Suzuki GS 150R - Need owner feedback

null · 14th September 2009, 19:21

I was looking around for a potential purchase (yes, potential, depending on the approvals from various fronts) of a new mobike & was looking at something mean but still approvable, sturdy on the road & easy to handle - on road & for the pocket, with current looks (not the ancient splendor or alba looks), a good riding position, comfort & decent milage (~50kmpl +/- 10%). Also, it should be relative unique/rare on the road & should make people stop & look at it.

Based on these conditions, these two bikes have caught my attention -Black TVS Apache RTR 160 (Carb) & the black Suzuki GS 150R. Yes, there are plenty of Apaches on the street, but not as many as Pulsars. Somehow I was never impressed by Pulsars right from the beginning. Leaving out Honda unicorn/shine as they are boring. Honda Stunner & FZ16 are not my types. Hero honda stable is another option to look at with hunk or karisma, but somehow hasnt tempted me enough unlike the above two bikes. I have ridden most of these bikes (briefly atleast), except for FZ16 & GS150R (colleagues, friends etc).

Do we have any GS 150R owners here? Can they post their feedback on their bikes? How is the comfort? milage? build quality & maintenance? road presence? etc?

Sarvodaya · 14th September 2009, 20:10

It Depends on your needs. Apache with Fuel Injection is a good choice. You get disc front and rear and fuel injection with 50 KMPL. But the riding position is sports like (forward position) and only toe shifter.

I have brought a GS 150 two months back. Completed 4000 kms. bike is good. I don't like the styling. Looks like pulsar in front, side like unicorn. only the rear is unique. Getting 60 KMPL for my style of riding. does not exceed 60 KMPH. Smooth driving. with reckless driving you may get about 50 KMPH. Very comfortable to drive. Sixth gear is a boon on long drives. Maintenance is minimal. I also have a 2007 Suzuki Zeus which completed 40,000 KMS. Every service I get a bill of Rs.500 to 600 only. On my Zeus the rear brake shoe lasted 28,000 KMS. Front Brake Shoe lasted 33,000 KMS. Only the tyres and tubes (both front and rear) and battery were changed. Other than that oil was changed at every service.

Quality of the bike is top notch. Built to last feel. The bike is slightly on the heaver side. Does not have instant pickup. Managed to touch 105 on open roads. Stability of the bike is good. At 90 KMPH, the engine at 3,500 rpm is silky smooth. It comes with 18 inch wheels. The apache comes with 17 inch.

The difference between apache EFI and GS 150 is about 7000 depending upon the cities.

MuraliR · 15th September 2009, 12:03

GS150R definitely has a decent riding position and gives mileage of 50+. It is definitely comfortable even on long rides.

the_trooper · 15th September 2009, 13:27

The GS150 is awesome. I ve read about a few rusting issues on the x-bhp forum. Maybe you should go there are read up some more.

Apart from that, I ve ridden the bike myself, and would rate it second only to a Karizma.

mithun · 20th September 2009, 11:12

If you are looking for a 150cc commuter then GS150 is the better option than Unicorn !

null · 21st September 2009, 16:47

Haven't seen a GS150R in metal (as in - in flesh

) yet on the streets & hence all the deliberation. Maybe I will drop by at some suzuki dealer & take a test ride to feel it. Also, there are some 3000Rs+ discount offers which is tempting - should find out what it is exactly.

The rusting issue is sad. I went through the XBHP.com threads. Its not clear if its a problem spreadout across the production batches or limited to just one / initial batches. Scary is the fact that some recent buyers too have mentioned about it. I remember the problem HHonda users had with their fuel tanks which used to suffer from rusting/eaten out probs resulting in leaks & makes me wary of this.

BTW no other user on TBHP (other than Sarvodaya) owning GR150Rs?

Proxima · 26th March 2010, 16:12

Does anyone else own a GS150R in team-bhp? Please post your feedback.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarvodaya

At 90 KMPH, the engine at 3,500 rpm is silky smooth.

