The Silver Mist paint has seen better days in certain areas, but this 1974 Suzuki TS185L Sierra looks like a really nice all-around survivor on/off-road bike for those of us who don’t need massive power. The seller has it listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Hilbert, Wisconsin, and they’re asking $1,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Lothar… of the Hill People for the TS tip!
My best friend growing up had a 1972 Suzuki TS185 in blue, and I’ve always wanted one. It seemed to have more than enough power for two-lane 55-mph roads, and once you got to your off-road trail or logging road, it wasn’t so big that it was too powerful or hard to handle. This example looks great for $1,500; you can’t get much in the on/off-road genre for that anymore, especially anything this nice.
Silver paint has a tendency to look bad or to go bad. Maybe all paint does that, but I seem to notice it more on silver or other metallic paints. The rear fender would be easy to bring back to looking like new again, but the top of the gas tank would take more work. Is it worth it? Or is this a bike that you just ride and enjoy without having it be in perfect condition?
A 250-cc motorcycle may be ideal for a lot of us, but I wouldn’t turn my nose up at a 185. I don’t weigh anything near 200 pounds, so maybe that’s why it would work for me. Suzuki made this TS series beginning in 1971, and it lasted until 2015; that’s a long run for almost any vehicle. With 6,414 miles, someone rode this bike more than I ever rode a dirt bike or on/off road bike. With a 21″ front wheel and 18″ rear wheel, both steel, so a bit heavier than alloy wheels, this one should be able to handle most off-road chores. The seller has a new set of tires that they’re throwing in with the sale.
The engine is Suzuki’s 183-cc two-stroke single-cylinder with 17 horsepower, 13 lb-ft of torque, oil injection, and an electronic ignition. It’s sent through a five-speed manual to the rear wheel, and the seller says it starts easily and runs great. Have any of you owned a Suzuki 185?
One of the bikes I’d consider buying,but it’d have to be
a ’71 TS185 Sierra in Green.
This one seems like a good deal,as prices seem to
have gone crazy.Of course it’s not the best time of year to
be selling a bike.
Used to see these commonly lashed to the front of someone’s cab over camper truck and zipping from the campground to the store, out on a trail etc.
Great find, seems to be a good price on this great all around “scooter”.
This would look great in your garage, Scotty!😆👍🏻
It’s a nice bike for not a tot of money. You could repaint it, clean it up and make it better, or ride it as is. The good thing about this one is it’s a 1974 and doesn’t have much chrome on it.
I restored the 72 TS 185 that Dad brought home in 73 about 17 years ago. It had 53 pieces of chrome, the bill was $2500. I had to have Paul’s Custom Chrome do it, because the normal bumper platers lose bumpers. My stuff was a few big parts, but at least 40 small trinkets. I would expect to get half of them back from a bumper plater and spend months looking for replacements.
The bike will “cruise” at 55 MPH, but it’s going to make a lot of noise doing it. It’s a lot better around town or off road. At my age I can’t afford to do much but run around the neighborhood and annoy the neighbors with the two stroke.