5 Reasons Suzuki Should Get The GSX-R 150 To India

Years ago, when the small capacity performance market was still at a nascent stage, Suzuki was one of the few manufacturers who had a good foothold over the segment, with legendary bikes like the Shogun, Samurai, etc. Coming back to the present, Suzuki has two bikes: the Gixxer, and its faired cousin, the Gixxer SF, in this segment. But, their potential have been fully realised and we all know Suzuki could do much better. We feel the brand should go all out and launch a liquid-cooled 150cc performance bike in India so that it can build a strong base for performance enthusiasts. So, here are five reasons why Suzuki should bring its latest 150cc offering, the GSX-R 150, to India:

Design:

The GSX-R150’s design has been influenced by its elder sibling, the GSX-R 1000. As expected, the bike gets a full fairing with chiselled LED headlamp adorning the front. The muscular 11-litre fuel tank comes with the right set of curves. The rear ends on a metaphorical high, thanks to the split seat and high-set tail-lamp. The Y-spoke alloy wheels are wrapped in 90-section rubber at the front and 130-section at the rear. The wheels and blacked-out exhaust compliment the radical design of the bike effectively. When it comes to looks, the GSX-R150 feels more modern compared to the already long-in-the-tooth Honda CBR 150R and Yamaha R15 Version 2.0.

Performance:

The GSX-R150 is powered by a 147.3cc liquid-cooled, DOHC four-valve single-cylinder powerplant. The engine puts out 19.1PS of peak power at 10,500rpm and 14Nm of maximum torque at 9,000rpm. Speaking about performance, the bike is marginally superior to the CBR 150R and Yamaha R15 Version 2.0. But that advantage is amplified, thanks to the low kerb weight of just 131kg, which makes this bike lighter than the competition. To give you a perspective, the R15’s kerb weight is five kilos more and the CBR outweighs by seven kilos compared to the GSX! This translates to better power to weight ratio as well. 

The power is put down the rear wheel via a six-speed transmission. Fuel injection ensures precise fuelling which results in good throttle response, better cold starts and cleaner emissions. However, it is to be noted that the bike is currently sold in Indonesia where it complies with Euro 3 norms. So Suzuki will have to tweak the engine/ exhaust to comply with the latest BS-IV emission norm, if they plan to launch this bike in India.

Handling:

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The GSXR-150 employs a diamond- type frame and the bike is suspended by traditional forks up front and monoshock at the rear. Braking duties are taken care by petal disc on both ends. These features, combined with the aggressive seating position and the clip-on handlebar, make this bike a promising track-day weapon. At 785mm, the seat height is also accessible enough for riders of all shapes and sizes.

Features:

The GSXR- 150 comes packed with a plethora of practical features. The instrument cluster is fully digital and the bike also comes with a key-less ignition! The bike can be started if the remote key is within one metre of the vehicle. In case the key is lost or damaged, the rider can manually enter the passcode (which comes with the bike) via the tank-mounted switch, after which the switch itself could be detached and used as a key until the remote is replaced. This remote locking feature can be a boon for riders in India since we’re constantly plagued about the security of our bike. Moreover, the GSX also comes with an ‘Answer back’ function which when used, lights up the bike’s indicators to let the rider know where he/she has parked. Neat! 

Other practical features include full LED headlamps and a host of official accessories. Suzuki Indonesia offers a rear paddock stand, pillion seat cowl, stickers, tank pad, turn indicators, handlebar-mounted USB charger, alarm kit, radiator guard and even a pair of winglets- yes, you read that right! These accessories make the bike versatile enough to be used in the streets and for track riding as well. If Suzuki brings the bike along with these accessories, it could very well turn into one of the bigger USPs of the bike.

Price:

The GSXR- 150 is priced at Rs 1.35 lakh, on-road, Indonesia. On the other hand, the Yamaha R15 Version 2.0 was launched at Rs 1.51 lakh on-road in Indonesia. Expect similar, affordable pricing if the GSX is launched in India. To give a better perspective, R15 Version 2.0 the costs Rs 1.29 lakh, on-road, Delhi. Hence, Suzuki will have to manufacture the bike in India to keep the prices as competitive as its rivals.

Comparing with the R15 Version 3, the GSX’s pricing would be lower, as the former gets expensive equipment like upside-down forks, slipper clutch and the likes. With rider-friendly features and responsive dynamics, the GSX-R 150 could be a formidable competitor to well-established rivals from the stables of Honda and Yamaha in India.

Also read: 10 Motorcycles We Wish To See In India