Hallo from Sacramento

greatmaul · 11-09-2011, 10:42 PM

Hi!

I'm Frank, and I've got a 2000 GZ250 purchased just about a month ago with 6980 miles on it after an *exhausting* search on craigslist. I really loved the GZ and even though I looked at about 6 other kinds, I finally spotted one on my lunch break, right around the corner from where I work! I literally raced over there, looked at it, and handed the lady $1000 cash I had been carrying around for a week, giving her the other $350 and picking up the bike the next day in a pick up truck.

What a ride. I should say that I'd never ridden a motorcycle before, and I'm 40 *cough*plus*cough* years old already. I suppose that makes me something of a cliche, but so be it. I love the little bike, took the MSF BRC and got my license all within a few weeks.

I commute about 85 miles into Sacramento (170 miles round trip) and have done this 5 or 6 times now on the GZ. I really like it, and feel pretty ok on the freeway even though sometimes I have trouble getting it up to 65, much less 70. The bike came with a nice windshield and 2 saddle bags, which are all good, and since then I've added some MSR hand guards, which look like Mickey Mouse ears, but once I learned about wind chill at about 40 degrees ambient, I don't really care what they look like so long as they keep the feeling in my fingers!

I'm adding a trunk (Givi clone) and a nice tank bag (Icon Urban) all via eBay, and I've since upgraded my cold weather gear. The plan is to ride just about year round. My other car barely gets 30mpg so some of the impetus is financial. Anyways, thanks for all of the advice I've gleaned so far from the forums, which is a ton, and look forward to knowing some of y'all.

Ride safe!

Frank

blaine · 11-09-2011, 11:08 PM

Welcome to the family.Ride safe.

:cool:

Water Warrior 2 · 11-10-2011, 01:03 AM

Welcome Frank. That must be quite a commute on a GZ no matter what the weather. Mickey Mouse ears are a handy item to have when temps drop down. Lynda's GZ had handguards and Symtec grip heaters which worked very well for her. The grip heaters were on her gotta have list when she upgraded to a M-50 Suzuki 3 years later.

greatmaul · 11-10-2011, 01:25 AM

Thanks Blaine and WW!! I've had the heated grips suggested by another experienced rider I know and I might just have to do that. That one ride was really an eye opener for me about the hazards of cold temperatures, and right now that's about all we've got for the foreseeable future.

Water Warrior 2 · 11-10-2011, 01:45 AM

Californiasporttouring has Symtec grip heaters for 7/8th in bars. Wire them up with a relay triggered by the tail light circuit so they are automatically shut off whenever the key is off. The kit includes a hi/low switch too.

Gz Rider · 11-10-2011, 10:42 AM

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mole2 · 11-11-2011, 12:14 AM

Welcome to the forum from South Carolina. Ride safe.

11-09-2011, 10:42 PM	#1
greatmaul Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 296	Hallo from Sacramento Hi! I'm Frank, and I've got a 2000 GZ250 purchased just about a month ago with 6980 miles on it after an exhausting search on craigslist. I really loved the GZ and even though I looked at about 6 other kinds, I finally spotted one on my lunch break, right around the corner from where I work! I literally raced over there, looked at it, and handed the lady $1000 cash I had been carrying around for a week, giving her the other $350 and picking up the bike the next day in a pick up truck. What a ride. I should say that I'd never ridden a motorcycle before, and I'm 40 coughpluscough years old already. I suppose that makes me something of a cliche, but so be it. I love the little bike, took the MSF BRC and got my license all within a few weeks. I commute about 85 miles into Sacramento (170 miles round trip) and have done this 5 or 6 times now on the GZ. I really like it, and feel pretty ok on the freeway even though sometimes I have trouble getting it up to 65, much less 70. The bike came with a nice windshield and 2 saddle bags, which are all good, and since then I've added some MSR hand guards, which look like Mickey Mouse ears, but once I learned about wind chill at about 40 degrees ambient, I don't really care what they look like so long as they keep the feeling in my fingers! I'm adding a trunk (Givi clone) and a nice tank bag (Icon Urban) all via eBay, and I've since upgraded my cold weather gear. The plan is to ride just about year round. My other car barely gets 30mpg so some of the impetus is financial. Anyways, thanks for all of the advice I've gleaned so far from the forums, which is a ton, and look forward to knowing some of y'all. Ride safe! Frank Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-09-2011, 11:08 PM	#2
blaine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: P.E.I. Canada Posts: 3,784	Re: Hallo from Sacramento Welcome to the family.Ride safe. :cool: __________________ If at first you do succeed, try not to look surprised.
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11-10-2011, 01:03 AM	#3
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Hallo from Sacramento Welcome Frank. That must be quite a commute on a GZ no matter what the weather. Mickey Mouse ears are a handy item to have when temps drop down. Lynda's GZ had handguards and Symtec grip heaters which worked very well for her. The grip heaters were on her gotta have list when she upgraded to a M-50 Suzuki 3 years later. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-10-2011, 01:25 AM	#4
greatmaul Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 296	Re: Hallo from Sacramento Thanks Blaine and WW!! I've had the heated grips suggested by another experienced rider I know and I might just have to do that. That one ride was really an eye opener for me about the hazards of cold temperatures, and right now that's about all we've got for the foreseeable future.
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11-10-2011, 01:45 AM	#5
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Hallo from Sacramento Californiasporttouring has Symtec grip heaters for 7/8th in bars. Wire them up with a relay triggered by the tail light circuit so they are automatically shut off whenever the key is off. The kit includes a hi/low switch too. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-10-2011, 10:42 AM	#6
Gz Rider Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 852	Re: Hallo from Sacramento ... __________________ *Alert - This person is a douche. Use these comments and advice at your own risk*
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11-11-2011, 12:14 AM	#7
mole2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Longs, SC Posts: 1,469	Re: Hallo from Sacramento Welcome to the forum from South Carolina. Ride safe. __________________ 2009 V-Star 650 Silverado Pearl White 2007 Suzuki GZ250 Black (sold)
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