Suzuki GW250 "S"

There is another thread that went a little off the rails, but thought I'd throw one in here (Street) with pics & my two fen worth of comments.

Caveat #1 - I have actually not seen one in the flesh, only read about them in the sales brochures (these pics are from scans I did of the brochure) and online, and chatted up a dealer.

Caveat #2 - Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When BMW launched its (now infamous, and oft copied) dual-sport split front fender "beak", I was dumbstruck, thought the BMW folks had a bad-acid trip, and I was sure this new, butt-ugly design would last no more than a year, if that. Yeah, well, I was wrong.

So, here it is (click for larger images):

Attachment 12327
Attachment 12328
Attachment 12329
Attachment 12330

Shown in blue, it is also available in white and in black.

The base model does not come with the rear bags, or the bat-wing engine guard. Its base price is apparently 25,600 (the regular GW250 is 23,800), but subject to finalization. The factory is building them now. I have no idea how much the luggage set, or the bat-wing will cost.

There is now a side-stand switch (hmmm, I thought the regular GW also had one?), a brighter headlight, a 4-way flasher and different handlebars.

I suppose I like the fairing (not sure until I see a real one). I am definitely NOT a fan of the rear luggage - it looks like tupperware in a cheap chrome frame. It reminds me of the Suzuki GN series' rear luggage that the police use.

And what must be the strangest "feature" is a reading light on top of the trunk ...

Attachment 12331

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that, perhaps, a trunk mounted brake light might have been a better idea? But what do I know.

The bat-wing also looks remarkably similar to the old GN series ...

Attachment 12332

The instrument cluster is identical to the regular GW250 ...

Attachment 12333

A key change is the handlebars. They are now a regular, tubular set (perhaps making it easier to attach "travel" things to, like a GPS?), with a height that changes the seating position to be more upright, although the foot pegs appear to remain in the same semi-sport position ...

Attachment 12334

A pic of the original GW250 handlebars can be found on my other thread, here.

This pic gives a bit better detail of what the new handlebars look like ...

Attachment 12335

And, finally, the specs from the brochure. In most respects, they are the same as the original GW250 ...

Attachment 12336

Personally, I would stick with the original GW250 and perform the very easy mods myself (bar change, better looking luggage, and better bat-wing). The fairing looks interesting, but I think a simple windscreen is just as good (weighs less, and is more adjustable).

Nevertheless, I bet Suzuki sells a lot of these. The original GW250s are still difficult to get. As I noted in my other thread, I was surprised to recently learn that Suzuki has sold approximately 550 of the original GW250 bikes in just Beijing city, within the past year. And according to the largest Suzuki dealer in Beijing, this city is considered a backwater by Suzuki - the really big sales numbers happen in South China (and, of course, exports).

Not much of a fan of this S model. However the GW250 has proven to be possibly the best selling over 125cc motorcycle in China for years, and isn't doing so badly in exports either.

Surely time for Haojue/Suzuki to step up to the plate and manufacture a 500-600cc workhorse twin with similar DNA in China?

I actually think this bike looks all right. But, the last I heard, we may not even get the standard GW250 in the USA. I was interested in the standard as a great small Hawaii Island street bike, and we even have a Suzuki dealer in Hilo, but not looking like it's coming. Anyone know otherwise?

Hello Everyone,

Not too bad looking although I will also stick to the GW250 without the "S" personnaly speaking.
By the way, I'm planning to buy one and the dealer just told me last week that they have suspended the production righ now but do not have more info on that. Anyone heard about that? I guess I will have to wait another month before riding in China... :(

Welcome Stev

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Originally Posted by Stev

... the dealer just told me last week that they have suspended the production righ now but do not have more info on that. Anyone heard about that?

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I've heard that same story, from a dealer - but he took my order (about a week ago) for another GW, with an outside delivery date of July 15. We'll see.

Surprisingly, in Beijing, there are not many 2nd hand ones for sale. And the ones that do come up for sale are usually sold quickly. BTW, if you find a 2nd hand one, it is a good idea to get a post August 2012 build (on the VIN tag).

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Originally Posted by birdmove

... we may not even get the standard GW250 in the USA.

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I recall reading somewhere that the GW is indeed planned for the USA & Canadian markets, but I can't recall where I read that, or when the expected date was. BTW, I think it will be called the Inazuma 250 outside of China.

Hi Lao Jia Hou,

Yes, i tried to find a 2nd hands in SH but I couldn't get a good deal and prices were pretty much the same as a new one so I gave up and decided to go for a new one with the one year warranty. Let me know if you managed to get it on July 15! :)

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Originally Posted by birdmove

... we may not even get the standard GW250 in the USA.

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It is now on the Suzuki USA website, but no price/date. Looks like it will stay with the GW250 name.

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%....aspx#Overview

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lao Jia Hou

There is another thread that went a little off the rails, but thought I'd throw one in here (Street) with pics & my two fen worth of comments.

Caveat #1 - I have actually not seen one in the flesh, only read about them in the sales brochures (these pics are from scans I did of the brochure) and online, and chatted up a dealer.

