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Post by bwader on May 26, 2014 12:30:54 GMT -5
Wanted to update on this forum, With the 16T front sprocket I average about 60-62mpg,max speed 60-65mph with 65mpg if I take it easy and go 55mph max.
I'm so happy with this bike, I don't have to tinker with it daily or constantly check the carb. intake and hoses for leaks or cracks. I always felt like I had a never ending endeavor to get another mph top end by getting a better than stock part. The 150cc scooter I had I spent 1,200 with taxes and dmv fees and probably spent another 500 on better parts and the GZ250 cost me 1,800 with 5,000 miles. It needed a new tire and front brake pads and chain cleaned but it didn't cost me much to get it good. $60 for a shinko rear tire and $15 RIDE ON tire sealant/ balancer was worth it. Brake pads were $12 and changed brake fluid and changed oil.
I just know its well worth it to take a little time on craigslist and shop around for used bikes. The quality and ride is way better too. Riding at night is much brighter with a single motorcycle headlamp.
I don't like adding too much to a bike and keep it simple. Might get a new windshield for this bike in time when I have $100 to spare. But as I'm riding more time on the highway I'm looking into getting a slightly bigger bike in the next few years. At least when I get my moneys worth from this bike which should be a long time. I can maintain 65mph in 5th gear and hit 72mph in 4th gear at higher rpms if needed. I weigh 250 pounds too.
At 7,500 miles now, changed oil and filter, greased and cleaned chain, cleaned air filter and ran carb cleaner through the carberator fuel line til it ran out of gas then on straight carb cleaner until it ran out and did it once more. New spark plug and it runs a little better and starts up easier even when is colder out. |
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Virginia
by: bwader - Sept 27, 2013 10:54:08 GMT -5
Post by bwader on Sept 27, 2013 10:54:08 GMT -5
Chesapeake I ride a Suzuki GZ 250 sold my old 150cc earlier this year. Though can't beat stop and go riding on a scooter.
I just commute 40+ miles a day to work near N.C. line in chesapeake and little trips to the redbox.
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Post by bwader on Sept 22, 2013 15:36:19 GMT -5
When I thought I saw it all!
I did a 13inch scooter tire last year and my Suzuki GZ 250 yesterday using just tire irons and dish soap.
Doesn't take too much effort if you do it right. Though does take a little muscle or leverage at times.
I stood on the old tire after taking out the valve core and soaped up the tire and stood on the sides and flipped over and broke the bead with my body weight.
If you don't want to use soap people use baby power too to do it dry too.
Can't say I'd use a bunch of big zip ties to do this on my next tire change.
But DIY can save yourself a lot of money and give you a headache too. More often than not. But when you get it done its all worth it to save $40 or I'm sure it costs more dollars paying somebody else to do it.
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Post by bwader on Sept 19, 2013 18:16:13 GMT -5
I wouldn't want to have to deal with 4 different scooters or motorcycles. One is enough maybe two. That would be a lot of licensing fees, inspections, and up keep every year to have all those kinds of vehicles.
The way to go is just pick the best fit for your situation.
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Post by bwader on Sept 17, 2013 15:42:07 GMT -5
I can go 66mph gps on my GZ 250, it takes time to get there but it gets there.
55-60mph is good cruising speed I like to go 40-45 in 5th or 35mph is pushing it a little in 5th.
I got behind a semi and got to 71mph yesterday
I weigh 240 pounds so if I lost weight I could go faster and better mileage.
Today it was very windy and I only got to 60mph WOT and 55mph on the low end. Bike is all stock and 5,300 miles. Most days I can go 60mph and above pretty easy, just takes time to get there.
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Post by bwader on Sept 16, 2013 15:57:14 GMT -5
I reread these again. The most I'd do to my Suzuki is put on the 16 tooth sprocket to get a little better gas mileage.
Got 60mpg riding gentler except when I have someone behind me.
scootnwinn has a good point the engineers know what they are doing, or else they wouldn't be there.
I'm just agreeing with the idea that Japanese bikes were designed for more city stop and go riding than riding continuous speeds closer to 55mph.
Can't really complain I got 60mpg but I want to get the best I can reasonably.
Truck people that don't ride 2 wheels don't like hearing us trying to get better mileage when they get much worse.
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Post by bwader on Sept 15, 2013 20:56:00 GMT -5
I forgot to mention that I finally got passed inspection last Monday. In Virginia and N.C. on motorcycles THEY DO NOT need TURNSIGNALS! to pass state inspection BUT, IF THEY are installed THEY GOT TO WORK! So easy solution was I took them off, got inspected then put them back on when I got home.  If anyone does have a problem with turn signals find out your local inspection station procedures and rules. There might be a loop hole you didn't know. My problem people have when switching to LED bulbs or using the wrong wattage bulbs. There is a diode kit for metric bikes I got off J&P cycles that I got that is specific to the problem. But I haven't got the kit to work on my bike yet. I have been enjoying riding and less troubleshooting. After all I spent a month doing that! |
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Post by bwader on Sept 15, 2013 20:49:06 GMT -5
I just now read this last post. I feel a lot the same prodigit about engine size and gas mileage.
I just filled up this morning with a little over 3 gallons. I tell you its nice to have a reserve option to switch to. I was riding on the 55mph highway on my way to work and my bike cut out. I hadn't practiced where to reach to switch it without looking so I just pulled over.
GZ has a 2.9 gallon tank before having to go to reserve. And reserve is 0.8 gallons.
