Difference between revisions of "Suzuki TS185"

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(template fixes)
Line 11: Line 11:
|successor        =
|successor        =
|class            = Enduro
|class            = Enduro
|engine          = single cylinder, two-stroke
|engine          = Two stroke, single cylinder, aluminum, [[piston]] port
|bore_stroke     = 64.0mm x 57.0mm
|compression     = 6.7:1
|compression      =
|top_speed        = 121 km/h / 75 mph
|top_speed        = 86 mph (138 km/h)
|power            = 17.57 HP (13.1 KW) @ 6000RPM
|power            = 17.57 HP (13.1 KW) @ 6000RPM
|torque          = 14.46 ft/lbs (19.6 Nm) @ 5200RPM
|torque          = 14.46 ft/lbs (19.6 Nm) @ 5200RPM
Line 39: Line 38:
|wet_weight      = 102.0 kg
|wet_weight      = 102.0 kg
|fuel_capacity    = 1.85 Gallon (7.00 Liters)
|fuel_capacity    = 1.85 Gallon (7.00 Liters)
|oil_capacity    =
|oil_capacity    = 1.1 Liters / 2.3 US pt / 1.9 Imp pt
|recommended_oil= Suzuki ECSTAR 10w40
|recommended_oil = Suzuki ECSTAR 10w40
|fuel_consumption =
|fuel_consumption =
|turning_radius  =
|turning_radius  =
Line 211: Line 210:
*COLOR: Blue
*COLOR: Blue
* Blue TS 185 on side cover
* Blue TS 185 on side cover
== Review ==
The gap between 125 and 250 dual-purpose machines is a hard one to fill. The
manufacturer must decide to design his machine to include the best features of
the 125 (light weight, nimble handling, low cost) along with the desirable
qualities of a 250 (lots of power and torque). This "in-between" sized
motorcycle can make an owner very happy if it's been done properly, and Suzuki's
Sierra fills the bill.
Starting with the basics of their off-road 125 model, such as the frame,
Suzuki was off to a good beginning. They needed only to refine here and
strengthen there so that the once 125 could accept the now more powerful new
183cc engine unit. But don't get the wrong idea. The 185 Suzuki may have
borrowed some items from the smaller 125, but it's an altogether different
motorcycle to ride and enjoy. It's got a personality all its own.
The frame, taken from the 125 Duster, has been strengthened and reinforced in
areas of stress created by the new engine. A single toptube and downtube joined
at the steering head, while a pair of smaller tubes extend under the engine and
curl up to join with the toptube. This main frame section is amply cross-braced
to provide rigidity and prevent flexing. Seat, rear fender and shocks mount to
the sub frame and swinging arm section. A perforated, stamped steel skid plate
attaches to the frame for rock protection. Welds left something to be desired,
but the black finish was applied nicely.
Suspension chores are carried out in a fine manner. Front forks have ample
travel and good rebound and damping characteristics, but also feature adjustable
spring rates for riders of different weight. The cam-type adjusters are located
in the top of each fork tube, and can be twisted with a screwdriver to allow
soft, medium or hard settings. It only takes a few minutes to change.
Rear shocks are surprisingly good for Japanese units, and are five-way
adjustable. Progressively wound springs are painted black, departing from the
chrome finish found on most machines.
The forks do a good job of soaking up the little undulations along a
backwoods trail, but at the same time they don't get snowed by the huge thud of
a jump or the crashing blow of a deep hole. Over rippling surfaces the rear
shocks don't pump up and quit working, and as a result the rear end of the
machine doesn't hop all over the trail with the rider fighting for control. You
guide the Sierra, it doesn't guide you.
Steel rims( 19-inch front. 18-inch rear) might be heavier than comparably
sized alloy units, but they resist dings more easily and don't clog with mud.
The wheels on the Sierra come with rim locks and balance weights, something you
don't find on many din bikes . A nice touch, we think.
The brakes on our 185 test machine surprised us. The front unit is quite
small but stopped much belter than we thought it would. The rear unit, too, is
light weight, yet it really works. So often brakes of this size give problems
when it's time to slow down. The ones on the Sierra had lots of feel so that the
rider could descend a steep hill without locking the wheels, an important asset
on any dirt machine. Also, they allow a rider a margin of safety when riding on
the street.
The IRC Trials tires are a good compromise for dual-purpose riding, but are
more suited to the dirt, like the Sierra. Tread patterns are the same front and
rear, and the sizes are just right for most riding. Ground clearance with the
stock tires is an ample 9.5 inches, the lowest point being the rear brake pedal
where it wraps under the right fooipeg.
A study of Suzuki models, both street and dirt. will show that many items
follow no set pattern on the machines. For example, the ignition switch on some
models mounts between the instruments in a convenient location. Other models
have the switch sitting under the tank on the left side, where the rider must
hunt to find it and where it is also more apt to collect-debris in off-road
maneuvers. This is true of the Sierra's also. Another item of non-conformity is
