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Post by bwader on Jun 2, 2013 19:21:22 GMT -5
I've been looking at a lot of motorcycles I'd want and I don't really want anything much bigger than a 250cc motorcycle. I was fine going 55ish on the highway on my scooter before it threw a piston rod. I read a lot of posts on the Suzuki TU250X forum and a lot of people say they can ride them full open throttle all day going 65-80mph. Now I'd be fine just going only go 55-65mph on the highway. But just wanted to know how many people on this forum have rode this model of bike. It has a 30" seat height which isn't bad for a tall guy like me, though a 34" would match my pants inseam. But as far as size goes my 150cc scooter is a little too small but I'm fine with it. And at around 4,000 bucks can get a almost brand new TU250X. I checked insurance too and I'd only pay a little more a year than I do now. www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/TU250X/2013/TU250X.aspx |
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Post by prodigit on Jun 2, 2013 22:06:31 GMT -5
I Sat on one, tried it a bit, and looked at that motorcycle for a while.
Personally I'd say the good is that it's a chain drive, so you can adjust the sprockets.
The bad is that it's a motorcycle, not as easy hump on or off, as a scooter.
It's heavy and about 3-4x as expensive as chinese sportsbikes that also get great gas mileage!
I've done some threads about sprocket changes on the TU forums, but they all laughed at me (because they could not understand it). So over there, are perhaps 2 knowledgeable people on the whole forum, that are not online most of the time.
Because the Suzuki was too expensive (new you usually need to add $500 dealerfee, and taxes, so your price is usually closer to $5000-5500), I went for a cheaper chinese bike, which I regret buying, however, it's been a great learning experience that bike!
My personal opinion, if you need something small, get a 150cc scooter, or get a 300-500cc motorcycle.
Sure the suzuki is great on gas, a great machine overall, but it's always at the edge on the highway.
~72-79MPH top speed, with a little wind against it drops to 65MPH, uphill 60.
It's flimsy made for a Japanese bike, though good enough for most people. Small, if you're tall.
The handlebars are way to much forward, for me they have to be upped by at least 5 in, though the cables do not allow the handlebars to be extended for more than 2 in.
It sits comfy, good seat, fun to work on, simple, it's a good bike.
Why not go with the chinese bikes? They're cheaper, and about the same in power/speed?
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Post by hank on Jun 3, 2013 1:27:57 GMT -5
Hi
Check out the Cleveland CycleWerks Misfit
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank
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Post by gitsum on Jun 3, 2013 2:50:18 GMT -5
I Sat on one, tried it a bit, and looked at that motorcycle for a while. Personally I'd say the good is that it's a chain drive, so you can adjust the sprockets. The bad is that it's a motorcycle, not as easy hump on or off, as a scooter. It's heavy and about 3-4x as expensive as chinese sportsbikes that also get great gas mileage! I've done some threads about sprocket changes on the TU forums, but they all laughed at me (because they could not understand it). So over there, are perhaps 2 knowledgeable people on the whole forum, that are not online most of the time. Because the Suzuki was too expensive (new you usually need to add $500 dealerfee, and taxes, so your price is usually closer to $5000-5500), I went for a cheaper chinese bike, which I regret buying, however, it's been a great learning experience that bike! My personal opinion, if you need something small, get a 150cc scooter, or get a 300-500cc motorcycle. Sure the suzuki is great on gas, a great machine overall, but it's always at the edge on the highway. ~72-79MPH top speed, with a little wind against it drops to 65MPH, uphill 60. It's flimsy made for a Japanese bike, though good enough for most people. Small, if you're tall. The handlebars are way to much forward, for me they have to be upped by at least 5 in, though the cables do not allow the handlebars to be extended for more than 2 in. It sits comfy, good seat, fun to work on, simple, it's a good bike. Why not go with the