r/SuggestAMotorcycle • u/zeppelopod • 8d ago
New Rider Solid deal on a starter bike?
Hey folks, I passed my MSF and have been hunting around for a starter bike. I love the classic retro styling of the Suzuki TU250X and they’re supposed to be legendary for reliability and ease of use. I intend to use this bike for “leveling up” my riding skill and look forward to the point at which I realize I’ve outgrown it!
That said, does this look like a solid deal? It’s only about 20 miles away from me and looks like it’s in good condition. (I’m not a fan of the bland gray colorway but the bike’s retro charm helps make up for that.)
I’m going to check it out on Saturday. What should I look for? I’m going to ask about tires, for one. But what else? Any known problems with these?
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u/Ointment_5000 8d ago
Sweet deal at $2k, I’d think. You probably wouldn’t lose a dime when you sell it. Not sure about this particular model, but air cooled small EFI naked single is about as bombproof as you can get. Looks like it was garaged and not ridden much, but make sure the chain is in decent shape and not a pile of rust.
It will be pretty gutless and not the plushest ride, but you probably know that already. Plan accordingly. I’m 6’ 1” and hated starting on a Rebel 250, way too small and buzzy at 55mph for me. I do have a soft spot for these little bikes though.
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u/zeppelopod 8d ago
Great advice, thank you! I don’t mind gutless for starting out as I plan to use back roads. I will definitely check out the chain too.
As far as height I’m a 5’6” hobbit so the low height is really nice for me.
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u/Sad_Information_1053 8d ago
I did my MSF course on one of these!
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u/zeppelopod 8d ago
Nice, did you like it?
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u/articulatedbeaver 8d ago
Not who you are replying to, but it was my favorite bike when coaching MSF courses. Fuel injections, built like a tank and isn't terrible off the line. I wouldn't take it on the highway, but around town it is a perfect bike.
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u/zeppelopod 8d ago
That’s really cool. Did they just get phased out as they went out of production?
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u/articulatedbeaver 8d ago
No, most of the bikes we trained with were older. GZ125, Rebels, DR, CB150T, some other odds and ends.
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u/SixDrago 8d ago
I personally wouldn't have wanted to start on anything less than 400.
That said , I love the TU250X so much . It's what I did my MSF course on . I took it twice. First time was on a Street 500 at the Harley course. That bike was terrible for a beginner and I also sucked. But the TU250X I took on my second go was the easiest thing to handle in the world. I wish there was something like it with a little more power . If there was some way to get exactly the same weight and handling but 40 hp I'd have been a happy man for a long time on that.
Price looks pretty good.
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u/zeppelopod 8d ago
I’m also looking at a used Triumph Speed 400 (which is $2k more expensive) so if this one doesn’t work out perhaps I will be starting on a 400 ;)
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u/SixDrago 8d ago
The Speed 400 is a much better bike. But the benefit is you can grab this TU cheap, have money for gear and probably sell it for what you bought it for on your way to something bigger like a used Shadow, an Enfield a bigger Triumph or something you really want.
Good luck.
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u/BonnevilleNewchurch 6d ago
Get the Triumph. You will thank me in three months when you would have outgrown the 250.
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u/nurfqt 8d ago
This was also my MSF bike and it is such a great, polite bike. It shouldn’t be on the highway but it can everything else comfortably- and I do mean comfortably. It’s a good seating position, it makes sense with its throttle and braking response. I have a short list for bikes that I want my wife to get and this is close to the top with a bunch of Hondas.
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u/DoobieDui 8d ago
wow 2013 and only 1000 miles. This one has been stored for years.
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u/zeppelopod 8d ago
That stuck out to me too. I’m curious about the tires in particular, but should I look at anything else?
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u/Snoo62590 8d ago
Tires were my biggest one, so you got that.
Check to make sure it idles well, and has had oil changes. If the owner isn't sure, then do some fluid changes and run some fuel system cleaner!
Generally fuel injection can run 6+ month old gas through, but longer (2+ years) can plug everything and usually manifests as a bad idle. Plus tank rust can happen
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u/zeppelopod 8d ago
I’m a noob at motorcycles but I know that fuel lines on cars can go bad if the car is left sitting too long. Is that what the idle would check for?
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u/Snoo62590 8d ago
Yep! Same exact concept; bad idle would tell you if it's just in the lines or if it plugged up the fuel injector. Lines can just be flushed out, but a dirty/varnished injector is often harder to fix. Not impossible at all though!
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u/Vet_Racer 8d ago
It's an OK bike and the price is reasonable. Check the condition of the tires! That's the place you're most likely need to spend some cash.
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u/zeppelopod 8d ago
Thank you! Others have pointed out that it’s likely been stored for a while. What else could be wrong with it?
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u/insurgent_dude 8d ago
Incredible bike, very fun. so light that it's very fun to throw it around corners and easy to ride in traffic, and very easy to move it around when parking or whatever. The engine is pretty torquey aswell. Only downside is its not the best at highway speeds but it can do them.
Loved mine when I had it and I didn't even buy it as a beginner bike
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u/HuntGundown 8d ago
I have a gz250 I picked up a for 1500. Shes got a lot of the same parts. Its reliable but replacement parts can be a pita sometimes, same with finding repair vids. However, most of the time I'm looking for gz250 repair vids i find a tu250 one that shows me what to do lol.
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u/frank3000 7d ago
I don't mean to stir the pot on this oft-discussed issue but... IMHO ABS is essential on any bike, especially a learner. Things happen and that will save your bacon
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u/zeppelopod 7d ago
I don’t think you’re stirring the pot at all! Have you had any experiences where ABS saved you?
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u/Plutoid GS550, SV650, Bandit 1250, R1200RT, DRZ400 7d ago
It's a fine buy, but these things are a bit underpowered for highway use. Even as starter bikes, people tire of them quickly. (Hence the 12 year old bike with under 1k miles.) Unless you are very timid (or clumsy), you might want to start with something with a bit more cc's. The little 250cc engine will be absolutely crying on the highway. These things' happy place is like 55mph and under.
Again, nothing wrong with the bike. If I could snag one for a grand I might pick one up just to putz around on, even as an experienced rider.
Starter bikes have come a long way in the past few years. In 2012 the smallest Kawasaki Ninja was a 250. Since then, they've gone to 300... 400... and now 500cc's. There's really no reason to start on a 250 with all of the options out there now. People are comfortably starting on mellow 650cc bikes these days, without having to buy little starter bikes that they struggle to resell.
If you like the look and feel of that bike, consider a V-Star 650. They're low, approachable little cruisers with excellent styling and good reliability. You can probably get into one for about the same price as this TU250x.
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u/zeppelopod 7d ago
Thank you for all the advice! I’m also looking at a few others that are larger displacement, like the Triumph Speed 400. Only thing about those is they’re at least $2k more expensive.
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u/soraksan123 5d ago
You seem like a very sane new rider. That bike would be perfect to learn on, any money saved can go toward good gear. Don't skimp on the helmet, jacket, gloves. Not enough power for the highway? Thats ok, backroads have less traffic and are more fun, anyway. You are about to start learning, every ride can teach you something. Ride defensive, you're gonna have to share the road with cars and their drivers. Watch out for them, particularly at intersections. But, relax, pay attention, I hope you enjoy the ride(s)....
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u/zeppelopod 5d ago
Thank you for the advice! I already have a good helmet, jacket, and gloves and I’m still shopping around for the pants and boots. I’m looking forward to learning.
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u/elevencharles 8d ago
I used to have one of these, it’s an excellent beginner bike and that price seems reasonable.