WORDS: Ben Wilkins
PHOTO: Geoff Osborne
SUZUKI
GSX-250R
he GSX-R range of bikes certainly
has heritage. The first ‘Gixxer’, the
GSX-R750, made its world debut
in 1985. This means the GSX-R has
one of the longest running model names
in motorcycling, with Suzuki having
produced a GSX-R for some 33 years.
And it’s also been a very long time since
Suzuki produced a GSX-R that fits in the
learner market. Until now. Say hello to
the GSX250R.
You might not know it, but Suzuki’s
GN250 Inazuma has been one of New
Zealand’s best selling road motorcycles
for many years and, while it’s a reliable
and functional machine... sexy it is not.
However, with the GSX-250R, Suzuki has
entered the premium learner market.
Decked out in graphics aping Suzuki’s
premier-class MotoGP machine, the
GSX250R is something of a looker and
certainly stands out on the showroom
floor.
Like Suzuki’s own DL250 V-Strom, the
GSX-250R features a 248cc four-valve,
parallel-twin motor which produces
18.4kW at 8000rpm and 23.4Nm at
6500rpm. Ok, with those numbers this
isn’t a screaming powerhouse – like most
models that have had the GSX-R name.
I’d say this motor is a probably a little
more suited to the DL250 where the
looks don’t convey a million km/h, but
Suzuki’s quarter-litre
Gixxer puts Suzuki into the
premium learner category.
for a LAMS-compliant learner machine
it’s sufficient. Certainly, in traffic, taking
on commuting duties, the GSX has more
than enough welly to keep up with traffic
and will readily nip ahead if it’s revved
hard. Suzuki says the engine is optimised
around low to mid-range power delivery,
at speeds between 20 to 90km/h. On
the open road the bike will happily run
at 100km/h and there’s even a little left
over if you want to push things a little
quicker.
Talking of commuting, this bike has
a nimble nature and is happy when
flitting around congested streets, making
U-turns and splitting lanes of stationary
traffic sat at the lights. There’s enough
room aboard for a big range of rider
sizes and I was more than comfy enough
at just under 6’ (182cm). Sitting above the
top steering yoke, the clip-on handlebars
don’t put too much body weight onto the
wrists, and the little fairing screen does a
reasonable job at taking the wind when
up to cruising speed. The LCD dash gives
plenty of information including fuel level,
fuel economy and twin trips for mileage.
Sitting with a single disc at either end,
the brakes are up to the job rather than
scintillating and the ABS works well in
the dry and wet, kicking in and stopping
the wheels from locking just when I’d
expect it to.
KIWI RIDER 35