Suzuki 25 HP DF25ATHL5 Outboard Motor

Description

This Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale is a new 25 HP tiller outboard with a 20 inch long shaft, power trim and tilt, and electric start with a pull rope backup. We sell it new in the Suzuki factory crate, the price is on this page, and we ship it to buyers worldwide after a free delivery quote.

Of all the 25 HP tillers, the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale is the version we sell most. Long transoms are common on aluminium fishing boats and work skiffs, and once people use power tilt they rarely want to go back.

The Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for Sale in Plain Terms

Think of it as the fully equipped tiller 25. You steer and throttle from the handle, you trim and tilt with a switch, and you start it with a button. When the battery is low, the recoil handle is still there.

Under the cowl is the same 490 cc three cylinder EFI engine found in every DF25A. What you pay extra for, compared with the basic models, is the power trim and tilt unit and the starter system. On a 20 inch transom boat that you run every weekend, the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale earns that extra cost quickly.

Letter by letter

• DF: Suzuki four stroke
• 25: 25 horsepower
• A: the three cylinder, battery-less EFI generation
• T: power trim and tilt
• H: tiller handle
• L: long shaft, 20 inches (508 mm)
• 5: later production run of the same model

Electric start comes with the power tilt package on this model, so you will not see an E in the code. Colour is the standard dark finish. If you want it in white, look at the DF25ATHLW5 listed below.

Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for Sale: Specifications

The weight figure for the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale includes the power tilt unit and the long midsection. It is heavier than the rope start short shaft model, but still light for a 25 HP with power tilt.

Boats That Suit the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for Sale

A 20 inch transom and a capacity plate that allows at least 25 HP are the two must haves. Within that, here are the boats we see it on most:

• 14 to 16 foot aluminium V hull fishing boats with a tiller layout
• Jon boats with a 20 inch transom used for duck hunting and river fishing
• Small fibreglass skiffs and work boats
• Larger RIBs that take a long shaft
• Small sailboats with a long shaft motor bracket, where power tilt saves a lot of reaching

Heavier hulls near the top of their rating may be better with the 30 HP. Light hulls rated for 20 HP should step down. We will look at your boat details and tell you which way to go before you buy the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale.

Power Trim and Tilt on the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for Sale

Power tilt is the reason to choose the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale over the cheaper versions, so it is worth a closer look.

Tilting

Pressing the switch lifts the whole motor clear of the water. That matters when you pull up to a ramp, run over weed beds, or leave the boat on a mooring. No more reaching over a cold transom to unlock and heave a 160 pound motor.

Trimming

Trim changes the angle of the prop thrust while you run. Trim down to get on plane and hold the bow down in chop. Trim up a little once you are on plane to lift the bow, cut drag and gain speed. With manual tilt you pick one pin hole and live with it. With the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale you change it on the fly as load and sea state change.

Manual release

If the battery dies with the motor tilted up, a manual release valve on the bracket lets you lower it by hand. Learn where it is before you need it.

Other Features of the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for Sale

Battery-less fuel injection

The ECU and injectors run off power made by the flywheel. If the starting battery goes flat, pull the recoil handle and the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale starts and runs normally. You only lose the electric starter and power tilt until the battery is charged.

Lean Burn Control

At steady cruise the ECU leans the mixture. Suzuki’s own figures put the A series up to 15 percent more economical than the old carbureted DF25.

Smooth three cylinder

Three cylinders mean less vibration at idle and trolling than a twin. Roller rocker arms and an offset crankshaft lower friction. On a long day you feel the difference in your hand on the tiller.

Charging

The 12V 14A alternator keeps the starting battery topped up and can run a fish finder and nav lights at the same time.

Rigging Checklist for the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for Sale

• Starting battery: a marine cranking battery around 500 to 650 CCA, in a vented box, strapped down.
• Battery switch: optional but handy for long storage.
• Through bolts: bolt the bracket to the transom. On a power tilt motor this is not optional in our view.
• Fuel: the portable tank and line come with the motor. A built-in tank needs a water separating filter.
• Prop: the stock aluminium prop suits most boats. Change pitch if the rpm is off.
• Trailer support: a transom saver for road trips.

You do not need remote cables, a binnacle or gauges. That is a big saving over a remote steer 25 with the same features.

Installing It Yourself or Using a Mechanic

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Most handy owners can fit a tiller 25 themselves. You need two people or a small hoist to lift it, a drill and bits for the through bolts, marine sealant for the bolt holes, and a spanner set. Hook up the battery cables, red to positive and black to negative, and route them so they cannot chafe on the tilt bracket.