the fuel petcocks. Some are the conventional off-on-reserve jobs, while others
are the diaphragm-controlled type that tend to be confusing. The Sierra uses the
standard valve, without the prime-position.
Finally, fenders on the off-road machines differ from model to model. One
will use thin-gauge steel (the Sierra does), and another will use the far
superior polyurethane plastic. There seems to be no rhyme or reason for the
modet-to-model differences. Strange.
Suzuki's I85 Sierra does follow normal practices with its engine unit,
however, it's quite similar to the one found on the smaller 125 Duster. The
piston-port two-stroke single is simple and compact, with an emphasis on
"narrow".- The unit produces 17.5 horsepower at 7000 rpm and has a torque rating
of 13.5 lb.-ft. at 6000 rpm. which is a fair amount of power for a bike as light
as the Sierra. The power-to-weight ratio is impressive. Roller bearings support
the crankshaft while needle bearingsare used at the big and small ends of the
connecting rod. Even though many of the components appear to be similar or
identical to the ones found on the 125 Duster, it's not necessarily so.
Crankcases are strengthened and reinforced to a higher degree, and the
five-speed gearbox is more robust. Even the clutch has been beefed up.
More than adequate cooling is provided by virtue of very large cylinder and
head finning, always appreciated on a hard, day-long ride. Also worthy of note
are the rubber intent fitted to the cylinder fins that effectively reduce
mechanical noise emanating from the engine's internals. Manufacturers are
becoming more noiseconscious day by day and little items like the inserts
reflect this.
A 24mm Mikuni carburetor draws lis air through a polyurethane filter element,
which unfortunately is very difficult to service. To get at the filter you must
first remove the oil lank and fuss with things you shouldn't have to fuss with
to clean the air filter. A machine ridden on dusty terrain may require several
filter cleanings in a day: to have to go through all the motions that you have
to go through on the Sierra just to clean an air filter, is ridiculous. At least
it's a foam element and not the paper type. That would be worse yet.
The 185 Suzuki has a primary kicksian feature, which allows the rider to
start the bike in any gear simply by pulling in the clutch and giving the
starter lever a tick. While the gearbox on our machine shifted without a snag,
neutral was impossible to find when the engine was running. We don't think it
was simply a fault with our particular bike: we've found that it's a common
problem with many of Suzuki's dirt models.
The exhaust system on the Sierra is mounted high and well tucked in so as not
to interfere with the rider's movements. It's well silenced, and even contains a
spark arrestor unit, a great item to have in dry areas where there is always a
fire danger. The rider is protected from the hot pipe by a chromed leg guard,
which is sufficient to protect a person riding along as a passenger.
The 185 will make a fine Enduro bike with few changes, and will make an even
belter just-plain-fun machine for the average rider. It is light at the front
end to enable you to loft the wheel over ruts or water crossings, yet not tight
enough to cause looping problems when climbing a steep hill — and this one's a
good hillclimber!
If sliding corners is your thing, you'll like this little Sierra because it's
happy in this kind of situation. Responsive is its middle name. It'll jump,
leap, climb, slide, stop, or meander peacefully at the rider's will. And it'll
do it without playing tricks on the rider.
You take that and add it to all the other nice features - like a fat 12,000
mile/12 month warranty and a low purchase price - and what have you got? You've
got a pretty darn good motorcycle, that's what you've got!
==Specifications==
{|  class="wikitable"
|-
!Make Model
|Suzuki TS 185 Sierra
|-
!Year
|1971-72
|-
!Engine Type
|Two stroke, single cylinder, aluminum, piston port
|-
!Displacement
|183 cc / 11.2 cu in
|-
!Bore X Stroke
|64 х 57 mm
|-
!Compression
|6.7:1
|-
!Cooling System
|Air cooled
|-
!Induction
|Mikuni VM26 carburetor
|-
!Ignition
|Suzuki PEI, pointless
|-
!Starting
|Kick
|-
!Max Power
|13.4 kW / 18 hp @ 7000 rpm
|-
!Max Torque
|18.6 Nm / 1.9 kgf-m / 13.7 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm
|-
!Clutch
|Wet, multiplate
|-
!Transmission
|5 Speed
|-
!Final Drive
|Chain
|-
!Front Suspension
|Telescopic fork, oil-dampened, 3-way adjustable
|-
!Front Wheel Travel
|152 mm / 6.0 in
|-
!Rear Suspension
|Swinging arm, dual shocks, coil springs, oil-dampened, 5-way adjustable
|-
!Front Brakes
|Drum, internal expanding
|-
!Rear Brakes
|Drum, internal expanding
|-
!Front Tire
|3.00-19 4PR Trails
|-
!Rear Tire
|3.50-18 4PR Trails
|-
!Dimensions
|Length: 2035 mm / 80.1 in Width: 838 mm / 33.0 in Height: 1135 mm / 44.7 in
|-
!Wheelbase
|1341 mm / 52.8 in
|-
!Ground Clearance
|246 mm / 9.7 in
|-
!Climbing Ability
|35o
|-
!Dry Weight
|102 kg / 225 lbs
|-
!Oil Capacity
|1.1 Liters / 2.3 US pt / 1.9 Imp pt
|-
!Fuel Capacity
|6.8 Liters / 1.8 US gal / 1.5 Imp gal
|-
!Top Speed (claimed)
|121 km/h / 75 mph
|}





