Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF-FI vs Pulsar AS200 vs Others

Think of it this way ... if you have already owned a CBR250R and someone is suggesting that you buy the CBR250R then ... yes it is an old bike. If you are buying it today and have never owned a CBR250R in any form before ... its is a new bike eh !!!

It is the best of the lot and the age implies that Honda had its sweet time to iron out the niggles and its in its best form. Also an existing platform will have better knowledge pool to help you out. There are a lot of people who are buying unloved pre-owned CBR and with love are able to return the bike back to its former glory. Tells a lot about the bike and its character.

An about the CBR300R ... lets face it ... there is always the next best thing around the corner and at that rate you'd buy a bike when ... actually never. If you like it get it ... you will not notice the 50 cc difference in the real world. And its the only faired high capacity single out there (ignoring the RC as its opposite of relaxed)

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF-FI vs Pulsar AS200 vs Others

I think the CBR250 will be a good choice if you don't mind the 'outdated' tag. As long as spares are available, I do not see why the outdated tag matters and Honda have already stated that they are not bringing in the CBR300 (I'm still riding a 2008 P200 and parts are available)

However, coming to the AS200 vs SF-FI, my vote goes to the Suzuki because it has a much better engine. And regarding the gearing, I am very sure that for a given speed, say 100 km/h, in top gear of both bikes, the Suzuki will still be turning at a lower rpm. You have to confirm from ownership threads or owners though. But the AS200, like the NS200, is rather short geared and if I remember right, the AS200 needs ~6500+ rpm for 100 kmph in 6th while the Suzuki will need lesser. Therefore lesser strain. (note that I am assuming that you plan on doing a 100 - 110 km/hr on the highways, for higher speeds go up to 250 cc)
Further, with five gears, you will have an easier time rowing the gearbox in the ghats.

There was an article saying the SF-Fi will receive a power bump - you can check if that is correct? The Gixxer race versions were making 18 ps or so. Perhaps the SF-Fi will receive a bump to 16.

Even later edit - I read above (after posting, that's a bad habit) - you don't want the RTR200 because of possible niggles, okay. But still take a test ride.
So I see that you do like to rip the bike often, if that is so then you want higher CC and you also have the budget for it. Or perhaps an R15-S ?

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF-FI vs Pulsar AS200 vs Others

Thanks for your reply.

What about the Mahindra Mojo?
-What range of speeds can the 300cc Single maintain on the highway without straining the engine?
-Does the naked nature of the bike result in Wind resistance at highway speeds?
-How is the Mahindra ASS servicing in Bangalore?
-What is the Top Speed you've achieved on this bike?
-Does the bike look attractive on the road - does it grab eyeballs / attention?
-There were some doubting if the figure of 30Nm Torque is correct - do you feel the engine is Torquey in nature?
-Kitna deti hain - in the City and on the Highways.
-Is its weight of 185kgs a big disadvantage? Does the bike feel heavy in Traffic?
-When can the ABS variant be reasonably expected to launch - or do you feel that ABS is not required considering the excellent grip offered by the Pirellis?

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF-FI vs Pulsar AS200 vs Others

I would have suggested the Mojo to you but for the fact that it is a large and heavy vehicle, which you may find difficult to maneuver in traffic. Plus its not a faired bike.

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF-FI vs Pulsar AS200 vs Others

141 on the Mahindra mojo seems a tad less for a 300 cc vehicle. The CBR250 gives me 145-155 kmph every time I test her.

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF-FI vs Pulsar AS200 vs Others

Let me tell you why -
1) Absolutely upright position on the Mojo and the fact that I did not crouch even slightly
2) No fairing to hide behind either
3) I have not tested the top speed, in the sense, not set out to see what is the maximum it can do. The speed of 141 was a roll on from ~120 just for the heck of it. I am not a top speed fan and prefer constant, smooth cruising.

I have hit 151 on a downhill while on the first Mojo ride (company provided bike, not my own). Other Mojo owners also report the usual 150 - 155 speedo indicated readings, someone also said 160 which is getting rather over-the-top.

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF-FI vs Pulsar AS200 vs Others

[MENTION=74674]Retro[/MENTION] .. brother please don't take it otherwise but I think you are stressing too much on top speed and power. For short sprints, power is important(saw the Jamaican and US 100m and 200m runners?); but for longer stints on highways, you need a mix of power, stamina, calmness, perseverance and smoothness(saw the middle and long distance Kenyan and Ethiopian runners?) in equal measures. Believe me, you only need some small bursts of 100 kmph. 90 kmph is a fair speed and almost any 150cc bike can do that.

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF-FI vs Pulsar AS200 vs Others

In other words you're recommending the Gixxer SF-FI over the Pulsar RS200 and you feel that the SF-FI would be adequate for cruising at 90-100kph on the highway, right? The SF-FI should also return around 15kmpl better economy over the RS hmmm...

