Author Topic: Suzuki TU250 (Read 2460 times)

Swampman · « **on:** December 03, 2011, 01:01:50 PM »

I really like these little TU250s.
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/TU250X/2012/TU250X.aspx

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #1 on:** December 03, 2011, 02:28:20 PM »

Holy buckets it's 1975 all over again.

I agree, except $4 large seems to be too much for fun and nostalgia. I ought to be looking at a KZ900 not a 250 single.

Swampman · « **Reply #2 on:** December 03, 2011, 02:47:50 PM »

At 80mpg the pain would ease pretty quickly. I sold my Harley because it only got 40mpg and had to use premium.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2011, 02:59:03 PM »

I am loathe to admit this but a 250 would be wholly inappropriate for my rather large ... frame. Had a 250 in 1978 and it was a bit small, now the 900 that was a very nice size.

KansasKawboy · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2011, 06:40:23 PM »

I bought a used 2009 in February. It was a MSF bike, the dealer sold it to me at the used 09 price and since it had never been titled I got the warranty. I'm 5'9" and have artritis in my knees so it is a good bike for me as it's light and easy to ride. I mainly use it to ride to work. It will do interstate speeds but not if there are hills or a head wind. I did ride it half way across Kansas with a 30 mph cross wind this summer. I have gotten as low as 60 mpg with a lot of wind and as high as77 mpg. It's a fun but slow bike that always makes me smile.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2011, 06:55:57 PM »

They seem to out perform scooters in every way. A full size street bike with 18" wheels and lots of chrome. I had a Kawasaki KL 250 with similar performance. I think the top speed was 75 mph.

Cheese

Swampman · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2011, 12:27:05 AM »

I have a 6 mile commute. The max speed limit is 55 but that only for a couple of hundred yards. I wish more companies would 1970 style singles and vertical twins. I like the Triumphs and Royal Enfields too but they are too expensive IMO.

hillbill · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2011, 02:47:44 AM »

sweet vintage look! sounds like it be perfect for what your goin to do with it also. have you looked at or rode any dual sport bikes? they are a blast on the road and very nice for messing around in the woods also.

Swampman · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2011, 03:03:00 AM »

I had a KLR650 but it didn't work very well in our soft sand. The KLR250 seems nice.

pastorp · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2011, 04:09:50 AM »

Swampy,

When you sold your sporster I thought you said it was because a bud of yours was in a bad crash & you could not aford to miss that much work. Now you say it was due to the fuel cost..

Interesting how your stories unfold.

Regards,

cwlongshot · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2011, 05:29:18 AM »

I agree retro for sure!!

Looks like my first too, but mine was a Honda 175 IIRC... I also had a Suzuki 150 twin!!! It was a 60's bike. Never got to ride it did not run wham I bought it. Rebuilt the engine and then clutch was bad. Changed than and it would only shift out of first to neutral. Sold it.

I'm like you swamp, 15 mi round trip commute but I'm all back roads. I want back into bikes and am looking at a light nimble enduro style bike for this.

CW

Swampman · « **Reply #11 on:** December 04, 2011, 08:05:43 AM »

Quote from: pastorp on December 04, 2011, 04:09:50 AM

Swampy,

When you sold your sporster I thought you said it was because a bud of yours was in a bad crash & you could not aford to miss that much work. Now you say it was due to the fuel cost.. Interesting how your stories unfold.

Regards,

Interesting that we are only allowed to have one reason for doing something. I'll check with you before posting things in the future.

hillbill · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2011, 01:32:54 PM »

there are so many bikes on the market i dont even know how a guy would make up his mind.id have to go with a 400cc dual sport or bigger if i got rid of the old electra glide.a lot of times when your riding, acceleration can get yu out of trouble, with my bigger frame,6' 230 lbs i find a 400cc or more has what it takes. let us know what yu get and im sure yu will enjoy riding again!

dstegjas · « **Reply #13 on:** December 04, 2011, 01:41:43 PM »

I have always liked the retro look of the 70's. In 1975 I purchased a used 1972 Suzuki GT750 right out of high school. I am surprised I survived those days. In my mid 50's now, I have the Harley Road king parked in the garage. I also picked up a 1976 GT750 that needed some TLC earlier this year. I am in the process of cleaning it up and getting it back on the road. Come this spring, I should have the new and the old bike to have some fun on.

Jim

hillbill · « **Reply #14 on:** December 04, 2011, 01:57:41 PM »

Quote from: dstegjas on December 04, 2011, 01:41:43 PM

I have always liked the retro look of the 70's. In 1975 I purchased a used 1972 Suzuki GT750 right out of high school. I am surprised I survived those days. In my mid 50's now, I have the Harley Road king parked in the garage. I also picked up a 1976 GT750 that needed some TLC earlier this year. I am in the process of cleaning it up and getting it back on the road. Come this spring, I should have the new and the old bike to have some fun on.

Jim

is that the one they called the water buffalo?seems like a buddy of mine may have one of those he is fixing to part out.they were a awesum bike!

dstegjas · « **Reply #15 on:** December 04, 2011, 03:31:35 PM »

Yes, they called it the water buffalo because it was the first or at least one of the first bikes with a radiator.

It is an awesome bike. The big three cylinder bikes of the day could fly. I had mine up to 120 mph and backed off. That's just way to fast on two wheels.