chinese bikes? They're cheaper, and about the same in power/speed? Did you get all that info from sitting on one? Wow! I owned one and my son and I rode it 5000 miles. Where to start? That's hard, because you got just about everything wrong! I bought a new leftover 2009 model (1 mile) in 2011 for $3500 cash. That's less than twice the price of a crappy Chinese 250cc motorcycle for something that will last way longer, no contest. It has a rev-limiter set at 10,500 rpm's and feels happy bouncing off of it. If you hug the gas tank it will hit  + mph, it will cruise at 75 forever. The Suzuki air-cooled engine doesn't care if it's a 100 degrees out, you can it ride it WOT all day long. It's 328 lbs ready to ride with a full tank of gas, still lighter than a SYM Citycom 300i or a Kymco People GT 300i, the same as a cheap Chinese 250 motorcycle. It's built like a tank, the frame is very stout and it handles light off roading like a champ, with twice the suspension travel of a scooter. It's a blast, fun, and feels like small and light motorcycle, because it is. The handlebars compliment the seating position, and that seat is good for all day riding and then some. A few valve jobs, oil changes, and chain adjustments, it was absolutely bulletproof. We rode the living h@ll out of that little motorcycle and it just ran better and better. And yes, we went one tooth larger on the front sprocket, as did many other people at the TU250 Riders forum. A lot of people there also tried rear sprocket changes too. Eventually my son wanted a Honda CBR250R, and we sold the TU250X and put the money towards the new motorcycle. I get to ride the Honda whenever I want to, but I really miss the TU250X, one of the sweetest, most durable and simple motorcycles ever made. I gotta ask though, how could you recommend a Chinese motorcycle when you said you regretted buying one? |
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Post by kevinharrell on Jun 3, 2013 6:10:26 GMT -5
I like the Suzuki TU250X and would get one if I could justify it. But I currently have a Lifan 250cc motorcycle that just turned over 4,000km and has a lot of life left in it, and it is paid for.
I have seen the Cleveland Cycleworks Misfit too. It seems of decent quality with an engine made by Lifan. (Lifan is one of, if not, the best Chinese motorcycle manufacturers.) The engine is a slightly modified version of an engine noted for its durability. However, the engine only makes about 12 or 13 horsepower compared to about 18 horsepower for the TU250X. So, if you keep the speed down to 55mph or under either bike should do fine, but, if you want to go a bit faster you probably should go with the TU250X for that extra horsepower.
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Post by bwader on Jun 3, 2013 9:57:41 GMT -5
I was thinking after my scooter mishap, that I ought to go with a better quality machine. Its been a lot of headaches and I'd like to just have something more reliable and I won't have to do so much maintenance just to keep it running. I'm saving up and getting a new scooter engine then I'm wanting to visit a dealership and check it out in person. I feel like my scooter was a bomb waiting to explode, and it was a piston rod. It could have been bad luck of the draw. I know I could have 2 250cc scooters for 4,500 bucks but I'm leaning toward just wanting to enjoy the ride, do maintenance periodically, not everyday having to tinker with it just to keep running right. I have only owned this 150cc scooter. I like cheap and didn't mind it for a while just I think I'm ready to try something different. As far as motorcycles go I see A LOT of Honda Rebels on craigslist where I'm at. But they have a 27" seat which is too low for a taller guy like me, other that that I like it. As far as seat height goes from what I looked at, the dual sport bikes have taller seats, 34" or more but I don't want a dual sport. Any suggestions, I like a regular style m/c or cruiser bike. I'd want to spend about $4000 max for the bike itself. Though I have been looking at this Chinese motorcycle. www.mxmotorsports.us/Roketa-p/mc-100-250.htm |
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Post by bwader on Jun 3, 2013 10:24:29 GMT -5