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If your transom is old or soft, have a marine mechanic check it before you hang the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale on it. A 160 pound motor with power tilt puts real load on the wood, and a rotten core can crack under it. A local dealer can also do the pre-delivery checks and first start if you prefer, and some owners like having a stamped record for the warranty file.

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Mounting Height and Shaft Length

Measure your transom from the top centre down to the bottom of the hull. Roughly 20 inches calls for a long shaft like the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale. Roughly 15 inches calls for the DF25ATHS5 short shaft version.

Start with the anti-ventilation plate level with the hull bottom. Run the boat, then fine tune. If the prop blows out in turns, lower it a hole. If you see heavy spray from the lower unit and lose speed, raise it a hole. Many aluminium hulls run best with the plate about half an inch to an inch above the hull bottom once trim is set right, but test before you settle.

Break-In Period

Ten hours, done properly, sets up the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale for a long life.

1. First 15 minutes: idle and the lowest in gear speeds.
2. Next 45 minutes: under 3,000 rpm or half throttle. Vary the speed.
3. Next hour: up to about 4,000 rpm. Short full throttle runs are fine.
4. Up to 10 hours: normal running, avoid long full throttle runs.

Book the first service for 20 hours or one month. Fresh oil and gear oil at that point clears out the bedding in particles from the new Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale.

Keeping the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for Sale in Good Shape

Stick to genuine filters and impeller kits from the Suzuki genuine parts and accessories range. We can add a first service kit to your order at the same time.

Salt Water Routine

We ship the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale to plenty of coastal buyers. The ones who get the most years out of it all do the same few things:

• Flush through the hose port for 10 to 15 minutes after every salt run.
• Tilt the motor fully up on the mooring or at the dock.
• Rinse the power tilt rams and bracket, then spray an anti corrosion product.
• Check the tilt motor wiring plug for green corrosion now and then.
• Replace anodes once they are half worn. Never paint them.

Troubleshooting the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for Sale

Power tilt will not move

Check the battery first. Then check the fuse and the plug to the tilt motor. If the motor runs but the unit does not move, check that the manual release valve is closed.

Motor slowly trims down on its own

The manual release valve may be partly open. Close it firmly. If it still creeps, have the tilt unit looked at.

Starter only clicks

Low battery or poor connection. Pull start the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale to get home, then clean and charge.

Overheat warning

Stop and check the tell-tale stream on the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale. Clear it with wire, look for plastic bags on the intake, then suspect the impeller.

Bow plows or porpoises

Trim is wrong for the load. Trim out a touch if the bow digs, trim in if it bounces.

Setting Up the Tiller Handle

A tiller motor is only comfortable if the handle suits you. Spend ten minutes on this when the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale is first mounted.

• Steering friction: the adjuster under the swivel bracket sets how freely the motor turns. Set it so the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale holds course when you take your hand off for a moment.
• Throttle friction: a knob on the grip holds the throttle where you leave it. Useful when trolling for hours.
• Seat position: sit so your forearm is level with the handle. A cushion or a raised seat box makes a long day easier on the shoulder.
• Tiller extension: if you stand to fish or sit far forward, an aftermarket extension handle helps. Check it fits the Suzuki grip before buying.

Choosing a Prop for the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for Sale

Propping is where many owners leave speed and fuel on the table. The rule is simple: with your usual load, wide open throttle should land between 5,000 and 6,000 rpm.

• Below 5,000 rpm: the pitch is too high. Go down an inch or two. The motor is being lugged.
• Hitting the limiter: the pitch is too low. Go up an inch.
• Right in the band: leave it.

For heavy work boats and loaded RIBs, a lower pitch helps the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale get on plane. For a light aluminium V hull with one or two people, the stock 11 inch pitch often works. A stainless prop holds its shape better and can add a little speed, but costs more and transfers more shock to the gearcase if you hit something. In rocky water we usually advise sticking with aluminium.

Long Term Ownership

We have customers on their tenth season with a DF25A and still on the original powerhead. The pattern is always the same: regular oil changes, flushing after salt use, and a new impeller every couple of years. Nothing fancy.

The power trim and tilt unit on the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale is sealed and needs very little. Keep the rams clean, check the fluid level when the motor is serviced, and do not let the battery go flat over winter. A flat battery is the cause of most tilt complaints we hear.

Keep your service receipts. A documented Suzuki with power tilt holds its resale value well, and the next buyer will ask for them.

Using It in Rivers and Shallow Water

Many of our buyers run the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale on rivers, lakes with stumps and shallow flats. Power tilt makes that much easier. You can raise the motor slightly with the switch and idle across a shallow bar without leaving the helm.

