Couple GZ observations and questions

[birdmove]

I was looking at the micrfich files referred here at the forum, and I see that the GZ uses roller bearings for the crankshaft.Also it has a counter balancer shaft.I am wondering if this counterbalancer is chain or gear driven? It wasn't clear looking at the drawings there.I don't think roller bearings are either a good or a bad thing.I do know that they require less constant oil pressure to lube them than plaine bearings do (these are the type used in your car).Thats why the old two stroke motorcycle engines used roller bearing cranks.They were lubed totally from the oil that was mixed with the gas (either by the older pre-mix method,or the later metered oil pump design).Roller bearings are certainly noisier tha plain bearings.
I see the chrome covers on either side of the cylinder head are just there for looks. One member here that One member here, 2006 gz, removed these covers on his great looking GZ, and I like it much better without.He modded his fenders, put on lower handlebars, etc, etc, and I like his job so well, I have a photo of his GZ250 as my desktop picture.Looks like an older style street thumper similiar to a Yamaha SR500 (its worth a google search to look at a few pics of the old SRs).
I'm trying to decide between a GZ250 and probably a Honda Nighthawk 250 as my general commuter,local fun bike, and to ride with my wife when she gets her new 250 scooter.As a rider with over 45 years of riding time in, I have found that I don't need a big bike to enjoy riding.I still have my KLR650 too.

jon in Puyallup