2021 Suzuki Gixxer 250 Test Ride Review

2021 Suzuki Gixxer 250 Review

Bike tested: Suzuki Gixxer 250; Road Test No. 1313; Test Location: Mumbai

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 1,99,000/-

The Suzuki Gixxer 250 is the beefed-up version of the Suzuki Gixxer (150) however it isn’t easy to differentiate

Suzuki launched the Gixxer 150 back in 2014 when the premium commuter segment was booming and the Gixxer was successful in winning many hearts. As the market opened out, people wanted to have a more powerful and fun-filled commuting experience and so the demand for 250cc street bikes went high, and many brands realised this instantly and catered to the people but Suzuki missed out for a solid 2 years! And finally, in 2019, they launched the Gixxer 250. The 2021 model is essentially a BS6 update with a few cosmetic changes. Yes, Suzuki is late to the party but, is it too late? We find out!

MotorQuest: 2019 was the first year Suzuki introduced the Gixxer in 250cc avatar. They offers the Gixxer in faired as well as naked versions. The Gixxer is made in Suzuki’s Haryana plant and is also sold in various South-Asian countries like India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Styling: The Gixxer 250 looks very muscular and modern, it proudly boasts the street-fighter design and makes a great first impression. The tri-split LED headlamp has a very quirky shape and looks determined. While the brushed alloys look very sporty and elevate the overall appeal of this bike. We really like the design of the tank, the cuts and creases are very bold and the Gixxer looks more purposeful than ever. Besides, the tank shrouds really elevate the aggressive stance of this motorcycle. However, we feel that the big fat halogen indicators add unnecessary bulk and Suzuki should have offered LEDs instead.

The Gixxer is a handsome looking motorcycle and surely demands a lot of attention

From the sides, it looks very commuter-friendly. The engine is finished in an ivory shade which is something out of the box. And, the dual pod exhaust looks compact while the chrome highlights certainly make it stand out. Lastly, the rear profile of the bike looks rather humble. The Gixxer 250 is available in only two colour options – matte black and our favourite triton blue with Ecstar livery. All in all, the Gixxer 250 does a great job of looking premium and standing out from the crowd. Some might say it looks just like the younger Gixxer 150 and with a quick look it might be difficult to differentiate.

Instrument Cluster and Switchgear: The instrument cluster on the Gixxer is similar to the one offered on the 150 except, it’s a negative LCD. Rest everything remains the same. It offers basic ride telemetry data along with two trip meters and battery voltage. However, it lacks important information like average mileage, real-time fuel economy, distance to empty, etc. Nevertheless, overall readability is pretty good and the cluster feels well laid out. As a matter of fact, the Suzuki Burgman gets a better Bluetooth enabled cluster that also has turn-by-turn navigation and, we would be happy to see the same unit on the Gixxer too.

The instrument cluster is very simple and easy to read, the overall information on offer is quite good too

The switchgear on the Gixxer is ordinary. You have a traditional pass switch, high-low beam switch, indicator switch and a horn button on the left. And on the right, is an engine kill switch and a single touch starter. Interestingly, the high-low beam switch and the kill switch are offered in the piano finish. The overall switchgear quality is decent and the buttons offer a good amount of tactile feedback.

Ergonomics: Ergonomically, the Gixxer is exactly similar to the previous model. The seat height is 800 mm, which is suited for tall as well as short riders. Adding to that, the tank recess is quite accommodating and it doesn’t feel cramped even for tall riders. The positioning of the footpegs and handlebar results in an upright but slightly leaned-in riding posture. As evident, the Gixxer gets a split seat setup. While the rider’s seat is quite wide and well-cushioned, however, the pillion seat isn’t as wide to keep a healthy adult comfortable for too long. The mirrors are easily adjustable and offer a good view of what’s behind. Overall, the Gixxer offers balanced ergonomics and is comfortable and sporty at the same time.

