Suzuki GW250 impressions

[modron]

1) Tires. Now Chengshun (CST), but initial reviews are mixed as to whether that is better/worse. I've used CST before, and had no complaints.

Im using CST tires and they are quite good , much better then the ones my yamaha came with

[ZMC888]

I'll take Bridgestone over CST any day. However Chengshin are Maxxis tires parent company, so there is certainly some technology in the tires.

In other words use them up if you've got them on there for touring or for winter or spares. In peak season or on the track run something more exotic if you can afford to.

[bikerdoc]

^ what he said! I've CST on the 650TR and I'm already thinking to replace them with something more familiar e.g. Bridgestones, Metzlers, Michelin et al. CST are okay in the dry... that's it for me. There's no way they compare to the Bridgestones on my Burgman 650's, the Michelins on my Jetmax or the Dunlops on my Dragstar 1100 Classic...

CST = pneumonic for Crap Shoot Tyre...

[Lao Jia Hou]

Wonder why he didn't do anything to the front fender.

I had the same question. But, again, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. Maybe he likes it. His bike - his choice. My bike? The fender is being changed.

Re Tires/CST/Bridgestone/Metzler/Pirelli/etc.

We have a few GWs with various, different tires mounted:

1) CST (Made in China) mounted on the new batch of GWs
2) Road Warriors (Made in Japan) mounted on the "old" batch of GWs
3) Bridgestones (not sure where they were made - doesn't say on the tire) put on a GW during its first tire change at 11K kms

A local GW rider is also an accomplished track racer and, in my opinion, he can push the bike through turns far better than any of us mere mortals can. He's ridden the GW with each set of the above tires (it is his own GW that now has the Bridgestones), and here are his comments (paraphrased):

1) No real differences, except in price
2) All can take me well past my line-of-sight in the twisties (which, by the way, is suicidal on Chinese roads)
3) No idea about seriously wet pavement, because it is a total PITA to ride in those conditions
4) They all totally suck (equally) on anything except pavement, especially mud (our clubhouse has recently had part of its access road muddy)

Personally, I subscribe to the functionality-theory and value-for-money. I am not racing the GWs, nor do I need to prove anything in the mountains (I am not 17 years old any more), and I always opt for a tire that will serve me well for 99% of its intended uses, and will last a LONG time (they do, after all, cost real money).

That said, however, I did notice a difference with Pirellis on my scooters. Pirellis seem to do well in the wet, but it is really hard to tell because I never really push a bike in slippery conditions (frail bones, slower reaction-times, failing eyesight, and all that other wonderful stuff that comes with "years of experience").

On my big bikes, I've tried various brands and also never really noticed any dramatic difference. I think tire pressure was always the religious secret for me.

I may be the odd man out here, but I have never really subscribed to the tire kool-aid. Maybe it would be different if I was racing - but I am not. Back home, I owned a few exotic cars and the tires were super f'n expensive ... ridiculous to the point of nearly a thousand dollars EACH (and there were 4 tires on a car!) ... so I opted for el cheapos that did the job (seriously, how often does one actually drive at >160 mph?).

Same with my bikes.

Come to Beijing and try them out - we have several GWs hanging around. If we could do a blind taste-test, I bet you couldn't tell the difference. Take the challenge! You win - no rental charge - you lose, double price.

Yeah, I'm grumpy tonight :P

[MJH]

That fender was likely a result of wind tunnel testing. It looks to be designed to divert and also direct air, it likely sends a column of air directly at the radiator while holding the front wheel downward and also it could be isolating it from turbulence. I do not think it to be any more of a style statement then the body of the Hayabusa both came from the same designer, I believe.

[Lao Jia Hou]

That fender was likely a result of wind tunnel testing. It looks to be designed to divert and also direct air, it likely sends a column of air directly at the radiator while holding the front wheel downward and also it could be isolating it from turbulence. I do not think it to be any more of a style statement then the body of the Hayabusa both came from the same designer, I believe.

Good point! You're probably correct. It helps explain that forward piece.

