What I did to my GZ250 today thread
 

I think every forum needs to have one of these, this is not limited to just GZ250's but all motorcycles and motor vehicles.

I'll start;

Today Qasual bought me a tank bag yay, and a hydration bladder ~

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g6...psf2f094ce.jpg

Fits nicely, it is a Rapid transit recon 19 bag if anyone is wondering.

Goodies and a pic of Cathy. What a way to start my day. Thanks so much for the pic. Now we have a face to put the name to when we are here.

Cathy you will find the tank bag a wonderful place to keep things organized and safe. A fine place to keep a tire pressure gauge and a small 1st aid kit amongst other stuff. Oh yeah, the required camera of course.

Qasual - Lots of rain, I think it is about time to un-insure and clean the GZ up and put her in storage. After Cathy outgrows the GZ (Maybe never) I think a Cafe' racer is in order.

Qasual, I was just checking CL in Vancouver. Some one is selling a 1989 Honda Spada 250. Did a little research and it is quite a neat bike. Might be a good fit for Cathy. Still light weight enough and looks to be a good physical fit too. Not really meant for a 6 foot rider. And 40 HP out of a 250 V-twin.

Qasual - That was on my shopping list awhile back but the Marauder was such a good deal and I even have support from a riding school if I have problems. Tons of 250cc sportsbike getting introduced though, that may be interesting.


On topic : I sat on the CBR and missed riding :S .

Cathy,

You'll have to give a us a pic of the tank bag when it's installed. I like the idea of a bag but not necessarily sure if I like the look.

Not sure if Cathy's is the same, but mine has straps to turn it into a backpack when I leave the bike.b61.jpg

That's a nice feature. Does your helmet fit in that bag?

Also, is it that tall when it's on the bike?

Yes (although my back box is big enough to take two helmets) and the bag expands even bigger, by means of a zipper around the base. It also came with an elasticated, clear plastic, cover for when it rains. Another useful feature is a clear map pocket on the top. I've got saddle bags, a big back box, and the tank bag, because my GZ is a workhorse.

Not as tall as the handle bars, it was smaller then I thought it was. Still super useful though, I don't like saddlebags. Mine is a Rapid Transit Recon 19.

ALantf....workhorse sounds right

Cathy,

I'm not a saddle bag fan either, especially since i chopped the bars off to hold them.

I like that tank bag though.

Question...did the red nose come stock?

It is a special GZ :3

What did everyone else do to their bikes or is planning to do. Upgrades, shopping, gear ?

Qasual - I installed her trickle charger set up tonight, it's so warm I might take it out for a quick cruise and have some dinner.

Here is how I attached it and how I hid it under the tank.

Do you have an actual Battery Tender? They seem to be the most popular and reliable. What I found is just plugging in the BT once a month for an hour was enough to keep the bikes happy. We also have the same temps as you do.

Qasual - I made it a habit to just plug it in after parking the bikes at home. No harm since it is a smart charger. I did get Cathy's BT for $10 off of motorcycle superstore so I might keep a eye on it just in case.

Looks like it might be in just the right spot to get full of water when it rains. Not good. I've run mine to the tool box under the saddle. All it needs is a turn of the key, pull up the saddle, and plug in. No chance of it getting wet. ;)

In September when I first bought my gz250 the speedometer light did not work. I took it apart and the bulb was blown. I went to work and fixed up a 7 color led light and took it home and wired it into the speedometer. It is not extremely bright, I would say it is just the right brightness for me . The speedometer slowly changes different colors. I will try to get a video of it soon so everyone can check it out.

I posted a video on youtube to check out the multicolor led light in the speedometer. http://youtu.be/jSdXjoLKVMc

^ I like it !

today I changed my front brake pads. nice simple job. then I went for about a twenty mile ride. good ride, partly cloudy but nice.

Qasual - How did you break them in ?

Did you do some brake maneuvers at variable speeds and what not. Just wondering, I'm not sure if it is the same like a car.

A few slightly hard stops will help the brake pads bed in for maximum performance. I wouldn't bother for myself but that what some folks say. Unless you got real hard pads it won't make much difference in my opinion. Ride the bike and be happy the brakes work when called upon to slow the bike in a predictable manner.

