Something For Nothing
Something for Nothing
SPECIAL CRUISER SECTION
We wouldn’t call Suzuki’s GZ250 free exactly, but it’s awfully close
REASONABLE. ECONOMICAL. FRUGAL. Ummm, okay, we admit that these words don’t exactly inspire passion. But if you’re on a budget, baby, they’re beautiful, as is Suzuki’s new-for-’99 GZ250. We don’t want to sound like some cheesy used-car salesman here, but the $2899 GZ is truly a smokin’ deal.
To start with, the mini-cruiser is powered by a familiar 249cc, aircooled, ohc Single. Reliable and stoneax simple, it’s the same powerplant found in Suzuki’s GN models, ubiquitous in the ’80s and ’90s. Now defunct, the less flamboyant GN has been replaced by the stylish GZ.
And stylish it is. Considering its Marauder 800-esque lines, you could almost call it glitzy. Whereas the GN was modest-looking, the GZ is all boulevard-albeit, baby boulevardfrom its teardrop-shaped fuel tank to its slightly bobbed rear fender. (Ours came with a slew of optional Suzuki accessories, including windscreen, case guards and sissybar.)
Slinging a leg over the GZ and settling into its relatively ample saddle is simple. This is due to the seat being a mere 27 inches from the ground (even lower than what Harley claims for its Sportster 883 Hugger). Riding the bike is equally easy. Thumb the starter button and the engine comes to life with, well, a kittenish purr, actually. A daunting motor, it’s not. Cinched down to the CW dyno, the 250 produced all of 16.6 horsepower at the rear wheel, with a pounding 12 foot-pounds of torque.
Not to say the thing is weak sauce. In fact, the frisky GZ trotted through the quarter-mile in 19.03 seconds at 65.64 mph, and posted a top speed of 76 mph. Brake-taxing speeds? No. But the front disc and rear drum competently slow the GZ all the same. Likewise, the rudimentary suspension offers nothing to kvetch about, at least with sub-150pounders aboard.
Around town, the GZ putters like a pro. Weighing just 320 pounds dry and with an un-cruiser-like, 57.5-inch wheelbase, it doesn’t require manhandling at slower speeds. On winding backroads, it meanders pleasantly. And did we mention gas mileage? The diminutive cruiser goes beyond merely economical with an average of 62 mpg!
With its low price, unassuming engine, easy handling and big-bike looks, the GZ proves that entry-level and stylish can coexist quite happily.
Wendy F. Black
CRUISE NEWS:
• Ultimate cruiser calendar? Tattooed and topless, no doubt, but we’re referring to the part below the photo. Here’s a list of annual events that all cruiser riders should pencil in. Not only are the riding and camaraderie great, most feature OEM demo rides.
March Daytona Bike Week Daytona Beach, Florida April Laughiin River Run Laughlin, Nevada June Americade Lake George, New York Laconia Bike Week Laconia, New Hampshire July Hollister Freedom Rally Hollister, California Honda Hoot Asheville, North Carolina Sonomafest Sonoma, California Aug. Sturgis Rally Sturgis, South Dakota Sep. Street Vibrations Reno, Nevada Oct. Biketoberfest Daytona Beach, Florida Nov. Love Ride Glendale, California