Jim

Cheesehead · « **Reply #16 on:** December 04, 2011, 04:52:02 PM »

Quote from: dstegjas on December 04, 2011, 03:31:35 PM

Yes, they called it the water buffalo because it was the first or at least one of the first bikes with a radiator.

It is an awesome bike. The big three cylinder bikes of the day could fly. I had mine up to 120 mph and backed off. That's just way to fast on two wheels.

Jim

Yes, water cooled 2 stroke engine, the guy next door had one back in the 70's. Sounded and smoked like a chain saw, but it was fast.

Cheese

pastorp · « **Reply #17 on:** March 30, 2012, 05:36:46 AM »

Hay Swampy,
Did you buy a bike yet? Interested in what you may have bough for your commute...

I know in Florida you can ride year round. At least I always did when I lived there.

Regards,

Swampman · « **Reply #18 on:** March 30, 2012, 08:27:19 AM »

I haven't...so many of my friends have been hurt or killed, my wife really doesn't want me to buy another one.

hillbill · « **Reply #19 on:** March 31, 2012, 01:11:15 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on March 30, 2012, 08:27:19 AM

I haven't...so many of my friends have been hurt or killed, my wife really doesn't want me to buy another one.

swampy, do you live in a high population area like a big city? if you do i can see your point.where i live its pretty low traffic with plenty of places to dodge to.many of my freinds are bikers but they dont wreck much. occasionally i venture into big towns and am glad my bike has the hp to outrun trouble.oh and good brakes too!

pastorp · « **Reply #20 on:** April 02, 2012, 04:30:06 AM »

The problem we all have as riders is that everything on the road is much bigger than we are.

And a lot of drivers don't even see us. Years ago, Like in the early 70s, I was sitting at a 4way stop in a residental neighborhood. I was on a Hodaka , it was red & chrome. I was wearing a bright blue down jacket and a black helment with flames on it. I thought I was very visable.

A older gentelman was on my right at the 4way stop. It was his turn so i sat there waiting as he proceded to make his left hand turn. When it became obvious he was cutting the turn short and would take me out if he continued on his present course, I yelled at him. He had his window down fortunally, and he looked my way and saw me for the first time. He did stop a few feet from me. He said where did you come from.

I informed him I had been sitting there the whole time. I don't think he believed me.

Lets face it, If we don't drive defenseviely we will be injured or killed. I've been ridding about 45 years. I've gone down twice without serious injury. And avoided beeing run over more times than I like to remember. I guess when It starts to bother you it's time to give it up.

I understand how you & your wife feel Swampy. My family was not happy when I bough My last 2 bikes. They talked it over & informed my it was time to quit. I'm 66 and too stuborn to quit.I guess although I know I probably should.

Regards,

cwlongshot · « **Reply #21 on:** April 02, 2012, 08:15:54 AM »

I started riding in high shoool, I had a Kawasaki enduro my parents did not even know.
A year or so later, I bought a Suzuki twin needing a "carb" rebuild. It really was a beauty and I would love to have it to restore now!!! It was a 150 twin blk and silver early 60's vintage. The "carb of corse turned into two then the upper cylinders and the clutch when the tranny did not shift properly I u loaded it. I had one on and off until I bought my friends Virago 750. I had that the longest, about 5 years. I was putting it away one year, it was a nice late October day. Gas off just going around the block. Old man looki g right at me pulled right across my path and I to his driveway... ALL THE TIME NEVER BREAKING EYE CONTACT! I missed him by INCHES and luckly did not go down. I just stood there breathing. He got out of the car and said he never saw me and where did I come from and why was I too g so fast and he never saw me over and over... I was so mad, too mad I did not say a word to him... I have had three such "experiences. EVERY TIME it was a old koger who either should not be driving or hasn't driven in a long time.

I sold the bike the next day and bought a Wrangler a week later.

I will buy another, almost did last year. With 4+$ fuel it's not easy to over look 40-60 MPG...

dstegjas · « **Reply #22 on:** April 02, 2012, 12:07:13 PM »

PastorP, I don't believe I could have said it any better. I believe all of us that have been riding for a while can tell a story about almost being taken out by a car or truck. Unfortunately that seems to go with the territory when riding a bike on the road.

To everyone out there, no matter what you drive or ride. Please be safe and drive defensively.

Jim

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #23 on:** April 03, 2012, 06:02:16 AM »

Quote from: dstegjas on April 02, 2012, 12:07:13 PM

PastorP, I don't believe I could have said it any better. I believe all of us that have been riding for a while can tell a story about almost being taken out by a car or truck. Unfortunately that seems to go with the territory when riding a bike on the road.

To everyone out there, no matter what you drive or ride. Please be safe and drive defensively.

Jim

I have my story / stories. Most memorable was very similar to cwlongshot. A farmer checking fields from right shoulder made a left turn across both lanes into his driveway. I shot across his left fender at about 45mph into his driveway and on across his yard through the ditch and continued on my travels. Fast forward 5years I found myself working for this fella. I brought the subject up and like everyone else he had not seen me, couldn't believe I was not a trophy on his den wall, as we were no more than 12" from colliding. We got along really well and was always a pretty easy sale, for me any way.

The guy was no idiot and a fairly sharp operator for that matter, an honest mistake nearly sent me to the horsepistol.

That and a couple other incidents, only one involving light contact, convinced me to give it up. I often think of riding again, but now I don't have the reflexes. I do have a MUCH less aggressive driving style which no doubt would go a long ways. I picked up a convertible a couple summers ago, it's a nice compromise for now.