RE: Suzuki Inazuma 250: PH2 Ridden

RE: Suzuki Inazuma 250: PH2 Ridden

Thursday 7th March 2013

Suzuki Inazuma 250: PH2 Ridden

Two-wheeled freedom for less than the price of a season ticket? PH2 weighs up the alternatives



The world of motorcycling is undergoing quite a change. After dominating the higher end of the market since the 1980s, Japanese manufacturers are starting to fall behind the Europeans. Ducati's Panigale, BMW's S1000RR and Aprilia's RSV4 all boast traction control, ABS and a plethora of other tech while the GSX-R1000, Fireblade and R1 only have the very basics. The 'blade doesn't have traction control while the R1 lacks ABS and the GSX-R both! The Kawasaki ZX-10R has the full package, but even it isn't as advanced as the BMW. And it's all about the money.

Spacious enough for a dead squirrel
Spacious enough for a dead squirrel
Japanese manufacturers produce vast numbers of bikes every year while in comparison even BMW, the biggest European motorcycle manufacturer, only makes 100,000. Development costs for sports bikes are huge compared with the sales volumes, premium pricing and perceived exclusivity a luxury European makers can fall back on to balance the books.

There is still one area the huge Japanese factories can make substantial profits though - mass produced, low capacity bikes destined for 'emerging' markets and this is where the Inazuma 250 comes in.

Built in China, the Inazuma is a relatively basic parallel twin 250 sold in the Far East in various guises. Why is that of interest to UK buyers? Huge volumes in China mean Suzuki can keep its price tag low. For us that means you get a brand new Suzuki bike with two years warranty and one-year roadside assistance for £3,408. It may not be as sexy as a GSX-R1000, but cash-strapped commuters should look at the numbers.

Parallel-twin engine is smooth and responsive
Parallel-twin engine is smooth and responsive
Frugal commuting
A 30-mile commute in the London area could cost you the same, if not more, in train tickets. With a claimed 85mpg the Inazuma would cost a third of that in fuel. As well as getting up later and not having your nose in someone's armpit, you also have something to show for your investment other than used ticket stubs. Yes you need an A2 licence to ride the bike, but looking at those prices the Inazuma starts to make sense. But does the ride back up the numbers?

Let's be honest, the Inazuma is what it is - a budget commuter. This aside, Suzuki's little 250 is actually a cracking bike. Although physically quite small and with an extremely low seat height, the Inazuma isn't cramped. The seat is large enough to accommodate a sizable posterior (or dead squirrel)* and the bars are comfortably spaced and the pegs low. It's perfect for commuting, low weight and generous steering lock making low speed maneuvering a doddle. The digital clocks are a touch basic but clear enough while the mirrors show what is behind you. It may sound odd to congratulate a bike on this but you would be amazed how many modern machines fail on such basics...

Back to basics and no worse for it
Back to basics and no worse for it
Competent commuting
While the little 248cc parallel twin engine is unlikely to make its way into any 'great motors of the 21st century' book, it is remarkably accomplished without that cheap buzz low cost motors often have. It feels solid with a lovely light clutch action and extremely slick gearbox. In a flat out (downhill) run I managed to see 86mph on the clock, which isn't bad, but realistically you are talking a happy 70mph cruising speed, which is more than enough for commuting. However it is the drive that impresses the most.

Accelerating with any haste from 50mph does require shifting down two gears and nailing the throttle to the stop, but this is hardly surprising. Should you just wish to gently build up speed the Inazuma responds with reasonable drive that means you don't need to continuously feed it gears to gain momentum. It's not fast by any stretch of the imagination, but it is competent and charming to ride, if a little wobbly.

On a bike such as this the suspension is always going to be a bit budget and the Inazuma is very softly sprung, which is great for dealing with potholes but not so good flat out. It's not a huge issue and soft is certainly better than hard for commuting if not other things in life. While I'm on negatives I did find the brakes a little lacking and personally I would have liked to see ABS as an option, especially considering newer riders will be drawn to the Inazuma. But there again that would boost the price by around £400, which would be a bad thing.

