Suzuki Gz250 Top Speed

Well I am looking at getting a 2nd bike. I have a KLR and it is great, I only don't like it for city use so I was thinking about a scooter, but I saw this Suzuki GZ250 and now it is selling for a list price of $3K (same price as a new Elite and lower than a Zuma 125) so I said why not.
When to my dealer and it fits me nice, a lot better than any small cc scooter.

Any way, I want to ask owners and those who have use it about there likes and dislikes about the bike. Top speed? Mpg's? mods? maintenance? does it shake a lot? (being a single cylinder) I will used it as my daily transport for my 16 mile commute.

Thanks for all the info

Damasovi
Klay dreaming adventurer Super Supporter

I don't own one, but I took one for a test ride. It went 60 without any problem, and I didn't notice excessive vibration. Nice bike.
I own a Suzuki Tu250x . The GZ250 has the same bottom end and transmission , the GZ has 4 valves and a carb.
See gz250bike.com or Google Groups for more user info.

This engine has been around for 20 years and is bullet proof if you keep an eye on the oil level.
Mag MAn that is a nice site!! thanks
Damasovi
I also own a TU250X, and it is my daily driver. I won't ride it on the superslab, but around town it is great. 60mph is fine to cruise at, but any faster and you'd better be on a flat stretch with no wind. I've gotten it up to 80 indicated, but it took a while. I love the 75mpg average I've gotten in the 4000 miles I've ridden it. I think it is a good 2nd bike.
Some conversation going on over in the scooter forum about the scooter vs small cc bike choice.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=647273
We have a few GZ250s at our MSF site. I don't like them.
- "Weird" steering geometry that seems to cause falling into a turn at low speed.
- Abrupt throttle response
- Very touchy front brake
- Ugly as a mud fence (IMHO)
All of the "faults" can be compensated for by an experienced rider (except for the ugly part), but the bike isn't nearly as nice (or fun) as a 250 Rebel.
I concur, especially on the front brake which encourages an inexperienced rider to lock the front wheel before weight transfer can occur during a quick stop. I also used these when I was an MSF instructor and can attest that this bike was crashed more than any other on our range.
I would spend the extra dough to get the TU250.
I have a Rebel 250 with touring bits.
Small bikes like the Rebel and GZ are excellent for commuting around town and under 55MPH roads. Very easy to back into parking lots and to push around.

If your commute involves passing anyone, these 250's will not have enough torque to make quick passes. There is enough to get up to 50MPH, but once you go over 50, the speed increases very slowly.

The Rebels are easy to ride except it is hard to make tight U-turns due to the geometry. If you get a standard bike like a Nighthawk 250 or a TU250, they will be easier.

If you have the cash, go for the TU250. You get fuel injection and a standard riding position. Almost all reviews of this bike are very positive.
I rode the GZ during my MSF course. Although my experience aided in not dropping the bike, it was the only bike with broken mirrors, dented tanks, road rash to boot. I cant speek for the road manners of the bike, as we never exceeded 25MPH.
+1
We have the same opinion at our MSF site. The GZ not a well liked machines. There are better small displacement bikes out there. The Ninja 250, Kawasaki Eliminator and Honda Night Hawk 250 are all better bikes IMHO.
TheSweep Adventurer

Joined:

Aug 9, 2010

Oddometer:

98

Location:

WV

I ride a TU250, hard and almost every day, but less now that the snow won't leave. I ride it as a daily bike and I ride it on weekend tours. So far it has been a dream.
Thanks guys, the TU is a nicer option, more retro, how ever the extra $1,000 USD makes it out of reach, also for the same money as the TU you could buy a Ninja 250 (also the TU is not CA legal) not better, just better for me.
Thanks for all the input and will like to read more!!

damasovi
I shopped around and found a new 2009 TU250 165 miles away for $3,330 not including tax and tags. Bargains may be out there , but act quickly or it's gone!!
Klay dreaming adventurer Super Supporter

There's a ride report somewhere where a guy rode his GZ from Arizona or New Mexico to Alaska and back. It's a good solid little bike. I want to add that during my test ride, I was impressed by the fit and finish of the bike.
My first bike was a 2001 GZ and even though the previous owner(s) plenty well thrashed the bike; I rode it for 18 months no problems. After trading to a larger bike, I let a friend ride it. He was ~250lb and the GZ would cruise all day at 55 - 65mph.
I picked up a GZ last year (leftover '09), myself. I've had a blast on it, but it's my only bike and I'm thinking of swapping it out for something bigger/more-versatile (I miss my mini-tours)
Some thoughts:
--It's got a >200 mile tank, and a <100 mile seat. There are no aftermarket ones, but I've seen some decent DIY's.
--First gear is crazy short and fifth is crazy tall. Get out of first quickly and ride it like a 4 speed with an overdrive -- save fifth for cruising on the flats.
--It has trouble holding speed on steep hills. You basically pick which gear you want to max out (5th doesn't count) and you get what you get.
--The engine is straight out of a 1980's UJM -- it pulls hardest north of 6000 RPM, but redlines at 8k. Below 6k, it behaves like it looks -- a cruiser.
--You can run the highway on it...barely. It's not fun. 55 is quite comfortable, though.
--It does buzz a bit when it's wrung out, but not unacceptably so, and for ordinary running around I don't notice it.

"Daily rider" is about the perfect job for the little GZ, I think, especially as a second bike, when you've got something bigger for going long distances.

The MSF pile-on going on earlier in the thread is a surprise to me -- I've never been more comfortable on a bike in traffic. Maybe it's just that it's so light and low, but it's very unintimidating. I just wish it had 30 horsepower instead of 20, but what can you do? (I could've gotten a ninjette, but wanted something simple. And they don't get much simpler than the GZ, unless you like to pedal.)

Hope that helps,
-rune-
Rune, first WELCOME!! and
Thanks for the information, this is the kind I was looking for a lot of detail!

I can imagen having a very low first, my 250 (that I had and the recession took) was like that, but it had a 6th.

For the seat there is always your local upholstery guy or a sheepskin, also I am not looking into doing 500 mile days on it, just my 16 mile (split into 2) commute, and it will be my 2nd bike and just maybe, a learner bike for my wife.

Thanks everybody

Damasovi
Look for a used TU250.
They were not expensive new, and seem to show up used as people outgrow them.
I tend to smaller under powered bikes, old ones, and its fun riding like you are in a road race all the time, without the tickets and points.....
After my bad crash, I decided to sell the dr650, and the 1200 sportster and get something smaller and lighter for the street.
I would love something like a TU350, but might get a guzzi V7 classic as its supposed to be light and comfortable.
While the V7 is under powered, its a monster compared to the TU250.
Both are fuel injected, and both don't lend themselves to power upgrades being limited in the valve and cam departments.
What I would REALLY love is a modern version of the old 1970 Triumph Daytona with a 5 or 6 speed trans.
350 pounds, comfortable, good handling, good for 2 up, good mpg, 4 stroke twin.

There is a video of a tu250 in Taiwan, it likely has a carb and louder exhaust, and the bike looks fun, fast enough, and it sounds great!

After break in, most people report the TU will run at 70 mph fine, while getting 70 plus mpg, and it should be reliable as a stone, and cheap to run.
People have reported running on the interstate at 75 mph for hours.

Be sure to check out the TU250 thread in thumpers.
new reply
i own one

55-60 is its comfort zone, tops out but its screaming at 72 indicated , suffers into headwinds like all 250s

but its solid little engine, just keeps thumping along

if you are happy to toddle around at these speeds then its a great little bike