Reproduced from Australian Motorcycle News Vol 38 No 7, September 16 to 29, 1988. Excerpts relating to the GF250 from an article comparing seven 250cc bikes.
Suzuki's GF250 (last tested Vol 37 No 18) raised more than its share of "oohs" and "aahs" on looks alone. The reason? Suzuki's answer to the Swiss watch, that miniscule four-cylinder powerplant.
The basics are as follows: liquid-cooled, sixteen-valve, DOHC, four-stroke transverse four. Another high revver, the GF claims 45ps at 13,000rpm, with maximum torque at 10,500rpm. External appearance of the powerplant is a work of art in alloy, and it wouldn't be hard to see the bike making it collectible status in years to come on that basis alone, in addition to its curiosity value.
Holding the bits together is a square-section, twin-loop frame tied to forks fitted with the company's adjustable anti-dive, and a rear Full-Floater monoshock with adjustable preload. Wheel sizes are 16-inch front and 18-inch rear matched to three "Deca Piston" disc brakes.
Like the VT, this can be a surprising little powerhouse when wound up, unfussed by the addition of a pillion. The catch is that it has to be revved pretty hard - beyond 7000 if you want serious power. Below that figure there's wonderful GSX-R superbike wail from the four-into-one exhaust, but not a hell of a lot of action.
Handling is nothing short of excellent, likewise the brakes, making the whole plot very quick in the tight stuff if you keep the tacho needle pointing east.
The GF's best point, its powerplant, is also potentially its worst. There's a lot of bits in there, and while access seems to be good anything more involved than regular tuning coould be pricey.
Price? Around $3590 (plus ORC), making it surprisngly cheap compared to the other luxuriously-appointed models in this market.
(Thanks to Mark at Peter Stevens - 03-870 0222 - for the test bike)
Guy Allen
As for the others, the Suzi gives the sensation of sitting astride a sewing machine with an exhaust note that transplants you to a superbike grid. Great handler and fun to ride too.
Ken "Wobbler" Wootton
Suzuki: what a juewel! This little 250 is unbelievable. A four-cylinder 250, you got to be joking. I first thought that the little four would be a total waste of time. Wrong! What a gem. The size is good with most things fitting the human frame well.
This thing is like a miniature superbike. The howl from the exhaust is unreal. It's like being in your own private superbike race, all the time. The brakes worked well and the frame felt really good. Putting a four into such a small and light package could have been a disaster. Luckily for Suzuki, it worked very well. The instruments were good and clear, and the finish excellent. I tried it two-up and it coped very well too. No 250 likes a pillion much so I didn't expect too much - it didn't seem to make a lot of difference.
Bob Rosenthal
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