Suzuki Gixxer SF250 fares well with the rivals but does it stands apart?
Suzuki launched the much awaited quarter liter sports, Gixxer SF 250 in India. The launch price is Rs 1,70,655 ex-showroom Delhi. New Gixxer SF250 undercuts Honda’s CBR 250R by whole Rs 24,000 on the ex-showroom price. The other close rival is Yamaha Fazer 25 which is cheaper than SF250 by Rs 26,000 but also misses out on a lot of things.
Other two rivals are Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 and KTM RC 200. The RS 200 is priced at Rs 1.4 lakh ex-showroom for ABS variant. On the other hand, RC 200 will set you back by Rs 1.9 lakh ex-showroom.
Suzuki Gixxer SF250 vs Honda CBR 250R
When compared to CBR 250R, the Gixxer seems to look better with sharp styling. Honda is not bad either considering the new LED headlight setup looks appealing. What offends me is the pricing of CBR. It is Rs 1.95 lakh ex-showroom with nearly everything Gixxer offers for Rs 24,000 less.
CBR 250R also generates similar 26.3 bhp of power and slightly more torque at 22.9 Nm. The weight of Gixxer at 161 kg will help it clock better 0 to 100 kmph timings. Both bikes offer dual-channel ABS, fat tyres, split seats and even riding position is similar.
Also Read: Honda CBR 250R vs KTM RC 200
If someone asks me to choose between Gixxer SF250 and CBR 250R, I would pick Gixxer SF250 over CBR 250R any day because it offers better value for my money.
Suzuki Gixxer SF250 vs KTM RC 200
Let’s move on to another sports bike, this time it’s not just any regular sports bike, it is a proper track machine. The KTM’s RC 200 makes nearly the same power as Gixxer SF250 at 25.8 bhp. However, the bike loses out on less torque which stands at 19.2 Nm against Gixxer’s 22.6 Nm.
RC 200 is priced at Rs 1.9 lakh which is around Rs 20,000 more expensive than the SF250. But it is a motorcycle which will give you unique experience of riding a supersports. The bike handles like a charm and goes like a hooligan. There is an aroma of two-strokes from the 90s while riding RC 200.
Also Read: Bajaj Dominar 400, What else can you buy?
If you are really looking for outright fun, don’t look beyond the KTM RC. Here’s my pick is RC 200. SF250 is not a slouch here, but if you are a highway guy, you can pick the Gixxer without giving any second thought.
Suzuki Gixxer SF250 vs Yamaha Fazer 25
Moving on to the next rival, the Yamaha Fazer 25. First thing I must tell you is that this bike looks bad, I mean really bad. No design flow, no aggression, as well as no charm. Fazer 25 is just an FZ25 motorcycle with fairing. On the other hand, the Gixxer SF250 looks good it stands apart.
Fazer 25 is powered by a 250cc 2-valve, air & oil-cooled engine. This engine pumps out 20.6 bhp and 20 Nm torque. The numbers are far lower than the Gixxer’s. Thus, on a drag strip, Gixxer SF250 will annihilate Fazer. Suzuki’s quarter-liter bike is also better equipped and offers more features than what Yamaha’s bike does. However, both bikes offer dual-channel ABS as standard.
Priced at Rs 1.44 lakh ex-showroom, Fazer 25 is cheaper by approx. Rs 26,000. For the extra money you pay, you’ll get the best of both worlds, touring and sport riding. Here my choice would be Gixxer SF250 but if you are on a tight budget you can go for Fazer 25 or FZ25.
Suzuki Gixxer SF250 vs Bajaj Pulsar RS 200
Bajaj is here at two places, one at the lower end which is Pulsar RS 200 and Dominar 400 at the higher end. I did not include Dominar 400 because it’s not a faired sports bike rather a power cruiser. Pulsar RS 200 is supposedly the fastest Pulsar yet with a claimed top speed of 141 kmph.
