Suzuki Gixxer 250

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A new car buyer should not make a purchase decision based on short-term fluctuations in crude oil prices or geopolitical events. Even if crude prices soften, vehicle ownership is typically a 7-10 year decision, while fuel prices can change dramatically several times during that period. The best approach is to buy based on your usage pattern, not on what fuel prices may do over the next few months.If your usage is predominantly city driving with access to home charging, an EV still makes a lot of sense because of its low running costs, smooth driving experience and lower maintenance requirements.If you cover high monthly mileages and spend a lot of time on highways, a diesel can still be a compelling option, particularly in larger SUVs.For most buyers, however, a regular petrol or hybrid remains the safest and most hassle-free choice today. Modern petrol engines are already compatible with current ethanol blends and there is no urgent need to wait for flex-fuel vehicles.As for flex-fuel cars, the technology is promising, but it still has a long way to go before it makes complete financial sense. The government will likely have to keep E85 priced significantly below regular petrol to offset the efficiency penalty. In our recent E85 versus E20 mileage test on a flex-fuel Suzuki Gixxer SF 250, fuel efficiency dropped from 38.1kpl on E20 to 28.8kpl on E85, a reduction of over 24 percent. Even though E85 was around Rs. 20 per litre cheaper, the lower efficiency meant the running cost per kilometer was actually higher on E85.

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•11w

We'd advise taking a look at the TVS Apache RTX 300 for your needs. The RTX's liquid-cooled engine has lovely heat management, and it's unlikely that you'll face any engine heat-related issues on this machine. The RTX's seats are also wide, spacious and well-padded, which should be conducive to two-up comfort. We'd recommend you go for the middle RTX variant as that has everything you'll need and more. If you want a bike that keeps it simple, then the Suzuki V-Strom SX is a severely underrated machine. It has spacious seats, and while its suspension came off the Gixxer 250, it is a well-judged unit which will keep you comfortable over most road surfaces you'll encounter. Additionally, the V-Strom SX is a good deal lighter than the RTX, which should make it easy to manage at slower speeds. If your bank’s pre-closure cost is high, keep the Triumph till this summer ends and swap before October. Otherwise, switch now.Take a test ride of both machines before you make your decision to see which one suits you better.

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•18w

The Hero Xtreme 250R is a machine that came out just over a year ago, and so early into its lifecycle, Hero is unlikely to introduce major updates or changes. If you want something in a similiar displacement bracket, then your options are Bajaj Pulsar N250, Suzuki Gixxer 250 and KTM 250 Duke. Of these, the first two are more commuter-y in their performance and fuel economy figures. The KTM is a properly sporty and feature-rich product and will feel like a clear step up over other 250s. It, however, is a pricey product. A test ride of these 3 will help you decide which is the best for you.

autocar.india

•35w

Since this is your first bike, starting small and approachable would be the smart way to go about it. In that same vein, we would recommend the new Yamaha XSR155 because it is a light, comfortable, fuel-efficient machine that's also reasonably exciting to use. If you want a larger machine, then bikes like the Honda CB300F, Bajaj Pulsar N250 and Suzuki Gixxer 250 would be good options. Take a test ride of everything you shortlist before you decide.

autocar.india

•35w

Since you have had a good experience with a Honda machine, you could stick with the brand and go with the Honda CB300F. The CB300F is light, comfortable, spacious and will return decent fuel economy. If you want to switch brands, the Bajaj Pulsar N250 and the Suzuki Gixxer 250 make for good upgrade options with their smooth engines and comfortable ergonomics. If you don't mind staying in the same displacement range while getting a significant performance bump, the KTM 160 Duke and Yamaha MT-15 warrant consideration. With their liquid-cooled engines and light weights, these two will give you the performance step up you want without sacrificing on mileage.