Suzuki Gixxer : Long Term Report 2

Suzuki Gixxer Long Term Report

After persuading my colleagues to let go of the Suzuki Gixxer for months now, I finally got to lay my hands on our favourite long term motorcycle. I welcomed the Gixxer with a 800km ride (Mumbai –Pune – Kaas – Pune – Mumbai – Malshej – Mumbai) over the weekend, before I settled down for the daily grind.

The Gixxer is fast enough for a 155cc single cylinder petrol engine that develops 14.8bhp. It holds well till 110kmph beyond which the shift indicator will keep on reminding you that you are nearing the limits till you get irritated and go off throttle. Though the intrusion is manageable in daytime, it becomes intolerable when you have a long empty stretch of road after the sun goes down. The gearbox is crisp but it left me longing for a sixth gear especially on the fairly straight Pune – Satara stretch.

The Gixxer is an excellent tourer. The upright riding posture, wide handlebar and the soft cushioned seat is quite comfortable. In spite of being off motorcycles for quite a long time, my butt did not call for a break even once. I like cruising at triple digit speeds and this is where most of the motorcycles in this category let you down with vibrations. After riding for more than two hours at a stretch, I was really happy not to have my palms tingling.

It was the ride to Malshej that made me really appreciate the Gixxer. The early Sunday morning ride for a tasty misal-pav took me piercing through heavy fog and carving corners as the sun warmed up. It is one of the best things I have done in the recent past. The Gixxer came into its own as I refused to let go of the throttle. The brakes are progressive with the right bite and help cut down speed with stability. There are times when I was left wanting for more brake force, but then I realised that this is not a track tool.

The agile steering and the front bias paired with a slightly stiff suspension setup ensures that if you get your entry right, you can lean on to one side, hold the throttle steady and pin it as you exit without even thinking about it, ready to attack the next corner. The MRF ZVTS tyres are good and provide enough grip for efficient braking and spirited cornering.

I was not really looking forward for fuel economy; with the throttle wide open more often than not, the motorcycle returned almost 35kmpl. Also, when you ride continuously at high revs, the motorcycle suddenly coughs as if it is being choked. If you go off throttle and on it again, it resumes its duties. The motorcycle we had tested just after launch also had this issue, but it is not so prominent on the bike we have now.

The Gixxer has lived up to its promise and knowing why it is our little favourite was apparent after riding it. From a touring perspective, it is comfortable, agile and rides well. The blue colour is a looker and the dimensions are proportional. The twin outlet exhaust along with the chunky rear tyre make it look bigger. The exceptional handling has me already thinking if it should be my next mile cruncher!