Producing 24.1 bhp and 18.5 Nm, numbers are even less than that of RC 200. Comparing RS 200 with Gixxer 250 is not cool, however, it is just Rs 30,000 cheaper than the quarter-liter Suzuki. What hampers Pulsar’s performance is its high 165 kg kerb weight.
One can go for RS 200 if on a highly tight budget and just want a contender to Yamaha R15 V3.0. By no means, Pulsar is a bad bike, but if you are looking for a more powerful faired bike, it has to Gixxer SF 250 on the next couple of steps.
So which one?
At Rs 1.7 lakh ex-showroom, Suzuki Gixxer SF250 is a fully faired sports motorcycle which is aimed at the youth. The bike is made for touring as it gets higher placed clip-on bars. Gixxer 250 handles very well due to stiffer diamond frame, so you can occasionally take the bike on track and it will not disappoint you.
Choosing a bike is solely the decision of the buyer. A buyer must take test rides of all the bikes around his budget and then decide which one makes him happier. For me though, Gixxer 250 rings all the bells. Check out which one does it for you.
Specification Sheet
| Specs | Gixxer SF 250 | CBR 250R | RS 200 | RC 200 |
| Engine | 249 cc | 249 cc | 199.5 cc | 199.5 cc |
| Cooling | Oil Cooled | Liquid Cooled | Liquid Cooled | Liquid Cooled |
| Valvetrain | 4-Valve, SOHC | 4-Valve, DOHC | 4-Valve, DOHC | 4-Valve, DOHC |
| Bore X Stroke | 76 mm X 54.9 mm | 76 mm X 55 mm | 72 mm X 49 mm | 72 mm X 49 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6:1 | 11.5:1 | 11.5:1 |
| Max Power | 26.1 bhp @9000 rpm | 26.1 bhp @8500 rpm | 24.1 bhp@9750 rpm | 25.5 bhp@10,000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 22.6 Nm @7500 RPM | 22.9 Nm @7000 RPM | 18.6 Nm@8000 rpm | 19.2 Nm@8000 rpm |
| Gearbox | 6-Speed | 6-Speed | 6-Speed | 6-Speed |
| Fuel Tank | 12 Liters | 13 Liters | 15 Liters | 10 Liters |
| Weight | 161 kg | 167 Kg | 165 Kg | 146 Kg |
| Length | 2010 mm | 2030 mm | 1999 mm | 2002 mm |
| Width | 740 mm | 720 mm | 765 mm | 873 mm |
| Height | 1035 mm | 1127 mm | 1114 mm | 1274 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1345 mm | 1369 mm | 1355 mm | 1340 mm |
| Seat Height | 800 mm | 784 mm | 800 mm | 820 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 165 mm | 145 mm | 157 mm | 178 mm |
| Front Suspension | 41 mm Telescopic Forks | 37 mm Telescopic Forks | Telescopic Forks | 43 mm USD |
| Rear Suspension | MonoShock | Pro Linked Monoshock | MonoShock | MonoShock |
| Front Tyre | 110/70-R17 Tubeless | 110/70-17 | 100/80-17 | 110/70-17, Tubeless |
| Rear Tyre | 150/60-R17 Tubeless | 140/70-17 | 130/70-17 | 150/60-17, Tubeless |
| Front Brake | 300 mm Disc | 296 mm Disc | 300 mm Disc | 300 mm Disc |
| Rear Brake | 220 mm Disc | 220 mm Disc | 230 mm Disc | 230 mm Disc |
| Safety | Dual-Channel ABS | Dual-Channel ABS | Single-Channel ABS | Single-Channel ABS |
| Ex-Showroom Price | Rs 1.70 Lakh | Rs 1.95 Lakh | Rs 1.40 Lakh | Rs 1.90 Lakh |
Ride Safe, Ride Hard, and always wear a helmet while riding. Stay Tuned for more from the world of motorcycling.
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