How well can this 52 year old Suzuki TS185 handle the trails?

Finally get to take the '72 TS185 back in to the woods for a proper first ride to see how it handles my trails. This little bike is a blast in the tight stuff and has enough get up and go to be fun in the open quad trails too. I take this bike over trees, rocks, off camber climbs and creeks and it does not miss a beat.

[@carlgangl6360]

I’m 70 years old and I still have my 74 Ts185, one-of my favorite bikes. I also still have his older brother my 76 TS400. I will probably die before I get rid of them. Just ridding the two strokes is a joy in itself! It was a great era to be a part of. Thanks for the video, makes me feel young again!

[@Garage2Trail]

That’s awesome you still have them! I feel the same way about my 98 XR400 that I’ve had since 1999 when I turned 19. Still have it and still ride it regularly. I almost picked up a 76 TS400 just before Christmas locally. I was 2nd in line and the bike had a title and everything…priced under $1000 so of course it sold right away. Thanks for sharing!

[@inglwud5625]

I have a 77 ts185 runs great still!

[@billycarpenter4740]

Back in about 1978 I purchased a used Suzuki TS400, it was a thrill to ride and would "stand up" with me on it in the first 3 gears, Kinda wild ride on the streets.

[@billycarpenter4740]

@@Garage2Trail I had a Suzuki TS400 back in about 1979, so much power and torque "right now" , always scared me ( I was a skinny guy back then) .

[@Garage2Trail]

@@billycarpenter4740 I’d like to find a TS400 someday.

[@franktwiss6758]

I purchased ts185 new in 1972. Exactly the same as this one. Beat the heck out of it for over 10 years. This video is bringing me back 52 years. Awesome and thanks for the memories

[@Garage2Trail]

That’s awesome Frank, thanks for sharing! It’s really a fun little bike.

[@FlowJunkie65]

My buddy's mom owned that exact same model year. I owned a '71 TS-185 Sierra in like a teal blue/green colored gas tank. It was an excellent and very reliable trail bike - I wish I still owned it, it was that good.

[@Garage2Trail]

That’s cool! I see a bunch of TS models popping up near me. Most are already done and ready to ride. I’m always looking for the projects though…the teal ones are sweet looking

[@albertsammut433]

This little beast reminds me of my younger racing years on the TM250J also a 72 model..It also had no brakes or suspension or handling so to speak..but man did it have wicked power delivery..Lost count of all the injuries on it..Those where the days when real mean raced those monsters..I guess I was smart as I gave up early before I really plastered myself properly😂😂

[@Garage2Trail]

That’s awesome, I’d love to find a TS or TM250 to compare…or even a monster TM400 to hurt myself on lol

[@RayFinkle]

What a great little bike!

[@Garage2Trail]

It really is!

[@jeffsilver4730]

Fantastic Motorcycles, the Suzuki TS Line. I had a TS 90 and a TS 250 growing up. I now have a cherry little TS 125 and a couple TS 400's in need of restoration. Thanks for posting, love to watch videos like this.

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks for watching! Glad to hear people are enjoying these. I am working on a 1980 TS185 right now that will hopefully be up soon for a trail ride once it’s done.

[@benspeedschannel888]

The old TS is sounding lovely! What a cracking place to ride, I could see potential trials sections everywhere! Our club could do with a venue like that.

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks! These are the trails I’ve been riding since I was 13 in ‘93 on my ‘79 RM80. These have been around since the late 60s and we do have a trials section :-)

[@keithallen3119]

I rode a 1970 Yamaha 175 for years in my youth. The 185's were a nice bike with a bit more power but were just as you said. A blast to ride and if geared right could do some serious off roading.

[@keithallen3119]

Also did the hare scrambles on the CT-1, good times and great memories.

[@Garage2Trail]

Exactly, I feel that just another couple teeth on the rear sprocket could make it perfect for tight hilly conditions.

