Weight, Windshield and Saddle bags. I'm Soooo confused!!

[Tonckawa]

My bike is so new, I have not even received my Certificate of Origin yet but there are three things that concern me right now.

1. WEIGHT. After I bought the bike. I was told by a service tech at the dealership that only 225 lbs more can be added to the bike. SAY WHAT!!! I weigh 235 lbs. The wife would like to ride with me sometimes and she weighs 155 lbs. I heard about this gross weight and I got a hold of a Canadian dealer about the GZ250 Maurader and he said the gross weight for a 250 is 771 lbs. "This weight includes the weight of the vehicle combined with the weight of the riders" I have torqued up the suspension to level 5 and put 33 lbs in rear tire without any issues when we rode before. Opinions?

2. WINDSHIELDS: I have to have one. Any suggestions on which one NOT to buy. I saw this one in the JC Whitney catalog but unsure:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/MAIER-CRUISER- ... _10111.jcw

I think the one on the Suzuki dealer site cost more than I have to pay. Having trouble finding others at a reasonable price. I am very very interested in a fairing that would fit the GZ250 as well.

3. SADDLE BAGS: Last but not least. Do you HAVE to have brackets installed to use saddle bags?

Thanks.

[jonathan180iq]

I just ordered a set of saddlebags off of Ebay that should be small enough to not require supports. I'll post back once I know more about them.

That being said, you can also make some saddlebag supports for about $12 with parts from Home Depot. There are links on here to a how to.

[Sarris]

The GZ is truly third world transportation. With a GVWR of 775 lbs less maybe 325 lbs of bike including fluids, means that your GZ can carry 450 lbs of driver & passenger. Include the Asian sub-continent low compression head that will run 60 octane gas, saki, dog shit, etc. and this bike will take the entire family to market. Papa-san, mama-san, junior-san, & baby-san. All on one GZ. So will it carry you?? Well, it carries my 6'-1" 300 lb ass on a 50 + mile round trip commute daily at 55 to 65 mph at 65 to 70 mpg. And with a 30" inseam, I'm not cramped. The GZ is easily the most reliable bike I own. No problems, just maintain on schedule. No muss, no fuss.

This quote is from one of my posts in the "General section"

Please search the other posts (mine for sure) and you'll find a bunch of answers to the windshield and saddlebag issues.

Welcome aboard brother.

:2tup:

[bigwonton]

I have a set of nylon Tour Master saddle bags and I wouldn't run them without a set of supports.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Tonckawa

2. WINDSHIELDS: I have to have one.

I am very very interested in a fairing that would fit the GZ250 as well.

3. SADDLE BAGS: Last but not least. Do you HAVE to have brackets installed to use saddle bags?

Thanks.

2) Yes, I agree. Things hitting you at 50 mph really HURT.....even raindrops.

You might as well forget the fairing. You have the wrong bike for that. Nobody makes one and an adaptation would likely be a disaster. The windshield I just installed is probably about as close as you will get. There's a thread here about it. If you have additional questions, fire away.

(Note on that: My new shield almost works TOO good. It may cut down the air flow too much when the weather is really HOT. Don't know yet for sure.)

3) NO.........if you don't mind the back wheel rubbing a hole in them............or worse, getting caught in the wheel and locking it up !!

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by jonathan180iq

I just ordered a set of saddlebags off of Ebay that should be small enough to not require supports.

I think you might have the wrong perspective on that. Smaller bags might fit through the "hole" easier and be MORE likely to rub the wheel. Depends upon exactly where/how you mount them, I guess.

Unless you have hard bags with a rigid mount, I would not chance it.

[jonathan180iq]

Well, we'll see. They should be here today or tomorrow.

If it comes down to it, I saw a photo of a very simple hard mount side case idea that I might incorporate onto my bike. In total, it should cost me around $3. Basically, without being able to show you the pic, it's just 4 flat bars that mount individually to each rear end bolt. They are thick enough to support the weight of the bags without bending and they should require a tad less work than real supports.

Like I've said, I'll post back into my "new gear" post once it's all said and done.

[johnsandlin]

You might try looking at the Memphis Shades "Slim" windscreen. That's what came on my used 2000 GZ250. Actually the one on the bike was rose colored and I purchased a replacement "Slim" windscreen that was smoked black at the bottom. The Memphis Shades screens have a graduated tint on the bottom that goes to clear at the top. I really like this windscreen...work well at highway speeds.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by johnsandlin

that was smoked black at the bottom. The Memphis Shades screens have a graduated tint on the bottom that goes to clear at the top. I really like this windscreen...work well at highway speeds.

Gotta be careful about that, though. The sheild I just junked was black at the bottom. If I mounted it where I really wanted it, I couldn't see the speedo. If it had been all clear, I probably would still have it. Alas, don't know what brand it was as it came with the bike.

[Tonckawa]

My priority right now is the windshield, then saddlebags and lastly the sissy bar.

I have actually thought about getting 1/4" thick 1" x 12" galvanized or metal flat piece of metal and use that as the support to keep bags out of the wheels. Only problem would be figured out the bolts to use. I want a canvas saddle bag. I have found a couple I really really like. Canvas is more stretchie, .

Also I was wondering about disimiliar metals with chrome and galvanized bolted together.