Suzuki TU250 - anyone seen/ride one?

[sswcmw]

Cruisin'Carolina, not sure where you live, but I got mine from Twin County Motorsports in Rocky Mount, NC. Nothing but great things to say about them. They did not add on any extra fees, and out the door was $3600, which I felt was fair.

To any of you guys with the Dowco Fastrax Tail Bag, how is it holding up, and would you still recommend them. I noticed some people complain about the straps breaking, and I was wondering if anyone on here was experiencing that.

[jimmr]

Originally Posted by EdM

I've been following this thread since its' inception (I'm embarassed to say my first post to it is back on page 7) but keep pulling back from making the purchase. I need a push.

Despite numerous posts addressing the power issue I'm still a little leery. I have read somewhat conflicting comments as to how the TU feels at speeds of 60-65. A fair amount of my riding would be short stretches on a four lane highway with a speed limit of 55 so often traffic flows at 60. Some imply the TU feels quite content at that speed while others mention the engine "screaming".

With gear I weight right about 200#. Most of the roads here are quite flat . I would almost certainly go to the 16T sprocket.

I know how a bike "feels" is rather subjective but I'd welcome opinions.

This area is awash in Harleys and sportbikes (a surprising - to me - number of Hyabusas) and I keep wondering how the TU would fare.

Thanks!

Ned

For the riding you describe, my experience is the TU will do fine. However, I'm going to break with all the cheerleaders here and say, again in my experience, it's not great above 65; the only place I can do that here is on the Interstate, the ones around here have hills, and it's a struggle (it's a struggle sometimes on the slower country roads with hills too).

Clearly I have a different set of riding requirements and style;
clearly I have a different experience level to may of the others here;
clearly I have a different bike from many of the others here.

As someone else said recently, it is what it is, and it's great at that, I couldn't ask for more or better.

And clearly these are my opinions.

[BigCanoe]

Originally Posted by sswcmw

Cruisin'Carolina, not sure where you live, but I got mine from Twin County Motorsports in Rocky Mount, NC. Nothing but great things to say about them. They did not add on any extra fees, and out the door was $3600, which I felt was fair.

To any of you guys with the Dowco Fastrax Tail Bag, how is it holding up, and would you still recommend them. I noticed some people complain about the straps breaking, and I was wondering if anyone on here was experiencing that.

Honda Suzuki of Sanford was good too, thats where I got mine.

[NJ-Brett]

Yes, hills and headwinds are problems on the TU, at least on the interstate.
But he in in Delaware, which is TU country!

Do you have one of those slow grey ones?

Originally Posted by jimmr

For the riding you describe, my experience is the TU will do fine. However, I'm going to break with all the cheerleaders here and say, again in my experience, it's not great above 65; the only place I can do that here is on the Interstate, the ones around here have hills, and it's a struggle (it's a struggle sometimes on the slower country roads with hills too).

Clearly I have a different set of riding requirements and style;
clearly I have a different experience level to may of the others here;
clearly I have a different bike from many of the others here.

As someone else said recently, it is what it is, and it's great at that, I couldn't ask for more or better.

And clearly these are my opinions.

[NJ-Brett]

I have had mine a while, and use it often, and I have no issues with it.

Originally Posted by sswcmw

To any of you guys with the Dowco Fastrax Tail Bag, how is it holding up, and would you still recommend them. I noticed some people complain about the straps breaking, and I was wondering if anyone on here was experiencing that.

[CDNbiker]

Originally Posted by sswcmw

Cruisin'Carolina, not sure where you live, but I got mine from Twin County Motorsports in Rocky Mount, NC. Nothing but great things to say about them. They did not add on any extra fees, and out the door was $3600, which I felt was fair.

To any of you guys with the Dowco Fastrax Tail Bag, how is it holding up, and would you still recommend them. I noticed some people complain about the straps breaking, and I was wondering if anyone on here was experiencing that.

