Suzuki Gixxer 250 Review
Bike Tested: Suzuki Gixxer 250; Road Test No. 1189; Test Location: Mumbai
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 1,89,600/-
Quarter-liter motorcycle – enough performance to keep up yet easy to ride
After the Inazuma got discontinued, Suzuki did not have any 250cc motorcycles until 2019. Suzuki launched the Gixxer SF 250 at a grand event along with the Gixxer SF. But after a few months, they launched the Gixxer 250 in a pretty silent manner. While we got to ride the Gixxer SF 250 on the track but the Gixxer 250 was to be tested where it belongs, on the Indian roads. Finally, a quarter-litre naked motorcycle from a Japanese manufacturer on a budget was all we needed, or was it?
Motor Quest: Suzuki had the Inazuma GW250 on sale until early 2015. Post that Suzuki did not have any 250cc motorcycle in India for a brief period. In 2019, Suzuki launched its first 250cc motorcycle made for India, the Gixxer SF 250 and followed up with the launch of its naked variant, the Gixxer 250
The styling is similar but it has a bulkier lower-half
Styling – With a quick glance, the Gixxer 250 looks just like the Gixxer 150, the styling has been continued from the younger sibling to the 250. Although, the Gixxer 250 can be differentiated pretty well as it gets thicker tyres and diamond-cut alloy wheels. The hanging parts and the overall engine area looks chunkier while the top half looks exactly like the younger Gixxer. It gets the same LED headlights, wide handlebar, muscular yet sharp tanks and body clues with a split seat setup. Even the LED tail lights are similar to the younger Gixxer.
These LED headlights are bright and work really well at night
Similar design elements help in cost efficiency but create confusion
The dimensions are also very similar with a minor difference of just 10 mm in length while the 250 is wider by 5 mm. The Gixxer 150 gets glossy paint colours while the Gixxer 250 gets a metallic matte finish for its colours. The Gixxer 250 is available in just 2 colour options – silver and black. The grabrail is also a split unit, similar to the other Gixxers. While the dual-port exhaust is also finished in chrome, it has a rather different and rectangular design. The Gixxer 250 get an engine cowl which is missing on the Gixxer 150.
The console would have looked better with a brighter shade of LCD
Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – The instrument cluster on the Gixxer 250 is a complete digital unit. It is similar to the one seen on the Gixxer 150 while it displays the same amount of information. However, the Gixxer 150 gets a white LCD while the Gixxer 250 gets a black LCD display. This makes it look quite cool but the information cannot be viewed that easily in bright sunlight. Because of the darker colour, the unit feels a little smaller while the two buttons on the console work well. The switchgear is shared between all the Gixxers and the quality is decent while they have a piano black finish.
Split-seat setup is beneficial for the rider but not the pillion
Ergonomics – The Gixxer 250 has streetfighter ergonomics which makes it comfortable yet engaging. The seat height is at 800 mm, 5 mm higher than the Gixxer 150. While the seating posture is straight and upright. The Gixxer 250 has centre-set footpegs while the distance from the seat is enough to make it accommodating for taller riders. Seat cushioning is similar to the younger Gixxer providing enough comfort to the rider as well as the pillion. Pillion seat isn’t wide while it has enough room to be seated without any issue. The split grabrails are good to hold too. Rearview mirrors are shared with the younger Gixxer and they are wide enough to give a view of what’s behind.
The motorcycle picks up pace pretty quickly
Performance – The Gixxer 250 is powered by a 249cc, oil-cooled motor which produces 26.5 PS of power and 22.6 Nm of torque. The power figures bring it in the ballpark of the 250s while the performance is punchy all throughout. But, the uniqueness of the engine that we couldn’t see in the Gixxer SF 250 is that even after being oil-cooled, there are no fins on the engine for extra air-cooling. While the generation has moved to liquid-cooling, this motor still makes do with just an oil-cooler. Even with the least usage of tech, the Gixxer 250 does not heat up much even in heavy traffic situations.
Modern oil-cooled motor does not even have air-fins to cool the engine
SOCS – Suzuki’s Oil Cooling System does its job pretty well in maintaining optimum engine temperature
The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox which is decently hard for shifting while it has a comparatively heavy clutch too. The low-end and mid-range are pretty strong while the motor runs out-of-breath in the top-end as it redlines at just 10,000 RPM. The Gixxer 250 can achieve a top speed of slightly above 140 km/hr while the sweet spot is between 90-100 km/hr. The motorcycle will return a mileage of 30-35 km/l depending on the riding style and with a 12-litre fuel tank, it has a riding range of about 350 kms.
Feedback-rich riding dynamics are very likeable
Riding Dynamics – With comfortable streetfighter ergonomics, the Gixxer 250 rides well too. It does duty with a diamond frame coupled with chunky telescopic forks and a monoshock at the rear. This combination might not be the best on paper but since the first generation of the Gixxer, this combination has been working pretty well. The feedback from the handlebar is rich while the motorcycle tips into corners pretty well. The straight-line stability is decent but being a naked motorcycle, the windblast robs away the fun. The suspension setup isn’t softly sprung giving good feedback too while compromising a bit on comfort over bad roads.
Decent straight-line stability with an upright riding posture
Suzuki Gixxer 250 is agile and comfortable, both at the same time
At 156 kgs, the Suzuki Gixxer 250 weighs 15 kgs more than the younger Gixxer. It is decently heavy but not too much and the centre of gravity is pretty well-balanced. It comes equipped with a 110-section front tyre and a 150-section rear tyre from MRF. These are the same tyres that we have seen on the Duke series as well as on Dominar and they grip pretty well. The disc brakes are bigger in size but Suzuki has never shared the disc measurements of any motorcycles. Unlike the 150, the Gixxer 250 is equipped with dual-channel ABS and it works pretty well. The initial feedback is good while the overall braking feedback is decent adding a lot more confidence.
It is a quarter-litre commuter that can munch miles
Verdict – From the time Suzuki Gixxer was launched everyone liked the motorcycle for its muscular styling and brilliant dynamics. But it always felt low on power for a premium commuter motorcycle. The Gixxer 250 solves the problem by providing the exact same looks and likeable dynamics with some extra power on tap too. If we compare the pricing, the Gixxer 250 sits right in the projection of the current 250cc motorcycles making it quite appealing. The only gripe is the after-sales as it isn’t as widespread as one would ask for.
The motorcycle is quite proportionate
What’s Cool
* Engine performs really well, has good punch
* Riding dynamics are on point, very confidence-inspiring
* Brakes are sharp and provide great feedback to the rider
What’s Not So Cool
* Looks just like the younger sibling, can be confusing
* Instrument cluster has a black LCD, difficult to see in bright daylight
* After-sales service isn’t as widespread reducing sale number by a huge margin
The different exhaust tip indicates it is a 250
Suzuki Gixxer 250 Specifications
* Engine: 249cc, Oil-Cooled, Single-Cylinder, FI
* Power: 26.5 PS @ 9000 RPM
* Torque: 22.6 Nm @ 7500 RPM
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Fuel Consumption: 30-35 km/l
* Frame: Diamond Frame
* Gearbox: 6-Speed
* Tyres: 110/70/17 (Front), 150/60/17 (Rear)
* Suspension: Telescopic Forks (Front), Monoshock (Rear)
* Brakes: Disc (Front), Disc (Rear); Dual-Channel ABS
Suzuki Gixxer 250 Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height: 2010 mm x 805 mm x 1035 mm
* Wheelbase: 1340 mm
* Ground Clearance: 165 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 12-litres
* Kerb weight: 156 Kgs
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