Suzuki NZ250 & NZ250S
1986—1988

I have tried to tell the Suzuki NZ 250 (NJ44A) model history on this page as I know it. I would be grateful of any contributions — sales brochures, magazine ads, magazine articles, pictures, specs, facts, corrections etc. Please scan the material in JPEG format (large enough that all the details are visible) and send them to me. Please tell me the source and the publication date if possible. If you send me pictures of your own bike, please follow these instructions.

Suzuki NZ250 (NJ44A) was launched in February 1986 for the Japanese home market. Suzuki Motor Company had recently launched two quite different new 250cc motorcycle models; the 2-stroke racer replica RG250 Gamma and the 4-cylinder GF250. This was a bit different, with less cylinders and less power. The NZ250 was a lightweight road bike with a single cylinder engine. The sporty looks and frame was paired with a redesigned DR250 engine, equipped with SACS (Suzuki Advanced Cooling System) – the same efficient oil cooling technology first introduced on the GSX-R750 supersport bike. The heavily tuned engine produced 33 hp at 10,000 revs, and it was mounted on a lightweight diamond frame — a sophisticated hybrid of round pipes and high-tensile steel square pipes. Instead of cast wheels to match the modern and sporty looks the NZ250 got spoked wheels with aluminum rims, perhaps with weight reduction in mind. The rear suspension featured the then-latest technology, the E-Floater (Excellent Full Floater). It was a linked rear suspension system, developed directly from Suzuki's successful Full Floater monoshock technology from the motocross scene in the early 1980s. Its damping was progressive, it was soft at the beginning of the suspension travel for high comfort in normal city riding, but stiffened and provided strong resistance deeper in the stroke for maximum stability during aggressive cornering. The NZ250 was offered in two different versions, the naked NZ250, and the NZ250S with a bikini fairing. Both versions came equipped with the modern, high-tech engine and E-Full Floater rear suspension, but even with classic aluminum spoke wheels. The buying customers were not impressed of the odd mix of retro and futuristic 80s design. The models were short-lived. Around 1500 bikes were manufactured, and no new models versions were introduced after the initial run. Suzuki continued to tell the NZ250 and NZ250S bikes for two more years. The model was officially discontinued in 1988.

1986 Suzuki NZ250, Sparkle Black / Bright Red Pearl

1986 Suzuki year code: G

Suzuki NZ 250 (NJ44A) was launched in February 1986 for the Japanese home market. Its J414 engine was an original design based on the air-cooled engine used in the DR250S off-road machine, combining a DOHC multi-spherical combustion chamber (TSCC) with the oil-cooling system (SACS) used in the GSX-R750. The transmission was a 6-speed return type. Its dry weight was only 118 kg (120 kg with the bikini fairing). The NZ250's suspension featured a telescopic upright fork suspension at the front and an E-full floater type suspension at the rear, which offered excellent road-following performance. It had a single disc brake at the front and drum brake at the rear. It had 17-inch wheels. The NZ250 was sold until the 1988 model year without any specification changes or color changes after its debut, and production ended there. The price at the time was 379,000 yen (excluding tax). 1986 Suzuki NZ250/S frame numbers: NJ44A-100001~ NZ250 color options: Space Black / Bright Red Pearl, Light Pearl Blue NZ250S color options: Light Pearl Blue / Pearl White, Space Black / Bright Red Pearl Notice that I am not 100% sure of the correct paint names. It has been difficult to find that information.

1986 Suzuki NZ250S, Light Pearl Blue / Pearl White

1986 Suzuki NZ 250 Overall Length: 1 935 mm (76.2 in) Overall Width: 685 mm (27.0 in) Overall Height: 1 020 mm (40.2 in) Seat Height: 740 mm (29.1 in) Wheelbase: 1 325 mm (52.2 in) Ground Clearande: 145 mm (5.71 in) Dry Weight: 118 kg (260 lbs) Engine: Air/oil-cooled 249 cc inline-2, DOHC, 4 valves. 33 hp (24.27 kW) @ 10 000 rpm, 24.5 Nm (2.5 kg-m) @ 8 500 rpm Here's even larger picture.

1986 Suzuki NZ 250 Overall Length: 1 935 mm (76.2 in) Overall Width: 685 mm (27.0 in) Overall Height: 1 020 mm (40.2 in) Wheelbase: 1 325 mm (52.2 in) Ground Clearande: 145 mm (5.71 in) Dry Weight: 118 kg (260 lbs) Engine: Air/oil-cooled 249 cc inline-2, DOHC, 4 valves. 33 hp (24.27 kW) @ 10 000 rpm, 24.5 Nm (2.5 kg-m) @ 8 500 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1986 Suzuki NZ 250 S Overall Length: 1 935 mm (76.2 in) Overall Width: 685 mm (27.0 in) Overall Height: 1 075 mm (42.3 in) Seat Height: 740 mm (29.1 in) Wheelbase: 1 325 mm (52.2 in) Ground Clearande: 145 mm (5.71 in) Weight: 120 kg (264 lbs) Engine: Air/oil-cooled 249 cc inline-2, DOHC, 4 valves. 33 hp (24.27 kW) @ 10 000 rpm, 24.5 Nm (2.5 kg-m) @ 8 500 rpm Here's even larger picture.

1986–1988 Suzuki NZ250/S (NJ44A) specifications (Japan)
Engine model:	J414
Engine type:	Single cylinder 4-stroke
Cooling system:	SACS, air/oil-cooled
Cylinder volume:	249 cc
Bore x stroke:	72.0 x 61.2 mm (2.83 x 2.41 in.)
Compression ratio:	10.2:1
Power output:	33 hp (24.27 kW) @ 10,000 rpm
Torque:	24.5 Nm (2.5 kg-m) @ 8,500 rpm
Fuel system:	Carburetor
Carburetor model:	BST34
Ingition type:	Fully transistorized
Engine oil capacity:	2.3 liter
Fuel tank capacity:	11 liter (2.91 US gallon)
Starting System:	Electric Starter
Clutch type:	Wet, multi-plate
Transmission type:	Return type, 6 speeds
Final drive:	Chain
Front sprocket:	14 teeth
Rear sprocket:	43 teeth
Primary reduction ratio:	2.956
Secondary reduction ratio:	3.071
Gear ratios:
1st gear	2.461
2nd gear	1.750
3rd gear	1.315
4th gear	1.047
5th gear	0.869
6th gear	0.772
Front Brake:	Single hydraulic disc
Rear Brake:	Mechanical drum brake
Front tyre dimension:	90/90-17 49S
Rear tyre dimension:	100/80-17 52S
Front wheel width:	1.85"
Rear wheel width:	2.15"
Caster:	26°00′
Trail:	102 mm (4.02 in)
Frame type:	Diamond
Overall Length:	1,935 mm (76.2 in)
Overall Width:	685 mm (27.0 in)
Overall Height:	1,020/1,075 mm (40.2/42.3 in)
Wheelbase:	1,325 mm (52.2 in)
Seat Height:	740 mm (29.1 in)
Ground Clearance:	145 mm (5.71 in)
Dry Weight:	118/120 kg (260/264 lbs)

Suzuki color codes Space Black (13Z) Pearl Blue (17W) Pearl White (0JW) Light Pearl Blue (1LD)

More: Suzuki NZ models

More: All Suzuki models

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