Revision as of 21:27, 26 November 2019

1974-Suzuki-TS185-Yellow-5902-4.jpg
Suzuki TS185
Manufacturer
Also called TS-185, TS 185 ER, TS185ER, TS 185
Production 1971 - 1981
Class Enduro
Engine
Two stroke, single cylinder, aluminum, piston port
Compression ratio 6.7:1
Top Speed 121 km/h / 75 mph
Horsepower 17.57 HP (13.1 KW) @ 6000RPM
Torque 14.46 ft/lbs (19.6 Nm) @ 5200RPM
Fuel System carburetor
Ignition cdi, magneto
Spark Plug NGK BP7ES '77-81
NGK B7HS '71-76
Battery YUASA 6N4-2A '71-76
YUASA 6N4B-2A '77-81
Transmission Gear box: 5-speed
Clutch: wet multiplate
Final Drive Chain: 520x
Suspension Front: telescopic, coil spring, oil damped
Rear: swing arm, oil damped, spring preload
Brakes Front: expanding brake (drum brake)
Rear: expanding brake (drum brake)
Front Tire 3.00-19 '71-73
2.75-21 '74-81 [1]
Rear Tire 3.50-18 '71-79
4.10-18 '80-81 ref name="wps_street_2019"/>
Wheelbase 54.13 inches (1375 mm)
Length 85.04 inches (2160 mm)
Width 33.86 inches (860 mm)
Height 44.29 inches (1125 mm)
Seat Height 32.87 inches (835 mm)
Weight 224.87 pounds (102.0 Kg) (dry), 102.0 kg (wet)
Oil Capacity 1.1 Liters / 2.3 US pt / 1.9 Imp pt
Recommended Oil Suzuki ECSTAR 10w40
Fuel Capacity 1.85 Gallon (7.00 Liters)
Competition Honda SL175
Kawasaki F7/KE175
Yamaha CT1/CT2/DT175
Manuals Service Manual

Brochures ·

The Suzuki TS185 was a single cylinder, two-stroke enduro motorcycle produced by Suzuki between 1971 and 1981. It could reach a top speed of 86 mph (138 km/h). Max torque was 14.46 ft/lbs (19.6 Nm) @ 5200 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 17.57 HP (13.1 KW) @ 6000 RPM.

