The billing took quite some time to get done with, but that is down to Suzuki's laborious processes and IT systems. There is little that the service advisors can do to speed that aspect up.

BHPian neil.jericho recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

To keep the Suzuki GSXRRRRR's warranty intact, I stuck to the recommended service intervals for the initial year. The first service was completed in July 2022. The second service was completed in September 2022. The third service was completed in January 2023. After that, I decided to stick to a 12 month / 6,000 km interval (whichever came earlier), instead of the recommended 6 months / 5,000 km interval. 

Last month, I took the Suzuki GSXRRR 250 for its fourth service to the Bike Zone, Vytilla. The service advisor asked me to bring it by 09:00 but to nobody's surprise, the showroom and the adjoining SVC were still to be opened well after that time. Outside of the regular service, there were 2 things which I wanted to be done 

- replace the clutch cable (I tend to replace it within 10K kms on my motorcycles, plus the VStrom 250's clutch cable is infamous for inopportunistically snapping well within 10K kms)

- replace a rubber caliper bush (I believe that is what it is called) from the front disc

The service advisor offered me a choice of engine oils. The Suzuki Ecstar oils have been tried and tested. The fully synthetic Motul 300 V2 is an excellent oil but is dreadfully expensive. The fully synthetic Motul 7100 was the third option. My friends have reported excellent results after pouring it in the KTM 390 engines, so I was keen to see what it would do in the tamer Suzuki 250 powerplant. 

After removing and checking the air filter, the service advisor suggested that I replace it, as the previous one had gotten dirty. As for the rubber bush, I was told that Suzuki didnt offer the part as a spare. Only the full braking unit was offered by the company. All it took was a quick phone call to F Motors, who confirmed that they had it in stock. So, there was nothing to worry about. 

Below is the breakup of the service bill. If the GST numbers dont immediately make sense, it is because the clutch cable was billed at 14% GST, while everything else was billed at 9% GST. 

The cost of the first service was Rs 814 (Ecstar fully synthetic oil & no labour charges) 

The cost of the second service was Rs 936 (Ecstar fully synthetic oil & no labour charges. The cost of spares had gone up a little). 

The cost of the third service was Rs 1,146.96 (Ecstar fully synthetic oil & air filter was replaced. No labour charges) . 

The cost of the fourth service was Rs 2,769 (Motul 7100 fully synthetic oil & air filter was replaced. Labour charges included). 

Since I was last at the Bike Zone, the lead mechanic has changed. So too has the showroom manager and the main service advisor! The new mechanic took his time but the work was done carefully. The service costs are quite reasonable as well. Only the billing took quite some time to get done with, but that is down to Suzuki's laborious processes and IT systems. There is little that the service advisors can do to speed that aspect up. Overall, this was another positive service experience with a Suzuki dealership.

Click here to read BHPian comments & insights.

Other motorcycles in this battle include the Bajaj Pulsar RS200, KTM RC 125 and the Xtreme 200S 4V from Hero MotoCorp.

BHPian Ripcord09 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hero Karizma XMR

What you'll like:

• Massive brand recall as it was the first successful "sports bike" in India
• Fantastic styling coupled with acceptable build quality
• Value for money! We find the Karizma well-priced for what it offers
• Powerful 210cc engine mated to smooth 6-speed gearbox with slip & assist clutch
• Comfortable seating for both rider and pillion
• Hero MotoCorp's widespread sales and service network
• Features such as adjustable visor, automatic headlamps, slip & assist clutch, dual-channel ABS, turn-by-turn navigation, USB Charger etc.

What you won't:

• Not as ground-breaking as the original Karizma. Might not live up to its legendary status
• Market is dominated by competition. Hero needs to aggressively market this bike if they intend to get a breakthrough
• Fairly neutral to ride. Not as exciting as some rivals
• Small 11-litre fuel tank will limit touring range
• Missing features such as riding modes, upside-down fork, traction control etc.
• Available in a single variant only and just 3 colours
• 6,000 km service interval is on the shorter side

Review Link

Yamaha R15

Ownership Review

Suzuki Gixxer SF250

Ownership Review

Bajaj Pulsar RS200

Ownership Review

KTM RC 125

Launch Thread

Hero Xtreme 200S 4V

Launch Thread

Here's what BHPian DivyanshuDiv had to say about the matter:

My vote goes for Yamaha R15.