3500 RPM? Are you sure?

MuraliR · 26th March 2010, 16:22

Yes, I do own one and rarely use it, and the bike is definitely very smooth.

roadracer · 26th March 2010, 17:49

Guys, I am planning to get GS150R but feel that the bike might be too big for me. I weigh 70 Kg. I am happy with the specifications of the bike and I have also come across a number of positive reviews about the bike. Would the weight be a problem?

MuraliR · 27th March 2010, 11:15

@roadracer - I do not see the user weight as a problem at all - if so how would you justify people riding the superbikes?

The bike seems well planted even on high speeds, and is definitely smooth.

Proxima · 27th March 2010, 12:08

I'm going to test ride the GS150 today, will keep you guys posted. In the meanwhile, any owner reviews will really help.

phamilyman · 27th March 2010, 12:31

Check animeher (?) on xbhp. He's got a lovely review and took it on a Rajasthan fortnight long ride and it shone through.

Ask dcs on xbhp. He works for Zuki if I recall right, but being an xbhpian will get you the right info

akshay4587 · 27th March 2010, 12:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by phamilyman

Check animeher (?) on xbhp. He's got a lovely review and took it on a Rajasthan fortnight long ride and it shone through.

Ask dcs on xbhp. He works for Zuki if I recall right, but being an xbhpian will get you the right info

neah
he left it
and he is here too and last known he was with Magus cars

90kmph @3500RPM is impossible on a GS150

Chipz · 27th March 2010, 12:47

Paradon my ignorance

. What do you think about the spare parts availability of the Suzuki GS 150 R after say 1 or 2 years, specially Suzuki bikes. My bike had a Kinetic disk brake, and now I am running here and there to get a pinion wheel. Is it not better to go for famous brands to avoid these problems in the future. Just my opinion.

Proxima · 27th March 2010, 14:23

comfort wise, which would you rate higher? The karizma or the gs150?

14th September 2009, 19:21	#1
null BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Paradise (wish it was) Posts: 434 Thanked: 333 Times	Suzuki GS 150R - Need owner feedback I was looking around for a potential purchase (yes, potential, depending on the approvals from various fronts) of a new mobike & was looking at something mean but still approvable, sturdy on the road & easy to handle - on road & for the pocket, with current looks (not the ancient splendor or alba looks), a good riding position, comfort & decent milage (~50kmpl +/- 10%). Also, it should be relative unique/rare on the road & should make people stop & look at it. Based on these conditions, these two bikes have caught my attention -Black TVS Apache RTR 160 (Carb) & the black Suzuki GS 150R. Yes, there are plenty of Apaches on the street, but not as many as Pulsars. Somehow I was never impressed by Pulsars right from the beginning. Leaving out Honda unicorn/shine as they are boring. Honda Stunner & FZ16 are not my types. Hero honda stable is another option to look at with hunk or karisma, but somehow hasnt tempted me enough unlike the above two bikes. I have ridden most of these bikes (briefly atleast), except for FZ16 & GS150R (colleagues, friends etc). Do we have any GS 150R owners here? Can they post their feedback on their bikes? How is the comfort? milage? build quality & maintenance? road presence? etc?
	() Thanks

14th September 2009, 20:10	#2
Sarvodaya BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 486 Thanked: 821 Times	It Depends on your needs. Apache with Fuel Injection is a good choice. You get disc front and rear and fuel injection with 50 KMPL. But the riding position is sports like (forward position) and only toe shifter. I have brought a GS 150 two months back. Completed 4000 kms. bike is good. I don't like the styling. Looks like pulsar in front, side like unicorn. only the rear is unique. Getting 60 KMPL for my style of riding. does not exceed 60 KMPH. Smooth driving. with reckless driving you may get about 50 KMPH. Very comfortable to drive. Sixth gear is a boon on long drives. Maintenance is minimal. I also have a 2007 Suzuki Zeus which completed 40,000 KMS. Every service I get a bill of Rs.500 to 600 only. On my Zeus the rear brake shoe lasted 28,000 KMS. Front Brake Shoe lasted 33,000 KMS. Only the tyres and tubes (both front and rear) and battery were changed. Other than that oil was changed at every service. Quality of the bike is top notch. Built to last feel. The bike is slightly on the heaver side. Does not have instant pickup. Managed to touch 105 on open roads. Stability of the bike is good. At 90 KMPH, the engine at 3,500 rpm is silky smooth. It comes with 18 inch wheels. The apache comes with 17 inch. The difference between apache EFI and GS 150 is about 7000 depending upon the cities.
	() Thanks

