Opinions please, Suzuki VL250

[Blossom]

just remember what the great philosopher maximus said



"there is no replacement for displacement

Ignore him....hes being a prat

[KelvinAng]

LOL you guys made my day

[Blossom]

Your welcome. The man is nowhere near that witty in real life but he keeps me amused.

[Griffin]

Hi, Ive just joined KB and found this forum - I think Im going to be on here for days catching up on all the threads.
Just to put a spin on your discussion - I had a look at both the 2007 Suzuki VL250 and a 2001 Yammy XVS250 when I went to purchase my first bike 7 months ago. I ended up with both bikes side by side and I couldnt take my eyes off my Yammy. Im not sure what happened in 2000 / 2001 with Yamaha in the Dragstar / Virago 250 range but they got it just right... its a beautiful lookin 250 cruiser and most people who see it guess at it being a 400 minimum. To me, the later model viragos and intruders all seem a bit less meatier. I can highly recommend the Yamaha XVS 250 as an awesome first bike, Im sure the Intruder would come a close second

[KelvinAng]

Thanks for that, Griffin.

I haven't really considered Yammys because they generally cost more than the Suzis. Didn't totally rule them out, however! Still keeping my options open. For all I know I might end up with a 250cc scooter

[Griffin]

Yeah, I have to admit - the choice on the floor was the 2007 suzuki or the 2001 Yammy and they were both at $5995 + orc. I know that I could have had a 'brand new' bike but Im all about the look and to me the Dragstar with its low profile, long wheelbase and twin pipes... well, it just had the look.

[KelvinAng]

So I was out riding out my little Vespa to work today, and for most of the way, riding in front of me, was a rider on a Kawazaki EL250. Actually I haven't recognised the bike but I really liked it, so I noted the rego number and did a carjam search to find out what it is. Came back to KB and did a search, and found my old thread...

Things had changed since I solicited opinions on the VL250 a year ago. I've got a Hornet 250, got my full license, sold the Hornet and haven't gotten a replacement (the economic situation is to blame). That EL250 got me lusting for a cruiser again... of course, it wouldn't replace the Hornet in my heart, but I've got a big heart that would accommodate many bikes

So, C50T eh?

[stanleychung]

Well since you now have your full, you have a world of choice. The only limit is really your wallet. The C50 is a great bike if you like it but the best thing to do is to test ride as many cruisers as you can. I'm sure you'll find one you will love even more than the Hornet.

Personally I'm hankerin for Harley of some sort. Enjoy your shopping

[Anita S]

I thought they're pretty good bikes (at least on paper, but I don't really know very much about bikes). Nothing on TardMe except dealer advertisements, and few people discuss these bikes here. So just wondering... are they so good that nobody is willing to sell them, or are they so bad nobody's buying? Or... am I in the wrong forum?

Yeah I know everyone has different opinions but I've love to hear them all...

I have an Intruder VL250 2009, Ive owned a Suzuki 400 Savage (thumper) and a Harley Sportster and I reckon the intruder is one of the most comfortable bikes Ive ever had the pleasure of owning, it does as its told, is economical, goes fast (had it comfortably to 130 on the motorway to catch up to speeding biker husband) looks and sounds great and handles well with the exception of tight cornering at low speed (you need to almost to a 10 point turn slow turn around roundabouts), I recently took out an awesome Honda spirit 750 for a test ride and while it was comfortable and easy to handle I was happy to return to my intruder. They are probably hard to get because noone wants to sell them!

[KelvinAng]

Oh wow, thread revival

I've now gotten myself a 2nd-hand but lovely 2008 Suzuki Boulevard M50. I guess it would ride like a bigger version of the VL250 I'd imagine, both being twin-cylinders. I love how I can get 22-25km/L of gas out of her when I'm doing open road speeds 80% of the time in my commute to work (50km away from home).

Was just riding her into town and back yesterday and despite the sub-zero temperatures I was enjoying the ride. I do wish I have a windshield and one that extends to the hands though!