Did you get all that info from sitting on one? Wow! I owned one and my son and I rode it 5000 miles. Where to start? That's hard, because you got just about everything wrong! I bought a new leftover 2009 model (1 mile) in 2011 for $3500 cash. That's less than twice the price of a crappy Chinese 250cc motorcycle for something that will last way longer, no contest. It has a rev-limiter set at 10,500 rpm's and feels happy bouncing off of it. If you hug the gas tank it will hit + mph, it will cruise at 75 all day long. The Suzuki air-cooled engine doesn't care if it's a 100 degrees out, you can it ride it WOT all day long. It's 328 lbs ready to ride with a full tank of gas, still lighter than a SYM Citycom 300i or a Kymco People GT 300i, the same as a cheap Chinese 250 motorcycle. It's built like a tank, the frame is very stout and it handles light off roading like a champ, with twice the suspension travel of a scooter. It's a blast, fun, and feels like small and light motorcycle, because it is. The handlebars compliment the seating position, and that seat is good for all day riding and then some. A few valve jobs, oil changes, and chain adjustments, it was absolutely bulletproof. We rode the living out of that little motorcycle and it just ran better and better. And yes, we went one tooth larger on the front sprocket, as did many other people at the TU250 Riders forum. A lot of people there also tried rear sprocket changes too. Eventually my son wanted a Honda CBR250R, and we sold the TU250X and put the money towards the new motorcycle. I get to ride the Honda whenever I want to, but I really miss the TU250X, one of the sweetest, most durable and simple motorcycles ever made. I gotta ask though. How could you recommend a Chinese motorcycle when you said you regretted buying one? [/quote] I looked at the front sprocket change to 16T and its really simple. Just got to get used to adjusting the chain and lubing it when needed. That's what I like about the TU is it has a lot of good reviews, its simple and good quality. I would bet money I'd be happier with a Suzuki than a Chinese motorcycle just better quality. I like cheaper things and I don't like paying a lot when there is something a lot cheaper. But when it comes to my opinion of "should I get a China bike or a Japan bike" I like the TU but I won't really know for sure until I ride one. Same goes for a china girl, I mean China bike ( I have a motorized bike and a lot of people on those forums call them "China Girls", because they are fun to ride but will break your heart in the end! ) If I had money, ha we all say that! I think I'd buy a Suzuki Boulevard they look really nice and I've seen one in person. The one guy I talked to with a BLVD. said it was Shaft driven! I like because of less maintenance. |
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Post by hank on Jun 3, 2013 10:37:37 GMT -5
Did you get all that info from sitting on one? Wow! I owned one and my son and I rode it 5000 miles. Where to start? That's hard, because you got just about everything wrong! I bought a new leftover 2009 model (1 mile) in 2011 for $3500 cash. That's less than twice the price of a crappy Chinese 250cc motorcycle for something that will last way longer, no contest. It has a rev-limiter set at 10,500 rpm's and feels happy bouncing off of it. If you hug the gas tank it will hit + mph, it will cruise at 75 all day long. The Suzuki air-cooled engine doesn't care if it's a 100 degrees out, you can it ride it WOT all day long. It's 328 lbs ready to ride with a full tank of gas, still lighter than a SYM Citycom 300i or a Kymco People GT 300i, the same as a cheap Chinese 250 motorcycle. It's built like a tank, the frame is very stout and it handles light off roading like a champ, with twice the suspension travel of a scooter. It's a blast, fun, and feels like small and light motorcycle, because it is. The handlebars compliment the seating position, and that seat is good for all day riding and then some. A few valve jobs, oil changes, and chain adjustments, it was absolutely bulletproof. We rode the living out of that little motorcycle and it just ran better and better. And yes, we went one tooth larger on the front sprocket, as did many other people at the TU250 Riders forum. A lot of people there also tried rear sprocket changes too. Eventually my son wanted a Honda CBR250R, and we sold the TU250X and put the money towards the new motorcycle. I get to ride the Honda whenever I want to, but I really miss the