Engine

The engine was a air cooled single cylinder, two-stroke. A 64.0mm bore x 57.0mm stroke result in a displacement of just 183.0 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a membrane.

Drive

The bike has a 5-speed transmission. Power was moderated via the wet multiplate.

Chassis

It came with a 2.75-21 front tire and a 4.10-18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via expanding brake (drum brake) in the front and a expanding brake (drum brake) in the rear. The front suspension was a telescopic, coil spring, oil damped while the rear was equipped with a swing arm, oil damped, spring preload. The TS185ER was fitted with a 1.85 Gallon (7.00 Liters) fuel tank. The bike weighed just 224.87 pounds (102.0 Kg). The wheelbase was 54.13 inches (1375 mm) long.



1971 TS185R

1971 Suzuki TS185R


  • FRAME #: TS185-10001
  • ENGINE #: ... .. TS185-10001
  • ENGINE TYPE: ... 183cc Two-stroke
  • MODEL CODE: ... 290
  • COLOR: Strip Orange, Hawaii Green
  • Chrome fenders
  • Steel lower forks
  • Silver side cover

1972 TS185J


  • FRAME #: TS185-24292
  • ENGINE #: ... .. TS185-24309
  • ENGINE TYPE: ... 183cc Two-stroke
  • MODEL CODE: ... 290
  • COLOR: Ascot Red, Redondo Blue
  • Chrome fenders
  • Side cover primary color

1973 TS185K


  • FRAME #: TS185-52592
  • ENGINE #: TS185-52618
  • ENGINE TYPE: 183cc Two-stroke
  • MODEL CODE: 290
  • COLOR: Desert Yellow, Coronado Blue
  • Flip-up gas cap
  • Fenders and side cover primary color
  • Straight rear fender

1974 TS185L


  • FRAME #: TS185-84664
  • ENGINE #: TS185-84307
  • ENGINE TYPE: . . . 183cc Two-stroke
  • MODEL CODE: . . . 296
  • COLOR: Stardust Silver
  • Fenders and side cover primary color
  • Aluminum lower forks
  • Chrome headlight mounts

1975 TS185M

1975 Suzuki TS185M


  • FRAME #: TS185-115944
  • ENGINE #: TS185-115997
  • ENGINE TYPE: ... 183cc Two-stroke
  • MODEL CODE: ... 296
  • COLOR: Sunset Orange
  • Side cover primary color
  • Silver headlight mounts and fenders

1976 TS185A

1976 Suzuki TS185A


  • FRAME #: TS185-142743
  • ENGINE #: TS185-142791
  • ENGINE TYPE: ... 183cc Two-stroke
  • MODEL CODE: ... 296
  • COLOR: Aspen Yellow
  • Black Engine
  • Side cover primary color
  • White fenders

1977 TS185B

1977 Suzuki TS185


  • FRAME #: TS1852-10001
  • ENGINE #: ..... TS1852-10001
  • ENGINE TYPE: ... 183cc Two-stroke
  • MODEL CODE: ... 293
  • COLOR: Orange
  • Black hubs
  • Orange side cover and exhaust heat shield
  • White fenders


1978 TS185C

1978 Suzuki TS185C


  • FRAME #: TS1852-24007
  • ENGINE #: TS1852-24309
  • ENGINE TYPE: . . . 183cc Two-stroke
  • MODEL CODE: . . . 293
  • COLOR: Yellow
  • Yellow side cover and exhaust heat shield

1979 TS185N

1979 Suzuki TS185N


  • FRAME #: TS1852-39295
  • ENGINE #: TS1852-39548
  • ENGINE TYPE: ... 183cc Two-stroke
  • MODEL CODE: ... 293
  • COLOR: Blue
  • Leading axle forks
  • TS on seat
  • Blue fenders, side cover and exhaust heat shield


1980 TS185T

1980 Suzuki TS185T


  • FRAME #: TS1852-102185
  • ENGINE #: TS1852-48283
  • ENGINE TYPE: 183cc Two-stroke
  • MODEL CODE: 293
  • COLOR: Blue
  • White outlined TS on seat
  • Black outlined 185 on side cover

