The motorcycling industry in Nepal can be split into three general segments. The first is the commuter segment, for the people who need workhorses to get stuff done. These machines are built to get you from one place to another efficiently. It isn’t taking you anywhere fast, but you’ll get amazing mileage and the running costs will be low. Think Platinas, Shines, Hayates, and Splendors.
Then there are the 200-300cc segment that dips a toe into performance motorcycling territory. Serving the commuting purpose while remaining a fun-to-ride motorcycle is tricky business, but that is what most of these motorcycles set out to do. Although still a far cry from actual high performance motorcycles, this segment keeps the dream alive for motorcycle enthusiasts.
The third category includes the ones on the posters we stuck on our bedroom walls and grew up dreaming about owning one day. We’re talking about the Hayabusas and Firebirds here. It will cost you an arm and a leg to purchase and pay for the running costs, but it will all be worth it.
While owning your dream bike is the ultimate goal, it might not happen overnight. So, to keep the dream alive, the majority of us dreamers find the sweet spot in the 250cc space. It is up to the task of undertaking the role of a commuter which can get you around while you can also dip a toe into touring and fat riding whenever you get the chance.
In this review, we see if the Suzuki Gixxer 250 SF can help us find the riding sweet spot.
Specifications:
Displacement 249 cc
Cylinders 1
Max Power 26.1 bhp @ 9,000 rpm
Max Torque 22.6 Nm @ 7,500 rpm
Fuel Delivery System Fuel Injection
Gearbox 6-speed
Rs 496,900 Price of Suzuki Gixxer 250 SF
Styling and Design
In terms of looks, the Suzuki Gixxer 250 SF hits the nail on the head, especially the Moto GP Edition with the stunning and iconic blue and yellow colors. More often than not, people purchasing a motorcycle in this segment are looking for that “big bike” feel. And, with the Suzuki Gixxer 250 SF, you get exactly that with their all new design language.
Overall, it is handsomely built and well proportioned. The sharply designed LED headlight seamlessly merges into the wind visor, which is a little too small to fit the function. This in fact is one of the few gripes we have with the motorcycle. The fairings and tank are well sculpted and emphasize the fresh new appeal of the Gixxer SF 250. To keep things sporty, you get the clip-on bars and beefy tires—a 150 mm one at the rear, and a 110 mm one on the front wheel.
Around back, the tail section is sleek with a newly designed LED tail light. The double barrel exhaust is also new, but the shiny, squarish styling does seem a little out of place when you look at the overall appearance.
All in all, the Gixxer 250SF succeeds in becoming a good looking motorcycle.
Performance
And it continues to impress once you’re on the road. The all-new 249cc single-cylinder, four-valve, oil cooled engine churns out 26bhp of maximum power at 9,000 rpm and 22.6 Nm of peak torque at 7,500 rpm. And with the new Gixxer 250SF all those numbers are smoothly and linearly put through to the rear wheel. With the Suzuki Oil Cooling System (SOCS), you get a unique technology offering a refined acceleration that feels strong and linear. The SEP (Suzuki Eco Performance) engine boasts of superb efficiency without compromised performance. They do this by utilizing six sensors (O2 sensor, Intake air pressure sensor, Intake air temperature sensor, Throttle position sensor, Engine temperature sensor, Crankshaft sensor) to optimize the ECM that commands the Fuel Injector to inject the precise amount of fuel for optimum combustion efficiency, which in turn improves throttle response and gives you higher fuel efficiency. The slick six-speed gearbox compliments all the offerings of the new engine.
Even in terms of handling, the Gixxer 250SF is sublime. In city traffic it is nimble and adheres to your directions. If you’re out on the highway, the numbers on the speedometer climb up pretty quickly and makes light work of most overtaking maneuvers. If you’re ever forced to perform harsh braking, the dual channel ABS ensures there is very little drama to the entire ordeal.
On corners it is rock steady and inspires the confidence to lean into the bends. The front suspensions are stiff and offer more front end rigidity. Nevertheless, the Gixxer 250SF does a good job of soaking up the tattered city roads of KTM.
The ergonomics are sporty, but not to the point of discomfort. The clip on handlebars are set slightly higher so the rider’s triangle is not too tasking, but it is well disguised to maintain the sporty appeal. We certainly think the Suzuki Gixxer 250SF is up to the task of touring too.
Verdict
So does it impress?
Most definitely! The new engine and tech aren’t just gimmicks and you can feel it when you are riding the Suzuki Gixxer 250SF. Suzuki have got the designing aspects down to a tee and made a very appealing motorcycle. And when you ride it, it gives you what you look for in a 250cc motorcycle. It is a great commuter and gets you places, and efficiently. But when you want to have a little fun on it, it’s up to the challenge as well. And it goes easy on new motorcyclists.
The Suzuki Gixxer 250SF provides a great amalgamation of efficiency and power, which makes for a very fun motorcycle. It stacks up well against its closest rival, the Honda CBR 250R. It’s priced very decently too, considering the Honda CBR250R will cost you Rs 679,000 while the Suzuki Gixxer 250SF fetches just Rs 496,900 (Rs 499,000 for the Moto Gp Edition).
Although late to the party, the Suzuki Gixxer 250SF does make quiet an impact on the increasingly popular 250cc segment, and it could be a potential frontrunner in the fight for the quarter-liter segment supremacy.
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