Suzuki GN Series

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The GN is a series of standard motorcycles built by Suzuki since the early '80s.

They included;

Suzuki GN125
Suzuki GN250
Suzuki GN400

All featured air-cooled SOHC single cylinder engines with chain drive and were designed to be easy to ride by beginners. Early GN250s featured a front drum brake which was touchy in cold or wet weather. The drum was replaced by a disk after one year. Instrumentation included a speedometer, odometer with trip, high beam and turn indicator, and a gear position indicator.

The GN250 is still manufactured and is sold in New Zealand. A tachometer has been added to the instrumentation.

The GN400 was based on the SP400 Enduro motorcycle and was also available as the GN400X, which substituted spoke wheels for the GN400's alloy wheels, as well as having a flatter seat and flatter, shorter handlebars. Neither GN400 had an electric starter. The GN400 instrumentation added a tachometer to the above mentioned gear. A manual decompression system was fitted.

The Suzuki TU250X Volty is heavily based on the GN250 and is designed to look like a British sporting single of the '60s.

The Suzuki TU250 G Grasstracker and Suzuki TU250 GB Grasstracker Bigboy are also heavily based on the GN250 and are designed to have the same look and utility of the early '70s multi-purpose Suzukis.

The 2007 GZ250 features the same basic powertrain as the GN250, but with a more cruiser oriented theme.

Specifications for the 2006 GN 250E

Overall Length: 2,040 mm (80.3 in)
Overall Width: 835 mm (32.9 in)
Overall Height: 1,135 mm (44.1 in)
Wheelbase: 1,360 mm (53.5 in)
Ground Clearance: 160 mm (6.3 in)
Dry Weight: 129 kg (283 lbs)
Engine type: Air-cooled 249 cc single cylinder SOHC, 4 valves. 22 hp (16 kW)@ 8,500 rpm, 14.5 lb-ft (2.0 kg-m)@ 5,500 rpm.

Results for US Spec 1988 GN 250, from November 1988 Cycle World

List Price: $1859
Dry Weight 294 Lbs
Seat Height 29.0"
Wheelbase: 53.9"
Top Speed: 79 MPH
1/4 mile acceleration: 16.82 @ 74.07 MPH
40-60MPH Roll-On: 8.0 seconds

Results for US Spec 1980 GN 400, from October 1980 Cycle World

List Price: $1499
Wet Weight 327 Lbs
Seat Height 29.3"
Wheelbase: 55.2"
Top Speed: 90 MPH
1/4 mile acceleration: 15.27 @ 82.11 MPH
40-60MPH Roll-On: 6.6 seconds
Fuel Economy: 71.2 MPG
Range(To reserve): 190.5 Miles

Handling and Comfort are the main advantages of GN Series. It is meant for mainly commuters and specially the GN125 Series is popular with regard to low fuel consumption.