Suzuki GSX 250 Thunder

The article and specifications were supplied by a MCS visitor:

The Suzuki GS250X Thunder or GSX250 Thunder with codename “Street Intruder” written on the sides of the rear body panels. It was produced from 1999 up to 2005. And sold exclusively in Japan and Indonesia (as far as I know).

For Indonesia, it was built as a CBU unit for the period between 1999 to 2003, whilst thereafter as CKD units, the difference of course in their quality control for the CBU. The CKD versions had extra bolt on top of the engine, to the rear of the cylinder. It used the same engine as TU250X, and the GZ250 but seemingly tuned up to produce more power, about 22.3 hp.

The design was retro Japanese naked, following the similar design language to the Suzuki Bandit and GSX1400, with its own twist. It actually has a little brother, with the exact same design but a different engine. It was also sold in Indonesia, as the Suzuki Thunder 125. In other markets, it was also known as the Suzuki GN125.

Aside from the engine, it also has an under cowl and a different exhaust. In Indonesia, it was sold as a "Cruiser Naked" style of motorcycle, and classified as a sports touring bike. This unique cruiser naked style of motorcycles were once known as the affordable, "big cc" class of motorcycles for Indonesian market. Basically, 250 cc was considered a large capacity at the time, where bikes of 100 cc’s or lower were much more common.

The competitors for this market included Honda Tiger 2000 or GL200 series, Yamaha Scorpio SX225, Bajaj Pulsar series and the Suzuki Thunder 250 itself. The Tiger was the most popular, the cheapest among them. The Suzuki was the most powerful as well as the rarest of them, as it was the most expensive at the time, with price comparable to a car. This is because of its CBU nature at first, as well as it being released just after the crisis of 1998, where not many people could afford luxurious items, and as such production stopped by 2005 and was replaced by its little 125 brother up to this day. Before it was sold, the 250 market for Suzuki was filled by the Bandit 250, with a similar fate as the Thunder.

The Thunder 250, as it was commonly known, was a 5-speed manual, wet clutch (1-N-2-3-4-5). 249 cc Single cylinder SOHC, air cooled, 4 stroke, 4 valve with Twin Swirl Combustion Chamber, with a bore of 72 mm and 61.2 mm stroke CDI system. It has 9:1 compression ratio, rated at 22 hp at 7500 rpm and 2,1 kgf-m of torque at 6000 rpm. One unique aspect of this bike was its 2 into 1 exhaust, which gave it a unique appearance as well as a uniquely deep sound. It used a Mikuni BSR 32 mm carburettor.
It was 1975 mm long, 765 mm wide, and 1075 mm high. The wheelbase is 1310 mm. It weighs about 145 kg (dry weight). Front fork suspension was a 37 mm telescopic fork. Double shock system for the rear suspension, Showa standard. Stock tires were Dunlop TT800 3.00 x 18 for the front, and Dunlop TT800 120/80 - 17 for the rear. For the brakes, 260 mm hydraulic disc for the front, and drum brakes for the rear. Fuel tank capacity is about 15 Liters, with petcock that has three settings (off, on, res).

As a "naked cruiser" it was one of the smoothest single cylinder bikes. It had a unique sound, and had a twin exhaust flowing from the twin port (which was often used as a basis for choppers, cafe racers, and bratstyles) as well as the large engine size and looks. The two into one exhaust was actually two tubes that does not merge, only encased in the main exhaust tube with the two tubes poking out of the back and then covered with an exhaust cap that has one exit tube. Performance wise, is like what you expect from Suzuki engines - top end thrill. It was like a freight train - it took it time to rev high, but when it reached the high revs, it sped up quickly. Despite the top end power nature, it still had amazing torque at the low end, capable of climbing hills even in higher gears. Top speed is unknown, I never went beyond 140 km/h (according to the speedometer) plus the fact that it only has drum brakes, which was not great. However, it shone during cornering and high speed cornering. Exceptional cornering stability, so much so that I often scrape off the footsteps (it does not have the rubber on it now because of that).
Har Swastika (edited)