TU250X, one of the sweetest, most durable and simple motorcycles ever made. I gotta ask though. How could you recommend a Chinese motorcycle when you said you regretted buying one? I looked at the front sprocket change to 16T and its really simple. Just got to get used to adjusting the chain and lubing it when needed. That's what I like about the TU is it has a lot of good reviews, its simple and good quality. I would bet money I'd be happier with a Suzuki than a Chinese motorcycle just better quality. I like cheaper things and I don't like paying a lot when there is something a lot cheaper. But when it comes to my opinion of "should I get a China bike or a Japan bike" I like the TU but I won't really know for sure until I ride one. Same goes for a china girl, I mean China bike ( I have a motorized bike and a lot of people on those forums call them "China Girls", because they are fun to ride but will break your heart in the end! ) If I had money, ha we all say that! I think I'd buy a Suzuki Boulevard they look really nice and I've seen one in person. The one guy I talked to with a BLVD. said it was Shaft driven! I like because of less maintenance.[/quote] Hi Mine has been very good to me Before  New Ride 011 by inuyasha50, on Flickr After  motor bike8 by inuyasha50, on Flickr Shes going on 4 years old with only routine maintenance and runs fantastic Take care and ride safely my friend Yours Hank |
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Post by jwalz1 on Jun 3, 2013 15:20:29 GMT -5
Maybe Gitsum can comment about one particular aspect of the bike. I only rode one for a couple days as they were the supplied bikes for my Motorcycle safety course. I was probably a ham footed driver but the particular bike I was on locked the rear wheel fairly easily during panic stops. It was not that dramatic and it did not go down but nearly every time we had to do hard stops I would lock it.
Otherwise, outside of being retro no-frills, it seemed nice with a very smooth EFI engine.
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Post by prodigit on Jun 3, 2013 16:16:06 GMT -5
I bought a chinese motorcycle, love it, though the carburetor is jetted incorrectly (way way way too lean), and is almost impossible to detach unless I demount the whole bike.
So far I have it 2 weeks, been able to run it on paint thinner, with the choke on.
It rides fun, accelerates fast, and probably will be a great bike once jetted correctly.
I would recommend not mine (which was only $1000 delivered), but a bigger one (usually ~1500-2000 delivered), because it's still half the price of a TU250x. Yes, finding a TU250x below $4,5k is almost impossible (at least in miami area), and dealers want to sell em too high, asking almost $6k for them, new.
I've got a lot of info, because I did a lot of research on those bikes; originally wanted to buy one, but have to agree, that it may be better to go with a chinese bike, for the same reasons that it might be better to go for a chinese scoot compared to a Japanese or Korean scoot.
Either that, or go with a Ninja 300. The ninja 300's are phenomenal bikes, with a very high power curve (almost twice the HP of the TU250x), and speed upto 100MPH (some modded 300's go almost 120MPH).
That's about as fast as my 750 cruiser goes.
The 300's are not made for long distances though. I've had a friend who broke one down on a 1000 mile tour; while a 500+cc bike is much more suited for long distances.
I've never tried a TU250x for long distances, but usually 30-60 minutes trips are ok on these bikes.
When they say 'does this all day long' it doesn't mean all day long. It means it can ride 70MPH just fine, but no one actually tried it all day long. They just estimate it like that.
My BMS260 could also do 75MPH 'all day long'; yet after 2k miles it started rambling apart.
I've done a lot of comparisons. The TU250x is a great bike; IMHO better than the S40, not only gasoline wise, but also because a sprocket change is a lot easier than changing a belt's gearing (which often costs ~$1,5-2k for a new belt system).
The Tu250x's are hard to find on the second hand market. Most people prefer the 2012 brown-golden models over all older or newer models (either red or silver).
But if you are looking for a second hand model, I'd say take a look at the burgmans, ninja's, and some other bikes sold for around that price range.