• Entry-level sports bike with true racing DNA.
• After-sales and service experience is superior.
• Looks beautiful.
• Great performance and fuel economy.
• Fit and finish, parts and overall quality are superior than the competition.
• Cheapest sports bike that you can own in India.

Here's what BHPian Nikhildrao had to say about the matter:

I don't understand this love for the SF250, it's a very unremarkable motorcycle. Heck! even the SF155 is a far more enjoyable bike than the 250. The R15 V4 is in my opinion the best in the segment, and I put my money where my mouth is and actually bought it. Most people who voted for the SF250 won't buy one if given the money. The arrival of Triumph, updated Duke 250 and the CB300 are objectively better. The ones who will tag it as a sports tourer, well, Suzuki has the V Strom 250.

Here's what BHPian RD410 had to say about the matter:

• Karizma XMR - a very honest attempt at resurrecting the legend. So many things done right and cleverly. VFM all-rounder, long term reliability needs to be seen. Also, a more premium edition with USD forks may be on the cards for next year.
• R15 - For the asking price, it desperately needs more performance. It's about time Yamaha increased R15's displacement to 200cc and FZ's to 160cc.
• RS 200 - Bajaj is sleeping on this. Once a revered machine, has now been choked by BS6 norms. They gave all these updates to NS while neglecting RS on the other side.
• Suzuki 250 - a good example of a well-engineered, all-rounder product. Also a good example of bad after-sales, service and spare support. It's quite clear that it's the 155 and not the 250 which is Suzuki's favourite child.
• KTM 125 - I don't see any point in buying this bike unless you have lots of disposable income.
• Xtreme 200S 4v - should be discontinued. Much better options like RTR200 & Pulsar 250 are available for the same price. Hero's 200cc 4v engine is still not upto the mark in terms of performance and refinement. That engine is ok for an offroader like Xpulse, but not suitable for a street bike. Xtreme 210 is up for launch next year anyway.

Others

• Pulsar F250 - ultra smooth, refined, torquey, has more performance than any of the bikes in that price segment. With the new N & F series Pulsars, Bajaj has managed to beat Honda in refinement. You have to ride them to believe it. Its powerful LED projector headlamp, bezel-less infinity display and backlit switches lend it a very premium appeal at night. Should have been a massive success if not for Bajaj's messed-up marketing.
• CB 200X - overpriced. Typical Honda traits like refinement, light clutch, etc aside, the cornering prowess of this bike is amazing. It's basically a Hornet with a comfy riding position, slightly softer suspension and better seats. That 184cc engine has good low and midrange punch. FE is good too.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I explored the off-roading capability of the motorcycle and I am happy to report that it's doable!

BHPian ITZ_Zeta recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hey Everybody!

I have completed a year of ownership with the SF250 and decided it was the right time to stock up and change a few parts on the bike. So one fine weekend decided to drop by APCO Suzuki, Calicut and got my hands on the following parts:

• Clutch Cable
• Throttle Cables
• Chain and Sprocket
• Air Filter
• Oil Filter

The Prices and Part numbers are as follows:

The drive chain started to get stuck links after covering 15000km on the odometer and decided to get it replaced at APCO Suzuki, Kalpetta. Even though the sprockets were in good condition, decided to replace them as well along with the chain as a set.

The Oil and Filter changes were done by me as a DIY at home and this time too, I used Castrol Power One Ultimate 10w40 Fully synthetic engine oil.

Ride To Vattavada

After the requisite part changes, decided to ride to Vattavada, Idukki for fellow bikers meetup. The destination was 400km away for me from Wayanad and the route I took was Kalpetta-Mannarkkad-Palakkad-Pollachi-Munnar-Vattavada. I started early to beat the afternoon heat and the roads were in excellent condition with only very few bad sections. There are a few offroad trails that can be explored in Vattavada and many of my friends brought in their offroaders to test their skills and machines.

Smooth New Roads

Vattavada Checkpost

The Big Squad

The View

I too took this opportunity to explore the offroading capability of the SF250 and I am happy to report that it's doable. The engine is very tractable and if you are careful and know where to place your vehicle, you can get by without scrapping the underbelly. That being said, I did end up getting stuck in a few places thanks to my almost bald front tyre which slipped the front from the line I picked, followed closely by my questionable offroading skills. The lower seat height and well-placed footpegs made it easy to flat foot, even at weird angles and it was a fun experience.

