Editing Suzuki TU250X

{{Infobox Motorcycle
|name             = [[Suzuki]] TU250
|image            = [[File:suzuki_tu250_98_03.jpg|frameless|Suzuki TU250]]
|aka              = TU250XV, TU 250 XV, TU250 Grass Tracker, TU250X Volty, TU 250 X Volty, TU 250 X, TU250X
|manufacturer     = Suzuki
|parent_company   =
|production       = 1997 - 01
|model_year       =
|predecessor      =
|successor        =
|class            =
|engine           = Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valves
|bore_stroke      =
|compression      = 9.0:1
|top_speed        =
|power            =
|torque           =
|fuel_system      =
|ignition         = Electronic ignition (fully transistorized)
|spark_plug       =
|battery          =
|transmission     = 5 Speed
|frame            =
|suspension       =Front: Telescopic, [[hydraulic]] dampers, [[coil]] springs <br>
Rear: Swinging arm, hydraulic dampers, coil springs
|brakes           =Front: Single disc <br>Rear: Drum
|front_tire       = {{tire|90/90-18}} 
|rear_tire   	  = {{tire|110/90-18}} 
|rake_trail       =
|wheelbase        = 1375 mm / 54.1 in
|length           =
|width            =
|height           =
|seat_height      = 770 mm / 30.3 in
|dry_weight       =
|wet_weight       = 149 kg / 326 lbs
|fuel_capacity    = 12 Litres / 3.2 US gal / 2.6 Imp gal
|oil_capacity     =
|fuel_consumption =
|turning_radius   =
|related          =
|competition      =
}}



==Engine==
The engine was a Air/oil-cooled cooled Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valves. The engine featured a 9.0:1 [[compression ratio]].  

==Chassis==
It came with a 90/90-18 front [[tire]] and a 110/90-18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Single disc in the front and a Drum in the rear. The front suspension was a  Telescopic, hydraulic dampers, coil springs while the rear was equipped with a Swinging arm, hydraulic dampers, coil springs. The TU250X was fitted with a 12 Litres / 3.2 US gal / 2.6 Imp gal fuel tank. The wheelbase was 1375 mm / 54.1 in long.  
== Photos ==
[[File:suzuki_tu250_98_03.jpg|600px|Suzuki TU250]]
[[File:suzuki_tu250_97_02.jpg|600px|Suzuki TU250]]
[[File:Suzuki-TU250X.jpg|600px|Suzuki TU250]]

== Overview ==
Suzuki TU 250X























So what about the TU250 makes it so popular in Spain? Essentially it
is a GN250 in new clothes. The engine, frame and running gear are
the same as the custom styled stable mate. What we have here is a
249cc sohc, air-cooled single cylinder motor, the same as the GN250.
Suzuki's paperwork, which came with the bike, made no hp claims. I
would reckon that it's probably around 20bhp at most. The 'bars are
lower and the seating position is far more comfortable for larger
and taller riders.

The model I had was officially Warm Silver Metallic, but it looked
more grey than silver. The other two colours are Candy President
Maroon and Candy Teal Blueish Green. Both of these were very evident
in the Spanish market. At 125kg it is very light and a seat height
of 29.5 ins. makes it ideal for shorter riders as well.

The 12-litre tank and seat unit are very different to the GN. The
tank is quite bulbous and the overall styling is supposed to reflect
the bikes of the Sixties. The legend 'Super Classic' on the side
panel is supposed to confirm this. The seat is actually a tan color
rather than the usual black. The front section is removable and
underneath you'll find a small tray for small items such as a disc
lock. I couldn't fit my cable-lock in it though. The handbook and a
European Suzuki dealer list is cleverly hidden under the rear seat
in a small plastic 'cigar-case' style box cum folder. A novel idea.

Once on the bike, like most new Suzukis there is a clutch interlock
and a cut-out on the side stand. Starting means pulling out the
choke from the single carb, pulling in the clutch and if in gear,
pulling up the side stand before pressing the start button. The
starter didn't fail to have the bike ticking over after only one
press of the button. The choke can be put fully in immediately. The
gearbox is the same reliable 5 speed unit that Suzuki have been
perfecting over a number of years and this one is no different.

The controls all fall easily to hand and feet and are very easy to
use. Suzuki has dropped the tachometer and has provided the rider
with a single chrome surrounded speedo on the top yoke. The headlamp
is a large, and effective, unit that features a painted body ands
chrome rim. It also only boasts three idiot lights; two symmetrical
green ones for neutral and indicator repeater and a small blue
high-beam light inside the bottom of the speedo.

The demo bike also came equipped with a genuine Suzuki fork mounted
fairing. This was perfectly color matched and fitted rigidly to the
top of the fork legs between the yokes. It kept the wind off quite
well and didn't have any real effects on handling.