Finish isn't brilliant but it's good enough
Finish isn't brilliant but it's good enough
Value for money?
The Inazuma is a nice, honest, bike that does what it promises. It offers frugal motoring with no hassle but also adds a bit of character. With some cheaper Chinese machines you don't get the two-year warranty that you get with the Suzuki and overall the build quality seems decent. I did spot some slight furring of the brake, clutch and gear and foot brake lever, but that's all and the engine has a decent paint finish. As the Inazuma is an A2 licence bike it is up against the likes of the new Honda CB500, which offers 'big bike' feel but costs another £1,500-odd. Or half a new Inazuma!

This is a bike that will be dragged out, thrashed for a commute, probably dropped a few times and then returned to the street where it will live (if it's lucky) under a cheap plastic cover. It won't have the most glamorous of lives, but you can guarantee there will be Inazumas churning out the hard miles for years to come. Out of a packed commuter train or a year on an Inazuma I know what I'd choose, and it wouldn't involve waiting for the 8:13...


SUZUKI INAZUMA 250
Engine:
248cc 2-cyl
Power: 26hp@8,500rpm
Torque: 17ft lb@7,000rpm
Top speed: 85mph (est)
Weight: 183kg (wet)
MPG: 85 (claimed)
Price: £3,408

*We did ask Jon about the squirrel and he told us "I was going to shoot a close-up but it didn't have any eyes and wasn't very photogenic." No, nor us.

 

Author
Discussion

FestivAli

Original Poster:

1,085 posts

237 months

Thursday 7th March 2013
quotequote all
Finally a review of the Inazuma 250. For a bike that has been out for ages (at least here in Aus) this is the first review I have seen. Jon have you ridden the TU250X (retro-stye single) and if so how do they compare? I see the appeal in no-nonsense bikes like these.

Greg 172

233 posts

200 months

Thursday 7th March 2013
quotequote all
I'd need to find a helmet that matches the headlamp....

Merkypast

25 posts

137 months

Thursday 7th March 2013
quotequote all
Looks nice!

For a cheap commuter, I'd probably go for a decent secondhand 600 Bandit, but then I've had a full licence since the 80s. For someone who doesn't need the extra grunt or the complexity of twice the number of cylinders one of these should do the job admirably. Good work, Suzuki!

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

254 months

Thursday 7th March 2013
quotequote all
I guess it is pretty good value for a new, big name, bike with the warranty etc. but I can't help thinking that you could buy a better s/h commuter bike in good condition plus all your kit for a similar or lower price e.g. ER6, SV650, Bandit, FZ etc.

"Road Winner" tyres as well hehe (actually they aren't too bad if other reviews are to be believed).

philis

415 posts

216 months

Thursday 7th March 2013
quotequote all
Cash strapped commuters should look after their hard earned savings and soldier on with their existing machinery, not throw 3 grand down the toilet by buying this heap.


LiamB

7,922 posts

142 months

Thursday 7th March 2013
quotequote all
Probably laughed too much at the squirrel picture.. rofl

SpeckledJim

31,608 posts

252 months

Thursday 7th March 2013
quotequote all
Compared to a Dacia Sandero or Kia Picanto at £5995, £3.5k for a deeply unimpressive small bike is really very expensive.

Fire99

9,844 posts

228 months

Thursday 7th March 2013
quotequote all
If you really want to save cash, I'd go with a used Honda CB500 for a grand. Genuine 50+mpg, Good performance and strong Honda build quality.
I bought a cheaper one for just over 600 quid nearly 5 years ago. Other than a chain and sprocket set which I bought as precaution when I bought the bike, its needed tyres and a brake light switch.

£3.5k for a budget built commuter, is no bargain.

mopman94

417 posts

134 months

Thursday 7th March 2013
quotequote all
I looked into this bike when buying mine, its great value for money and insurance is very cheap, but it's just boring (and also a little to small for me at just under 6foot). In the end I paid the extra £600 to get the KTM Duke 200 which has the same power from a slightly smaller engine and it a hell of a lot better looking and something you would go out and ride for fun at the weekends. The Inazuma is a great bike if you will be doing nothing but commuting on it. And as for the CB500 - for a 19 year old who just got their license, insurance is just not possible.

