At the launch of the new Gixxer SF 250 and updated Gixxer SF, Suzuki officials revealed that the naked counterpart of the SF 250 was in the pipeline. Last week, images of the naked Gixxer 250 leaked online. Now, an image of what appears to be the updated Gixxer has surfaced online as well. The wheel design and absence of a bronze finish on the engine casing suggest that this is the naked Gixxer 150. Further reinforcing this suggestion is the absence of the ABS ring on the rear disc brake (the Gixxer 150s feature single-channel ABS, unlike the 250s) as well as the oil-cooler, both of which were introduced on the 250.
The new image reveals a lot more than the previously leaked picture of the Gixxer 250 – for instance, the new headlight design, which will also be seen on the naked 250. Meanwhile, the fuel tank, fork, split seat and the alloy wheels all seem to have been carried forward from the faired Gixxer SF. The rear end of the bike isn’t fully visible, but the bike is also expected to feature the same rear-end styling, the chrome-tipped double-barrel exhaust and the fully digital instrument cluster from its faired sibling. The earlier image of the Gixxer 250 revealed that the motorcycle featured a belly pan; and it appears that the 150cc model misses out on this addition.
The upcoming Gixxer 150 will most certainly be powered by the detuned 154.9cc, single-cylinder air-cooled engine from its faired counterpart, which makes 14.1hp and 14Nm of torque. However, one aspect that will change is the kerb weight – the figure is expected to drop from the fully faired bike’s 146kg. For reference, the weight difference between the older-gen Gixxer and Gixxer SF was 6kg.
The faired Gixxer SF was launched at a Rs 12,000 premium over the older model, and if Suzuki follows the same pricing strategy for the naked Gixxer, it will see the updated bike cost around Rs 1 lakh. At this price point, it'll directly rival the Yamaha FZ-FI (Rs 95,680) and the Honda CB Hornet 160R (starting at Rs 92,108).
All prices, ex-showroom Delhi.
Azaman Chothia