1981 TS185X

1981 Suzuki TS185X


  • V.I.N. #: JS1SG11A B 100001
  • ENGINE PREFIX: TS1852-
  • ENGINE TYPE: 183cc Two-stroke
  • MODEL CODE: 293
  • COLOR: Blue
  • Blue TS 185 on side cover


Review

The gap between 125 and 250 dual-purpose machines is a hard one to fill. The manufacturer must decide to design his machine to include the best features of the 125 (light weight, nimble handling, low cost) along with the desirable qualities of a 250 (lots of power and torque). This "in-between" sized motorcycle can make an owner very happy if it's been done properly, and Suzuki's Sierra fills the bill. Starting with the basics of their off-road 125 model, such as the frame, Suzuki was off to a good beginning. They needed only to refine here and strengthen there so that the once 125 could accept the now more powerful new 183cc engine unit. But don't get the wrong idea. The 185 Suzuki may have borrowed some items from the smaller 125, but it's an altogether different motorcycle to ride and enjoy. It's got a personality all its own. The frame, taken from the 125 Duster, has been strengthened and reinforced in areas of stress created by the new engine. A single toptube and downtube joined at the steering head, while a pair of smaller tubes extend under the engine and curl up to join with the toptube. This main frame section is amply cross-braced to provide rigidity and prevent flexing. Seat, rear fender and shocks mount to the sub frame and swinging arm section. A perforated, stamped steel skid plate attaches to the frame for rock protection. Welds left something to be desired, but the black finish was applied nicely. Suspension chores are carried out in a fine manner. Front forks have ample travel and good rebound and damping characteristics, but also feature adjustable spring rates for riders of different weight. The cam-type adjusters are located in the top of each fork tube, and can be twisted with a screwdriver to allow soft, medium or hard settings. It only takes a few minutes to change. Rear shocks are surprisingly good for Japanese units, and are five-way adjustable. Progressively wound springs are painted black, departing from the chrome finish found on most machines. The forks do a good job of soaking up the little undulations along a backwoods trail, but at the same time they don't get snowed by the huge thud of a jump or the crashing blow of a deep hole. Over rippling surfaces the rear shocks don't pump up and quit working, and as a result the rear end of the machine doesn't hop all over the trail with the rider fighting for control. You guide the Sierra, it doesn't guide you. Steel rims( 19-inch front. 18-inch rear) might be heavier than comparably sized alloy units, but they resist dings more easily and don't clog with mud. The wheels on the Sierra come with rim locks and balance weights, something you don't find on many din bikes . A nice touch, we think. The brakes on our 185 test machine surprised us. The front unit is quite small but stopped much belter than we thought it would. The rear unit, too, is light weight, yet it really works. So often brakes of this size give problems when it's time to slow down. The ones on the Sierra had lots of feel so that the rider could descend a steep hill without locking the wheels, an important asset on any dirt machine. Also, they allow a rider a margin of safety when riding on the street. The IRC Trials tires are a good compromise for dual-purpose riding, but are more suited to the dirt, like the Sierra. Tread patterns are the same front and rear, and the sizes are just right for most riding. Ground clearance with the stock tires is an ample 9.5 inches, the lowest point being the rear brake pedal where it wraps under the right fooipeg. A study of Suzuki models, both street and dirt. will show that many items follow no set pattern on the machines. For example, the ignition switch on some models mounts between the instruments in a convenient location. Other models have the switch sitting under the tank on the left side, where the rider must hunt to find it and where it is also more apt to collect-debris in off-road maneuvers. This is true of the Sierra's also. Another item of non-conformity is the fuel petcocks. Some are the conventional off-on-reserve jobs, while others are the diaphragm-controlled type that tend to be confusing. The Sierra uses the standard valve, without the prime-position. Finally, fenders on the off-road machines differ from model to model. One will use thin-gauge steel (the Sierra does), and another will use the far superior polyurethane plastic. There seems to be no rhyme or reason for the modet-to-model differences. Strange. Suzuki's I85 Sierra does follow normal practices with its engine unit, however, it's quite similar to the one found on the smaller 125 Duster. The piston-port two-stroke single is simple and compact, with an emphasis on "narrow".- The unit produces 17.5 horsepower at 7000 rpm and has a torque rating of 13.5 lb.-ft. at 6000 rpm. which is a fair amount of power for a bike as light as the Sierra. The power-to-weight ratio is impressive. Roller bearings support the crankshaft while needle bearingsare used at the big and small ends of the connecting rod. Even though many of the components appear to be similar or identical to the ones found on the 125 Duster, it's not necessarily so. Crankcases are strengthened and reinforced to a higher degree, and the five-speed gearbox is more robust. Even the clutch has been beefed up. More than adequate cooling is provided by virtue of very large cylinder and head finning, always appreciated on a hard, day-long ride. Also worthy of note are the rubber intent fitted to the cylinder fins that effectively reduce mechanical noise emanating from the engine's internals. Manufacturers are becoming more noiseconscious day by day and little items like the inserts reflect this. A 24mm Mikuni carburetor draws lis air through a polyurethane filter element, which unfortunately is very difficult to service. To get at the filter you must first remove the oil lank and fuss with things you shouldn't have to fuss with to clean the air filter. A machine ridden on dusty terrain may require several filter cleanings in a day: to have to go through all the motions that you have to go through on the Sierra just to clean an air filter, is ridiculous. At least it's a foam element and not the paper type. That would be worse yet. The 185 Suzuki has a primary kicksian feature, which allows the rider to start the bike in any gear simply by pulling in the clutch and giving the starter lever a tick. While the gearbox on our machine shifted without a snag, neutral was impossible to find when the engine was running. We don't think it was simply a fault with our particular bike: we've found that it's a common problem with many of Suzuki's dirt models. The exhaust system on the Sierra is mounted high and well tucked in so as not to interfere with the rider's movements. It's well silenced, and even contains a spark arrestor unit, a great item to have in dry areas where there is always a fire danger. The rider is protected from the hot pipe by a chromed leg guard, which is sufficient to protect a person riding along as a passenger. The 185 will make a fine Enduro bike with few changes, and will make an even belter just-plain-fun machine for the average rider. It is light at the front end to enable you to loft the wheel over ruts or water crossings, yet not tight enough to cause looping problems when climbing a steep hill — and this one's a good hillclimber! If sliding corners is your thing, you'll like this little Sierra because it's happy in this kind of situation. Responsive is its middle name. It'll jump, leap, climb, slide, stop, or meander peacefully at the rider's will. And it'll do it without playing tricks on the rider. You take that and add it to all the other nice features - like a fat 12,000 mile/12 month warranty and a low purchase price - and what have you got? You've got a pretty darn good motorcycle, that's what you've got!