Handling isn't too bad given the light weight and spindly S rated
tyres. Suspension is a little basic with only the rear shocks
adjustable. However, it coped with me onboard very well. At higher
speeds on sweeping bends there was a slight tendency for the bars to
wobble slightly. This may be a combination of suspension, tyres and
the light weight of the bike combining. At 65-70mph the bike was
pretty stable.

Overtaking is a serious business though. On the flat the top speed
varies from about 65-75mph, on downhill runs I found myself shutting
off to keep it in the 70's. Catching up slower moving traffic on the
open roads required a lot of forward observation and planning to
make sure that you can get past, and back in, before anything comes
the other way, or worse, an incline appears, and speed begins to
scrub off naturally! In the end, you get used to it and ride
everywhere at 3/4 throttle! It is FUN!

The bike had only 360 miles on the clock when I picked it up from
Crawley, and I added another 360 on trips commuting to work and on
the BMF's Dunstable Downs run on August Bank Holiday Sunday. Given
the low mileage it took a while to ensure that it was run-in okay. I
cruised back on the motorways and after 88 miles managed to squeeze
a mere 5 litres into the tank. I didn't believe it either! I had
been moving along quite well on the motorways almost door to door
and I'm sure Tesco aren't selling more petrol than their pump says!
The first refill gave figures of 79.9mpg!

Although more suited to a smaller and lighter rider, the TU manfully
took on the job of a whole week's commuting 15 miles each way to
work and back. Mainly on fast A road and the Bedford bypass. Speeds
ranged between 55 and 70 for most of the way. So imagine my surprise
to get 158.2 miles for 9.5 litres - 75.6mpg! A smaller lighter rider
must be able to get figures well in the 80's.

Returning the bike back to Crawley saw 171.1 miles on the clock
before it went on to reserve. Not bad for a bike with a 12 litre
tank and an oversized rider.

I took it on the BMF's Dunstable Downs Run, and it generated a bit
of interest from folks that had never seen one before. I did my
sales pitch for Suzuki in return for the loan of the bike. Most
people commented on the old bike styling, and I think that's what
Suzuki's designers had in mind.

The TU250 is the Fiat Panda of the bike world, well, possibly the
Seat Marbella. The GN is the original and therefore the Panda! It is
cheap to run, has few frills but seems to be utterly reliable. I
speak from a position of knowledge having had a Panda for 160000
miles!

Admittedly, the bike is a little small for someone as large as I am.
It is certainly too small for two-up touring, but as a commuter and
gadabout bike it is ideal. It would suit anyone returning to biking
after a lay-off, and also any learners that want a small bike to
learn on and then keep for trips after they have passed the test. It
is the ideal solution to the latest of the Government's "soak the
car drivers as usual" scheme.

At the top of the Suzuki brochure for the model it says 'A Fun Bike
that "Grows on You"'. It's true. Although small and relatively under
powered I had a grin on my face after riding it!
{|  class="wikitable"
|- 
!Make Model
|Suzuki TU 250X
|- 
!Year
|1997 - 01
|- 
!Engine Type
|Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valves
|- 
!Displacement
|249 cc / 15.2 cu-in
|- 
!Bore X Stroke
|72 x 61.2 mm
|- 
!Cooling System
|Air/oil-cooled
|- 
!Lubrication System
|Wet sump
|- 
!Compression
|9.0:1
|- 
!Induction
|EFI
|- 
!Ignition
|Electronic ignition (fully transistorized)
|- 
!Starting
|Electric
|- 
!Max Power
|15 kW / 20 hp @ 8000 rpm
|- 
!Max Torque
|21 Nm / 2.1 kgf-m / 15.5 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm
|- 
!Transmission
|5 Speed
|- 
!Final Drive
|Chain
|- 
!Front Suspension
|Telescopic, hydraulic dampers, coil springs
|- 
!Rear Suspension
|Swinging arm, hydraulic dampers, coil springs
|- 
!Front Brakes
|Single disc
|- 
!Rear Brakes
|Drum
|- 
!Front Tire
|90/90-18
|- 
!Rear Tire
|110/90-18
|- 
!Dimensions
|Length 2070 mm / 81.5 in Width 750 mm / 29.5 in Height: 1075 mm / 42.3 in
|- 
!Wheelbase
|1375 mm / 54.1 in
|- 
!Seat Height
|770 mm / 30.3 in
|- 
!Ground Clearance
|165 mm / 6.5 in
|- 
!Wet Weight
|149 kg / 326 lbs
|- 
!Fuel Capacity
|12 Litres / 3.2 US gal / 2.6 Imp gal
|- 
!Top Speed (est.)
|120 km/h / 75 mph
|- 
!Review
|Invictamoto

|}
== External Links ==
* http://www.invictamoto.blogspot.com

[[Category:Suzuki motorcycles]]