2009 Suzuki GS 150R review, test drive

The GS 150R has both kick and button starters for its 149.5cc engine. This four-stroke, twin-valve and air-cooled powerplant sounds just as mild and boring as other modern Indian bikes that have to conform to stringent sound norms. It uses a CV-type, BS 26 carburettor to put together the correct air-fuel mixture for its single cylinder.

The silky-smooth engine provides buzz-free power throughout the power band, thanks to a balancer that always keeps the crankshaft in check.

Power output is a conservative 13.8bhp made at 8500rpm, while the maximum torque figure is 1.36kgm at 6000rpm. The GS 150R goes the extra mile to provide a six-speed gearbox which shifts in the universal one-down, rest-up pattern, via a heel-and-toe type shift lever.

Young enthusiasts will surely welcome the addition of an extra cog, while some may look at this as extra work in city riding conditions. The GS clutch is smooth to operate and well weighted. Its gearshift quality is butter-smooth but lacks a prcise feel. The GS 150R needs to be revved hard and high into its power band to extract serious performance, and its performance is just par for a 150cc model, lagging behind most of its faster rivals. It could do with improved low and mid-range grunt too, managing to push past 60kph in a lengthy 6.33 seconds. True top speed was achieved in fifth gear, at 106kph, with this immediately dropping as soon as the bike shifts into its tall top gear.