The Suzuki Gixxer is truly a workhorse, as anyone who owns this motorcycle would agree, but there's a lot more happening inside, says Indian automobile website MotorBeam.com
We have ridden more than 7000 kms over the past six months on the Suzuki Gixxer, and, in the true sense of the word, it is a workhorse. We pushed the bike through all sorts of roads we could find in and around Mumbai, be it Malshej, Lavasa or the famous NH17.
For company, we had the TVS Apache 180 with us along with another Gixxer.
For anyone who has travelled through or even heard of the Mumbai-Goa highway, they would certainly know that it can offer the worst of roads, especially during the monsoon. Despite this, the Suzuki Gixxer just sailed over most of the roads that we took it over. And for that we have to thank its 41 mm telescopic front forks and the mono-suspension at the rear, which is truly set up beautifully.
Now began the real test. The Kashedi ghat, the first of many along NH17, was all about the bike's agility and corner craving ability. And for the entire length of the ghat, around 20 kms that is, we had the Gixxer running neck and neck with the Apache 180, which is testimony to how beautifully this 'commuter' motorcycle can master the corners. However, the hard seat did take its toll on the riders over the course of the cornering session.
Since we had two Gixxers for our test, we had the opportunity to simultaneously test how frugal they were with different riding styles. But, surprisingly, the one that was redlined almost throughout the journey managed to return 42 km/l while the other Gixxer that barely crossed 7000 RPM, returned a respectable 47 km/l. As the day came to an end, we used the headlight fairly extensively and realised that although the light does spread over the road, Suzuki could have used a more powerful lamp, which is very essential on such roads.
Next day, we started with a ride on the beach at Ganpatipule followed by the return trip home. Navigating through the Konkan, we arrived, once again, at the Kashedi ghat, and this time around, the tables had turned. It was the Gixxer indeed, that edged ahead of the Apache, the bikes gliding through like snakes in disguise. During the ride back, we did experience many hiccups while going downhill, particularly because of the rear drum brakes, which lacked bite and the low ground clearance, which meant the underbelly scraped every other speed breaker.
Coming to the engine of the bike, it easily is the best in its class and is sure to turn heads if revved hard. But the pleasing exhaust is more due to the superb 155cc motor that works like a charm in the Gixxer. Also the shift light indicator on the console is really helpful, specially during city riding, as it can be adjusted as per one's riding style and also be switched of if the rider wants it that way. Overall, it is nothing short of a pleasure to ride the Suzuki Gixxer and it is definitely the bike to beat in the 150cc segment.
