2004 Suzuki GSX250FX = Kawasaki Balius II?

[frisken]

Hey all,

Just wanting to clarify something here for my own peace of mind ... A Suzuki GSX250FX (Bandit) is a rebadged Kawasaki Balius? I went in to get a service on my bike the other day (order in some parts) and they were thoroughly confused with the chassis number, saying that it's from a Kawasaki not a Suzuki. Once I presented them with my engine number they were even more confused and told me that I've had the dodgy pulled on me, and sold a Kawasaki branded as a Suzuki.

They've also sent away for a letter from Kawasaki NZ to prove this and get my bike reregistered as a Kawasaki ... But after checking this out on the internet myself (Google 2004 Suzuki GSX250FX) it looks like this is common practice and it is a rebranded Kawasaki Balius II? How is it that the Suzuki dealership here in Hamilton didn't know this, nor did the Kawasaki dealership or Kawasaki NZ?

Anyone else ran into this, or know about these bikes?

Cheers.

[Drew]

First I've heard of it. Googling now.

[Drew]

Well fuck a doodle-doo. They look pretty same same to me.

Wonder if they're not a Chinese made bike, that both companies have given license to?

[tigertim20]

i dunno if its the case in this particular scenario but certainly not unheard of, google Mazda roadpacer, or look at the ford laser and the mazda 323, and so on, has been fairly common in cars and have heard of the same happening with bikes from time to time, rebranded depending on market etc. and NZ seems to get funny left over bits and peices that were destined for various other markets from time to time.

[pete376403]

Suzuki DZR400s were rebadged as Kawasaki KLX(?)400 at one time.

(the Kawasaki variants were *much* better :-)

[Oakie]

Didn't believe it but apparantly they are one and the same ... but with a different badge.

http://www.suzuki-tech.com/wiki/Suzuki_GSX250FX

[nzspokes]

i dunno if its the case in this particular scenario but certainly not unheard of, google Mazda roadpacer, or look at the ford laser and the mazda 323, and so on, has been fairly common in cars and have heard of the same happening with bikes from time to time, rebranded depending on market etc. and NZ seems to get funny left over bits and peices that were destined for various other markets from time to time.

I saw a Roadpacer here once. Was odd, very odd.

At least you could get in the engine with the motor to work on it.

[scott411]

Hey all,



They've also sent away for a letter from Kawasaki NZ to prove this and get my bike reregistered as a Kawasaki ... But after checking this out on the internet myself (Google 2004 Suzuki GSX250FX) it looks like this is common practice and it is a rebranded Kawasaki Balius II? How is it that the Suzuki dealership here in Hamilton didn't know this, nor did the Kawasaki dealership or Kawasaki NZ?

Anyone else ran into this, or know about these bikes?

Cheers.

neither of these bikes were sold in NZ new, so the importers will not know about them, but will probably be able to get the information, suzuki and kawsaki shared a number of models from 04-06, in road, dirt, ATV and SxS, not all the rebranded models where brought to NZ,

Also if you read the VIN numbers from the rebranded bikes, they read like the brand that made them,

Not to sure why you want to get the bike reregistered from what it already is,

[nudemetalz]

...and it's not the first 250 four to do that.....

Benelli 254
Moto Guzzi 254

[frisken]

Not to sure why you want to get the bike reregistered from what it already is,

Yeah, I'm not sure why the bike shop or Kawasaki NZ are pressing to get it reregistered. Cheers for the clarification though guys, thought I'd had a fast one pulled on me, but sounds like the bike shops were just a bit thrown off. Has made ordering in some simple parts very fun though!

[Banditbandit]

Hey all,

Just wanting to clarify something here for my own peace of mind ... A Suzuki GSX250FX (Bandit) is a rebadged Kawasaki Balius? Cheers.

Exactly right

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_GSX250FX

[FastBikeGear]

Not quite the same bike. Suzuki fitted theirs with twin rear mounted shocks whereas the Kawasaki variant had a monoshock and progressive linkage. Early versions revved out to 19,000 rpm !!!

[Oakie]

I've ridden three and they all had crap brakes.