15th September 2009, 12:03	#3
MuraliR BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 361 Thanked: 35 Times	GS150R definitely has a decent riding position and gives mileage of 50+. It is definitely comfortable even on long rides.
	() Thanks

15th September 2009, 13:27	#4
the_trooper BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Chn Posts: 215 Thanked: 102 Times View My Garage	The GS150 is awesome. I ve read about a few rusting issues on the x-bhp forum. Maybe you should go there are read up some more. Apart from that, I ve ridden the bike myself, and would rate it second only to a Karizma.
	() Thanks

20th September 2009, 11:12	#5
mithun BANNED Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cochin Posts: 2,195 Thanked: 268 Times	If you are looking for a 150cc commuter then GS150 is the better option than Unicorn !
	() Thanks

21st September 2009, 16:47	#6
null BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Paradise (wish it was) Posts: 434 Thanked: 333 Times	Haven't seen a GS150R in metal (as in - in flesh ) yet on the streets & hence all the deliberation. Maybe I will drop by at some suzuki dealer & take a test ride to feel it. Also, there are some 3000Rs+ discount offers which is tempting - should find out what it is exactly. The rusting issue is sad. I went through the XBHP.com threads. Its not clear if its a problem spreadout across the production batches or limited to just one / initial batches. Scary is the fact that some recent buyers too have mentioned about it. I remember the problem HHonda users had with their fuel tanks which used to suffer from rusting/eaten out probs resulting in leaks & makes me wary of this. BTW no other user on TBHP (other than Sarvodaya) owning GR150Rs?
	() Thanks

26th March 2010, 16:22	#8
MuraliR BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 361 Thanked: 35 Times	Yes, I do own one and rarely use it, and the bike is definitely very smooth.
	() Thanks

26th March 2010, 17:49	#9
roadracer BANNED Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chennai Posts: 131 Thanked: Once	Guys, I am planning to get GS150R but feel that the bike might be too big for me. I weigh 70 Kg. I am happy with the specifications of the bike and I have also come across a number of positive reviews about the bike. Would the weight be a problem?
	() Thanks

27th March 2010, 11:15	#10
MuraliR BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 361 Thanked: 35 Times	@roadracer - I do not see the user weight as a problem at all - if so how would you justify people riding the superbikes? The bike seems well planted even on high speeds, and is definitely smooth.
	() Thanks

27th March 2010, 12:08	#11
Proxima BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 910 Thanked: 302 Times	I'm going to test ride the GS150 today, will keep you guys posted. In the meanwhile, any owner reviews will really help.
	() Thanks

27th March 2010, 12:31	#12
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,642 Times	Check animeher (?) on xbhp. He's got a lovely review and took it on a Rajasthan fortnight long ride and it shone through. Ask dcs on xbhp. He works for Zuki if I recall right, but being an xbhpian will get you the right info
	() Thanks

27th March 2010, 12:47	#14
Chipz BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Trivandrum, Thrissur Posts: 160 Thanked: 6 Times	Paradon my ignorance . What do you think about the spare parts availability of the Suzuki GS 150 R after say 1 or 2 years, specially Suzuki bikes. My bike had a Kinetic disk brake, and now I am running here and there to get a pinion wheel. Is it not better to go for famous brands to avoid these problems in the future. Just my opinion.
	() Thanks

27th March 2010, 14:23	#15
Proxima BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 910 Thanked: 302 Times	comfort wise, which would you rate higher? The karizma or the gs150?
	() Thanks