Gixxer is one of Suzuki Motors India Private Limited’s bestsellers. The 155cc sports bike offers the perfect combination of performance and style. Launched in September 2014, the bike has won Top Gear Street Sport bike of the year award, NDTV Two Wheeler of the year, and Autocar Bike of the year award for 2015.
Style
Engineers involved in MotoGP and WSBK were part of team that has designed Gixxer according to Suzuki.
The bike has sporty look. The digital instrument cluster, LED tail lamp, and sporty looking exhaust gives unique stylish feeling to this bike. Its instrument cluster consists of digital units like fuel level meter, in-gear indicator, two trip meters, odometer, and speedometer. Three spoke alloy wheels add few stars more in the bike’s overall looks.
Critics often compare Gixxer’s looks with that of GSX-R1000. Pillion passenger may not feel too comfortable as he or she has to sit higher. Some riders may also find the seat’s cushion as bit stiff. But on the positive side, the bike’s seat height is 780 MM. This makes it good choice for people with short height. Its carved fuel tank and fat rear tyre makes it look more muscled.
It is available in metallic grey, glass sparkle black, pearl mirage white, candy antares red, and metallic triton blue.
Engine
This motorcycle is powered by 154.9 cc four-stroke air-cooled single cylinder engine that creates a maximum power of 14.8PS at 8000rpm and peak torque of 14Nm at 6000rpm. It works with Suzuki’s Eco Performance Technology and offers overall mileage between 50 and 58kmpl. Gixxer can reach top speed of 119 KMPH. It takes around 5.61 seconds to reach 60kmph mark while it takes 19.25s to reach 100kmph. Compare it with its rival Hero Xtreme which takes 6.2s and 25.9s to reach 60 and 100kmph. Gixxer is able to keep its acceleration both at low revs and high up. Bike’s fuel tank has capacity of 12 liters. The engine is fitted with five speed gearbox. Overall, the engine has received positive feedback from most of the car and bike critics.
Suspension and braking system
Gixxer offers perfect ride, and the credit must also go to its suspension system. Swing arm suspension in the rear and telescopic forks in the front work impressively well while in city areas as well as on the highways.
Single disk brake in the front and drum brake in the rear is good enough to control this bike. But some bike lovers feel that Suzuki should consider offering disk brake in the rear as well.
Handling
Gixxer is very controllable and can take up both good as well as bad roads with elegance. Its thick and sticker tyres makes it a star while taking turns around the corners. The 130mm rear drum brakes are much better than the other bikes in the segment and adds to the safety of the bike. The brakes are quite responsive even on bad or wet roads.
Mileage
The best bike in its segment also comes with great fuel efficiency. On city roads it could go up to 55kms on a litre of petrol which it gives an average of nearly 58kms on highways.
Comparison with other bikes in 150cc segment
The bike is often compared with Pulsar 150 DTSI and Yamaha FZ-S. Out of all three bikes, Pulsar offers better mileage. Gixxer’s engine seems better and more powerful than Yamaha and Bajaj’s 149 cc engines. Co-incidentally, all three bikes offer disk brake in the front and drum for rear. Gixxer’s sporty looks is its added advantage.
Price-wise, Pulsar is the cheapest option, followed by Gixxer, and then Yamaha FZ-S. Priced between Rs 80,000 and Rs 85,000 plus taxes, the Gixxer is perfect for those who are looking for bike that delivers performance and style in 155cc segment.
Gixxer cup
Suzuki recently made it in the headlines by declaring its entry in the Indian motorsport arena. The championship will be known as Gixxer Cup and it will be organized by Madras Motor Racing Club. Reports suggest that races would be held at Chennai’s Madras Motor Racing Track and Coimbatore’s Kari Motor Speedway.
Races are expected to begin in June 2015 and last till October this year. While sharing more details about the championship, Suzuki Motorcycle India’s executive VP, Atul Gupta shared the information that the event will help the company to show the real potential of Gixxer bikes to Indian bike lovers. Plus the championship will offer the perfect opportunity for local racers to display their skills.
Many sports enthusiasts have tagged Suzuki’s step as the foundation and new beginning of bike racing culture in India.