Suzuki T250
1969—1972

I have tried to tell the model history of the Suzuki T 250 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 GT250 was an upgraded version of the T20. The very first model used many parts of the T20 and even the later versions (as well the GT250 from the seventies) used parts that can be fit to the T20 and its precessor T10. The 1967 tuned-up version of the T20, the T21, was actually called T250 on its home market, Japan. The Japanese Suzuki history call it the first model year of the T250. I don't do so, I only include the model on this page as a model zero or something like that... When the T250 model came it was a very competetive machine, despite its roots in the arley-sixties engineering. It had a 33 hp two-stroke engine, automatic oiling, six speed gearbox, rev counter and a twin leading shoe brake at the front — still hot stuff for the era but revolutionary in 1965 when the T20 (with a 30 hp engine) was presented. The T250 was light, sporty and economical. The T250 was manufactured from 1967 to 1972 — and sold in some countries even a couple of years after the model was discontinued. It was replaced in most countries by GT250 in 1973 (in Japan already in 1971), another 250 twin with its roots in the T20, but with a single brake disc at the front and a new kind of cylinder head that was supposed to channel cooling air down behind the block (called Ram Air System by Suzuki).

T21 (T250 in Japan)

The model name T250 was not introduced to the European and American markets until 1969. But the 250cc twin, originally known as T21 or Super T21 in the USA, was actually called T250 in Japan in 1967, when the T125 and the T200 model were first introduced. See the Japanes sales brochure scan on the right. Click for larger format. See even the T20 model history.

1967 Suzuki Super T 21 (T 250) Overall Length: 2 030 mm (79.9 in) Overall Width: 765 mm (30.1 in) Overall Height: 1030 mm (40.6 in) Wheelbase: 1 285 mm (50.6 in) Ground Clearance: 150 mm 5.9 in) Dry weight: 145 kg (319 lbs) Model years: 1966-1967 Engine: Air-cooled 247 cc parallel twin 2-stroke, CCI Bore x Stroke: 54 x 54 mm 30.5 hp @ 8 000 rpm, 2,82 kg-m @ 7 000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

T250

The first model year (Mk2 in Japan) of the T250 was something of a cross-over between T20 and the later T250 models. The engine was based on the short-lived T21 Hustler engine that delivered slightly more power than the standard T20 engine. The T250-I used the T20 front suspension, 24 mm Mikuni carburettors (as opposed to the later 26 mm Mikunis), tail lamp bracket, braced handlebars, clocks and seat. The automatic oiling was still called Posi-Force system by Suzuki, for the later models the system got the name CCI.

1969 Suzuki T 250 Hustler Overall Length: 1 985 mm (78.2 in) Overall Width: 870 mm (34.2 in) Overall Height: 1 065 mm (41.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 290 mm (50.8 in) Dry Weight: 140 kg (309 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 247 cc sleeved aluminnum parallel twin 2-stroke. 33 hp / 8 000 rpm, 3.08 kg-m (22,3 lbs-ft) @ 7 000 rpm. 160-168 kmh (100-105 mph). Click on the image for larger format.

T250-II

New tear drop tank to replace the earlier T20 style one, revised front forks, individual instruments, upswept chain guard, new seat with metal strip. One other difference, unique to the T250-II (Mk3 in its home land), is the cranked kick start lever. This was changed to provide the necessary clearance for high pipe models (read further). A Scrambler version of the T250 was also relesed in 1970 with higher-drawn exhaust pipes. Notice that there were some variations of the appearance of the T250 (all models) between bikes sold on different markets. Suzuki's new automatic lubrication system CCI was designed to cut down smoke emissions at slow speed by recycling the two-stroke oil in the system.

1970 Suzuki T 250 II Hustler Overall Length: 1 985 mm (78.2 in) Overall Width: 870 mm (34.2 in) Overall Height: 1 065 mm (41.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 290 mm (50.8 in) Dry Weight: 140 kg (309 lb.) Engine: Air-cooled 247 cc sleeved aluminum parallel twin 2-stroke. 33 hp / 8 000 rpm, 3.08 kg-m (22,3 lbs-ft) @ 7 000 rpm. 160-168 km/h (100-105 mph). Click on the image for larger format.

T 250 II Scrambler 1970 Overall Length: 1 985 mm (78.2 in) Overall Width: 870 mm (34.2 in) Overall Height: 1 065 mm (41.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 290 mm (50.8 in) Dry Weight: 140 kg (309 lb.) Engine: Air-cooled 247 cc sleeved aluminum parallel twin 2-stroke. 33 hp / 8 000 rpm, 3.08 kg-m (22,3 lbs-ft) @ 7 000 rpm. 160-168 km/h (100-105 mph). Click on the image for larger format.

1971 Suzuki year code: R

The 1971-year's T250R had wider tyres, a grab rail, unbraced handlebars, simple paint scheme and new badge styles. As the T250 continued selling in the Western world, the T250 was replaced with GT250 in Japan in February 1971. In 1971 the differencies were merely cosmetical and the '71 GT250 was sold in the UK under a model name T250TT in 1972.

