Honda CB300F vs Suzuki Gixxer 250 is a closely fought battle, both have their own ups and downs
The Honda CB300F vs Suzuki Gixxer 250 Japanese street fight is here! For long, Suzuki Gixxer 250 didn’t have a proper competitor from Japan, something that strikes the right chord in acceleration, top speed, refinement, lightness, and overall maintenance.
While Yamaha FZ25 was the closest match all this time, it simply doesn’t have the top-end performance 1 would expect from a 250 and above bike. This is also reflected in its sales despite Yamaha’s aggressive price tag.
But, with the launch of the all-new Honda CB300F, the premium Japanese segment has become hot with the Gixxer finally getting the right competitor. Here’s is the spec comparison between the 2 streetfighters.
| Specification | Honda CB300F | Suzuki Gixxer 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom Price | Rs. 2,25,900/- | Rs. 1,81,400/- |
| Engine Capacity | 293.52 cc | 249 cc |
| Engine Techology | Oil-cooled 4-valve SOHC FI | Oil-cooled 4-valve SOHC FI |
| Marketing Technology | Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) | Suzuki Oil Cooling System (SOCS) |
| Bore x Stroke | 77 mm x 63.03 mm | 76 mm x 54.9 mm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed MT | 6-speed MT |
| Assist & Slipper Clutch | Yes | No |
| Power | 24.14 HP at 7500 RPM | 26.14 HP at 9300 RPM |
| Torque | 25.6 Nm at 5500 RPM | 22.2 Nm at 7300 RPM |
| Chassis | Diamond | Diamond |
| Front Suspension | USD | 41 mm Telescopic |
| Rear Suspension | Monoshock | Monoshock |
| Wheelbase | 1390 mm | 1340 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 177 mm | 165 mm |
| Seat Height | 789 mm | 800 mm |
| Split Seat | Yes | Yes |
| Kerb Weight | 153 Kg | 156 Kg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.1 litres | 12 litres |
| Front Disc Size | 276 mm | 300 mm |
| Rear Disc Size | 220 mm | 220 mm |
| ABS | Dual Channel | Dual Channel |
| Front Tyre | 110/70-R17 | 110/70-R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 150/60-R17 | 150/60-R17 |
| LED Lighting | All-round | Headlight & Tail Light |
| Cluster | Fully Digital | Fully Digital |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Honda Smartphone Voice Control System (HSVCS) | No |
| Ignition | Integrated Ignition & Kill Switch | Suzuki Easy Start System |
| Battery Capacity | 12 V – 5 Ah | 12 V – 6 Ah |
Performance:
The first aspect to talk about in a streetfighter is its performance. While both the bikes are mile apart is displacement, surprisingly, Gixxer exerts 2 HP more power than the CB although it comes a little late in the power band.
This should offer a slightly better top-end performance on the Suzuki. Torque-wise, CB beats the Gixxer hands down. The Honda churns out a good 3.4 Nm more torque, that too, much earlier in the powerband.
While both the bikes have over-square engines, the CB has a slightly longer stroke and that should make it accelerate a little quicker to the ton along with the extra torque.
Easy of Use:
The Honda CB300F not only has higher ground clearance but also lower seat height, a combination hard to achieve. But, Gixxer has a shorter wheelbase and should handle slightly better on corners.
While both the bikes are light, the Honda is even more lighter at 153 Kg. This aided by the high torque should enable effortless acceleration in stop-go traffic in the city. But, Gixxer is no slough either as it’s 1 of the fastest accelerating 250s in the country.
Both get a split seat setup but Honda’s seat looks a little longer for added comfort for the pillion. The CB also gets a slightly bigger fuel tank for added tank range.
Hardware:
This is an area where both the bikes are evenly matched. Both get an oil-cooled SOHC 4-valve mill. Suzuki’s oil cooling is a little more advanced with a cooling fan and a finless engine. Honda offers selectable torque control system that channels torque effectively.
Both the bikes get a diamond frame but Honda additionally gets USD forks upfront. Suzuki, on the other hand, makes to do with a bigger front disc. Both the bikes get the same wheel and tyre sizes with dual channel ABS.
The CB gets assist and slipper clutch which the Gixxer lacks. While Honda gets all-round LEDs, Suzuki has LED setup only on headlight and tail light. But, the Gixxer features a slightly bigger battery for better performance of the electricals and longer life.
Electronics:
While both the bikes get a fully-digital instrument cluster, the CB additionally features smartphone connectivity. The Honda also sports an integrated ignition and kill switch. Gixxer, on the other hand, gets an easy start system for quicker ignition in stop-go traffic.
Verdict:
It’s, indeed, a tough battle as Honda has literally benchmarked the Gixxer to make a bigger and better bike.
But, sadly, the benefits like extra torque, smartphone connectivity, slipper clutch, and USD forks doesn’t outweigh the Rs. 44,500/- premium Honda commands over the Suzuki. The CBR maker has also cut corners in some areas.
Suzuki Gixxer 250 is a solid package with the right dose of everything. It has a better engine although smaller in size with a good top-end performance. Suzuki has also given extra attention in small things like the easy start system and bigger battery. The verdict is yours!