The Nifty 250 - Suzuki TU250X Review

A simple, classic motorcycle is hard to come by in today's world, without having to go back into the old barn to dust off grandads CB360T.  Besides buying a possible rust bucket with an abusive past for cheap,  what other options do you have? Luckily, Suzuki has the general market  covered. Starting in 1994, Suzuki launched the TU250 ( also known as the Volty or ST250 ). 

A bike that could be owned for a few GST checks, the  TU250 stays retro and pays respect to older gen treasures without  overdoing it. The design all the way through the bike is simple. A 5 speed transmission drives the 250CC air cooled engine, while a relaxed  16 ponies pull everything along comfortably. 

Simple cluster layout for the bare minimum,  you have a speedometer  with trip reading and that's all ( no revs here ). The seat height is a  comfortable 30 inches, and foot controls have you sitting upright and  straight. 90/90 tires upfront, 110/90 rear, both 18 inch rims. Chrome  accents are tastefully placed on this bike, giving some cruisers a run  for their money. A single disk brake is at the front, while a classic drum slows things down in the rear. Suzuki must have thought that's all you needed for stopping power when you are only halting 326lbs.  Finally, from 2009 - 2019, they added an ECU and Fuel Injection system making this little guy start up hassle free. 

For just under $4,500, you cannot get anything more retro and fun than this little Suzuki TU250X.

Personal Notes: This bike is not a speed demon, and should not be treated as such or asked much more of what it CAN do. That being said, using each of those gears for all they have will show you the spirit that this little guy has. Gears used as such feel more as a playful pull then revved out suicide. 90km/h no problem, 110km/h yes, but give it time. On a straight away you can get the little thumper up to 120, but it will definitely start to complain. I went up a tooth in the front sprocket so that it wouldn't have an anxiety attack when pushed above 100+. 

The transmission is buttery smooth. Going up through the gears or down is responsive, quick and without hiccups. No false neutrals to complain about. The stock exhaust is a hefty 13lbs, I put on a BROGUE Motorcycles slip, reducing the weight by 7lbs. 

16 HP feels a lot more explosive on this one lunger due to the dual throttle valves at play. Off idle the bike is explosive for a small 250. Feels more like in the 20+ HP range. The suspension is a tad too squishy, only having small adjustments in the rear preload. With a passenger on the back you will feel the bike flop about unless you max out the 1-5 adjustment on the rear.

#Suzuki #TU250X #Cafe #Vintage #ProCycle #Classic #Retro #250cc #SuzukiCanada

Aftermarket parts added to Enrique's bike (pictured): Bar end mirrors, Dart Flyscreen smoke windscreen, Brogue Motorcycles slip W/Booster plug, 100/90 - 120/80 18" Shinko E705 tires, 16T-43T sprockets

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Author: Enrique Flores-Smith
Photo Credit: Enrique Flores-Smith

Want to learn more about the TU250X? Click HERE!