No problems with mine - I find it to be well made and durable so far. I've had other bags (made in India) which were really crap compared to the Dowco

[Chaplain]

Originally Posted by EdM

I've been following this thread since its' inception (I'm embarassed to say my first post to it is back on page 7) but keep pulling back from making the purchase. I need a push.

Despite numerous posts addressing the power issue I'm still a little leery. I have read somewhat conflicting comments as to how the TU feels at speeds of 60-65. A fair amount of my riding would be short stretches on a four lane highway with a speed limit of 55 so often traffic flows at 60. Some imply the TU feels quite content at that speed while others mention the engine "screaming".

With gear I weight right about 200#. Most of the roads here are quite flat . I would almost certainly go to the 16T sprocket.

Ned

OK Ned, here's a push.

Like you, with the gear on I push 195#. Last Sunday afternoon I took a young lady (who weighs about 115# plus 20# of gear) for a ride through the country, and then back to town on a two lane highway (with hills). I could feel the extra weight in the handling and braking, but 65-70mph did not seem a strain. I often ride from Appomattox, VA to Lynchburg on 4 lane roads with hills. I do not have a problem keeping up with 60mph to 65mph traffic. I am often going an indicated 70mph which is likely really 65. The Route 460 by-pass is posted 65mph and people drive it like it is interstate. The TU keeps up, and most of the time I do not have a problem passing people on that road. On the TU I make sure I practice "keep right except to pass".

Now, the TU is a 250 4 stroke single. There is not going to be much of any reserve when running with high speed traffic. Up hill you are going to shift to 4th, or if you really want to make a maximum effort 3rd. But this is what a transmission is for.,

Little engines like high rpms. The TU is not a Ninja 250; but, it's not going to sound like half a harley either, it does like to humm right along. And, if you are going to pass someone going 65mph up hill you have to plan ahead and allow lots of room. Or wait to till you get to the top of the hill to pass.

There is a rather steep hill coming east from Lynchburg to Appomattox. Most trucks need to really gear down and put the 4 ways on while crawling up the hill. Some cars struggle with it too (people are not willing to put their foot in it and stay in a lower gear all the way up). The TU will pull it in 4th and keep up with most of the cages (c. 60mph). But this is a real hill.

Now when you bring your TU home and start riding it, you may think like I did "O wow, this thing is just not going to do anything but sit in the right lane behind a slow truck - Oh well, I'll get there eventually..." But, after about 2000 miles I was worried about running into the some of the cages on the by-pass, and I'm passing lots of cars. Early on I could not believe that anyone would get a TU to an indicated 90 mph. I have not been there yet, but have gotten it close. On level ground, no wind, and a smooth road a real 78 (83 indicated) in a slight tuck is realistic.

The only interstate grade road I've been on is route 288 from rt 60 north in Richmond. This is a high speed outer loop type connector to I-64. I was a little concerned before I took that road, but the TU did fine. I have to go a fur piece to get to a real interstate.

My TU has a 16T front sprocket and a stock rear. I have about 5100 miles on it, and I think it is almost broken in. I've ridden it in high winds and heavy rain. It is very stable and predictable. Any handling issues have been traced back to the nut holding the handle bars.

Now, having said all of this, remember it is a 250. It is not going to be a rocket. It will keep up with most cages and most weekend harley riders will be scared to follow you through a corner. It is not a sport bike. It is a standard, a minimalist standard. But it will get the job done on just about any road.

If I needed to make a regular run from Richmond to Philadelphia on I-95 I would not want to be on a TU250. Maybe a Ninja 250, but prolly something like a the now discontinued gs500. I would not feel real good about the TU on crowded high speed interstate where traffic is regularly moving at 80 mph. But, the TU will handle most rural and urban 4 lanes with 60 to 65 mph posted speeds. But you have to plan your ride; you can't just twist the throttle and get out of the way.

Would I ride the TU across country. Yep! wish I could leave tomorrow. Unlike Brett I would want to stay in a motel with a nice hot shower and HVAC. But the TU would carry the stuff you need to camp. I just would not plan on spending a long time on the Interstate. (yuck anyway).