Post-Ride Observations of the SF250

The vibrations are still present and are weirdly more noticeable after the oil change. I have been noting this in the past oil changes as well. When new engine oil is used, the vibration is more noticeable and the vibrations seem to slightly reduce as the oil ages with km.

• Heat management is very good. The return leg of the ride was subjected to intense summer heat and the bike pushed on without skipping a beat.
• Front tyre is almost at its end of life.
• No rattles or damages to any parts of the bike after the offroading session.
• Got an average fuel efficiency of 33kmpl.
• Powerful headlight does a great job with illumination.

Hope to be back with more updates. Until then Cheerio!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The 2023 Gixxer range is available with a digital instrument console offering Bluetooth connectivity.

Suzuki has launched the 2023 Gixxer and Gixxer 250 at prices starting at Rs 1,40,500 (ex-showroom).

The 2023 Gixxer range is available with a digital instrument console offering Bluetooth connectivity, which brings in features like turn-by-turn navigation, incoming call, SMS & WhatsApp alert; along with missed call notifications, speed exceeding warnings, phone battery levels and the estimated time of arrival.

Suzuki has also introduced new colour options. The Gixxer SF 250 is now available in Metallic Matte Stellar Blue, Metallic Matte Black No. 2, and Metallic Sonic Silver with Metallic Triton Blue.

The Gixxer 250 is available in Metallic Matte Stellar Blue and Metallic Matte Black No. 2 paint options, while the Gixxer 155 is offered in Metallic Sonic Silver with Pearl Blaze Orange, Metallic Triton Blue, and Glass Sparkle Black colour options.

2023 Suzuki Gixxer range ex-showroom prices:

• Gixxer – Rs 1,40,500
• Gixxer SF – Rs 1,45,500
• Gixxer 250 – Rs 1,95,500
• Gixxer SF 250 – Rs 2,02,000
• Gixxer SF 250 (Metallic Sonic Silver with Metallic Triton Blue) – Rs 2,02,500

I was told that the motorcycle wasn't a test ride vehicle but a fresh piece that was brought for someone else.

BHPian SkylineGTR recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I went to a Suzuki showroom to take a test ride of the Gixxer SF 250, a motorcycle that has been on my list of prospective bikes for a long time. The bike was fine and all, however, it was not a test ride vehicle. It was a fresh unit parked in the showroom. The SA told me it was meant for delivery to another person. I asked, when? He said, next week.

I asked for a test ride. He said he would give me one but I ought to be careful since the bike did not have insurance. The sales manager was polite and courteous: I took two rides, one short and then a slightly longer one which he allowed after I asked for a longer TD.

What's pestering me is that he is kind of asking me to buy the same bike that I test rode. He insists that it's a brand new piece and I am the first person to TD it. I obviously don't believe him. The speedo wire is disconnected too so there's no way to know how many kilometres the bike has run.

I asked him about the other person for whom the bike is meant, but he says that person has not deposited money as of now so there are no issues if they give his bike to me.

I then asked him how he had ordered a bike from Suzuki if the supposed customer had not even made a booking yet? He said, sir, that's how we operate, and we needed a piece to display in the showroom anyway. Really? You just order a bike from the factory because some guy called you and told you he'd buy one in a few days?

I again insisted on getting a fresh, factory-delivered piece but he said there are no issues with this one and again insisted I buy that one only. Is this behaviour normal?

Here are my concerns

• What if this bike is a test ride vehicle and has already run multiple hundred kms? Test ride bikes aren't treated kindly, people would definitely have revved it hard and ruined the engine.
• What kind of showroom just orders a bike from the factory without taking a booking amount?
• Why can't he just say, ok sir no problem, you pay the booking amount and we'll get you a fresh piece?

Although the sales manager was very polite and sat with me after his closing hours to explain to me the pricing and all, I have already lost trust in this showroom. Now even if he agrees to get a new unit I will have a doubt that it's the same old TD bike, washed and cleaned. What should I do?

Here's what BHPian Engine_Roars had to say about the matter:

Well, you were more than happy to test ride a bike that was supposed to be delivered to someone else, I mean, if you were this worried about getting a new bike, you should not have ridden someone else's bike.

