Suzuki 250 SB/KLX250

[Mikeonabike]

Hi everyone.

I'm new to the forum and new to bikes, I've just got my learners and am looking for a bike. I'm keen to get a dual purpose 250, something like a KLX so I can have a bit of offroad fun as well as doing a bit of commuting/road riding.

Anyway it seems like finding a KLX isn't so easy, not that many on trademe, but, I have come across a Suzuki 250SB. Apparently the SB is just a rebadged KLX. The down side of the SB is it's a motard with 17s. As I want to ride it offroad I'd like some off road wheels.

Anyone know much about them?
Parts availability?
Are they a KLX?
Any oddities compared to a KLX?
What are the chances that I'd be able to pick up a second hand set of wheels to fit?
Lastly, anyone have a nice road legal KLX250 they want to sell me? for around $2k?

Hopefully it is just a plain old KLX that way it might be ok, otherwise I'm not sure I'm too keen to buy something that is so rare just for parts availability.

Cheers
Mike

[ADVGD]

Haven't heard of this model myself, there seems to be very little information (http://www.motorbikes.be/en/Suzuki_250_SB_2005.aspx) about them on the web.

Presumably you mean this one (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-384331914.htm)

If you are on your learners and looking for an adventure bike then the DRZ250 is worth a look, here is an article: Setting up a DRZ250 for adventure riding (http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/51/drz-250-adv-bike.php)

[warewolf]

Suzuki and Kawasaki did share some production about that time eg KLX400 is a green DR-Z400, so it is entirely possible the SB is a KLX in yellow. Even so, it's likely to be rare hereabouts. You're probably better off chasing a DR-Z or TTR or something of that nature, with off-road wheels as standard.

[clint640]

Unless you get real lucky & those $800 wheel sets off torpedo7 fit, it will likely cost you well north of $1000 to put dirt wheels. A common issue with motard - dirt swaps is the front brake caliper interfering with the wider spokes on the 21" wheel so you'd want to check that too, but they probably don't use big ass calipers on 250's so much.

Finding a decent dual sport machine less than 10 yrs old for less than $2K will probably be a hard road.

Cheers
Clint

[Mikeonabike]

Hey guys,

Thanks for your input. Yeah, it's the one on trademe.
I'm pretty sure it's not the bike for me, would rather something I know I can get parts for and don't have to spend a load for wheels, not sure I'll really want motard wheels anyway.

Where do I find a road legal DRZ250? is there a better place to look that trademe?

What about this (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=385642438) it's a bit old, but might be a good start? Where do you find info about these? Is it likely to be 6 speed?

Thanks for all your help.

Mike

[clint640]

I think the KLX250's are 6 speed. Google will tell ya.

The KLX250 was the best specced 250 dual sport bike you could get until the WR-R came out. I'd be a little suspicious of that much engine work at only 20K km though - maintenance might have been less than optimal at some point. One of the Nelson guys might be able to go & have a look at it for ya.

Don't worry too much about age, go on condition & km's. Many 250 dual sport models haven't changed much in the last 10 years anyway.

Cheers
Clint

[Mikeonabike]

Hey Clint,

Thanks for that, google, though usually awesome is a bit of a let down on this one, though this (http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/kawasaki/kawasaki_klx250r%2093.htm) is for a 94 which might be close.

I don't know that I’d call it major engine work, seems like just a freshen up, haha. Will have to ask if the bottom end came apart and what the bearings were like, that’d probably tell a story about oil changes wouldn’t it?.

Valves might indicate that it's been running lean?

How do gearboxes stand up in general, more tolerant of lacking maintenance/oil changes than off-road use and water I'd guess? I think I’d rather have to rebuild the engine than the gearbox.

How about forks/rear shock, do these wear out, is it just the case of seals to rebuild in general or does it get expensive?

Speaking of age, not much might have changed in 10years, but what about 20 years? It is a 93 after all!!

Would be awesome if someone wanted to check it out for me, though I am just a random on a forum. It shouldn’t be too hard to go for a wee ferry trip to go and have a look if it sounds ok.

Stoked with this forum, thanks for answering my questions, it’s great having access to other peoples experience/knowledge when you’re just new to something like bikes!!

Cheers
Mike

[JATZ]

Hey guys,

Thanks for your input. Yeah, it's the one on trademe.
I'm pretty sure it's not the bike for me, would rather something I know I can get parts for and don't have to spend a load for wheels, not sure I'll really want motard wheels anyway.

Where do I find a road legal DRZ250? is there a better place to look that trademe?

What about this (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=385642438) it's a bit old, but might be a good start? Where do you find info about these? Is it likely to be 6 speed?

Thanks for all your help.

Mike

IMHO the engine work is not that bad at 20k kilometers, It's much the same as the engine work the boys KLR had at about the same distance.
Was a good bike 'till some prick :tugger: decided he needed it more than the the boy :(. 6 sp box, good suspension (for the money) good fuel range and was comfortable on the highway. He didn't have it long enough to really test it's crashability though :lol:
If you get stuck and want someone to cast their eye over it, I could be persuaded, maybe.

[ADVGD]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-386589933.htm

[Mikeonabike]

JATZ,

Thanks for the info, sorry to hear about your boys bike!! Hate it when that happens.

I might give you a shout if at some point to see if you have some time to have a look, should have a chat to the guy about the bike first though. A couple of beers might persuade you?

ADVG,

There was a AX250 for sale here in Welly a couple of weeks ago, it was cheap about 1k(no reg though), looked good and disapeared of TM within a day of being listed. I take the NX and AX have a good reputation!!

I'm personally quite partial to the green of a Kawasaki though!! haha

[thepom]

NX would be my choice...........

[warewolf]

There was a AX250 for sale here in Welly a couple of weeks ago, it was cheap about 1k(no reg though), looked good and disapeared of TM within a day of being listed. I take the NX and AX have a good reputation!! I was looking at them a while ago. A local dealer was very dismissive of them: basically there are much better buys out there.

[Mikeonabike]

Thought I'd decided against this Suzuki SB/D Tracker but it's still in my mind for the girlfriend. Being that it is a motard the seat height is a lot lower and given that my girlfriend isn't exactly tall(161cm) that could be a win, plus it's e-start(might be less frustrating for her while getting used to the clutch?).

Anyway, how about running 17" dirt tyres on/off road, something like a kenda k270, keeps a low seat height, gives it a bit more offroad ability, might be a good compromise.
What do you reckon, would a 17" front wheel be ok off road for a beginner? bear in mind it won't be too serious, dirt roads to start but who knows where it'll go.

As she gets more confident maybe we could lace up a 19 or 21 front to go with the 17 on the back and that'd probably keep her happy.

Down side of all this is she might end up with an 03 KLX while I end up on a 90s KLX, hope I can keep up!! haha

Cheers
Mike

[Willdat?]

I remember my first gravel ride with a 21" + knobbly after my 17" front DR-Z400 Super Motard. I was amazed at how much front end grip (on gravel) I had with the narrower and knobblier tyre.

I think in terms of confidence for a learner on gravel the 21" is definitely a winner, having said that I never tried a really knobbly tyre on the 17" rims...