[jasonzc]

Oh wow, thread revival

I've now gotten myself a 2nd-hand but lovely 2008 Suzuki Boulevard M50. I guess it would ride like a bigger version of the VL250 I'd imagine, both being twin-cylinders. I love how I can get 22-25km/L of gas out of her when I'm doing open road speeds 80% of the time in my commute to work (50km away from home).

Was just riding her into town and back yesterday and despite the sub-zero temperatures I was enjoying the ride. I do wish I have a windshield and one that extends to the hands though!

i just upgraded to a '10 M50 from the VL. It just seems to do everything easier than the VL, that is not to say the VL was a bad bike! All my commuting is done on the motorway and 80k zones with hills and whatnot, the 250 required a lot of throttle to maintain speed whilst the M50 will just power up a hill, no problems at all.

The only thing i didnt like about the VL was that i was slightly too tall for it and always had to sit towards the back of the seat, im 6'2. I really loved my ol VL, was my first bike and would recommend to anyone really...

[KelvinAng]

The only thing i didnt like about the VL was that i was slightly too tall for it and always had to sit towards the back of the seat, im 6'2. I really loved my ol VL, was my first bike and would recommend to anyone really...

Yea, I got myself a "big bike" because of the commuting speeds as well. 50km one way along the coastal road, mostly 100km/hr. No hills although winds can sometimes be an issue. Was originally looking at big scooters but the motorbikes tend to have better value for the same money in the 2nd hand market so I went with that.

Two years ago when I was looking to buy my first bike I've actually decided to get the VL250, and as none was on Trade Me I popped into the local Suzuki dealer here and was prepared to buy one new. Unfortunately they had none in stock, and could not get their hands on one until two months later, and that's only if I pay a deposit for it right now so they can get one ordered in. I wasn't too comfortable with buying a bike I've never test-rode and in a riding style I'm not familiar with, so i walked away and went into another shop, saw a nice 2nd hand Hornet 250, researched on it, test-rode it and bought it. I still miss that lil ol'hornet. The consolation is that the new owner of my former Hornet works near me and I get to see her in the carpark almost every day

[daveaengland]

Yea, I got myself a "big bike" because of the commuting speeds as well. 50km one way along the coastal road, mostly 100km/hr. No hills although winds can sometimes be an issue. Was originally looking at big scooters but the motorbikes tend to have better value for the same money in the 2nd hand market so I went with that.

Two years ago when I was looking to buy my first bike I've actually decided to get the VL250, and as none was on Trade Me I popped into the local Suzuki dealer here and was prepared to buy one new. Unfortunately they had none in stock, and could not get their hands on one until two months later, and that's only if I pay a deposit for it right now so they can get one ordered in. I wasn't too comfortable with buying a bike I've never test-rode and in a riding style I'm not familiar with, so i walked away and went into another shop, saw a nice 2nd hand Hornet 250, researched on it, test-rode it and bought it. I still miss that lil ol'hornet. The consolation is that the new owner of my former Hornet works near me and I get to see her in the carpark almost every day

Hi all, just cruising for reviews of the Suzuki Intruder and came across this forum (hopefully someone's still reading it after so long...). I'm considering buying one as a first bike for weekend rides in and around Brisbane, and would love any opinions on its performance up/around mountains and hills (I'm presuming that since this is a Kiwi forum you've all done your share of mountain rides ).

Does it perform ok on a mountain climb?

Cheers,

Dave

[The Lone Rider]

It's a 250.

It will perform like any other 250 v twin.


A 90cc will go up a mountain.

A 250cc will go up a mountain but easier than a 250.

A 750 will go up a mountain, but easier than a 250.

[daveaengland]

It's a 250.

It will perform like any other 250 v twin.


A 90cc will go up a mountain.

A 250cc will go up a mountain but easier than a 250.

A 750 will go up a mountain, but easier than a 250.

That's really my question - as I said, this will be my first bike, and I'm trying to figure out if it will be suitable for the style of riding I want to do. Am I going to be constantly frustrated by its lack of guts trying to get up a hill? (We don't really have mountains in Brisbane...) If so, perhaps I should be getting something larger like the Virago 650, even though that extra power means it might not be as suitable for a beginner? Or do you think it will handle the hill climbs reasonably well? I'm only 80kg, so not that much for it to haul around, after all...