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.
Suzuki GN400
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 new (2009 model year) Suzuki TU250X is based on predecessor models known as the Volty and the Grasstracker, which were heavily based on the GN250. The TU250X features a cleaner-burning fuel-injected 249cc single-cylinder as well as styling resembling the British sporting single of the 1960s as well as the Universal Japanese Motorcycle.
The city-street–oriented TU250 Volty featured a 17-horsepower 249cc 2-valve single-cylinder carbureted engine. The Suzuki TU250G Grasstracker and Suzuki TU250GB Grasstracker Bigboy were multi-purpose bikes with a kickstart version of the engine.
The 2007 GZ250 features the same basic powertrain as the GN250, but with a more cruiser-oriented theme.
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
40-60 mph 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
40-60 mph 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 especially the GN125 is popular with regard to low fuel consumption.
