I wanted to say thank you for this forum as I will be using it while enjoying my gz. Are there any issues I should keep an eye on for 2009 model? I can't seem to find any so far. Thanks again

Water Warrior 2 · 03-31-2014, 10:14 PM

Congrats on the bike. How many miles on the bike? Do you have a service/maintenance record? The care and feeding of a GZ is pretty simple but it must be done. Ride Safe.

mole2 · 04-01-2014, 01:23 AM

Congrats on your new ride. Ride safe.

03-23-2014, 04:43 PM	#1
gtfoss1986 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 16	Big Man Little Bike Hello all, I'm sorry if this has been posted before, or earlier. I've been getting the itch to motorcycle for a long time now. And now that I finally got the funds saved up I'm going to get a bike. I do a crap ton of research on anything before I buy it, but looking at motorcycles has to be one of the hardest as everyone is so opinionated, but what better way to get to the source of information than a fan based group on a specific model. I bought a 2009 Yamaha zuma last year with 0 miles on it in March 2013. It was still in the crate , I love my peppy little two stroke in town and it does 48 with me on it. I put 1,600 miles on it when I stored it for the winter in October. I have been out shopping and found that I want to start out on a 250, a few sites and people told me that I need something bigger being 6ft almost 300 pounds. The dealership I bought my zuma at was the nicest they told me to only buy on what I am comfortable on, and if that means a 250 than so be it, they didn't look down at me for wanting one which is why I put a reserve deposit down on a 2009 GZ250 with 2,100 miles on it and my price would be $1,800. It looks pristine, and I am waiting for warmer weather to test it, plus I trust these guys not to sell me crap as they know I am a repeat customer. My issues are, will I be putting undo stress on this motorcycle with my size, I actually felt very comfortable on it but I worry about the machine? Can it handle my weight as far as speed for hwy? I want to go up in Door County as I live in Green Bay WI which is about 45 mins of hwy at 65 mph and about 45 mins of hwy at 55 mph? will I damage my engine? Are bigger guys a laughing stock on smaller bikes, it didn't really feel small on me at all? Anyone here have experience with this? Any help would put my mind to ease, I appreciate the feedback whether positive or negative, and sorry to make this first post so long and boring. Thanks Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-23-2014, 05:56 PM	#2
alantf Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tenerife (Spain) Posts: 3,719	Hi there. With your weight, and wanting to do 65MPH for long stretches would seem to be putting a lot of stress on the bike. I'm sorry to say that I don't think this is the right bike for you. I reckon that you should be looking at least for a 500cc bike. 170 pounds and town riding is what this bike is designed for. Even for a lighter person, highway riding means the need for a bigger bike, plus, at 65MPH you haven't much left if you need to get out of the way of a truck in a hurry. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. __________________ By birth an Englishman, by the grace of God a Yorkshireman.
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03-23-2014, 07:46 PM	#3
mole2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Longs, SC Posts: 1,469	I don't know if you can afford it or not but Harley Davidson came out with a new for 2014 500cc street bike. Might be worth taking a look at. The price seems fair. __________________ 2009 V-Star 650 Silverado Pearl White 2007 Suzuki GZ250 Black (sold) Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by mole2; 03-23-2014 at 07:52 PM. Reason: Add a second video
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03-23-2014, 07:46 PM	#4
grasshopper Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: manning, sc Posts: 484	I have owned a 2001 gz250 and my wife and I both rode together on it all the time. our combined weight is about 320 pounds. it did top out about 65 mph though. I'm 5'10" and felt comfortable. I never had any major problems either. I did move up too a bigger bike (Honda magna vf750c) to get interstate speeds and passing ability. At your size I would also recommend a bigger bike. The gz250 may only give you 20 more mph than your zuma.Remember you control the throttle so just cause it is bigger doesn't mean you have to go faster. I do believe you would be happier that you invested in a bigger bike from the beginning. I would definitely see if I could transfer my deposit to a bigger bike. I hope this helps you out. __________________ 1994 Honda Magna VF750C 1996 Honda Magna VF750C 2001 Suzuki gz250(sold) http://youtu.be/KIS9Hzv--f0 https://youtu.be/fvmTNllcQOQ
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03-23-2014, 08:22 PM	#5
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Hmm, you may be pushing the envelope a bit with a GZ. Are you familiar with the Suzuki S-40(Savage 650)?? It is a slightly larger size bike with a 650 single cylinder engine. Basically the GZ's big brother in many way. Still not a rocket by any means but likely just right as a first bike for you. Spend some time doing test sits on various bikes to get a feel for them. There are a lot of older 500 and 600 twins out there that would work nicely too. Primarily you want a bike that you feel comfy on. Find a few and then research them on the net. Name the bike and add FORUM after it. Works like a charm. Don't spend much time on forums that are concerned with loud pipes and chrome. But do get at least an introduction from the members and read between the lines. My choice is Japanese bikes because they are cheaper with no real exotic designs that cost an arm and a leg to repair if something breaks. Parts are readily available too. Ebay when all else fails. Please keep us updated. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

03-23-2014, 09:10 PM	#6
gtfoss1986 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 16	Thank Thank you for the info guys, ya HD is way to much they do have a few Kawasaki's and Yamaha's and Suzuki's in the 600 to 800 range, thank you for the post on the throttle, you are correct I am by no means a crazy driver, I have 3 seasons of EVOC and 5 years of SMITH under my belt, it the other crazy divers you gotta watch for. I will look into this when I can test ride other bikes, I just feel that the 500and up bikes are to top heavy for me to really learn on. But doesn't mean I won't try them.
	0

03-31-2014, 09:32 PM	#8
gtfoss1986 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 16	Test Drove it? I just wanted to follow up with you guys. I test drove the GZ250 tonight as well as Vn500. Buell blast 500 and a virago 250. I fell in love with the GZ. It was very forgiving compared to the blast. It was more nimble than the VN 500 and far more comfortable than the virago. It had plenty of power and the clutch is very forgiving. I got it up to 60 with a 20 to 30 headwind and 70 is were I said enough. I wanted to say thank you for this forum as I will be using it while enjoying my gz. Are there any issues I should keep an eye on for 2009 model? I can't seem to find any so far. Thanks again
	0

03-31-2014, 10:14 PM	#9
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Congrats on the bike. How many miles on the bike? Do you have a service/maintenance record? The care and feeding of a GZ is pretty simple but it must be done. Ride Safe.
	0

04-01-2014, 01:23 AM	#10
mole2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Longs, SC Posts: 1,469	Congrats on your new ride. Ride safe. __________________ 2009 V-Star 650 Silverado Pearl White 2007 Suzuki GZ250 Black (sold)
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