Suzuki Gixxer SF vs Yamaha Fazer FI vs Hero Karizma R vs Bajaj Pulsar 220 Spec Comparo

Engine:

One of the main reasons for the popularity of fully faired or quarter fairing motorcycles in our country is the fact that consumers in India have a fairing fixation. And to appease the tastebuds, Suzuki has launched the Suzuki Gixxer SF, the cheapest full faired motorcycle available in India currently. Providing firepower to the Suzuki Gixxer SF is the same 155c motor as housed in its naked sibling. The air-cooled, single-cylinder engine produces 14.8PS at 8,000 rpm and 14Nm at 6,000rpm which are healthy figures for a 150cc odd powerplant. The Yamaha Fazer FI is the least powerful motor among the lot as the 149cc displacement mill churns out 13.1PS at 8,000rpm and 12.8Nm at 6,000rpm.

But the Yamaha Fazer FI is the only motorcycle in its segment to offer electronic fuel injection. The Hero Karizma R has the highest displacement among the lot and the 223cc, air-cooled powerplant pumps out 19.2PS at 7,500rpm and 19.3Nm at 6,000rpm. Despite being among the oldest offerings in the group, the Bajaj Pulsar 220 leads the charge with respect to power output. The 220cc, DTS-i engine generates 21PS at 8,500rpm and 19Nm at 7,000rpm. All the above motorcycles transmit power to the rear-wheel via a 5-speed constant gear box. 

Features:

The Suzuki Gixxer SF is the only motorcycle to feature a single headlamp unit as its rivals adopt a sportier looking twin headlamp design. But it’s the only motorcycle in its segment to be equipped with full fairing bodywork and the single headlamp unit does gel well with its overall styling. The Suzuki Gixxer SF and the Yamaha Fazer FI employ an all-digital instrument console as opposed to the part-analogue-part-digital instrument cluster as seen on the Bajaj Pulsar 220 and the Hero Karizma R respectively. The Suzuki Gixxer SF is the only motorcycle to have a gear shift indicator and gear position indicator.

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The Suzuki Gixxer SF, Hero Karizma R and the Bajaj Pulsar 220 sport LED tail lamps while the Karizma R also gets LED position lamps. The Suzuki Gixxer SF and Yamaha Fazer FI use traditional flat and wide single piece handle bar while the Pulsar 220 and Karizma R feature clip-on handlebars. Additional equipment on the Bajaj Pulsar 220 includes backlit switchgear and projector headlamp.  

Dimensions and cycle parts:

The Suzuki Gixxer SF, Yamaha Fazer FI and the Hero Karizma R employ a diamond type frame whereas the Bajaj Pulsar 220 uses as a double cradle down tube frame. Suspension duties are handled by telescopic front forks and a monoshock setup at the back on the Gixxer SF and Fazer FI. The Karizma R and the Pulsar 220 adopt a more conventional telescopic front forks and twin hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear. Only the Bajaj Pulsar 220 gets disc brakes at the front and rear which is a welcome addition whereas the other motorcycles in the segment employ drum brakes on the rear wheel.

The Suzuki Gixxer SF and Yamaha Fazer FI have identical wheelbase of 1,330mm whereas the Bajaj Pulsar 220 slots in the middle at 1,350mm while the Hero Karizma R has the largest at 1,355mm. The Suzuki Gixxer SF is the lightest of the lot as it tips the scale at 135kg followed by the Yamaha Fazer at 137kg. That the Gixxer SF is lighter than the Fazer FI despite being a full fairing offering is commendable. The Bajaj Pulsar 220 weighs in at 150kg while the Hero Karizma R is the heaviest motorcycle with a kerb weight of 154kg. The Japanese duo has a fuel tank capacity of 12 litres while the Karizma R and Pulsar 220 can accommodate 15 litres. 

Fuel efficiency and pricing:

Having tested the Bajaj Pulsar 220 and the Hero Karizma R it is safe to say that both the motorcycles will have an overall fuel efficiency figure of 35 to 40kmpl. Yamaha have equipped the Fazer FI with fuel injection and Blue Core tech to hike its fuel efficiency but having the Yamaha FZ FI as part of the ZigWheels long term fleet we can assume it to be around 44kmpl in real world conditions for the Fazer FI. Suzuki has also added the SEP tech on the Gixxer SF that reduces friction to improve combustion efficiency and hike the mileage figures. Suzuki claims it’s the most fuel efficient motorcycle in its segment and although we haven’t done a proper fuel efficiency to verify this claim it will be around 48kmpl overall.

The Suzuki Gixxer SF has been priced at Rs 83,439 which makes it the cheapest bike with respect to its rivals and also the most affordable full faired motorcycle on sale in India currently. The Hero Karizma R comes a close second with a sticker price of Rs 83,900 while the Bajaj Pulsar 220 follows it at Rs 86,700. The addition of fuel injection means that the Yamaha Fazer FI is the most expensive offering at Rs 86,720 despite being the least powerful motorcycle of the lot. In terms of sheer value for money proposition, the Bajaj Pulsar 220 is unbeatable with its performance advantage and comprehensive list of features and also the decent pricing. Having said that the Japanese duo are better engineered and more refined also while the Bajaj Pulsar 220 has started to show its age all this might change soon with the introduction of the Bajaj Pulsar AS200.