CBR JGWRR

6,518 posts

148 months

Thursday 7th March 2013
quotequote all
mopman94 said:
And as for the CB500 - for a 19 year old who just got their license, insurance is just not possible.
IME, a CB500 is far more insurable than some 125s... like couple of hundred quid in Lincolnshire for me back when I was 17...




Kawasicki

13,041 posts

234 months

Friday 8th March 2013
quotequote all
mopman94 said:
I looked into this bike when buying mine, its great value for money and insurance is very cheap, but it's just boring (and also a little to small for me at just under 6foot). In the end I paid the extra £600 to get the KTM Duke 200 which has the same power from a slightly smaller engine and it a hell of a lot better looking and something you would go out and ride for fun at the weekends. The Inazuma is a great bike if you will be doing nothing but commuting on it. And as for the CB500 - for a 19 year old who just got their license, insurance is just not possible.
The duke just annihilates this for showroom appeal, good choice!

gbbird

5,186 posts

243 months

Sunday 10th March 2013
quotequote all
Goo review, but Still expensive for what is is.

And dear PH, why the piccie with a dead squirrel???

mopman94

417 posts

134 months

Sunday 10th March 2013
quotequote all
CBR JGWRR said:
IME, a CB500 is far more insurable than some 125s... like couple of hundred quid in Lincolnshire for me back when I was 17...
hmm Insurance companies wanted £2000 for a years third party fire and theft on a 2009 Ninja 250 for me, and I live in a post code that is considered the safest.

CBR JGWRR

6,518 posts

148 months

Sunday 10th March 2013
quotequote all
mopman94 said:
CBR JGWRR said:
IME, a CB500 is far more insurable than some 125s... like couple of hundred quid in Lincolnshire for me back when I was 17...
hmm Insurance companies wanted £2000 for a years third party fire and theft on a 2009 Ninja 250 for me, and I live in a post code that is considered the safest.
550 quid here in Lincolnshire...

Few years back now.

Farrant

561 posts

161 months

Sunday 10th March 2013
quotequote all
mopman94 said:
hmm Insurance companies wanted £2000 for a years third party fire and theft on a 2009 Ninja 250 for me, and I live in a post code that is considered the safest.
A Ninja 250 is more desireable than a CB500.

Me; YZF R125-£600
10 Year old CB500-£500

Both TPT&T

Hooli

32,278 posts

199 months

Sunday 10th March 2013
quotequote all
LiamB said:
Probably laughed too much at the squirrel picture.. rofl
Me too & I'm not sure why it was so funny either

DeanHelix

135 posts

154 months

Monday 11th March 2013
quotequote all
Currently waiting on the Duke 390 myself. Having read this article about the Inazuma, I'm still waiting on a Duke 390. This does nothing to change my mind.

Fire99

9,844 posts

228 months

Monday 11th March 2013
quotequote all
Farrant said:
A Ninja 250 is more desireable than a CB500.
Exactly.. The 'Greater cc = Greater Insurance' is far from exact truth.

Ease of theft, desirability, age, etc etc make a big difference.

Hooli

32,278 posts

199 months

Monday 11th March 2013
quotequote all
Fire99 said:
Farrant said:
A Ninja 250 is more desireable than a CB500.
Exactly.. The 'Greater cc = Greater Insurance' is far from exact truth.

Ease of theft, desirability, age, etc etc make a big difference.
Is it covered in plastic is another big thing to think about. It always seems faired bikes cost more as the repair costs for a typical low speed drop are a lot higher.

Fire99

9,844 posts

228 months

Monday 11th March 2013
quotequote all
Hooli said:
Is it covered in plastic is another big thing to think about. It always seems faired bikes cost more as the repair costs for a typical low speed drop are a lot higher.
Good point..