[NJ-Brett]

Good stuff Chaplain.

I have done a number of longer runs on the interstate at rush hour where everyone was doing 75 to 85 mph and was passing almost everyone.

I have to attempt even longer runs when I get time, maybe down 295 to 95 down to Maryland where a friend lives.
He was thinking about getting a TU and giving his harley a rest, and I bet he would love a test ride.

[linuxid10t]

Originally Posted by NJ-Brett

Yes, hills and headwinds are problems on the TU, at least on the interstate.
But he in in Delaware, which is TU country!

Do you have one of those slow grey ones?

You know Brett, I think some day we will just have to take our bikes to the drag strip to test this theory...

[Gyokusai]

Originally Posted by Chaplain

On level ground, no wind, and a smooth road a real 78 (83 indicated) in a slight tuck is realistic.

I still have the stock sprockets in and I've gotten mine up to 75mph indicated at a little over a thousand miles ridden. Might have been 75 actual, too, since those speed indicators the police leave on the side of the road have given me the same speed as my odometer.

[nuh uh no way]

i won't add to what's already been said as my sentiments are typically the same.

i WILL say that i've noticed the bike, like any machine, really enjoys being warmed up. the days i've gotten the speedo needle to go past all of the numbers and almost hit the fuel injection light were ones where i had already been out and about for several hours.

[CDNbiker]

Originally Posted by linuxid10t

You know Brett, I think some day we will just have to take our bikes to the drag strip to test this theory...

[NJ-Brett]

In taking the salvage bike apart, I was cleaning the chain last night, and it sure was VERY stiff.
That chain has 7000 miles on it.

Moving that thing around the sprockets has got to suck a few horse power.
I cleaned it with a lot of wd40 to get the old chain lube and dirt off and it got easier to bend, but was still stiff.
Think of the power needed to bend that thing around the sprockets fast, 2 hp at least, maybe more.

I will eventually try a good non O ring chain, which wears faster but is EASY to bend.
There is also the light Renolds chains I used to run on the old Triumphs, its got thinner side links so its a lot lighter then a normal chain, but lasts a long time for a non O ring chain because the metal is good.

I suspect a lot of the break in and warm running boost the TU gets is from the chain getting easier to bend...
People might want to use the thin teflon chain lube, not the sticky thick crap.

With a non O ring chain, I would expect the mpg to go up quite a bit and the bike be much quicker/faster.

The downside is more chain maintanance and more frequent replacement of chain and sprockets.
On the plus side, you can run a master link and not need to remove the swingarm to replace the chain.

Originally Posted by nuh uh no way

i won't add to what's already been said as my sentiments are typically the same.

i WILL say that i've noticed the bike, like any machine, really enjoys being warmed up. the days i've gotten the speedo needle to go past all of the numbers and almost hit the fuel injection light were ones where i had already been out and about for several hours.

[WrenNH]

Originally Posted by sswcmw

To any of you guys with the Dowco Fastrax Tail Bag, how is it holding up, and would you still recommend them. I noticed some people complain about the straps breaking, and I was wondering if anyone on here was experiencing that.

I have that tail bag also. I'm not really fond of the way it looks (where's my rack?!), but it really is well-made, and has lots of handy compartments. It expands vertically to become much larger.

[Cruisin'Carolina]

Originally Posted by sswcmw

Cruisin'Carolina, not sure where you live, but I got mine from Twin County Motorsports in Rocky Mount, NC. Nothing but great things to say about them. They did not add on any extra fees, and out the door was $3600, which I felt was fair.

To any of you guys with the Dowco Fastrax Tail Bag, how is it holding up, and would you still recommend them. I noticed some people complain about the straps breaking, and I was wondering if anyone on here was experiencing that.

I'm in Charlotte, so I think I'm about 5 hours one-way from Rocky Mount.

I've located one in Raliegh (used) I'm just trying to figure out time and method to go get it. That would be about 3 hours one-way, but I don't know when I could make it up there.