[Lao Jia Hou]

Good news for foreign GW250 owners in China.

I have managed to acquire all of the bike's mechanical specifications (e.g., clearances, torque adjustments, wiring diagrams, assembly/disassembly instructions, etc.). If you need some info, send me a PM.

[Lao Jia Hou]

Suzuki China had a little promo going on at one of its Beijing dealers yesterday. Factory reps were on hand to give GW250 owners:

1) Two for one pricing on genuine GW250 oil;
2) Free bike check-ups and adjustments (using real torque wrenches by people who knew which end to use); and,
3) Two free coffee cups (with the "Haojue" logo) ...

coffee cup.jpg

Hahaha. Look familiar? Ya gotta love this country!

I'm a sucker for free stuff, and deep discounts. Apparently, so too are most GW250 owners - there was a big turn out.

I've had to interact with the dealers and the factory (directly) on a few matters relating to the GW250, and my experiences so far have been nothing short of stellar. I've not experienced any mechanical problems with any GW250 I own (I have a few), but wanted things like the English owner's manuals, English service manual, specialized tools, etc. Chatting with other GW250 owners around town, none seem to have experienced problems with the bike.

Suzuki appears to be trying to redefine customer service in China with the GW250. Let's hope it stays that way.

EDIT: I should add that I think the reason Suzuki is often sponsoring these events is to educate GW owners about the positive benefits of preventative adjustments & servicing. It certainly ain't cheap to do this, but Suzuki has probably figured out that ensuring the bikes are properly maintained ... well, it helps the model look good. These factory-sponsored events are apparently common practice in Japan. We all know, living in China, that the usual service-mentality is "wait until it breaks, then we'll fix it."

[gogowanda]

heard my name got called :D

a little intro...about the Dalian dude named Daz
a few weeks ago I was introduced to Lao Jia Hou in Beijing and had a pleasant riding trip through the northern suburbs of Beijing. Next day he rode over on his beloved GW250 and let me rode around the block near the hotel and I was so impressed with it. I couldn't believe it's a made-in-china bike, everything feels tight on it.
I've been making sportbikes go faster or touring bikes go further, all were foreign bikes...(well i'm a dalian dude) so, the GW250 just hit my nerves. It's time to do something for a domestically made bike, so an avg Joe can pickup motorcycling and modify it as a hobby. before the GW I didn't feel there is any model from China will worth the efforts, but now, my view has totally changed.

we have one gw250 on hand (thx to lao jia hou and robert) in dalian that has been totally stripped down. we're developing about 20 parts for it ranging from CNC products to body parts. we will start on performance improvements (airbox for example) next year. I will keep you guys updated.

i saw two huanglong 600 in zhuhai last month, doing laps around 2 min/lap, which is not bad. does anyone here have relationship with high-ups from any of these major brands? Im thinking of starting a track school in zhuhai, where i have good buddies who is already running trackday school w/ ducs and beemers. It'd be nice to have a gw250 track fleets there...so i need donor bikes!

Some proper mods are being done to the GW250 genre. Much better than the "let's cover the bike with stickers" that is often found in China.

For example, this bike is in Macao ...

Attachment 13708

The guy has swapped in a single-sided swing arm, done a tail kit, new wheels/tires, Yoshi slip-on, changed the passenger seat to a clip-on plastic (think Ducati Monster-style) with integrated passenger handles, changed the bars, front forks and put large dual discs up front. Looks good. It allows the natural lines to become more prominent, uncluttered by some massive pieces of "stuff".

Hey Daz ... we're waiting! Whomever gets to market first with these mods, as bolt-on packages, will make a killing.

I wonder how difficult that single-sided swing arm mod is?

Let's label this bike a Suzati ... or a Ducuki.

[Lao Jia Hou]

Hey Daz - welcome aboard MCM. Good to see you here.

I, for one, am definitely looking forward to your company's customized GW products. The prototypes I have seen pics of look fantastic.

Good luck at the Atlanta bike show. If you head back for the Chongqing show, we'll catch up. I think Robert will still be in Germany.