Suzuki Canada has announced that their TU250 will be coming for 2011. The TU has been around for a while but has only just made it to the Great White North.
Powered by a 249 cc, SOHC, air-cooled single the TU sees it wrapped up on a classically styled chassis, replete with spoke wheels, twin shocks, drum rear brake and vintage Suzuki round tail light.
Modern touches include fuel injection and … errr … well that’s about it. Oh, there’s a catalytic converter in the exhaust if that counts.
Seat height is a relatively low 770 mm and wet weight is a claimed 148 kg. The front brake uses a twin piston caliper and the retro theme is finished off with 18 inch wheels. Fuel capacity is 12 litres.
MSRP is $5,299, which seems a little steep for a basic model when you can get a Kawasaki Ninja 250 for $4,999.
The marketing dept had originally saved the brown color for the RD version, but someone in marketing finally saw something that didn’t smell good. TU250RD
If the TU250 only comes in the light brown shown in the large picure above it will be an even more difficult sell. The red in the smaller picture is so much better!!!
Even once they start discounting at the end of the year I would not buy the light brown colour.
RET
“Perhaps all they really intended to do, was gain access to the mc training schools fleets.”
Rider training schools have a lot of trouble coming up with $6000 per bike, too. they generally don’t get big (or any) discounts from the manufacturers. The manufacturers should be GIVING them bikes. Here, train your riders on Hondas! (many years ago, about 20 years, in fact, Honda did just that) These days, it’s buck up if you want a training fleet, guys.
After taxes and other fees, it’ll end up over $6000 out of door.
The 2009 model has a MSRP of $3800 in the U.S. but with the cost of freight, documentation, shipping, taxes,customs, RIV,etc., it’ll end up close to $6000 Canadian. I am selling a brand new 2009 model for just over $7000, if anyone’s interested. If you think it’s highway robbery at the price I am asking for, then I’ll assume you’re not interested. And it’s hot red too, not the bland brown of the 2011s.
Practical ergonomics, what a concept. The TU250 is a refreshing change from the universal Japanese origami bikes which have visually cluttered the roadways for too long. The bike gets good reviews and is worth a test ride, in spite of the ridiculous price.
I love seeing these bikes come to the North. We will support them! (as seen by the CBR 125) However too much Sake was sent to the marketing types when they set price. The reason why the CBR 125 works is price.
The tooling for the TU has been around for awhile and paid for. The service aspect is in place and it meets our standads. It also has the classic look, which works for some (Like me as I like old school) however it looks like “bland” in the eyes of many. Also as mention dollar is close to PARITY, Wake the phuq up!
Price: sub 4K cdn and Id look at one for a townie runabout….
The msrp is basically an insult to the Canadian consumer. Better to sell a lot and profit a little on every one, than to sell only a few, with high profits on the handfull sold… Perhaps all they really intended to do, was gain access to the mc training schools fleets.
I like it – I appreciate ‘honest’ looking bikes over ones covered with cosmetic plastic bits but I guess, it’s the plastic bits that consumers want.
But given the basic look, it would appear overpriced…
Interesting question about the country of manufacture of the TU250 … also interesting to note that both Honda’s CBR125R and Kawi’s Ninja 250R are manufactured in Thailand (also some Triumphs assembled there too I believe) and the QA/QC of those Bikes are as good as anything coming off of a Japanese production line …
I glad the bike is here in Canada but like others have said it is way overpriced. I wonder where it is built as I would pay more for a Japanese built one over let’s say one from India. It will be interesting to see what the KTM 125 Duke will sell for if it makes it to Canada.
RET
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/irv32ca/10114sr250x2.jpg
Stocking stuffer.
Nice bike and I’m glad to see it has made it to Canada but it should be priced somewhere between the CBR125R and the Ninja 250R, and probably closer to the 125. Shame.
Remember that the dealer net is based on a (roughly)10% discount off MSRP.
