Suzuki Motorcycle India has launched its latest commuter bike, the SlingShot 125cc. Aimed at the common man in search of style, performance and practicality, the new Suzuki entrant will compete against the likes of Hero Honda Glamour, Honda CB Shine, CBF Stunner, TVS Flame SR 125 and Yamaha YBR 125.
On the looks front, the baby Suzuki takes styling cues from its elder siblings. The sharply edged head lamps are inspired from the GSX-R1000 while boasting a similar looking tank as the GS 150R. The base variant comes with steel rims, but the top variant gets a sporty aluminium light-weight cast wheel.
Although the SlingShot shares the same platform as the Zeus and Heat, the overall length has been reduced by 5mm while extending the wheelbase by 25mm. The air cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder SOHC motor displaces 124cc – similar to that of the Zeus – and produces 8.5bhp of power while churning out 1.02kgm of max torque. The SlingShot is matted to a 5-speed gear box. A honeycomb catalytic converter finds its way into the bike which has allowed Suzuki to come up with a product that is already BS III compliant.
Suzuki is planning to launch a faired version of the commuter bike which will go on sale at a later stage. The company will also offer front disc brakes on the SlingShot, but in a couple of weeks’ time.
The SlingShot 125 with steel wheels and drum brakes will cost Rs 46.253 (ex-showroom Mumbai) while the higher variant with alloy-wheels will cost additional Rs 1000. The bike will be available in four colour schemes – Metallic Mustard Yellow, Metallic Fox Orange, Candy Antares Red and Pearl Nebular Black.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