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Post by gitsum on Jun 4, 2013 2:50:27 GMT -5
Maybe Gitsum can comment about one particular aspect of the bike. I only rode one for a couple days as they were the supplied bikes for my Motorcycle safety course. I was probably a ham footed driver but the particular bike I was on locked the rear wheel fairly easily during panic stops. It was not that dramatic and it did not go down but nearly every time we had to do hard stops I would lock it. Otherwise, outside of being retro no-frills, it seemed nice with a very smooth EFI engine. Simple nut adjustment on the rear drum brake  |
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Post by scootnwinn on Jun 4, 2013 10:05:09 GMT -5
I bought a chinese motorcycle, love it, though the carburetor is jetted incorrectly (way way way too lean), and is almost impossible to detach unless I demount the whole bike. So far I have it 2 weeks, been able to run it on paint thinner, with the choke on. It rides fun, accelerates fast, and probably will be a great bike once jetted correctly. I would recommend not mine (which was only $1000 delivered), but a bigger one (usually ~1500-2000 delivered), because it's still half the price of a TU250x. Yes, finding a TU250x below $4,5k is almost impossible (at least in miami area), and dealers want to sell em too high, asking almost $6k for them, new. So much in this post. How can you recommend a bike you have never ridden. Especially when the one you have from the same manufacturer doesn't run at all, that's right running on paint thinner doesn't count The 300's are not made for long distances though. I've had a friend who broke one down on a 1000 mile tour; while a 500+cc bike is much more suited for long distances. I've never tried a TU250x for long distances, but usually 30-60 minutes trips are ok on these bikes. When they say 'does this all day long' it doesn't mean all day long. It means it can ride 70MPH just fine, but no one actually tried it all day long. They just estimate it like that. My BMS260 could also do 75MPH 'all day long'; yet after 2k miles it started rambling apart. Small bikes can go all day long. I have been on many that have. Comparing a 250 Chinese scooter to a Suzuki motorcycle doesn't really work. Your "friend's" experience is not the usual one. Some even go farther than all day long... www.thescooterist.com/2012/04/1980-paris-dakar-from-behind-handlebars.htmlI hope anyone reading posts like this see them for the uninformed drivel that they are... |
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Post by scootnwinn on Jun 4, 2013 10:45:11 GMT -5
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Post by gitsum on Jun 4, 2013 12:13:37 GMT -5
The 300's are not made for long distances though. I've had a friend who broke one down on a 1000 mile tour; while a 500+cc bike is much more suited for long distances. I've never tried a TU250x for long distances, but usually 30-60 minutes trips are ok on these bikes. When they say 'does this all day long' it doesn't mean all day long. It means it can ride 70MPH just fine, but no one actually tried it all day long. They just estimate it like that. My BMS260 could also do 75MPH 'all day long'; yet after 2k miles it started rambling apart. Absolutely friggin' amazing! I can't believe the crap I am reading! Someone I know took a quick trip to the grocery store on his 1200cc cruiser and it broke down. So according to your logic, we now know a bike with a 1200cc engine is not made for short trips in town. I've traveled 350 miles in one day on a 170cc scooter. That's riding two up with gear, taking a lot of little stops to enjoy the scenery and rest our behinds, but most of that was at WOT. There are tons of stories online about people driving around the world, to the arctic circle and back, across Canada, across the USA, and many more long rides on 125cc or less (and no, none of these were Chinese made). And yes, I did take a longer trip on the Suzuki TU250x and did ride it all day long at 70 mph+. It is ludicrous that you can say " It means it can ride 70MPH just fine, but no one actually tried it all day long. They just estimate it like that.". I think your experiences with Chinese made machines is totally screwing up your perception of a two-wheel vehicles capability. How could you possibly know that most people prefer the "brown-golden" color? Did you take a poll? I've seen a dozen or so TU2050x's on the road, and only one or two of them were brown. Get a Chinese bike or a Ninja 300? What the heck kind of logic is that? Those machines have absolutely nothing in common besides two-wheels. Online research can only tell you so much about a motorcycle or scooter. To base an opinion or even a buying decision on that alone is completely retarded. I apologize to everyone about my negative response in this thread. But someone had to say something about this incredibly outrageous and inaccurate information that was posted. |
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Post by gitsum on Jun 4, 2013 12:32:36 GMT -5
I hope anyone reading posts like this see them for the uninformed drivel that they are... You sir, are much too kind |
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+ mph, it will cruise at 75 forever. The Suzuki air-cooled engine doesn't care if it's a 100 degrees out, you can it ride it WOT all day long.
