This past weekend, Suzuki unveiled the race-spec Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 MotoGP edition at the Kari Motor Speedway. This race-ready bike will only be used in the Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 One Make Championship that the manufacturer is looking to introduce next year. Select participants of the ongoing Gixxer Cup may also get to ride the SF 250 race bike at the final round of JK Tyre championship at the Buddh International Circuit in November 2019.
The race-spec SF 250 features simple, yet substantial changes that make it more suited for the racetrack. Changes to the powertrain are minimal, with the engine and its internals left untouched. The only major change here comes in the form of a free-flow exhaust. However, Suzuki has said that the bike is running the stock ECU. The gearing too, is the same as that on the stock bike. The race-prepped bike hasn't been tested on a dynamometer yet but the technical team claims a 3.5-5hp bump in power.
The loss of the exhaust system has resulted in a claimed 5kg drop in weight, and Suzuki has gotten rid of another 15kg or so by removing the headlight, turn signals, rear fender, saree guard and mirrors.
Other changes to improve its performance on track include the use of braided brake lines to reduce brake fade, removal of the ABS system and lower-set clip-on handlebars with increased preload on the front and rear suspension. The company also repositioned the foot pegs higher and further back to keep them from scraping on the track – an issue we dealt with on our first ride of the road-legal SF 250 at the BIC.
We also had the opportunity to race this bike against other journalists and you can catch how that unfolded soon.
Azaman Chothia
