Middleweight masters: Suzuki Gixxer 250 or Gixxer SF250?

Middleweight motorcycles are the go-to for riders who typically travel short distances and want a bike with more than enough power to take them from point A to point B.

Two notable models in this segment are the Suzuki Gixxer 250 and its SF250 variant. Now which of these two motorbikes best suits your riding needs? Join us in this middleweight master matchup to find out.

Style

The Suzuki Gixxer 250 is a mid-displacement naked bike with a beefy exterior.

At its front is a large headlamp (with two protruding turn signals on each side) that lacks cowlings and the typical fairings you would see in regular motorbikes. Thus, its telescopic front suspension is bared as well as its somewhat muscular front fender. Under which a 17-inch wheel wrapped in 110/70 tubeless tires is housed.

The side profile of the Suzuki Gixxer 250, on the other hand, gets a fair amount of covering. The sharp-looking side panels effectively hide some of the parts of the motorcycle while still giving its capable engine — which we’ll get to in a few — a good level of exposure.

Notable features found on the Suzuki Gixxer 250’s flanks are its large fuel tank, its metal side steps, its sleek-looking seats, as well as its sporty dual exhaust muffler.

At the back, the Suzuki Gixxer 250 packs a sharp cluster of lights accompanied by a piece of plastic that holds the bike’s number plate and rear turn signals. Below it is a mudguard attached to the axle of its rear wheel. Speaking of which, it has a swing arm-type suspension system and a 17-inch rear wheel with 150/60 tubeless rubber.

Atop the saddle, riders can check out the Suzuki Gixxer 250’s inverted digital instrument panel that displays information in crisp detail, its diamond-shaped side mirrors, and its naked handlebars.

Meanwhile, the Suzuki Gixxer SF250 has a more race-oriented look thanks to the addition of a sporty cowling and a decent-sized windshield. Its more pointed dimensions not only add to its sleek and stylish appearance but also aid its aerodynamic properties.

The extended front fairings now sit close to the front fender, which has a 17-inch wheel with 110/70 tubeless tires.

Its sides now boast a wider dimension due to the fairings designed to match the span of the rider’s legs for better aerodynamics. The side panels now attach to a more angular engine guard, again for better airflow. As a result, the engine is now slightly covered.

Similar features can be found on its side profile which include a 12-liter fuel tank (same as the Suzuki Gixxer 250), metal step bars, and a dual exhaust muffler. Noticeably, the turn signals at the front have been moved to the side fairings of the motorcycle.

Finally, the rear is similar to the standard Suzuki Gixxer 250 with a sexy rear light cluster, turn signals and a plate holder that further sticks out to the rear end, a mudguard, a swing arm-type mono-shock setup, and a 17-inch wheel shod in 150/60 tubeless tires.

Overall, the Suzuki Gixxer 250 sports an aggressive street fighter appeal while the Gixxer SF250 offers a more sleek and sporty look.

Power

Powering both models is a 249 cubic centimeter engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The said setup makes as much as 26 horses and 22.2 Newton-meters of pulling power.

The propulsion generated by the oil-cooled, fuel-injected powerplant is stopped by a pair of disc brakes, front and back.

Pricing

The Suzuki Gixxer 250 has a sticker price of P182,900 while the Gixxer SF250 is sold for P192,200.

Conclusion

Since both bikes share the same underpinnings, choosing between the brawny Suzuki Gixxer 250 and the sporty Gixxer SF250 boils down to a matter of preference.

Those who want a macho bike can choose the standard Suzuki Gixxer 250 model while those who want to look like they hit the tracks on the weekend can definitely ride the Gixxer SF250.

Regardless of what one chooses, he or she is assured of getting a reliable motorbike with tried and trusted Japanese engineering and technology.

Photos from Suzuki Philippines

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