Caveat #2 - Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When BMW launched its (now infamous, and oft copied) dual-sport split front fender "beak", I was dumbstruck, thought the BMW folks had a bad-acid trip, and I was sure this new, butt-ugly design would last no more than a year, if that. Yeah, well, I was wrong.

So, here it is (click for larger images):

Attachment 12327
Attachment 12328
Attachment 12329
Attachment 12330

Shown in blue, it is also available in white and in black.

The base model does not come with the rear bags, or the bat-wing engine guard. Its base price is apparently 25,600 (the regular GW250 is 23,800), but subject to finalization. The factory is building them now. I have no idea how much the luggage set, or the bat-wing will cost.

There is now a side-stand switch (hmmm, I thought the regular GW also had one?), hid headlight kits a 4-way flasher and different handlebars.

I suppose I like the fairing (not sure until I see a real one). I am definitely NOT a fan of the rear luggage - it looks like tupperware in a cheap chrome frame. It reminds me of the Suzuki GN series' rear luggage that the police use.

And what must be the strangest "feature" is a reading light on top of the trunk ...

Attachment 12331

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that, perhaps, a trunk mounted brake light might have been a better idea? But what do I know.

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nice very nice.. Just love the review. Bit more stylish and looking like good buildup..When will be the bike available in the market?

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Originally Posted by Stev

Let me know if you managed to get it on July 15! :)

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Went to the dealer I ordered it from (Dadi ... aka North Suzuki). Was told "sorry, it won't arrive until mid to late September, at the earliest."

I then visited another dealer (Qili) and was given the same story - regular GWs won't be delivered until the Fall.

Sigh.

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Originally Posted by CodyRamsey

When will be the bike available in the market?

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In China, the dealers are accepting orders for the GW250S (Travel version). No definitive ETA, though. Price is just under 26K rmb.

However, one dealer (Qili) has a brand new Police Version GW250S, complete with lights, siren and police stickers. It is sitting on the showroom floor. And anyone with 36K can buy it. But you are supposed to remove the lights, siren and stickers after you take it home.

Yeah right - I want it. I'd love to ride up and down Chang An Avenue, circling Tiananmen Square, giving out on-the-spot fines to anyone & everyone, including other policemen. Guess I'd need a fake black & white police plate. Shouldn't be a problem. Hmmm ... I wonder what could possibly go wrong?

My iphone pics sucked, but here is a taobao link with pics:

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...id=20298827392

Incredible that someone can buy a police bike online, or in the shops, with a simple promise "Yes, I will remove the lights, siren and stickers ... I promise. Seriously, trust me, I will."

Oh, Qili also had a CF Moto 650-TR police version, completely with lights, etc. Looked good.

Dearlers in Shanghai don't even know when it will be available again... I've decided then to upgrade and go for the Benelli 600BJ.
I've also consider the CF Moto, tried two of them and was not really convinced compared to the Benelli.

By the way, I've tried to see if we could get the Benelli BN600 in China that looks slightly better that the BJ in terms of design (my opinion) but couldn't get a clear answer...anyone knows?

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Originally Posted by Stev

Dearlers in Shanghai don't even know when it will be available again.

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Beijing dealers are saying September, at the earliest. Apparently sold out in China, Japan, India and the UK, with back orders. The launches in the USA/Canada markets have been delayed indefinitely, as sufficient product cannot be guaranteed.

Interestingly, despite (what I consider) the large number of sales in Beijing, there are very few that are in the second-hand market. I see lots on the road, but only a very few in the classifieds.

BTW, there's a foreign guy in Beijing that does nice custom work (including infused carbon fiber panels & CNC milling) that recently modded a BJ600 - it came to our bike night yesterday, and looked good. A couple of us GW owners are getting him to do work on the GWs. Slightly pricy, by Chinese standards, but you get what you pay for.

Has that bike even been launched in India? Its not listed on the Suzuki India website.
http://www.suzukimotorcycle.co.in/


It is definitely selling in China and Japan and looks to be offered in the UK, advertised in the USA barely but the only word on it in India is through the notorious rumor generating India motorcycle press. That have even gone so far as creating prices, but try to find one for sale.


The GW250 also has a face book page in India….
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Suzuk...76019192473025


Obviously not sponsored by Suzuki, or at least does not appear to be?


Suzuki does change its line-up often, they have historically added and dropped models, I have never seen one advertised that never showed up though. This could be a first and that is more about misalignment to me, then anything else.


Who knows, is that bike going to be manufactured in India? If the bike is going to be offered in the USA then….has anyone checked to see if it has an EPA certificate issued? It cannot be sold until it does, it is unlikely the bike when offered in India will be manufactured in China and if the production center in China cannot keep up with demand then it can come from India?


I think they should make a different version in India, IMO one that looks more like the GSR 400 sold in Japan.
http://www1.suzuki.co.jp/motor/gsr400/img/ame.jpg


The high demand is likely Japanese, the price for them is a Super Bargain . That is a testament to brand loyalty which is based in national-ism, the Japanese do not see the bike as Chinese, they see it as a Suzuki and at a very good price.

