Suzuki is yet to find firm footing in India’s 150cc motorcycle segment. Can the swell looking new Gixxer do the trick?
Once again taking a leaf from Yamaha, the Gixxer excels to provide excellent MRF tyres, tubeless front and rear, with the rear also offering radial construction. There’s loads of traction available on all surfaces, and ride quality is just right as well, our test bike feeling nicely sprung, neither too soft nor harsh when punching over potholes. The Gixxer rides with light, fleet-footed feel, turning into corners with a confident and willing nature. Straight line stability is good, and so are the light Suzuki’s high-speed cornering manners.
The large diameter, 266mm front disc brake and 130mm rear drum brake work well when used in tandem to haul the zippy bike down, these brakes feeling powerful and providing strong bite.
The 135kg Suzuki Gixxer is capable of reasonable efficiency for a 150cc bike, returning us 41.7kpl in city, and 44.2kpl when tested on the highways.
It’s unquestionable then; Suzuki has hit the nail smack on the head with the Gixxer. There’s nothing lacking on the motorcycle, for Suzuki is, on the contrary, offering more than most of the competition on this attractive new machine. Leaving just one question, as to how well does the Gixxer score at the value-for-money stakes? At Rs 72,199 (ex-showroom, Delhi), the bike maker clearly has this covered, slotting this competent, high quality, soundly engineered motorcycle in with an edge.
We’ve long criticized Suzuki and frowned at every one of its previous commuter bikes, but the Gixxer overturns that, winning our approval as such a well-rounded, overall good motorcycle. There’s no two ways about it, the Gixxer makes a top-class 150, that’s ready and able to take on the very best in its segment, to come away smiling.
RISHAD COOPER