Another 2013 purchase

Probably will order another new BIKE next week.

Suzuki TU 250----meets all of my requirements, except one: Shinny Wheels/little plastic/Simple valve adjustment/cheap replacement chain @$15/a couple of luggage racks available, not GIVI/lower handlebars/choice of a couple of National Cycle windshields available(no buffeting would be heavenly!!) One nono---no centerstand!! But I think somebody has made one up.

Having put some thought into this: I am tired of screwing around with plastic/high belt costs/drive line parts wearing out/BUFFETING!! And this is after 10 maxscooter,new and now near 300,000 miles on them. And then most dealers have little interest/knowledge of the scooter they sell.

250's have served me well in past: Honda/MZ/Maico Blizzard. Fastest was Honda GB250 never in US market, stronger than my GB500. Stay tuned----it will take a month or so to put new bike in shape---tools.survival stuff, how to carry rain gear,etc

I googled the Suzuki TU 250 ,It's very nice, looking forward to the review .

You sure you've thought this thru,i mean tube type tires, blechh.
Check out the lil ninja's

Yes I have thought thru----purchased over 75 new bikes, so no virgin and I ride them. Nothing wrong with tube type tires(they may deflate a little quicker with puncture) but if you are stuck in the middle of no where and carry fresh tube. hand pump can seat bead. try that with tubeless without spare tube to stuff in. Ever think of that??I don't want little ZIP bike----need weather protection and all day riding position--I can buy big zip bike if I want to.....would not be caught dead on cruiser

If you're going all retro, have you looked at Royal Enfield singles?

The TU250 reminds me of a Triumph 250 thumper I lusted after when I was in high school...it was at the local Triumph dealer and I wanted it.

The TU250 looks like a very nice machine which will be fun to ride. Good choice. If I was a bit smaller and the TU250 was available here in California, I might go have a look myself...

For Royal Enfield lovers-----I already had a new one--1957 as Indian Woodsman us market----never blew up lots of junk shook off or fell off, wash it and would be hard to start----my experience Made in Japan bikes can take lots of hard throttle and not fall apart or blow up. I need something that will run everyday and start when wet.

So why the Suzuki over the Honda Rebel? My wife had a Rebel, and it was a fine bike. A little under powered, but it had a lot of cool features (like rubber mounted turn signals and lot's of aftermarket parts). With your experience, I'm sure you had a reason...

Here is the deal on Honda Rebel---IT IS A CRUISER with funny riding position!! Not something to give your body a break. Not a good way to get somebody interested in riding. Looks cool, but not comfortable.

The 250 NightHawk ok bike, but out of our market.

There are still Suzuki GZ 250's (new) at under $3000.

Parts are still highish (parts prices are compared to a Honda Rebel - which isn't exactly a fair comparison since the Rebel does have a different riding position as you note, so isn't direct competition):

$110 for a mirror vs. $55

$340 for a stator vs. $203

$668 for a muffler vs. $207 (L) + $155 (R) = $362 for *both* mufflers on the Rebel

But there are some parts that are around the same price:

TU250 front caliper (whole assembly minus pads) is $200, Rebel's is $205.

But it does look a lot easier to work on than pretty much any scooter! I haven't seen much on it's reliability, but it's always hard to learn much about that on these 250cc bikes in the US (I really think they should be more popular than they are - I think people would be better riders if they started on things less than 750cc Sportbikes!). Also looks light and fairly nimble - seems like a decent choice. It also has a oil filter which the Rebel doesn't, which seems like a pretty good thing to me.

But----I do most of my riding under warranty and don't care about parts cost------And Rebel is Cruiser last time I checked....I simply do not ride them....they lack the fun feature of a motorcycle. My intention with TU250, ride it a year, somewhere between 20 and 40,000 miles and get another. HF oil filters available, WalMart oil, choice of tires at reasonable price, chains/sprockets cheap on after market-----based on past experience with GS500E----fork gators will go on the first week as they did on my SilverWing and Burgman. I am sure the warranty rate on TU250's just left alone and ridden is low.

Saw a new TU 250 for sale on Kijiji, they are asking $4995.00 . That is high for a 250.

Good choice John. I too have considered the TU250. Back in 78 I had a Yamaha SR500 and have always regretted selling that bike. It had more character and rider involvement than anything I have owned since. Like the SR, the TU definitely fills that "less is more" category very well.

Ease of maintenance is a top priority for me and the TU gets high marks for that. I agree that the lack of a center stand needs to be addressed. Removing the "passenger seat" makes room for a proper luggage rack.

I am sure that you have already visited the TU250 Riders Forum which like this, Burgman USA, and the NC700 forum, contains a wealth of information and experiences from owner enthusiasts. Good luck on your new acquisition and do keep us posted.

I just got back from the Suzuki dealer at lunchtime and that bike really caught my eye. It's very sharp looking, except the weird mirrors? I didn't know they made 2013 bikes with drum brakes!

I love that they call the bike Tux (TU250X). How cool is that?

I may try to find a used one to share with my wife. She has expressed interest in a 250 shifty bike. Maybe if I can unload the Chinese 250 scoot that she rarely rides but I love to tool around on.

TU250X is a fine motorcycle. I have owned one for about a year and a half. Not my primary ride, purchased used (red 2009 with about 1,750 miles) for a good price, but I expect to keep it for some time to come.

My 17 year old learned on the Tux (yes, cool nickname) and rides fairly often. The bike survived learning drops very nicely; no broken parts, and the very few scratched parts will continue to serve until my 14 year old learns. Maybe longer; some of the scratches aren't noticeable except up close.

Interestingly though, I will frequently select it when riding solo. Not a huge power output, but a lot of fun. It's a pleasure to ride around town and on back roads, and it holds highway speeds surprisingly well.

I have ridden TU250 little so far----getting it set up to be useful, rack/box/windshield/build on the road tool and survive kit.

Comparision to GB250 Clubman I had---Honda seemed stronger, faster, even had centerstand!

National Cycle Street Shield has given me buffet free air around my head with 3/4 helmet and safety glasses.

Now very important for old farts and old farts who are just beginning.....the 250 requires good skills to be ridden properly....many old farts never had them young (they are the ones you see on trikes) and for me who rides everyday on scooter since my NT700V took a hike---a chance to re-new the motorcycle/2 wheel skills....scooter can make you lazy. I will be 74 next month, so surely am in the old fart zone....but not the shakey zone.

Somebody commented on drum rear brake---with little demand on rear for braking....30% or less drum is fine...and makes rear wheel removal easier