[@matt2133]

He bought the 1972 Suzuki TS 185 new and he rode it with his daughter (my wife) sitting on the gas tank holding onto the crossbar for a number of years, then he was diagnosed with MS and there it sat in his shop for 40 years. Cobwebs, dust, grease, gummy fuel, corrosion and a seized piston. He said that he simply just parked it one day and never rode it again. My father-in-law said: "If you can get it to run, you can have it." I moved it from his shop to my shed and it sat for another 3 years. Finally 2 weeks ago, I had a moment to take a look at it. I removed the spark plug - it was corroded. I removed the head and sprayed PB Blast on the piston and let it sit for the day as I did yard work. That night, I gave it a gentle kick and the piston broke free and the sound of the piston inside the chamber was music to my ears. It had the potential for compression. In removing the spark plug earlier and in my naivety, I damaged the coil, so I couldn't check for the second ingredient of life for a 2 stroke...Spark. So I ordered a new coil and a battery and turned the light off in the shed and dreamt that night of riding the mountainous single tracks behind our house. Unfortunately that would have to wait another week. The parts arrived and were promptly installed. Crossing my fingers that the carb was somewhat functional, I added fuel to the tank after the petcock soaked in the solvent tank for a couple hours. The excitement mounted. Compression. Spark. Fuel. O2. Gitty up cowboy!!! As I swung my right leg over the back of the bike, I bashed my shin on the luggage rack. Was this a sign of how this 1st start attempt was going to go? I reached down and twisted the kick starter clockwise. I stood on 1 leg with my other leg bent at the knee and rested the arch of my shoe on the worn rubber of the ratcheting lever that brings this beast to life. 1 kick of the foot, and in billowing white smoke, the dragon from 1972 roared back to life. With a grin from ear to ear, I rode the 185 around the house 3 times and send the video to my father-in-law who recently suffered a stroke.

[@Garage2Trail]

That’s awesome to hear you are reviving the same bike Matt, but I’m sorry to hear of the circumstances with your father in law. I know how bad MS can be, as my mom had to deal with it for years until last year when she passed. It’s a disease that doesn’t play fair at all. Hopefully that will raise his spirits when he sees it running! Keep me posted and if you have any questions with it, feel free to reach out. You can reply to this video if that’s easiest.

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

Maaan I want to get out on some trails, love seeing these old bikes put to work

[@Garage2Trail]

I highly recommend it. It’s like riding a Time Machine lol

[@Animalstyle69]

This is where being a lightweight rider is super helpful.. if you’re a big boy, you’re gonna smash those old coil springs

[@lancenorton1117]

Dang, sure LOVE this video and motorcycle. Our Local FB Marketplace has one just like this for $1250. Bought a 75 Honda CB125 in November or I would be all over this motorcycle.

[@lancenorton1117]

For $1250 that motorcycle has a complete rear tail lens and a white front fender.

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks yeah, this one has the Preston petty fenders and missing the brake light…$1250 seems like a good price if it runs and is complete.

[@lancenorton1117]

@@Garage2Trail The ad has the shortest description possible, Runs Great. The gas tank has better paint overall compared to yours but who knows otherwise.

[@riveneva1519]

I had a Kawasaki 175 back in the day, and you’d commonly see these 185s around too back then. I had a blast trail riding and I sure miss the two stroke burble. We didn’t know how good we had it then. Today I’ve got a Yamaha XT-250 - nice bike, but not the same as those early enduro bikes.

[@Garage2Trail]

I’d like to get my hands on a Kawasaki at some point…that’s the only bike I still haven’t had out of the big 4 Japanese enduros. Thanks for sharing!

[@hickokaviation2249]

It sounds great! I love watching you bring these back to life. 🙏

[@Garage2Trail]

Thank you! I appreciate it very much.

[@carolynred4616]

The best bikes and best times. Had a 1975 Suzuki 100 enduro. They actually had a seats,in these days. Straight aways you know 😄♥️ Good times

[@Garage2Trail]

I always refer to these bikes as time machines for me!

[@truthboomertruthbomber5125]

The only weak point on the 125 and 185 are the rear hubs. The cush drive will fail and then it’s either replace the hub and sprocket carrier or weld the sprocket carrier to the hub. I had one fail during a “1 day qualifier “ race. I packed some rocks in the spaces where the cush drive rubber dampers go and reinstalled the sprocket carrier and gingerly rode back to the truck.

