I did mean that, thanks.

I ride my bike to and from school every day and it's perfectly comfortable and doesnt effect the ride. Granted i'm 5'6" and 150 lbs, so theres not much weight difference and the bottom of the pack usually rests on the passenger seat. However, as with what dupo said, I used one of the bungee nets (you can get them at walmart in the automotive section for 12 bucks) to strap my backpack to the passenger seat for my ride from Orlando to Pensacola and back and it worked like a charm. The only difference is that I hooked my net to the underside of the passenger seat instead of the fender. Takes a little more effort because you have to kinda wiggle the hooks in to get them in the narrow crack between the seat and the fender, but it worked just fine.

I really appreciate all the ideas and links. Will have to try some of them out over the weekend. Great advice is everywhere here! Thanks SO MUCH!

Well, still....hooking to the fender wont break it.

I'd say go for the saddle bags ... much more room to put things. Ebay can get you some cheap (like 40 bucks) bags, but just know to not get them wet! They are cheap for a reason but if you take care of them they can last. I had a set of them and i got stuck in about 4 rain storms and they started warping real bad.

If you want to spend the money, get a GOOD set of thick leather bags. I have a set of saddleman for my spirit and wouldnt trade them for anything. Not that i can use them anymore, but still.. lol.

On my trip to the N. Georgia mountains, I strapped a full size suitcase, loaded to the gills (weighted about 80 pounds) and used the turn signal brackets as the supports. They give just enough to hold it on. I rode it almost 1100 miles with the suitcase strapped to the brackets; it never moved and this included interstate travel.

I turned the suitcase length across the seat, used bungee cords and used the rear shocks as my connector to the front, strapped the bungee cord over the suitcase, and used the rear turn signal brackets as the rear support. I then strapped bungee cords from the left side fender trim over the top to the right side fender trim.
A picture of me with it on doing the dragon is here: http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/OrderPa ... &po=176&c=

dont laugh, my bungee cords where all different colors, but they worked.

lol david, that made for one heck of a back rest! Now thats the way to pack up a GZ :)

I FINALLY ordered some saddlebags and bracket supports this morning. I cannot wait to get them and use them! DH Bought me a windshield that arrived yesterday, and we installed it last night. YAY! I cannot find a sissy bar for the gz250 that I like, so may either wait on that or do without altogether. The stock sissy bars for the gz are just too "uptown" for my taste. I would really love to have one that would fit made of plain tubular steel, with NO pad, and perhaps some scrollwork. I have seen some on Ebay, but DH says they are not angled in a manner that will fit my bike. (BOO HOO!) Anyhow, anyone got a sissy bar that is not stock? Or anyone have opinions on going with a sissy bar versus going without? Sorry for all the questions, but I am a NEWBIE! LOL!

I'm still searching for the "perfect" shield for the GZ. Got a small one but think I'd like something a little larger. What kind did you get? Any chance of some pix ?

Easy Rider: DH is looking up the paperwork now........It is an HD-O universal Harley shield, manufactured by slipstreamer, inc. Got it on Ebay from a seller called thecycleking. (that's his seller username) I do not have photos yet, but if you do a search on Ebay, you will find it. It was shipped very fast, DH says he ordered it on Tuesday and it was here on Friday!!! I took my first ride with the windshield installed last night, and I LOVE IT!!! We rode into our local town for gas, and then to a local restaurant for dinner. It was a blast! And much easier since the wind was not shifting my helmet and glasses around so much. I really LOVE this windshield!!! Hope this helps.

OH! And he has an Ebay store called Harber's Cycle Parts. The title of the auction DH won is 99-06 Suzuki GZ250 GZ 250 Boulevard CMP Windshield

Perhaps he has others......his store has contact info and phone numbers you can call, but he is closed Sunday and Monday. Lemme know how it works out for ya!