Don't actually know about India, I was just operating on what I've heard. A guy from India contacted me, asking about accessories, so I'm assuming that they are somehow getting something there. It would make the most sense for a similar version to be manufactured there.

Was also contacted by a Canadian, who said the bike was once on the Suzuki Canada website, but has since been removed. I think it is still on the USA website. The Canadian/USA publications are saying the bike is coming this summer/fall (2013).

Met a Japanese guy, living in Beijing, who rides a new GW. He said that the GWs (GSRs) are very popular in Japan and aftermarket parts are developing quickly. The bike is apparently quite popular in the UK, and many of the UK's online aftermarket parts shops are selling various goodies for them. However, I've noticed that many of those UK parts are the same found on taobao, although at much higher prices in the UK (somewhat understandable).

I think other countries have "rules" about displacement, and the 250 somehow fits within those rules, which can help explain its success.

A couple of us are getting new front / rear fenders built on our GWs - that GSR400 looks about right (although perhaps a bit more off the rear). Not sure about the exhaust design. Annual inspection rules in China mean that we need to keep the original body work / exhausts.

Bought a GW250S Travel Version (without rear bags). Picked it up today, and have only put tens of kms on it. More info later.

What I will say, however, is that:

1) The riding position is incredibly different from the regular GW250. The 250S is very comfortable for those who like a more upright position (that is me). I wasn't expecting much of a difference, but when I was checking it out at the dealer, I was very surprised. Probably no more than a few cms in handlebar height, but wow, what a difference. The riding "feeling" of the 250S is much more like my JH600 than the regular GW.

2) The fairing does have room for easy installation of goodies.

3) The round handlebars will allow easy installation of RAM mounts.

4) There is a side stand switch (not on the regular GW)

5) There is an emergency 4-way light flasher (nice)

Before seeing one in the flesh, and trying it out, I was skeptical (and critical) of Suzuki doing this to its wildly popular GW. I still think the factory rear bags are ugly (and have that weird map-reading light on the top box), but between the two GW models, I most definitely prefer this 250S - at least at this point (50 kms on it). But I've never been a great fan of sport-position bikes, so I am biased. Although the regular GW is only what I would call a "partial sport position", it does put too much pressure on my wrists.

Suzuki might have hit another home run with this 250S (time will tell), for those who prefer a more upright position - especially for long hauls.

The dealer I purchased it from has several outlets, and they had to truck it over to one near me. When I arrived, the bike was still on the truck. The boys-in-pink prepared to unload it:

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These next two pics made me REALLY nervous.

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But, I guess they do this all the time. It made it off without a scratch. Still, if I was the boss, I'd tell them to do this before the customer arrived.

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"Prep" was installing the battery, removing some minor protective plastics, and firing it up to make sure it starts.

Attachment 13325

I get to ride it around for a few days without plates (being plated next week). This is great, especially because my black regular GW just got nabbed by one of the traffic cams on the Airport Expressway.

EDIT: The wheel color is a silvery-grey, which is different than the regular GWs, which are all black. I have only seen this black 250S, so I do not know if the blue or the white 250S models also have this different wheel color. Aside from the color, the wheels look identical to the regular GW250.

Love the bike well done just need to know if you dont mind how much please would love these to be a bit bigger C.C. you said .....

"This is great, especially because my black regular GW just got nabbed by one of the traffic cams on the Airport Expressway."

so what happen now to your regular ride do you just get a ticket and a fine or do you hind the regular bike away lol

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Originally Posted by prince666

... how much ...

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Retail is 26,300, versus 23,800 for the regular GW. Not sure how much the rear bags are - didn't ask.

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Originally Posted by prince666

so what happen now to your regular ride do you just get a ticket and a fine or do you hind the regular bike away lol

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I was very lucky to get only a 200 rmb fine, because there can also be a 6 point penalty for this particular offence, but none in this case. BTW, it wasn't me - an unlucky someone was using this particular bike.

an anybody please assist I am trying to find a SMC dealer in china that can send OEM parts overseas. we here in Bali are trying to convert 250l3 into the 250J=h but it has proven seriously difficult to get these parts.. the boxes front fairing wiring harness sirens etc...
I have many times tried to talk to Haojue by email but never reply to my email. also tried Taobao.com but none of the sellers want to send overseas or just get confused and slack in translation.
We here at Inazuma Owners Division in Indonesia and myself have been trying desperately for a long time to get these parts but no success yet.
I have parts lists and PDF's and such which themselves were a nightmare to obtain for the GW250J.

My intention is to provide conversion kits and installation in association with a Suzuki dealer here in Indonesia as currently they can only recommend fiberglass copies produced locally and of low quality.
There are so many people lining up ready to buy the parts from me as soon as i can find a dealer willing to send the parts to Bali.
PLEASE help.. The only thing i can think of now is dealing direct with a SMC parts dealer in China.. but contacting one has been a nightmare. Can somebody please help with email or website of Suzuki parts dealer in China? contacting Suzuki China has proven useless by their Global website and I have extensivly tried to deal with Suzuki Australia and Indonesia.. these model and parts are not available for order .
This could be a lucrative business opportunity for the right person in the coming year. as there are over 200 bikes ready to convert.