[volkman10]

Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 spied, dispatch begins:






Link

[Kenneth Keymer]

Safe to say, it's no longer a rumour. Getting GSX 250R vibes from these spied shots.

[payeng]

A Single Cylinder, Dhoom Bike doesn't really excite in 2019

[fiestarry]

World leaders in motorcycle sales and technology like Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha and BMW are tiptoeing around in the Indian market. What do these giant companies offer the Indian consumer?
Puny Scooters and bikes with little or no desirability quotient; single models that have been around for very long; or worse still an overpriced and underpowered model.
What stops Suzuki from launching a full range of Gixxers from 125 to 1000 cc. Where are the competent 250s and 375s. A bloated Inazuma, a flop 310 BMW or ridiculously priced 650s. Kawasaki hasn't even entered this market properly yet. Thanks to Bajaj we have the only decently priced and powered international bikes, the Dukes. Hero might as well sell knitting needles, they are that interesting.

[Kenneth Keymer]

Originally Posted by fiestarry

World leaders in motorcycle sales and technology like Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha and BMW are tiptoeing around in the Indian market. What do these giant companies offer the Indian consumer?
Puny Scooters and bikes with little or no desirability quotient; single models that have been around for very long; or worse still an overpriced and underpowered model.

What stops Suzuki from launching a full range of Gixxers from 125 to 1000 cc. Where are the competent 250s and 375s. A bloated Inazuma, a flop 310 BMW or ridiculously priced 650s. Kawasaki hasn't even entered this market properly yet. Thanks to Bajaj we have the only decently priced and powered international bikes, the Dukes. Hero might as well sell knitting needles, they are that interesting.

Maruti-Suzuki owns half the market share when it comes to 4 wheelers.

Why? They make great smaller ticket size vehicles which outsell every other model and brand, month on month.

In fact, the 250 will serve as a brilliant everyday ride. As for better Gixxers... They've got the GSX's and the the likes of the Bandit on the market, and that's 1250 cc for crying out loud.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by fiestarry

What stops Suzuki from launching a full range of Gixxers from 125 to 1000 cc. Where are the competent 250s and 375s.

Volumes.

Everyone desires, but no one really purchases. The volumes above 200cc are really less for any manufacturer to go all out and start local production of their premium range.

Bajaj - KTM, TVS - BMW are the exception currently since they are using the country as a manufacturing hub as well, not producing here for local volumes.

Others opt for the CKD route, which is comparatively expensive and the numbers of vehicles sold doesn't encourage them to increase localization either.

[fiestarry]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Volumes.

Everyone desires, but no one really purchases. The volumes above 200cc are really less.

Bajaj - KTM, TVS - BMW are the exception.

Others opt for the CKD route.

I agree, but that is the very point that I am bringing out; a big manufacturer shouldn't behave like a beginner. If all the biggies bring in a good range of products, our market will grow. Before the Pulsar from Bajaj, the 150 cc market was tiny. Before the KTM duo, that segment had no takers.
The biggies are the best equipped to bring in the variety and price them aggressively.
Wishful thinking and a tad wistful too !
The Thai market is much smaller but the range of maxi scooters and mid-sized bikes is great.

[Kenneth Keymer]

Originally Posted by fiestarry

Oh, how informative about the Maruti cars and the 1250 cc bikes. What would I have done without this input?

Whoa! Simmer down.

What I'm trying to say is that they're building an empire out of everyday vehicles at smaller ticket sizes like the 250 just like they've done in the 4 wheeler sector.

Their success there, is the proof of the pudding and they're sticking to that formula.

[rajushank84]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Volumes.

Everyone desires, but no one really purchases. The volumes above 200cc are really less for any manufacturer to go all out and start local production of their premium range.

Bajaj - KTM, TVS - BMW are the exception currently since they are using the country as a manufacturing hub as well, not producing here for local volumes.

Others opt for the CKD route, which is comparatively expensive and the numbers of vehicles sold doesn't encourage them to increase localization either.

But its kinda chicken and egg. No one purchases, because these bikes are overpriced. It's not that people don't want good bikes, it is more that people don't want to overpay. Bikes cost almost twice as much as they do in western countries and that's even after accounting for the weak rupee which is already set up for low purchase power parity with most of the rest of the world.

