2019 is going to be a big year for Suzuki Two Wheelers. We recently brought you the exciting news that Suzuki will be launching a 250cc motorcycle next year – likely to be called the Gixxer 250. But the brand isn't stopping there, and it's also giving its much loved Gixxer range a big update next year as well.
One good product can change a brand's perception; for Suzuki, no motorcycle defines it better than the Gixxer. It still remains a joyfully fun-to-ride motorcycle; but competition has begun to move on. After years of consistently topping the segment in all our tests, the Gixxer finally lost its crown to the recently launched TVS Apache RTR 160 4V a couple of months back. Next year, the Gixxer completes half a decade in the Indian market and an update is much-needed.
Suzuki has confirmed with us that the Gixxer will receive a major overhaul and launched next year. For starters, the 2019 Suzuki Gixxer will receive significant cosmetic updates and we can expect it to look sharper and sportier than the existing Gixxer. It will still be identifiable as a Gixxer, albeit with a more spruced-up design. As part of this update, it’s likely that the new Gixxer will gain an LED headlamp, a more comprehensive all-digital display, the Suzuki Easy Start System and possibly even split-seats. The Gixxer has one of the best riding positions in its segment and we hear that Suzuki will be tweaking this slightly – fingers crossed that this riding position only improves.
One of the few drawbacks of the Gixxer is its stiff ride quality. We understand that the Japanese brand will focus on improving this aspect in the 2019 Suzuki Gixxer without compromising on its brilliant riding dynamics. The existing frame and brakes are almost certain to be carried forward on the new bike – why mess with a good thing? On the engine front, the updates wouldn’t be too significant and at most you could expect a marginal bump in power – and perhaps some work into increasing the bike's refinement.
With all the updates, the 2019 Suzuki Gixxer will carry a slight premium over the existing motorcycle, which is priced at Rs 87,250 (ex-showroom, Delhi, ABS variant).
Also see:
2017 Suzuki Gixxer SF ABS review, test ride
2016 Suzuki Gixxer SF Fi review, road test
Suzuki Gixxer SF India review, test ride