1971 Suzuki T 250 R Overall length 1 990 mm (78.3 in) Overall width 870 mm (34.3 in) Overall height 1070 mm (42.4 in) Wheelbase 1 290 mm (50.8 in) Road Clearance 160 mm (6.3 in) Dry weight 145 kg (319 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 247 cc, (15.1 cu in) forward inclined aluminium twin. 33 hp @ 8 000 rpm, 3.08 kg-m (22.3 ft-lb) @ 7 000 rpm Click on the image for larger picture.

1972 Suzuki year code: J

The main changes include re-styled instruments and revised handlebar switchgear. 1972 was the last model year for the T250, that was already ”working overtime”, as the GT250 was already on its second model year in Japan. The T250 was finally replaced with the GT250 even in the Western world in 1973. A short-lived TT250 version of the T250/GT250 appears in 1972 in the United Kingdom. The main difference to the T250 is the lack of a grab rail. Some sources have called it a ”parts bin special” and supposed it has been built up from 1971 year's T350R parts to reduce stock levels. Actually the TT250 was the standard GT250 from 1971 with shared the same appearance and many parts with the T350R.

1972 Suzuki T 250 J Hustler Overall length 1 990 mm (78.3 in) Overall width 870 mm (34.3 in) Overall height 1070 mm (42.4 in) Wheelbase 1 290 mm (50.8 in) Road Clearance 160 mm (6.3 in) Dry weight 145 kg (319 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 247 cc, (15.1 cu in) forward inclined aluminium twin. 33 hp @ 8 000 rpm, 3.08 kg-m (22.3 ft-lb) @ 7 000 rpm Click on the image for larger picture.

1992 Suzuki TT 250 Overall Length: 1 985 mm (78.1 in) Overall Width: 870 mm (43.3 in) Overall Height: 1 065 mm (41.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 290 mm (50.8 in) Dry Weight: 154 kg (339 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 492 cc inline-2, 2-stroke. 30.5 hp (22.4 kW) @ 8 000 rpm, 27.7 Nm (2.82 kg-m) @ 7 000 rpm Click on the image for larger picture.

1971-1972 T-250 specifications
Engine:	Air-cooled cylinder sleeved aluminium twin, forward inclined inline-two 2-stroke
Piston displacement:	247 cc (15.1 cu in)
Bore x stroke:	54,0 x 54,0 mm (2.13 x 2.13 in)
Compression ratio:	7,5 :1
Power output:	33 hp (24,7 kW) @ 8 000 rpm
Torque:	3,08 kg-m (22.3 lb-ft) @ 7 000 rpm
Carburetor:	Mikuni VM26SH x 2
Air filter type:	Dry paper
Ingition system:	Battery and coil (non-transistor)
Ignition timing:	24 degrees (2,88 mm) before TDC
Spark plug:	B-77HC
Recommended fuel :	Premium
Fuel tank capacity:	12 liter (3.2 US gal, 2.6 imp gal) incl. reserve
Reserve:	2,0 liter (4.2 US pt, 3.5 imp quart)
Gearbox oil capacity:	1,2 liter (1.3 US qt, 1.1 Imp qt)
Lubrication system:	Suzuki CCI oil injection
Oil tank capacity:	1,5 liter (1.6 US qt, 1.3 imp qt)
Overall length:	1 990mm (78.3 in)
Overall width:	870mm (34.3 in)
Overall height:	1 070mm (42.4 in)
Wheelbase:	1 290mm (50.8 in)
Seat height:	785 mm (30.9 in)
Seat width:	267 mm (10.5 in)
Ground clearance:	160mm (6.3 in)
Dry weight:	145 kg (319 lbs)
Generator type:	Internal rotating alternator
Lightning system:	AC, 12V battery
Battery type:	12V 5 Ah
Transmission:	6-speed return, constant mesh
Primary reduction ratio:	Gear 3.05 :1 (61/20)
Final reduction ratio:	Chain 2.93 :1 (41/14)
Gear ratios:	2.33/1.50/1.16/0.90/0.78/0.71
Overall reduction ratio:	6.34 :1 (in top gear)
Clutch type:	Wet multi-plate type
Starting system:	Kick start
Frame type:	Tubural double craddle
Front suspension:	Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped
Rear suspension:	Swing arm, coil spring, oil damped
Steering angle (left to right):	40°
Caster:	64°
Trail:	90 mm (3.54 in)
Turning radius:	2,2 m (86.7 in)
Front tire size:	3.00-18 4PR
Rear tire size:	3.25-18 4PR
Wheel type:	Steel rime, wire wheels
Front Brake:	Internal expanding double cam, 180 mm (7.08 in)
Rear Brake:	Internal expanding, diameter 180 mm (7.08 in)
Maximum speed:	152-160 km/h (95-100 mph)
Acceleration (0-400 m):	15,1 sec.
Climbing ability:	23°
Fuel Consumption (measured):	42 mpg
Retail Price in USA June 1971:	$ 699

More: Suzuki T models

More: Suzuki GT models

More: All Suzuki models

Sources: Tekniikan Maailma (Finland), T250J user guide, Cycle World magazine, Motorcycle Mechanics, www.t250.co.uk etc.

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