I’d like to emphasize the “S” in MSRP. Has anyone noticed what the going price for CBR125R’s is compared to its MSRP?
Grasstracker! Here’s yr bike.
http://www.suzukicycles.org/TU-series/Grasstracker.shtml
$1500 difference with the dollar at parity?! That’s highway robbery! 🙁
Guess we can now import one from the US where I’ve seen them selling for $3000 brand new!! 😉
Wasn’t this what Suzuki used to charge for the naked GS500 twin? Just a few years ago? Although I imagine, like the GS, not many of these will be selling for full list. Still, it’s amazing to me how 2 Japanese manufacturers seem to have such disparate views of the same market. Suzuki seems to think that 5,300 for a gormless 250 single based on 40 year old dirt bike technology makes business sense in 2010 North America, yet Kawasaki has decided that 9 or 10k for the new W800 is a non-starter. I guess if I had an MBA I’d understand.
Nice retro bike, but if that Canada vs USA price difference of $1500.00 is correct, then it’s nothing short of insulting. Let’s see… that’s a whopping 39% premium that Suzuki expects from us for being Canadian.
Ouch. Just noticed. $5299 retail in Canada when the bike is retailing for $3799 in the U.S.? That might be a little hard to swallow for some. It doesn’t appear that Suzuki is interested in selling many of these in Canada.
Say what you will about the TU250 – however, I have yet to read a 250cc comparison review where the TU250 doesn’t place first or near the top of the heap. And this is compared to the Ninja 250R and other entry level bikes. Reviewers seem to love the bike and find it incredibly fun to ride even though it only puts out about 15 hp at the rear wheel. Go figure. I’m pleased to see more 250cc bikes heading this way. Now Yamaha – it’s your turn. Reveal the YZF-R250 (A.K.A. YZF-R4) that rumours suggest you’ve been hiding….
Don’t worry about that. Theres lots more parts next to the bin with the 70’s chrome round tailights. You should be more worried about dragging the rear brake pedal rounding turn one.
@ Mr. X – in the bad old days of off-roading, a buddy of mine made a bash guard for his BSA out of an old coal shovel. Maybe its time to reintroduce ? 🙂
Where did the lower frame go ?
Looks like the first curb mount will smush the exhaust pipe just before the muffler jettisons !
Better carry some 5 Minute JB Weld.
I love small bikes. So, just wait for the next fall and see… I just bought a brand new 2009 CRF230M discounted to $4100 CDN all included!
I’m 27, looking to buy my first bike next spring and this is exactly what I’ll be looking at. I’m glad the quarter litre segment and beginner bike segment for that matter, is getting something other than a sport bike.
‘Bout time! Very, very nice! … BUT with a price set higher than the Ninja 250R, one has to wonder if the Marketing Guru’s have rocks??
Be interesting to see where Honda will place their new CBR250R price-wise? Kawi may continue to laugh all the way to the bank …
It would make a nice cafe racer I think, but the price point is rather high. They need to knock it down alot.
If someone is driving the boat, it made a wrong turn and should have stayed on course for India or some primitive market where it would be a revelation over the carbed model they have had for more than a decade, and probably sold for less than $2k. I’m all for simpler, retro, naked, useful daily drivers but geez. Is this all they can offer as ‘entry level’ ?
Someone has been consuming too many pharmaceuticals if they think this retro package will sell for that kind of dough.
Proof positive that no one’s driving the boat.
Knock a couple thousand $$$ of the MSRP and we’ll talk….
I think they have missed the mark with this bike…the 250cc with FI is great, but they should have gone more toward the Gladuis styling for the bike…not something “Dad” would have learned to ride on…I guess it just isn’t my cup-o-tea, but I don’t think a lot of beginners are going to opt for this when, like you said, they can get the equivalent from Kawasaki (or Honda now) with modern body work. It will work well for people that pine for the Triumph Bonnyville/Retro bikes, but not young new riders…
My two cents… 😡
Later.