Suzuki GZ250 reviews

I just got mine last night and it is probly the best small bike i have riden. its comfortable. and it looks good Show less

I AM A 28 y.o. WOMAN AND A PROUD OWNER OF A NEW 2002 SUZUKI GZ250. IT IS MY FIRST BIKE AND I DO LOVE IT. IT IS COMFORTABLE, EASY TO HANDLE AND SMOOTH TO RIDE. I LOOK FOWARD TO UPGRADING TO A LARGER BIKE NEXT YEAR BUT IN THE MEANTIME I AM HAVING A GREAT TIME LEARNING WITH THIS BIKE. IT WAS INEXPENSIVE TO BUY, AND GREAT ON GAS...EVERYONE I MEET ARE SURPRISED WHEN I TELL THEM THE FULL SIZE LOOKING BIKE IS ONLY A 250! ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE I RIDE WITH HAVE SPORT BIKES, AND MY BEST FRIEND BOUGHT A KAWI NINJA 250CC. EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE TWO VERY DIFFERENT BIKES, WE LOOK GREAT RIDING TOGETHER IN OUR PACK! Show less

I have not ridden in over nine years, and was looking to get back into saddle with a training bike. I got a good deal on a used 2002 GZ250, and I must say that this motorcycle is a joy to throw around. Although I will move up to something larger, this bike is perfect for tuning the old reflexes. It's light and nimble, with a forgiving gear ratio. Not a bike for the freeway, due to the light weight. This bike is fun to drive, and I think that it looks good. I am a big guy, and this bike is the biggest of the 250 class bikes that I looked at. Show less

I purchased this bike new in 99. I found that the bike lacks power at the top end. The bike is designed for someone about 90 pounds. Also the chrome plating leaves alot to be desired.The chrome started rusting after the first year regardless of wax applied to the chrome. To give the bike more top end I changed the exhaust system and changed the rear sprocket from the 41 tooth to a 37 tooth sprocket. In doing so this the bike has increased its top end. The jetting of the carburetor still needs a larger jet to help the top end speed. Accessories for this bike is still limited. But with some customizing here can fit almost anything to it. Mine has FX fiberglass saddle bags, 36 in. fish tail exhaust pipe, sportster highway bars, and a FX full wrap rear fender. I have to say it is a fair bike that gets 75 mpg. When I buy another bike it will be a Kawasaki. Show less

Other than tooling around on my younger brothers cruiser 20 years ago I've had no real riding experience. So when I got the itch to find a cruiser that I could handle right off the bat as my first bike I looked into the Suzuki GZ250, Honda Rebel and Yamaha Virago 250. In fairness I didn't get to see or touch the Yamaha because my dealer said it was hard to get (he does carry Yamaha's). But, he considered it to be basic inexpensive transportation so I discounted it. Although he would have been happy to sell me one. The Rebel and GZ 250 sat side by side on the dealers showroom floor. I actually thought that the Suzuki was a larger bike (cc class) at first and was surprised to hear that it was evenly priced with the Honda. I did ride both, briefly, and was sold by the Suzuki's impressive braking power. And, I just liked the GZ 250's overall appearance. Both are fine entry level bikes and very low priced. I liked the Suzuki a little bit more. Why 4 stars and not 5? It's a 250! Show less

I don't own this bike but I spent two full 12-hour days of my life on this bike at an MSF boot camp. I bought a 2001 Honda Magna for myself mid year and a Suzuki Savage for the wife. Here is what I have noticed so far about the GZ250 ... - Very light. At 300 pounds it is easy to maneuver. It really feels like a mountain bicycle with a motor. - Due to its light weight, the bike tends to get airborne on large bumps on the highways at 55 mph, where my heavy 550 pound Magna is firmly planted. By airborne I mean, your butt is lifted somewhat off the seat. - The bikes steering can be compared to a mountain bike. At slow speeds (under 10 mph) you need to countersteer and compensate, just like a bicycle. At faster speeds like 20+ the bike is stable like a BMX bicycle. The front tire is matched to the rear and the castor and rake feel close the frame so the bike does not feel like it wants to lean into turns. This makes it easier to ride. - The engine is not a V-Twin. By that I mean, people who are use to V-Twins idiosyncrasies need to learn a new set. For starters, the engine is fairly powerful, not what you would expect from 250cc. I can get the bike to 60mph eventually, not a hell of a lot of torque (Compared to the V-Four Magna 750cc )but it does the job fine. The bike is too light for high speed travel at highway speeds. - Tranny - This being a single cylinder engine coupled with this particular gear ratio tranny, you need to be on the money with your shifting style. A V-Four can get away with plenty of low end under revved torque, a V-Twin can also to a smaller degree. A single cylinder cannot. The bike jerks when you have not properly downshifted to match the speed of the road to the revvs of the engine, and there is no tachometer to help out, you need to practise and be on the money. - The brakes are top notch. Meaning they stop on a dime, but hey its only 300lbs + rider. - The chrome on this bike is non-existent. The little there is gets lost on it. - The handlebars are small and the grips are tiny. So, for someone looking for a recommendation I would say this is a beginner bike. It's a great bike for people who cannot maneuver a heavier 500+ pound bike, like my wife. It looks great, like a retro from the 50s that alone gets this bike respect. Keep this in mind and you'll love the bike. If you want to buy a bike to learn on, and trade up this is it. Keep in mind this bike is small. Small frame, small engine, small performance. If you're taller than 5'5 you'll be cramped. If your a strong person you'll outgrow this bike in a month. I would consider this bike the next step for a person going from a motorized scooter to motorbike. Show less

I own an 1100cc tank that is great for the long cruises with two up but found it sat mostly in the garage. Jump on for a trip to town for some shopping and pushing this heavy monster around the parking lots, forget about it! This little cruiser is perfect and unlike many of the midsize bikes like the Virago and the Savage this puppy handles! Tried both the Virago 535 and the Savage LS650. They are fine as long as you are going straight but with that rake on the front forks extremely sluggish in the tight turns. This little beauty will turn on a dime as you even begin to think about it. I believe so many people would be happy with a cruiser like this if they only knew about it. Show less

This is my first bike and I have done over 5000km on it. I have had no problems with it . It is comfortable and handles nicely in the city as well as in the countryside. It's not ideal for motorway riding but it can cruise comfortably at 60mph, although it does feel very light at these speeds. Front suspension is a little soft but nothing that can't be fixed with heavier fork oil. Great starter bike but you will most likely want something bigger after about six months of riding it. Show less

Having almost crippled myself riding the undersized 125cc bike at the MSF course, I paid particular attention to the distance from seat to pegs when looking for a bike. The price was very reasonable for what I got. I am 5'10" 185 lbs. and 50 years old. I can ride all day with out a cramp. Big bike looks without the price. I feel very confident riding this bike, something I did not during the course. Not a bike for racing on the highway but great for local zips and trips. Low cost and maintenance make it a beauty for the start into motorcycling. Show less

I hadn't rode for 8 years when I decided I would like to get back into it. I bought the GZ250 thinking it would be great to relearn on and i really liked the bikes looks. The dealer told me it was to small and I would outgrow it quickly. I bought it last summer and have had a blast riding it. I haven't outgrown it and have no desire to move to a bigger bike. I highly recommend this bike to anyone who enjoys riding. Show less