Suzuki Gemma 250

A rare sighting of the low and long-wheelbase Suzuki Gemma 250 in Shepherd's Bush, West London. First shown as a concept machine in 2007, went on sale in Japan in 2009. Reminiscent of the 3-seater Boehmerland! PNB
Photo: Paul Blezard

Suzuki Gemma 250

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Those that forget the lessons of history....

Lovely! Those that, in this case ignore rather than forget, the lessons of histroy are condemmed to repeat them. Although it'll be the users of this beauty, rather than the designers, that will injure their ankles when they fall over and the unsculpted footboards bite them. I have to admire the bodywork too, following in the dishonourable traditon of bikes like the R.1 and directing full airstream into the riders face, instead of over their heads. Presumably to ad to the sense of excitement and reduce awareness of the discomfort and cold etc.

If McLaren - and Alonso - had looked at how the Japanese design PTW's they might have avoided themselves a lot of pain! Not that Piaggio does any better. We are going to hell in a handcart, it's just more reliable than the one English manufacturers provided. It's fascinating how PTW manufacturers, globally, ignore ordinary automotive design priorities like aerodynamics, ergonomics and even physics, in their offerings. What other explanation is there that these things are not sold as transport but character validation?

90 second video of Gemma launch at 2009 Tokyo show

Video of the Tokyo launch of the Gemma back in 2009 with the usual preposterous claims that it was something radical and new! ;-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B8bk4N6d-Q
(There are subtitles in English; if they don't show up, try reloading). PNB

sample of one

A sample space of one is insignificant - however when I dropped my T-max in Bangkok (front wheel lock on a soapy road) the footboards caused no problem - my feet were about them. The handlebar gave me a nasty bruise on the leg due to the rake angle of the steering. For this reason, my secondary steering axis is vertical - the bars do not drop as they come back. Obviously more of a problem for longer legged riders.

Peter