Example: Ninja 650 can be had for $5K after discounts, in the USA. Probably less, in rare deals. That's a brand new bike, that too in a low-volume market. In India it costs twice as much. Now as a consumer I couldn't care less what it is manufactured, how it is brought in, and all that. There are only two things that matter: what I pay, and what I get. If the price looks ridiculous for what I get, I (personally) would never buy it regardless of whether I can afford it or not. It is not an affordability problem or a lack-of-interest problem. It is a you-are-trying-to-rip-me-off problem.

[ethanhunt123]

Originally Posted by rajushank84

Example: Ninja 650 can be had for $5K after discounts, in the USA. Probably less, in rare deals. That's a brand new bike, that too in a low-volume market. In India it costs twice as much. Now as a consumer I couldn't care less what it is manufactured, how it is brought in, and all that. There are only two things that matter: what I pay, and what I get. If the price looks ridiculous for what I get, I (personally) would never buy it regardless of whether I can afford it or not. It is not an affordability problem or a lack-of-interest problem. It is a you-are-trying-to-rip-me-off problem.

US prices are wrong comparison - all autos are supercheap there - be is cars or bikes. And BTW i am sure they sell a higher number of N650's in US vs in India.

Compare it to other markets such as Thailand - 306k Baht - ~6.79L vs India 5.89L ex-showroom

Ninja 1000 - 664k Baht ~14.7L vs 10.29L India

Ninja 400 - 205kBaht - 4.5L vs 4.99L India

PS: its the same story when you compare european prices with India - we get it for lesser

Most bikes are cheaper or same price as Thailand. Still volumes are minuscule. I dont know how you can say they are overpriced in India.

[rajushank84]

Originally Posted by ethanhunt123

US prices are wrong comparison - all autos are supercheap there - be is cars or bikes. And BTW i am sure they sell a higher number of N650's in US vs in India.

Compare it to other markets such as Thailand - 306k Baht - ~6.79L vs India 5.89L ex-showroom

Ninja 1000 - 664k Baht ~14.7L vs 10.29L India

Ninja 400 - 205kBaht - 4.5L vs 4.99L India

PS: its the same story when you compare european prices with India - we get it for lesser

Most bikes are cheaper or same price as Thailand. Still volumes are minuscule. I dont know how you can say they are overpriced in India.

Cars and bikes are overpriced in Thailand too.
But just because they are still accepted there, doesn't mean Indians should accept those prices too. It is not just the affordability. The Indian mindset always looks for value-for-money (and it should).

In the end, it doesn't matter to the person buying. It all boils down to alternatives. Why should I buy a Ninja for much more, when a KTM or Royal Enfield satisfies the need (whether it is speed, or a sense of relative exclusivity, or looks, or whatever) at a much lower price point? Obviously the product itself is not worth the money. "Thailand is buying", or "It is all taxes" is not a convincing answer to that. It all boils down to whether the manufacturer can locally produce and compete at the same level or not. The notion that buyers should first line up and prove their demand before manufacturers invest in doing so, is amusing to me. Buyers don't need (or want) to prove anything. It is sellers who need the business.

In a way this is all good. I hope we see good more bikes from Bajaj, TVS and Hero at reasonable prices.

[Nithesh_M]

"The notion that buyers should first line up and prove their demand before manufacturers invest in doing so, is amusing to me".
Fun fact: Supply is dependent on demand for a product. Just ask Mr.Ratan Tata who set out to give every Indian an affordable 4 seater car that stopped production after a miserable run creating big loss to the company.
That's how GM went bankrupt in US and needed govt bailout. Making tons of vehicles nobody buys is manufacturer suicide.

[giri1.8]

This might be a perfect upgrade for R15 owners, R3 being too expensive, other brands not being able to offer the same quality.

Only difference I expect is that, this may not handle as well as the R15, Suzuki India probably developed cost effective chassis to keep the price low.

[Sheel]

A classic case of too little, too late.

Save for [maybe] a spike at launch, it may die a slow death.

[ATRONIX]

Gixxer 250 comes with 26 BHP oil-cooled engine and a 6-speed gearbox according to a leaked brochure. Full details in the video.

https://youtu.be/LKQxz78nzvo