RETRO MALAYSIAN RIDERS

Suzuki GT250 was an upgraded version of the T250. In fact, the very first models (released in Japan) were exactly the same bike, only the model name was different. When the model was presented in the rest of the world, the additional G in front of the T250 model name was to show that the model has been modernized with a disc brake at the front and with a new Ram Air cylinder head.

If we take a closer look at Suzuki's 250 models before the T250, we will find out that the T20 Super Six (X6 Hustler in the USA) had very much in common with both the T250 and GT250. Many parts from the sixties' T20 (and even the T10 from the early sixties) will fit to them.

When the GT250 model came (1971 in Japan, 1973 in Europe), it was still, despite of its roots from the sixties, a very competetive machine. It was as large as many 400 models and even performed like one, or better. In many countries, among them the Great Britain, it was the best selling motorcycle until the mid seventies. Unfortunately the enviroment rules that came along in the seventies made it harder to make any significant impovements to the two-strokers and a developement of four-stoke engines became the main concerne of Suzuki's engineers.

Already the 1965 T20 had a 30 hp two-stroke engine, automatic oiling, six speed gearbox, rev counter and a twin leading shoe brake at the front very hot stuff for the era but not as revolutionary at the seventies. The T20 was ahead of its time, but the GT250, that used the same technics, was outclassed by a number of its contemporaries already in the late seventies.

The T250 had a slightly more powerful engine than the GT250. The enviroments and noise regultaions of the early seventies forced Suzuki to redesign the exhausts, somewhat poorer performance as a result.

Just a quick bit of info on the differences that between the Ram Air J-K-L-M (19731975) models and the later A-B-C (19761978) variants: Ram Air motors are quite closeley related to earlier T250's and share the three main bearing crankshaft arrangement, and the carbs are bolted directly to the barrels. A-B-C variants have a revised crankshaft using four main bearings and different lubrication arrangements, also the barrels are different in construction using different stud spacing, and rubber inlet stubs which mount the carbs.

 
Restyled model. The Ram Air cylinder head forced the cool air to pass through the cylinders and behind the block. A simple but working innovation, although some poeple call it just a gimmick. The same Ram Air system was introduced in all of the air-cooled GT models (the GT750 was liquid-cooled). The model was equipped with a single disc brake at the front and a double-leaded drum brake at the rear and slightly wider wheels. The GT250 was now introduced in Europe and Northern America.

Apart from the engine update in 1976 (see the text in the beginning of the page), the model remained technically unchanged and didn't see any major updated until 1978, when it was replaced by the RG250, also known as the X-7 or GT250 X7. It was a completetly new bike, not just a GT250 with new looks.

Colors available: Red/White or Green/White.
 

GT 250 L 1974
Overall Length: 2,045 mm (80.5 in)
Overall Width: 815 mm (32.1 in)
Overall Height: 1,130 mm (44.5 in)
Wheelbase: 1,310 mm (44.5 in)
Dry Weight: 146 kg (321 lbs)
Engine type: Air-cooled aluminum 247 cc parallel twin, 2-stroke, Ram Air cooling system. 31 hp / 7,000 rpm, 3.18 kg-m/ 6,500 rpm.


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