2001 Suzuki GZ250 from Canada

Summary:

Great starter bike

Faults:

Only thing I have had an issue with is gas was slowly coming out of carb due to it sitting for so long. If left for more than a day, I have to switch to prime so it gets gas to turn over.

General Comments:

Handles great, it's my first street bike and can really be flicked around. Low ground clearance is a negative.

75 MPG and cheap insurance.

Looks awesome.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th November, 2017

2001 Suzuki GZ250 from United States of America

Summary:

Great starter bike, cheap on gas, fun to ride, lacks power and speed

Faults:

18 months and only thing was I broke clutch cable. Easy fix, maybe normal wear and tear. It's 7 years old.

General Comments:

This was my 1st motorcycle, and it is great!

Very easy to learn on, very low to the ground, even my 5'2" wife can ride standing flat-footed with ease.

Getting about 55+MPG which is good, but other people are claiming closer to 65MPG. Maybe mine needs some adjustment, but been very happy with economy.

Handles great. Riding position is perfect. My wife feels very safe riding too. Very easy to control, very maneuverable.

One complaint is the shifter. It has difficulty shifting from neutral to 1st gear. You really gotta stomp on it, and sometimes you gotta release the clutch and try again, then it works. I have heard several other similar stories on this bike. It doesn't bug me too much since I am used to it. Mostly I downshift to 1st at stop lights etc, and only use neutral to start and park.

Another complaint is the power or lack of. Just learning I was fine, but now I am wanting more. I ride it to work daily about 20 miles on the back roads and in town. If I take it on the highway (seldom) I can only get the thing up to about 70MPH. If downhill or wind at my back, maybe 75... but that's it!!! The 5th gear is a cruising gear ONLY!! At 60-65MPH you had better be in 4th gear to try and accelerate. Shifting to 5th only reduces RPMs and and will only maintain your speed if you are lucky. Perhaps I expect to much from a 250cc motorcycle.

I think this bike looks very nice, better than any of the other 250 cruisers out there. It has wide tires, wide fenders, and a wide tank. I looked and sat on a Honda Rebel, and the Rebel seemed really dinky compared to the Suzuki. I have also compared the 250 VStar which also looks small. Several people have asked what size it is, and they are almost always surprised it is a 250cc. It looks like a medium size cruiser.

I might get rid of it soon for more muscle. I do love the looks and great fuel economy. It's fun and easy to ride, light and maneuverable. Perfect for short commutes, good gas mileage and short distance fun rides.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th July, 2009

5th Feb 2010, 19:51

As to the top speed, I understand. However anything over 65 is illegal in most places, so I don't see that it's (taken by itself) a valid gripe. OK, so it only does 70. Well, at that point you're probably breaking the law, right??

In reply to 5th Feb 2010, 19:51

25th Apr 2014, 12:18

Speed limits around here are 70 mph, traffic flows at 75-80mph.

In reply to 25th Apr 2014, 12:18

2nd Jul 2015, 00:43

I agree, I'm in South Texas, the speed limit is 55 in town, 75-80 on the highways. Traffic flows at 80-90 most days, trailers and out of towners 70-75.

In reply to 5th Feb 2010, 19:51

8th Sep 2015, 06:41

So I started on a 250cc and she maxed out at around 65, which was OK when I was going in about a one mile triangle from home-work-school, but if I wanted to go ANYWHERE else, I would have to be really careful. At 65-70 mph, if everyone else is cruising at that speed and you need to speed up to pass them for safety reasons (maybe they don't have everything secured or they're not paying attention), you essentially can't and it's very dangerous. Had it happen before and almost got ran over.

In reply to 5th Feb 2010, 19:51

14th May 2018, 02:22

Sometimes though on the thruway you are competing with the flow of traffic, and the ability to accelerate out of a tight situation is crucial, especially in higher traffic. You are at more risk if you are just barely keeping up on two wheels.

2001 Suzuki GZ250 from United States of America

Summary:

You will always fondly remember your first bike, but you will trade this in soon

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong since I have this for a few months.

General Comments:

This is a great small bike.

It will keep up with other bikes on the highway, but it works very hard to do it at high RPM's, which causes a lot of vibration.

It is a great bike for smaller people, and/or for back roads. I am 6' 220 lbs and it has no problem pulling me along.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th June, 2007

6th Apr 2017, 14:00

I have a GZ250 2000, & with mine I don't have any heavy vibration, just a slight buzz at about 62 mph, which then goes away at higher speeds.