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I can relate, Karl. I'm not as wise or as disciplined as you, though. I keep getting lighter weight motor bikes, starting with Gold Wings, then finally scooters, now maybe my next scale-down will be an E-bike. Have you considered that option?

Your tech knowledge will be missed...and your sense of humor.

Stu

I've tried several and find the "motorcycle throttle wrist rest" the best compromise. It doesn't lock the throttle but allows you to lay your wrist on a lever rather than twisting your wrist, which is a big help to this arthritic geezer rider. You can get four of them for $7 on amazon, ebay has them, too. Easy to snap on or off and easy to adjust on the go.

I learned the hard way not to buy cheap Chinese belts: it disintegrated at 1000 miles. 

Thanks Mr. R, for the advice.

 When the rain stops and my back stops hurting I will follow your instructions and report back the results. The charging light did not improperly come on in the two times I used the bike since it happened so I am thinking your and Iahawk's advice is on the money and it's fairly easy to pull the plugs and check the connections.

BTW: I got an email from a fellow rider saying there is an ad on facebook listing two identical Downtowns for $1100 total. I'm not on facebook so I don't know if this info is useful or where they are located but I thought I'd pass on what seems a bargain....

Here's a puzzler: While riding on a smooth road yesterday at a constant 25mph the red charging light came on, then went off after a few seconds and did not come on again.  After I got home and parked I restarted the bike and the light did its normal on and off after a couple of seconds of running. The motor was running perfectly when this occurred.

This has never happened before and I'm completely befuddled as to possible causes.

The bike is a 2009 with 12K miles on it and has given flawless service other than needing a starter relay at 9K miles. I just checked the battery after sitting for 24 hours: 12.76 volts. I then started it and the light went off seconds later as it normally does.

I welcome all ideas on what could have caused this (so far) one time event, and suggestions on what to check or replace. I'd rather replace all suspected parts now, or at least order them now to have them ready, and not have my only scooter disabled while I wait for the correct part to get here. There's always room in my spares box for more GV250 parts.

Ah so...

The first GV250 I owned had what I thought was a bad muffler: loud and with baffles that rattled when I shook it or turned it end to end, so I replaced it with a good one and guess what? It still was as loud as the original muffler. Since then I've acquired two more GV250's and they were both the same: louder than I'd like. Since then I have lost about half my hearing so I guess getting old has its benefits...both bikes got quieter without my messing with them.

Maybe earplugs are your answer?

Greetings, Mr.Vango,

I hope you solve the problem(s) with your GV because I find the GV250 the perfect all around bike. Mine top out at 75 mph and are light enough for my 86 year old back to easily push around. I also like the retractable mirrors that allow me to squeeze through traffic in California, which is legal here. Mine have 12K and 22K miles on them and don't show any signs of old age yet. I didn't see black belt dust when I changed the belts and rollers, so perhaps the venting is good and this is normal for this model? I, too, had to replace the muffler on one of mine (the baffles were rattling around inside) but it didn't make any difference to the performance, and very little to the loudness. My GV's have a slightly loud bark even with good mufflers. I removed the lumbar supports, added a loud horn and a rear box, otherwise they are stock.

In addition to Ruffus's comprehensive list of possible solutions I would ask the seller if the bike had this lack of performance before it was parked and if not, assuming he's honest, then I'd look to all things fuel related. The three carbureted bikes I've rehabilitated after sitting more than a few months all had major fuel issues: rusty tank, clogged filter, gummed up carbs. I've had to re-clean a gummed up carb after failing on the first attempt. Did you soak it in carb cleaner overnight? Use high pressure air on passage ways? That varnish is tough to remove.

Good luck. Please keep us posted on your progress.

Stu