I just check them for stopping power riding around the yard a few times and all felt good. then I went for about a twenty mile ride. everything is good.

today for my gz I started doing the drivers backrest project. I was hit by a drunk driver in july 2012 and have neck and back problems. I'm sure this shoud help me a lot on the longer rides I want to make next year. I have the bracket done and waiting for the paint to dry. when the project is complete I will post some pics. oh yeah, I got the idea from this forum so thank you guys and girls for the great info and pics and ideas.

Sounds good. Looking forward to the pics.

Same, I'm interested in seeing how it looks, I like the thought of a backrest but not what I see in my head as far as looks. Seeing it in real life might change that though.

Qasual - Today I thought of tires and started looking for fun. I found out that the Kenda makes rear tires in 120-90-16 as well as 130-90-15 but unfortunately I can not find anyone using 120-90-16 in the front. Doesn't seem like a huge difference on the calculator but is anyone running it or have any fitting issues ?

Where did you find a tire calculator Cathy

goose, I seen a couple of different pics on this forum of people making their own backrest. I am using the frugal way of doing it. I'm almost done. I have to finfish it today after work.

Cathy, have you come across this post?
If a 120/80-16 can work, then a 120/90 should. Worst case, just raise the front fender a little bit.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Modifying the GZ - What's Available?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There aren't many tire options for our bike that come in a matching set. There are, however, many options if you don't mind mixing up tire brands and/or going to a slightly smaller tire up front.

The factory tires sizes are: 110/90-16 (F) & 130/90-15 (R)

The rim width for the front wheel is 2.5" and the rear wheel width is 3.0"
That being the case, a size 100/90-16 front tire will work on this bike. It does have an overall diameter decrease of 9mm over the 110/90-16 but that isn't really very drastic.

Samato has verified that alternate tire size 100/90-16 will mount up with no problem.

As well, the 120/80-16 alternate tire size is another choice for the front tire and has been successfully mounted by MRLMD1.

Factory replacement tires: 110/90-16 & 130/90-15
Dunlop D404 (only available through a Suzuki dealer)
Metzeler ME77 (only available through a Suzuki dealer)
Cheng Shin C906 & C907 (possibly no longer available)

Rear Factory Replacements:
Kenda Challenger
Pirelli MT66 (Route 66)
Maxxis M6103
Cheng Shin Marquis
Metzeler Me 77

Factory Replacement Front:
GBC Green Shark
Metzler Lasertec
Pirelli Sport Demon
Avon Roadrider AM26
Conti Ultra TKV11
Kenda K671 & K673

100/90-16 Front:
Bridgestone BT45
Maxxis M6002
Cheng Shin C6000
Kenda Cruiser
IRC Durotour

Matching tires with low profile front: 100/91-16 & 130/90-15:
Kenda Cruiser



For more discussion and lots of info, see these posts:

http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=722

&

http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/viewtopi ... =10&t=1818






This list is not complete but will be updated as more options are discovered...

on the backrest issue. daddylaci did a post on a backrest. looks real nice.

drivers backrest topic. vikz 250 also did a diy post on this subject.

this what I have done so far on the drivers backrest.

Qasual - Jonathan I have seen that in almost all the tire threads I have looked through. Harharhar.

I think I may be the first to try and give a review on.

It's mind boggling how it's never mentioned!

I would slap it on there and drill some new eyelets for the fender raise. It shouldn't be an issue.

well I got the driver backrest on my gz done. I still have to go for a longer ride to see how it feels. went up the street and back felt fine. it supports me in the middle of my back at this height. I may lower it depending on how the longer ride feels. here are the pics. I bought the backrest pad on ebay for 15$ new, the bracket from lowes for $7.50, had the black paint and screws and washers already. just had to warm the bracket up and bend it in a vise. the holes were already in the bracket and only had to drill one hole in it to mount it to the gz. I'm waiting for the passenger backrest to get here to put it on.

Looks comfy

Qasual - Today I had another thought to a possible mini project. I do not know why I have not thought of this sooner but a 16t conversion is actually viable for Cathy, like dang. She is a 5'2" 9x lb little Asian girl, every thread on here I have skimmed through everyone is a minimum of 160 lbs +. I have come to a realization that she could get better gearing and still have power in 5th. Bwahahaha. I feel so dumb.

Les do this over the New years !

Qasual, she should be flying on anything she rides at that size. lol.
goose, it is comfy, I rode it to work this morning and felt good. I think I need to lower it just a couple of inches to hit the sweet spot on my back.