First ride: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250
Tiny, friendly and affordable, it’s a welcome entry in the underserved 250 segment
Riding a test motorcycle for the first time since my recent, unfortunate crash, I was naturally tentative with the Gixxer SF 250. The sprawling run-off areas of the Buddh International Circuit were small consolation for a mind full of fear. But the little 250 from Suzuki surprised with the confidence it allowed.
Suzuki has run the Gixxer SF name with a 155cc motor before. It’s been based on the well-regarded Gixxer naked bike, and for 2019, it gets a solid refresh and a new engine option. While the old Gixxer was clearly a naked bike with a decent fairing tacked on, the new bike looks properly designed as a small sportbike. It’s not as committed or aggressive as the competition, though, preferring a more street-friendly vibe.
The seat is flat and comfortable for the rider, and the two-piece handlebars are on risers that allow for a reasonable riding position. The overall visual is aggressive, but the riding position isn’t. We will have a better idea once the bike is available for road testing.
As one would expect in 2019, the new Gixxer twins come with all-LED headlamps and digital consoles, differing only in the colour of the console displays. They look much better than the outgoing model, which used a vertically-stacked arrangement of lamps like the larger GSX-R bikes. Both — the 155 and 250 — come in only two colours: a gloss black and a silver for the 155, and a matte black and matte silver for the 250. Frankly, they’re underwhelming, save for the matte black on the 250, which looks impressively sinister.
For me, the most interesting aspect of the new SF 250 is the motor. It’s a clever, all-new design. Suzuki have decided to keep it simple, staying with a single-cylinder, oil-cooled design but using four valves in an SOHC configuration. I imagine this keeps costs and complexity down. Even more interesting is the fact that the engine is completely smooth and without fins — something one generally sees in liquid-cooled motors. The oil cooler itself is larger and uses a supplementary fan. The result is a motor that outputs almost exactly the same numbers as its closest Honda competitor — 26.5PS and 22.6Nm. Impressive!
On the track, the Gixxer SF 250 feels nimble and friendly. The motor has a nice, linear spread of torque, and I never found myself in a situation where I urgently needed to downshift. Then again, the BIC isn’t quite the place for too many downshifts. We wrung the necks of the 250s around the expansive track for lap after lap, and the bike felt just fine. Compared to the 155, it feels heavier and brakes with less authority, but that’s understandable. Both bikes have ABS, with the 250 getting the dual-channel variety. The 250 is predictable tipping into corners, and exits without drama. The fuel tank retains the hooded shape of the old Gixxer, which gives the rider plenty of room to hook the knees in a corner. The motor and gearbox work harmoniously while being thrashed.
About the only complaint I have about the 250 is the tiny, pointless screen that does little to keep the wind off your head. The SF 250 topped out at 154kmph, which is a respectable velocity, and certain to cause some bufetting on the street. It’s also a rougher motor than the 155, which feels silky in comparison.
The Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 will make a fine street bike for someone who wants something that looks aggressive. It would even work as a 250cc track bike, though I suspect a typical rider would quickly outgrow it and be better served by a KTM 250/390 in short order. It’s diminutive stature has limited flash value, which I suspect will keep it out of contention for the chappal/no helmet crowd. And that’s no bad thing for Suzuki. Watch for our road test once the bike is available.
Suzuki Gixxer SF 155: Rs 1.1 lac
Suzuki Gixxer SF 250: Rs 1.71 lac
