Suzuki Gixxer 250 & Gixxer SF 250 Evaluation | Bike Take a look at

Suzuki Gixxer 250 & Gixxer SF 250 Bike Take a look at

By Wayne Vickers, Photographs by RbMotoLens

Two new entry-level bikes from Suzuki have landed on Aussie shores to offer much more choices for our at present spoilt-for-choice LAMs riders.

The Gixxer 250 and Gixxer SF 250 each share the identical single-cylinder 249 cc engine and chassis with their sister, the journey V-Strom 250 SX bike that I threw a leg over some time again.

The Gixxer pair are very competitively priced at $6,490 for the bare 250 and solely $300 extra for the fully-fired SF. So, low-cost will get a tick. Cheerful too as I got here to understand.

Whereas the majority of the 2 bikes are the identical, what seem to be minor mechanical variations make for fairly a distinct driving expertise on the street. The SF most clearly will get the complete fairing therapy which additionally means a novel entrance cowl and headlight therapy, but additionally will get decrease bars, and barely extra path to coincide.

I fairly like the general styling too – on each bikes. They aren’t pretending to be one thing they aren’t. And are properly completed for the value level.

Headlights on each bikes are surprisingly good and there are a couple of good little touches just like the machining on the forged wheels and muffler design. The general proportions on each bikes are effectively executed.

Sure there are some comparatively cheap-feeling plastics right here and there, like on the perimeters of the quantity plate bracket. However that’s as a result of.. they are low-cost… There’s nothing I noticed that will delay potential patrons. Quite the opposite, I believe loads of of us can be stunned by the construct high quality for the value.

Throwing the leg over them, each bikes sit good and low with each toes in a position to be planted flat on terra firma for even the little ones amongst us. They really feel very mild and nimble.

At 156 kg for the bare and simply over 160 for the faired bike, the scales as soon as once more don’t inform the complete story as they felt one other 15 or so kilos below that to me. Transferring them round from standstill was a breeze and jogged my memory why I really like mild bikes a lot. Low and light-weight, each get a giant tick for usability.

Each bikes do have fairly steep steering, and really feel very direct in comparison with greater bikes, however a few hundred kays on them had me pretty dialled in.

I most well-liked the extra upright driving place of the bare model, and I reckon it being the cheaper-to-repair choice (with no fairing to fret about in the event you drop it), will presumably be the extra in style model. However the SF isn’t a painful factor when it comes to driving place and will definitely be some purchaser’s choice for the totally faired look.

On the go the little single punches out a decent 26 hp and simply over 22 Nm of torque. As I stated on the V-Strom SX – it’s no stump puller, however it does the job. Fuelling might be a bit abrupt on throttle opening, however with that form of energy degree it doesn’t must be buttery clean does it?

The clutch take up can be in the identical class and the entire driveline together with the gearbox feels a bit fundamental. However, it does have an nearly path bike type of ‘I’ll take no matter abuse you throw at me’ really feel to it. And it’ll too.

Suzuki have produced over six MILLION engines from the plant churning these puppies out. So yeah. It’ll in all probability be greater than high-quality in seeing out an entry rider’s wants.

Suspension was surprisingly agency after I first jumped on the bikes, however they solely had 150 and 300 km on them and as I rode them, they began to loosen up and mattress in properly. The shock is adjustable for pre-load on the rear solely, however I didn’t really feel the necessity. The seat was additionally good and agency, however nonetheless pretty comfy.

They’d make completely good commuters and concrete bikes, however I dunno in the event you’d need to do huge miles and go touring on them. Take a look at the V-Strom if you need extra comfy, longer touring choices I reckon…

And whereas the pillion seize deal with seems to be surprisingly good – I actually wouldn’t prefer to be a pillion on one. I’d consider that pillion seat as extra of a possible baggage platform…

There’s fairly the great brief first gear for manoeuvring round vehicles and but it didn’t appear fussed sitting on freeway velocity for almost an hour both. And that little engine will run on the odor of an oily rag exhibiting lower than 3 L per 100 km, so count on the 12 L tank to have you ever crusing previous the 300 km vary mark fairly comfortably.

Brakes are additionally stable. A 300 mm single up entrance with a Bybre caliper being completely acceptable. Whereas it doesn’t have the texture of a excessive finish unit, once more – it will get the job performed and has greater than sufficient energy for what’s wanted on this case. And learners will discover consolation understanding there’s a good ABS system there too.

All in all, I believe they’ve performed fairly effectively right here. They’ve got down to ship a few handsome, low-cost, dependable entry-level choices and get some extra bums on Group Yellow’s seats. There’s some robust competitors in that section now, however these are proper up there and can discover loads of followers.

Head to the Suzuki Motorcycles Australia website for extra data, or to seek out your nearest Suzuki dealership.

I just like the Gixxer 250s as a result of:

• Arduous to go previous that value level initially
• I’d count on them to be fairly stable from a construct degree and reliability standpoint, three-year guarantee too
• I reckon they each look fairly sharp too, good paint and end

I’d just like the Gixxer 250s extra if:

• I wouldn’t thoughts a bit taller display screen on the SF
• I did discover the mirrors vibing particularly on the SF
• The muffler doesn’t let loose essentially the most thrilling be aware on the planet

Suzuki GIXXER 250 Specs

2024 Suzuki Gixxer 250 / Gixxer SF 250 Gallery