Suzuki Gixxer SF is a fully faired sports bike from Suzuki which has managed to get a lot of praise all around the world especially in India. But unlike India or other markets, here in Pakistan, we don’t have a very strong market for faired bikes or even 150cc bikes mainly due to the price. So with the launch of Gixxer SF at a staggering price of PKR 6,25,000 should u consider this bike over something like Benelli TNT150 or even TNT25? Today we will find out.
Design:
The Gixxer SF is based on Suzuki’s already successful Gixxer series naked bikes. The naked version of the bikes are very appealing and sporty but is the fairing on the SF really worth it? Does it really add something to the stylings? Aside from the additional 4Kg weight, the fairing is actually functional. Developed in the same wind-tunnel where the legendary Hayabusa, GSX-R and MotoGP machines were developed, the fairing has been designed to give maximum wind protection to the rider, reducing turbulence and drag, thereby delivering great aerodynamic efficiency. So the result is a bike which has less wind drag and more increased downforce to increase high-speed stability. So yes the fairing on the SF is actually functional. Now other than the fairing, aluminium finish on the exhaust and cap and the new single piece handlebar clamp, SF is similar to its naked sibling from chassis to the frame. Which is a positive thing because that bike is already a good one and has all the right curves and cuts which you expect from a bike of this category. Importantly this bike has the same riding and seating posture as the regular Gixxer so despite having a heavy bike outlook the posture is upright and people can actually take this bike on long journies without getting tired easily. Even the 130KG dry weight is quite manageable for new riders.
Engine & Performance:
The all-aluminium 4-stroke single cylinder 154.9cc BS-IV engine in SF produces a respectable 15HP which is not a monstrous figure but surely a respectable one for a 150cc bike. This allows this bike to reach 0-100kmh in 15.4s. So you might be wondering that SF is also slower right? But no, that is not the case here. Tweaks made by Suzuki are very functional and despite the added weight, this bike not only accelerates just as fast but even has a higher top speed of 122km/h and phenomenal cornering ability than the regular Gixxer. By squeezing such performance from a tiny 150cc engine will make you believe that there will be heating issues with this engine. So what has Suzuki done to counter that problem? The Gixxer is fitted with Suzuki’s patented technology known as the Jet Cooling Technology, which sprays engine oil at high speeds to the base of the piston and inside valves of the cylinder to help cool it down. This technology has proven to be very effective and you won’t face any overheating issues in this bike which again is a plus point for those who like to cruise a lot on their bikes.
Features & Technology:
Usually, at this price customers look for features like ABS, fuel injection, liquid cooling to name a few. So what Suzuki has equipped this Gixxer with? The ultra-lightweight and punchy engine under the fancy fairing of the Gixxer SF is powered with SEP (Suzuki’s Eco-Performance technology) which enables the Gixxer SF to deliver ample engine output without greatly compromising fuel economy and that is why SF is rated an impressive 40 km/l. Gixxer SF also comes with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), a supplemental system that automatically controls the braking force more efficiently and avoids wheel lock-up in case of slippery road conditions, inconsistent road contours; or sudden braking. This is helpful for those who like to take their bikes on tracks and test its performance. There is also an inclusion of 7-step suspension adjustment, twin exhausts, AHO Headlight, LED tail lamp, fully digital speedometer, large front and back disc brakes further along with large-diameter Front Forks that increases the rigidity around the front section and reduces the weight of the motorcycle. So yes no doubt this bike is a fully equipped one and buyers will not be asking for more in this segment.
Final Verdict:
Now to conclude, I really believe that this bike could have been a better product. It could have the EFI system and it can certainly benefit from more power output because a bike costing this much should at least do 0-100 in less than 10s. Price is another factor which will hold back probably most of the potential customers for this bike. The exact same bike is available in India for almost 40% of the price on which it’s being sold here. I think if you really have to go for a sports bike shape then yes you might want to buy this bike. However, if you just want to buy a bike for daily commute and a little bit of fun, I’ll recommend going for something like Benelli TNT150 which isn’t a fairing bike but still has better performance figures and EFI system. Also, the Gixxer has no direct competitor in Pakistan. Though a few months back we heard the news of Aprilla 125cc but there has been no further news on that bike yet. For the sake of discussion, Aprilia has a much more sporty and lean design but the bike is expected to cost around 7 lakh.
All in all, if Gixxer had been introduced for 3-4 lakh then it would have easily been our recommended choice since its an amazing 150cc bike but not for the price it’s being sold for.
Benelli TNT150
Suzuki Gixxer 150cc (Regular)
