Suzuki is lowering the price of its entry level GZ250 motorcycle from $3,999 to $2,999.The new low price of the fun GZ250 cruiser makes it easier to get into motorcycling for those thinking of riding. The GZ250 was discontinued for model year 2011, but there still 2010 models available at dealerships with that lower MSRP.
Whether you#8217;re cruising or commuting, the GZ250 features fuel-efficient 249cc single-cylinder, twin-valve, four-stroke engine with a single-overhead-cam (SOHC), providing the GZ250 with good acceleration and a wide power-band. This makes the GZ250 a strong performer under a variety of riding conditions, and the simplicity of its single-cylinder engine makes it a reliable, easy-to-maintain entry-level machine.
For 2011, Suzuki is bringing back its other entry-level motorcycle, the standard style TU250X first introduced in 2009.
And while were focusing on entry level Suzuki models, for those who want a sportier ride as their first motorcycle, Suzuki offers the GS500F, which hasn#8217;t changed since 2009. It#8217;s a 500cc upright sportbike that offers confident beginners and intermediate riders the opportunity to get used to riding a sportbike.
I just finished going through the RiderCoach instructor prep, to get certified as a motorcycle safety instructor in Texas, and most of the bikes were GZ250s. If you’re looking for a 250cc bike, I give this bike a two thumbs up. We have a motorcycle safety training business, and I wouldn’t mind having a fleet of them for students to ride.
Thanks ladies for your very helpful information. Newbie here, trying to learn and with so much conflicting information it’s hard to know where to start. Now I know despite a lot of opinions, I should start smaller and build from there. Curious about any estimations of the average amount of time women spent on the smaller bike, six months, a year, two or three years? Anyone care to hazard a guess about the average (if there is one) amount of time before most women felt ready to move up?
In 2002, I bought a GZ250 to learn on. I didn’t take the MSF course, but by husband taught me. I went 40 miles up and down our little dead end street until he thought I was ready to head out with him. The GZ was a great little bike. I owned it from July untill March the next year when I bought a Suzuki Volusia. Both Suzuki’s were great bikes. I put about 3,000 miles on the GZ, and I put 45,000 on the Volusia. I now ride a Heritage Softail.The GZ will always be special to me in that it was my gateway into the sport of motorcycling. I took my road test on the GZ. I researched before I got the GZ and found that it was the biggest 250 you could get. It was the longest 250 I believe as well. The only draw back was I outgrew it fast, and it was hard to sell after I got the Volusia, but, I did sell it to a local man who bought it for his wife as a present. I got the GZ in July, I only rode it for four months thanks to WNY winters. I highly recommend the then Volusia, now C50 by Suzuki. Great center of balance, over all great bike… 45,000 without one problem.
I can highly recommend the GZ250. Story: After I passed the MSF course the first thing I did was go down and get an HD 883L in my excitement to own a Harley. The first thing I did when I got on it was dump it in my driveway. Yuk! I kept dumping it too. Being a little discouraged in myself, I parked it in the garage. After going in and out of the garage looking at it, I determined it wasn’t going to beat me… I just needed more of an entry level for me personally. After making that decision I went down and charged a GZ250. I rode it like crazy and never dumped it. It gave me the backbone to finally get on the Harley and, in that alone, it was may favorite bike. I called it my “milk” bike. I went down to get milk and used it as an excuse to milk my skills. I sold it for almost what I got for it to a couple who just graduated from MSF. They loved the look and feel of the bike. Kind of like a mini cruiser. It did ride very well and never gave me any mechanical probs. Just a great bike to learn and get around on. Freeway worthy too. This price is a great one not too pass up.
Great story. Thanks for sharing. You lived firsthand what I always impart to new riders and that is learn on a smaller motorcycle, like that GZ250, because 9 out of 10 women who buy a bigger motorcycle as their first bike end up dropping it, and the money it costs to repair the damage, often several thousand dollars, is the same money that could have been used on a starter bike that often has great resale value for the reasons you describe. Thanks for being a testament to this.
Wow! That brings back memories. In 1999, I bought a red GZ250 to learn on and took my MSF course on a red GZ250. What an excellent beginner bike and the price drop makes it even more appetizing. Anyone looking to learn, this is the one to get. If it were not for the GZ250 all those years ago, I would not now be riding a 1900cc Roadliner. If you are thinking about buying this bike, you will not be disappointed! I promise.