Suzuki Gixxer Cup
Photos: Jordi Peters
I was gobsmacked with my
first glance of the Gixxer 150.
I almost couldn’t believe my
eyes when they said this was
the bike I’d be racing!
E
very now and then new initiatives come
along in motorcycling. Some are good,
some not so good, but some are really
great. When Suzuki NZ contacted KR
about the concept of a one-bike race series
based around the company’s GSX150F,
we were intrigued and as the details unfolded,
we were impressed. Enter the Gixxer Cup.
For less than $6000 Suzuki and its associates will
provide a race bike, helmet, leathers, boots and
gloves, and include six races for a young rider to
have a go at. Well, it’s actually seven, but only six
count for the points, allowing one poor result to be
dropped. The bikes come with a Meadsport muffler,
Oggy Knobs protection, clip-on ‘bars and sticky
Dunlop tyres. The bike is the GSX150F, or Gixxer
150 as it’s now known, which is a sweet little
commuter/entry level scratcher. It looks
good and goes as well as it looks.
After several false starts with riders and plans,
our season plan was finalised just three days
before the first shake down event at Manfeild on
October 18. SNZ had arranged the shakedown
opportunity for the series riders at the Schools Mini
Bike Championships (pictorial coverage to follow),
and 11 riders turned up to experience Gixxer road
racing, and for those riders over 16 the new series
means they can ride at the Boxing Day meeting at
The Cemetery circuit at Wanganui. The rules are
simple but effective; all parts must be supplied by
Suzuki New Zealand and mufflers can be swapped.
Engines must be stock and a larger front sprocket is
available for the higher speeds tracks. That’s it. Easy.