By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Retro Classic vs Naked Bike
Suzuki TU250X (MY2009) vs GW250 Inazuma (MY2013)
Suzuki TU250X vs GW250 Inazuma: where they split, and which one to buy.
Crawl the Suzuki TU250X through a tight U-turn and it's around before you've had to lean on the bars. The Suzuki GW250 Inazuma's bars stay quiet in your hands at that same crawl, with its twin humming along almost without a tremor. It sits planted and doesn't wobble off line.
So which one do you buy?
Which one's the smarter buy
Two different jobs
The TU250X and GW250 Inazuma do different jobs, so neither is the clear better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
TU250X
Wire spokes and polished cases dress the TU250X's single in old-school clothes, and that engine doesn't throw up major mechanical trouble as long as it gets basic maintenance. Out in Texas Hill Country, each roll of the throttle brings in a soft pull from that single that's easy to meter. There's no false neutral hiding in the 5-speed box. Each shift clicks home clean.
GW250 Inazuma
From a short commute to a longer journey, the Inazuma's upright perch and well-padded seat don't wear on you. The brake lever falls at a natural reach from that seat, like the rest of the controls. The basic chassis steers predictably and doesn't ask much of you in a bend. The exhaust keeps its voice down.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The TU250X has the lower wet weight: 328 lb (149 kg) vs 401 lb (182 kg).
- The GW250 Inazuma makes more peak power: 24 hp (18 kW) vs 20 hp (15 kW).
- The GW250 Inazuma makes more peak torque: 18 lb-ft (24 Nm) vs 13 lb-ft (17 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
Hours in the saddle won't flatter either of these. They're happier on shorter runs.
They come out level on commuting, twisty roads, running costs, and a first bike. The better-kept used example is the smarter money.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
TU250X
What owners say
Strengths
- Timeless Retro Styling
- Lightweight and Nimble Handling
- Bulletproof Reliability and Durability
- Buttery Smooth Transmission
GW250 Inazuma
What owners say
Strengths
- Smooth, refined parallel-twin engine
What they cost used
These prices compare a 10-year-old TU250X with a 10-year-old GW250 Inazuma.
- TU250X
- about $3,000
- GW250 Inazuma
- about $1,800
At ten years old, the Suzuki TU250X runs about $3,000 while the Suzuki GW250 Inazuma sits near $1,800 in the US market. That leaves a gap of roughly $1,200. These are estimates from earlier records, not live listings.
What they share
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Telescopic
Where the spec sheets split
| TU250X | GW250 Inazuma | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 30.3 in (770 mm) | 30.7 in (780 mm) |
| Wet weight | 328 lb (149 kg) | 401 lb (182 kg) |
| TU250X | GW250 Inazuma | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 249 cc | 248 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Air-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Power | 20 hp (15 kW) | 24 hp (18 kW) |
| Peak power at | 7,200 rpm | 8,500 rpm |
| Torque | 13 lb-ft (17 Nm) | 18 lb-ft (24 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 4,500 rpm | 6,500 rpm |
| Top speed | 75 mph (121 km/h) | 85 mph (137 km/h) |
| TU250X | GW250 Inazuma | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.2 US gal (12 L) | 3.5 US gal (13.3 L) |
| TU250X | GW250 Inazuma | |
|---|---|---|
| Gearbox | 5-speed | 6-speed |
| Front tire | 90/90-18 | 110/80-17 |
| Rear tire | 110/90-18 | 140/70-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| TU250X | GW250 Inazuma | |
|---|---|---|
| Manually Adjustable Rear Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