Specifications

Make Model Suzuki TS 185 Sierra
Year 1971-72
Engine Type Two stroke, single cylinder, aluminum, piston port
Displacement 183 cc / 11.2 cu in
Bore X Stroke 64 х 57 mm
Compression 6.7:1
Cooling System Air cooled
Induction Mikuni VM26 carburetor
Ignition Suzuki PEI, pointless
Starting Kick
Max Power 13.4 kW / 18 hp @ 7000 rpm
Max Torque 18.6 Nm / 1.9 kgf-m / 13.7 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm
Clutch Wet, multiplate
Transmission 5 Speed
Final Drive Chain
Front Suspension Telescopic fork, oil-dampened, 3-way adjustable
Front Wheel Travel 152 mm / 6.0 in
Rear Suspension Swinging arm, dual shocks, coil springs, oil-dampened, 5-way adjustable
Front Brakes Drum, internal expanding
Rear Brakes Drum, internal expanding
Front Tire 3.00-19 4PR Trails
Rear Tire 3.50-18 4PR Trails
Dimensions Length: 2035 mm / 80.1 in Width: 838 mm / 33.0 in Height: 1135 mm / 44.7 in
Wheelbase 1341 mm / 52.8 in
Ground Clearance 246 mm / 9.7 in
Climbing Ability 35o
Dry Weight 102 kg / 225 lbs
Oil Capacity 1.1 Liters / 2.3 US pt / 1.9 Imp pt
Fuel Capacity 6.8 Liters / 1.8 US gal / 1.5 Imp gal
Top Speed (claimed) 121 km/h / 75 mph


In Media


See Also

References

  1. 2019 Western Power Sports Catalog. Western Power Sports. 2019.