Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and 2019 Suzuki Gixxer SF launched

*Suzuki SF 250*
Did a short test ride of the new Baby Gixxer.
Initial reaction : it is light!!!! Don't go by the numbers. It is a perfect example of what sportsbike should be. Brakes are nice, equipped with ABS. Quick grab of the lever makes the bike come to halt nicely, ABS did not kick in. Super agile and rev happy engine. I was very comfortable with the stance and the bike immediately. Goes like a stabbed rat too. It is a small bike and thankfully very beautifully weight balanced.

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and 2019 Suzuki Gixxer SF launched

Went for a short test ride for the SF 250 here in Bangalore, Domlur showroom. My observation:

Engine: Refined till around 7k, however the engine loves to be revved till the redline. Even when the vibes crept on the footpegs, they werent much. In fact it felt quite like CBR 250's engine, although a gruntier version. The bottom end is quite strong and mid range is quite meaty. I hadnt realised I was at 8k rpm until I glanced at the tacho. Exhaust note is bassy yet unobtrusive.

Suspension & handling: The bike loves sweeping curves and felt very planted. Couldn't check the bad road ride quality since the roads were excellent. Bike feels quite light and easily flickable in traffic.

Brakes: Very good stopping power, feel and feedback. Couldn't check ABS since the speedo was disconnected and hence ABS light was on.

Heating: Did not feel any heat from the engine on my legs. Should not be an issue since it is oil cooled and unstressed engine.

Looks: Bike looks quite substantial in person and is quite handsome (or pretty) looking.

Seat: Me being 5'5" could tiptoe both sides while sitting, although the light weight meant it was effortless. Even traffic stops didn't cause any issues. Seat is slightly on harder side which should be good for long rides, though not as hard as KTMs. Could not check pillion seat as I was solo, will check this aspect again with wifey.

Dislikes: The mirrors are too wide and out of the bike, they might get damaged while parking. A bit more power would be welcome considering the price point at which it is launched. Price is atleast 10-15k too high, hopefully Gixxer 250 fixes that. The showroom folks were not very keen, did not get the premium feel. They were sitting and playing with their phones till I asked about the bike. Hopefully, after sales service is better.

Overall: excellent motorcycle for the city and should be a good tourer as well. Comfortable and light on its feet. Motorcycle is available in 3 days, and showroom was having 3 SF250s ready for delivery and 2 SF155.
Interesting tidbits: Servicing interval is every 3500-4000 kms. As per the salesman, the service cost should be Rs 500 (oil) + labour and taxes, which if true could make a very cheap to maintain bike.

Questions for Gixxer 155 owners
1. Could you please let me know the average service cost? And service quality, esp in Bangalore.
2. How is the quality of parts? I intend to keep the bike for atleast 5-6 years

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and 2019 Suzuki Gixxer SF launched

Did you ask them why the Speedo was disconnected?

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and 2019 Suzuki Gixxer SF launched

Could be a test ride bike or could be passed on to unsuspecting customer.
In Pune, the test ride bikes have Test Ride sticker/mark on them.

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and 2019 Suzuki Gixxer SF launched

No, forgot to ask that. Though it was a test ride bike, and not customer bike judging by the stickers on the bike

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and 2019 Suzuki Gixxer SF launched

Did it have a Test Ride sticker on it?

There is no reason for the speedo to remain disconnected on a demo bike.

Test Ride sticker with a disconnected speedo still screams malpractice.

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and 2019 Suzuki Gixxer SF launched

Yes, it had a test ride sticker on it. Moreover, it had done over 200 kms already so no chance of malpractice.

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and 2019 Suzuki Gixxer SF launched

1. Labor is 400+72tax, 335 for 1L Mineral oil, 35 for oil filter ( Total 842, will vary if you change the oil type)
2. Do watch my ownership review (https://youtu.be/g-yqpnR2iFc)

The 250 has exactly the same maintenance procedure as the 150 so there is absolutely no reason for the 250 to have a higher labor cost for service.

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and 2019 Suzuki Gixxer SF launched

Went for a longish test ride for the bike again, this time with my wife.

- No perceptible change in Engine performance with added weight. The bike could pull cleanly from as low as 2.5k rpm in 6th gear.
- The suspension is stiff, and I went through small potholes deliberately. Didn't feel them much. Suzuki seems to have found the middle ground between soft and hard suspension with good enough damping.
- Gearbox and clutch is very slick. Shifting from 5th to 1st while stationery at traffic light was a breeze.
- Wife liked the design of the bike very much esp the black colour.

Issues faced:
- The pillion seat is quite high and slanted forward, though not as high as R15v2. My wife was not very happy sitting, she said I can't be going on long trips on this seat. She did not feel secure on the seats, and everytime I braked, she kept falling on me. Mind you, she is comfortable on CBR250 and my RTR 180, and we have done quite a lot of long rides on both (CBR was rental). Both the seats are quite wide though, and should be comfortable enough for long rides.
- The side stand is quite long, as a result the bike stands almost erect. You have to be careful when you park since the bike can topple on the right if floor is not flat. Also, I have a habit of putting the side stand before getting down, which meant a challenge since I kept feeling the bike will fall to the right.

Regarding the disconnected speedo cable:
- The console kept giving check F1 (or was it FI?) error, also check engine light was on permanently. The ABS light was also on, and no speeds shown. When asked the salesman, he had no idea. He said, they disconnected the cable since college kids keep coming for test rides and racing the bike, so they disconnected it. Which doesn't make sense, but whatever. Just hope they don't sell it to a buyer.

On road price of 250SF in Bangalore: ₹ 2,19,600

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and 2019 Suzuki Gixxer SF launched

Is that with 1yr OwnDamage insurance + 5yr TP? Or with 5years of both?

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and 2019 Suzuki Gixxer SF launched

1 comprehensive + 5 TP. Attaching the break-up. The surprising part is they are charging ₹ 4588 as Handling and reg charges!

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and 2019 Suzuki Gixxer SF launched

Handling charge is illegal. And you guys have some really high road taxes

Heres what we have got!

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and 2019 Suzuki Gixxer SF launched

[QUOTE=MotoBlizzard;1375349]Handling charge is illegal. And you guys have some really high road taxes

Heres what we have got!

[/QUOTE]

Omg, a difference of almost 21k! Bangalore has among the highest road tax, though the roads are far from the best. It seems that almost all the dealers have handling charges, irrespective of brand or vehicle type. Some sneaky dealers don't give the break-up of registration charges. For instance, check out this from Bajaj showroom, they have bundled everything including insurance in one bundle

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and 2019 Suzuki Gixxer SF launched

Question them and ask for breakup. If they dont provide it, walkaway and send an email or something to the manufacturer via their website. Let the manufacturer handle the dealership that is indulging in malpractice.

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and 2019 Suzuki Gixxer SF launched

Hi Guys,

I almost booked the 250 yesterday but stopped myself from doing so since the Sales guy told that there is some "Design approval" pending for the newly launched bikes (SF 250 & SF 150) by RTO all over India and it will take sometime (No one was sure of the exact date). Any idea about when will this be done and when will deliveries start ?