On another note, if you don't want to take this bike, simply reject, they can't force you.

Here's what BHPian KPR had to say about the matter:

My BIL and I test rode a Gixxer SF150 in 2018 that was standing in a showroom. Speedo cable was removed and it was a new bike. We loved it. Asked if there is any other blue colour available. Dealer said that the bike we rode was a new one and no stock is available in the yard. We checked the VIN and it was just 1 month old. So we didn't think twice and purchased it although we knew someone could've test rode the same bike. In my opinion, we are the best judge. We saw no scratches and no complaints about the bike.

There's nothing wrong with purchasing the bike if you're convinced.

Here's what BHPian neil.jericho had to say about the matter:

There is an old saying, what is good for the goose is good for the gander!

You can't really have it both ways, buddy. You were fine with riding the bike to be delivered to another person, even when it was without insurance (What if you had an accident on the way, even if it was no fault of your own?). However, you aren't fine with taking delivery of that very same bike. That doesn't seem very logical.

This is not to absolve the dealership of any responsibility. If they are willing to give another customer's delivery bike to you for a test ride, how do you know that they won'  order another bike for you, give that for test rides and then hand it over to you at the time of delivery? Life finds a way of coming full circle.

If you like the SF 250 and you enjoyed this particular unit, don't overthink it. Put it down to a lesson learnt and buy the bike. Within a few days, you will forget all about the dealer's antics.

If you like the SF 250 but are hell-bent on not getting the bike which you have test ridden, then order it in another colour.

If you aren't comfortable with how the situation played out / is playing out, given that there is no other Suzuki dealer in town, then you are probably better off going in for another brand with an equivalent product and much more honest dealers.

Look for the area sales manager's number in the showroom and talk to him if you have any concerns.

Here's what BHPian v12 had to say about the matter:

It's simple, just make a note of the VIN of the bike you test rode and ensure you check the VIN of the new bike. The dealer cannot force you to buy the bike that he wants to sell you. If you have not already made a note of the VIN and are scared that he may try and sell you the same bike, try booking the bike after a month when the fresh stock comes in - that way you would be assured that you are getting a fresh piece.

If nothing, just change your dealer.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The biggest concern when buying a demo/test ride motorcycle is that it is usually ridden at higher revs during the break-in period.

BHPian phoenix.rider recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I was looking for an entry-level bike to start riding. I shortlisted bikes to test ride and find which ones fit me best. I am more of a sport-tourer kind of guy. I like a little aggressive position which should also be comfortable enough for long rides. I shortlisted the following bikes:

• Duke 390 - not RC because it is way too committed and the hardware is also outdated compared to the Duke.

• Dominar 400 - because it is good value for money when compared to the Duke.

• RE Himalayan - because it is very versatile, you can see it as a take-it-everywhere bike.
• Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 - because it is a good sports tourer.

After shortlisting, I started test riding the bikes and I was mostly looking for a bike that is sporty enough but also comfortable.

I liked Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 because it matched all my requirements. It made me feel like that I need to learn how to control a 26HP machine because when I was test riding and gave full throttle my heart started pumping, I was scared of that 26HP only.

I wouldn't talk about all other bikes because this post is mostly about buying a test ride vehicle. I will write about the overall test riding experience and owner experience in separate posts.

After test riding Gixxer, I was about to book the bike but I was not sure which colour to book. I came back after a few days to book the bike but when I reached there, the salesperson introduced me to the BS4 test ride bike which they wanted to sell because the BS6 model was released and the showroom had a BS6 bike for test rides.

I test rode the BS4 bike which only had 1000 km on the odometer and it was almost the same as the BS6 bike. BS4 and BS6 have only 1 difference. BS6 has a little more refined engine (less vibration) than BS4. I was instantly hooked on the idea of getting an almost exactly same bike at half the price without going bankrupt.

After taking the test ride I did some preliminary tests. I checked the below points to make sure that 1000 km on the odometer are real and not tempered.

• Checked the RC and ensured that the bike is registered in the name of the showroom.
• Checked the tire tread to make sure that tires are not used a lot. I also compared the tire manufacturing date with bike manufacturing month and year and they were from around the same period.

