250 Suzuki X-6 Hustler

[tawilke46]

When I was stationed at Homestead AFB, Fla from 1967 to 1969, I rode a Suzuki X-6 Hustler. It was a very fast bike for a 250cc, & had a 6 speed tranny. This is the red bike pic below is like the one I had. A 1966 X-6 Hustler. Ah, the blue smoke! Can't do that now, EPA will get you.
http://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/T/T20/1966_T20_Super-6_junk1_800.jpg
Had 29 HP, 2 cycle oil injection engine.
Joined the base motorcycle club in 1967.
I rode a lot of miles all over southern Florida on that 250cc bike, from the east coast to the west coast of the state, and from Daytona Beach to Key West.
Most of my friends rode either 250's or 350's. One even rode with us on a Honda CB-175.
Back on those days a 350cc bike was considered a big bike. The Honda CB450 was a large bike, & the '68 650 Kawasaki (looked like a BSA 650 twin) was huge.
This was all before the Honda 750 four came out.
So I guess it is all relative.
And today's 250cc bikes are waaaay better than those bikes from the '60's and 70's.

Check out this video on Jay Leno's Garage. Jay riding a Suzuki x-6 Hustler. Wing-dings and fun, fun, fun!

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/motorcycles-1/suzuki/1966-suzuki-x6-hustler/#item=84938

Links are fixed....Enjoy!

 

[tawilke46]

'Scuse me, I just fixed the links

 

[vacanefan]

That bike looks like pure fun!

 

[Phil Tarman]

That is really a great-looking bike. Six speeds!! Wow!

 

[tawilke46]

I bought my '66 from a staff seargent who was PCS'g to Germany from Homestead AFB and had to unload it quickly. Got the bike for a song.
Yeah, 6 speeds in those days was a big deal. The only bike that had a 6 speed transmission.

 

[Lorien]

Rode an X-6 long ago. Was one of the first bikes of its day that could do 0-60 in 6 seconds. Remember how fast it got in a hurry. Scarey in those days. Used to hear that it took a lot of maintenance to keep it fast.

 

[Steveo]

I had a 1968 TC305 Laredo Suzuki, also a 6 speed, and a 1975 T500 Suzuki.great bikes!

 

[mikesim]

Thanks for the link! Sure brought back memories. I remember the X-6 Hustler well. At the time I had a Honda 305 Super Hawk (CB-77). A friend bought an X-6 and cleaned my clock. A local dealer here in StL has one on Craig's list that is fully restored for $3350.00. If I had the money <sigh>.......

Mike

 

[DirtFlier]

[...Most of my friends rode either 250's or 350's...a 350cc bike was considered a big bike. The Honda CB450 was a large bike, & the '68 650 Kawasaki (looked like a BSA 650 twin) was huge...."]

A sad part of America's appetitite for faster and bigger each year is that costs have forced many out of motorcycling or stopped them before they've started. You can still have loads of fun on a 250s-to-500s but they are too often promoted as entry level models. In many other countries, it's quite the opposite.