Suzuki DR250 1983 any good or not

[mick25]

A mate asked me today if the DR250 1983 was any good , I don't know anything about them .
I know they are only a 250cc  but there is a 250cc four stroke class.

But saying that there is a young guy in our club that takes on the 500cc four stroke bikes and passes us on a XR200
So if any of you guys know any bad points to look out for would be great and I can past the info on
I think noel from the heaven club may have had one in the early days of the club.

        Thanks mick

[Canam370]

If its not smoking or rattling in the top end then they aren't a bad thing to ride.

[cyclegod]

There are two types of DR250, the DR250 'S' and the 'Z',the Z has an aluminium swingarm with a remote res  shock and better forks along with 3in more travel at each end. GN300 big bore kits blot straight on DR/SP/LT and GN 250's share major engine components. an S can easily be converted with swingarm/shock and forks (wheels are the same) Webb cams make a cam for them. Fit a 34mm carb as the Z's 28mm is a bit small.

Here's mine...

[mick25]

Thanks guys for some tips ,
the one hes looking at has a alloy swingarm but has a drum front end .
I throught all the DR250 models had disc fronts , the forks look the same as yours cyclegod in the picture , and the frame is black not blue like yours .

[Tony T]

Like this, Mick?



I had this one for a short time before the great dummy-spit when I sold almost everything.
Seemed to handle quite well.

[Graeme M]

Wasn't the white DR250 the S 'competition' model without compliance? I think they only brought them in for a year or two. I owned one of the first ones in Qld and loved it. I wish I still had it. Slowish, but handled and steered great and the power was smooth and snappy enough for what it was.

[mick25]

Like this, Mick?



I had this one for a short time before the great dummy-spit when I sold almost everything.
Seemed to handle quite well.

Looks like that but with a blue tank , no gold rims but , the front hub on your old one looks different than the one he is looking at.   thanks tony T

[Nathan S]

Cyclegod has said everything I wanted to.

My uncle had an S, which I rode 20~25 years ago - even as a kid, it didn't impress me a whole lot.
I got a ride on a Z at the very first Vinduro back in 2006 or 07 or whenever it was - even while riding with the respect you show to a virtual stranger's bike, it was clearly a better thing than the S.

[Tony T]

Yep, that's a DR400 front wheel in my old one.
Well spotted. 

[nada]

Oh i just sold one!! i rode it at Harrow:) 84 DR250S

Went well, and great for VINDURO:) awesome bike to get started on, if that's your intentions.

[80-85 husky]

They were a sweet easy going bike with pretty good suspenders and a smooth motor. up against an XR RE they were heavy and slow but they were very reliable and bullet proof. a cocky I know up Hay way had one as a farm bike and it went for years and years. I believe Murray Tainton or another Suzuki dealer used to offer them with some special set ups such as a different muffler and carb jetting, revalved suspension and some traily type tricks with quick axles and grab bars etc etc. gave them a leg up and closed the gap to the xr's

[Rookie#1]

There are two types of DR250, the DR250 'S' and the 'Z',the Z has an aluminium swingarm with a remote res  shock and better forks along with 3in more travel at each end. GN300 big bore kits blot straight on DR/SP/LT and GN 250's share major engine components. an S can easily be converted with swingarm/shock and forks (wheels are the same) Webb cams make a cam for them. Fit a 34mm carb as the Z's 28mm is a bit small.

Here's mine...

So that's where it went! I do believe that bike used to live in my shed!

[cyclegod]

Small world aint it

[Rookie#1]

Indeed, well it's only fair. You got one of mine and I've got one of yours!! 

[Tim754]

I had an early non compliance 1983 DR250  (the registrable ones  were designated DR250S) it handled OK was easy to start, great as a spare bike for a group on a ride day ,absolutely nothing in the power department .....early XR200's and even some XL250's (choke gag gag..) could blow it into the weeds.
Burnt to an ash and metal blob in my shed fire some years back


Indeed, well it's only fair. You got one of mine and I've got one of yours!!     Hmmmm not gunna touch that one.....