Keep an eye on the tell-tale when running tilted up. The water intake sits higher, so if the stream stops, lower the motor at once. Never run at speed with the motor tilted beyond the trim range, since that is where the cooling intake can lift clear of the water.

If you run heavy weed, lift the motor every so often and clear the prop and intake screens. Weed wrapped on the prop shaft can cut the seal over time.

Storage Between Seasons

If the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale will sit for a few months, follow these steps:

1. Add a marine fuel stabiliser and run the engine for ten minutes so treated fuel fills the system.
2. Change the engine oil and gear oil.
3. Flush the cooling system with fresh water.
4. Spray fogging oil if the owner’s manual calls for it on your unit.
5. Grease the bracket and swivel points.
6. Lower the motor to the down position for storage so the tilt rams are not left extended in the weather.
7. Remove the battery and keep it on a maintenance charger.

On the Water with the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for Sale

Driving the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale is relaxed work. Push the button, it fires. Shift into forward, twist the grip, trim down a little and the boat climbs onto plane. Once up, bump the trim switch up until the steering feels light and the bow sits just right.

At trolling speed the three cylinder idles smoothly and quietly. Owners who fish all day appreciate that more than any spec sheet number. Fuel burn at a gentle cruise is roughly a gallon an hour, more at full throttle and much less at troll. Your hull and load change these numbers, so treat them as a guide.

Top speed depends on the boat. A 14 foot aluminium boat with two people commonly sees speeds in the 20s mph. Send us your hull details for a realistic estimate.

Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for Sale Compared with Other Suzuki Models

• Suzuki DF25ATHLW5: the same motor in Cool Test Gray white.
• Suzuki DF25ATHS5: identical, but with a 15 inch short shaft.
• Suzuki DF25ATL5: long shaft with power trim and tilt, but set up for remote steering.
• Suzuki DF25AES5: electric start tiller with manual tilt and a short shaft, for a lower budget.
• Suzuki DF20ATHL5: the 20 HP version of this same package.
• Suzuki DF30ATHL5: 30 HP in the same layout, for heavier boats.
• Suzuki DF25ATHL2: the earlier production listing of this model.

Every option is listed in our 25 HP Suzuki outboards section and the wider Suzuki category. Suzuki describes the DF25A and DF30A design on its Global Suzuki model page.

Ordering the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for Sale

Quote first, pay second

Tell us your address or nearest port. We reply with a written freight quote and transit estimate. You only pay once you agree with the full figure.

Packing and shipping

The Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale ships in its original Suzuki crate, extra strapped for long distance freight. We ship worldwide by sea or air, and you get tracking once it is booked.

Import paperwork

We supply the commercial invoice and packing list. Duties and taxes are set by your country and paid at import.

Warranty

Suzuki warranty terms vary by region and by recreational or commercial use. We confirm what applies where you live before you order. Shop policies are in our refund and return policy and terms and conditions.

What Is in the Box

• Suzuki DF25ATHL5 outboard, assembled with power trim and tilt
• Tiller handle with throttle, shift, stop switch and friction adjuster
• Aluminium propeller and fitting hardware
• Portable fuel tank, fuel line and primer bulb
• Battery cables
• Emergency stop lanyard
• Tool kit and spares
• Owner’s manual and warranty paperwork

No battery is included with the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale. Buy one locally, as most freight carriers will not take one with the motor.

Checklist Before Buying the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for Sale

1. Transom measures about 20 inches.
2. Capacity plate allows 25 HP or more.
3. You have space for a battery and a way to secure it.
4. Your transom is solid enough to through bolt.
5. You have your delivery address or port ready.
6. You have checked your country’s import rules.

Still deciding? Our customer reviews show what other buyers thought, and you can read about us or browse the blog for more.

Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for Sale: Questions We Get

Can I start the DF25ATHL5 with a dead battery?

Yes. Use the recoil handle. The EFI runs without battery power, so the engine starts and runs. Power tilt will not work until the battery is charged.

Is the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale suitable for salt water?

Yes. Flush after each use and look after the anodes.

What is the difference between the 2 and 5 versions?

The 5 is the later production run of the same DF25ATHL. For the buyer the engine, features and service parts are the same family.

How heavy is it?

About 163 lb, around 74 kg, with the power tilt unit and long shaft.

Can I fit a stainless prop?

Yes. Suzuki and aftermarket stainless props are available for this gearcase. Ask us for the right pitch for your boat.

How long is delivery?

It depends on your location and freight method. The quote lists an estimate.

Get Your Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for Sale

Long transom, tiller steering and you want power tilt: the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale is the 25 to buy. Add the Suzuki DF25ATHL5 for sale to your cart or contact us for a quote. You can also look through the full shop or see the official Suzuki outboard line.