The Quarter-litre Naked Brawl

In the last few years, the 250cc segment has been witnessing a lot of action. Once ruled by the Yamaha FZ25, the segment now has motorcycles that cater to a larger audience. While Yamaha offers the most affordable bike in the segment, the likes of KTM and Husqvarna have top-of-the-segment performance to lure you with. And then comes the Suzuki Gixxer 250 and the Dominar 250-- two bikes that intend to strike the right balance between affordability and performance. Now, these bikes face the heat from the newly launched Bajaj Pulsar N250. But is it a bit too late for the new Pulsar? Let’s find out:

Engine:

The Gixxer 250 is shy of just 0.5PS and 0.6Nm compared to the Dominar 250, but the Japanese naked has 24kg less to carry around. This should translate to a more engaging experience than the Dominar 250.

The new kid on the block falls a little behind in terms of performance. Adding to the Pulsar N250’s woes is its kerb weight of 162kg, which is 6kg more than the Gixxer’s. However, while Bajaj may not have employed a DOHC setup, or even a 4-valve configuration for the Pulsar, it is the only bike here to sport a slip-and-assist clutch. So, aggressive downshifts aren’t an issue on the N250.

Lastly, it is the FZ25 that flaunts a setup very similar to the Pulsar, but seems like the least exciting engine. The 20Nm torque peaks sooner in the rev range, making it a great urban weapon. But the 21PS of peak power isn’t going to be fun on the highway.

Underpinnings:

Bajaj has gone for the more modern USD fork/monoshock suspension and braking setup, aided by dual-channel ABS for the Dominar 250. While on the Pulsar N250, a traditional telescopic fork and single-channel ABS have saved cost. In fact the Pulsar is the only bike here sporting a single-channel ABS.

The Suzuki Gixxer 250 is bang in the middle, using beefy telescopic fork and monoshock setup, but comes with the safety net of dual-channel ABS. Additionally, it is the only bike here to sport radial tyres, which makes it a better handler.

Yamaha has a suspension setup similar to the Gixxer, but features smaller disc brakes, and given the measly 20PS it develops, we reckon the 282mm disc is fit for the job. That said, there’s no compromise on safety, and the bike comes with dual-channel ABS.

Dimensions:

The Dominar 250 is the heftiest motorcycle here. Its long 1453mm wheelbase means it isn’t a nimble machine. The Gixxer has the same seat height as that of the Dominar, however, it is not just lighter, but the taut wheelbase of 1340mm makes it a great city slicker too.

If it's an urban weapon you are looking for, the FZ25 ticks all the boxes here. It is the lightest in this bunch, has a low seat height of 795mm and a decent ground clearance of 160mm. Furthermore, with its commute-friendly engine, the 14-litre fuel tank should offer good range as well.

The Pulsar N250 strikes the middle-ground here in terms of agility and accessibility. It has the same sweat height and fuel tank capacity as that of the Yamaha and has 5mm more ground clearance, but is a good 9kg heavier.

Price And Verdict:

The Yamaha FZ25 is the most economical option of the lot, but that is for a reason. Its engine seems best suited for commuting, which isn’t something you’d expect from a 250cc bike. On the other end of the spectrum is the Suzuki Gixxer 250, packs impressive performance and has underpinnings to match that, but it is a pricey proposition, especially with the Dominar coming in at Rs 11,000 less.

Lastly, it is the Bajaj Pulsar N250-- a bike that is a mere Rs 2,000 over the FZ25, and packs more performance, and is capable of doing some spirited riding as well. So, if you are on a lookout for a motorcycle that can handle commuting as well as some spirited riding, the Pulsar fits the bill.