Suzuki Gixxer SF race bike review, test ride

The Japanese giant Suzuki struggled for years to find firm footing in the Indian bike market, with no one to blame but themselves, due to lackluster models such as the Heat, Zeus and Slingshot. That’s all history now, for their Gixxer bikes are today quite the rage.

The GS 150R marked a step in the right direction, but it’s the naked Gixxer, followed quickly by the faired-in Gixxer SF that really hit the sweet spot, finally giving Suzuki a serious presence in the red-hot 150cc class. Turnaround models for Suzuki, the Gixxer rode away with every Bike of the Year award worth winning last year, while the Gixxer SF is building a formidable reputation, as a bike to beat in its segment. We tested the new 150 at Suzuki’s test track in Japan and came away impressed , and pitted it against Bajaj’s Pulsar AS 150 in a bloody battle as well. 

The Gixxer SF’s already proved a comfortable, confident-handling motorcycle with a good balance of performance and economy — quite the 150cc-benchmark bike in India. Suzuki’s taking this yet another step forward, shaving off 20kg to pull kerb weight under 120kg, race-prepping the SF for use as a one-make circuit racing championship tool.

The Kari Motor Speedway at Coimbatore is India’s smallest racetrack, the perfect location to hammer the Gixxer SF around to test its racing prowess. Tight chicanes, a long straight and a couple of tight corners make for an entertaining ride on the nimble, 155cc, 14.6bhp SF race bike.