Performance: Propelling the Gixxer is a 249cc oil-cooled engine that produces 26.5 PS of power at 9300 RPM and 22.2 Nm of torque at 7300 RPM. In its transition to BS6, the Gixxer actually gained about 0.4 Nm of torque which is awesome, while the power remains the same. The low-end grunt is just about enough, however, the motor feels full of life in the mid-range, while the top-end feels a bit stressed due to the vibrations, which are felt on the footpegs and handlebar. On our VBOX test, the bike sprints to 100 km/hr in 9.05 seconds while it maxes out at 134 km/hr. Overall the performance is pretty satisfactory and the bike packs sufficient grunt for the city as well as highway duties.

Not only does the dual-pod exhaust look good, but also sounds good

The gearbox on the 250 is a 6-speed unit that offers crisp shifts, however, considering the fact that it’s a premium bike, it doesn’t get a slipper clutch which is a bit of a let-down. However, the engine refinement is as good as you could expect from a Japanese manufacturer. The Gixxer gets a very efficient oil-cooling system that works pretty well, so much so that the engine doesn’t have any fins! However, in stop-go traffic, some amount of heat is felt around your legs but it isn’t too much to be worried about. The Gixxer fetches around 32 km/l and with a decent tank of 12-liters, you can go on and on for 380 km.

Riding Dynamics: The Gixxer gets conventional telescopic forks and an adjustable mono-shock at the rear. Although this setup is quite basic, it isn’t a deal-breaker. The Gixxer absorbs most bumps and road undulations pretty easily and although the suspension feels a bit stiff, it doesn’t feel uncomfortable. This setup is actually apt for everyday city use as well as weekend trips too. However, the competition offers USDs at a similar price. Regardless, the Gixxer is arguably the best handling bike in its price bracket. The diamond frame offers just the right amount of flex and feels very agile. If you enjoy swerving, you should seal the deal! The Gixxer offers excellent high-speed stability and loves cornering too, it tips in very well and holds its line while providing a consistent amount of feedback throughout.

The Gixxer feels very friendly to ride, with its sporty nature and comfortable dynamics, it is the best handling bike under Rs. 2 lakh

The MRF tyres grip very well on tarmac and inspire a lot of confidence, but tend to lose traction on dusty patches quite often. Braking is very sure-footed on this bike the initial bite is impressive and the feedback is progressive. The Gixxer gets dual-channel ABS which is well calibrated. And with a ground clearance of 165 mm you can easily clear big speed breakers without any worries. Overall, the Gixxer is a perfect city bike to commute on and also for the weekend getaway.

Verdict: At Rs. 1,99,000/- (on-road, Mumbai), the Gixxer 250 is an excellent value package. Yes, it won’t impress you on paper, but on-road it will! The Gixxer offers an unmatched ride and handling without compromising on comfort. Moreover, it’s a versatile bike that can be your companion for your city duties and highway trips. It’s a very reliable bike from the Japanese brand. However, Suzuki’s service cost is a bit higher than its competitors also, the service network isn’t as widespread. But to conclude, we would say that the Gixxer is late to the party, but it isn’t too late to set the mood.

What’s Cool

* The overall fit-finish is a notch above the competition
* Extremely versatile for everyday use as well as weekend rides
* Performance from the motor is by far the best under the Rs. 2 lakh mark

What’s Not So Cool

* Instrument cluster feels basic, doesn’t pack all the modern tech
* Design-wise it is difficult to differentiate the Gixxer 250 against the 150
* It is not as feature-loaded as the competition to justify the price

2021 Suzuki Gixxer 250 Specifications

* Engine: 249cc, Single-Cylinder, Oil-Cooled, FI
* Power: 26.5 PS @ 9300 RPM
* Torque: 22.2 Nm @ 3000 RPM
* Transmission: 6-speed
* Fuel Consumption: 32 km/l
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Frame: Dimond Frame
* Suspension: Telescopic Forks (Front), Ajdustable Monoshock (Rear)
* Tyres: 110/70/17 (Front), 150/60/17 (Rear)
* Brakes: 300 mm Disc (Front), Disc (Rear), Dual-channel ABS

2021 Suzuki Gixxer 250 Dimensions

* Length x Width x Height: 2010 mm x 805 mm x 1035 mm
* Wheelbase: 1340 mm
* Ground Clearance: 165 mm
* Seat Height: 800 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 12-litres
* Kerb weight: 156 kgs