• I also checked the sprocket teeth to make sure that there is no unusual wear and they were in perfect condition.
• I also checked for any scratch marks on the lever, body panel, mirror, exhaust because these places can tell if the bike has fallen or not. One loophole here is that showroom guys can change these parts.

• I checked the bike's service history to see whether any part was replaced and the servicings had been done at the right time or not.

After checking all the above points, I was convinced that the bike was not used a lot and it is the best deal I can get.

One suggestion I will make to anyone who is buying a new bike is that he/she should try to look at the test ride units because they are a lot cheaper compared to the new ones and depreciation will be very low.

The biggest concern when buying test bikes is that they all are ridden in the high rev range during the break-in period but I don't think this makes such a huge difference to the performance because my bike runs smooth and gives good economy (always 35kmpl+). I have done 12K km in 6 months. Here's the link to the test conducted by Motorcyclist Magazine that shows that the break-in method doesn't make such a huge difference.

Once you have the bike in your possession, the only thing you need to worry about is getting the bike transferred in your name.

Here's what BHPian ebonho had to say about the matter:

Congratulations on a great deal.

Doppie and Figgy, my 2 Bullet 500s, were both ARAI company test bikes, purchased directly from the company. No dealer involved.

ARAI test bikes are handpicked by the companies. You are getting literally the cream of the litter.

Here's what BHPian condor had to say about the matter:

Showrooms typically give short test drives, and these happen to be in city traffic. So I don't think even that high-revving you have mentioned would be for longer durations.

If you are satisfied, go ahead. Try to get a warranty for the bike.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

A total of 199 units are said to be affected by this issue.

Suzuki has recalled the Gixxer 250 and SF 250 to rectify an issue after customers complained of excessive vibrations.

A total of 199 units are said to be affected by this issue. This includes bikes manufactured between August 12, 2019 and March 21, 2021.

While the exact cause of the vibrations hasn't been revealed, it could be due to improper positioning of the balancer shaft in the engine. Similarly, incorrect positioning of the crank balancer gear drive could also cause two of the six mounting lugs of the taillamp to come loose.

According to the company, the repairs would only take a couple of hours and would be done free of cost.

Suzuki has launched the Gixxer 250 with a BS6-compliant engine in India. The bike is priced at Rs. 1,63,400. The Gixxer SF 250 and SF 250 MotoGP are priced at Rs. 1,74,000 and Rs. 1,74,900 (ex-showroom, Delhi) respectively.

The Gixxer 250 and Gixxer SF 250 are powered by a 249cc, single-cylinder engine that produces 26 BHP @ 9,300 rpm and 22.2 Nm @ 7,300 rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The Gixxer and Gixxer SF come with an LED headlamp and a new digital instrument cluster.

The Gixxer 250 is available in Matte Black and a dual-tone shade of Matte Platinum Silver and Matte Black. The Gixxer SF 250 is available in Matte Black and Matte Platinum Silver, while the Gixxer SF 250 MotoGP comes in Metallic Triton Blue.

Suzuki has launched the Gixxer SF facelift and SF 250 priced at Rs. 1,09,870 and Rs. 1,70,655 (ex-showroom, Delhi), respectively.

The Gixxer SF and SF 250 are fully faired bikes with wraparound LED headlamp in the front and a short windscreen. They come with clip-on handle bars, digital instrument cluster, stepped seat and a single side-mounted exhaust. Both models come with a 12-litre fuel tank.

The updated Gixxer SF measures 2,025 mm in length, 715 mm in width, 1,035 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 1,340 mm. The seat height is set at 795 mm and the bike weighs 146 kg. It is powered by a 154.9cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that delivers 13.9 BHP @ 8,000 rpm and 14 Nm @ 6,000 rpm and is paired with a 5-speed gearbox. 

The SF 250 measures 2,010 mm in length, 740 mm in width, 1,035 mm in height with a wheelbase of 1,345 mm and seat height of 800 mm. The bike weighs 161 kg. It is powered by a 249cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine that puts out 26 BHP @ 9,000 rpm and 22.6 Nm @ 7,500 rpm. It is mated to a 6-speed transmission. 

Both bikes get a telescopic fork suspension at the front and a monoshock at the rear. Stopping power comes from disc brakes at both ends. Both bikes are equipped with ABS.