Suzuki tu250x, the proper bike for everyone

They had one of these at my MSF safety course, still kicking myself for not asking to make it my assigned bike: I prefer 'traditional' bikes to the sport or cruiser style, and I've become quite fascinated by the Suzuki. It's only 250cc, but apparently is capable of highway speeds, is light and flickable, and has fuel injection and a front disc brake (things the frequently recommended Honda Nighthawk does not). Reading commentary from people who have bought one, it is often one of their favorite bikes in spite of it's small displacement. The classic good looks of a 1970s Honda CB without the age, carbs and drum brakes. I may have to keep my eyes open for one (it could be the enticement the wife needs to try riding, since she despises my 'ugly' KLR). Anybody have experience with one?

I looked at them. It is a pretty good bike, much better than a Honda Rebel. They don't seem very popular; my local Suzuki dealers had several new '09s in stock.

My main concern is FI on a small, inexpensive bike. When that fuel pump dies, it is a $250 part. That's gonna hurt when the bike gets old and is only worth a grand.

I ride a CM 200T TwinStar. I wanted a Tu250. If only to do this:

That's a cool looking little bike! I like it.

You see a lot of used ones for sale. I dunno why.

In reply to ddavidv:

Brand newbie here; just stumbled upon Grassroots Motorsports.

FWIW, I've owned 30+ nice bikes- a pretty wide assortment- over the past 40+ years, and my '09 TU250 is one of my top 3 all-time favs.

Check out the TU thread at http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=414302 if you're interested in the bike.

(Disclaimer: I assume no responsibility if you find yourself begging/borrowing money or selling your current ride while crazily looking for a TU after reading thru' the 300+ pages of positive posts on that advrider forum. ; )

I'm on ADV (same name as here, btw) and have slogged through maybe half the TU250 thread. It's definitely on the short list and is position 1 if the spouse decides to try riding. Just waiting for that cheap used one to come along that nobody wants because "it's just a 250".

ddavidv wrote: Just waiting for that cheap used one to come along that nobody wants because "it's just a 250".

This is one of those things I never figured out...when I started riding, a beginner bike was a 50 or a 90, most people graduated up to a 250 or 350, and anything 500 or bigger was a touring bike. I remember my brother riding his GT550 Suzuki from Minnesota to Massachusetts and back.

spitfirebill wrote: You see a lot of used ones for sale. I dunno why.

Really? Where?

I've test ridden one, if only because they're so damn cool looking plus the reviews in the TU250X thread linked above on ADVRider.

I liked it pretty well. Comfortable seat, great ergo's, smooth riding, pretty good suspension, felt really relaxed and comfortable cruising around, and was fun up to around 80mph on the highway, extremely nimble on back roads. Gearing was spot on imo. It was a very fun and communicative bike to ride.

But...

Its slow. Its really really really awfully slow. Acceleration is glacial, and that might be a bit of a harsh judgement on glaciers. The motor is absolutely flat from idle to redline, and twisting past half throttle really doesn't net any additional acceleration. All it really can do is loaf along at a slow to moderate pace and makes the 250 I ride every day feel like a moto GP bike power wise. If they had made it able to get out of its own way I'd buy one in a heartbeat... really needs to be a 300 or 350 or just be tuned for more than 17hp... In a perfect world I'd like to see a small 300-500cc twin in it, leaving the rest the same including the weight.

In 2011 there's no reason bikes like this shouldn't make WR250r power.

Appleseed wrote:

This makes me trousers tight. I have always wanted something like that. I would put it on a shelf in my den during the winter. Art.

ddavidv- inquire @ the MSF. They do not keep the bikes long and they can probably tell you which dealers they sell them off to. The local Suzuki dealer here (a few years ago) had made a deal and had 10 SV650s that had only been used for the school. They were offered at a very good price and had low, low miles. BTW, she might be a bit more willing to try a "cute" scooter. No need to get all that complicated shifting and clutching- just twist and go. Twist more and go faster. Mrs. Mini had a very nice KZ400 but it mostly sat in the garage. When we bought a 250 Honda scooter, she would ask me if I wanted to go out for a ride! We just sold it and she's now got a Yamaha Majesty- and wants to plan a trip on it for next year.

@ Minimac....hell2paradise or what ever it is we do next summer?

spitfirebill wrote: You see a lot of used ones for sale. I dunno why.

Because a 250cc street bike is redundant with scooters and they have a grocery shelf?

If I wanted a vintage look bike with small displacement and low power, why wouldn't I just buy a vintage bike?

Exactly...the only reason I'd buy a new bike that looks old is if it put out some serious power. 50hp out of a 250cc? Sure, I'm in.

17hp? I'll buy a scooter that my girlfriend can ride.

There is reliability to consider when shopping a new small bike vs. a used older small bike. An older bike with a comparable sized motor will, on average, not be as reliable. This bike will also be new as opposed to being ridden or neglected for the last 10 - 20 years.

Appleseed wrote:

spitfirebill wrote: You see a lot of used ones for sale. I dunno why.

Really? Where?

Probably advrider.

Why a new "old" bike? Fuel injection and disc brake(s). While I can tolerate a carb on my KLR, for something my missus would ride I'd much rather have the injection. My old CB350 that I tinkered with for awhile had carb issues, and while not impossible to deal with, they were a headache. It's also nice to be able to buy your parts at a dealer instead of trolling eBay. I've got an old British car to satisfy that aspect.

My wife thinks scooters are ghey. Having rode a couple, I don't see the appeal. Not having that tank to press your knees against for stability is really disconcerting to me.

The MSF bikes go to a auction here, which is probably a place where they could be bought cheap. But, the timing of that coinciding with me being ready to pounce is unlikely to cross at the right time. I just saw a few of the bikes lined up for an upcoming sale, so my guess is they only 'off' them at the end of the season. Not happening this year.

ddavidv wrote: My wife thinks scooters are ghey.

LOL, but a 250cc clone of a 1970s UJM is coolio like PBR and Coldplay

If I wanted a new classic standard I'd look at a Harley, Triumph, or search for one of those few W650's floating around stateside...

PHeller wrote: one of those few W650's floating around stateside...

I always thought they were cool but they're so rare. I have never seen one in the flesh.

Xceler8x wrote:

PHeller wrote: one of those few W650's floating around stateside...

I always thought they were cool but they're so rare. I have never seen one in the flesh.

I have one in my garage. My brother has one too. They're good bikes except that the carburetors are really really sensitive to bad gas...they get plugged up at the drop of a hat.

PHeller wrote: If I wanted a new classic standard I'd look at a Harley, Triumph, or search for one of those few W650's floating around stateside...

I don't think you could buy those for the price of a TU250X. A Sportster is hardly the same riding experience.