QUIKSPIN: Suzuki TU250X - Take it Easy

The Suzuki TU250X could be the ultimate learner bike. So good, in fact, that I bought a TU many years ago when my wife wanted to learn how to ride a motorcycle. The second-hand example I bought was an ex-rider-training machine, so even the experts at teaching people how to ride reckon this is a good bike to do it on.

For 2011 Suzuki has updated the TU by adding electronic fuel injection to the 250cc SOHC air-cooled single, but fortunately it hasn’t messed around too much with the machine’s traditional, almost retro styling, nor the aspects that make it such a great learner bike.

That air-cooled single certainly won’t scare anyone. Its power delivery is linear throughout the rev range; it’s happy to poke along in traffic at low speeds, has reasonable midrange punch and a topend that won’t get anyone into too much trouble.

The clutch is light and progressive but the fivespeed gearbox ain’t the smoothest thing around, especially if you try to rush the shifts, but it slips into neutral easily when you stop at the lights.

With a claimed kerb weight of just 148kg, a low 770mm seat and a tight turning circle, the TU is one of the easiest bikes to manoeuvre at low speeds. The upright seating position feels natural – if a little cramped for bigger riders – and it offers ease of movement for head checks in traffic. The big rectangular mirrors also offer a good view.

While the suspension is a little on the soft side, it’s competent at soaking up bumps and offers good control at city speeds. The fork is non-adjustable, but the rear preload can be wound-up via old-school collar adjustment. At highway speeds, the basic suspension is wanting, and it will bottom out on big bumps and can cause the bike to wallow a bit when cornering at speed. But given the market at which the TU is aimed, its adequate rather than brilliant handling will quickly teach new riders the dynamics of motorcycling handling at moderate speeds, which is no bad thing.

The Cheng Shin rubber – a 90/90-18 up front and a 110/90-18 at the rear – is quite heavily treaded and offers decent grip for the performance on offer, in both wet and dry conditions. And like everything else on this bike, the brakes – single-disc front and drum rear – offer reasonable performance and feel.

In keeping with the simple theme, the dash consists nothing more than a speedo, an odo, a trip and some lights. As for the ‘retro’ styling, it’s pleasing to the eye in its conservative Pearl Black/Metallic Grey colour scheme, with silver-painted engine and chrome pipe, mirrors and wire-spoke wheels.

Look a little closer at the TU and you can see where Suzuki has cut a few corners to keep the price down to a reasonable $5990; the finish on the rear springs is a little rough, there’s plenty of exposed wiring around the place, the paint on the engine and crankcase is applied a little thin and some of the brackets holding on ancillary equipment look a little cheap. On the flipside, the chrome bits are well finished and the black plastic mudguards look good.

While the TU250X is clearly aimed at the learner market, it should also appeal to the commuter who wants a motorcycle rather than a scooter. This has got to be one of the easiest bikes on the market on which to lane-split, and it offers enough performance to fend off family sedans and plumber’s vans in the traffic-light drag race.