In 2018, Haojue Holdings, Suzuki’s Chinese partner showcased the Haojue DR300 at the Chongqing Motor Show in China. Underneath the Haojue is a Suzuki GSX-S300, a sharp looking street-fighter. And now reports suggest that it could be reaching India soon. Suzuki does not sell any bikes in the quarter-litre segment and this could be a good move if Suzuki brings the GSX-S250 a toned down version. It is also being said that Suzuki plans to launch the bike by mid-2019.
Suzuki’s Gixxer range of motorcycles have quite a fan following and the new 250cc bike could boost sales for Suzuki even further in the premium segment. It is also being said that a fully-faired version could be developed and launch soon to rival the likes of KTM RC 390, TVS Apache RR 310 and the likes.
The Haojue DR300 is a very well equipped bike, with sharp looking LED headlamps and daytime running lights, LED tail lamps and a fully digital instrument console. The engine is a 298cc, twin-cylinder motor but the Indian market might get a 250cc, single cylinder air/oil-cooled BSVI compliant motor to keep costs in check. On the equipment front, Suzuki may use a large diameter fork and disc brakes with dual-channel ABS.
The current Suzuki Gixxer 160 has an air-cooled, all-aluminum, 154.9cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, 2- valve, SOHC engine that produces 14.8 PS of power @ 8000 RPM and 14 Nm of torque @ 6000 RPM powered by Suzuki Eco Performance (SEP) technology coupled to a 6-speed gearbox. The kerb weight of the Suzuki Gixxer is 136 kg and the fuel tank capacity of 12 litres. The Suzuki Gixxer 160 comes with a 41mm diameter telescopic front fork and 7-step adjustable rear monoshock. The brakes are Hydraulic disc brakes on both wheels equipped with ABS.
The Suzuki GSX-S250, if it will be named that, will compete with the Yamaha FZ-25 and is expected to cost around INR 1.50 lakh ex-showroom, India