Suzuki Gixxer 250
Quater litre contender
As a documenter, appreciator and tinkerer of all things on two wheels, I find myself toying and traversing with motorcycles of all shapes and sizes. Of all the many shapes and sizes, it is the entry-level sports motorcycles that have always pulled at the heartstrings. It’s where it all begins for most of us, this all-consuming passion that we so frivolously refer too. Almost a decade ago, this segment had a few sparing 200s and two-bikini faired 220-somethings. Today though, the gen-next has their pickings laid out for them with proper quarter-litre motorcycles to pick from. On this page, is the new kid on the block the 250cc iteration of the Suzuki Gixxer that finds itself catalogued smack bang in the middle of the segment, but does that mean its any good? Read on to find out!
As one would suspect, the Suzuki Gixxer 250 is
THE GIXXER’S PARTY PIECE IS THE 250CC SINGLECYLINDER OILCOOLED MOTOR FROM THE SF. WITH ABOUT 26BHP AND 22NM OF TORQUE. IN TERMS OF PERFORMANCE VIS-A-VIS REFINEMENT, THIS IS EASILY THE BEST MOTOR IN THE SEGMENT
a derivative from its track-ready sibling the SF 250. The sinewy tank and almost every single cycle part moving to the rear is identical. Most of the changes on the 250cc have been focused at the front, where, the clip-on handlebars have been switched out for higher sets and a flattish looking LED headlamp slots in place of the missing front fairing. I’ll admit, the Gixxer 250 is not what you’d call wallpaper material but overall it’s a handsome piece of machinery.
Ride the SF and the Gixxer back to back and you’re going to notice the ergonomics are quite distinct. Mostly, this can be attributed to the higher set handlebar that replaces the clip-ons from the SF. It is a small change but makes a big difference to the riders triangle which is more upright, and easier on the shoulders. The slightly rear-set footpegs ensure the Gixxer keeps that crucial balance between comfort and agility. The ride is a little on the stiffer side though and sharp speed breakers are sent straight onto your wrists. On a bike this short -- shortest wheelbase in the segment -- with taut springs, a surprise pothole at pace, could mean a tank slapper, although we
THE GIXXER 250’S SHORT WHEELBASE PAIRED WITH WELL-BALANCED CHASSIS MAKE IT NIMBLE AND PRECISE MOTORCYCLE
had no such incident to report. The split seats are wide enough.
The big question when it comes to the Gixxer is whether it can out-perform its Austrian rival on tarmac spaghetti? In short, pick it straight out of a showroom, and the answer is no. Don’t get me wrong, the Gixxer’s short wheelbase paired with a well-balanced chassis makes it nimble and precise, leagues ahead of the FZ’s relatively sluggish corner manners. In my mind, there is only one thing that lets it down, the front end. The Gixxer is about 5 kgs lighter than the SF 250, and since most of the rest is the same, one is led to believe that the weight has been lost on the fairing, and the headlamps. Pair this with the upright bars and a lot of the ridding load that the front springs were set up for is lost making it a little vague, especially closer to apex when you’re preparing to unload the front. That said, this is not something you’re going to notice on city rides, in fact, in traffic and tight parking, the Gixxer’s extended neck makes it a cinch to navigate.
The Gixxer’s party piece is the 250cc single-cylinder oil-cooled motor from the SF, with about 26bhp and 22Nm. In terms of performance vis-a-vis refinement, this is easily the best motor in the segment. The smoothness is unparalleled. Heat-management is on point thanks to oil cooling, which also makes it more efficient motor at highways speeds. The motor is peppy and more than willing to push the envelope with vibrations only mildly seeping into the footpegs well above 8000rpm. Push it hard, and the Gixxer will quite easily touch 150kmph, although, for cruising the Gixxer is capable of an almost silent ride between 110-120kmph.