1975 Suzuki TS185

[ZK-Awesome]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-150890889.htm

How about this for a first bike? It's near me, looks tidy and not too big. I don;t know about doing any off-roading stuff on it, more for commuting and small trips.

It is two-stroke though, so it won't be as fuel-efficient, but HOW inefficient would it be?

Would spares be much of a problem since it's so old?

PS I put this thread in the dual purpose forum since that's what it's listed as on trademe, I don't really know anything at all about adventure biking ;)

[Coyote]

The bike is from England, it hasn't been registered here. This could be awkward and expensive to get onto the road. My Dad tried regoing an old farm bike, a TF185, similar to this only more dirt oriented. He was unable to cut through the bureaucratic red tape and it never became road legal again.

Unless you have the money and desire to keep a classic on the road, I suggest you avoid this one.

[DinnMuzz]

These were designed to be used off road and maybe a little on road, it would be not likely to do 100KMs if it did it would be really working. I would suggest it also could be a pains re part etc, it is more a collectible bike and is priced as such I do not think you would get much capital gain by owning it and using commuting. It is in great order but don't think it is what you would want, for the use you described.

[Ixion]

They were (and are I guess) excellent learner and commuter bikes. Quite capable of 100+kph, though 80 or 90 would be a happier crusiing speed.

But the rego issue is probably almost insurmountable. It could be done but it would take a long time and cost a lot of money.

Spares shouldn't be a problem, I think they are still made, if they aren't they were only two or three years ago.

[Coldrider]

My first was a 1973 TS125K, TM is blocked at work so i can't see it but it would be an M model, a friend had TS185, they are not thirsty and we used to thrash these bikes all over the place, we used to trail ride them and we thrashed them from ChCh to Akaroa, Diamond Harbour, always redlining them, 125 was good for about 68 mph, and the 185 a little more, the 185 is a fair bit more torquey.

[Pwalo]

I had the same bike back in the 70s (funnily enough). It should be able to do 100ks. Mine was always reliable, just remember to keep an eye on the oil tank level and use good quality two stroke oil.

The TS185(ER) was manufactured in the 2000's (it may eve still be in production somewhere) so you should be able to find engine parts reasonably easy. IIRC the 185 was a real blast.

[JimO]

i had a 75 ts 185 as a first bike in 77 and paid around $600 for it

[dveus]

The TS185(ER) was manufactured in the 2000's (it may eve still be in production somewhere) so you should be able to find engine parts reasonably easy. IIRC the 185 was a real blast.

I believe their still being made/sold in Mexico. Was looking for something similar for my fiancee to learn to ride on. Did a bit of research into them and they seem extremely reliable, infact I believe their was a Kiwi couple that was doing some form of a round the world trip on them.

[NordieBoy]

Spares shouldn't be a problem, I think they are still made, if they aren't they were only two or three years ago.

Still being made as is the TF.

You can buy a new TS125 and race it in pre-1980 Classic MX :D

[Spyke]

I know they hold about 7 liters of fuel so not the biggest tank. anyone know the amount of fork oil that should be put in a 89 ts 185 er?

[Pedrostt500]

I brought my first TS 185 ER about 1982, they were very basic even for that era, the motors should be the same as the TF185 if suzuki still build them.
learned to ride on a suzuki TC 185 about a 1975, the more road version of the TS185, it had a hi lo gear box so was 10 speed, if thyere are any of these still left i should imagine they would be very rear.

[far queue]

I had one of these as my 1st trail bike in 1980, yep it's a TS185M. Bloody good bike it was at the time too. I went on to a 185ER later that year.


... anyone know the amount of fork oil that should be put in a 89 ts 185 er?Mine was a 1980 TS185ERT, from memory it cost $1895 brand new. Anyway the manual says it takes 166ml of fork oil - no oil weight given.

[Rob Taylor]

What has been said is all correct.My first trail bike was a 1975 TS185.Bloody good bike and really reliable.I disagree with the members saying it will be exspensive to get back on the road.As long as you have the importation paper work and bike is original with everything working as they should ,it wont be a problem.It will be about $200 for vin & Compliance plus rego.It doesnt have to comply with the new regulations because of its age.So if you can get it at the right price,go for it.Good luck:niceone:

[Spyke]

the manual says it takes 166ml of fork oil - no oil weight given.

Cheers I'll try that when i get some oil, its got to be better than hardly any oil.

[avgas]

These were designed to be used off road and maybe a little on road, it would be not likely to do 100KMs if it did it would be really working. I would suggest it also could be a pains re part etc, it is more a collectible bike and is priced as such
Mine did 120 consistently for as long as i wanted. If you changed the gearing you could get more - it has the power to wack it out.
Parts are really easy as they made them for a very long time. Infact i bought the whole bike in bits for $200.

Fantastic bikes boss - price up the road reg though as it may cost a fortune to reg.

[Oscar]

Mine did 120 consistently for as long as i wanted.

Yeah, I had a speedo like that once...

[Amz]

I haven't ridden a 185 but I am riding a 1977 TC 125 (dual ratio 8 speed version of the TS)at the moment. Been riding it for 10 years now. Excellent for learning on. Use it mainly for commuting and fanging around town but wouldn't use it for really long trips as it sounds like its really going for it at around 80-90kms and the double banger suspension on the rear is a bit hard for my 55kg weight. But around town it rocks, plus I have removed some of the spark arrester baffling in the end of the muffler so it sounds good to. I get a lot of people come up to me and say "I remember when I had one of those". You are still able to get some parts from www.japmcdismantlers.co.nz

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=93586&stc=1&d=1208991034
1972_TS-TC-125_ad_800.jpg
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=93587&stc=1&d=1208991034
ResizedFinishedTC125.jpg

[NordieBoy]

And if you get hold of one that's not worth restoring to original condition...

Race it!

<img src=http://www.photostorage.nelson.geek.nz/sports/motorsport/dirt/2004-02-08-Golden%20Bay%20-%20Old%20Thumpers/slides/mvc-314f.jpg>

[awayatc]

.I disagree with the members saying it will be exspensive to get back on the road.As long as you have the importation paper work and bike is original with everything working as they should ,it wont be a problem.It will be about $200 for vin & Compliance plus rego.It doesnt have to comply with the new regulations because of its age.So if you can get it at the right price,go for it.Good luck:niceone:

Agree...With the Paperwork with it from the UK it shouldn't be to hard....
Ring LTNZ....They are actualy quite helpfull.

See he didn't sell first time, wants $1000 buy now..:drool:

[car]

I know they hold about 7 liters of fuel so not the biggest tank.

That's what I was going to say. I sold one to come over here, two years ago. I tried to commute on it exactly twice, which was enough to discover that it wouldn't do a whole trip (80 miles return) on one tank. Not even if I got off it and laid it down on the petcock side to get the very last dribbles of fuel. Great fun for scrambling about in the dirt, though. I'd buy another one if it came by.

[twotyred]

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/suzuki-tech/ts185er-ultimate-long-distance-weapon-8377 :cool: