Find out whether the upcoming Gixxer 250R is a worthy competitor to the big names of this 250cc game
Suzuki launched the Gixxer SF 250 recently in India alongside the Gixxer SF 150 and at the launch event, the Suzuki officials also said they are working on the naked sports bike variant of the motorcycle which will be launched in India very soon.
The naked sportbike will be a more affordable compared to the full faired Gixxer SF 250 and will also be lighter minus the full fairing. That said, it will rival directly against the likes of the popular Yamaha FZ25 and the KTM Duke 250 when it launches here in India and in this spec comparison, we are comparing the upcoming Suzuki Gixxer 250R against the Yamaha FZ25 and the popular KTM Duke 250.
Suzuki Gixxer 250R Vs Yamaha FZ25 Vs KTM Duke 250 Styling
Like we already mentioned above, Suzuki hasn’t launched the Gixxer 250R in India yet. However, expect the upcoming naked sportsbike to also adopt the same sharp kind of styling that we noticed in the faired Gixxer SF 250.
The motorcycle will feature a sharp looking all-LED headlamp towards the front followed by a small visor. It will also get a different looking fuel tank, expect Suzuki to also add fuel tank scoops in order to add a more muscular appeal to the motorcycle. The rest of the body parts including the fully digital instrument cluster, seats, body panels, tyres, and wheels will be shared with the Gixxer SF 250.
The Yamaha FZ25 is also the naked sportsbike offering that shares its platform and parts with the Fazer 25. The motorcycle also features a full LED headlamp unit towards the front, followed by a straight single piece handlebar and fully digital instrument cluster (also shared with the Fazer 25). The motorcycle features a huge fuel tank that helps in adding a muscular appeal to the motorcycle. The rest of the parts including the seats, taillamps are shared with the Fazer 25.
The KTM Duke 250 takes its styling inspiration from the Duke 390 except for the headlamps. The Duke features conventional halogen lamps instead of full LED setup that we usually find in the Duke 390.
To keep the overall pricing competitive KTM has decided not to add the full coloured TFT instrument cluster as well instead it gets an updated digital unit. The Duke 250 also gets a side slung exhaust just like the Duke 390. The bright colours make the motorcycle stand out amongst the crowd.
Engine
The upcoming Suzuki Gixxer 250R will also be powered by the same 250cc, air-oil-cooled single-cylinder engine that offers 26.5PS of peak power produced at 9,000rpm and 22.6Nm of peak torque produced at 7,500rpm. The engine will be paired with a 6-speed gearbox. The kerb weight of the Gixxer SF 250 is around 161 kilogram but expect the naked sportsbike to be at least 4-5 kilograms lighter than the fully faired variant.
The Yamaha FZ25 also borrows the same engine that powers the Fazer 25 as well. The 249cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine produces about 20 bhp of peak power and 20 Nm of peak torque. This motor comes mated to a 6-speed gearbox as well. This engine has a good reputation of being one of the smoothest engines and fuel efficient unit amongst its rivals.
| Suzuki Gixxer 250R | Yamaha FZ25 | KTM Duke 250 |
| Air and oil cooled, Single-cylinder, 4 valve SOHC | Air-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 2-valve | Single-cylinder liquid-cooled |
| 249 cc | 249cc | 248.8 cc |
| 26.3 Ps @ 9,000 rpm | 20.9PS @ 8000rpm | 29.91 PS @ 9000 rpm |
| 22.6NM @ 7,500 rpm | 20.0N.m @ 6000rpm | 24 Nm @ 7500 rpm |
| 6 speed | 6 speed | 6 speed |
The KTM Duke 250 is powered by a 250cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. This unit is tuned to produce around 30 bhp of peak power and 24 Nm of peak torque. Like FZ25, This engine is also paired with a 6-speed gearbox. It even gets a slipper clutch as standard. Infact, the Duke 250 is the only motorcycle amongst the trio to feature a slipper clutch and a liquid cooled unit.
Suspension and brakes
The Suzuki Gixxer 250R will rely on a conventional telescopic fork at the front and a monoshock unit at the rear. The motorcycle will use disc brakes on both its front and rear wheels and will also get a dual-channel ABS for the safety of the rider.
The FZ25, on the other hand, uses conventional telescopic forks at the front and a monoshock unit at the rear. The FZ25 too relies on a disc brake at both its front and rear wheels and gets a dual channel ABS as standard.
The KTM Duke 250 is the only motorcycle amongst the trio that features an upside-down suspension setup and a monoshock unit at the rear. This motorcycle relies on disc brakes at the front and rear and gets a dual-channel ABS safety feature for the safety of the rider.
Pricing
The upcoming Suzuki Gixxer 250R likely to be priced in between Rs 1.45-1.6 Lakhs (ex-showroom). The Yamaha FZ25 is priced at around Rs. 1.36 Lakhs (ex-showroom). The most expensive motorcycle amongst the trio is the KTM Duke 250. The Duke 250 is priced at Rs. 1.97 Lakhs (ex-showroom).
Comparison Verdict
We have to admit that Suzuki surely impressed us all with their recently launched fully faired motorcycle and we are expecting that the upcoming naked variant will also be an equally impressive motorcycle. Expect the Gixxer 250R to be as equally sharp and agile handling machine like the fully faired variant that will bring a lot to the plate and will be a lot more affordable than the Gixxer SF 250.
As far as its rivals are concerned, the Yamaha FZ25 is also an equally impressive motorcycle that may produce the least power and torque amongst the trio but actually is a worthy rival because offers one of the smoothest and fuel-efficient engines in this segment.
The KTM Duke 250, on the other hand, will attract the attention of those who love to own an aggressive machine. This is definitely the most powerful motorcycle amongst its rivals and offers plenty of modern equipment but it is the most expensive amongst three and misses out on the LED headlamp setup which its rivals offer.