[@Garage2Trail]

It’s amazing what you can do on the trail to get back to the house or truck!

[@philippierce4331]

Nice!! I got a 72 ts250. Same color. Haven't done much trail riding mainly because its got the stock tires and chain/sprockets on it😂

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks! I don’t blame you there lol.

[@lambjack7516]

This is awesome

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks!

[@davcolli]

Great video as always. The video looked smooth and the microphone worked great as well. What camera/mike are you using? I'm from Pgh area as well. Back in the day we would ride trails all the way from Carnegie out almost to the old airport and back with gas staged halfway. With all the new building, you sure can't do that now! Keep up the great work.

[@Garage2Trail]

Thank you! I used my DJI Osmo Action 4 for this whole video. Does 4k and great stabilization. I recently roads some trails out by the airport. Not exactly sure where because I was just following the pack lol. Still a ton out there. We have eats around all the development…still a ton all over. Just gotta know where to enter in and out. From Carnegie though is a haul! How long ago did you ride all of that?

[@davcolli]

Oh geez, that was over 40 years ago. And I was just following the pack, so I have no idea how we got there. Had a well worn YZ 400. One guy knew all the trails, and the rest of us were just trying to not get lost :) BTW, I had a Harley SX 250 back then, which was what brought me to your channel.

[@bananabrooks3836]

You both performed well. Proper off road tyres helps alot, def worth a fork oil change and viscosity mix? Are you still on stock gearing?

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks! Yeah those tires are from the early 70s too lol…stock gearing as well (12/39) which is a tad too tall for tight woods but once that power band hits it doesn’t matter lol

[@jeffferguson899]

cool ride

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks Jeff!

[@ktmjackb]

Looks like fun, I guess you can sell the x trainer ! LOL

[@Garage2Trail]

Lol this bike probably felt like the Xtrainer back in the day next to the heavyweight enduros of the time!

[@upchuckchops]

running like a top

[@SwPiotrek]

Nice ride.

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks!

[@MrJudgejeffrey]

That's a lovely little bike, it seems to lift the front wheel very easily, what are the front and rear sprockets tooth wise please..

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks! It has the stock 12/39 sprockets on it. Possibly just a tad tall for tight woods, but once in the power band, it really doesn’t matter as you can see in the video. It’s surprisingly fast on the road.

[@yomommaahotoo264]

Had this in 79...loved it till a friend adjusted the oil injection the wrong way and locked it up.

[@Garage2Trail]

Bummer! Did you get it fixed up after that?

[@yomommaahotoo264]

@@Garage2Trail Nope, was young and moved on. That was in 1979

[@cliffninja]

Hi , enjoy your channel , I’ve got exactly the same bike but 250 , can you tell me if you have put bigger knobbly tyres on yours , if so it looks awesome and what size are they . Cheers Cliff

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks for tuning in! These are the tires that came with it when I picked it up in September. The rear is a Carlisle brand called an “aggressor” in 4.35-18 and the front is a Cheng Shin 3.00-19…that one might be an original. I looked up that Carlisle Agressor tire and that’s also from the early 70s lol

[@cainbeeping8480]

A very cool bike. I want one now LOL I want one of all of them.

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks! I get attached to most of them myself lol

[@lancenorton1117]

Our local FB Marketplace has one just like this for $1250. And YEP, pretty nice bike.

[@theburger_king]

these old dual sports look so good compared to what companies are putting out now, modern dirt bikes just look like cheap chinese plastic

[@hickokaviation2249]

What’s the seat height on an older bike like that?

[@Garage2Trail]

I don’t have an exact number right now, but considerably shorter than modern bikes. I can flat foot on this one with room to spare and I’m 5’8” with a 30” inseam.

[@larrynorsworthy8582]

Where?

[@Garage2Trail]

Western Pennsylvania

[@larrynorsworthy8582]

@@Garage2Trail beautiful riding terrain!

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks, I am fortunate to have these still going on 30 years now