2016 Suzuki Gixxer Cup bike track ride

As before, the Cup bike is significantly lighter than the street-going SF. It sports the sharper steering geometry as the front forks ride higher in the steering triple clamp. While the suspension settings are unchanged from street, the Cup bike now features a fork brace for greater feel and stability. The footpegs too have been moved even further back and up for greater cornering clearance.

Out on the track, even a novice will admit that although the engine is more peppy than the street bike, it certainly isn’t intimidating. The simple air-cooled two-valve motor has stronger power, torque and revs better than the street bike, but getting to the 10,000rpm limiter takes time. On the straights we got an indicated 118kph and since this has altered gearing, it is actually 15 percent higher in terms of the actual speed.

So to make the most of the performance the Cup bike has to offer, you have to learn to carry speed through the corners. Even a short stint in the saddle of the Gixxer Cup bike tells you that it is a great bike to learn this craft on. First and foremost, it inspires a lot of confidence in the rider. The chassis and suspension setup along with the race-spec MRF tyres give the Cup bike a very sure-footed feel. At the same time, it is a light, flickable motorcycle so you can attack corners with gusto.

I could complain that I was too heavy for this bike, and the track was largely unknown to me. But the Gixxer Cup bike did a great job of making me feel confident to push on. At the end the result was a quite satisfying – 3^rd fastest lap time!  It's easy to see how the Gixxer Cup is the perfect springboard for future racers from India. And hopefully, we’ll see one in the Rookies Cup real soon.