Motorcycle Review

With upwards of 82mpg and rolling straight off a set of That '70s Show, the Suzuki TU250 delivers style, ease of use, economy and fun, all for around $3,799.

I jumped on the TU250 and was immediately reminded of the Royal Enfield C5 Bullet. With clean and simple retro styling, this four-stroke, fuel-injected, single-cylinder, air-cooled 250cc engine is a thumper for the masses.

The bike is claimed weighs in at a mere 328 lbs. ready to ride and has a seat height of just over 30 inches, making it all-too-easy to maneuver.

The Suzuki TU250's 16-horsepower motor is not the most vigorous on the market, as it usually wasn't until 3rd gear that it would gain momentum and find its stride. Unlike Suzuki's Hayabusa sportbike, which can exceed any speed limit easily in 1st gear, this little workhorse had me massaging the gears up and down quite a bit. I realized this actually deepened my experience and gave me a new sort of connected feeling with the bike.

When I finally got to speed--about 55 mph in 5th, its top gear--the Suzuki TU250 was in its element. I cruised the strawberry fields of Oxnard and then down the coast into Malibu and I was relaxed to a point of being able to appreciate my surroundings while maintaining confidence and ease with the bike. The sun, light breeze and ocean waves all seemed to appear to me in a state of slow motion.

When called upon, as was the case when a truck decided to do a last minute u-turn in front of me on Pacific Coast Highway, the TU250 responded quickly and smoothly when I pulled on its front disc brake with the dual piston caliper, thus avoiding any possible mishap. I also found the clutch, brakes, and transmission on the buttery side, all adding points to the ease-of-use category, something any rider can appreciate.

One of the characteristics I appreciated most about the Suzuki TU250 was just how cool it looks. With an airbrush spray on the tank that hints of a sunburst-finish Gibson guitar, coupled, with wire-spoke wheels and low-slung chrome exhaust, this around-town commuter reminds me a bit of some of England's best standard vintage bikes, a la the Triumph Bonneville. Remove the rear seat and the allure is enhanced even further.

The Suzuki TU250 is a re-introduction to the all-around bike, as was the norm in the days of old. This machine is capable of around-town jaunts, comfortable long distance trips for two, the odd bit of dirt travel on the occasional fire road and it can even hold its own in the canyons.

Not only was I pleased with the Suzuki's all around performance, but also with the numerous compliments I received on the bike's stylish demeanor along the way.