suzuki gf250 i am looking at buying one

[SLIDER_STEVE]

anyone have any advice about this bike?

[riffer]

anyone have any advice about this bike?

quick search of the net:

Suzuki's second attempt at a 4cyl 250. If you keep it in the powerband (8000-13000) it fairly hoots. Delivers as much power as the much later ZZR250, but without the curvaceous fairing is probably only good for 155-160km/hr. Nice little bike, really fast steering, good brakes. Resale value may not be high, depending upon condition so don't pay too much for one. watercooled, similar style to the FZ250. 33kW, 155kg 19km/L.

[riffer]

Continuing:



Qwirky little cycle, this one. I suspect that a lot of motorcyclists have not even heard of it. Released in about 1988 in Australia, its roots lie with the bike that "2 Wheels" magazine dubbed 1984 "Dog of the Year", the Suzuki GS250FW. The GS250FW was an 8 valve, 4 cylinder 250cc bike that cost an arm and a leg, was comprehensively out performed by the 250 two strokes of that time, and offered buyers a level of mechanical complexity they probably did not want nor need.

Anyway a few years later, in 1988, Mr Suzuki was still labouring with a 4 cylinder 250 cc bike, and the GF250 was it. The engine is related to that from the GS250FW, but now sported 16 valves, more power and torque, and a redline of 14,000rpm. The GF faded away to make room for the release of the Across in about 1990. The engine in the Across has a different bore and stroke from that of the GS/GF series.

Anyway if 250s appeal to you, the GF is an interesting little backwater to explore. Whilst the engine is complex, it is not as bad (or expensive) as the Across to work on. The down side is that all GFs are now about 12 plus years old and spares availability is starting to get a little interesting, especially given that not that many of them came to Australia (only 193 according to one article I've seen.)

Perhaps, with the benefit of hindsight, Suzuki was on the right track with small capacity 4 stroke, 4 cylinder engines. Most 2 strokes faded away by 1987, with only the RGV and Aprillas now remaining. When you consider the popularity of the current range of CBR250s, FZR250s, ZXR250s, Zeals, Balius etc, perhaps high red lines and mechanical complexity was the only way to get the horsepower from a 4 stroke such that it got close to matching 2 stroke power. Perhaps the GS/GF were not blind alleys - just a little ahead of their time.

[riffer]

Suzuki GF250

SPECIFICATIONS
General
Price	$3399 - $3590 (Australia)
Volume imported into Australia: 193 (est.)
Engine
Correction: 8 valves not 16 as I originally stated
Liquid-cooled, eight-valve, DOHC, four-stroke transverse four.
Capacity	250cc
Bore x stroke	44 x 41mm
Compression ratio	11.3:1
Power	45ps @ 13,000rpm
Torque	2.6kg-m @ 10,500rpm
Chassis
Wheelbase	1370mm
Weight (dry)	155kg
Brakes	Front: twin ventilated discs with two two-pistion calipers
	Rear: single ventialted disc with two-piston caliper
Wheels	16" (front) 18" (rear)
Tyres	Front: 100/90-16 54S
	Rear: 110/80-18 58S...S or 120/80-1862S...SS
SERVICE DATA
Fuel Type	85-95 octane or higher, unleaded or low-lead recommended
Fuel Tank	15.0l including reserve
Reserve	3.6l
Engine Oil Type	SAE 10W/40, API SE or SF
Oil Capacity	Oil change: 2,000 ml Filter change: 2,200 ml Overhaul: 2,600ml
Fork Oil	Fork oil # 10
Fork Capacity	345.8ml
Brake Fluid	DOT3, DOT4 or SAE J1703
Coolant Type	Anti-freeze/coolant compatible with aluminum radiator mixed with distilled water only, at the ratio of 50:50
Coolant Capacity	1,650 ml
Factory Suspension Settings: front - 2; rear - 3

[svs]

First bike I owned was the GSF400 . Neat handling bike - could keep up with the big bikes through the twisties. As with all suzukis watch for rust as the build quality is never brilliant. Esp. ones that have been sitting in Japan for years. Mate bought a 5 yr old one with about 2k on it. Took a long time to get the oil drain plug out - probably had never been taken off in its life.

[F5 Dave]

The GF is the predecessor of the bike shown is implied. I remember the Green & White GFs with the baby fairing. I rode a students one a little & quite liked it for what it was. Only thing to remember is they are getting a bit old now & for a high revving engine it will need to have been taken care of else you might be in for some crazy repairs.

May be better to spend a touch more now & get a GSXR250 or better yet for a learner(?) a VTR250 Sparda.

[sedge]

I had a GF 250 special... it was the first bike I ever bought, didn't look much like the other bike picture here...

It was a lot of fun, little power but was easy to chuck around, sounded awesome... well... for someone who drove a Volkwagen with about a 5k redline it sounded pretty good, like a real racer

I really enjoyed riding that bike, brakes were OK, acceleration was OK up to about 120ks, good round town, quicker than all the boy racers... (they drove Ford Escorts etc back then, no-one had a turbo anything) (Used to be all fields round here then haha)

heh heh, about 15 years ago now, strangely enough, they probably still sell for about the same as I paid from a bike shop then !...

Gotta love the LTSA encouraging a 250cc gouging market...

I don't know why they don't do the HP thing like in the UK, be hilarious to see a 33hp restricted R1... I mean you can buy a 1000hp bugatti eb11 and ride off with L plates on it, but no, motorbikes are SO much more dangerous.

Sedge.

[F5 Dave]

Yeah that's the one.

125s in uk that you ride first are 12hp, then you can go to 33hp I believe. Sheesh, hardly get out of the way with 12hp.

The 250 rule probably isn't a bad thing, in the states you can go out & buy an R1 which is just crazy & so many fools think sure, I can handle it.
Right buddy!

[R6_kid:Me]

I got one. Its a nice bike. Dont pay too much for it though. i paid $1200 for mine and its still going strong. Parts arent cheap though, however i have half of a bike as a spare and have just bought more from the net for $20 that is probably worth $500.

Overall its a good bike. if it looks in good nic then i'd get it for what you think is reasonable. Things to look out for would be the cam chain, mine has developed a rather bad rattle that i cant be bothered fixing, this is the only common gripe with this bike, and nearly all other 250 4strks.

It keeps up well with similar 250's, will keep up with CBRs and ZXRs up til bout 70-100k, but then will get blitzed. I like it and i've had mine up to 170kmh under its own steam but thats all you'll get out of it.

Fuel economy is good and i can normally get 300km+ out of $15 petrol.