Suzuki GW 250 INAZUMA Urban 2013 — Specifications

Who still remembers the Suzuki Inazuma 250? This name evokes a Japanese lightning bolt for a model that, let's be honest, shines mainly through its discretion. Launched in 2013, this machine positioned itself in a growing niche: that of accessible small displacement motorcycles, not too lively like some singles, nor too bland. With its inline twin-cylinder engine of 248 cc, it displayed 26 horsepower, a power level intended to be sufficient without being intimidating. The problem is that this engine, while flexible and smooth, sorely lacked character. You have to rev it out to 7000 rpm to extract its maximum torque of 24.5 Nm, and the power arrives late, at 8500 rpm. As a result, on the open road, the 150 km/h top speed is a conquest, not a given. Compared to a contemporary like the Honda CBR250R, which is more responsive, or even a Yamaha WR250X, which is more playful, the Inazuma is seen as a good student who is a little too well-behaved.

Its declared territory was urban asphalt. And there, the picture brightened. With a wet weight of 187 kg, it remains manageable without being a featherweight. A seat height of 78 cm makes it a friend to average builds, allowing you to easily place both feet on the ground at red lights. The steel tubular frame is robust, and the telescopic front fork paired with a single rear shock absorber provide correct comfort over potholes. The brakes, a 290 mm disc at the front and a 240 mm disc at the rear, do the job without pretension, perfectly suited to cool riding. The 110/80 and 140/70 tires give it reassuring stability. It's a motorcycle that doesn't surprise, in a good way and in a bad way. It simply does its job as a giant moped with reliability that is not in doubt, inherited from Suzuki's expertise.

The "Urban" version we are focusing on added a few practical accessories to justify its designation. A 26-liter top case, a smoked windscreen, and a center stand for maintenance. Logical additions for a city bike, even if the price mechanically inflated to reach 4499 euros at the time. For that price, you were starting to approach that of more versatile or exciting competitors. The Inazuma Urban played the card of pure rationality: a 13.3-liter fuel tank for correct range, a six-speed gearbox to try to save a few drops of fuel on national roads, and a restrained but not ugly look. A motorcycle for a cautious beginner, for a delivery rider, or for a city dweller who is primarily looking for a simple and trouble-free means of transportation.

Ultimately, the Suzuki GW250 Inazuma Urban remains an interesting oddity in the landscape of small displacement motorcycles. It didn't have the madness of an Aprilia, nor the sharp efficiency of a Kawasaki. It offered a soothing motorcycle experience, almost too much so. Its biggest flaw may have been not communicating the slightest emotion, other than that of reliability. A choice assumed by Suzuki, which targeted a very specific audience: the buyer for whom a motorcycle is first and foremost a vehicle, period. Today, on the used market, it can represent an economical and uneventful future for a novice or a pragmatic urban rider. But for those seeking even a spark of passion in their 250 cc, you will have to look elsewhere. This Inazuma was a lightning bolt, but without thunder.