I got 57mpg and went 167miles to switch to reserve then 176 miles when I got to the gas station near work.
I got up to 67mph max speed on gps though from now on I'm just going the speed limit or lowest revs in the highest gear.
I can tell you that the ride is a lot better than the 150cc china scooter I had and less bumpy. On gravel though I preferred the scooter I guess it had a lower center of gravity and weight and on the GZ I feel like I'm going to slide and fall over in gravel. Its more I'm getting used to riding to/from work where I have some gravel to go around.
Prodigit, that answered my question, it just seemed like when reading stories people write about it they love it but its a trade off where 5th gear is less usable.
I want to ride in 4th to get to high speed then shift up to 5th to maintain the same speed at a lower rpm. Sounds normal and ordinary saying that way.
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Post by bwader on Aug 17, 2013 20:46:48 GMT -5
I know the gas mileage on those isn't as good as on the TUxies. Especially the older ones, need a good Carburetor setup, for better gas mileage. Like with almost every bike on the planet, your bike will probably run nicer with 4-5 tooth less on the rear sprocket, so I'd recommend a sprocket change. From what I've read there are two main camps about sprocket changes 15 to a 16 tooth or one tooth more in front. 1st camp: Believes that 5th gear is rendered useless but all the other gears are a better range. 2nd camp: It is so much better overall and 5th gear is at lower rpms although top speed is unchanged. Something like that. Pretty much all gearing changes are "shifted" up in speed a little. I know from riding my GZ around 1st to 2nd is a few feet or 10mph 2nd to 3rd is 20-30 4th to 5th is 30mph-40mph 5th 40mph+ I think I might just keep it simple for a while |
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Post by bwader on Aug 17, 2013 20:38:17 GMT -5
When you attempted to jump it did anything happen at all? If absolutely nothing then you may have blown the main fuse or had that bad connectionn that you were looking for fail completely from trying to find it. After I got the jumpstart cables on right it turned over but no start. It was the vacuum line on the fuel petcock, it was off. I got a new battery for piece of mind and it was 40 bucks. Read more: itistheride.boards.net/index.cgi?action=display&board=250u&thread=3668&page=1#ixzz2cHSIesdb |
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Post by bwader on Aug 8, 2013 11:18:27 GMT -5
Well it was worth a try going to that Harley shop. Even though they are a Certified Inspection Station with that sign and all they DO NOT WORK on IMPORTS. At least the guy was nice about it and told me another place nearby I could go.
Walking outside there was an old man about 70-80 and was standing there looking at my bike and shook my hand.
He helped me and took off the headlight and checked all the connections. Checked all over the bike taking some panels off and looking for that bad ground.
Must have spent 45min to an hour checking stuff. And told me of a good place to go and how to get there. I thanked him multiple times. And started up bike and rode down the rode about a mile or so and.....
Engine died I must have been in too high of gear and downshifted but fail and ended up pushing it to the nearest gas station.
Asked people if they had jumper cables and nobody did. Called my girlfriend who came by with my jumper cables I know work. And no luck at all. I had ignition on to and NEG to NEG. Then remembered that one of them negatives got to go to the frame. Still no luck.
So I'm cooling off at home with my bike at a gas station, going to drive back there and try again with my car. And move my bike so it doesn't get towed. I don't know how old the battery is but to be sure I'm buying a new battery for it, I'm not messing around. If the one on there now is good after charging I'll have a spare.
Then I can try ONCE AGAIN at a different SHOP!
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Post by bwader on Aug 7, 2013 23:15:31 GMT -5
Yeah bad ground is the common thing I'm hearing. I took apart the headlamp to take a look at all the connections and just made an appointment at a Harley Davidson (closest other motorcycle shop is 10 miles farther) shop for tomorrow for them to fix.
Having trouble putting the cover back on the headlamp. 2 screws at left and right bottoms its harder than I thought to line them up and put it in.
I'm not the type to take something in but I want to ride in to work Friday so I'm willing to pay someone else some money.
I've done enough DIY, this a pro can take care of it.
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Post by bwader on Aug 7, 2013 17:42:15 GMT -5
As in the long 6+ page post about the TU250X I got its cruiser style brother the GZ.
Got it with 5,008 miles some rust on the chain, came off with chain lube after a ride and more chain lube. Tires were low 10 in front and 15psi in rear.
I put about 26 miles taking it home, drove there with a friend who drove my car behind me. (insured,trip permit, bill of sale, and no license plates and expired inspection) But mainly to be there just in case.
I went about 65mph indicated and still had more left, just was getting it home safe and keeping with traffic on the highway.
Only problem is the turn signals both blink alternating. Hit left it blinks left brighter than the other side.
So I'm on the GZ250bike forums now. I just wanted to post on here I miss this forum and the people.
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Post by bwader on Jul 18, 2013 15:30:53 GMT -5
So I found a GZ-250 Suzuki 2005 with 5,000 miles on craigslist that I contacted the guy and he still has it and I told him I plan on checking it out in a week of so....If it isn't sold by then. Its more of a cruiser stance which I like. norfolk.craigslist.org/mcy/3826853783.html |
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Post by bwader on Jul 18, 2013 15:19:44 GMT -5
On my old 150cc the rear lasted about 3,000 miles before the middle got bare without tread so I replaced it.
Then I went 3 miles and the engine blew!
They were Kei Rin tires I believe, some crap like that.
Front had plenty of tread!
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