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF-FI vs Pulsar AS200 vs Others

The Gixxer is a delight at the 90-100 speed range. Personal experience.

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF-FI vs Pulsar AS200 vs Others

I think he means that on gixxer fi you can cruise 80-85 kmph on highway comfortably. RS has 200cc engine so maintaining 100 kmph will not be difficult.

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF-FI vs Pulsar AS200 vs Others

I guess if the mojo was fully faired, with a smaller fuel tank, 160 kmph would be an everyday reality. Initially I was surprised that with 5 horses extra and more torque, the mojo couldn't outgun the CBR.

Tanay, can u tell me what is the minimum speed of the mojo in second gear? As in b2b traffic, at what speed can you shift from first to second, without lugging the engine?

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF-FI vs Pulsar AS200 vs Others

I'll test this tomorrow and tell you. Most of my attention goes into avoiding potholes, pedestrians and other bikes.

Edit: 2nd gear seems feasible from 16 - 17 km/h onwards, below that it knocks.

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF-FI vs Pulsar AS200 vs Others


That expression and flair in writing. Mind = blown


However on the second part, I disagree. If you dont get the ixil, its quite bearable.

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF-FI vs Pulsar AS200 vs Others

My eardrums were ... more so because its a constant I4 roar. Also doesn't it get too hot for the pillion.

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF-FI vs Pulsar AS200 vs Others

Hey bro.ope you are doing good.

Gixxer - Gixxer with FI is definately an awesome bike,no doubt but te problem is that 70% you will be on highwya.You cnana have to really Rev the crap out of the engine to reach speeds about 100+.Also the engine will be extremly strained as you will be continously driving i highways at such speeds.Dont get confused when you take the Test drive of the bike because it has a good Low and a decent mid rage,which you can explore while doing TD but no top end .We also cant blame Gixxer on this becasue its a brilliant street commuter and it escels excellent on the city,but i am sure if you are on the highways most of the time Gixxer is not that bike.Other than that it has decent fit and finish and is a good allrounder bike.

AS200 - Now when i had this bike ai almost became a Mechanical Engineer.I would have got Masters on Mech Eng had i kept this bike for another 6 Monts,and i mean it.
My bike had tons and tons of issues.Everytime i thought it was resolved,it wouldnt.Something or the other happens.It had issues like Fuel Evaporating,Bike swaying to left always(Causing right shoulder pain),Multiple times rear brake Jam while overtaking,bike stopping for no reason,bad throttle response and many more. @RohIIT and @Divya Sharan did help me a lot in fixing the problems for which i am still thankful to them but this bike had a differnet mind of its own.It may be that the AS200 i received was faulty and that should have never hit the Showroom,but what can we say about the PDI checks done by the showroom itself.
If none of the issue were there i think its a brilliant bike,but then its Carburator and you are looking for FI,so it wouldnt work out.Also this bike has other issues.Would request you to check the AS200 ownership forum.From my personal experience i cant recommend you this bike.

RS200 - Everything that AS200 should have been.It lacks in Low end but Mid and high are pretty awesome for a 200CC.It has got a brilliant set of projectors,bike is nimble when you are in speeds above 20Kmph.Throttle response is aexcellent(This is where the FI Shines) and Engine is one gem of an engine,same as AS/NS200 with EFI.Its a brilliant engine,its complex though as it has 3 spark plugs etc etc but you shouldnt worry about it.Its SVCs headeache.But you might have to live with Fairing vibes and some niggles here and there which will make you to visit SVC quiet often.ALso Bajaj SVC is absolutely disasterously terrible in Bangalore if a serious problem arises on the bike.THis bike is awesome in highways and since its a bit heavy it will always work for your advantage on highway.

TNT600i - Mileage is around 15 i believe.So a no go.Also you are a college student ,i cant really recommend you this bike.And its very heavy(some 230+ Kgs).

If you do a very good PDI and sure that the particular RS200 is absolutely free of any issues then yes thats the best bike money can buy now,not to forget the Brilliant Engine it has.

Duke 200(You mentioned about it on page 2) - S@#$. What crazy power and handling it has and also light.I had to sell my AS200 for such issues and ended up getting a Duke 200.I only opened the throttle once when the RPM was locked at 7500RPM(Run-in they will lock it at 7500 RPM being an FI) and i was flying against the gravity.I have never ever and may be will never whack open the throttle again on this bike!

I would suggest you to go for CBR250R.Its a brilliant bike and a very proven one.Its also king of Highway and a decent commuter for city.The red one looks smashing.Without the ABS its On road is something around 1.8 to 1.9 lakhs.Its a bike that you can keep for ages as its having a stress free engine.Also the members in the forum are very helpful and are very happy with the bike.